George Low and Keith Page World War One series continues in new “Commando”

Commando 4687

Here’s our rundown of the latest Commando war comics from DC Thomson, on sale from tomorrow (Thursday 13th March 2014). This batch includes a re-presentation of a cracking tale drawn by the late, great José Maria Jorge, and continues George Low’s year-long series of World War One-related stories, all drawn by Keith Page. The first stories in this saga have been great reads, so look out for this next one.

Commando No 4687 – First Fight For Flanders
Story: George Low Art: Keith Page Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-march-2014-collection?issue=4687

On the morning of 28th 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.

By the time Private Hugh MacPherson got to France, the first trenches were scarring the landscape, heralding the static, deadly warfare to come. But Hugh had another concern… his officer. The man he believed had blinded his brother.

A reckoning was coming.

Commando 4688

Commando No 4688 – Zero Basher
Originally Commando No 136 (October 1964), re-issued as No 703 (December 1972)
Story: Fitzsimmons Art: Ortiz Cover: Ken Barr
Preview:  www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-march-2014-collection?issue=4688

Young Bill Daniel was a fine Hurricane pilot. He welcomed his posting to Burma and the chance to shoot it out with Jap Zeros high over the jungles. But it wasn’t to be as simple as that. Soon after he took off with Mike Bell, his squadron leader, Bill found out why 1066 squadron was known throughout the RAF as “Suicide Squadron”…

“Cool, calculating characters have found homes in Commando stories since the very earliest issues were published,” notes Calum Laird, Commando’s Editor. “Sometimes on the side of the angels, sometimes not. In this instance the cool, calculating Squadron Leader is definitely on the side of…no, find out for yourself! Read the book.

“That’s once you’ve got beyond Ken Barr’s accomplished full colour cover, for there’s a lot to admire in Senor Ortiz’s black and white work. He didn’t do a great number of Commandos (we reckon 19), but he was in at the start with Number 5 and finished with February 1978’s No 1202 — a good run by anyone’s standards.”

Commando 4689

Commando No 4689 – Seaplane Strike
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Carlos Pino Cover: Carlos Pino
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-march-2014-collection?issue=4689

With only three working engines and weighed down by a rescued Allied submarine crew, the RAF Sunderland flying boat was stuck at sea level in the waterways of the Burmese chaungs. Hunted by a relentless Japanese officer, the aircraft’s crew had to find a way home — they had vital information of a massive Japanese force waiting for a break in the monsoon…waiting to obliterate the Allies.

Pilot “Lofty” Crane planned to show the Japs that they couldn’t keep good men — or a good plane — down.

Commando 4690

Commando No 4690 – The Invisible Warrior
Originally Commando No 2306 (August 1989), re-issued as No 3868 (December 2005)
Story: R.A. Montague Art: J.M. Jorge Cover: Jeff Bevan
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-march-2014-collection?issue=4690

When four Allied submarines were lost without trace in the same area of the Indian Ocean, the Top Brass believed it was the work of a new Japanese weapon, code-named Namurani.

The remaining sub crews knew different – the area was jinxed!

Lieutenant Dan Baxter, commanding the submarine HMS Bluefin, didn’t know what to believe until he learned the story of the legendary Japanese Samurai Warlord, Tichibu, and his Spirit bodyguard, Namurani…

“The late Argentinian artist Jose Maria Jorge was well-known for his stunning aeroplane illustrations,” notes Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor, “but we can see from this story that he was every bit as good at drawing nautical tales. Jorge’s first published Commando was ‘Flying Fury’ (Number 384) in February 1969. He illustrated Commando books for over 40 years – including the 4000th issue, “Aces All!” in April 2007 – right up to September 2010’s ‘Divided Aces’ (Number 4329), published shortly before his death.

“A unique talent, much missed, but luckily we can still enjoy his extraordinary work.”

•  Read our tribute to José Maria Jorge here

• 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



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