Underwater terror stalks the new Commandos

By John Freeman on October 24, 2013

Here’s the lowdown on this week’s Commando comic releases from DC Thomson on sale from today (Thursday 24th October)…

Commando No 4647 – Dead Shot
Story: Dominic Teague Art: Vila Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-october-2013-collection

Young Jason Stringer was an excellent shot. Almost as soon as he joined up his potential to become a top sniper was immediately spotted… and carefully nurtured.

Such was his skill that he soon became a propaganda figure — the almost mythical “British Bite”. A quiet man, Jason wanted no fuss and to keep his identity secret. But that would prove impossible when the Germans set their own super sniper against him.

Commando No 4648 – Crash Dive!
Originally Commando No 87 (Oct 1963)
Story: Bingley Art: Fuente Cover: Chaco
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-october-2013-collection?issue=4648

In 1943 there wasn’t a single matelot in the Royal Navy who hadn’t heard of HM Submarine Dauntless. She’d sent more Japanese ships on the downward trip to Davy Jones’ locker than any other vessel in the Pacific.

The skipper of the Dauntless was the legendary “Mauler” Mathieson — tough as the plates of steel that welded his sub together, and surly as a wounded bear.

So when young Harry Barton was posted to the Dauntless, he reckoned he was just about the luckiest lieutenant in the Navy. But that was before he found out there could only be one officer aboard the Dauntless…“Mauler” Mathieson himself!

“The front cover of this issue hints at tension and drama underwater but if you’re expecting a suspenseful 63 pages, you’ll be disappointed,” notes editor Calum Laird. “This is an action-packed tale that cracks along like a line of Spanish fire-crackers. Perhaps it has something to do with the two Spanish artists whose work you can appreciate her. Chaco did a number of covers — though this is the only one with muted underwater colours — while the black-and-whites are supplied by one of the clan of superb Commando illustrators, the de la Fuentes.

And don’t forget the story, it’s a real fire-eater.”

Commando No 4649 – Blood Red Desert
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Vila Cover: Janek Matysiak
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-october-2013-collection?issue=4649

Stu McBride, decorated war veteran turned prospector, had quite often been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Somehow he’d always managed to get out of it, though.

But this time was different. This time he was in the middle of a top secret rocket range in the red centre of Australia with the Army and the Air Force after him. As if that wasn’t enough, there was a bunch of heavily armed Soviet special forces men just dying to get their hands on him too.

Commando No 4650 – Secret of The Sea
Originally Commando No 2154 (January 1988), re-issued as No 3635 (July 2003)
Story: Allan Chalmers Art: Jose Maria Jorge Cover: Ian McIntosh
Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/24th-october-2013-collection?issue=4650

The Japanese gunners pushed shell after shell into the red-hot breech of their deck-gun, desperately trying to bring down the huge Mariner flying-boat as it roared in on another attack, machine guns blazing, bombs ready.

The submarine commander knew he was trapped — caught in shallow water off a coral reef. Yet he had to try to escape, for in his boat he carried a deadly secret…

“All artists have things that they really like to draw, things that bring out the best in them. Such was the case with Jose Maria Jorge and aircraft,” Notes Calum of this re-presented classic. “I don’t think there can have been many he didn’t illustrate during at some point in his long Commando career. He would also draw figures in his crisp, precise style and yet impart them with a real sense of movement. The figures running and dodging through the jungle in this story really are dodging and running.

“Allan Chalmers will have been well pleased to see his tale of sea, submarines and secrets so competently realised… as will you when you read the story.”

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

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About the Author
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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.

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