Fans of Commando tales set during World War Two are in for a treat with the latest set, on sale from this Thursday (17th July 2025), because there’s a bumper crop of them on offer. Among them, a complex conspiracy threatening New York with attack from V1 missiles, and the tale of a general taking to a cabaret turn to escape a German Prisoner of War camp…
It’s Rossa McPhillips who delivers the V1-themed adventure in “V-1 Conspiracy”, which begins in war torn France in the last days of World War Two, and ends with New York under attack, victim to a “last gasp” mission by Nazi agents! As ever, Rossa weaves a tale of a buried wartime secret, brought to light by his story, leaving you wondering whether there is an element of truth to it, and he’s got access to some kind of Top Secret War Dossier, that’s the source of inspiration to his intriguing tales…
Plus, artist Alejandro Perez Mesa, a relative newcomer to the title, pushes the boundaries of Commando’s usual “two panel” page storytelling with some inventive layouts offering a bold take on the scenes set in a dangerous Atlantic. Well worth checking out.
Also new this set: “Escape Act” from Sean Mason and Paolo Ongaro, a story set large in a POW camp where an American general is hiding his true identity to protect vital intelligence he doesn’t want falling into Nazi hands. Sean Mason delivers a classic “fish out of water” Commando adventure, with some very funny lines along the way as a bold escape plan comes to fruition.
Both new issues feature great covers from Italian artist Marco Bianchini, now a firm Commando favourite illustrator. The founder of the Tuscan branch of the International School of Comics in Florence, which he left in 2017 to found the SIGN Academy, an important reference in artistic training, his many comic credits include work for Sergio Bonelli Editore in Italy, and the French publishing house Glenat, creating titles such as 999 A Rien du toute and Les Vin D’orient of the Vinifera series.
Alongside his work for Commando, he is working with Glenat and Delcourt on further historical adventures.
Writer Rossa McPhillips has praised Marco’s cover for V-1 Conspiracy, saying it “might be my fav cover ever”. Hard not to see why!
Represented this set is “River Raiders”, a beauty of a tale, first published back in 1969. Focused on the iconic D.U.K.W. amphibious vehicle, there’s no ducking the action in this one! Plus, rounding off the set, enjoy “You Need Courage”, a rip-roaring classic Commando reprint offering great art and script by Anglo, with an outstanding cover from Philpott to boot. An issue you won’t want to miss!
Commando 5871 (Home of Heroes): V-1 Conspiracy
Writer: Rossa McPhillips | Artist: Alejandro Perez Mesa | Cover Artist: Marco Bianchini
After the crushing defeat of D-Day, Germany had resorted to launching so-called vengeance weapons to terrorise the British. In response, Helen McGrath of the SOE and Captain Tim Lidster of the OSS, had been tasked with tracking down the architect of the latest portable V1 launchers – Major Walter Himpel of the Luftwaffe. Little did they know, their mission would prove to be far more than they bargained for, Himpel had a much more diabolical plan in mind – one that would target the mainland of the United States!
Commando 5872 (Gold): River Raiders
Writer: Staff | Artist: R Fuente | Cover Artist: Penalva
First published in Commando No. 418 in 1969
Officially, it’s a D.U.K.W. but it’s always called a DUCK. It’s a six-wheeled truck that can speed over land at 50 mph or move through water at five or six knots. Normally, they’re used for carrying cargo, but Sergeant Mick Nelson turned his D.U.K.W. into a floating battleship and made a name for himself as boss of the jungle rivers of Burma!
Commando 5873 (For Action and Adventure): Escape Act
Writer: Sean Mason | Artist: Paolo Ongaro | Cover Artist: Marco Bianchini
US General Pete McAvoy wasn’t much of a fan of the theatre. He thought it was a useless distraction and waste of time when there was a war to be won.
Then the aircraft he was in was shot down on its way to the front. Now he would have to play the part of Flight Lieutenant Giles Bastow to stop the Germans working out who he was and how much intel he had. In order to escape the prison camp, he would have to put on the biggest performance of his life!
Here’s one for the thespians among you! We’re not shy about our love for drama here at Commando, but it’s never been quite so literal as in this theatrical extravaganza from Sean Mason, with spectacular interior art by Paolo Ongaro and a sensational cover by Marco Bianchini.
Commando 5874 (Silver): You Need Courage
Writer: Anglo | Artist: Anglo | Cover Artist: Philpott
First published in Commando No. 1789 in 1984
If you were ever looking for Martin Baxter, you’d always find him where the fighting was thickest and fiercest. Everyone agreed it took courage to do the things he did – all except one man that is. But even that man would soon have cause to change his tune!
Did You Know? Philpott was artist on “The Gallopers go to War” for the Victor, among other strips, a World War Two series first published in Issue 1050 through 1078 in 1981. “Now that’s a reprint id love to see in Commando, as a series perhaps!” says Commando fan Carl Thomas, who supplied this tip.
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Commando Issues 5871 – 5874 Cover Gallery
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Warlord Collection Out Now
Don’t miss out on a new collection featuring stories of Britain’s best World War Two. Lord Peter Flint is back in Codename: Warlord Volume 2.
Flint’s tales of derring-do along with his identity card and codebook thrilled readers of Warlord for over 600 issues before it ceased publication in 1984.
In 2019, as regular downthetubes readers know, Flint returned to the comic world once again with his reboot in Commando, proving that you just can’t keep a man like Flint down! Codename: Warlord returned to Commando in 2024 and again earlier this year, and both rip‑roaring issues have been collected, alongside continuing adventures from the original 1974 comic run.
Heres a slideshow teaser…
DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando present… Codename: Warlord Volume 2, is available to order now direct from DC Thomson or your favourite bookshop (AmazonUK Affiliate Link), ISBN 978-1917436120
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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, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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