The latest Commando set from DC Thomson, on sale today, offers action all the way across all four issues, leading with a brand-new Matt Braddock air war adventure, “Battle for Java”, by Ferg Handley and Manuel Benet.
The art and story on both new tales is first rate, and the represented adventures, “You Die At Dawn” and “Stop Them!” are great choices.
“Battle for Java” sees Braddock battling the Japanese against near overwhelming odds, a situation not lost on his copilot – but wil his nerves cost them dear? While Braddock is a fictional character, the theatre of war that serves as backdrop to this story certainly isn’t, and Ferg Handley deftly blends fact with fiction in this adventure, set at a time when all the odds seemed against allied forces in the Far East. Manuel Benet’s art, particularly his air combat scenes, is terrific, although you can’t help but notice repeated figure work in some panels.
The other all-new tale, “The Fox Vs The Lion” by Andrew Knighton and Gary Walsh, features an absolutely knockout cover by Keith Burns. Plus, we get another great story, set in 1917, as Sopwith Camels are being introduced into service. Their arrival is welcome, providing the Royal Flying Corps with an edge over experienced opponents in the sky – but, as Lieutenant Charlie Wilberforce soon discovers, not without cost. Knighton draws on the history of the famous World War One plane and together with Gary Walsh, delivers a nail biter of an adventure that takes you from the the dangers of air war to a very hands on finale.
Issues 5939-5942 are on sale from today, 12th March 2026.
Commando 5939 (Home of Heroes): Braddock: Battle for Java
Story: Ferg Handley | Internal & Cover Art: Manuel Benet
After his prototype Mosquito was destroyed, ace pilot Sergeant Matt Braddock found himself without an aircraft to fly. But being bounced around from airfield to airfield, then evacuated to India, Braddock soon spies opportunity in the form of a Blenheim without a crew. Now he can take the fight back to the Japanese!
But how does Braddock go from flying his bomber with his navigator, George Bourne, to flying a hurricane fighter plane solo?!
Commando 5940 (Gold): You Die At Dawn
Story: Allan | Internal Art: Aguilar | Cover Art: Penalva
First published 1971 as No. 600
Alone and weary, Lieutenant Rob cautiously embarked down the boulder-strewn Italian mountainside, his eyes searching the night for any sign of the Nazis. He was cold and tired and felt he could sleep for a week… but still he forced himself on.
He knew that if he failed in this mission, death and destruction would smash the Allied armies when the first light of dawn lit up the angry sky…
Commando 5941 (For Action and Adventure): The Fox Vs The Lion
Story: Andrew Knighton | Internal Art: Gary Walsh | Cover Art: Keith Burns
The Western Front, 1917. Charlie Wilberforce, a British fighter pilot, sees the Royal Flying Corps devastated by the German Flying Circus, with their superior planes and experienced pilots. But things turn around when Wilberforce is introduced to a new plane — the Sopwith Camel!
Commando 5942 (Silver): Stop Them!
Story: R. A. Montague | Internal Art: Ibanez | Cover Art: Jeff Bevan
First published 1984 as No. 1857
The German armoured column roared through the Italian countryside, heading for what was supposed to be a lightly-defended pass through the mountains.
What they didn’t count on was the grim determination of the handful of British infantry ready to stop them — no matter what the cost!
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando Comics 5939 – 5942 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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