New Commandos from DC Thomson now on the news stand in the UK highlight the work of top veteran comic artist Ian Kennedy and sees the start of the VE-Day stories, marking the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.
Issues 4291 and 4292 of the digest title are brand new, while 4293 and 4294 were originally commissioned as part of a seven-part series for the 50th anniversary and get a fresh outing this month. The rest of the series will follow this month and next.
Ian Kennedy’s covers grace three of the books, two with extra portraits on the back cover. Janek Matysiak, who has retrained to create his images totally digitally makes a welcome return as a cover artist with a new technique for his artwork. “We like it,” says Commando editor Calum Laird, “and we’re interested to hear the reaction to it.
“Commando stalwart Gordon Livingstone’s artwork appears in ‘Slogger’s War’ — we’re sure his fans will be delighted by that.”
Commando 4291: Fight for the Eagle
Story: Ferg Handley Inside art: Vila Cover Art: Ian Kennedy
Private Pete Curtiz was proud to be British — joining up to serve his country during World War II. Thanks to his surname though he was ordered to join a Polish unit. He was to fight for the Polish Eagle alongside men he had nothing in common with.
These tough veterans resented his presence and, in turn, Pete developed a bad attitude towards them.
They would have to set aside their differences and work as a team to survive. But could they?
Commando No 4292: To the Last Man
Story: Ferg Handley Inside art: Morahin Cover Art: Janek Matysiak
In May 1945, even after the surrender of Germany, occupying Allied forces were in danger, forced to keep a constant vigil for marauding Nazis. They were the much-feared Werewolves — brutal, renegade, die-hards.
So a British Commando unit was given one final mission… to hunt down this enemy who would fight to the bitter end…
Commando 4293: I Want to Fight!
Story: Ian Clark Inside art: Gordon Livingstone Cover Art: Ian Kennedy
From the first day of war in 1939, the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the countries opposed to Hitler’s Germany knew that it would be a long, bloody struggle before the Nazis were toppled to defeat.
They couldn’t know then that the day of victory would come in May, 1945. For Jean Duval, a French soldier who saw his unit crumble under the full force of the Nazi blitzkrieg in France in 1940, it would a bitter, hard war…
Commando 4294: Slogger’s War
Story: Ian Clark Inside art: Benet Cover Art: Ian Kennedy
From the first day of war in 1939, the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the countries opposed to Hitler’s Germany knew that it would be a long, bloody struggle before the Nazis were toppled to defeat.
They couldn’t know then that the day of victory would come in May, 1945. Tom “Slogger” Morgan, a British Commando, was to find that facing the enemy called for a certain kind of courage — but this was not the only kind of bravery needed in the battle for survival!
• Official Commando web site: www.commandomag.com
• Click here for subscription information or write to: D.C. Thomson & Co Ltd, The Subscribers Department, Commando Library, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL or Freephone (UK only) 0800 318846
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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 - Current British Publishers