Commando Editor Talks At Chalke Valley History Festival

Commando Editor Calum Laird is scheduled to give a talk at the Chalke Valley History Festival at Ebbesbourne Wake near Salisbury in Wiltshire. The talk entitled  “Achtung! Commando Comics” will take place at 1130 on Saturday 29 June 2013.

Calum will be discussing the history of the comic, the studio in Milan that provided many of the artists in the early years, and the quest for ensuring historical accuracy in all weapons, uniforms, aircraft and machinery. 

In addition he will be explaining how the comics are put together, discussing plots and artwork and also revealing exciting plans for the future.  Chalke Valley History Festival describes the talk with, “For anyone who loves their war stories told with gritty plots and tough-talking square-jawed heroes and with fabulous drawings to boot, this is an unmissable event.”

Tickets to the talk also include access to the Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival Airshow which takes place at 1430 at the same location on the same day and includes flying displays by various World War II military aircraft that Commando has featured over the years including the Supermarine  Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, North American P-51D Mustang, Fairey Swordfish and Messerschmitt Bf108  Taifun.

There are more details of the Festival and how to purchase tickets on the Chalke Valley History Festival website: www.cvhf.org.uk/programme/event/event-40-achtung-commando-comics

In the meantime the latest batch of Commandos are now in the shops...

Commando No 4603 - Scarecrow Squadron
Story: Norman Adams Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page

The de Havilland Tiger Moth was a reliable, if rather old-fashioned, aircraft used as a basic trainer for RAF pilots. Pilots like Charlie Chard who was only recently qualified when he and his comrades found themselves in the thick of the action against the German Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe.

He and his fellow fliers were known as "Scarecrow Squadron" - given the nickname because they were meant to chase away enemies flying over England's coast. A dicey job that, given that their planes were unarmed! Sitting in his open cockpit, Charlie wondered if any of them would survive…

• Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-may-2013-collection?issue=4603

Commando No 4604 - Bernie's Buccaneers
Story: Bill Styles Art: Vila Cover: Janek Matysiak

With four 1400-horsepower Packard-built Merlin engines powering them forward at close to 40 knots, the crew of MTB 989 felt like the raiders of old when they fired a broadside of torpedoes at enemy shipping.

Privately they called themselves "Bernie's Buccaneers" after their fearless, swash-buckling skipper. They always said would have followed him into the jaws of death…and one day they did just that!

• Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-may-2013-collection?issue=4604

Commando No 4605 - Target For Tonight
Originally Commando No 57 (February 1963)
Story: Eric Hebden Art: Roca Cover: Ken Barr

When crack British Commandos were ordered to fight alongside ace American Rangers in a double strike against an important target, it sparked off the bitter, blistering feud between them that made the "other" war look like a petty quarrel.

Here is the story of this war within a war; of Mike Travers and Red Dooley, who were tough enough to lead and control the best bunch of men that two great nations ever produced.

"The names of Eric Hebden and Ken Barr are well known to Commando fans - for their gripping stories and dynamic cover art respectively," notes Calum Laird of this represented tale. "Once again, they don't disappoint.

"This story of bitter, fist-fired rivalry is beautifully set up on the cover where the two main characters are pitched against one another… at daggers drawn, figuratively and literally.

"It's different with illustrator who provided the black-and-whites for the inside pages for Roca drew only one Commando book. 50 years on it's difficult to say why that would be but it certainly wasn't due to lack of quality. He imparts movement to the figures and uses a scatter of original compositions. Who knows what he might have made of subsequent commissions?"

• Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-may-2013-collection?issue=4605

Commando No 4606 - Lost In France
Originally Commando No 2162 (February 1988)
Story: Allan Chalmers Art: Nebot Cover: Ian Kennedy

Crash-landing a burning Blenheim bomber in occupied France would generally be reckoned pretty dangerous. And so it was, but compared to what fate still had in store for Harry Conway and his crew, that crash was a picnic!

