Brand-new Commando comics – Issues 5539 – 5542 – are in shops from Thursday 12th May 2022, and available now as digital editions from DC Thomson Media.
This set features three very different kinds of airmen, from spies to rookies to the plain stupid, alongside a Royal Navy destroyer trying to box clever with a powerful Japanese battleship!
Commando 5539 – Home of Heroes: Jungle Wings
Story: Brent Towns | Art: Vicente Alcazar | Cover: Mark Harris
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Flying Officer Joe Blake and his mates felt like the cocks of the walk back in Malaya in 1941. But, when push came to shove, their first-ever dogfight against the Japanese saw their feathers being well and truly plucked!
The Aussie’s Brewster Buffalos stood no chance against the Mitsubishi A6M Zeros, and the rookie Australian pilots paid a heavy price indeed.
Joe, now the only survivor of his squadron, was tasked with training a new one. But could he put the past behind him — or would the faces of the dead overwhelm him?
Resident Aussie writer Brent Towns weaves a story of angst, grief, and turmoil in ‘Jungle Wings’, with outstanding art from the veteran Vicente Alcazar and fan-favourite Mark Harris.
Commando 5540: Gold Collection: Pacific Pirates
Story: Alan Hebden | Art: Maidagan | Cover: Ian Kennedy |
Originally Commando No. 1049 (1979)
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HMS Samson was Lieutenant Commander Roland Bream’s destroyer — small, fast and deadly, the pride of her crew and a credit to the Royal Navy. But when this destroyer crossed the path of a giant Japanese Yamato class battleship, she had to turn tail! For this was one of the world’s largest battleships —one shell from its 18inch guns could blow the Samson out of the water.
Yet as the destroyer fled before her colossal opponent, Bream was racking his brains for an opportunity to hit back – even though it seemed pure suicide!
Issue 5540 is a reprint ‘By Special Request’ and therefore chosen by a Commando readers. “And what an issue it is!” enthuse the editorial team.
Commando 5541 – Action and Adventure: Two Men in a Boat
Story: Calum Laird | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Carlos Pino
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May 1940 is a time that has gone down in history, and there are many stories of daring escapes from Dunkirk, and bravery while fleeing from the German forces overrunning France.
This is not one of those stories, for there are none quite like this tale of two RAF men in one boat!
Calum Laird is back, back, back again and he’s here to delight and amuse us with his two diabolically dim airmen, aided and abetted by Jaume Forns, delivering suitably hilarious art.
Commando 5542 – Silver Collection: The Hunt is on!
Story: CG Walker| Art: CT Rigby | Cover: Philpott |
Originally Commando No. 1769 (1984)
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Imagine you’re a British pilot, shot down over enemy-occupied France. There’s only one thought in your mind —escape! But it’s not going to be easy, with German patrols out hunting for you, so you’re very glad when you find a group of loyal, dedicated Frenchmen who are doing their best to see that someone like you gets home safely.
But if you’re a Gestapo agent, what better way to smash such a lifeline than to pose as a stranded British airman…
A powerhouse trio on board for this Commando with CG Walker and CT Rigby working together yet again (they would do over 40 issues together) and Philpot on cover duty.
• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• If you’re a Commando fan, don’t forget to check out the title’s YouTube channel
Commando 5539 – 5542 – Full Cover Gallery
DID YOU KNOW?
Argentinian Commando artist Ricardo Garijo, who, sadly, passed in October 2009 aged just 55, was born to Spanish immigrant parents. His father survived a Nazi concentration camp and his mother fought with the French Resistance.
“A lovely guy, I got to know him well, albeit via emails,” recalls Commando writer Ferg Handley. “His mother cut up a parachute from a supply drop for swaddling when he was a baby!”
• Read our 2009 tribute to Ricardo Garijo
• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• If you’re a Commando fan, don’t forget to check out the title’s YouTube channel
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, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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