“Eagles of Battle” saga resumes in new Commando release

Commando 4835

Here’s the full briefing on this week’s releases of DC Thomson’s Commando,  which includes a new issue of one of the title’s rare continuing stories, “Eagles of Battle”, written by Ferg Handley and drawn by Keith Page. These titles are on sale in all good newsagents on Thursday (as well as via various digital platforms).

Commando No 4835 – Voyage of the Eagles
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-august-2015-collection?issue=4835

Luke Carrick was unexpectedly “press-ganged” into Royal Navy service at the height of the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th Century. Serving on board the HMS Hera, a frigate, Luke’s resentment at his treatment and loathing of authority steadily grew as the ship embarked on a series of increasingly dangerous voyages.

Luke’s older brother, Silas, had died in mysterious circumstances a few years earlier. Convinced that the British officer responsible for Silas’ death was now fighting alongside him, vengeance — even more than survival — was now on the young sailor’s mind.

“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 – Eagles of Battle – spanning many generations would hit the spot.

“Episode Nine sees the continuing story of three — entirely fictional —inter-linked families and how they find themselves in the thick of the action of the Napoleonic Wars.

“The majority of this exciting instalment takes place at sea — with Royal Navy vessels clashing against their French counterparts. Yet for one of our characters, these tumultuous battles are only a backdrop to a personal quest for revenge…

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

Commando 4836

Commando No 4836 – Rocket Blitz
Story: McOwan Art: Gordon Livingstone Cover: Ken Barr
Originally Commando No 312 (February 1968), re-issued as No 1027 (May 1976)
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-august-2015-collection?issue=4836

Purple with rage, the Luftwaffe squadron leader shook his fist at the lone Typhoon disappearing over the horizon. All around him, shattered planes and burning hangars covered his blitzed airfield, victims of one pilot.

And on the airfield in Belgium a British squadron leader scanned the horizon for the same plane. He was furious too. That plane was his own brand-new Typhoon, and it had been stolen!

“This is classic Commando in every sense,” enthuses Scott of this re-presented tale. “ From the wonderfully lurid colours of Ken Barr’s cover, to Gordon Livingstone’s dynamic black-and-white line art and McOwan (first name unknown)’s all-important script — these three elements fuse together perfectly for an epic tale of guts versus glory.

“When a plucky mechanic takes it upon himself to stand up to a ruthless squadron leader, we’re set for a brilliant story which is all about one man having the courage to do the right thing, whatever the cost.’

Commando No 4837 – Sniper Zone

Commando No 4837 – Sniper Zone
Story: George Low Art: Rezzonico Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-august-2015-collection?issue=4837

Salerno, Italy, 1943.

Life as a sniper suited Lance-Corporal Eric Shaw. He had seen a lot of mates die after a couple of tragic accidents and now he had become a loner – guilty that he had survived when they hadn’t.

His sharp-shooting skills improved with each day and he tried to help out any Allied troops whenever he could. Nonetheless, Eric was unexpectedly working alongside a fellow sharp-shooter – an American. Little did the two crack-shots know that soon the hunters would became the hunted – in the SNIPER ZONE…

Commando No 4838 – Desperate MeasuresCommando No 4838 – Desperate Measures
Story: C.G. Walker Art: Keith Shone Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No 2698 (September 1993)
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/13th-august-2015-collection?issue=4838

They were trapped in neutral Spain – the pilot of a ditched Hurricane and the first mate of a merchant ship which had also become a casualty of war.
They weren’t the best of mates, but they were all that stood between the British fleet at Gibraltar and a lethal strike force. The odds were stacked against them, but they weren’t quitters, and now was the time to take – DESPERATE MEASURES…

“As ever, veteran Commando artist Ian Kennedy’s terrific cover gives us a tantalising glimpse of what this book is all about,” says Scott. “Air and sea — as a Fleet Air Arm Hurricane blasts from a cam-ship via catapult…we see that there is also some kind of mysterious raid happening underneath the murky depths of the ocean, led by a pair of manned torpedo chariots.

“Air and sea — as a pilot and a sailor bitterly clash.

“Air and sea — with both combining to form a winning Commando story.”

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

• Commando Collections: Our Checklist

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Commando Digital Editions



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