The second set of Commando issues to celebrate the comic's 50th anniversary are in the shops today. Two brand new editions plus two classics from the archives. Here's the briefing from editor Calum Laird at Commando HQ...
Commando 4359: Johnny The Jinx
Gremlins, leprechauns — call them what you like — they all had it in for Lieutenant Johnny Dawson. He was the sort of bloke whose Sten would suddenly jam for no reason, or he’d be the one in a million who’d be issued with the grenade with a faulty fuse.
Yes, Johnny had a real JINX. He didn’t like it, the top brass didn’t like it and, most important, Johnny’s men didn’t like it. In fact if his luck didn’t change soon he’d have a mutiny on his hands.
Story: Eric Hebden
Inside Art: Alonso
Cover Art: Lopez Espi
Originally No 301 for 1967, re-issued in 1976 as 1019
Remembered by Calum/the editor from childhood and re-issued as part of the 50th anniversary programme.
Commando 4360: Flying Fury
Painted on the fuselage of Otto Koll’s Messerschmitt fighter were many RAF roundels, the number of Spitfires and Hurricanes he had shot down. He was a master-flyer. He reigned supreme.
But there’s a lot of truth in the old saying, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
All the RAF needed was something impossible…a pilot who could out-fly and out-fight Germany’s best!
Story: Ken Gentry
Inside Art: José Maria Jorge
Cover Art: Sanfeliz
Originally No 384 from 1969, re-issued as No 1107 in 1977.
Chosen by former editor George Low to be re-issued as part of the 50th anniversary programme. This was the late José Maria’s first book for Commando.
Commando 4361: FREE FRENCH ACE
Although he had been born in France, Mike Perrin grew up in Great Britain and considered himself to be English. Furthermore, he blamed the French and their early surrender to Germany for the deaths of his parents.
When Mike passed out as a fighter pilot his Gallic heritage saw him posted — mistakenly, he believed — to a Free French squadron. He didn’t want to be there and made no bones about it. This bad attitude was going to get him into a lot of trouble…
Story: Ferg Handley
Inside Art: Rezzonico
Cover Art: Ian Kennedy
Commando No 4362: Mountain Warriors
They looked comical in their striped robes and leading their mules. But the Goumiers were soldiers through and through, fighting for France against all comers in North Africa.
Make no mistake, these mountain warriors were silent, dangerous…and deadly!
Story: Alan Hebden
Inside Art: Keith Page
Cover Art: Keith Page
The working title for this tale was The Goum Show — Goumiers are often referred to as Goums. And it is not the first Commando cover to feature a donkey.
Visit the new-look Commando website:
http://www.commandocomics.com/
There's no evidence of any progression between Jose Maria Jorge's first and last Commando issues... but only because there didn't need to be! He was evidently incredibly talented at comic at right from the off
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