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A haunted tank and a jinxed pilot offer a supernatural twist in new Commando comics

By John Freeman on April 23, 2024

Tanks, Mosquitos, legionnaires and a grenade-wielding British officer… it’s all go in the latest issues of Commando from DC Thomson Media, Issues 5743-5746, on sale from Thursday 25th April, 2024 in all good newsagents and from digital platforms.

We’re treated to not one but two stories written by Brent Towns issues in this Commando set, the first, “Frank the Tank”, a super-supernatural issue featuring a ghost in the tank machine, with interior art by veteran Jaume Forns, and the return of Marco Bianchini on cover duties, a relative newcomer to the title, who we profiled back in January on his debut.

In Brent’s second story, “Recon Hoodoo!”, what’s more classic in a Commando adventure than a hoodoo on the main character? That’s exactly what Brent Town evokes in his story about the jinxed Aussie pilot of an unarmed recon plane during World War Two, with moody interiors by Alberto Saichann, and a lush cover by Neil Roberts.

As usual, there are two re-presented tales in the set, both written by Gentry: “Valley of Flame”, in which a hapless officer turned hero with a capable sergeant by his side, written by Gentry, with art by Franch and a cover by Penalva; and “Legion Vendetta”, a tale of revenge with art Gordon C Livingstone and a cover by Ian Kennedy.

Here are the full details…

Commando 5743: Home of Heroes: Frank the Tank
Story: Brent Towns | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Marco Bianchini

The M4 Sherman Firefly named Frank was a beast of a machine. Tough, stubborn, and a heck of a thing to drive. Corporal Ken Roberts, Frank’s driver, soon found out that if you upset Frank he would go nowhere and you would end up a sitting duck for the Germans!

But there was a secret inside Frank, one that would save the lives of his entire crew — if you showed him some respect!

Commando 5744: Gold Collection: Valley of Flame
Story: Gentry | Art: Franch | Cover: Penalva
First Published 1970 as Issue 548

Sergeant Bull Moore, a tough veteran who’d been in more tight corners than he could remember, had never met an officer like Lieutenant Stephen Wylie before. Stephen wore glasses, was timid as a mouse, and wasn’t even sure how to fire his own revolver! He’d even been known to chuck grenades at Nazis without taking the pin out! Bull could never have imagined a guy like that would save a whole battalion from total disaster!

Commando 5745: Action and Adventure: Recon Hoodoo!
Story: Brent Towns | Art: Alberto Saichann | Cover: Neil Roberts

Pilot Officer Bob Carter had a hoodoo on him — that’s what everyone said. Any navigator that climbed into the unarmed De Havilland Mosquito reconnaissance plane with that jinxed pilot was marked for death! First, it had been Flight Sergeant Jim Morris, then Riley Nash, and by Mike Croft, it was confirmed. Bob had a hoodoo — one that was deadly for anyone who flew with him!

Here’s Neil’s cover rough for this issue…

Commando 5745: Action and Adventure: Recon Hoodoo Cover Rough by Neil Roberts

Commando 5746: Silver Collection: Legion Vendetta
Story: Gentry | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1981 as Issue 1573

A first-class soldier in the French Foreign Legion and a crack pilot in the RAF – Jeff Daly had been both during his exciting, hectic life. He’d been to many places and met many people, but the one man he would never forget was his brutal Legion sergeant. If their paths crossed ever again, one of them would die!

• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com

Commando Issues 5743 – 5746 Cover Gallery

About the Author
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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.

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