Convict Commandos in a Frenzy of Fear

Here's the rundown for the latest issues of war comic Commando from DC Thomson - the usual great mix of the new, including a new "Convict Commandos" story - and the carefully selected and re-presented, with plenty of air action this month to enthuse fans.

Commando No 4571: Frenzy Of Fear
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Benet Cover: Benet

With the exception of Private "Jelly" Jakes - the unit's resident coward - the Convict Commandos were three of the most fearless fighters in the British Forces. So why were they running in terror from a unit of Germans leaving their quaking comrade behind in their haste?

Something was badly awry. Something had happened to throw the Convict Commandos into a ... Frenzy Of Fear!

Commando No 4572: Barracuda Attack!
Story: Bill Styles Art: Carlos Pino Cover: Carlos Pino

At flying training school, they said Sub-Lieutenant Martin Archer wasn't good enough to be a fighter pilot. Too steady, they said, not quick enough to react. What they didn't say was that he lacked nerve. And that was just as well -- because they gave him a Fairey Barracuda dive-bomber to fly into the teeth of flak and fighters.

That took guts of a different kind altogether.

This sounds like a good choice of story.  Despite it being built in greater numbers than any other British-designed Fleet Air Arm type with 2,572 of all marks coming off the production lines, the Fairey Barracuda was really unloved, due its appalling accident record in its early years of service. A replacement for the elderly Swordfish, key.Aero notes the Barracuda was the first all-metal torpedo bomber and none survive today, except for remnants held by the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton.

Commando No 4573 - Torpedoes Away!
Originally Commando No 55 (February 1963)
Story: Maitland Art: Ford Cover: Millar

They called it the riskiest job in the RAF...

To throw a big Beaufort torpedo bomber around the sky like a fighter-plane; to battle through flak and air attack right up to target, to roar in on your torpedo-run a bare 50 feet above the waves and lay your single “tinfish” right in the belly of a German warship - and then to fight your way back out of the flame and fury you've stirred up and bring your bomber and crew safe home. This was the job of a Beaufort pilot - and it took a special breed of hero to do it.

Young Bill Overby was a Beaufort pilot, one of the best. He couldn't help becoming an ace. You see, it looked as if Bill didn't care about staying alive…

"Just to prove that Ken Barr didn't do every Commando cover in the early years, this issue features one from Graeme Millar," notes editor Calum Laird, “one of the many talented artists who worked on the staff at DC Thomson's Dundee headquarters at that time.

"His efforts are ably backed up by the team of Ford and Maitland, both of whom seem to have had a penchant for air stories. They must have done as this one works very well indeed with some crackerjack fighting and flying scenes.

"Enjoy!"

Commando No 4574 - Dragon-Ship
Originally Commando No 2178 (April 1988)
Story: Bill Fear Art: Keith Shone Cover: Jeff Bevan

A Viking longship, its fierce dragon head staring proudly out from the prow, rode the choppy seas as it pulled away from the Norwegian coast. But this was nineteen-forty, and the ship was manned not by Vikings but by the crew of an RAF flying-boat, a couple of British army officers and a Norwegian.

Just what was going on?

"Following last fortnight's Silver Collection wintry wonder 'Arctic Victory' (No 4570), here's another classic Commando with a decidedly chilly Scandinavian setting,” says Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery. “Not only that but we also have the astonishing premise of a small group of Allied heroes battling the Germans from the prow of a fearsome Viking longship!

"Kudos to all the creators involved in this brilliant adventure yarn from a quarter of a century ago - but with a special mention in particular for staff artist Jeff Bevan and his stunning, evocative cover."

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.

Jokers in the new Pack of Commandos

Here's the intel on the new Commando war comics, on sale now in all good British newsagents...

I recently had a chance to sit down with Commando editor Calum Laird as part of my working day and discuss the future of comics – and digital comics. While he was as canny as ever about Things to Come, I got hints of possible new Commando-related projects in the offing, with a promise of official news as soon as anything was confirmed. Can't wait!

Commando No 4531 - Coming Unstuck
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Carlos Pino Cover: Carlos Pino

 By 1943 the Germans, desperate to counter, the RAF's superfast wooden fighter-bomber, the de Havilland Mosquito, began to build the Focke Wulf Ta154. It was even known as the Moskito!

They soon discovered that holding its wooden structure together wasn't as easy as they thought, and several broke up in in flight. The glue they needed to hold their airframes together was a secret formula only manufactured in Britain.

So the Germans came up with a plan to steal some from the source…only to come up against a bunch of plucky Brits determined to stop them - or come to a very sticky end!

