Issue #6 of Battle Action, featuring a cover by Andy Clarke, is on sale in comics shops from Wednesday 29th January 2025, with Garth Ennis writing both stories, including the ongoing “Johnny Red” adventure, “A Couple of Heroes”. Here at downthetubes, we’re delighted to bring you an exclusive sneak peek at the all-new “Hellman of Hammer Force” story, with art by Mike Dorey, courtesy of publishers Rebellion!

Mike was the original “Hellman of Hammer Force” artist, and it’s great to see his work on this new strip, especially after seeing him on Commando, too, with new stories featuring Cadman and Sergeant Rayker.
Mike is a huge personal hero for Garth, and a legend in the British comics industry for many.
The story sees Hellman stepping away from his active duty as he goes for a walk through the woods – stumbling across some soldiers on the way, as one thing then leads to another….



Here’s the vital issue intel…
Garth Ennis and Keith Burns continue “A Couple of Heroes”. As Johnny Red flies his final mission, his nemesis, Von Jurgen, has his own mission in mind-one last dogfight, one last chance to kill Johnny.
Garth Ennis also writes the second story in this issue, as Hellman takes “A Walk in the Woods” and discovers horrific things that shake him to his core, drawn by Hellman’s original artist, Mike Dorey.
Battle Action #6 is on sale in all good comic shops from Wednesday 29th January 2025, and from the Treasury of British Comics webshop


Mike Dorey is an artist and illustrator whose breakout character Cadman, The Fighting Coward for DC Thomson established a precedent for creating anti-heroes and anti-establishment figures. Mike is known for his work on the ground-breaking Action – surely the only comic to be debated in Parliament – for which he co-created Hellman of Hammer Force, the first German military hero in the history of post- war British comics. Mike went on to draw the iconic Rogue Trooper for 2000AD.
Mike is noted for his dark, textured artwork, with an emphasis on line and form influenced by a study of Impressionist and Surrealist art. His strong draftsmanship is characterised by a bold and high-contrast style that makes his work instantaneously recognisable.
• Battle Action #6 is on sale in all good comic shops from Wednesday 29th January 2025, and from the Treasury of British Comics webshop
• Mike Dorey is online at mikedorey.co.uk
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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.
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