Brand new Commando (issues 5135-5138) from DC Thomson are on sale this week in all good UK newsagents – and they offer a cracking selection of action adventure!
Blend in with the night in a dark Spitfire, deploy depth-charges on hulking U-boats, charge to freedom in a Spanish battle bus, and prove yourself as a stretcher-bearer on the front line…
Commando 5135: Home of Heroes – The Dark Spitfire
Story: Iain McLaughlin | Art: Juame Forns | Cover: Ian Kennedy
A glint of moonlight off the wingtip was all you saw before the dark Spitfire claimed you. When silhouetted against the moon, it was as black as the night and completely without mercy. But the man who flew it was not British, nor did he fight for Britain — but for France and to avenge the family who had been taken from him.
Perfectly encapsulating the mood of Iain McLaughlin’s atmospheric issue, Ian Kennedy’s cover highlights the solitude, mystery and ghostly nature of this rogue Spitfire!
Commando 5136: Gold Collection – Atlantic Patrol
Story: Brunt | Art: Arias | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 485 (July 1970). Reprinted No. 1396 (March 1980)
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was one of the greatest planes of the Second World War. It had a wingspan of 110 feet, a ceiling of 28,000 feet, packed ten machine guns and could carry 2,700 pound bombs. But Squadron Leader Walter Bennett missed his Anson and his old crew — all of whom were gunned down after an accident with an over-anxious Catalina…
Ian Kennedy’s cover for ‘Atlantic Patrol’ is more experimental than usual, opting for bright colours and reflective metallics, making this an outstanding issue for any collector.
That, paired with Brunt’s gritty story and Arias’s crisp interiors make ‘Atlantic Patrol’ worth any praise.
Commando 5137: Action and Adventure – Next Stop… Freedom!
Story: Richard Davis | Art: Morhain | Cover: Neil Roberts
The fascist grip of Nazi power was seizing control in 1938 as the Condor Legion clawed at the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. That was why Aggregate rocket scientist, Professor Epstein, had to escape to France. The only problem was how he was going to get there… Luckily, the local militia were working on their own weapon to strike back against the Nationalists — an armoured battle bus!
A classic Commando tale of fighting for freedom, Neil Roberts’ orange and yellow background on the cover is directly inspired by Ian Kennedy’s covers in the 1970s — just compare it to ‘Atlantic Patrol’.
Commando 5138: Silver Collection – Under Fire!
Story: Ian Clark | Art: Olivera | Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No. 2752 (April 1994)
Returning to his hometown in Nazi-occupied France, medical student, Jean Valdon, found that everything had changed. Jean and his father were hated, accused of being Nazi collaborators. Jean could just about bear it until the Allies liberated his town, and Jean’s father was murdered. Now forced to go on the run, Jean became a stretcher-bearer under a different name, desperate to prove himself and his family’s loyalty in the war.
Similar to ‘The Dark Spitfire’, Ian Clark puts us right on the battle riddled streets of occupied France, as our hero is torn between his morals, duty, and family. This is not one to be missed!
• Commando Comics are available to buy and request in WHSmith and all good local newsagents
• Print and digital subscriptions are available worldwide, and can be bought through the DC Thomson website
• The DC Thomson online shop offers both Commando cover prints and T-Shirts – https://www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/our-brands/commando.html?cat=1178
- About the Author
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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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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