Football in a Commando comic? Just when you think the editorial team can’t go any more left field! How many other curveballs will they throw readers in the latest set of adventures? Commando issues 5835 to 5838 are on sale from Thursday 13th March 2025, available from all good newsagents and digital platforms.
The first new adventure this time out is “Leagues Apart”. If you remember DC Thomson’s long-running Football Picture Story Monthly, launched in 1986, which had the same format as Commando, this is a tale that mixes those classic football stories with wartime conflict! Champions Dave and Jim Turner deliver the script, with art from Paolo Ongaro. Can some sporting heroes succeed in giving those Nazis a red card?
There’s a great tradition of sports stars heading to the front line, of course. If you’re curious to find out more, pick up the latest issue of Battling Britons, No. 7, ion sale now – reviewed here.
Also new this set is “Looters!” from Colin Maxwell. The Commando team they had loads of great puns for this issue, but they were stolen. “Seriously though, this is one story you abso-LOOT-ly won’t want to miss!” they insist. “With Alejandro Garcia Mangana’s art gracing the cover and interior, you’ll want to keep your copy under lock and key – it really is a steal!”
Represented this time round is “The Death or Glory Mob“, the script created to “Motton” who many downthetubes readers will recognise as none other than David Motton, who we interviewed back in 2011. David was one of the first writers on the title back in the 1960s. Quite the wild ride, offering thrills, chills and derring-do – and dare we say… a ghost? There’s more than meets the eye to this classic story, and we’re not just talking about the amazing artwork.
Not content with puns about “Looters”, the Commando team apparently couldn’t resist a few more to promote “The End of the Line“, promising “an a-TRACK-tive offering – nothing like a French resistance railway drama to let off some steam. An ENGINE-ious story of betrayal and revenge, with an incredible Jeff Bevan cover – this issue is really off the rails!” (That’s enough puns – Ed).
At least we get some absolutely stunning art from Ibanez to make up for Commando team comedy… Plus, there’s a tease for an all-new “Codename Warlord” in the next set, on sale in two weeks!
Commando 5835: Leagues Apart
Story: Dave and Jim Turner
Art: Paolo Ongaro
Cover: Simon Pritchard
Footballers Jimmy Harris and Danny Meggs hated each other’s guts. They were bitter rivals on and off the pitch, but things all came to a head at the qualifying match for promotion to the next division. With talent scouts watching, Danny performed a devastating tackle on Jimmy which landed with a sickening crunch.
The injury caused Jimmy to be out of the beautiful game… but with World War Two looming, he wouldn’t be out of action for long!
Commando 5836: The Death or Glory Mob
Story: David Motton
Art: Franch
Cover: Penalva
First published in Commando 561 in 1971
There had always been a Wild in the Wessex Rifles — always an officer from this family who proved to be as courageous as his ancestors and earned for himself the glorious name… “The Wild One”.
Major Jason Wild was the man who carried on the tradition in the Second World War, and he was as tough as any of the others. And then, for the first time in history, there appeared a Wessex officer even braver than The Wild One. This is his amazing story…
Commando 5837: Looters!
Story: Colin Maxwell
Art and Cover: Alejandro Garcia Mangana
France, 1915. As trench warfare rages on between British and German forces, the stretcher-bearers are busier than ever. But while the casualties continue to pile up, fallen soldiers’ valuables have started to go walkabout – there are looters on the line! Enter Corporal Philip Baker, assigned by the top brass to go undercover and track down those responsible. But he soon finds out the trouble runs deeper than he could have ever imagined!
Commando 5838: The End of the Line
Story: CG Walker
Art: Ibanez
Cover: Jeff Bevan
First published in Commando 1751 in 1983
Who was really responsible for the terrible train crash in the Boivert tunnel? Was it Marcel Lebrun, or was it the man who actually went to jail for the crime?
Some years later, in the French Resistance, Marcel lay waiting for an enemy arms train speeding towards Boivert. But a lonely figure clutching a rifle lay patiently in wait for him.
• When Saturday Comes: Comic Sporting Heroes of Yesteryear by Colin Noble
• 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 5835 – 5838 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
- 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, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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