Air war galore in new Commandos

By John Freeman on August 28, 2013

DC Thomson Commando Issues 4631-4634 are on sale now in all good newsagents across the UK. Featuring a terrific-looking air war story, “The Black Buzzard” and a new “Convict Comandos” tale, here’s the lowdown on all four releases…

Commando No 4631 – Fatal Mission
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Benet Cover: Benet

Luck had been with the Convict Commandos since they had escaped from the Japanese in 1942. They had carried out the most perilous of missions with little more than bumps and bruises to show for it.

But luck has a habit of changing suddenly, especially when it is pushed, and it certainly changed for the Convict Commandos as they flew to their next target. They had passed through dangerous skies before, but none quite as dangerous as those over Arnhem.

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/29th-august-2013-collection?issue=4631

Commando No 4632 – Send For Spitfires
Originally Commando No 83 (Sept 1963)
Story: Kellie Art: Medrano Cover: Ken Barr

“Bandits ahead! Go! Go! Go!”

Time and again that staccato command unleashed the savage fighting spirit of Britain’s Spitfire pilots, driving them to hurl their machines in slashing attack after attack against the Luftwaffe hordes in the only method of defence that they believed in — attack.

Go! Go! Go!

“This story is good value for money as there are two themes running through it,” notes Commando Editor Calum Laird. “First you have a bit of double-dealing treachery and second you have the pilot unsure of his abilities. Both though are very nicely handled.

“Medrano’s art is well up to fleshing out the narrative — neat, precise and with an accomplished use of perspective in the flying scenes.

“But don’t rush to get going, back up and have another look at Ken Barr’s colour-packed cover; it’s worth a second glance.”

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/29th-august-2013-collection?issue=4632

Commando No 4633 – “Sink The Wagner!”
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Vila Cover: Ian Kennedy

In 1942, over Canada, the last thing that the pilots of the Fleet Air Arm expected to see was a hostile aircraft. After all, the nearest enemy base was thousands of miles away. But that was exactly what the FAA boys did see — for the Germans had constructed a carrier in secret and sailed it across the Atlantic to attack a vital Canadian port.

Though outnumbered and outgunned, the Fleet Air Arm Martlet and Swordfish aircraft were not going to go out without a fight, and that hulking German aircraft carrier looked like a good target…

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/29th-august-2013-collection?issue=4633

Commando No 4634 – The Black Buzzard
Originally Commando No 897 (December 1974), re-issued as No 2187 (June 1988)
Story: R.A. Montague Art: J.M. Jorge Cover: Ian Kennedy

Slowly, painfully, the three RAF Hurricanes staggered through the desert sky, desperately striving to reach home and safety.

The wreck in the middle had a wounded pilot slumped over its controls, as near unconsciousness as makes no difference, and all that held his tattered plane in the air was the wingtips of his comrades’ planes on either side.

Mile by mile they struggled on, grimly, gallantly — then came the sinister chatter of cannons and machine guns behind them. The Black Buzzard had arrived for a kill…

“This searing blast from the past bears all the hallmarks of a classic airborne Commando,” feels deputy editor Scott Montgomery. “A great script from writer R.A. “Monty” Montague, which in turn, was expertly subbed by Commando staffers; wonderful interior art from virtuoso aircraft illustrator, Jose Maria Jorge; and a dynamic cover from another aeronautical drawing legend, Ian Kennedy.

“All of these elements combine to form a real winner — with aerial thrills and spills galore. In my opinion, The Black Buzzard is the closest to perfection (if that is actually possible) that a single Commando issue can be. This is one to be savoured.

Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/29th-august-2013-collection?issue=4634

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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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