Commando
Issues 5007-10
All set in different
conflicts during WWII and following very different protagonists, the latest
four issues of Commando deal with themes of duty and heroism, pushing the
boundaries of both qualities and blurring the divide between the Allies and the
Axis.
Our latest Home of Heroes issue, 5007: Ghost Ship deals with the WWII HMS
Sheridan, a British Navy Destroyer on her last voyage. Writing duo Jim and
David Turner’s story follows the Sheridan as she sails off the coast of South
America, towards the Antarctic under new and inexperienced Commander Shaw, who
does not respect his men, pushing them to mutiny as he recklessly pursues the
mysterious Ghost Ship. Keeping in tune with Janek Matysiak’s dark and violent
ocean on the cover, Keith Page’s interior artwork contrasts the icy blacks of
the perilous south Atlantic against the towering, jagged white icebergs that
threaten death at every turn.
STORY Jim and David Turner | ART Keith Page | COVER Janek Matysiak
Then, in a reprint from our Gold Collection, issue 5008: Operation
Castaway offers a warmer backdrop, with lurid reds and yellows on the cover.
Set mainly on the south Pacific Island of Taraka, Gordon C. Livingstone’s
American style of illustration emphasises a tropical paradise, disguising the
dangers that lurk within the foliage. Lester’s story focuses on the partnership
between arrogant Yankee General ‘Fireball’ Flynn, whose plane has crashed on
the island, and no nonsense British Sergeant Frank Preston who is tasked with
rescuing him. There’s plenty of action and heroism in this issue, with Preston
even clinging to a submarine’s broken periscope, with only his head above the
water, to direct the sub safely through enemy waters.
(Originally issue 323)
However, in issue 5009, Ferg Handley’s Patrol Boast Prisoners, heroism
and duty are brought into question. Showing the maturing values of Commando,
this issue features less of the 1960’s hair raising action in favour of a more
grounded story and an insight to pacifism. Set in Autumn, 1944, patrol torpedo
boat Lieutenant Mark Murdoch captures two Japanese officers, one of which has
lost faith in Japan’s cause, believing that the attack on Pearl Harbour brought
them dishonour. Murdoch too expresses a
disinterest in the war, fighting only because of his duty and his men. This is
again emphasised by the gritty realism of Janek Matysiak’s cover and Jaume
Forn’s interior art, which juxtaposes the mammoth ships against the small and
indistinguishable figures of the men who fought on either side of the war.
Finally, issue 5010: Treasure Hunt, a 1990’s reprint again follows a
similar theme as Roger Sanderson’s story causes us to question if we can trust
our enemies more than our allies? Focusing on a Nazi protagonist, Erhardt
Schroider is given a sympathetic light as he detests his superiors for their
indulgences while him men starve. Then, betrayed by his C.O., Schroider
surrenders to the allies, striking a deal to give them information in order to
save his men. Ian Kennedy’s cover is stylish and eye catching as always, with
the title in a shocking mauve, and like Keith Shone’s interior art, details the
Nazi, French and British uniforms with the historical accuracy that Commando is
known for.
STORY Roger Sanderson | ART Keith Shone | COVER Ian Kennedy
(Originally issue 2578)
No comments:
Post a Comment