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Two new writers make their debut in new Commando comics, on sale this week

By John Freeman on July 20, 2022

Two new writers, Richard Estep and Francis Buhagiar, take to the skies with latest set of action-packed Commando comics, while this set’s reprint issues will keep readers grounded! Issues 5559-5562 are in shops and online from DC Thomson Media Thursday 21st July 2022.

Commando 5559: Home of Heroes – Wild Weasel!
Story: Richard Estep | Art: Alberto Saichann | Cover: Keith Burns
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

The skies above the Vietnamese Jungle are a terrifying place for American warplanes, as Captain Shannon ‘Vulcan’ Sovndal and Lieutenant Erik ‘Luger’ Colnick can testify.

But as the Vietnamese surface-to-air missile sites take their toll and American casualties mount, Luger and Vulcan are out for revenge. Only a new team with their focus on taking down SAM sites can free the skies and the pair from the torment of lost friends and colleagues… and they’re Wild Weasels!

Alberto Saichann’s intense interiors feature in this debut story from Richard Estep, with a characteristically dramatic cover from Keith Burns.

“Since I was a young lad I’ve wanted to write for Commando comics,” enthuses writer Richard Estep, whose first story for the war comic, “Wild Weasel!”, debuts this week – and is his first comic work, too.

You might recognise author, paranormal investigator, and, as he describes himself, “D-list TV personality” from his appearances on TV’s Haunted Case Files (retitled Paranormal Investigators in the UK), Haunted Hospitals, and Paranormal 911.

He’s the author of over 25 books and also writes a regular column for Haunted Magazine. His love of all things ghostly began at a very young age, “fed by staying in my grandparents’ haunted house in England” and by a constant stream of binge reading at my local library.

“I didn’t begin to actually investigate hauntings until the mid-nineties, but when I started, the bug bit me and hasn’t let go ever since. I took this passion with me when I moved to the United States in 1999, and finally formed the Boulder County Paranormal Research Society in 2006. It is still going strong today.”

Alongside his writing, Richard makes his living as a paramedic and clinical educator for a private ambulance company. When he’s not doing that, he teaches EMT and paramedic students at two different medical taining establishments, and occasionally gives tours at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

• Richard is online at www.richardestep.net | Facebook | Twitter | Books on AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Commando 5560: Gold Collection – Hitler’s Double
Story: Allan | Art and Cover: Gordon C. Livingstone
Originally Commando No. 457 (1970)
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

April 30th 1945 and the leader of the Third Reich — Adolf Hitler — has died in his concrete bunker… or has he? Commando Sergeant Joe Dawson certainly doesn’t think so, as he and his men kidnap the Nazi Fuhrer and begin to smuggle him across Poland!

But when there seems to be a double in the mix, the chaos of the last days of World War Two mean anything could happen.

A fierce and action-packed story from Allan featuring some of Gordon C Livingstone’s best interiors, as well as a tense and painterly cover.

Commando 5561: Action and Adventure – Hurricane Henry
Story: Frank Buhagiar | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Neil Roberts
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Henry Chance never wanted for anything growing up. Life was his plaything — and that attitude stayed with him as the Second World War broke out. As his antics in the air become renowned, the Hurricane pilot enjoyed every minute. That is, until he finds himself holed up with a widowed farmer and her children after being shot down.

Perhaps war isn’t the game he thought it was, after all?

Frank Buhagiar debuts in this high-speed story, featuring crisp interiors from Jaume Forns and a classic-looking cover from Neil Roberts.

Francis Buhagiar was born in the Dick Whittington Hospital and has been seeking adventure ever since. After school at one of the oldest Benedictine Abbeys in England and gaining a degree in Economics and History at University College London, he travelled the world in pursuit of his passions of surfing and scuba diving.

Some of the people he met along the way have inspired the cast of characters in his book, The Unofficial Good Turn Society.

His most recent travels have included walking the South West Coastal Footpath with his children. Home is Somerset but with regular visits to the island of his forefathers – Malta.

Commando 5562: Silver Collection – Big Bob and Little Pete
Story: C. G. Walker | Art: C. T. Rigby | Cover: Jeff Bevan
Originally Commando No. 1824 (1984)
• Buy the digital edition from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)

Commando 5562: Silver Collection - Big Bob and Little Pete FULL

When an ex-boxer and a failed comedian find themselves mixed up with a monastery, sinister activity leads the enigmatic Rocci to hunt them down in the name of revenge! But not all is as it seems, and the odd couple make a strangely dynamic duo, as they uncover the truth and rescue a precious treasure for Rocci and his monastic pals!

A lively tale of twists and turns from CG Walker, with energetic interiors from CT Rigby and a classic cover from Jeff Bevan.

Commando issues 5559 – 5562 Full 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.