Commando issues 5775-5778 go on sale from this Thursday, 15th August 2024 in all good newsagents and on various digital platforms.
Marco Biachini’s stunning artwork graces the cover of the all-new tale, “Twenty-Five Flights”, a magnificent air war issue from writer Andrew Knighton and artist Alberto Saichann.
We’re pleased announce to report Andrew has very kindly provided a “Writer’s Commentary” on the script for this story, which we will publish here on downthetubes this weekend, once you have had a chance to read the adventure. Saichann’s art on this is absolutely knockout.
Our thanks to the Commando editorial team for providing interior art for this look behind the scenes.
Also new this set is Issue 5777, “No Pasaran!”, a passion project collaboration between artist Carlos Pino and writer Ferg Handley, offering a powerful story not often told about the Spanish contribution to World War Two.
Represented in this set are “The Night the Tow Rope Broke”, a strange yarn by Skentlebery, with artwork from L. Rosell, and “Escape to Freedom” a tale plucked from DC Thomson’s archives first published in the 1980s by McDevitt and Philpott – with cover art from the maestro, Ian Kennedy, on both issues.
Commando 5775: Home of Heroes – Twenty-Five Flights
Story: Andrew Knighton | Art: Alberto Saichann | Cover: Marco Bianchini
The B-17 Flying Fortress bomber ‘High Guard’ had the best crew in the whole outfit. Through the brutal anti-aircraft flak in the cold light of day they had flown twenty-four missions into the heart of Germany together.
If they could complete their twenty-fifth flight it would end their tour of duty… But would they survive it?
Above: Commando Issue 5775 cover roughs by Marco Biachini
Commando 5776: Gold Collection – The Night the Tow Rope Broke
Story: Skentlebery | Art: L Rosell | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1971 as Issue 524
The night the tow rope broke was the worst in Lieutenant Mike Hasting’s life. For when his glider crash-landed off target in Sicily, he was captured by a Sicilian brigand called Il Castello who dragged him off to a cave on the side of Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe.
There, Il Castello already held an Italian, a German, a Canadian and an American — one man from each of the armies on Sicily who had ruined the brigand’s old way of life. Now he was ready to punish them… in his own cruel way.
Commando 5777: Action and Adventure – No Pasaran!
Story: Ferg Handley | Art and Cover: Carlos Pino
This is the story of the heroic Spanish volunteers who fought for the Allies in World War Two.
After fighting for their homeland against Franco’s fascist Nationalists, the defeated Republicans, including young anarchist Juan Lopez, fled to North Africa where they eventually joined the Free French Forces.
Together with the French, the Spaniards were valiant in action — determined to fight the Nazi fascists wherever they went!
Commando 5778: Silver Collection – Escape to Freedom
Story: McDevitt | Art: Philpott | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1982 as Issue 1621
Sergeant Stan Boden and Private Ernie Briggs were caught behind the advancing German armies in France during 1940.
Stan reckoned that if they could fight their way through to Dunkirk they would manage to escape to England. But not Ernie — all he wanted to do was surrender!
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Commando Issues 5775-5778 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook| Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
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, Comic Previews, Comics, Digital Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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