Personal vendettas abound in an action-packed collection of twists and turns in air, land, and sea! New Commando – Issues 5543-5546 – are in shops and online from Thursday 26th May, 2022, a set that sees the debut of former soldier and National Crime Agency officer Rossa McPhillips MBE as a writer on the long-running title.
Commando 5543: Home of Heroes: A Piece of the Action
Story: Rossa McPhillips | Art: Dan Barnfield | Cover: Mark Harris
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Sicily, July 1943, and US Naval Intelligence officer Lieutenant Commander Albert Russo has a major problem on his hands. Betrayed by their local contacts whilst attempting to aid the Allied advance, Russo and his men find themselves in the midst of a deadly Mafia feud. Resolve it, and the war continues. Fail, and it could mean the destruction of the Allied forces!
Watch out for dodgy dealings and devastating damage in this pacey action story from brand-new Commando writer Rossa McPhillips MBE, with dynamic, contemporary interiors by Dan Barnfield and another enigmatic cover from Mark Harris.
Rossa McPhillips MBE is a former soldier and National Crime Agency officer, who is an unashamed fan of the title. “I would happily just write these for the rest of my life,” he enthused on Twitter earlier this week.
Originally from Tuam, County Galway, Rossa spent 10 years in British Military Intelligence, including tours of Afghanistan and an attachment with Special Forces.
He was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his intelligence work in South Sudan. In 2017, he joined the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Headquarters, specialising in intelligence.
He now writes spy thrillers, drawing on his experiences, including The Contact, in which MI6 officer Frank Oatley opens up secret talks with the IRA as the conflict teeters towards civil war in 1990.
Rossa’s other credits include Doctor Who, for Big Finish, his story, “Temmosus”, featuring on The War Doctor Begins – Battlegrounds, is out now from Big Finish, and due for general release in July. His screenplay based on his experiences in Afghanistan, Checkpoint 54, has been optioned by a BAFTA Award-winning director. He has written episodes of the forthcoming series Killing the Cure and the pilot episode for E.L.E. Rossa’s screenplay for One Christmas Night in a Toy Store, is the third in a series of films due to be released in Spring 2022.
But what we really want to know is, did he ever get an answer to his query about Doctor Who writer, Malcolm Hulke? Well, you can find out in our interview with him, right here!
Commando 5544: Gold Collection: Flame in the Desert
Story: Allen | Art: Alonso | Cover: Penalva
Originally Commando No. 439 (1969)
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Those sneaky Nazis in the desert are up to their tricks again… this time, misleading some of the most powerful desert peoples into believing their British allies have betrayed them! A convincing oil tower set aflame is the pinnacle of the Germans’ proof — but could it just be another deception? Only the brave Sergeant Ben Holden and his armoured car, Tin Tessie, have the guts to uncover the truth.
A tense desert spectacle in this classic story from Allen, with Alonso’s charismatic interiors and a trademark Penalva cover.
Commando 5545: Action and Adventure: Two Men in A Boat… Again
Story: Calum Laird | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Carlos Pino
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After unexpectedly landing in Dundee, our heroes Robson and Hancock are at it again! This time their Jerry float plane is on a secret mission with an enigmatic passenger. Bound for Norway, they can only hope their disguise holds as they dance with death in enemy territory… but numb feet are no good for dancing and these numbskulls will need all the dumb luck they can muster.
The charming pair of airmen return in this amusing adventure from former editor Calum Laird. With exciting interiors by Jaume Forns and another intriguing cover from Carlos Pino.
Commando 5546: Silver Collection: The Hard Case
Story: CG Walker | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Philpott
Originally Commando No. 1806 (1984)
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Burt Brown has supported his destitute family every way he knows how, but an unfortunate series of events sees the wrong man prosecuted for his high-profile robbery. Sent to the front lines under the command of the man who thinks he is guilty, Sam Riggs must fight for survival if he wants to clear his name — and only chance will bring him and Bert together in the field of battle!
A story that’ll make you double-take from CG Walker, with expressive interiors by ever-popular Gordon C Livingstone and a dramatic cover from Philpott.
New Commando Merchandise Released
If you’re a longtime Commando fan, you may also be interested in the new Commando Classic Covers Collection, a huge selection of gifts including canvases, prints, tote bags, mugs, pencil tins and clocks. The range features 13 iconic covers and is curated by Commando Designer Grant Wood. Check the range out on the DC Thomson web shop.
• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• If you’re a Commando fan, don’t forget to check out the title’s YouTube channel
Commando 5543 – 5546 – Full Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• If you’re a Commando fan, don’t forget to check out the title’s YouTube channel
• Read our interview with Commando writer Rossa McPhillips MBE
- 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.
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