Here’s the run down on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4791-4794), on sale from Thursday 12th March 2015 in all good newsagents and through various digital platforms.

Commando No 4791 – The Eagles Strike!
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/12th-march-2015-collection?issue=4791

The mid-17th Century would turn out to the most turbulent time in England’s already tempestuous history. In summer 1642, a full-scale civil war erupted between the armies of the Royalist “Cavalier” and the Parliamentary “Roundheads.”

Even the village of Teverton in the far south-west of Britain was caught up in the strife, and a centuries-old feud between a trio of families was re-ignited by the spark of war. Things looked bleak as Englishmen battled fellow Englishman…

“With only a few notable exceptions — step forward the Convict Commandos — recurring characters have been rare on the pages of Commando over the last 50-odd years,” notes Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor. “However we were of the opinion that you, our readers, might like a series which carried the story over more than one issue. With the pen of Ferg Handley recruited to do the writing, we decided that a historical saga spanning many generations would hit the spot.

“Episode Six sees the continuing story of three sets of inter-linked characters move from the 14th Century to the harrowing times of the English Civil War of 1642. In the past, the characters had repelled Norman and Roman invaders. Now they are set to do battle with their fellow countrymen.

“We hope you enjoy this story and the journey to come.”

Commando No 4792 – Call Him Hero
Originally Commando No 186 (October 1965), re-issued as No 815 (February 1974)
Story: Tyson Art: Medrano Cover: Ken Barr
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/12th-march-2015-collection?issue=4792

Look how young Sergeant-pilot Jack Sherwood left a Nazi prison camp — on the end of a home-made, twelve-foot vaulting pole!

And this is only one of a hair-raising series of close shaves Jack survives in this great yarn. Sprinter, weight-lifter, jumper and vaulter, this crack user athlete has to pull out he knows before he gets clear of the Germans to fly — and fight — again.

“Prisoner of War stories have always been a bit problematic in Commando,”” Calum Laird, Commando’s Editor, reveals. “We’ve always tried to have lots of action in our stories so the static setting of a Stalag doesn’t really work. The other thing that’s difficult is having a lone character featuring throughout the tale. Endless pictures of a thoughtful hero can get a bit wearing. And yet, Mr Tyson has used both these themes and made a Commando tale that works very well.

“With Medrano’s inside art and Ken Barr’s slightly misleading cover, this is a rare classic seeing the light of day for the first time in 40 years.”

Commando No 4793 – The Rogue Mission
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Carlos Pino Cover: Carlos Pino
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/12th-march-2015-collection?issue=4793

The Home Guard never served overseas, did they? And they certainly didn’t take their improvised armoured vehicles to the east of Africa to fight Axis forces, did they? Of course they didn’t.

Or did they? A bunch of Home Guardsmen from Hecklethwaite might beg to differ, for they know the story of… The Rogue Mission

Commando No 4794 – Duel In The Snow
Originally Commando No 2559 (March 1990), re-issued as No 3455 (November 2006)
Story: David Heptonstall Art: Ibanez Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/12th-march-2015-collection?issue=4794

Climbing dazedly from the shattered cockpit of his hijacked Zero, Pilot Officer Bill O’Hara was relieved to find himself still in one piece.

But his troubles weren’t over yet. A deadly duel was about to begin on the side of a mountain will Bill, unarmed and exhausted, against a fanatical enemy officer out for revenge!

“After reading this story, part of me was tempted to go back through the pages and check for any rogue kitchen sinks that I may have missed — as author David Heptonstall seems to have thrown everything else into the mix!” says Scott Montgomery . “’Duel In The Snow’ is a heady brew of aerial dogfights, Commando training, top secret missions, stolen Japanese Zeros and Himalayan mountaineering.

“I think it’s fair to say that only in Commando can there be so much scope for such a gloriously entertaining, action-packed concoction, brought vividly to life by Ibanez’s stylish art and Ian Kennedy’s typically atmospheric cover.”

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

• Commando Collections: Our Checklist

Don’t Miss Out on our 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

Commando Digital Editions

• Available on the App Store for Apple devices
• Available on Comixology
• Available on Readly
• Android App on Google Play
• Available on Kindle
• Available as browser edition

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.

Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, downthetubes Comics News

Tags: Alan Hebden, Carlos Pino, Comic Genres, Commando, David Heptonstall, Ferg Handley, Ian Kennedy, Ibanez, Keith Page, Ken Barr, Medrano, Tyson, War Comics