"Veteran artist Ian Kennedy's stunning, dramatic depiction of a crash-landing Blenheim bomber would, quite rightly, make the reader imagine that they were in for a rollicking air story," says Scott Montgomery, Commando's deputy editor. "It certainly starts off as one but, unusually, this tale takes an intriguing detour into espionage territory, becoming more of a spy caper - which suits Nebot's almost cartoony art.

"It's a good thing when a few neat twists and turns can challenge readers' expectations."

• Preview: www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/23rd-may-2013-collection?issue=4606


• There are more details of Commando titles on their official website, www.commandocomics.com, and Facebook page.

COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

downthetubes is pleased to offer a discount on a subscription to DC Thomson's Commando comic, entitling readers to save 50% by ordering using our special discount code!

Follow this link to DC Thomson's subscription page.

When prompted, enter this unique code COMDT - then make your payment and your subscription will be up and running. The price quoted offers a 50% discount for three months at £12.50. That’s £68.50 off the shop price.

Please note, although the offer is not restricted to UK delivery (you need a UK bank account), the price increases for overseas delivery although the offer of 50% discount for three months is the same.

* Saving based on discounted Direct Debit price compared with shop price. First quarterly payment discounted by 50% at £12.50 and £25 per quarter thereafter. UK bank accounts only. One year discounted subscription rate of £99.

Dungeons, Air Aces and Phantoms - It's your latest Commandos!

Four new Commando comics went on sale today in all good newsagents - and actually, their distributions seems to be improving, as we've spotted them in several new places recently. Here's the low down on the stories…

Commando No 4583: Dungeon Of Doom
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Benet Cover: Benet

The four-man special force known as the Convict Commandos were in dangerous territory. They had entered neutral Spain illegally and were now deep within a castle which bristled with all sorts of perils - from Nazi interrogators to axe-wielding maniacs.

This time even they had got in too deep!

• Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/14th-march-2013-collection?issue=4583

Commando No 4584: American Ace
Story: Mac MacDonald  Art and Cover: Carlos Pino

He stepped off a US freighter in Liverpool and walked straight to the nearest RAF recruiting office to join up. A natural pilot, he was at the controls of a British fighter in no time.

As his score of victories mounted in the summer of 1940, his fellow pilots never dreamed he carried a secret - one that, if discovered, could be his death warrant!

• Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/14th-march-2013-collection?issue=4584

Commando No 4585: Phantom Sergeant
Originally Commando No 81 (August 1963)
Story: Elliot Art: Cueto Cover: Alvaro

He moved like a shadow, a ghostly-quiet shape that flitted through the Burmese jungle wherever there was a Japanese soldier to be hunted, an invading enemy to be destroyed.

Many of those men did see the Phantom Sergeant, but if they did that was the last thing they ever saw…

"It's a Commando tradition that we make our stories as authentic and accurate as we possibly can," notes editor Calum Laird of this re-presented tale, "so it's probably best to admit straight away the aircraft in this tale are not quite up to the mark. Don't let that put you off, though, the tale is otherwise well drawn and the cover is particularly fine.

"The tale itself is particularly hard - especially on the Japanese. There's little sympathy for any of them in the story, written less than 20 years after the war finished.

"Still, it's a fine adventure and one I hope you'll enjoy."

• Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/14th-march-2013-collection?issue=4585

Commando No 4586 - Heading For Trouble
Originally Commando No 2151 (January 1988), re-issued as No 3579 (December 2002)
Story: Allan Chalmers Art: Ibanez Cover: Ian Kennedy

During the Second World War most officers fought gallantly alongside their men. But a few - like a certain Lieutenant Fairfax - were cowardly, incompetent and more likely to endanger their own troops than the enemy.

You can bet that any man serving under Fairfax would very soon be - heading for trouble...

"All Commando stories send the characters on a journey - whether physically, emotionally or metaphorically," notes Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery of this story, "and on many occasions this involves the journey from villain or anti-hero to hero. Heading For Trouble neatly turns this notion on its head, however. Sergeant Ian Cheam starts out as an instant, reliable Commando hero but soon his path leads towards that of a cynical anti-hero. Where will his journey end…?"

• Preview: http://www.commandocomics.com/latest-issues/14th-march-2013-collection?issue=4586

• There are more details of Commando titles on their official website, www.commandocomics.com, and Facebook page.

