Commando No 4885 features “The Black Eagle” drawn by Cam Kennedy with a cover by Ian Kennedy
Four classic Commandos get the re-issue treatment this week from DC Thomson, including one story drawn by Cam Kennedy, gift-wrapped in a cover from (no relation) Ian Kennedy.
These four issues are on sale in all good newsagents and available via numerous digital platforms from today, Thursday 28th January 2016.
Don’t forget downthetubes has an exclusive discount on a subscription to Commando comic, simply by ordering through the DC Thomson Online Shop using our special discount code. Follow this dedicated link to DC Thomson’s Commando subscription page
If you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the old DTT “COMDT” promotional code. Ignore the discount field on the check out page, too. (More information on our dedicated Commando Subscription Offer Page)
Commando No 4883 – Old Rusty
Originally Commando No 708 (January 1973)
Story: Powell Art: Gordon Livingstone Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/28th-january-2016-collection?issue=4883
Dick Avery was a captain in the Merchant Navy. He’d sailed with some of the best — and worst — ships and crews on the seven seas. He reckoned he’d seen it all.
That was before he took command of Old Rusty, an ancient tub with a crew made up of drunks, brawlers and raw seamen of every nationality.
When Dick left Gibraltar he didn’t fancy his chances of ever seeing England again.
But then they ran into a German U-boat, and he wouldn’t have swapped that ship or that crew for the best in the Royal Navy!
“Although veteran artist Ian Kennedy is renowned for his superlative aircraft (and spacecraft) illustration, this cover shows that, naturally enough, he is equally adept at drawing ships and submarines too,” notes Commando’s dedicated Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery.
“This behemoth of a painting really sets the scene for the wonderful maritime adventure that follows. For me, it’s like The Dirty Dozen at Sea — chock full of memorable characters and action set pieces.
“Many thanks to reader Yasmin Akbar for suggesting that Old Rusty should set sail once more.”
Commando No 4884 – The Wreckers
Originally Commando No 212 (May 1966)
Story: Spence Art: Alonso Cover: Scholler
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/28th-january-2016-collection?issue=4884
Young Naval lieutenant Dan Blain teamed up with Kang Wu and his cut-throat pirates of the Java Seas to wage all-out war on the warships of Japan. When this pair of modern buccaneers got going, not a single Japanese sailor ashore or afloat could sleep soundly.
“I can almost imagine the pitch for this back in 1966 — ‘Pirate Commandos…that’s definitely a winner…’” says Scott.
“Actually, I’m cheating a little (okay, a lot) — a glance at the trusty Commando records file told me that author Spence’s original working title was indeed ‘Pirate Commandos’.
However, I do think that the then-current editorial team made the right decision to go with the snappy, more foreboding ‘The Wreckers’. It really seems to suit this tough, sea-faring tale and Scholler’s menacing, murky cover illustration.”
Commando No 4885 – The Black Eagle
Originally Commando No 629 (March 1972), re-issued as No 1732 (September 1983)
Story: C.G. Walker Art: Cam Kennedy Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/28th-january-2016-collection?issue=4885
Major Heinrich Keil of the Luftwaffe was an ace…and a killer. A mad, evil Nazi whose chief delight was to hunt and kill, whether he was chasing animals on the ground or British pilots in the air.
Now he was going after another British pilot — but this time he was going to hunt him down in the forest…with a crossbow.
“One of the best things about working on Commando is uncovering fantastic stories from our archive, one that now spans 55 years,” Scott enthuses.
“I’d never read this tale as it was published in March 1972, two months before I was born. When I saw that the interior art was by the brilliant Cam Kennedy, whose 2000AD work I had admired in the 1980s, and then realised that it was a fantastic revenge yarn anyway, I knew that we just had to let another audience discover this absolute classic, which features a truly memorable villain in Major Heinrich Keil.
“My sincere thanks to reader Roger Worsley, who suggested that we uncage ‘The Black Eagle’ once again.”
Commando No 4886 – The Wrong Enemy
Originally Commando No 2474 (May 1991)
Story: Ian Clark Art: Keith Shone Cover: Keith Shone
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/28th-january-2016-collection?issue=4886
The Italians fighting in North Africa clashed not only with their British foes, but also with their German allies.
Enzo Lanzini certainly wasn’t happy facing the advance of British armour across the desert, but he certainly was no coward either. It was just that he had seen the way the Nazis operated, and he had come to the conclusion that he was in fact fighting… THE WRONG ENEMY
“Although a Commando comic must have a solid military premise and plenty of action — at its heart, more important than anything else, it must have a strong lead character,” notes Scott of this fourth classic tale released this week. “Here we have exactly that.
“Corporal Enzo Lanzini is a machine-gunner with a strong moral compass and, since he is Italian, is traditionally seen as the enemy. Right away he has the potential to become a leftfield, classic Commando hero. I hope you enjoy his story.”
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• There are more details of Commando on the official Commando website, the Commando Facebook page
• Commando Collections: Our Checklist
Don’t Miss Out on our Exclusive Commando Subscription Offer!
If you’re looking for a gift for a British comics fan, downthetubes has an EXCLUSIVE discount on a subscription to DC Thomson’s Commando comic, simply by ordering through the DC Thomson Online Shop using our special discount code.
If you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the old DTT “COMDT” promotional code. Ignore the discount field on the check out page, too.
Commando Digital Editions
- Available on the App Store for Apple devices
- Available on Comixology
- Available on Readly
- Android App on Google Play
- Available on Kindle
- Available as browser edition
- About the Author
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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, British Comics - Current British Publishers, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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