New Commandos tunnel into newsagents

By John Freeman on March 27, 2014

The latest issues of DC Thomson’s war comic Commando are on sale now, offering a great mix of action and adventure, including a new Great War tale from script writer Ferg Handley and artist Vila. Here’s the checklist.

Regular readers were quick to spot some added extras in the last batch of Commandos – two text stories from the old DC Thomson weekly Wizard. The Commando editorial team tell us there are no more immediate plans for further ‘extras’ just now, but only because they are waiting for some feedback about the first two, “The Sniper” one and “V For Vengeance”.

“Once we see what the reaction is like then [editor] Calum Laird will decide on when to do some more,” his deputy Scott Montgomery tells us.

Commando No 4691 – The Fighting Sappers
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Vila Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-march-2014-collection?issue=4691

Young recruits Harry Blake and Charlie Yates had signed up for the infantry but ended up being sent to a tunnelling unit on the Western Front, part of a team of Royal Engineers — or “Sappers” as they were more commonly known.

Although the Sappers usually laboured beneath the trenches, rather than in them — their work was every bit as dangerous. And soon the pals realised that the fighting underground could be every bit as fierce as that on the surface…

Commando No 4692 – The Executioners
Originally Commando No 118 (May 1964), re-issued as No 647 (May 1972)
Story: Powell Art: Bielsa Cover: Chaco
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-march-2014-collection?issue=4692

It was known to British and Germans alike in that bullet-raked valley as “The Villa In No-Man’s-Land” — a bleak, deserted house commanding vital sections of each front line. But this was no ordinary house…

Nazi officers who took possession of it were found stiff and dead at their dinner-table. British patrols who moved up to investigate were never seen again. There were rumours of mysterious sounds heard underground, of secret passages and tunnels, of invisible voices and footsteps.

Then Sergeant Gunson and three Commandos were detailed to investigate — and execute — whoever or whatever was haunting the “Villa In No-Man’s-Land”.

“Chaco’s cover and the title tell you the whole story, don’t they?” asks editor Calum Laird. “A Commando squad on an assassination mission ready to strike… except that this Powell story has an unexpected surprise which takes the whole plot in a different direction. It does something that is difficult to pull off in a Commando story; it has all its action compressed into a short time frame and takes place in a very small area. That could easily be a recipe for a long series of repetitive pictures but, thanks to the skill of the author and artist Bielsa, it’s not.

“Go on, read it and see if you agree.”

Commando No 4693 – Hi-Jacked!
Story: Ferg Handley Art: Morahin Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-march-2014-collection?issue=4693

By 1945, Sergeant Joe Kellis and his Sherman tank crew knew that the end of the war in Europe was in sight. They were hoping that it might end quietly for them.

Then their tank was hijacked by a couple of Italian deserters and they found themselves mixed up in a dangerous scheme involving stolen gold that could see them on the run from both sides.

A quiet end to the War…? Not a chance!

Commando 4694 – Sabotage Mission
Originally Commando No 2321 (October 1989)
Story: Peter Mckenzie Art: Ibanez Cover: Jeff Bevan
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/27th-march-2014-collection?issue=4694

The raiders’ objective was vital. If they reached and destroyed their target, it would be a bitter blow to the enemy. But the greatest danger the forward recce party faced came from within their own ranks…the result of an old grudge which could only mean BIG trouble.

“What’s in a name? Or rather, a title?” asks Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery. “Here, author Peter McKenzie’s working title was “A Question Of Trust”. Personally, I think that’s a great title — one which neatly sums up the underlying theme of this tough action-packed tale.

“However, as good as it is, that title doesn’t quite match up with artist Jeff Bevan’s inventive, offbeat cover. The more robust, straight-forward “Sabotage Mission” fits the bill perfectly. Where possible we would always try to use a writer’s original title but the Commando editorial team from 1989 made the right decision in changing it.“

• There are more details of Commando on the official Commando website, the Commando Facebook page

• Commando Collections: Checklist

DOWNTHETUBES EXCLUSIVE COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

If you’re looking for a gift for a British comics fan, downthetubes has an EXCLUSIVE discount on a subscription to DC Thomson’s Commando comic, simply by ordering through the DC Thomson Online Shop using our special discount code.

• Follow this dedicated link to DC Thomson’s Commando subscription page

Some of our readers reported problems with the link recently, but the technical team at DC Thomson have now fixed things – so if you follow the link above, the discount is automatically applied – you do NOT need to enter the COMDT promotional code. Ignore the discount field on the check out page, too.

• More information on our dedicated Commando Subscription Offer Page

John Freeman

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.