Here’s the lowdown on this week’s Commando releases from DC Thomson (Issues 4859-4862), on sale now in all good newsagents and via various digital platforms, all listed below.
Commando 4859 – The Duellist
Story: Steve Coombs Art: Rezzonico Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/5th-november-2015-collection?issue=4859
At the controls of his trusty Airco DH2 biplane, Lieutenant Andrew Maxwell of the Royal Flying Corps was used to duelling with German pilots high above the trenches.
However, after being shot down and taken prisoner by a deranged, sword-wielding enemy officer, Andrew soon wondered which type of duel was more dangerous — in the air or on the ground.
Commando 4860 – Hero’s Badge
Originally Commando No 193 (December 1965)
Story: Clegg Art: Sostres Cover: Davis
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/5th-november-2015-collection?issue=4860
It was a jewelled armlet, a family coat of arms. It had been presented to the warrior de Marneys at Agincourt in 1415 by a grateful king and carried into battle by the family sons ever since.
All the de Marneys were fighting furies who either conquered or died gloriously. Then came the Second World War, and young Desmond de Marney, the last of the line. He was no hero — he wanted to be a farmer instead of a soldier. How would he learn overnight to be a leader of men, to wear with honour the “hero’s badge”?
“Not many of our stories feature the Battle of Agincourt. Therefore, we thought we’d celebrate the 60oth anniversary of that major victory in the autumn of 1415 for King Henry V against the French during the Hundred Years’ War,” says Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor of this re-presented tale.
“The first handful of pages of this classic from 1965 are almost like a mini-history of British warfare throughout the centuries. Soon we reach World War II and a warrior legacy passed down the ages in the form of an historical artefact — a family coat of arms.
“Hero’s Badge is stirring stuff, I hope you agree.”
Commando 4861 – Day Of The Werewolf
Story: Shane Filer Art: Vicente Alcazar Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/5th-november-2015-collection?issue=4861
Although the War in Europe was over by June 1945, some groups of fanatical S.S. soldiers caused chaos for the occupying Allied forces. These rogue Nazis were known as “Werewolves” and would never surrender.
Major Rick Hogan of the Office of Strategic Services had a plan to deal with a ruthless Werewolf group who attacked army bases and robbed banks, preying on military and civilian targets alike. He would infiltrate them, using a German spy under his command, and bring down this guerrilla threat once and for all.
Commando 4862 – Prisoners Of War
Originally Commando No 1093 (January 1977), re-issued as No 2419 (November 1990)
Story: Lomas Art: Dalhume Cover: Ian Kennedy
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/5th-november-2015-collection?issue=4862
They were escaped prisoners-of-war, desperate to risk anything rather than be recaptured. They had even put on enemy uniforms, armed themselves with enemy weapons. There was nothing they would not do to avoid going back into captivity.
“A former Commando staffer once told me that he almost used to dread whenever the much-loved 1963 war film The Great Escape had been on television,” notes Scott Montgomery. “Long before satellite movie channels, streaming, or even DVD, the antics of Steve McQueen, James Garner et al were solid, reliable Christmas/ Easter/ Bank Holiday entertainment on the British small screen.
“The latest viewing usually led to a flurry of hopeful story synopses identical to the movie (as if the staff were unaware of it) or queries as to whether Commando had ‘done’ that particular tale — and if not, why not?
“So, as you’ll see here, Commando does occasionally do prison camp stories but they have to be different to the aforementioned Hollywood classic. This one delivers the goods. It has a fairly dark edge, which is enforced by Ian Kennedy’s magnificent, moody cover.”
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• There are more details of Commando on the official Commando website, the Commando Facebook page
• Commando Collections: Our Checklist
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Commando Digital Editions
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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, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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