New Commando war story continues World War One theme

Commando 4703

The latest issues of Commando, on sale from today (8th May 2014) in all good newsagents and as digital editions for iPad and iPhone, again offer another tale set during World War One drawn by Keith Page and a range of other character-driven stories from different eras. Here’s the background intelligence on these new releases, straight from publisher DC Thomson…

Commando No 4703 – Attack In Artois
Story: George Low Art: Keith Page Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/8th-may-2014-collection?issue=4703

On the morning of the 28 June 1914 two pistol shots fired in a Sarajevo street had plunged the world into war and pitched men of all nations against one another.

As shells ripped ground and air apart all around, a small ceasefire was called in No-Man’s-Land while two men traded stories instead of lead for one had saved the other’s life. Both had similar tales to tell, yet one was British, the other German…

“As a tribute to those who served during the years 1914-1918 — on the Home Front or at Front Line — Commando has produced a series of stories of characters caught up in the tumult of the First World War,” says Calum Laird, Commando Editor. “None of them are real people but we’d like to think that the experiences they have will not be a million miles from what actually happened to so many.

“In the previous issue, our heroes were from the ANZAC and the Royal Navy, battling away in Gallipoli. As that campaign ground on, new offensive started on the Western Front in France — The Battle Of Loos in the Artois and Champagne region. The Tommies might have had tin hats now but that was the only improvement to their lot, for even the British were now using the dreaded poison gas.

“I hope you enjoy this and the other stories in the series as much as we have.”

The series continues in four weeks with Firestorm In Flanders, Commando No 4711

Commando 4704

 

Commando No 4704 – Desert Hero
Originally Commando No 144 (December 1964), re-issued as No 731 (April 1973)
Story: Skentleberry Art: Alonso Cover: Ken Barr
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/8th-may-2014-collection?issue=4704

The “Phantom Major”…the “Battling Major”…every man in that company had a different name for him, and when he led them every man would fight to his last drop of blood.

Not one knew that under his tunic with its Major’s crowns was plain Jack Steel, corporal. They wouldn’t have believed it. But then Napoleon was once a corporal…

“Here’s another slightly misleading Commando cover,” notes Calum of this re-presented story. “Not that there’s anything wrong with Ken Barr’s mighty illustration it’s just that…well, this isn’t the air story you might expect. Ah, but what a story, Mr Skentleberry! Classic Commando fare — a man who pretends to be something he’s not (despite the consequences) plus action, action, action. And what superb action illustrations, too, the pen and brushes of Alonso were seldom so well employed.

“Check out those faces, too — masterful stuff.

“Oh, and be prepared for a little twist at the end.”

Commando 4705

 

Commando No 4705 – Battler Hastings
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Rezzonico Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/8th-may-2014-collection?issue=4705

Augustus “Gus” Hastings was the strict-but-fair headmaster of St. Sebastian’s school — an institution that had educated those destined for high military rank or government appointment for generations.

With the Second World War raging, Gus and his pupils were packed off to the safety of Newfoundland. En route, however, they were caught up in a hair-raising adventure, tangling with Germans all the way.

As time went on, the boys realised there was more to Gus than met the eye. And just where did he learn to fight?

Commando 4706

Commando No 4706 – Seek And Sink
Originally Commando No 2252 (February 1989), re-issued as Commando No 3779 (January 2005)
Story: Ian Clark Art: Ibanez Cover: Jeff Bevan
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/8th-may-2014-collection?issue=4706

This is the story of the Fairey Swordfish torpedo dive-bomber…an out-dated biplane at first glance, yet still a very powerful weapon in the arsenal of the Fleet Air Arm. For, unlike many other planes, they could take a lot of punishment and still fly. Their crews scoured the seas, their mission to seek out and sink enemy shipping — often with spectacular results!

“In Commando we always have fictional characters but, for authenticity, they can be placed in real-life military organisations, notes Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery. “The Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm gives us double the usual amount of scope — for a yarn that can encompass both a sea tale AND an aircraft story, in this case the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber.

“Author Ian Clark does this skilfully and delivers a script that manages to be thoughtful and thrilling. It’s dynamically illustrated by Ibanez, whose rain-drenched, stormy scenes on pages 9, 10 and 11 are not for the faint-hearted!”

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

• Commando Collections: Checklist

DOWNTHETUBES EXCLUSIVE COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

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• 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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