Broken Frontier

Directly from the Commando HQ comes this message:

Here’s a chance that doesn’t come along every day.
As part of our 50th birthday celebrations, we’ve been having fun choosing some special Commando stories to re-issue. Now we’re giving you the chance to choose your favourite Commando of all time and have it given a fresh airing this September.
Interested? All we need is a title from you. The title with the most nominations will make a fresh journey to the printers. We’ll keep
you up to date with the voting through our website.
Already suggested are:
The Death Or Glory Mob; Mystery In The Desert; Man-Trap!
To add your choice to the list, send your nominations to:
Commando, DC Thomson & Co., Ltd., Albert Square, Dundee DD1 9QJ
Or e-mail your suggestions to: editor@commandomag.com
Or send a message through our website www.commandocomics.com
Nominations close on 19th August 2011 so get your despatches written and sent!
And if you want to, tell us why it’s your favourite. We’d really like to know.
Calum Laird
Commando Editor
PS We’ve a signed cover poster and a signed Carlton Collection waiting for two of you. We’ll choose the names at random from those who make suggestions.

 

Commando 4407 – They Came By Night

BEACON OF DOOM

Without warning the periscope of a U-boat broke the surface. It turned and focussed on the Locksea Lighthouse. Then, slowly, the glistening, black hull of the submarine came up from the depths.
   No one could deny the courage and cool cheek of the Nazi Commander who had made up his mind to capture this vital link in the guiding of our Atlantic convoys.
   Then, into what was to be the most fantastic episodes of the war, sailed Skipper Jimmy Cleeves and his RAF rescue launch K20.

Introduction by Calum Laird, Commando Editor

Nowadays Commando writers have it tough. In our 50 years, loads of plots have been used, and they have to try really hard to find a new angle on things. Back in 1961, though, when Commando first broke cover, the writers had a very open field to work with.
   So you might think that this sixth story to come out would be very straightforward. If you did, you’d be wrong. It has ships, subs, bombers, recce planes, a lighthouse…and even a carrier pigeon.
   Even when they’ve got it easy, Commando authors just can’t help writing cracking stores.

They Came By Night, originally Commando No 6 (August 1961), re-issued as No 2563 (April 1992)

Story: Couglin
Art: Savi
Cover: Ken Barr



Commando 4408  The Cop Who Went To War

Dave Marley was a policeman  and proud of it. When the war came, he joined the Military Police and found that a lot of soldiers acted just like the blokes in civvy street who didn’t want to know a copper until they had trouble.
   But now there was more than brawls and bank robbers to think about. There were difficult problems to be tackled with the added danger of shells and bullets crashing all around. Yes, it was a tough job, being a Military policeman…

Introduction by George Low, former Commando Editor

The Military Police do a difficult and dangerous job, and it’s not always appreciated by the common soldier, sailor or airman. In the rough and tumble of war, men fresh from action often don’t take it well when a Redcap gets on their case. How to win the doubters over? Prove that you are as tough and as capable of dealing with the enemy as the front-line fighters are.
   Roger Montague shows this up well in a crisp 1975 script and Ibanez-Igual did his bit with the line artwork. The cover? That’s Ian Kennedy, of course. He draws a mean motorbike as well as the aircraft he’s renowned for.

The Cop Who Went To War, originally Commando No 982 (November 1975), re-issued as No 2323 (November 1989)

Story: RA Montague
Art: Ibanez-Igual
Cover Art: Ian Kennedy



Commando 4409 Codename: Houdini

Andor Lakatos and his two younger brothers were a popular circus escapology touring Eastern Europe just before the start of the Second World War. When the Germans invaded of Poland in 1939 the three brothers were caught up in the chaos.
   Andor, in particular, was drawn against his will into wartime espionage, given the codename Houdini after the great escapologist.
   With danger at every corner it seemed unlikely even Andor could escape this murky world of shadows and treachery?

Story: Mac MacDonald
Art: Rezzonico
Cover Art: Janek Matysiak



Commando 4410 “Talk…Or Die!”

It seemed a straightforward job, risky but straightforward. Flying a helicopter full of gold out of South Vietnam before the advancing North Vietnamese army got their hands on it.
   As an ex Australian Air Force chopper pilot, Brendan Beckett thought the job would give him no real trouble. So how did he come to be tied to a post, knee-deep in rising water? Well, it’s a long story.

Story: Tom Hart
Art Benet
Cover Art: Benet

Here’s a chance that doesn’t come along every day. As part of our 50th birthday celebrations, we’ve been having fun choosing some special Commando stories to re-issue. Now we’re giving you the chance to choose your favourite Commando of all time and have it given a fresh airing this September. Interested? All we need is a title from you. The title with the most nominations will make a fresh journey to the printers. We’ll keep you up to date with the voting through our website. Already suggested are: The Death Or Glory Mob; Mystery In The Desert; Man-Trap! To add your choice to the list, send your nominations to: Commando, DC Thomson & Co., Ltd., Albert Square, Dundee DD1 9QJ Or e-mail your suggestions to: editor@commandomag.com Or send a message through our website www.commandocomics.com Nominations close on 19th August 2011 so get your despatches written and sent! And if you want to, tell us why it’s your favourite. We’d really like to know. Calum Laird Commando Editor PS We’ve a signed cover poster and a signed Carlton Collection waiting for two of you. We’ll choose the names at random from those who make suggestions.