Commando celebrates Ian Kennedy anniversary

The latest batch of issues of DC Thomson's long-runing war picture library title Commando includes the first two of four re-issues of classic Ian Kennedy illustrations for the comic. Number 4261 was the first cover he executed and 4262 was the first complete book he drew, 40 years ago.

Desperate Despatches brings to a close the adventures of the Headline Heroes created by Norman Adams and given from by Keith Page. The popular newsmen have fought their last battle... or have they? A groundswell of opinion on the Commando website is asking for the reporters’ notebooks to be re-opened. Who knows if that will happen?

The Ghost Front is set in the Ardennes, the third of three stories based round the Battle of the Bulge and, sadly, the last contribution by Ricardo Garijo who passed away last year.

Commando No 4259: Desperate Despatches

Story: Norman Adams Inside art and cover: Keith Page

The year was 1901 and a run-in with “The Mad Mullah” of British Somaliland was all in a day’s work for the intrepid war reporters of the Trident newspaper, working alongside rival scribes Charles Black and Ned Bly. Sent to South Africa to cover the final stages of the Boer War, the news men didn't think there would be much of a story there... but with a rogue Boer Commando unit on the rampage and the return of an old enemy, there most definitely was a story to tell. And you can read the exclusive right here, of course.

Commando No 4260: The Ghost Front

Story: Ferg Handley Inside art: Ricardo Garijo Cover: Ian Kennedy

In December 1944, after a six-month-long, hard-fought advance by the Allies, the Ardennes sector of Belgium seemed so quiet it was nicknamed “The Ghost Front” by troops stationed there. All that changed with the shock German offensive which became known as The Battle Of The Bulge.

With his fellow soldiers reeling from this surprise attack, First Lieutenant Sam Bendis – a Signals Corps Field Photographer – would have to step up to the challenge of leadership. He and his new buddies would have to dig in…and fight to the death if need be.

Commando 4261: Seek and Strike

First published in Issue 453
Story: Roger Clegg Inside art: Amador Cover: Ian Kennedy

High over the Mediterranean appeared the Junkers 87s to raid and pummel the Allied convoys bound for Malta. Their deadly work done, the Junkers flew off and disappeared... no one knew where. Time and again, it happened.

But the day came when these killers met their match − a sturdy old Fairey Swordfish that took to the air with a torpedo slung below her belly. One, plane, one torpedo — but she’d finish them all.

Commando 4262: Cougar Squadron

First published in Issue 2967
Story: Ian Clark Inside art and cover: Ian Kennedy

In the skies over Vietnam, the Americans and the North Vietnamese fought for supremacy day after day. When expert tactician Major John Gardener was given command of the crack Cougar Squadron, he thought his great planning skills would make all the difference.

But he quickly found out that tactics on the ground did not always work in the air. Especially when you are up against an enemy who is every bit as cunning and able as you are!

More Commandos are, of course, already on their way: coming on 28th January the 28th are two more classic contributions from Ian Kennedy, a high-explosive story from Alan Hebden and Keith Page plus high-flying tale from the pen of Sean Blair and the brushes of José Maria Jorge.

• For more information, check out the official Commando site at: www.commandomag.com


• Click here for subscription information or write to: D.C. Thomson & Co Ltd, The Subscribers Department, Commando Library, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL or Freephone (UK only) 0800 318846