Commando issues 5855 – 5858, on sale from this Thursday, 22nd May, sees some of the most action-packed new stories yet, including the return of fan favourite Sergeant Moses Rayker…
In “Glory Hound”, by Brent Towns and Esteve Polls, with a cover by Neil Roberts, we’ve all had a boss who thinks they know what they’re doing, even when all signs point to the contrary. Now imagine that during the heat of battle, and you’ve got some idea of the conundrum Sergeant John Rock find himself in when a new lieutenant takes charge of his squad. Esteve Polls delivers some superb art on this as Rock and co. take on Vichy soldiers, allies to the Nazis, as Teague offers a great spin on a classic Commando dilemma.
In “Sergeant Rayker – Wasted” from Dominic Teague and Mike Dorey, the heroic MP finds himself pitted against the Nazis while rounding up several soused louts who’ve gone on a drinking binge and are absent without leave – two serious offences, especially in wartime. As you can imagine, he’s hard pushed working out who the enemy is – and with writer Dominic Teague seemingly “tipping a hat” at another police comic hero, Zip Nolan, working out the reasons for his pursuit by a determined enemy, there’s action aplenty on offer. All brought to delicious life by Mike Dorey, clearly enjoying himself telling this tale!
It’s great to Rayker, one of many outstanding characters first seen in the weekly comic, Warlord, 40 years ago, back in action again. As with Commando 5817, “Sergeant Rayker”, released last year, he’s just as tough as he’s ever been!
Represented this time is “Tank Buster Ace”, graced with a stunning cover by the legendary Ian Kennedy (the first of two this round!), offering the answer to the age-old question of what would win in a fight – a tank or a plane? This is definitely one for the aircraft enthusiasts among you! Plus, there’s a spot of time travel in the final issue of the set, as “Crossed Swords” takes us from the ancient world to World War Two. It’s got intrigue, betrayal, and even a couple of sword fights – after all, when in Rome…
Commando 5855 (Home of Heroes): Glory Hound
Story: Brent Towns | Art: Esteve Polls | Cover: Neil Roberts
Algeria, 1942. American soldiers storm the beaches of North Africa as part of Operation Torch. Sergeant John Rock of Dog Company takes his responsibility for his men seriously and isn’t about to sacrifice any lives for a chance at glory. The same can’t be said for their new commanding officer, Lieutenant Hank Travers.
The glory hound lieutenant soon puts the platoon in jeopardy, and Rock isn’t sure who’s the bigger threat – the Vichy or Travers!
Commando 5856 (Gold): Tank Buster Ace
Story: McOwan | Art: DS Gomez | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published as No. 531 in 1971
You’ve heard of the Hurricane IID, the mighty fighter that packed a killer punch. Its job was smashing the Afrika Korps tanks with its two huge cannons.
Now, meet the men who flew these planes into action — especially Wing Commander Theodore Trigg, an ace among aces, and leader of the RAF’s toughest bunch of pilots…
Commando 5857 (For Action and Adventure): Sergeant Rayker – Wasted
Story: Dominic Teague | Art and Cover: Mike Dorey
Italy, 1944. Drinking on duty and absence without leave are both punishable offences under the articles of war. One fateful evening though, that’s precisely what four US marines decided to do. Sergeant Moses Rayker of the 307th Military Police Company has been assigned the apparently easy task of rounding the vagabonds up. But it’s not long before Rayker finds himself under enemy fire with the drunken marines in tow. Perhaps this job isn’t as simple as it sounds!
Commando 5858 (Silver): Crossed Swords
Story: CG Walker | Art: Ruiz | Cover: Ian Kennedy
First published as No. 1457 in 1982
Many centuries ago, two soldiers, both trained killers, fought to the death in the scorching heat of the North African desert. Their weapons – the short, stabbing swords of the Roman legionary.
Hundreds of years later, the same burning sands were to witness another duel. For two pilots, one British and one German, history was about to repeat itself…
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Commando Issues 5855 – 5858 Cover Gallery
• Commando Comics is online at commandocomics.com | DC Thomson – Subscriptions | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Commando Comics on AmazonUK | Commando Comics on Magzter
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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, Features, Reviews
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Mike Dorey and Vincente Alcazar are the two best Commando artists by far.
The cover on that Sgt Ryker is A1.