This week’s Commando releases – Issues 5655 – 5658 comprise four special issues devoted to a master of cover and interior artwork and fan-favourite, Josè Maria Jorge, on sale from today, Thursday 22nd June 2023.
“Jose Maria was a master of his trade, and he has been sorely missed since his death in 2010,” say the Commando team.
Josè Maria Jorge, who died in 2010, aged 69, after a long illness, the influential artist drew Commando stories for 42 years, beginning with Number 384, “Flying Fury”, published in February 1969.
His last complete book was No 4329 “Divided Aces”, which came out in September to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Set around Edinburgh, it attracted plenty of attention in the Scottish press, including a report in the Edinburgh Evening News by Liam Rudden, so it should come as no surprise to learn that it’s been included in this set.
“Best known for his excellent aircraft work, Josè Maria could turn his hand to a theme and had been working with Commando for 42 years,” noted then Commando editor Calum Laird on his passing.
“During that time many authors and editors were delighted as he realised their ideas on paper. Readers too loved his style, remarking on its accuracy and detail.”
“Josè and Ian Kennedy were huge influences on me when I would slavishly mimic their style whilst drawing aircraft,” reflects Glasgow-basd artist Jim MacNee.
“I have sold several thousand prints of my paintings, but I always recognise the influence of those two Commando Illustrators and also Roy Cross, who did so many inspirational Airfix box covers.”
In addition to his Commando work, Josè was an accomplished artist. He specialised in action scenes: car racing, equestrian events, combat aviation and more.
It should come as no surprise that two of his stories — “Aces Wild” (No. 489) and “The Ship Busters” (No. 657) – were among stories that formed a collection titled The Best 12 Commando Stories Ever, selected by former editor George Low, published in 2005.
• You can read the 2010 downthetubes tribute to Josè Maria Jorge here
• Josè Maria Jorge Commando Checklist on BritishComics.com
Commando 5655: Home of Heroes: Hunger for Glory
Story: Ian Clark | Art and Cover: Josè Maria Jorge
Originally Commando No. 2663 (1993)
Colonel John Devlin, USAF, had chased glory in three wars… but it had always passed him by. Now, in the savage air battles over war‑torn Vietnam, he saw his final chance to grab it when a new pilot arrived — a real hotshot, a born ace. There and then Devlin decided that this top gun was going to be his ticket to glory… regardless of the cost in men and machines!
First up in the Jose Maria Jorge set and what an opener — Ian Clark’s tale of glory hunting to the extreme leaves us on the edge of our seats. Jose Maria Jorge’s aviation artwork is in full play and a wonder to behold!
Commando 5656: Gold Collection: The Kestrels
Story: Alan Hebden | Art and Cover: Josè Maria Jorge
Originally Commando No. 2917 (1996)
It’s said that the helicopter came of age as a weapon during the Vietnam War. Hauptmann Karl Enberg of the Luftwaffe’s Kestrel Staffel might dispute that, though. For, in the dying days of Germany’s Third Reich, he and his command of rotorcraft hammered British ground forces and ran rings around Allied fighter aircraft — despite the odds.
And those fierce battles were child’s play compared to the fight to destroy another fleet of helicopters intended as the ultimate kamikaze force…
Another classic Josè Maria Jorge issue — and what a cover. Helicopters aren’t often featured on Commando’s covers, but Jorge’s amazing work on this issue couldn’t be overlooked.
“This issue inspired a story that I wrote for Commando,” writer Colin Maxwell says. “I’d asked [the late] Colin Noble about Commandos that featured helicopters and he mentioned this one and I tracked down a copy. Anyway, my story hasn’t been published yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long…”
Commando 5657: Action and Adventure: Fatal Contact
Story: Ferg Handley | Art and Cover: Josè Maria Jorge
Originally Commando No. 3177 (1998)
From the first day it arrived in Korean skies, the F-86 Sabre was the boss of the air war over that country. Only the Russian MIG-15 could come close, but it was still outclassed.
Then without warning, entire formations of Sabres began to disappear without a trace. It was clear that they were being lost in combat — but what sort of enemy weapon had the power to cause such a fatal contact?
Aliens? Secret Weapons? Ferg Handley’s mystery unfolds in the third Josè Maria Jorge special Commando issue. His artwork is like no other and so distinctive, it’s easy to see why Jorge was and remains a fan-favourite.
Here’s our guide to the releases. Digital releases via AmazonUK remain in limbo, so, currently, heading to your newsagent or subscription is your only way to get these…
Commando 5658: Silver Collection: Divided Aces
Story: Ferg Handley | Art and Cover: Josè Maria Jorge
Originally Commando No. 4329 (2010)
Squadron Leader Jack Pearson was beginning to wonder if his first command might be his last. English‑born Jack was determined to make the most of his posting to a base outside Edinburgh — even if the locals were less than friendly about his, and his fellow countrymen’s, presence.
As if that wasn’t enough, added to the mix were some veteran Polish flyers who didn’t like the way their new skipper was running things… Jack would have his work cut out for him if he was going to unite these Divided Aces!
The final of the Jose Marie Jorge four reprints, “Divided Aces” was picked because it is a fan-favourite issue and also because it was the last complete Commando Jorge illustrated.
• You can read the 2010 downthetubes tribute to Josè Maria Jorge here
• Josè Maria Jorge Commando Checklist on BritishComics.com
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Please note, as of June 2023, the Heritage Comics and Commando Presents digital releases project is on hiatus, as DC Thomson examine new ways to publish classics from their archive – check out the Commando Presents Series Page on AmazonUK for all the digital titles released under these banners
Commando 5655 – 5658 Cover Gallery
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 Art, Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes News, Science Fiction
Philip Harbottle’s Dan Dare comic strip adaptations, unseen for decades, revisited, and SF novel and film-inspired tales, too 
