Here’s the low down for Commando Issues 4751-4754, on sale now in all good newsagents and digitally for iPad and iPhone. These releases include “Royle’s Marines”, a special tribute to the Royal Marines who mark their 350th anniversary of service to the UK later this month and the issue is introduced by Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Dare MBE of the Royal Marines (And yes, we bet he’s heard all the Dan Dare-related jokes he ever wants to).
Lieutenant Colonel Dare, who was previously Operation Olympics Project Officer for the Royal Navy (organising the arrival of the Olympic Flame at RNAS Culdrose, and later by helicopter abseil into the Tower of London in 2012) is in charge the Royal Marines’ 350th Birthday celebrations. He also has the distinction of being the only Royal Marine in the side to have appeared in an Andy McNab book (Spoken from the Front) and to have French Para wings.
Lt Col Cliff Dare in the background looking a little pensive behind Dame Kelly Holmes pic.twitter.com/Q6RGNXFw
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) July 20, 2012
Operationally, he has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, where he was with 42 Commando for the relief of the Presidential Palace at Basra, afters his unit helped secure the Al Faw peninsula and Umm Qasr. He’s also a keen cricketer, playing for the Royal Marines, the Navy, the Club Cricket Conference, and the MCC, including a game at Lord’s in 2012.
“2014 is a truly momentous year for the Royal Marines as on the 28th October we mark our 350th birthday,” he notes, in his special introduction for “Royle’s Marines”, “Completing three and a half centuries of unbroken service, committed, as an integral part of the Naval Service, to protecting and promoting the United Kingdom’s security, prosperity and reputation, both and home and overseas; truly 350 years of Timeless Distinction.”
Formed in 1664 as the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot, the Royal Marines, the modern Royal Navy’s “go anywhere force”, have evolved into the United Kingdom’s commando forces, held at high readiness and trained to operate anywhere in the World and carry out the full spectrum of operations, be that peacekeeping, disaster relief, military training/advisory teams, specialist amphibious operations and high intensity combat.
“Now, whilst the stories contained in Commando are obviously fiction, there are numerous common values shared between the characters, the Corps today, and our illustrious forebears who have served the Corps and the Crown so well since 1664,” feels Colonel Dare. “The Royal Marines ethos is based on characteristics of courage, determination, cheerfulness in adversity and selflessness and they have stayed true throughout our 350 year history and have enabled the Royal Marines to be involved in virtually every one of the United Kingdom’s conflicts, and notably to have seen active service every year since the outbreak of World War II to the present day, with the sole exception of 1968.
“Today’s Royal Marines remain at the forefront of the United Kingdom’s crisis response force and are a key component of the Government’s conflict prevention agenda. Through our World-renowned brand of understated professionalism we hope to remain there for another 350 years and more.”
Commando No 4751 – Saxon Eagles
Story: Ferg Handley Art: John Ridgway Cover: John Ridgway
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-october-2014-collection?issue=4751
The Ninth Century AD was a turbulent, violent time. Anglo-Saxon Britons had to fend off constant attacks from marauding and blood-thirsty Scandinavian warriors — the much-feared Vikings.
Young Cadric was a Saxon — brave and willing to fight to defend his village from Viking hordes. As he did so, though, he had to face an equally deadly, but more sinister, enemy from closer to home.
Commando No 4752 – Colonel Scarface
Originally Commando No 135 (October 1964), re-issued as No 699 (December 1972)
Story: Mepham Art: Gonzales Cover: Ken Barr
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-october-2014-collection?issue=4752
All occupied France went in fear and trembling of him — ruthless SS Colonel Ludwig Bauer — a monster in the guise of a man.
But one day Bauer went too far with a young Commando lieutenant, Rick Matthews. And Rick stayed behind after a raid in France to teach Colonel Scarface, step by blood-stained step, what it was to be afraid…
“Despite what Ken Barr’s magnificently menacing cover might make you think, this story isn’t all about the nefarious Colonel Scarface,” notes Calum Laird, Commando’s Editor. “It’s more the story of Lieutenant Rick Matthews, Commando. What’s more, it’s also a French Resistance story, a type that’s very difficult to make successful as there’s often not a lot of action to play with. The script neatly avoids tense, cliff-hanging moments by being filled with the crash and thunder of battle. All very well drafted by Gonzales.
“Lastly, watch out for the comedy moment on page 55. You have been warned.”
Commando No 4753 – Royle’s Marines
Story: George Low Art and Cover: Benet
Introduced by Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Dare MBE of the Royal Marines
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-october-2014-collection?issue=4753
After firmly putting a bully in his place with a well-aimed punch, young Thomas Markham knew he had to make himself difficult to find. He was helped by Sergeant Ned Royle who suggested joining the Royal Marines and losing himself there.
While he was now out of plain sight, young Thomas was not out of danger for he was shipped off to fight in the Crimean War. There his mettle would be tested in the heat of battle as one of… ROYLE’S MARINES.
Commando No 4754 – Night Of Fear
Originally Commando No 984 (November 1975), re-issued as No 2324 (November 1989)
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Patrick Wright Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-october-2014-collection?issue=4754
Transylvania — an eerie land of legends, of werewolves and vampires, of hauntings and spine-chilling screams in the dark.
Not the most welcoming place in the world to crash-land in at dead of night — especially when your Mosquito has been damaged, not by Nazi flak…but by a swarm of thousands of large, black bats!
“Just imagine a spooky castle in darkest Transylvania,” asks Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery as he conjures the mood for this re-presented tale. “Plus, the sinister Count who dwells there, waited on a by creepy assistant; swarms of large bats flying out of nowhere.
“’Night of Fear’ may not be the most subtle Commando ever published — but it is certainly a hugely entertaining one. The influences on the plot — Hollywood vampire movies and American horror comics — are actually acknowledged in the text, so, nearly 40 years on this remains a fiendishly fun read.
“So, trick or treat?
“In my humble opinion, this is definitely a treat. Happy Hallowe’en!”
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• Commando Collections: Checklist
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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