Legendary comic artist Mike Dorey returns to Commando comics

Spying subterfuges in Italy, expert hunters-turned-soldiers, vicious vendettas in the trenches and a murderer hiding in the RAF! Yes, another great set of Commando comics (5595-5598) are out this week, in newsagents from Thursday and available digitally now.

This set sees the return of Mike Dorey to Commando, drawing both cover and interiors for No. 5595, “The Spy in The Mirror”. Well known for his work on “Cadman: The Fighting Coward” for DC Thomson’s Victor weekly and, more recently, for his work on “Hellman” for recent Battle specials for Rebellion, this issue marks Dorey’s first-ever interior art for Commando.

On cover duty as well, his first new cover for the title, since 1995, Dorey’s illustrations perfectly lend themselves to Dominic Teague’s twisting tale of doppelgangers and deceit!

Just some of the comic characters drawn by Mike Dorey down the years. Via Mike Dorey
Just some of the comic characters drawn by Mike Dorey down the years. Via Mike Dorey

Mike Dorey is an artist and illustrator whose breakout character “Cadman, The Fighting Coward“, who appeared in the weekly comic, Victor, established a precedent for creating anti-heroes and anti-establishment figures. Mike is perhaps best known for his work on Action – perhaps the only comic to be debated in Parliament – for which he co-created “Hellman of Hammer Force”, the first German military hero in the history of post- war British comics. Mike went on to draw the iconic “Rogue Trooper” for 2000AD.

He’s noted for his dark, textured artwork, with an emphasis on line and form influenced by a study of Impressionist and Surrealist art. His strong draftsmanship is characterised by a bold and high-contrast style that makes his work instantaneously recognisable.

Mike Dorey with some of his art at Enniskillen Comic Art Festival, with Keith Burns drawing away in the background
Mike Dorey with some of his art at Enniskillen Comic Art Festival earlier this year, with Commando cover artist Keith Burns drawing away in the background. Photo via Mike Dorey

Illustrating fictional characters in real-life environments draws on Mike’s historical and literary knowledge and his keen eye for detail. As well as Cadman and Hellman, Mike’s meticulously researched and detailed historical creations include Wolverine, Kampfgruppe Falken, Iron Annie, and “Sergeant Ryker” for Warlord and “Victor Drago” for Tornado.

Here’s what’s in store in the latest sets of Commando this week…

Commando 5595: Home of Heroes – The Spy in The Mirror
Story: Dominic Teague | Art and Cover | Mike Dorey 
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Commando 5595: Home of Heroes - The Spy in The Mirror - cover by Mike Dorey

Central Italy, 1944. Corporal Arthur ‘Art’ Gunn limped into a British camp holding vital coded information. You see, Art was the sole survivor of a recent mission behind enemy lines but something was not right… for, while only one Corporal Art Gunn had embarked on the mission, two Arts had returned — each carrying a different coded message containing crucial intel! But who is the real Art and who is the spy?

Commando 5596: Gold Collection – Dead-Eye Donovan
Story: Eric Hebden | Art: Bielsa | Cover: Chicharro 
Originally Commando No. 481 (1970)
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Commando 5596: Gold Collection - Dead-Eye Donovan - cover by Chicharro

Before the war, Burt Donovan had been a famous big-game hunter in Africa. Very few men could put a bullet smack in the centre of a moving target the way Burt did — every time.
  

Then came the war and Burt found himself a tank commander with a different kind of prey to hunt. It stood six feet tall, had close-cropped fair hair and was more dangerous than any cornered lion. Its name was Erich Stahler, a man dreaded by German and British alike, a rogue Nazi who had to be destroyed.

A signature gritty story from Major Eric Hebden, who famously used his own experiences from the Second World War for inspiration when writing — and it shows! 

Commando 5597: Action and Adventure – Dante’s War
Story: R Tate | Art and Cover: Manuel Benet 
Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Commando 5597: Action and Adventure - Dante’s War - cover by Manuel Benet

As bullets flew in the deserts of North Africa, Dante Adriaanse had a long-awaited opportunity to even a score that occupied his every waking moment. But it was not to be that day, and his commanding officer, Captain Bekker, survived to continue the fight. Months later, as shells bombard Bazentin, another chance presents itself. Can Dante’s childhood friend Christaan Pietersen save him from himself as hellfire rains down on this terrible quest for vengeance?

November’s newest World War One commemoration story is all about revenge and R Tate delivers it in spades as bitter loss from the Boer War surfaces in white-hot hate when two Afrikaners serve the empire their fathers fought so hard against.

Commando 5598: Silver Collection – Who Killed Cooper
Story | RA Montague | Art: Jose Maria Jorge | Cover: CG Walker 
Originally Commando No. 1358 (1979)
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Commando 5598: Silver Collection - Who Killed Cooper - cover by CG Walker 

Squadron Leader ‘Flash’ Cooper was an excellent pilot, but he had one big failing — he was a glory hunter, and glory for him often meant danger for other pilots. So Flash made many enemies, and when he finally met a sticky end, the only question was… which one bumped him off?

A delightful whodunit from RA Montague, where classically the most unlikable character is killed off by someone in his own squadron and so begins a mystery to be solved! 

• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK

Commando 5595 – 5598 Cover Gallery

  • Commando 5595: Home of Heroes - The Spy in The Mirror - cover by Mike Dorey FULL
  • Commando 5596: Gold Collection - Dead-Eye Donovan - cover by Chicharro - FULL
  • Commando 5597: Action and Adventure - Dante’s War - cover by Manuel Benet - FULL
  • Commando 5598: Silver Collection - Who Killed Cooper - cover by CG Walker  - Full

• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK

Web Links

Mike Dorey – Official Web Site

Mike’s Commando covers to date…



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