Commando No 4532 - Mario's Express
Story: Stephen Walsh Art: Vila Cover: Ian Kennedy

Colonel Mario Girotti was not really much of a soldier. He was more than happy to be stuck in the North African desert, in charge of a rarely-used railway station. He spent his days listening to classical music on his trusty gramophone or reading poetry.
 
But the culture-loving Italian's peaceful war was rudely interrupted by the arrival of a group of his fellow countrymen, followed by some Nazis, all bent on escaping the oncoming British onslaught with some looted priceless treasure and, naturally enough, they wanted one of Mario's trains.

Mario decided that maybe the time was right to fight after all!

Commando No 4533 - Blood Valley
Originally Commando No 49 (Dec 1962)
Story: Dorward Art: Philpott Cover: Ken Barr

Every path that led upwards from Blood Valley to the Nazi-held fortress of Cassino was a path of death. On these bullet-swept slopes many a hero had been born - and had died. But still the German flag flew triumphantly from the battlements.
 
And then the Commandos were sent for - hand-picked Commandos who had their own cunning and courageous ways of bringing arrogant Nazis to their knees.
 
Here is their heroic story.

“There's a saying that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but in this case it's exactly what you should do! Ken Barr's Commando is loaded with contained menace and pent-up ferocity,” says editor Calum Laird of this story. “Make no mistake, author Dorward is going to put a hard-hitting story in front of you with very few punches pulled. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now.
 
“The inside art, with Philpott's characteristic dark and brooding lines, backs up this hard edge. At times it's difficult to remind yourself that this really is fiction."

Commando No 4534 - The Jokers
Originally Commando No 2144 (December 1987)
Story: Peter Mackenzie Art: Keith Shone Cover: Ian Kennedy

Alf Cunningham and Percy Potter were the jokers in the pack. Oh, they were good pilots, all right, it was just that they had a nasty habit of landing themselves, and everyone around them, in deep trouble. Not exactly the best pair of men to rely on when there's a German cruiser on the loose in the English Channel!

“The main conflict in this European World War 2 tale is, naturally, between British and German forces,” notes deputy Scott Montgomery of this re-presented tale. “However, there is another conflict going on. One between a couple of rebellious RAF pilots - the “jokers” of the title - and a stuffed shirt Royal Navy officer who they manage to continually annoy.

"Commando thrives on extra story flourishes like this and author Peter MacKenzie keeps the narrative flowing well, as does artist Keith Shone. And, of course, kudos to veteran illustrator Ian Kennedy for yet another stunning aircraft cover - this time of an Avro Anson right in the thick of the action."

• 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.

Commandos by Air, Land and Sea!

Every field of combat is covered in the latest batch of Commandos, on sale now in good newsagents (don't bother with the bad ones). Here's the rundown...

Commando No 4519: High Speed Rescue
Story: Mac MacDonald Art: Rezzonico Cover: Janek Matysiak

Growing up in Malaya, young Sam Logan dreamed of being a pilot. He volunteered for the RAF as soon as war broke out -- only to be washed out of flying training thanks to the dizziness that overcame him every time he took to the air.

He ended up on an RAF Air-Sea Rescue Launch, patrolling the choppy grey waters of the Channel. Almost as much as he did himself, Sam’s crewmates wondered if the reluctant sailor was up to this dangerous work. Their very survival depended on him working as part of a team... especially when there were E-boats on the prowl.

Commando No 4520 Underwater Menace
Story: Mac Macdonald Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page

Ken Kluger, son of a Japanese mother and a German father, had attended university in England and was fluent in all three languages. When war broke out, though, he ended up working for the British as a translator and code-breaker.

Soon, however, he found himself involved in much more dangerous work. He became part of a perilous plan was to use a captured German submarine -- holding a lethal secret weapon -- to destroy an enemy U-boat pen and stop a deadly attack!

Commando No 4521: Death In The Sun
Story: Eric Castle Art: Garcia Cover: Ken Barr
First appeared: Commando No 13 (December 1961)

Just another routine patrol, just another empty village in the Burmese jungle. Nothing to fear, every hut silent, deserted, no movement in the shadows, no sound on the still, sultry air. Everything calm and peaceful.

Why then did fingers tighten nervously on triggers, why did the cold sweat of fear break out on every man’s brow? It was as if some sixth sense was telling them of terrible danger, of a fiendish trap waiting to be sprung.

It only needed one man to see the sudden glint of death in a darkened doorway, to scream a warning... a warning that came too late!

