Commando issues 5715 – 5718 go on sale this Thursday 18th January 2024 from DC Thomson Media, in all good newsagents and through digital portals, introducing a new cover artist, Alejandro Perez Mesa, aka Apmesa, to the long-running war comic.
Commando Issue 5715, “Steer into Danger,” featuring a cover by Keith Burns, is another episode in Australian writer Brent Towns’ series about the crews of HMAS Wombat and HMAS Tiger — his latest tale of the renegades from Down Under. Towns delivers a fine tale of battle at sea in this adventure, rounding out some established characters, and introducing a new one, a battle-scarred coxswain thrown back into war after his own harrowing brush with death. It’s a jam-packed issue, with some stunning pages from Esteve Polls as the Australians face Japanese threat – and some unwanted insults from American sailors!
Issue 5716, “Wear a Nazi Helmet,” is a prototype for what makes up a classic Commando. Allan’s well-crafted story, about brothers in arms turned enemies by a misunderstanding, is illustrated by Aguilar, and jumps off the newsstand tanks to a dramatic cover from Jordi Penalva, on top form.
Commando 5717 “Allies at War”, written by Rossa McPhillips, with art by Paolo Ongaro, sees artist Alejandro Perez Mesa, aka Apmesa, makes his debut as cover artist.
While his name might not be familiar to British comic fans, he’s earned attention for his debut work on a horror story, Good Bastard, written by David Braña, published by Serendipia Editorial last year, which may be getting picked up for English translation. He’s also drawn 1574 – La Forja de Manila, an historical adventure written by Raul Balen, published in Spanish by Cascaborra – the story of the defence of Manila against the Chinese pirates. You can find more of his work on Instagram.
This is a hard-hitting tale from Rossa, making a welcome return to Commando, about men caught on either side of the war.
This set rounds out with “The Line-shooter”, an archive RAF tale featuring a cover by Jeff Bevan, first published in 1981, written by RA Montague, with fantastic art from John Ridgway, better known today for his Doctor Who art and Hellblazer, still creating his own adventures to this day, many trailed on his Facebook page.
Commando 5715: Home of Heroes – Steer into Danger
Story: Brent Towns | Art: Esteve Polls | Cover: Keith Burns
The salty seadogs are back for another oceanic adventure in the Pacific! In mid-December 1943, the Japanese sent a cruiser squadron south to wreak havoc amongst the Allied shipping lanes. But they never counted on the experienced skippers of HMAS Tiger and HMAS Wombat to put a stop to them before too much damage was done!
Three cruisers pack a heck of a punch, though, and the Aussie buccaneers will need all the luck they can muster to come out of it alive — especially when one of the ships has a man at the wheel who is afraid to fight!
Commando 5716: Gold Collection – Wear a Nazi Helmet
Story: Allan | Art: Aguilar | Cover: Penalva | First Published 1970 as Issue 507
Only three men were left alive in a dug-out on the British front line in Italy, Lieutenant John Regan, his wounded batman and a captured German officer. Nazi soldiers were swarming forward to smash through this weak point. John had no men left to repel them, but he still had one desperate remedy. As the Germans charged towards him, he slowly lifted his field telephone…
Commando 5717: Action and Adventure – Allies at War
Story: Rossa McPhillips | Art: Paolo Ongaro | Cover: Alejandro Perez Mesa
They were once allies — Britain and France. The two nations’ men stood together, united against the Nazi threat. But everything changed when France was overrun, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered the unthinkable — attack Mers-el-Kebir and sink the French Navy’s ships.
Two men were caught in the middle — one British, one French. Two men who had once fought together and now fought each other. They were… Allies at War!
Commando 5718: Silver Collection – The Line-shooter
Story: RA Montague | Art: John Ridgway | Cover: Jeff Bevan
First Published 1981 as Issue 1565
Flying Officer Hubert Shank seemed to be a daring, resourceful character. He’d done everything from motor racing to smuggling… or so he said. So when he and his crew had to force-land their Whitley in Germany, you could bet Hubert would have a few tricks up his sleeve to aid their escape… if his stories were to be believed, that was!
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook| Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando Issues 5715 – 5718 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
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, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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