Sharks Attack Commando! (Comic, that is)

By John Freeman on July 29, 2025

Torpedoes, gliders, sharks and the return of ace pilot, Bomber Braddock, are all on offer in the latest Commando comics, Issues 5875-5878, on sale from Thursday 31st July 2025.

DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando Presents… Braddock Volume 1 - cover by Ian Kennedy

It’s another entertaining mix of old and new from DC Thomson, with “Braddock: Escape” leading the charge, written by Ferg Handley, with art by Carlos Pino. This time out, Braddock – a character who first appeared in the weekly Rover comic, way back in 1952 – proves himself as adept in land as he is in the air, as he fights his way to freedom from an Italian Prisoner of War camp, Nazis in pursuit.

If you’re after more Braddock action, the collection, Commando Presents: Braddock: Volume 1, released last year, is still available (AmazonUK Affiliate Link), offering 180 pages of classic Braddock action and behind-the-scenes looks at the original stories.

“Feeding Frenzy” is the work of American writer Julian Michael Carver, with art by Juan Fernandez, a newcomer to the title’s creator roster, and another eye-catching cover from Simon Pritchard.

This ocean set story offers a harrowing, if unlikely, tale of American sailors facing threat from a ruthless Japanese submarine captain and a huge shark in equal measure. Julian is the writer specialising in science-fiction and media tie-ins, including Primeval: New World, published last year.

*U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) underway in 1944*

It’s partly inspired by the true story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, one of the worst American naval disasters in history, sunk in the Philippine Sea after delivering components of the atomic bomb that would be dropped on Hiroshima. The ship, commanded by Captain Charles McVay, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on 30th July 1945, and sank in twelve minutes. Of the approximately 1196 crew members, just 317 survived the ordeal of being stranded in shark-infested waters for days before rescue.

Harold Bray is the last living survivor, and you can read more about his story here – and about the current effort to erect a statue in his hometown that will honour him and his shipmates from the final sailing crew.

Represented in this set are “The Human Torpedo” and “Mission Accomplished”, two more stories set against the backdrop of the war against Japan during World War Two. (More will follow next time out, marking the 80th anniversary of victory).

“The Human Torpedo” offers the better art, but the story, unfortunately, is marred by a ghastly editorial error on the part of the original team who oversaw its publication back in 1968, that see the hero of the adventure set out on a desperate mission, authorised by his commander, only for the self-same leader to be surprised when he succeeds – and unaware he was doing it! It’s an unusual gaffe from vintage Commando days, although “Mission Accomplished”, which sees a Japanese sentry initially not reacting to a British soldier walking toward him with a gun, isn’t necessarily one of the title’s finest moments, either.

Then again, the sentry is unusual, and perhaps he just wasn’t worried! Otherwise, this jungle tale is an enjoyable yarn set in the jungle of war torn Burma, is an enjoyable yarn!

Commando 5875 (Home of Heroes): Braddock: Escape
Story: Ferg Handley Art and Cover: Carlos Pino

The daredevil bomber pilot returns! Now that his squadron had converted to Vickers Wellingtons, Sergeant Matt Braddock couldn’t wait to get airborne. But a hairy first mission soon left him without a navigator – luckily, the impressive Sergeant George Bourne was looking for a new crew. Bourne and Braddock were soon thick as thieves, but it wasn’t long before Braddock’s gung-ho attitude landed them in an Italian POW camp. Braddock was going to have to rely on more than his flying skills to get out of this one!

Commando 5876 (Gold): The Human Torpedo
Story: Powell | Art: Sostres | Cover: Ken Barr
First published 1968 as No. 321

The Japanese submarine commander grunted with satisfaction as he gazed across the moonlit sea. There, turned turtle, was the British destroyer he’d torpedoed, her crew clinging to her hull. Her guns and her torpedo tubes were all underwater. He could relax – the British could do nothing to his submarine now.

Yet, already gliding through the sea, leaving no ripples, making no noise, came a British secret weapon – the man they called ‘The Human Torpedo’…

Commando 5877 (For Action and Adventure): Feeding Frenzy
Story: Julian Michael Carver | Art: Juan Fernadez | Cover: Simon Pritchard

The crew of the U.S.S. Annapolis had had a bad day. A surprise attack by a Japanese submarine had left them stranded at sea, at the mercy of the gnashing jaws of ravenous sharks! From within the thrashing ranks, a monster emerged – a great white larger than anything the sailors had seen before.

Separated from their crewmates in the chaos, Gabriel, Sal and Tank were rescued by the very sub that had sunk them in the first place. What nefarious scheme did its shadowy commander have in store for them?

Simon Pritchard's draft cover for Commando 5877, "Feeding Frenzy" — *Simon Pritchard’s draft cover for Commando 5877, “Feeding Frenzy”*

Commando 5878 (Silver): Mission Accomplished
Story: RA Montague | Art: Blasco | Cover: Jeff Bevan
First published 1985 as No. 1861

“Mission Accomplished!” – that was the signal which would send a fleet of gliders swooping down into enemy territory to pick up a daring band of jungle raiders. For the men on the ground, it was the only way home – if they could reach the rendezvous in time!

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

Commando Issues 5875 – 5878 Cover Gallery

DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando Presents… Braddock Volume 1 - Sample Spread

• Commando Presents: Braddock: Volume 1, released last year, is still available (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)

In 1952, The Rover story papers introduced a new hero — Matt Braddock, bomber pilot VC! For years he entertained readers with prose and comic stories alike. Then, in 2019, Braddock dive-bombed into the pages of Commando, the world’s longest-running war comic. That issue, as well as selected original stories and art from DC Thomson’s Rover, Red Dagger and The Victor, have been collected here in DC Thomson’s Heritage Comics and Commando Presents… Braddock Volume 1.

Delight at over 180 pages of classic Braddock comic artwork, part 1 of the incredible “I Flew With Braddock” prose story, behind-the-scenes looks at the original stories, iconic covers and spreads that featured in some of DC Thomson’s most legendary titles!

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.