Four new Commando comics – Issues 5495 – 5498 – are heading your way, on sale in newsagents from Thursday and available digitally now. From the Napoleonic battlefields to drama in the Eastern skies, an underwater adventure, and an explosive anniversary issue for Pearl Harbor, this great air, land and sea collection has something for everyone.
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service upon the United States, against the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, on Sunday 7th December 1941. Regular Commando writer Ferg Handley tells the story of an RAF pilot caught up in events of the day, aided by artists Morhain & Defeo, with a standout cover from Keith Burns on Issue 5496… the issue dedicated to our good friend, comic archivist Colin Noble, who died earlier this year.
Commando 5495: Home of Heroes: Rifleman’s Revenge
Story: Andrew Knighton Art: Manuel Benet Cover: Manuel Benet
• Buy the digital edition here (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Wellington’s army is driving back the French through Spain as the conflict escalates once again around Sorauren. As Marshal Soult counters the stalwart British, an old enemy of Tom Hopper’s reappears — the vile Captain Baptiste! As the foes clash on the battlefield and beyond, the war becomes private as Hopper fights to save not only his comrades, but the man he once was.
Tom Hopper, Samuel Jones and Maria of Vitoria return in the third action-packed instalment of this popular Napoleonic series by Andrew Knighton, with delightfully detailed interiors and cover by veteran Commando artist, Manuel Benet.
Commando 5496: Gold Collection – Zero! Zero!
Story: Spence Art: Medrano Cover: Ken Barr
Originally Commando No. 170 (1965)
• Buy the digital edition here (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Johnny Saunders and his team are plagued by the shadow in the sun. A fiendish pilot who preys on helpless heroes, torn up tails and wounded wings — a Zero with zero honour! No matter what they’ve tried so far, it seems the enemy airfield can’t be found. But maybe with a stolen Japanese plane and a burning ambition for vengeance, Johnny can find the unscrupulous ace before he gets a clean getaway…
A classic action-thriller in the air from Spence with dramatic interiors from Medrano and an unusual cover from Ken Barr.
Commando 5497: Action and Adventure – Pearl Harbor
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Morhain & Defeo Cover: Keith Burns
• Buy the digital edition here (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
The events of Pearl Harbor would shake the world to its core, as America and Japan entered the global fray of World War Two. But as the bombs fall from the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, and the Hawaiian base is laid to waste, an unlikely hero finds himself in the burning heart of the action — an RAF pilot!
A pilot, in fact, who’s travelled far from home, with a passion for justice, is the star of this anniversary tale from Ferg Handley, with explosive interiors from Morhain and Defeo and a cover worth celebrating from Keith Burns. The issue is dedicated to Colin Noble.
Commando 5498: Silver Collection – Mighty Midget
Story Crowther Art Nebot Cover Jeff Bevan
Originally Commando No. 1754 (1983)
• Buy the digital edition here (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
A tiny submarine with an equally tiny crew must pull off a mission that is off the scale in importance and difficulty. But the only thing not minuscule in this sub is the egos of the men aboard! With a cowardly captain causing difficulty for a competent crew, they can only watch in horror as the consequences of his decisions unfold.
This tense adventure story from Crowther is beautifully complimented by interiors from Nebot and a classic cover from Jeff Bevan.
• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
• The official 2022 Commando Calendar is available to order direct from the DC Thomson Media web shop, featuring the cover of Commando 5293 by Ian Kennedy
• The Art of Ian Kennedy is available to order here on Amazon (Using this Affiliate Link helps support downthetubes, thank you)
The book showcases Ian’s fantastic array of work for not only DC Thomson Media but also his own personal collection. The high spec 160-page art book includes both never before seen and classic covers, as well as illustrations from the DC Thomson archives, featuring titles as diverse as Lucky Charm and Buddy.
Set out chronologically, the book showcases Ian’s career at the famous Scottish publishing house, from his early days working on ‘Red-Skull Branson’ and ‘Commando Jim’ to his most recent covers and commissions for Commando
• The Art of Ian Kennedy is also available to order from DC Thomson direct
Issues 5495-5498 – Full Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at www.commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | Commando Comics on AmazonUK
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, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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