Here’s the intel on the new Commando issues on sale this Thursday from DC Thomson (issues 5023-5026, 1st June 2017), full of classic heroes and antics.
Covering the skies, both Gold and Silver reprints tackle the air battles of World War Two, fighting above Europe and North Africa, as Commando’s heroes face not only the enemy, but the Allies too.
Meanwhile, “Justice Served” (5023) and “The Castle” (5025) are both set in the heart of Europe during the fall of the Nazis as different nations rally together for the final push.
But no matter the setting, there’s always plenty of action to be enjoyed.
Commando 5023 Home of Heroes: Justice Served
Story: George Low: Art: Rezzonico: Cover: Janek Matysiak
In this all-new adventure, George Low’s Tommy hero is Corporal Mike Lowry, the only survivor of SS Lieutenant Hans Hueter’s machine gun massacre. Nursed back to health by a French farmer, Mike trains to be a Commando and, determined to avenge his squad, returns to France ready to serve justice to the Nazi brutes.
Complementing Low’s story, Janek’s cover hails just that justice – a Spitfire firing at retreating German half-tracks and, as usual, Rezzonico’s artwork is marvellous, taking full advantage of the story by filling the frames with detailed backgrounds and careful shading to add depth.
Commando 5024 Gold Collection: Glory Hunter
Story: McOwan Art: Auraleon Cover: Ken Barr
Originally Commando No 309 (January 1968) Reprinted No 1007 (February 1976)
Ken Barr’s dark, dramatic cover prepares and excites the reader for the noir depictions of sky battles in Auraleon’s interior artwork, as the thick paint strokes of red, blending into the violet night sky, provide a perfect contrast against the thin, smooth lines of the Halifax and crashing Junkers Ju 88.
In McOwan’s story, Sam Blake wanted nothing more than to join the RAF – even crossing the Atlantic from Canada to sign up. But when he gets there, none of the other pilots care about his aviation experience over the pond.
Then, when Blake unknowingly shoots down an Allied plane and no one believes him, he is booted from fighter squadron and put in a bomber. But little does Blake know that one of his CO’s has uncovered this accidental friendly fire and he wants Blake to pay…
Commando 5025 Action and Adventure: The Castle
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Jaume Forns Cover: David Alexander
David Alexander’s moody cover shows the eponymous castle shrouded in fog and forest, towering over the mountains in the distance. But is this stone beacon of light enough to protect the Allied prisoners within from a German assault?
Find out in Ferg Handley’s action packed story about Olympic medallist Marco Conte, an Italian Prisoner of War held by the Nazis in Castle Falcone. That is, until April, 1945, when The Third Reich was on its knees, and the Nazi guards abandoned the castle, leaving the prisoners at the mercy of the heartless Oberst Horst Metzner, who was fast approaching…
As always, Jaume Forns’s interior artwork is charming in its depiction of the characters, notably the smarmy, rat-faced Metzer, yet is also unswerving in its attention to the various uniforms and insignias.
Commando 5026 Silver Collection: To Be a Pilot…
Story: K. P. MacKenzie Art: Gordon C. Livingstone Cover: Ian Kennedy
Originally Commando No 2058 (January 1987) Reprinted No 3467 (October 2001)
In World War Two, many sons followed their fathers into battle, and Jan Solecik, K.P. MacKenzie’s Polish pilot protagonist, was no different. But when Jan’s father is gunned down by Nazis, Jan is even more eager to take to the skies, certain that’s where the war will be won.
Known for his thick, dark lines, Gordon C. Livingstone’s artwork is instantly recognised as a Commando favourite, though for this issue he forgoes producing the cover art, leaving that to Commando veteran Ian Kennedy. A stunning cover, as expected, Kennedy’s cover depicts another fiery sky battle, this time between a Wellington and Fiat CR42, though with a less brooding sky.
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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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