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Spanish artist Estève Polls takes on Commando’s “HMS Wombat” series

By John Freeman on February 15, 2023

Commando issues 5619 – 5622 are out tomorrow, Thursday 16th February 2023 in newsagents, and available now as digital editions from DC Thomson Media.

Following Mario Morhain’s sad passing last year, Spanish artist Estève Polls, who joined Commando’s ranks back in January, takes the artistic reins of HMS Wombat and Tiger series series in Commando 5619, “Achtung, Destroyer”, doing his predecessor proud. Writer Brent Towns’ prequel, telling all about the pair’s origins and vendetta does not disappoint either, and with another cracker of a cover from Keith Burns, this sensational series strikes again.

As noted on the comics creator database site Lambiek, Estève Polls’ career began aged just 15, illustrating a football comic for DC Thomson, and since then working for a wide range of European publishers, including Edifumetti, Planet, Marvel France and Disney Europe. His many credits include the “Fronteras” series, for the magazine Cimoc, and “Mega-City Noir” for Judge Dredd Megazine, written by Simon Spurrier. He’s also worked for Spanish TV and on theatre productions.

Commando 5619: Home of Heroes – Achtung, Destroyer!
Story: Brent Towns | Art: Estève Polls | Cover: Keith Burns
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Commando 5619: Home of Heroes - Achtung, Destroyer! - cover by Keith Burns

This is where it all began, in the Mediterranean Sea, 1941.

John Griffin and Martin Beaumont were two Aussie skippers poles apart in nature. One was a stickler for the rules, the other had but one — do whatever it takes. However, a German raider was about to bring them both together to form an unlikely alliance. That was, if they didn’t sink each other first…

Commando 5620: Gold Collection: The Moment of Truth
Story: Bernard Gregg | Art: Mira | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 953 (1975)
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The two Royal Engineers sprang to their feet and sprinted down the tunnel, heading for the open air and safety. Behind them came a menacing chatter as the German armoured car opened up with its machine gun, the heavy bullets whining and spattering off the concrete walls. At any moment a ricochet might hit the carefully-laid demolition charges, bringing down the roof and burying them in a tumult of crashing rubble and choking, swirling water. Could they make the last vital yards to safety?

This 1970s classic is a tense tale from Golden-Age Commando writer Bernard Gregg, with stunning interiors from Mira and an action-packed cover from the master himself, Ian Kennedy.

Commando 5621: Action and Adventure: North Sea Fury
Story: Steve Taylor | Art and Cover: Carlos Pino
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In 1940, Erik Jacobsen and his father Harold worked on a fishing boat called “Agnetha”. Their life was peaceful until one day, it was spotted by a German Heinkel 111 hellbent on vengeance!

For not long before, this Heinkel had been forced to crash-land after being shot up by a fishing boat named “Agatha”. Well, this case of mistaken identity was about to become fatal!

A classic yarn from Steve Taylor, reminiscent of traditional Commandos, Carlos Pino’s terrific artwork brings the characters and action to life.

Commando 5622: Silver Collection: The Fighting Swordfish
Story: Ross | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 1422 (1980)
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With the stick pulled right back and the engine screaming, the plane missed the heads of the startled Germans by mere inches.

For a day and a night, this Fairey Swordfish had been grounded in hostile territory, all for the want of a piece of copper tubing and a soldering iron. And they still weren’t safely away yet…

The master of aviation artwork is back in this set, as Ian Kennedy does what he does best — painting planes in peril!

• Look out for new Heritage Comics and Commando Presents digital releases on the final Wednesday of every month – check out the Commando Presents Series Page on AmazonUK

John Freeman

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.