VE Day Celebrated in new Commando comics

By John Freeman on May 8, 2025

It might be VE Day – always a special day at Commando – but it seems enemy agents are still active, because our intel on the new issues, out today, marking 80 years since the end of World War Two in Europe, went missing!

So, apologies for being a little late bringing you details of the extra special VE Day themed issues full of the usual action and derring-do you’ve come to expect. Commando Issues 5851 – 5854 from DC Thomson are on sale now in all good newsagents, WHSmith and some digital platforms now.

Making up for our untoward tardiness, watch out for an exclusive “Creator Commentary” from writer Andrew Knighton about his story, “For You the War is Over”, which we’ll bring you on Saturday.

In this new adventure, Andrew explores the difficult prospect of returning to life after war, and why that might not be so thrilling an idea for some – and the legendary Mike Donaldson, of “The Broons” and “Oor Wullie” fame, does a stellar job with interior and exterior art in his Commando debut.

Also new this set is “War-Torn” by Ferg Handley, with art by Jaume Forns, and a cover from Keith Burns, an issue that takes the concept of sibling rivalry to extremes! Think the argument over who gets the top bunk times a million – here’s hoping they can put their differences aside before Sunday lunch at mum’s.

Represented in this set is “The Last Days of the War”, set in Germany in the final days of World Wars Two, always fertile ground for storytelling. The uncertainty, the conflict, the evocative war-torn landscapes, it’s all here in this outstanding story from CG Walker.

Rounding off the week’s releases is “Steer for Action”, which takes to the hostile seas to face deadly danger in this final issue of our special VE Day set. With both cover and interior art from the legendary Gordon C Livingstone, and an outstanding script by Ian Clark, this is definitely not one to miss.

Commando 5851 (Home of Heroes): War-Torn
Story: Ferg Handley | Art: Jaume Forns | Cover: Keith Burns

In 1939, war was declared, sparking six years of devastation known as World War Two. Two brothers, Michel and Hans Weber were torn apart by the conflict — separated and on opposite sides of the fighting, with one in Germany and the other in Canada. They had started the war as brothers — would they end it as enemies, or could their bond survive?

Commando 5852 (Gold): The Last Days of the War
Story: CG Walker | Art: Nebot | Cover: Jeff Bevan
First Published 1984 as No. 1854

A Wehrmacht captain, a German scientist and an RAF pilot. This unlikely combination was thrown together in the crumbling ruins of a defeated Germany by a common aim — survival.

If they could get to Allied territory, they’d be safe. But with vengeful SS men hot on their heels, their chances were very slim.

Commando 5853 (For Action and Adventure): For You the War is Over
Story: Andrew Knighton | Art and Cover: Mike Donaldson

Germany, 1945. The end of the war is near. Commando Sergeant Alfred Millin and his comrades are forced to battle their way through what remains of the bitter German forces. Millin worries what awaits him when the fighting is over — will he be pulled back into his criminal past?

Commando 5854 (Silver): Steer for Action
Story: Ian Clark | Art: Gordon C Livingstone | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published 1995 as No. 2857

Commando 5854 (Silver): Steer for Action Story: Ian Clark | Art and Cover: Gordon C Livingstone First published 1995 as No. 2857

From the first day of war in 1939, the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the countries opposed to Hitler’s Germany knew that it would be a long, bloody struggle before the Nazis were toppled to defeat. They couldn’t know then that the day of victory would come in May 1945, and for those six years of savage war, Clive Sterling, Royal Navy, would sail hostile seas and face deadly danger almost every day in that fight for freedom.

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

Commando Issues 5851 – 5854 Cover Gallery

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.