Here’s the intel on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic, Commando (Issues 4959-4962), on sale in all good newsagents from Thursday 20th October 2016, and on various digital platforms.
There are a lot of behind the scenes changes on Commando at present, among them the departure of Scott Montgomery, who had been caretaking the title for months since the departure of editor Calum Laird. We’d like to thank Scott for all his hard work on the title, and continuing to keep up us updated on the title and wish him the very best of luck in whatever new role he takes on outside DC Thomson.
DC Thomson recently advertised for a “Heritage Brands” editor, a role that will combine work on many of the company’s classic brands with editing Commando. We’re told an appointment to the rolew is expected soon.
Commando 4959 – Home Front Terror
Story: George Low Art: Morahin Cover: Janek Matysiak
Wounded on a daring operation in Occupied Norway, Commando Sergeant Jeff Tain was sent home to England to recuperate.
Jeff’s younger brother, Dave, was a police constable, investigating a black market racket when dead bodies unexpectedly started showing up.
The siblings were convinced that something more sinister was going on… an assassination plot involving German spies!
Commando 4960 – Blood Of Heroes
Originally Commando No 259 (May 1967), re-issued as No 915 (March 1975)
Story: Eric Hebden Art: Segrelles Cover: James
Sergeant Butch Walker was a veteran with 30 years of fighting service in the British Army – and now they said he was too old to fight.
Boy soldier Jimmy Walker, Butch’s nephew, had barely one year of square-bashing to his credit. They said he was too young to fight.
But no matter how hard they tried, nobody could keep those two away from the front line for long. For in the veins of both ran the blood of heroes.
“The impressive art of Vicente Segrelles appeared in fifteen Commando books, beginning with ‘Desert Fury’ (No 232) and ending with ‘Silence The Guns!’ (No 1454),” notes Scott Montgomery in one of his last introductions to Commando’s collections of the title’s classic stories. “All were published between 1966 and 1980.
“A Spaniard, his interior work had a dramatic, fluid style with plenty of thick, black inks. Señor Segrelles also handled some Commando covers – although not on this occasion, that equally impressive piece of art was done by the mysterious ‘James’.
Commando 4961 – The Stone Forest
Story: Steve Coombs Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page
Clarke Johnson was a reconnaissance pilot during America’s clash with Mexico in the early 20th Century. His aircraft grounded, Clarke found himself in an uneasy alliance with an Apache-born former U.S. Cavalryman and together they were fighting Pancho Villa’s Mexican revolutionaries.
Things looked bleak – as bleak as the eerie burial site that hid a treasure that men were willing to kill for. They would have to fight to survive and uncover the secret of… The Stone Forest!
Commando 4962 – Raid By Night!
Originally Commando No 2461 (April 1991)
Story: Ian Clark Art: Terry Patrick Cover: Ian Kennedy
Tactics had changed, machines had improved, but Group Captain Roland Bird knew from his Great War experiences that efficiency came with practice and attention to detail. His new command could expect a hard taskmaster, especially the crew of Wellington S-Sugar, who had crashed his car at their first meeting.
“Regular Commando readers know that Ian Kennedy is renowned for his legendary aircraft covers,” notes Scott, “although, of course, he can draw anything and everything. Ian himself has a passion for aeronautical illustration that has become his trademark and he has drawn over one thousand Commando covers.
“His painting here is of a slightly more esoteric plane than we’re used to – a Handley Page 400, which was flown by pilots in the newly-formed Royal Air Force, as well as the Royal Naval Air Service late in World War One.
“The image may not be of something as immediately recognisable as a Wellington or a Lancaster but we still have that sense of drama and dynamism inherent in this amazing artist’s work.”
• For more details on current issues of Commando and past titles visit www.commandocomics.com
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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.
Categories: British Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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