"I hope nobody minds that we’ve slipped back into 1961 for this story,” says Calum Laird, Commando Editor, “making it 51 years old instead of just 50. Once you’ve read it you’ll see why we didn’t want to let this one get away. A fortune-teller’s prophecy, good friends at each other’s throats and the constant menace of death without warning. Oh, and a twist in the tail. This is classic Commando fare.

“Once you’ve opened Ken Barr’s menacing cover, Garcia’s art is full of action -- check out page 11 for just one -- pushing the story forward at a breathless pace.

“So, will our hero live or die? Find out inside.”

Commando No 4522 The Old Wolf
Story: R.A. Montague Art: Keith Shone Cover: Ian Kennedy
First appeared in Commando No 2112 (August 1987)

By nineteen-forty-four Allied pilots saw the Junkers 87 as an easy kill. Too slow and sluggish, they said, to pose a threat.

But Colonel Otto von Arne had plans for his aircraft. By adding rockets to assist take-off and extra machine guns for defence, he made sure that once again his squadron was a force to be reckoned with -- especially when they were also armed with powerful 37mm guns.

“Commando is often dismissed -- usually by people who haven’t read it for decades -- as being full of cardboard cut-out characters who only bark clichés like ‘For you the war is over!’” notes Commando Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery. “German characters, in particular, are too easily stereotyped like this so let’s meet Colonel Otto von Arne -- AKA ‘The Old Wolf’.

“Although is Otto clearly the antagonist, he’s no goose-stepping Nazi. In fact, he’s intelligent, brave, chivalrous and also respected by his British counterparts -- a fully-rounded character. And that’s really what Commando is all about.”

• 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.

Commando Steadfastly Soldiers On

For the third time in less than twelve months the Commando archive has been opened to allow artwork to be used in a public exhibition. After the Draw Your Weapons exhibition in London's National Army Museum (with downthetubes being the only British comics website invited to the opening night last September) and the Battlelines exhibition in the University Of Dundee barely a month later, the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen are about to present Steadfast! Commando at The Gordon Highlanders Museum.

This is a new display of Commando artwork especially selected by the museum from the DC Thomson archive and includes a special section commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein and the role of the Gordon Highlanders in the Desert War in 1942 and 1943. The exhibition opens at the museum on Monday 9 July 2012 and runs until Friday 30 November 2012 and entrance to the Steadfast! exhibition is included in the general admission price for the museum.

In the meantime the next four issues of Commando are available this week -

Commando No 4507: The Spy Catchers
Story: Alan Hebden
Art: Olivera
Cover: Ian Kennedy

Espionage is as much a part of warfare as infantry or artillery. Knowing what your enemy is planning is a great help when it comes to stopping him. But all the time you’re watching him, he’s watching you, isn’t he? Which is why you need spy catchers, men who will sniff out the spies and neutralise them. British Army lorry-driver Arnie Kershaw loved to read about the adventures of such men…but even he never dreamt for a moment that he’d be caught up in their activities for real.


Commando No 4508: The Voyage Of HMS Onion Wagon
Story: Peter Grehan
Art: Vila
Cover: Ian Kennedy

How did a motley crew of British and New Zealand sailors end up on a British Army Bedford lorry in the desert?
How did a routine operation so very quickly go wrong and become an unexpected voyage into danger?
Hop aboard HMS Onion Wagon and find out!


Commando No 4509: Cold Steel
(Originally No 22 - April 1962)
Story: Kenner
Art: Gordon Livingstone
Cover: Ken Barr

Ten Desperate Men… Armed to the teeth, they slipped and slithered from the hull of a submarine into a wave-battered rubber dinghy. A grim cargo of trouble on a life-or-death mission. Ten desperate men who were destined to become… Ten dauntless heroes.

In his introduction to this Gold Collection reprint, Commando editor Calum Laird says, "Secret, dangerous, well-nigh impossible missions have been firm favourites with Commando readers (and editors) since the earliest days. The title was less than a year old when Gordon Livingstone’s trademark art gave life to ten men on the deadliest of missions. (The ten-man mission is another theme that’s been visited and re-visited over the years without getting stale.) Author Kenner’s tale sets the men at their officer’s throat from the off…as soon as they settle with the Nazis he’s likely to be next. All that AND Ken Barr’s menacing cover? What a bargain for a shilling!"


Commando No 4510: Freedom — Or Death!
(Originally No 2062 - February 1987)
Story: Bill Fear
Art: Keith Shone
Cover: Jeff Bevan

To a Gurkha soldier honour is all important, and young Lal had a very important debt of honour to settle with his officer, Lieutenant Archie Cameron. So when the two men were captured by the Japs and sent to different POW camps, Lal was determined to free Archie. There was only one snag, though. First he had to get free himself!

