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."

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Great Beast Comics launches titles by Marc Ellerby, Adam Cadwell

Great Beast Comics has announced the release of their first two graphic novels, Ellerbisms by Marc Ellerby and The Everyday by Adam Cadwell.

Ellerbisms is the story of a relationship told in pictures through the autobiographical comics of Marc Ellerby.

Ellerbisms catches a glimpse into the life of a young couple, their highs and lows, their sighs and LOLs. Collecting more than 200 original strips from the cult web-comic plus an additional 30 pages of brand new material exclusive to this handsome softcover edition.

Ellerbisms - first conceived back in 2007 - has had write ups by Wired Magazine and The Guardian as well as receiving praise from notable comic industry professionals such as Warren Ellis and Kieron Gillen.

This new collection is a gem - the strips encompassing so many things about life and relationships it's impossible to detail them all. Head over to the Great Beast web site and check out some of the samples.

Since graduating with a First Class Honours in Illustration from the Kent Institute of Art and Design, Marc has illustrated comics and work for a number of clients as well as actively pursuing self initiated projects. His comic work has been recognised by bodies such as the Young Adult Library Services of America and the Harvey Awards and Eagle Awards.

In addition to Ellerbisms, his comics work includes Chloe Noonan: Monster Hunter (also published by Great Beast).

Adam Cadwell's The Everyday cherishes the fleeting moments of our day to day to create an honest and hilarious portrait of modern life and the many little miracles and mysteries within. With crisp black and white artwork, keen observations and humble humour, Cadwell captures the minutiae of life we can so easily miss, a comic strip at a time, over 4 years of his life.

This hardback book collects all 200 comic strips from the acclaimed web-comic for the first time, at the size they were drawn and includes an introduction by the artist.

Based in Manchester, cartoonist, illustrator and storyboard artist Adam Cadwell also publishes his slacker vampire series Blood Blokes (an Eagle Award nominee 2012) through Great Beast. In June 2012 he launched the British Comic Awards, a national award to recognise important works and talent in the thriving UK comics culture.

Cadwell himself was one of the 54 British artists chosen for the Eisner nominated, graphic novel anthology Nelson, published by Blank Slate.

Cadwell’s comic work has been published by Jonathan Cape, Image Comics, Blank Slate Books, We Are Words + Pictures and Solipsistic Pop. His illustration work has also appeared in magazines such as MOJO and Shortlist.

Great Beast - takes its name from the very first Monster In My Pocket released in 1990 because the team thought it sounded cool  - was founded in April 2012 by UK based cartoonists Adam Cadwell and Marc Ellerby to provide fun and creative stories to as wide an audience as possible. All of their titles are creator owned and self published to a professional standard; these are comics brimming with passion and imagination.

Both books, as with all Great Beast releases, are available digitally too and the web site not only offers the opportunity to buy some great books but tie-in merchandise.


• Find Great Beast online, on Twitter, on Facebook and on Tumblr

Immediate Media to Launch Pre-Teen Boys Title, Mega

Immediate Media Co is to launch Mega magazine next Wednesday (6th February 2013), a new humorous and fun title aimed at 7 to 11 year-old boys which, from the look of it, emulates the format of titles such as Egmont's TOXIC and Titan Magazine's Totally... format.

The four-weekly title - priced at £2.99 - will focus on a different popular theme or brand each month, enabling it to tie in with current trends that appeal to this young audience.

Mega magazine will be packed with funny celebrities, cartoon characters, TV shows, facts, jokes, posters and competitions. In issue one, TV stars Dick & Dom reveal their  secrets, there's news from Cartoon Network's hit programmes Adventure Time and Regular Show, favourite boys brands Gumball, Almost Naked Animals and LEGO – plus the title's own "Mega Gang" kick-off their prank-fuelled comic adventures.

As with all titles in this sector Mega will feature a cover mounted gift - these aiming to reinforce the brand's fun value. The launch issue comes with a free joke kit containing a whoopee cushion, slimy snot splat, a bendy pencil and a toilet with 'fart putty'.

The title is being produced by Immediate Media Co's award-winning youth and children's editorial team, with art from Jamie Smart and others.

"We've had great fun producing this exciting new title," says Martin Stahel, publisher of Immediate Media Co's Pre-teen titles. "Each issue will give children the opportunity to explore a new or popular theme or brand, to keep the title fresh and current. We're looking forward to working with new licensees and fantastic brands to develop great content for this young audience."

Kevin Pettman, editor of Mega magazine, adds: "Mega contains everything young boys love and like to talk about in the playground. Capturing their enthusiasm for the latest trends and TV characters, the title will be full of our readers' heroes and the jokes and facts they can share with their friends."

"We’re going for a mix of licensed and unlicensed material, anything we think boys of that age would like," deputy editor Ned Hartley tells us. "It will be quite fluid, but Jamie Smart’s fab comic (and characters he created) will be a very important part of Mega."

• Mega magazine will be priced at £2.99 and will be available at all major retailers and independents around the UK from Wednesday 6th February.

Manchester Art Gallery to host Zine Fair and publication launch

(With thanks to Matt Badham): Manchester Art Gallery is to host a Zine Fair and the launch of a new publication, Dreams Without Frontiers, on Thursday 31st January.

Running fom 5 - 8.45pm, this is the first time the Gallery has hosted a zine fair, which will feature stalls around the ground floor selling self-published magazines and fanzines, small press books, comics, hand-made prints, poetry, and limited run vinyl records.

In an extra busy evening at the Gallery, Dave Haslam will help launch new publication as an accompaniment and response to themes arising from the Gallery's current exhibition Dreams Without Frontiers in the Manchester Gallery.

There will be speeches and readings at 6.45pm. Just turn up and enjoy.

• More info: www.manchestergalleries.org/whats-on/thursday-lates/ (Scroll page down for info)