This week’s action-packed Commando set – issues 5955-5958, on sale from Thursday 7th May – includes the epic conclusion to the “Forlorn Hope” series, a race against the clock for SAS Captain Hulke, and some old crackers too…
The “Forlorn Hope” saga, written by Andrew Knighton, with art by Manuel Benet, began back in Commando 5139, “The Forlorn Hope”, a Napoleonic War story welcomed by several readers as a change of pace from frequent World Wars-set fare.
Several stories have followed, so, surely a collection must be in the works? See below for a full saga checklist, with thanks to Andrew.
Commando 5955 (Home of Heroes): Dutiful Death
Story: Andrew Knighton | Internal & Cover Art: Manuel Benet
The epic conclusion to the”Valiant Stormers Forlorn Hope” series!
The Franco-Spanish border, November 1813. As Wellington’s allied army prepares to invade France, the law-abiding Lieutenant Jones breaks the rules to save his
friends.
With the twin threats of court martial and heartbreak hanging over him, he’s going to need the help of old comrades as they head into their last fight on Spanish soil.
Commando 5956 (Gold): The Knife
Story: Richardson | Internal Art: Cortes | Cover Art: Penalva
First published 1971 as No.609
It was a very special Commando knife, presented to Private Bill Taylor to remind him of the time his strength had saved a friend’s life.
Now all Bill’s pals were dead, murdered by an evil Nazi thug. And the knife was gone too, stolen by the same Nazi. Grimly, Bill determined to get it back — and avenge his mates at the same time…
Commando 5957 (For Action and Adventure): High-Value Target
Story: Rossa McPhillips | Internal Art: Vicente Alcazar | Cover Art: Marco Bianchini
Italy, 1943. SAS Captain Hugh Hulke had been assigned to capture leading German SD officer, Olaf Metz. His team went above and beyond, bagging six SD officers on a successful raid of Metz’s hideout. But no-one had a picture of Metz, so which one was he?
Six prisoners. One target. No second chances.
Commando 5958 (Silver): Ice-Cold Courage
Story: McDevitt | Internal Art: Denis McLoughlin | Cover Art: Ian Kennedy
First published 1985 as No. 1862
Outdated, lumbering and cumbersome — yet Fairey Swordfish, nicknamed “Stringbags”, were incredibly successful machines. They were truly great planes and great pilots flew them, like Tony Stanning, who was eager to be
in action.
But Tony was going to need all his courage on this latest mission to attack a German battleship, for the danger wouldn’t come from the enemy guns alone. It would come from the rear cockpit too, because his observer was a useless coward…
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• If there’s a past Commando comic you would like to see reprinted, contact the team via generalenquiries@commandomag.com
Commando Issues 5955 – 5958 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook| Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
The Forlorn Hope Saga
When a vicar’s son and a drunken farm hand sign up for the army, it’s the beginning of an unlikely friendship and a hard fight through Napoleonic Spain, in this series of Commando Comics by Andrew Knighton and Manuel Benet…
Commando Issue 5139 – The Forlorn Hope
Art and cover by Manuel Benet
• Available as a digital download (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
The Forlorn Hope was the name given to those who were placed on the front line in battle. The 45th Sherwood Foresters Regiment of Foot were among those who would advance on the sieged City of Badajoz. It would be one of the bloodiest battles in the Napoleonic Wars, but on they fought against French cannons and muskets, ready to take out the best of Napoleon’s men.
After drunkenly joining Wellington’s army, Tom Hopper heads off to war in Spain and the deadly storming of the city of Badajoz…
Commando Issue 5351 – V for Vitoria
Art and cover by Manuel Benet
• Available as a digital download (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
British riflemen and Spanish guerrillas join forces in a fight against the power of Napoleonic France.
Sam Jones and Tom Hopper of the 45th Regiment of Foot are back! Wellington intends to meet Napoleon’s forces near the town of Vitoria, but when Tom and Captain Haythorn find themselves captured by French forces, Sam finds he has a great deal to learn about the local camp followers – and manners – if he wants to rescue his friends. Featuring Manuel Benet’s exquisitely detailed interiors and cover art, bringing the Napoleonic era to life.
Commando Issue 5495: Rifleman’s Revenge
Art and cover by Manuel Benet
• Available as a digital download (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
As the Napoleonic wars rage, British riflemen and Spanish guerillas face an old enemy on the battlefield of Sorauren.
Wellington’s army is driving back the French through Spain as the conflict escalates once again around Sorauren. As Marshal Soult counters the stalwart British, an old enemy of Tom Hopper’s reappears — the vile Captain Baptiste! As the foes clash on the battlefield and beyond, the war becomes private as Hopper fights to save not only his comrades, but the man he once was.
Commando Issue 5579: Sharpshooters and Saboteurs
Art and cover by Manuel Benet
• Available as a digital download (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Riflemen and guerillas hunt for a saboteur in a Napoleonic siege camp.
Fresh from the Battle of Sorauren, Wellington’s riflemen Tom Hopper and Samuel Jones join the British forces besieging San Sebastian, while guerrilla leader Maria Vitoria finds herself relegated to washing sheets. But, Maria soon cottons on to there being a traitor in the camp! Can she get to the bottom of it before tensions between the trio rise to a fever pitch?
Commando Issue 5749: Treachery and Treasure
Art and cover by Manuel Benet
Wellington’s Riflemen are back in another adventure, this time in September 1813, in the Spanish Pyrenees. After their courage at the Siege of Badajoz, the newly-dubbed “Valiant Stormers” are sent on a mission to retrieve treasure stolen by the French! In their pursuit of the purloined fortunes, our heroes Tom Hopper, Samuel Jones and Maria Vitoria will have to work with an old enemy!
But they will have to watch their backs, for when you work with turncoats there is danger around every corner!
Andrew has also penned a “How Wrong We Have to Be“, a flash story about Maria and the dark life of the guerrillas
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook| Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter | Pocket MagsDirect
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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.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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