There’s a new batch of Commando, Issues 5767 – 5770 on sale from this Thursday, 18th July 2024, and two new creators – film and TV writer James Moran and pop culture artist Simon Pritchard – on board the long-running war comic.
Alongside two classic stories, look out for all-action World War Two-set stories in your newsagent or digital seller, featuring two very different characters taking lead roles – an accident-prone secret agent and a clued up, no nonsense thief, seconded to the Special Operations Executive!
Plus, don’t forget the new collection, Braddock of Bomber Command, is on sale now. Here’s our related news story!
“Simple Simon”, the first new story in the four issues on offer this week, and it’s a fun one with plenty of surprises, that sees TV and film writer James Moran join the ranks of Commando. With the talents of Jaume Forns and cover artist Marco Bianchini beside him, he’s in good stead, and, good news – two more stories from James are in the works!
James is writer of the films, Severance, Cockneys Vs Zombies and Tower Block, and episodes of TV shows such as Doctor Who, Torchwood, Spooks, Primeval, Spooks: Code 9, and more. He has several more upcoming film and TV projects in development, including Sequel, produced by Joe Dante, and directed by Danielle Harris.
James describes writing Commando as a “Genuine childhood dream come true.
“I loved doing these, and cramming in lots of action, explosions, and ‘mein Gott!’ he says. “The second one is out in August and third one September.”
Pop culture cover artist Simon Pritchard also joins the Commando ranks with his work for “Agent Crime”, written by Andrew Knighton, drawn by Marc Viure, bringing a very different look to the cover of the issue. It’d be a crime to miss it…
Simon usually specialises in hand painted artwork inspired by his own personal love for both classic and cult cinema. He’s been a fan of horror movies since childhood, watching the iconic monster movie double bills on late night television during the late 1970s and 80s plus his regular visits to the cinema during my formative years. Out of this fascination for horror, science fiction, action and fantasy cinema grew a life-long passion for the art of movie making, which has influenced his career as an artist.
He’s well known for providing commissioned and freelance art for several publications in the horror and related genre fields, as well as being an officially published writer for a number of book and magazine publications specialising in cult cinema and science fiction film and television.
“Can’t believe it’s finally imminent, it feels very surreal for me and I’ve been itching like mad for months to reveal this,” says Simon. “Back in March I was taken on as one of the cover artists for the long running and iconic British adventure war comic book Commando and my first cover painting for the next issue is finally ready for publication.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of the Commando comics cover art team, I’m currently starting work on my fifth painting for them as covers are produced well in advance of issue publication. Commando has been a stalwart of British comics since 1961 and was a constant presence of the comic book shelves of my childhood in the 70s so this is a big deal for me to be working on such an icon of pop culture history and they are wonderful people to work for… [I] can’t quite believe it yet.”
Commando 5767: Home of Heroes – Simple Simon
Story: James Moran | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Marco Bianchini
In 1944, the unluckiest soldier in the world, Billy Mooney, parachuted straight into enemy territory, landing right in the middle of a POW camp! The German soldiers in charge couldn’t believe they had captured the thickest Tommy in the entire fighting force.
You see, after several accidents and mishaps throughout the war, this was Billy’s last chance to prove himself – and it had gone wrong again! Would his luck turn around in the end?
• James Moran is online at jamesmoran.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | X
Commando 5768: Gold Collection – Framed!
Story: Bullen | Art: V Fuente | Cover: Penalva
First Published 1971 as Issue 521
Mitch Mitchell had had his fill of the army. He’d lost his corporal’s stripes when they busted him for taking a swipe at an officer. But through hard work and guts, he eventually climbed back to the dizzy heights of sergeant. But then he’d lost his temper once more… and bang went his stripes again.
So now Mitch was a dangerous customer — a lone wolf with no loyalty to anyone. At least that’s the way it was until Regimental Sergeant Major Barton came along, a man with a voice like a battery of six-pounders. He’d lick Mitch into shape and hit the Nazis hard while doing it!
Issue 5768 is a classic Commando with a classic pun title! With amazing artwork from the talented Victor de la Fuente and an eye-catching Jordi Penalva cover!
Commando 5769: Action and Adventure – Agent Crime!
Story: Andrew Knighton | Art: Marc Viure | Cover: Simon Pritchard
Sally Grimes always had trouble with the law, especially since she was always on the wrong side of it. She had dodged more coppers than you could shake a stick at, always managing to get away scot-free. But her luck ran dry when she was clapped in irons ready for prison. That was until Captain Bob Kendricks of the SOE came a-calling. Now Grimes was going to use her ill-gotten skills as a petty criminal for the good of the British Army!
• Cover artist Simon Pritchard is online at artbeat64.com | Instagram
Commando 5770: Silver Collection – The Secret Torpedo
Story: RA Montague | Art: Philpott | Cover: Jeff Bevan
First Published 1982 as Issue 1613
Lieutenant Bob Warren was an expert at defusing German bombs and mines, and was quite used to odd hours and strange workplaces. So when he was awakened in the middle of the night and told there was another job to be done, he wasn’t too concerned. But when he realised that his destination was enemy-occupied Norway, he knew that this was not going to be a routine operation. And he was right — it was going to be the most dangerous job of his life!
Featuring masterful naval art by Jeff Bevan on the cover of this represented issue!
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
Commando Issues 5767 – 5770 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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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