Commando Issues 5723 – 5726 are on sale from Thursday 15th 2024 in all good newsagents and digital outlets, this set including the debut of Commando’s first female cover artist, 2000AD’s Anna Morozova. A new artist, Alberto Navajo, accompanies her on interior art for the same story.
This set’s two new stories lead with writer Colin Maxwell’s intrepid Polish protagonist and sharpshooter, Tomasz Zielinkski, returning in “Tomasz and the Top-Secret Engine”, another tale of derring-do set aboard a train on a vital secret mission in wartime France. Manuel Benet provides the art on this cracking yarn… Don’t be fooled by its measured start – this streamlined adventure soon cranks up in pace!
Commando 5725 is an issue of firsts, with two brand-new artists making their debuts. “Madame Revenger!” sees the brilliant Anna Morozova join the Commando’s first-ever female cover artist, and features Spanish artist (and aerospace engineer) Alberto Navajo, aka JANF, on interior art.
Reflecting the strength of his work on display on Behance, DeviantArt and Tumblr, he’s strong on composition and figure work, and it’s a capable debut, although perhaps he needs to consider using more solid blacks to punch up his storytelling. His pencils might also have benefited from a different inking style, reflecting the quality of some of his pencil work posted online.
You can also follow him on Instagram and X, and I have a feeling the confidence of a publisher commission will spur him further in his chosen career.
Script-wise, Heath Ackley delivers a non-stop story of a downed British pilot, looted treasure and a vengeful French widow that proves quite a treat.
For those unfamiliar, Anna Morozova is a comics artist and illustrator who’s also currently working for 2000AD and the Treasury of British Comics in the UK plus Glarien in the US. Her published work includes “Future Shocks”, “Terror Tales”, “Tales from the Black Museum”, “Judge Anderson”, “Viva Forever”, “Lowborn High” and “Rocky of the Rovers” for Rebellion, plus the creator owned Star-Nav written by Alan Hebden and published in the Pandora comic anthology.
She has previously worked for Comichaus, DC Thomson Heritage Comics, ODEON Luxe/Engine Mischief PR, Panini, University of Dundee and the Scottish Government.
We’re also treated to two classic Commando tales as part of this week’s release: “Operation Caveman”, first published in from 1970, which sees a tank crew take shelter from a storm in a cave only to find the Nazis rolling in behind them. Can they keep hidden before they’re found, or will the cave be their grave?!
This set wraps with “Desert of No Return”, from the 1980s, a sizzling tale from Bernard Gregg, brought to life by excellent artwork from Carmona and a burning-hot cover by Ian Kennedy. A great round off to this release!
Commando 5723: Home of Heroes: Tomasz and the Top-Secret Engine
Story: Colin Maxwell | Art and Cover: Manuel Benet
Tomasz Zielinski had escaped Poland and the German Blitzkrieg in 1939 by hopping aboard a Polish armoured train headed for safety. That was then, and now, in 1940, he was itching for action, but he and his division were in reserve in the west of France away from the fighting. That was until he was approached by a familiar face with a top-secret mission to head straight into danger to steal an engine right from under the Nazis’ noses! Tomasz was about to ride that train once again!
Commando 5724: Gold Collection: Operation Caveman
Story: Allan | Art: LS Lucas | Cover: Penalva
First Published 1970 as Issue 517
Like almost everybody else, Corporal Barney Newman didn’t know whether a stalactite grew up or if a stalagmite hung down. And to him, it didn’t seem very important… until he found himself dodging about in an underground cavern with only stalactites and stalagmites between him and hot Nazi lead.
But what was Barney, a tank driver, doing in this grotto? It was all part of Operation Caveman!
Commando 5725: Action and Adventure: Madame Revenger!
Story: Heath Ackley | Art: Alberto Navajo | Cover: Anna Morozova
The Nazis kicked the hornets’ nest the day they rolled into Collette Sauvage’s farm in France. Then they had really gone and done it when they strong-armed her off of her land, using her barn to store their ill-gotten goods. But with a little help from a downed RAF Airman, the Germans would rue the day they messed with the woman known as Madame Revenger!
Commando 5726: Silver Collection: Desert of No Return
Story: Bernard Gregg | Art: Carmona | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1981 as Issue 1561
Off they went on another mission, heading steadily into the burning wilderness of the North African desert. They had made many trips like this… but today was different because this time they had a spy in their midst, reporting their every move to the enemy.
Hardly any of these brave men were going to come back again.
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook| Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando Issues 5723 – 5726 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.
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