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Sopwiths versus Stukas? Shurely Shome Mishtake, Commando…

By John Freeman on September 24, 2014

Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic, Commando (4743-4746), on sale tomorrow, 25 September 2014 in all good newsagents and digitally via iTunes for iPad and iPhone.

Commando No 4743 – Return To The Sky
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Carlos Pino
Cover: Carlos Pino
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/25th-september-2014-collection?issue=4743

No, you’re not seeing things, that is a Sopwith Camel scout attacking a Ju 87 Stuka. But surely, you say, they’re planes from two different wars, their designs nearly 25 years apart. Surely they would never have met in combat.

Well, yes and no.

How this unlikely pair came face to face takes a bit of explaining. It’s the story of a warrior’s… RETURN TO THE SKY

Commando No 4744 – Scourge Of The Desert
Originally Commando No 123 (July 1964), re-issued as No 663 (July 1972)
Story: Kenner Art: Gordon Livingstone Cover: Ken Barr
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/25th-september-2014-collection?issue=4744

The Sign of the Scorpion was their badge, and soon the Germans learned why…for the men of the Long Range Desert Group would fight as long as they drew breath. Their raids were as fast as the sting of the scorpion, and twice as deadly!

“The sub-title ‘the toughest desert rat of them all’ would seem to sum up this story very neatly,” notes Commando editor Calum Laird of this re=presented tale, “but there is a lot more going on here than just a lantern-jawed British hero beating the beastly Jerries. There are at least two other battles going on alongside that struggle.

“Gordon Livingstone’s crisp interior artwork — with Zip-a-tone shading in amongst the black pen work — marries excellent detail work along with dynamic figures to match the frantic mood of the action.

“Ken Barr’s cover work does what it always does — makes you want to open the book. And as you’ve done that, it’s worked!

“Originally titled ‘Single Fare To Tobruk’, this is classic Commando at its finest.”

Commando No 4745 – “On The Run!”
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Morahin Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/25th-september-2014-collection?issue=4745

On the retreat to Dunkirk, Sergeant-Major Mike Fletcher had hooked up with a trio of individuals separated from their units. Eventually they were captured and became POWs.

However, Mike saw some potential in this down-trodden and uninspired bunch. The Sergeant-Major was determined to turn them into proper soldiers once and for all!

First, all they had to do was escape…

Commando No 4746 – No-Gun Hero
Re-issued as No 2299 (August 1989), originally Commando No 965 (September 1975)
Story: Bernard Gregg Art: Boluda Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/25th-september-2014-collection?issue=4746

When Johnny Peace was called up to the army he refused to fight, refused to kill anyone. And he was branded a coward.

So he went to war as a medical orderly. Not for him guns or grenades — his only weapons were his medical satchel and his courage.

A coward? Not Johnny Peace. There was probably never a braver man in the British Army!

“Although Medical Orderly Johnny Peace (yes, really) is our eponymous No-Gun Hero, he is all but upstaged by a magnificent mutt — the fierce but noble Alsatian called Satan (yes, really),” says Scott Montgmoery, Commando’s Deputy Editor.

“There have been a few fighting dogs in Commando’s long history. Memorable canine “tails” (sorry, at least one pooch-related pun is compulsory) have included ‘Wagger’s War’ (No 1106), “Billy’s Best Friend” (No 3938) and ‘Hounds Of War’ (originally No 67, re-issued late in 2013 as No 4664).

“So, ‘Fetch!’ a cuppa, “Sit!” back and enjoy the story of a devilishly heroic hound!”

<br /> Over The Top! is the latest Commando collection from Carlton Books. From the muddy trenches of Flanders to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea and the deserts of the Middle East, this special collection of stories from the First World War, edited by Calum Laird, will take you back to a time when tales of bravery and honour in the face of terrible conditions were commonplace, as soldiers, sailors, submariners and airmen faced the most fiendish of enemies with stout hearts and stiff upper lips.

Rip-roaring tales tell of bitter rivalries, regimental clashes, proven troublemakers coming good, the duel of heavy artillery and even the cunning use of a London omnibus on the battlefield. Embodying the courage for which the Great War is famous, Over the Top! is a rousing anthology of adventures in the best tradition of Commando comics.

• 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

If you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the old DTT “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.