Commando issues 5631 – 5634 go on sale in all good newsagents tomorrow, Thursday 30th March 2023. This set represents four issues of the long-running war comic dedicated to one Commando fans favourite artists, Gordon C Livingstone – including brand-new covers created from his interior linework and coloured by top artists Neil Roberts and Len O’Grady.
(The title reverts to its usual format of two new stories, two reprint, with its next set, out in April).
Gordon Livingstone (1934 – 2017) was a comic artist best-known as the most prolific artist for DC Thomson’s war comic. He got his first job as an artist at the age of 16 and was also hired by DC Thomson shortly afterwards, remaining a loyal contributor to this firm for nearly 50 years.
He started drawing stories for Commando almost from its launch by editor Chick Checkley in 1961, intended to compete with IPC Fleetway’s War Picture Library and ‘Air Ace Picture Library. Livingstone remained with Commando until his retirement in 1999, drawing over 360 issues, starting with No. 4 and ending with No. 3293.
He passed away on 19th June 2017 at the age of 82, and our much-missed colleague Colin Noble paid tribute to him here on downthetubes. Along with artists such as Ian Kennedy and Jose Maria Jorge, his contribution to Commando’s enduring success is immeasurable.
Commando 5631: Home of Heroes – Attack from the Sea
Story: Rudge | Art Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Gordon C Livingstone & Neil Roberts
Originally Commando No. 1410 (1980)
• Commando Comics digital editions on AmazonUK
First up in the Commando reprint set of Gordon C Livingstone classics is “Attack from the Sea”. What started out as a well-planned raid on the North African coast by a crack force of British Commandos had developed into a nightmare chase across the desert. There was one among them with a grudge against all Germans. He had wrecked the mission and now he was steadily wrecking any chances of survival. The attack from the sea had gone dangerously wrong!
Roberts vividly captures Livingstone’s style, while lending his own touch in this masterful homage to the Golden Era artist.
Commando 5632: Gold Collection – Never Surrender
Story: Eric Hebden | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Gordon C Livingstone & Len O’Grady
Originally Commando No. 956 (1975)
• Commando Comics digital editions on AmazonUK
Mike Mason said he would never surrender. He even made a bet on it. And when a guy like Mike Mason says something he sticks to his word. So, although he was shot down in enemy territory, taken prisoner by the Germans, slung in jail by the Italians, he never in fact surrendered! Of course, he did surrender to a Spitfire, but that doesn’t count — or does it? See what you think!
Commando 5632 is an aircraft adventure which packs a punch! This Commando from the 1970s is semi-inspired by the real-life events of an Italian seaplane being stolen and flown back to Malta! And with Irish artist Len O’Grady lending his colouring skills to the cover, it’s easy to see why he’s a master at his craft.
Commando 5633: Action and Adventure: The Hero was a Fake
Story: Allan | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Gordon C Livingstone & Neil Roberts
Originally Commando No. 492 (1970)
• Commando Comics digital editions on AmazonUK
Bill Drummond, a British Army lieutenant, looked in dismay at the cringing figure crouching in the corner of the cellar, fear haunting his nervous, flickering eyes. Bill found it hard to believe that this was the same man who’d saved his life only weeks before. But then he didn’t know the full story of this Yank he hailed as a hero, but who was hunted high and low by American MPs for being a deserter and a black marketeer!
Another rip-roaring tale from the 1970s – with a twist! Is Jake Larsen an honourable man or a cowardly thief?
Commando 5630: Silver Collection – Fly to Freedom
Story: R A Montague | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Gordon C Livingstone & Len O’Grady
Originally Commando No. 1462 (1980)
• Commando Comics digital editions on AmazonUK
Stan Newman was a natural-born pilot. He loved flying the marvellous Hawker Hart biplanes in India before the war, and then later the Hawker Fury fighters. So it was a great day for him when he took up the latest Hawker aeroplane, the famous Hurricane. He threw it all over the sky in a wonderful display of aerobatics… but then he brought it back down on the runway again with his wheels still folded up and skidded through a line of parked aircraft! The Royal Air Force is not very keen on pilots who write off several valuable planes in one go. It looked as if Stan’s flying days were over…
The final in the set of Commando reprints dedicated to the legendary Gordon C Livingstone is a romp not to miss! With more types of aircraft than you can shake a stick at, all perfectly depicted in the instantly recognisable Livingstone style.
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• 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
Commando Issues 5631 – 5634 – Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• 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
COMMANDO COVERS ON DISPLAY!
Ian Kennedy – Celebrating a Comics Legend
Runs until Saturday 6th May 2023
Dundee University, Tower Building | Web: dundee.ac.uk/events/ian-kennedy-celebrating-comics-legend
Ian Kennedy (1932-2022) is a legend in British comics. Acclaimed and respected by fans and fellow artists, his career in comics spanned over 70 years.
Born and educated in Dundee, Ian began work as a trainee illustrator in the Art Department at DC Thomson & Co in 1949. In 1954 he became a freelance artist and began doing work for Amalgamated Press in London as well as Thomson in Dundee. He became particularly known for his work in war comics, which led to his long association with DC Thomson’s Commando, illustrating well over a thousand covers between 1970 and 2022. In the late 1970s he moved more into science fiction and fantasy, creating work for 2000AD and Starblazer as well as drawing Dan Dare for the relaunched Eagle. Although semi-retired from 1997, Ian continued to work on Commando and other projects up until his death last year.
Ian leaves behind a huge legacy that will continue to inspire comics fans for generations to come. We are delighted to present this exhibition featuring a selection of original art from Ian’s studio and from the collections of DC Thomson.
• Read James Bacon’s review of this exhibition right here on downthetubes
• Watch: A guided tour by comics expert and Abertay University lecturer Phillip Vaughan showcasing highlights of the exhibition Ian Kennedy: Celebrating a Comics Legend in the Lamb Gallery, Tower Building, University of Dundee, given at a special event on 3rd March 2023 in the company of members of Ian’s family, former friends and colleagues and comics fans.
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.
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