Home › Comics › British Comics › Battles in the Trenches and Berlin, in latest Commandos

Battles in the Trenches and Berlin, in latest Commandos

By John Freeman on February 12, 2014

Here’s the lowdown on the latest issues of Commando from DC Thomson, on sale from tomorrow, Thursday 13th February 2014.

Commando No 4679 – Deadlock At The Marne
Story: George Low Art: Keith Page Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-february-2014-collection?issue=4679

On the morning of the 28 June 1914 two pistol shots fired in a Sarajevo street would plunge the world into the most destructive war it had ever known as a spider’s web of alliances set Great Power against Great Power.

Within months, young men from across Europe faced each other across the contested soil of France. Young men like Joe Flynn, the fastest runner his regiment had ever known. He would need every ounce of that speed to survive.

Commando No 4680 – Duel In The Jungle
Story: Eric Hebden Art: Victor De La Fuente Cover: Keay
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-february-2014-collection?issue=4680

In the armoured car were a young, half-dead British officer and an Indian soldier. Up against them were four Japanese jungle-troops — deadly and lightning-fast.

What chance would they have against scores of men like these?

“If you can get past that evil-looking knife on the cover, there is a clue as to how this story is going to go” notes Commando Editor Calum Laird. “British soldier attacking British airman? That’s not right, surely.

“Stories of tribal allegiances on debts of honour are far from unknown in Commando but, as usual, Eric Hebden manages to twist and mix the threads together to weave an original blend. Also, as usual, there’s a little unexpected turn towards the end just to wrong foot you.

“His characterisations are well supported by that doyen of war comic artists Victor de la Fuente. Victor’s faces are full of life but his figures have the rare quality of seeming to move within a static frame. It’s not by chance that he is held in high esteem by comics fans…as you’ll see inside.

Commando No 4681 – Last Stand In Berlin
Story: George Low Art: Olivera Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-february-2014-collection?issue=4681

By 1945, Berlin was in ruins and its eventual fall to the advancing Russian forces was inevitable.

Despite this, Ernst Hartmann and his brave squad — members of the Volkssturm, the city’s last line of defence — stood defiantly in the Red Army’s way. For Ernst had one final task to perform, one that would probably cost him his life…

Commando No 4682 – Escape From Singapore
Story: Spence Art: Denis McLoughlin Cover: Jeff Bevan
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-february-2014-collection?issue=4682

Britain’s war with Japan in 1941 held little interest for American tramp-steamer skipper Charlie Donahue and his buddy. They had no great love for either country.

But following the Japanese attack on their country at Pearl Harbour, their interest was rapidly kindled, particularly when they were forced into an uneasy alliance with a unit of British Royal Engineers who commandeered their ship.

“This understated classic is not particularly bombastic or gung-ho, and instead concentrates on the clash between a Royal Engineers Captain and a cynical civilian Yank sailor,” explains Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery. “However, it also serves as a reminder that Commando can easily flit between, or even merge, genres – something more commonly known as a ‘mash-up’ these days. In this case, a gritty jungle tale meets a seaborne adventure – with memorable results.”

• There are more details of Commando on the official Commando website, the Commando Facebook page

• Commando Collections: Checklist

DOWNTHETUBES EXCLUSIVE COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

If you’re looking for a gift for a British comics fan, downthetubes has an EXCLUSIVE discount on a subscription to DC Thomson’s Commando comic, simply by ordering through the DC Thomson Online Shop using our special discount code.

• Follow this dedicated link to DC Thomson’s Commando subscription page

Some of our readers reported problems with the link recently, but the technical team at DC Thomson have now fixed things – so if you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the COMDT promotional code. Ignore the discount field on the check out page, too.

• More information on our dedicated Commando Subscription Offer Page

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.