It’s getting colder out there, but luckily there’s enough explosive action, in the next round of Commando comics, led by a new Warlord tale, to warm you up!
Issues 5803 – 5806 are on sale in all good newsagents and some digital platforms from this Thursday, 21st November 2024, leading with “Hit Piece”, an all-new Warlord story, star of the eponymous weekly comic of the 1970s and 80s, by Dominic Teague and Carlos Pino. Join everybody’s favourite (off-screen) secret agent, DC Thomson’s wartime take on James Bond, as he races across Europe in a code-cracking adventure!
For those unfamiliar with the character, back in September 1974, DC Thomson launched Warlord bringing a weekly anthology of action and adventure to comic readers across the UK… and further afield. An instant hit, rival publisher IPC launching Battle Picture Weekly in response, amongst the most popular and well-remembered strips was the one starring Lord Peter Flint – Codename: WARLORD. The eponymous character continued to thrill readers every week until the comic ceased publication in September 1986, after an incredible 627-issue run.
Also new in this set is “Tomasz and the Return Journey”, written by Colin Maxwell, with art by Manuel Benet. Corporal Tomasz makes a triumphant return to Poland – but for him, it’s no traditional homecoming. Enjoy a tale full of dogfights, sniper fire, and even a shootout on top of a train – next stop, adventure!
Represented this time around is “The Spy That Never Was”, a classic caper with all the twists and turns of a crime thriller, but with typical Commando grit; and “The Cave of Hercules”, a story set on war torn Sicily we’re assured certainly isn’t a trial to get through!
If four issues of Commando aren’t enough for you, how about tracking down the new collection of Cadman stories, starring the infamous coward of World War One?
“The Coward of the Fighting 43rd” first appeared in weekly comic, The Victor, back in February 1973, showcasing the unlikeliest of heroes – the cowardly Cadman. The weaselly rogue went on to entertain readers as the unscrupulous cad for over two decades, determined to get out of any fight in World War One, and eventually ending up fighting back against Hitler and the rise of the Nazis. Then, in 2023, Cadman wormed his way onto the pages of Commando. Those two rebooted issues, drawn by Mike Dorey, as well as selected comics from DC Thomson’s Victor and The Victor Book for Boys, are collected in print now, in DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando Presents… Cadman Volume 1.
Commando 5803: Codename Warlord: Hit Piece
Story: Dominic Teague | Art and Cover: Carlos Pino
Lord Peter Flint — otherwise known as Codename: Warlord – always relied on his cowardly persona to ensure no-one suspected him of being one of Britain’s top secret agents!
So when a society journalist tried to write a character assassination hit piece on him, that was the least of Flint’s worries. His top priority was stopping a cell of hitmen from completing an actual assassination plot, and halting the Italian invasion of Monte Carlo at the same time!
It’s all in a day’s work for Warlord!
If you want more Warlord adventures, don’t forget DC Thomson have released two digital collections – Heritage Comics Presents #1: Classic Codename: Warlord – Volume 1 and The Warlord Files, available through AmazonUK (Affiliate Links)
Commando 5804: The Spy That Never Was
Story: Skentleberry | Art: Usero | Cover: Penalva | First published in 1971
When you find two men, one unconscious, handcuffed together and in the middle of the desert, you want to know what’s going on. And when one says he’s a Military Police Sergeant taking a suspected spy to stand trial, it sounds a fair enough answer.
But when the other guy tells you that the Sergeant is really the spy — which do you believe?
That was the question facing Corporal Jack Wills — and an awful lot of men’s lives depended on him getting the right answer.
Commando 5805: Tomasz and the Return Journey
Story: Colin Maxwell | Art and Cover: Manuel Benet
Scotland, 1940. Polish corporal, Tomasz Zielinski, has never been one to suffer bullies lightly. Now though, his hotheadedness has landed him in a glasshouse. When a mysterious message arrives in his cell, an opportunity for freedom arises. Little does Tomasz know, his superiors have much bigger plans for him. His skills as a soldier are needed elsewhere. The time has come for him to return home.
Commando 5806: The Cave of Hercules
Story: Roger Sanderson | Art: Carrion | Cover: Jeff Bevan | First published in 1982
On the island of Sicily, there was a secret cave — the Cave of Hercules. Hidden for centuries, it was rumoured to contain treasure beyond price. And now one man, Horace Gee, had cracked the ancient clues and worked out just exactly where it must be.
But there was one big snag — the cave was in enemy-held territory and Horace was a sailor, unlikely to go ashore with the troops. However, where a chap like Horace was concerned you could never be sure what was going to happen next!
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
Commando 5803 – 5806 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
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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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