Tally-ho! There are some exciting reads in this week’s Commando comics from DC Thomson Media (Issues 5487-5490), plus not one but two covers by the legendary Ian Kennedy are on offer! The title also marks this week’s Remembrance Day with a special story set in World War One, written by Russell Sheath.

From the scorching heat of the North African desert, to blistery snowy mountains in the Alps, and the treacherous trenches of the Western Front, this is one whirlwind set of Commando comics, sure to have you on the edge of your seat… so get yours soon!

“I’m absolutely thrilled by the Ian Kennedy cover on a comic I’ve written,” says Russell, who lives on the Isle of Wight. Signed copies of the issue will be on sale from the island’s Heroes comic shop, in Newport.

Commando 5487: Home of Heroes – Crusader Clash
Story: Ferg Handley | Art: Muller and Klacik | Cover: Mark Harris
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

By November 1941, the vital port of Tobruk in Libya was under constant attack by the Axis forces. The Allied response was Operation Crusader — a major offensive by British and Commonwealth troops aimed at breaking the siege. The only problem was that, under that hot desert sun, not all the Allied troops were going to get along, least of all a group of British tankies and the South African unit they were sent to reinforce!

Commemorating 80 years since the Operation, Handley masterfully crafts an exciting issue that captures the tensions of the desert battles, expertly captured in another superb Mark Harris cover.

Commando 5488: Gold Collection – Mystery Mountain
Story: Blandford | Art: Amador | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 606 (1971)
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They were a tough breed, the pilots who flew the giant Lancaster bombers deep into enemy territory with their lethal loads of bombs. And they had to be to face the flak and fighters that followed their course. One pilot, Steve Markham, had made his name as the toughest of the tough — in the air. But he was also a man to reckon with on the ground. That’s how he survived to tell this amazing tale!

Featuring a quintessentially glorious aviation cover from the legend Ian Kennedy, this issue shows why he truly is a master artist.

Commando 5489: Action and Adventure – Beware The Phantom
Story: Russell Sheath | Art: Khato | Cover: Ian Kennedy
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Gather round then and listen to what the old Sarge has to say… There’s a figure who haunts the trenches and no-one is safe from him. Armed with a Luger and a Webley, it doesn’t matter which side you’re on —you’re already his enemy.

Some folk think he’s just a ghost story, a myth used to frighten green lads, but they’re wrong. He’s real all right, and if you ever find yourself in those deserted mazes in no man’s land then you had better… Beware The Phantom!

A World War One issue to honour Remembrance Day, Russell Sheath’s thrilling romp is steeped in Boys’ Adventure, harking back to classic comics from the Golden Age.

Commando 5490: Silver Collection – Revenge of the Ghost
Story: Roger Sanderson | Art: Fleming | Cover: Jeff Bevan
Originally Commando No. 1680 (1983)
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Ghosts?! Sergeant Derek Bett did not believe in them. What sane person would, after all? So, when Private Ian Brodick tried to tell him that a man killed in England in the eighteenth century was aiding them both now in 1943, high in the snow-capped Italian mountains, well, he thought Ian had finally gone right off his rocker!

With a hilarious story from Sanderson, featuring a ghost with a wicked sense of humour — and side-tickling art from Fleming to bring it to life, this Commando will brighten any mood.

• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK

• The official 2022 Commando Calendar is available to order direct from the DC Thomson Media web shop, featuring the cover of Commando 5293 by Ian Kennedy

• The Art of Ian Kennedy is available to order here on Amazon (Using this Affiliate Link helps support downthetubes, thank you)

The book showcases Ian’s fantastic array of work for not only DC Thomson Media but also his own personal collection. The high spec 160-page art book includes both never before seen and classic covers, as well as illustrations from the DC Thomson archives, featuring titles as diverse as Lucky Charm and Buddy. 

Set out chronologically, the book showcases Ian’s career at the famous Scottish publishing house, from his early days working on ‘Red-Skull Branson’ and ‘Commando Jim’ to his most recent covers and commissions for Commando

• The Art of Ian Kennedy is also available to order from DC Thomson direct

Full Cover Gallery – Commando Issues 5487 – 5490

• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

Tags: Amador, Blandford, Commando, DC Thomson Media, downthetubes News, Ferg Handley, Fleming, Ian Kennedy, Jeff Bevan, Khato, Klacik, Mark Harris, Muller, Roger Sanderson, Russell Sheath, War Comics, World War One