Now BOMBER BRADDOCK returns to comics

Just two weeks after bringing back Lord Peter Flint in their Codename Warlord issue of Commando, D.C. Thomson are reviving another classic war comics character. Braddock returns this Thursday in Commando No.5259 in a new story written by Ferg Handley with art by Morhain and Defeo. The issue will also carry a new imprint: Victor Files, reflecting the fact that Braddock used to appear in the long running Victor weekly. 

We already know another Warlord character will star in a Commando edition soon, and no doubt other Victor characters will turn up in issues too. (Another Braddock story is lined up for issue 5267.) An exciting time for fans of those vintage comics, and a good way to introduce new readers to the characters.


Here's the PR from D.C. Thomson....

Bomber Braddock returns in the pages of Commando.

Commando presents the return of working class bomber pilot Matt Braddock to comic pages for the first time in over twenty years.

Published since 1961 by DC Thomson Media, Commando is Britain’s longest-running war comic, with over five thousands issues to its name. Unlike other DC Thomson titles, Commando has persevered almost unchanged since its first issues but now, something new comes to its pocket sized, black and white interiors pages. A mainstay of DC Thomson storytelling, Braddock first appeared in prose adventures in The Rover, before being developed into a comic strip for The Victor and later, Warlord. Now Braddock comes to Commando pages, clashing with superiors and team-mates alike as he establishes himself in the RAF. 

First published in 1952 as story papers in The Rover, the original Bomber Braddock adventures were collected into prose books such as I Flew with Braddock, and Braddock and the Flying Tigers, and his comic adventures featured prominently in The Victor.

Having previously been written from the perspective of his navigator George Bourne, Braddock’s latest interpretation is from long established Commando writer, Ferg Handley, who does away with third party perspective and gives Matt the objective space to evolve from flawed rookie with attitude to true bombing hero. On writing Braddock, Handley says:

“Sometimes, dreams do come true. As a boy, I loved reading the war stories in Commando and The Victor, so imagine my delight when I was offered the chance to revive one of DC Thomson’s old characters for Commando. I was given a list to choose from, and when I saw the name Braddock, I knew that this was the one for me. My father was a wireless operator/air gunner in Bomber Command during the war, so I’ve always been drawn to RAF stories.

I was tempted to dive straight in and write up a story. But on reflection, and after checking out Braddock’s early adventures, I decided to go for a full reboot and begin telling the pilot’s story from the very start. Braddock had found it hard to join the RAF as a pilot due to his background, so that made for some interesting incidents at the beginning of his career. And once he’d been accepted, the Battles of France and Britain made for some great action scenes, as the rookie struggled to make his mark.”

Artists Morhain and Defeo faithfully capture many of the details of Braddock’s missions as well as his no-nonsense attitude, while Keith Burns adds the well-known drama and flair of Braddock’s character to stunning wraparound covers.

Sergeant Matt Braddock follows Lord Peter Flint in a series of characters from DC Thomson’s archives to be brought back in the pages of Commando.

Commando Issues 5259 ‘Braddock’ and 5267 ‘Braddock: Demons’ are out 5th September and 3rd October in select WHSmith stores or digitally via the Comixology or Readly apps. Alternatively orders can be placed by emailing shop@dctmedia.co.uk


5259: Home of Heroes: Braddock 

| Story | Ferg Handley | Art | Morhain and Defeo | Cover | Keith Burns |

5267: Home of Heroes: Braddock: Demons 

| Story | Ferg Handley | Art | Morhain and Defeo | Cover | Keith Burns |