The nights are drawing in, and what better way to keep warm than cosying up with some red-hot military action? Commando Issues 5807 – 5810 are on sale from DC Thomson this Thursday, 5th December, 2024, in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms.
New this set is “Small but Mighty” a smashing adventure set in Malta during World War Two, written by Frank Buhagiar, author of The Unofficial Good Turn Society, who lives in Somerset, but makes regular visits to the island of his forefathers, Malta. This is a smashing adventure, with Esteve Polls providing some fantastic art to bring an action-packed new adventure to life. There’s a real feel of the “classic” Commando to Esteve’s work, combined with great storytelling. Plus, what’s not to love about an issue with a dramatic cover from Keith Burns, to boot?
Also in the mix is “Polish Paras“, offering a double dose of parachuting action in this week’s drop! Writer Ferg Handley, interiors artist Marc Viure and cover artist Simon Pritchard deliver an entertaining new tale.
Marc always delivers great detail in his work, but his comics storytelling has grown in confidence with each commission for Commando, and that’s definitely the case with this tale. There are some fantastic pages throughout.
Represented this time around are “Ten Tough Paratroopers“, written by Bernard Gregg, offering a clever twist on a nursery rhyme with all the exhilaration of a skydive, without having to worry about pesky old gravity (surely an air-esistible offer?); and “Desert Mystery“, which features interior art by Gordon C. Livingstone, a fun tale scattered with a few dinosaurs and disappearing sailing ships, too… wait… in a story set in the Sahara? You’ll have to read it to find out if the truth is out there… The latter story is a lighter Commando tale, with comedy moments, but has plenty to offer, especially if you’re a scifi fan, too!
Commando 5807: Small but Mighty
Writer: Frank Buhagiar Art: Esteve Polls Cover Keith Burns
The siege of Malta lasted from 1940 to 1942, making the small island the most bombed place on earth during World War Two. But its people were resilient and strong — they weren’t going to take it lying down!
Maltese Private George Abela was an artillery gunner on Fort St Elmo. He might have stood at a diminutive five foot two but, like Malta and its people, he was tough! Yes, George might have been small but he was mighty… and he was about to stop an audacious Italian plan to destroy the Grand Harbour!
Commando 5808: Ten Tough Paratroopers
Writer: Bernard Gregg Art: Wright Cover: Walker
First published as Issue 845 in 1974
Count them. Ten men, each one tougher than the last, setting out on a mission more dangerous than anything they had ever tackled before. Yes, ten were setting out, but only one would be coming back…
Commando 5809: Polish Paras
Writer: Ferg Handley Art: Marc Viure Cover: Simon Pritchard
Operation Market Garden, 1944. The brave Polish Parachute Brigade jumped out of their transports above Arnhem, ready for red-hot action. Thousands of parachutes opened and floated through the skies with men who only had one thing on their mind, “finally, we can get back at the Nazis!”
Among their number was Lieutenant Stefan Kapek – the Polish Para with the most to prove!
Commando 5810: Desert Mystery
Writer: Bryan Perrett Art: Gordon C. Livingstone Cover K. Walker
First published as Issue 1631 in 1982
The German officer had been prepared to see a mirage or two in the desert, and he’d expected something along the lines of Arab tribesmen and palm trees. But now he was seeing a giant dinosaur lumbering straight towards him! He couldn’t believe his eyes, but the way the monster snapped its slavering jaws soon convinced him it was real.
He and his men turned and ran for their lives. It was a mystery all right – but as far as they were concerned, somebody else could solve it!
• 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 Issues 5807 – 5810 Cover Gallery
RECENT COMMANDO BOOKS
• DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando Presents… Cadman Volume 1 is available now from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
• I Flew With Braddock is available to buy as an eBook on Amazon here (Affiliate Link), or Apple Books here – read Luke Williams’ review here – and Commando Presents… Braddock: Volume One is out now and available here from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)
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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, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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