The latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando (Issues 4935 – 4938) are on sale today in all good newsagents – and via a variety of digital platforms. This week’s batch includes all new stories – one by Colin Watson, drawn by Janek Matysiak, the other from former Commando editor George Low, drawn by John Ridgway.

Commando No 4935 – Firebrand!
Story: Colin Watson Art: Janek Matysiak Cover: Janek Matysiak

Siblings Ian and John Jenkins were both Royal Air Force pilots. Ian was the elder, calm and confident. John was younger and hot-headed, a definite firebrand. Based in the North-East of Scotland, they protected the coast against attack from the marauding Luftwaffe.

However, when tragedy struck, John found himself embroiled in a mystery — one that involved death, destruction and even espionage. And it seemed there was a family connection. The firebrand was determined to find the answers… whatever the cost.

Commando No 4936 – Fighter Ace
Originally Commando No 206 (March 1966), re-issued as No 843 (June 1974)
Story: Boutland Art: Arias Cover: Buccheri

“Flame Squadron” they were called in the RAF… But to the baffled pilots of the Luftwaffe they were known as “Flame Devils”.

When an aircraft was shot to pieces, cartwheeling across the sky in a mass of flames, somewhere in that blazing Spitfire a cool fighting brain still functioned, a finger still pressed the firing button. Long after any pilot must have perished, each plane carried on flying.

As the Luftwaffe’s terror grew, one of Germany’s top spies was sent to ferret out the secret of the “Flame Devils”…

“This curio from 1966 has a vaguely supernatural premise about indestructible Spitfire pilots who can seemingly survive the flames of aerial battle,” Notes Deputy Editor Scott Montomery, “Commando with a pulp fiction, or even science-fiction, flavour.

“Then, however, author Boutland’s (first name unknown) story veers into espionage territory, making it more of a traditional tale — but one that’s certainly well-drawn by Arias and with a moody action cover painted by Buccheri.”

Commando No 4937 – Making His Mark
Story: George Low Art: John Ridgway Cover: John Ridgway

When World War II broke out Mark Enfield quit his office job and enlisted in the army. Although enthusiastic, he was quite puny and unfit. Nor was he a very good shot — and many noted the irony that he shared his surname with the famous Lee Enfield rifle that they used.

He became a target of bullies among his fellow recruits in basic training and this continued when they went into battle.

However, Mark was determined to stand up to his detractors once and for all, especially when his unit was tasked with destroying a strategically important bridge which was in enemy hands.

Commando No 4938 – Burning Skies
Originally Commando No 1116, (April 1977), re-issued as No 2436 (January 1991)
Story: R.A. Montague Art: Maidagan Cover: Ian Kennedy

During the war most people served in the same unit all the time. However, Jack Banham was different. He was in an Italian jail, then a front-line trench with the Greek army, then the observer’s cockpit of an Italian biplane. At one time he was even a colonel in the Greek army…

— Or was it the Greek air force? Months afterwards he still wasn’t sure. Not that it mattered, for by that time he was a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm!

“In some ways it’s a pity that this tale’s original working title wasn’t used,” says Scott Montgomery of this re-presented tale. “Veteran Commando author R.A. Montague called it ‘Jack Of All Trades’. This neatly sums up the multifarious activities of our protagonist, Jack Banham — on his journey from being a civilian treasure hunter to a soldier, then eventually fighting in aircraft.

“This relentless yarn rarely pauses for breath. Proof once more that Commando’s 63-page format allows a story room to go to unexpected places.”

• Commando Collections: Our Checklist

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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.

Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News

Tags: Arias, Boutland, Buccheri, Colin Watson, Commando, Commando, DC Thomson, downthetubes News, George Low, Ian Kennedy, Janek Matysiak, John Ridgway, Maidagan, R.A. Montague, Scott Montgomery, War Comics