The latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando Comics are on sale this Thursday (29th January 2026), with bestselling author James Swallow and artist Esteve Polls delivering an all-new World War Three adventure in a set reviving a popular Warlord series. This set also sees the return of Ramsey’s Raiders, in dramatic action, by Ferg Handley and Carlos Pino.
“Kubel Raiders”, set in North Africa, leads the charge, and it’s a story crammed with breathtaking action from start to finish. The Germans, frustrated but impressed by Ramsey’s shock and awe raids, set up their own strike force – and it isn’t long before both squads cross paths in a deadly game of cat and mouse in the sands. Veteran artist Carlos Pino delivers the action sequences on this story in style, with plenty of twists and turns in the tale to entertain.
Also new this set is “Harrier Squadron: Armistice Day”, writer James Swallow bringing all his skills for delivering action and intrigue to bear in a story set in an unusual story – for Commando, anyway – set in an alternate 1993, with World War Three tearing the world apart. But peace seems on the horizon, bringing an uneasy alliance between WestFed and Asbloc fighter pilots to protect vital negotiations. With traitors on both sides, seeking to perpetuate the war, who will prevail?
Esteve Polls brings James’ drama-filled story to delicious life with his standout art. Well worth the price of admission!
If “Harrier Squadron” sounds familiar, it should; the strip first appeared in the weekly adventure comic, Warlord, initially as “Holocaust Squadron”, making is debut in Warlord No. 338 in March 1981; then as “Harrier Squadron” in launched in No. 420 in October 1982, with art by Terry Patrick. (The title change wasn’t, as far as I’m aware, explained at the time). “Harrier Squadron” storylines often involved high-stakes aerial combat, and it was a clever way to feature Harrier jump jets in an action setting, interest in them high because of the Falklands War. Its original opening stories didn’t really hit the spot but the adventure grew in the telling and by the time of its name change, the series appears to have become a reader favourite – and James rightly draws on elements of the later incarnation in style.
This new story includes a nod to Battle’s “Johnny Red” and that strip’s “Night Witches”, with inclusion of the Red Queen, a clever – and deadly – Russian fighter pilot. That “Johnny Red” artist Keith Burns provides the stunning cover for this issue is simply icing on the cake!
Represented this set are “Sky of Flame”, a tense story centred on a seasoned but troubled Lancaster crew whose doubts in their captain grow, featuring astonishing art by legendary Commando artist Jose Maria Jorge; and “Spaceman in a Spitfire”, another science fiction inspired adventure, that sees an alien pilot fighting in the Royal Air Force during World War Two, on a mission to learn battle tactics that might help his planet defeat a deadly foe.
The latter sparked fond memories of picking up this particular issue first time around, back in 1984, Ian Kennedy’s cover an attention grabbing draw back then… and it still is!
Commando 5927 (Home of Heroes): Kubel Raiders
Story: Ferg Handley
Art and Cover: Carlos Pino
Ramsey’s Raiders are known for their fast hit-and-run tactics. Now the Germans have decided to mimic the Raiders’ methods using desert Kubelwagens – and who’s sent to stop them? Ramsey’s Raiders, of course!
Commando 5928 (Gold Collection): Sky of Flame
Story: Cornes
Art: Jose Maria Jorge
Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1971 as No. 597
She was different from the other Lancasters, like a rogue elephant is different from the rest of the herd. She was a killer plane, and sooner or later she was going to kill Don Morgan and his entire crew…
Commando 5929 (For Action and Adventure): Harrier Squadron – Armistice Day
Story: James Swallow
Art: Esteve Polls
Cover: Keith Burns
The year is 1993. Across Battleground Europe, World War III rages as the invading armies of the ASBLOC (Asian Bloc) battle the defending forces of WESFED (the Western Federation). At the tip of the spear are Harrier Squadron, an international allied task force of jump-jet pilots caught up in this desperate battle – but when the chance for a ceasefire lands in their laps, they must defeat a conspiracy hell-bent on continuing the conflict!
Commando 5930 (Silver Collection): Spaceman in a Spitfire
Story: Roger Sanderson
Art: Gordon C. Livingstone
Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1984 as No. 1855
When Ron Holmes enlisted in the RAF, he didn’t seem to be very different from the other recruits who wanted to be pilots. Yet all that changed once he started flying. Few could ever hope to match his superb skill.
Many wondered what the secret of this astonishing flyer was, but none would ever have believed his fantastic story…
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando Comics 5927 – 5930 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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