Action Stations! New Commando comics ahead

By John Freeman on November 21, 2023

There’s action and adventure aplenty soaked into every page of Commando Issues 5699 – 5702, on sale this Thursday, 23rd November, in all good newsagents, and some run by Baldrick. Here’s the intel on a set that includes more than one challenging tale…

Commando 5699: Home of Heroes – The Trumpeter’s Call
Story: Andrew Knighton | Art and Cover: Manuel Benet

*A spread from Commando 5699, The Trumpeter’s Call*

The sombre notes echoed against the sandy dunes of the North African desert, as New Zealander Private Calum Taylor played a lonesome jazz melody. His trumpet had no place among the din and clamour of war, but his instrument was the only thing keeping him going among the chorus of death around him. As long as he could play, he would live!

A more melancholic note runs through this Commando wonderfully composed by Andrew Knighton. With artwork from the maestro Manuel Benet, this Commando will have your heart singing a tune.

Commando 5700: Gold Collection – Friend or Foe?
Story: Allan | Art: CT Rigby | Cover: Penalva
First Published 1970 as Issue 500

Down through the night came the Nazi paratroopers, each heavily-armed man dropping as silently as a flake of snow. Their mission was to assassinate one man who had talked too much — and everyone who had listened to him.

A classic Commando, offering an engaging story about unexpected camaraderie under fire, that centres on a dangerous intelligence gathering mission, where the lines between friends and foe are blurred more than once. This is the kind of story that explains just why Commando has enjoyed such longevity as a title, and why war comics continue to appeal.

With Penalva’s iconic cover that has been used in a Commando calendar, the dedicated editorial team thought it was about time they aired it out for another run — and with Allan and CT Rigby as back up, you won’t want to miss this.

Commando 5701: Action and Adventure – The First Casualty
Story: Robbie MacNiven | Art: Alberto Saichann | Cover: Mark Eastbrook

“THE FIRST CASUALTY WHEN WAR COMES, IS TRUTH.”

When a young Englishman came asking about his dead father’s last days on the Western Front, the only person who could answer his questions was Havildar Jared Singh of the 19th Lancers. But what Singh had to say may not be welcome, and what the Englishman thought he knew may not be the whole truth…

*An action scene from “The First Casualty”*

This new Commando story from Robbie MacNiven, with art by Alberto Saichann is set against the backdrop of World War One, and will have you questioning the meaning of the word ‘hero’, as an Indian soldier faces outright hostility from an arrogant British officer. While the bumbling senior soldier in this tale is a familiar trope, MacNiven brings strong characterisation to his lead delivering a thought-provoking story of the Great War. with a cracking cover from Mark Eastbrook, this is definitely a tale to track down.

Commando 5702: Silver Collection – Last Man Out
Story: RA Montague | Art: Ruiz | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1980 as Issue 1421

*A page from the reprint of Last Man Out*

Lieutenant Sammy Parker had seen no action at all during his army career, for he spent most of his time sitting behind a desk in a quiet office in Burma. But now it was different. Now the Japanese were advancing, driving everything before them. Now Sammy was on the run and fighting for his life. More than that — there was a bunch of soldiers depending on him for their lives too.

Would he make it, this young officer who had never been in such a desperate situation in his whole life?

RA Montague’s tale of courage in the face of a forced retreat is brought to life by Ruiz’s crisp interiors and, as ever, Ian Kennedy’s cover is stunning.

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

Commando Issues 5699 – 5702 Cover Gallery

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.