COMMANDO SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

downthetubes ispleased to offer an exclusive discount on a subscription to DC Thomson's Commando comic, entitling readers to save 50% by ordering using our special discount code!

Follow this link to DC Thomson's subscription page.

When prompted, enter this unique code COMDT - then make your payment and your subscription will be up and running. The price quoted offers a 50% discount for three months at £12.50. That’s £68.50 off the shop price.

Please note, although the offer is not restricted to UK delivery (you need a UK bank account), the price increases for overseas delivery although the offer of 50% discount for three months is the same.

*Saving based on discounted Direct Debit price compared with shop price. First quarterly payment discounted by 50% at £12.50 and £25 per quarter thereafter. UK bank accounts only. One year discounted subscription rate of £99.

Leaping Leopards! It's the new Commandos

Here's the latest intel from Commando HQ on the latest issues on sale now in all good newsagents and online...

Commando No 4527 - The Leopard Commander
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page

It sounded almost cute and cuddly, an Italian commander named for a big cat. But his British adversaries in East African were under no illusions. They knew that, like his namesake, he was fast, agile... and deadly!

Commando No 4528 - The Doomed Legionnaires
Story: Steve Coombs Art: Benet Cover: Benet

Men from all over the world, men with secret shameful pasts, men who had no place in their home countries. Here they were, gathered together to fight an implacable enemy, for a flag that was not their own.

And because they were foreigners, they had been handed a suicide mission. They were indeed... The Doomed Legionnaires!

Commando No 4529 - Take No Prisoners!
Originally Commando No 25 (June 1962)
Story: Eric Hebden Art: Casarubio Cover: Ken Barr

SKULL and CROSSBONES...

Ten British prisoners lay dead - shot down in cold blood. And there were no witnesses to the terrible crime.

The only clue to the killers lay there in the blood-stained dust - a German helmet bearing a skull and crossbones emblem...an emblem which from that day on was to be a death warrant to every Nazi who wore it.

"Ask most people about Commando and they'll tell you about nasty Nazis and clean-cut fair-playing British," suggests editor Calum Laird. "Yet this story from 1962 shows that those assumptions, like all generalisations, don't stand up to scrutiny. Sure there are nasty Nazis but after that things become a bit more hazy and there's a moral ambivalence amongst the British.

"But don't let that put you off! As ever, Eric Hebden crafts a great story behind Ken Barr's intimidating cover, and Casarubio's strong and confident black linework complements the atmosphere very well.

"All in all, this commando takes no prisoners. Sorry."

Commando No 4530 - The Deadly Deal
Originally Commando No 2145 (December 1987)
Story: Allan Chalmers Art: Cecil Rigby Cover: Jeff Bevan

There are good deals, bad deals and deals like the one Jan de Groot made. He agreed that he would work as an agent in enemy-held territory where the slightest slip-up would lead to arrest, torture and probably death.

It was going to take all his courage to keep... THE DEADLY DEAL.

"Our main character, tough-as-nails Dutchman Jan de Groot is a hot-headed hero, which also makes him a flawed hero," says Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery of this story "...and this twisty-turny yarn is an excellent example of a Commando espionage story done well.

"It's complemented by veteran interior illustrator Cecil Rigby's artwork, which is chock full of icy black waters and moody nightscapes.

• downthetubes is pleased to offer an exclusive discount on a subscription to DC Thomson's Commando comic, entitling readers to save 50% by ordering using our special discount code! Follow this link to DC Thomson's subscription page. When prompted, enter this unique code COMDT - then make your payment and your subscription will be up and running! 

• Official Commando web site: http://www.commandocomics.com/

• Commando Official Facebook page

• 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

• Commando is also available for iPad and iPhone. The apps are free to download through the Apple iTunes App Store and a digital subscription is priced at £4.99 per month, compared to a £99 annual print subscription. For those not sure there are four free issues to download prior to making a purchase.

• Commando Comics iPhone App on iTunes

• Steadfast! the Commando artwork exhibition at The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen runs until 30th November 2012. There are more details about the exhibition on the museum website.