Flying Fools and Eagles of Eden – New Commandos On Sale Today!

Commando 4799

Here’s the details on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4799 -4802) – on sale from tomorrow, Thursday 9th April 2015.

Two leading Commando artists – Ian Kennedy and Keith Page – will both be making a rare appearance at a comics event this month – at the Birmingham Comics Festival on Saturday 18th April 2015. Full details here: www.thecomicfestival.com

Commando 4799 – Eagles Of New Eden
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/9th-april-2015-collection?issue=4799

After the tumultuous events of the English Civil War, Sergeant Samuel Carrick and his fellow Roundhead soldiers were victorious but disillusioned. So disillusioned, that they sailed away to start new lives in the far-off Americas.

The idyllic farming colony they established was christened New Eden. Here they worked hard and lived peacefully off the fruits of their labours.

This peace was shattered when enemies old and new stood against them. It seemed Samuel and his comrades would have to fight for their lives once more…

“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 Seven sees the stories of three inter-linked families continue in the aftermath of the English Civil War. Although supposedly a time of peace, there were still many factions in society at loggerheads. In order to live the way they desired, many opted for new lives across the Atlantic. As some of our characters found out, this was a hard existence, fraught with danger and disaster. Our story is, of course, fiction but the experiences of our heroes are not far from the truth as encountered by many.

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

Commando 4800

 

Commando 4800 – Flying Fools
Originally Commando No 180 (September 1965), re-issued as No 819 (March 1974)
Story: Bounds Art: Sostres Cover: Ken Barr
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/9th-april-2015-collection?issue=4800

Flight Lieutenant Roy Ogden was a pilot who fought and flew strictly by the book. He had a neat, tidy squadron that fought neat, tidy air battles and got quite good results…quite good.

Then a big Texan pilot called Mike McClusky arrived on the scene; a daring, slap-happy flier who roared, “Get in and mix it, boys!” across his radio. Suddenly the results were terrific.

That was when Roy’s neat, tidy squadron changed into a bunch of…

Flying Fools!

“As you can imagine, working (ha!) here, we get to read a lot of war stories of all flavours,” says Calum Laird, Commando Editor. “Despite the numbers of them, only occasionally do you get one that combines all the “classic” elements of a war story. This, however, is one of those. Not wanting to give the game away, I’ll refrain from itemising them, but you’ll know them when you see them. What’s more, with a bit of disbelief suspension, they come together to make a cracking story.

“Backed up by Sostres’ contrast-heavy inside art, the plot the story that waits behind Ken Barr’s cover is well worth the investment of your time.”

 

Commando 4801

 

Commando 4801 – A Tiger’s Tale
Story: George Low Art: Vicente Alcazar Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/9th-april-2015-collection?issue=4801

“Tiger!” — a cry that struck fear into many a soldier’s heart during the Second World War. Little wonder when it meant that you were about to encounter 50-odd tons of armoured might, impervious to all but the heaviest weapons and with an 88mm gun whose shells could punch right through another tank from a mile away.

Tanks, though, don’t operate themselves — they need crewmen. Crewmen like the five here who will tell you… A Tiger’s Tale.

 

Commando 4802

 

Commando 4802 – School For Spies
Re-issued as No 2380 (June 1990), originally Commando No 1058 (August 1976)
Story: C.G. Walker Art: Gordon Livingstone Cover: Phillips
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/9th-april-2015-collection?issue=4802

High on a rocky crag on the west coast of Scotland stood Whitecrest House, home of the Mackay family of Strathfiddich. Over the centuries its grim, stone walls had looked down on many tales of bravery, mystery and intrigue.

Now, in the Second World War, it was being put to a peaceful purpose — a boarding school for boys. But what the boys didn’t know was that under their feet, in hidden cellars and dungeons, was another kind of school, where the students had names like Kurt…and Hans…and Ernst…

“The Ed and I have often wondered why espionage stories are slightly more difficult to do in Commando’s format, compared to traditional military action,” says Scott of this story. “Difficult, but not impossible as this book certainly is a success. The main bugbear is that spy tales tend to involve a variety of people standing in shadows, talking to themselves (usually explaining the plot) in lots of “thought balloons”; and then we might have several pages of more explanations, sometimes done in flashback. All of this is fine, of course, but can grate a little over 63 pages.

“However, this yarn is thoroughly entertaining, with lots of incident and interesting characters — ensuring that School For Spies is a class act. Top marks all round!


• 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.

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.

Commando Digital Editions



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