Commando Dunkirk 80th Anniversary specials out this week

Commando Issues 5335 and 5337 - Joining Covers by Keith Burns

Brand new Commando (Issues 5335 – 5338) are out on Thursday from DC Thomson Media, offering two dedicated reprints and a special “twin issues” release with unique adjoining covers by Keith Burns, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Dunkirk retreat.

Commando 5335: Home of Heroes: Durand’s Dunkirk

Commando 5335 – Home of Heroes: Durand’s Dunkirk
Story: Andrew Knighton | Art: Morhain & Defeo | Cover: Keith Burns

Digital edition available from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Tank Commander Regis Durand and his crew are the very embodiment of the French’s fighting spirit — at least, he thinks so!

At odds with his men about France’s hopes for success, Durand’s chance meeting with errant British privates Dodge and Hutton fuels his rage and determination to beat the Nazis. But fighting alongside Belgian Sergeant Willems makes Durand confront some deep truths, helping him find the real meaning of ‘fighting spirit’ before France is overcome by irrepressible blitzkrieg tactics.

Preserving the lives of himself and other honourable men to one day free France is all that keeps Durand from blindly pursuing victory and certain death.

A story interwoven with Dodger’s Dunkirk, Morhain and Defeo’s interior art is wonderfully complemented by Keith Burns’ interconnecting cover.

Commando 5336 - Gold Collection: The Circus Went to War

Commando 5336 – Gold Collection: The Circus Went to War
Story: Eric Hebden | Art: Ibanez | Cover: Penalva
Originally Commando No. 774 (1973)

Digital edition available from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

You’ve heard of the Red Baron’s Flying Circus, but what about Frank Selby’s? Bailing out over France, the last thing the Pilot Officer expects is to find himself face-to-muzzle with a lion in the middle of the countryside, but that’s just how things go in this comedic caper, as troop entertainers Fanetti’s Circus try to escape to neutral territory.

But when they part ways and think Frank may have been busted by a German patrol, the unlikely heroes go back to rescue him.

With a flaming-hot escape plan, staggering stunts of heroism and show-stopping artwork by Ibanez, there’s something for everyone in this ‘circus’ of errors!

This reprint was chosen by none other than ace downthetubes contributor Colin Noble!

Commando 5337: Action and Adventure: Dodger’s Dunkirk

Commando 5337 – Action and Adventure: Dodger’s Dunkirk
Story: Andrew Knighton | Art: Morhain & Defeo | Cover: Keith Burns

Digital edition available from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

“We ain’t gonna be beaten. It’s just a few setbacks, is all.”

Private Tom ‘Dodger’ Dodge and his mate Ed Hutton arrive in France full of hope, only to swiftly find themselves being told to retreat. Absconding from his unit in defiance of those orders, Dodge soon runs into a French Tank Commander, Regis Durand, with the same fighting spirit as him!

Refusing to fall back even in dire straits, a party of Belgians lead by Sergeant Willem convince Tom to return to his unit, learning the hard way what it means to run and fight another day.

Told in parallel to Durand’s Dunkirk, these individual stories are connected by far more than Morhain and Defeo’s detailed interiors and Keith Burns’ stunning twin covers.

Discussing the two stories released this week, writer Andrew Knighton reveals he created Dodger to represent a particular attitude towards courage and fighting spirit.

“Holding strong in the face of danger takes a certain stubborn willpower, something that’s a necessity in war,” he notes on his official blog, also discussing the wider tragedy of the Dunkirk retreat. “Without the courage to hold your ground despite terrible odds and others’ fears, many battles would have been lost.

“But that stubbornness can go too far.  Great military disasters have been born from an unwillingness to compromise, to back off, to accept the limits of what can be achieved and so to salvage something of value from a loss.”

Commando 5338: Silver Collection: Proved in Battle

Commando 5338 – Silver Collection: Proved in Battle
Story: Anglo | Art: Anglo| Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 1913 (1985)

Digital edition available from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Lieutenant Bob Cullen is in the midst of a baptism of fire — leading a renowned platoon with Jerry hard on their heels. Keeping morale up would have been tricky at the best of times, but Cullen is leaning heavily on his capable Sergeant, Hugh Knight, and the men can see his uncertainty in troubled times.

Without strong leadership, troubled Private Simon Morgan eventually gives in to his cowardice and flees, straight into the suspicious sights of farmer, Paul Cartier.

But there’s more to Cartier than meets the eye, and a strange tale from the Great War convinces Simon to redeem his honour, helping relieve tensions between the British and French as the retreat gains momentum…

• Official Commando Comics Site: www.commandocomics.com

• Get global action and adventure delivered right to your door when you subscribe to Commando – or subscribe for digital copies here

• Don’t forget The Art of Ian Kennedy is also available to order here on Amazon (Using this Affiliate Link helps support downthetubes, thank you)

COMMANDO ISSUES 5335 – 5337 FULL COVER GALLERY

  • Commando 5335: Home of Heroes: Durand’s Dunkirk - Full
  • Commando 5336 - Gold Collection: The Circus Went to War - Full
  • Commando 5337: Action and Adventure: Dodger’s Dunkirk - Full
  • Commando 5338: Silver Collection: Proved in Battle - Full

• Official Commando Comics Site: www.commandocomics.com

• Get global action and adventure delivered right to your door when you subscribe to Commando – or subscribe for digital copies here

• Don’t forget The Art of Ian Kennedy is also available to order here on Amazon (Using this Affiliate Link helps support downthetubes, thank you)



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