In his introduction to this Silver Collection reprint, Commando Deputy Editor Scott Montgomery remembers, "As young readers, whenever my brothers or I started to read a jungle-based Commando book we always hoped it would feature Gurkha soldiers. There was always something just so…for want of a better word, cool about those stoic, loyal and deadly efficient fighting men from Nepal, armed with their iconic, curved Kukri blades. And I was always glad that they fought on our side. Even twenty-five years after this great jungle tale was first published, I still feel the same way about the amazing Gurkhas."

• 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

• Commando Comics iPad App on iTunes

• Steadfast! the Commando artwork exhibition at The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen runs from 9 July to 30 November 2012. There are more details about the exhibition on the museum website.

Falklands War commemorated in new Commando comics

The latest Commando comics from DC Thomson - on sale now in all good newsagents - include the first of two books with a Falklands theme to mark 30 years since the Task Force sailed to liberate the islands in the South Atlantic.

Commando No 4487: Mission To Patagonia
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Benet Cover: Benet

November 1982, a British Geological Survey team in the Antarctic make an extraordinary find - a downed Vulcan bomber. News of this amazing discovery brings Lieutenant Nick Tarrant of the SAS to the scene. There soon emerges the story of a clandestine operation that took place during the height of the Falklands War.

The top secret tale of the... Mission To Patagonia!

 Commando No 4488: Triple Whammy!
Story: Mac MacDonald Art: Carlos Pino Cover: Carlos Pino

Remember the antics of Hitler and Monty…? Or to give them their proper names, Fuhrer and Field-Marshal lookalikes Max Singer and Sid O'Brien. Well, they're back for another madcap (mis)adventure - this time involving the SS, Soviets, Scotsmen and even Scousers in South America. Don't worry it'll all make sense… probably.

Our death-defying doubles are in triple the danger and triple the trouble. But will this be their finest hour, or their final fling…?

Commando 4489 - The Gold Collection: Gun Fury
Originally Commando No 24 (May 1962)
Story: Elliot Art: Ortiz Cover: Ken Barr

Red is the colour of courage. Like the ribbon of the Victoria Cross; like the blood that heroes spill; like the famous Red Beret of the Parachute Regiment, whose amazing story this is.

Meet in these pages Cobber Kane, tough, wise-cracking Australian; Sergeant. Jim Parker, steady as a rock; “Blood 'n' Guts” Sanders, the hard-bitten RSM, whose one aim in battle was a VC to pin next to his MM…the kind of heroes who have made the Red Beret the badge of courage it is.

"Ken Barr's cover sets your expectations for this story" says Commando Editor Calum Laird of this re-presented tale. "The single figure, gun in hand, grenades at the ready and with a thick black outline to throw the image out, lets you know this is going to be an all-action story. If you were in any doubt, though, the first page, by Ortiz, with its dramatic title lettering underlines the cover's promise.

"The story, penned by Elliot, doesn't disappoint - any story where members of the Parachute Regiment capture and take over a Tiger tank has to be a winner.

"And yet, it doesn't shy away from war's darker side. In this story good men die, friends are lost, as conflict takes its toll. And that's maybe not what you would expect."

Commando 4490 - The Silver Collection: Full Speed Ahead!
Originally Commando No 2077 (April 1987)
Story: Malcolm McDevitt Art: Keith Shone Cover: Jeff Bevan

The Channel war against the German E-boats was a tough one and Andy Simpson relished the task. From the chaos of Dunkirk to the Battle of Britain he was in the thick of the action. But he had an even more difficult problem ahead of him - to admit he could make mistakes.

"This is a traditional sea story, which Commando has always done well," notes Commando Deputy Editor Scott Mlontgomery. "In the aftermath of Dunkirk, Lieutenant-Commander Andy Simpson, a motor torpedo boat skipper who has to make a split-second decision - and may well have made the wrong one - must face up to what he has done, however difficult this may be.

"Artist Keith Shone's thick black lines are reminiscent of the style of our Spanish veterans, like Manuel Benet, for example. While Jeff Bevan proves once again that he was king of the sea covers - with those pale, watery colours offset by a striking explosion."

• The Draw Your Weapons exhibition featuring art from Commando continues at the National Army Museum in London until 30th April 2012. For the latest information visit: www.nam.ac.uk/exhibitions/special-displays/draw-your-weapons-art-commando-comics

• 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

• Commando Comics iPad App on iTunes