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Second World War shocks and thrills aplenty in latest Commando tales

By John Freeman on March 13, 2024

Commando Issues 5731 – 5734 are on sale from this Thursday 14th March, 2024 from DC Thomson Media, offering a selection of searing Second World War stories, new and old.

They include Commando 5731, “Leg Before Chindits”, a new story written by Troy Martin , who some downthetubes may remember has written “Aphelion: The Rise of Calvus” for UK based independent comic book publisher Engine Comics. He’s also part of a small team of British creators at Sweet Nightmares Media, who are focussing on comic and film-related content. Their work includes the horror e-zine Sweet Nightmares, available on GlobalComix, and Troy contributes to the group’s Substack.

“Troy Martin bowled us over in his writing debut for his first Commando about Chindits in Burma,” say the Commando team, an issue that sees Spanish artist, Marc Viure Valera, aka Marc Viure, make his second appearance as interior artist, who debuted on the war comic earlier this year.

*Interior art by Marc Viure for Commando 5731, “Leg Before Chindits”, written by Troy Martin*

Martin makes full use of Commando’s page count to tell a story very much focused on an uneasy friendship between comrades in a beleaguered camp, a slow burn of a tale that climaxes with some dramatic action, in part thanks to a shared love of cricket. It’s a clever tale in true Commando tradition and worth a look. Marc Viure’s art is stronger on this issue, too, although some of his panel composition is occasionally odd and needs more thought in terms of composition and storytelling.

*A page from Commando 5733, “Magic Moment”, a story inspired by true events of misdirection, written by Rossa McPhillips, art by Juan Fernandez*

The other new story in this set is Commando 5733, “Magic Moment”, a story inspired by true events of misdirection employed in the Desert War of World War Two, and, as ever, Rossa McPhillips casts an enchanting spell in yet another of his brilliant stories.

Juan Fernandez makes his impressive debut on interior artwork, bringing a flare for the dramatic in his first-ever Commando. His work is strong, dynamically delivered and I hope we see more of it.

Commando 5731: Home of Heroes: Leg Before Chindits
Story: Troy Martin Art: Marc Viure Cover: Keith Burns

Major Charles Beevor thought his hope was all out as he led a depleted group of Chindits deep into the jungles of Burma. Surrounded by the Japanese and cut off from British lines, only the support of Subedar Singh and their mutual love of cricket could save the day. Together, they were out for six and would not stop until the Japanese threat was bowled over!

Commando 5732: Gold Collection: Hide and Seek
Story: CG Walker Art: J Fuente Cover: Penalva
First Published 1970 as Issue 505

They called it “Monte Morte” — Mountain of Death. Dark and brooding, its mighty bulk towered over the plains of central Italy. It had claimed many lives over the years of peacetime, but that was nothing to what was to happen on its slopes when war came.

And two men — one British, one Italian — joined forces to fight on this savage mountain against a common foe — Nazis! This is their brave story…

Commando 5732: Gold Collection: Hide and Seek

A powerhouse trio of contributors feature in this represented story, with the prolific CG Walker on script duty, J Fuente, one of the legendary Fuente brothers, on interior artwork, and the issue is graced by an instantly recognisable cover by Jordi Penalva.

Commando 5733: Action and Adventure: Magic Moment
Story: Rossa McPhillips. Art: Juan Fernandez Cover: Alejandro Perez Mesa

Egypt, 1942. While the battle for El Alamein raged, two magicians were locked in a battle of wits. On opposite sides of the war, they had been tasked with acts of deception — fooling the enemy with magical feats of misdirection.

And now it was time for their next illusion… but which one of them would pull off the biggest magic trick of the Second World War?!

Commando 5734: Silver Collection: Fighting Fool!
Story: McDevitt Art: Philpott Cover: Jeff Bevan
First Published 1981 as Issue 1566

As a member of a group of hit-and-run raiders operating behind enemy lines, Corporal Mike Braddon knew a man needed strong nerves and raw courage to survive.

But he also had the common sense to realise that charging blindly into battle wasn’t the answer. That’s where he disagreed with Private Joe Russel whose bull-at-the-gate attitude marked him down as a fighting fool — and a danger to all!

Classic Commando adventures aplenty in issue 5734, with two men at odds and one being deemed a coward! Will McDevitt’s story work out in the end? Read it to find out…

• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com

Commando 5231 – 5734 Cover Gallery

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.