DC Thomson‘s Commando Comics mark International Women’s Day with special Commando Issues 5727 – 5730 — on sale from Thursday 29th February 2024, with a spotlight on female contributors and characters.
In the first of two new stories in this set, Commando 5727, “The Viper”, Hailey Austin’s female-fronted issue was inspired by the true and heroic story of Filipino Nieves Fernandez, a school teacher turned guerrilla, who terrorised the Japanese invaders with her band of resistance fighters. The issue is brought to life by Paolo Ongaro’s artwork and Anna Morozova – Commando’s first female cover artist – returns for her second-ever Commando cover.
Hailey, who originally hails from Bennett, Colorado, was one of the first women in more than 30 years to write for one of Scotland’s longest-running titles when she joined the title in 2019, and helped co-found the Dundee chapter of Laydeez Do Comics, the international organisation championing women writers.
“Baba Yaga”, Commando 5729, is a supernatural story, as writer Kate Dewar casts a spell over her issue. Twists and turns aplenty enchant this issue inspired by Slavic folklore — but can you really trust a witch? What’s more, Carlos Pino works his magic on the cover and interiors.
Mary Feldwick is the writer of this set’s reprint stories, one of the title’s prolific writers, with “A Time for Justice” offering a classic issue featuring that archetypical Commando theme, revenge, with art from artist Enriquez.
The set rounds off with “Boys’ War”, Fekdwick’s tale of two brothers fleeing the Nazi Blitzkrieg of France. Artist Ruiz provides interiors.
Both archive storis come with covers from Ian Kennedy.
Commando 5727: Home of Heroes: The Viper
Story: Hailey Austin | Art: Paolo Ongaro | Cover: Anna Morozova
Bacuit Bay, Palawan Island, Philippines, 1944. Imelda Hernandez, nicknamed “The Viper” is a schoolteacher turned guerrilla commander intent on annihilating the Japanese invasion with her bolo knife and lightning-fast strikes. When deserters of her guerrilla group are captured by the Japanese, Imelda must decide whether to continue her warpath towards the Japanese soldiers who killed her friends or risk it all to save the men who wouldn’t follow a vengeful woman.
Commando 5728: Gold Collection: A Time for Justice
Story: Mary Feldwick | Art: Enriquez | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1980 as Issue 1470
The end was near for Bertrand Duval. Since the days of the French Revolution, his family had wrongfully claimed inheritance of the Chateau de Lauronne, and the title and power that went with it. Now he had added another crime to his list… he had made friends with the German invaders of his country. But the French Resistance fighters were gathering strength. The time for justice was close.
Commando 5729: Action and Adventure: Baba Yaga
Story: Kate Dewar | Art and Cover: Carlos Pino
Metal seared against metal, Tiger tanks burning bright in the glow of the inferno they spread over Europe. One soldier would face them, taking on the fiery demons. He needed help though, healed by a witch in the woods and given three tasks to complete. But could he trust this woman whose house stood raised above the earth surrounded by skulls on stakes — one left empty for her next victim?
Commando 5730: Silver Collection: Boys’ War
Story: Mary Feldwick | Art: Ruiz | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First Published 1980 as Issue 1472
It was the summer of 1940, and the whole of France was thrown into utter confusion as the invading German troops advanced relentlessly, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction behind them.
Trapped amidst all this turmoil were two British schoolboys — John and Will Browning. Fending for themselves in a foreign country, they were trying desperately to make it back to British lines… before it was too late!
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook| Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando 5257 – 5730 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
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, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events