Here's the intel on the latest Commandos, on sale from today in all good UK newsagents and via iTunes as digital editions.
Commando No 4543 - Focke-Wulf Hi-Jack
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Rezzonico Cover: Janek Matysiak
In 1941, the Luftwaffe's sleek and deadly Focke-Wulf 190 appeared from nowhere to terrorise the RAF. Even their best fighter, the Supermarine Spitfire MkV, was no match for it.
The British needed an intact Fw190 to discover its weaknesses…and a way to defeat it.
The top brass came up with a simple but dangerous plan. A crack Commando squad would lead a raid to steal a Focke-Wulf from right under the Jerries' noses! All they needed was a pilot.
That's when Flight Lieutenant Tam McDermott stepped up. Fluent in German and with a working knowledge of Luftwaffe aircraft, he was perfect - if only he could survive his Commando training!
Commando No 4544 - The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Story: Alan Hebden Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith Page
Private Frankie Horton was far from the best soldier ever to serve in the Eighth Army. His rifle was likely to be the dirtiest and his uniform the scruffiest in his squad. He also had a tendency to dream, particularly about being a magician - an ambition he had had since childhood.
No-one would have believed it if they were told that, thanks to Frankie, an almost certain German victory in North Africa would be averted.
Not even Frankie. And he believed in magic...
Commando No 4545 - Clash Of Steel
Originally Commando No 50 (December 1962)
Story: Henderson Art: Alonso Cover: Ken Barr
Every regiment has its daredevil, the one man who doesn't know the meaning of fear. In "Popski's Private Army" there were nothing else but daredevils, each one more daring than the next.
This is the story of a Desert Army sergeant, who accidentally came to make up a foursome with three of the toughest and craziest of Popski's desert pirates.
Men said you had to be certified crazy to qualify for the PPA. Well, maybe Sergeant Dave Jones was at that… Crazy-brave!
“When I tell you that this is a fantastic Commando story, you'd be quite entitled to think, 'Well, he would say that wouldn't he?' And that would be fair enough, says editor Calum Laird of this re-presented tale. “However, it really is true and I can say it because it was created long before I had anything to do with Commando - even as a reader.
“Starting with Ken Barr's brooding cover with its hint of action in the binocular lens and moving to Alonso's brilliant “pants-on-fire” realisation of the Henderson script, it really is action-packed from start to finish. The fistfight scenes throughout are a work of artistic magic.
“As you'll have gathered, I really like this one… and I think you will too.”
Commando No 4546 - A Touch Of Courage
Originally Commando No 2082 (April 1987)
Story: Cyril Walker Art: Cecil Rigby Cover: Jeff Bevan
Do you believe in magic? No? Well, Englishman Sam Benson wasn't too sure either. While out in Australia he saw an aboriginal ceremony where the natives touched a totem believing it would give them courage.
Little did he know that several months later, while fighting the Japanese on the far-off island of Ketta, that same ritual would save his life!
“Here's another gem of a story from our Silver Collection - a silver gem, is that possible?” says Scott Montgomery, Commando's Deputy Editor. “Back in the 1980s, I was a Commando reader and, as well as the stories, I used to enjoy the inside feature pages too. Sometimes they'd be weapons specs, aircraft illustrations, weird vehicles, quizzes, or World War II trivia, amongst many other things.
“Now, over 25 years later, it's a privilege (and brilliantly surreal) to be regularly writing a Commando feature page! So, for the trivia buffs among you, if you're interested, the original version of the feature page in this issue consisted of what…?
“A rather stern-faced photo of top England goalkeeper Peter Shilton - in Commando's 'Stars Of Soccer' series!”
• Official Commando web site: http://www.commandocomics.com/
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• 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.
