To celebrate International Women’s Day, on 8th March, this week’s new set of Commando comics, is celebrating two of the war comic’s most significant female writers: Mary Feldwick and Diana Garbutt. Issues 5831 – 5834, representing four archive adventures, go on sale in newsagents and digitally from Thursday 27th February 2025.
Commando 5831: Come Out Fighting
Story: Feldwick Art: AC Kennedy Cover: Penalva
First published in Commando 448 in 1969
What does a fighting Irishman do when his luck deserts him just when he needs it most? If his name is Private Mick O’Connor, he just grits his teeth and fights on harder than ever!
The first issue in this set comes from the masterful pen of Mary Feldwick. Originally from near Eastbourne , East Sussex, Mary was a prolific writer of comics during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. “Come Out Fighting” is a perfect example of her knack for gripping narratives, her credits also including Fleetway’s War Picture Library and Battle Picture Library, Micron’s Combat Picture Library, as well as DC Thomson’s Commando.
As an added bonus, we’re being treated to early Cam Kennedy issue, his third for Commando.
Commando 5832: Way of Honour
Story: Mary Feldwick Art: Enriquez Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published in Commando 1498 in 1981
Before the Second World War, few westerners had ever heard of the Japanese sport of karate, with its own rules, its own customs. But one young Englishman, Martin Hawkins, studied it when he lived and worked in Japan. So skilled was he that it wasn’t long before he was a black belt champion.
The war broke out and Martin was forced to return home, little knowing that his expertise in karate was going to save his life one day.
If you ask us, martial arts are often sorely lacking in Commando issues – how many tense standoffs could’ve been solved by a swift roundhouse kick? This second issue from Feldwick serves to showcase her kickass originality.
Commando 5833: Panzer-Trap
Story: Diana Garbutt Art: Ibanez Cover: Robertson
First published in Commando 1816 in 1984
Reckon you could stop a regiment of enemy tanks with your bare hands? No, probably not. Ray Peterson and Trevor Stanton didn’t think they had much of a chance either. But with the lives of thousands of their comrades at stake they weren’t going to give up trying…
Commando 5834: Lionheart
Story: Diana Garbutt Art: Blasco | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published in Commando 1823 in 1984
Dave Gardner wanted to be a soldier. He had always dreamed of carrying on the military tradition of his family by going into battle. However, when you’re small and thin, and you can’t see very well, it isn’t so easy. But even so, Dave was going to get his chance!
A classic story of how big things can often come in small packages. This second story from Garbutt is a perfect example of her ability to craft engaging stories and find the heroic in the unlikeliest of places!
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando Issues 5831 – 5834 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
With thanks to Lee Grice
- About the Author
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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, Events
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