Commando (comics)

Commando

Commando 4068 cover art by Ian Kennedy
Publication information
Publisher D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd
Schedule Four issues every two weeks
Format Ongoing series
Genre
Publication date July 1961 – present
No. of issues 4,958 (as of October 2016)
Collected editions
The Dirty Dozen ISBN 1-84442-307-7
True Brit ISBN 1-84442-121-X
ANZACs At War ISBN 1-84442-059-0
All Guns Blazing ISBN 1-84442-284-4
Rumble in the Jungle ISBN 1-84442-002-7
Bandits at 12 O'Clock ISBN 1-84732-128-3
D-Day - Fight or Die! ISBN 1-84732-372-3
Battle of Britain - Scramble! ISBN 1-84732-421-5
Rogue Raiders ISBN 1-84732-791-5
Over the Top! ISBN 1-85375-913-9

Commando For Action and Adventure, formerly known as Commando War Stories in Pictures, and colloquially known as Commando Comics, is a British comic book magazine that primarily draw its themes and backdrops from the various incidents of the World Wars I and II. It was first published in July 1961 and is still in print today. It's noted for its distinctive 7 × 5½ inch, 68 page format that became a standard for these kinds of stories. "Commando" has remained more popular than many other British war comics, and some would say British comics in general, despite its simplistic stories and simply sketched black and white artwork, with only the covers in colour.

The stories contain certain characteristic motifs; to mention a few - courage, cowardice, patriotism, dying for the sake of one's country, noble actions, and making a cup of refreshing tea while in the face of danger, enmity turning into friendship when the going gets tough, and so on. Apart from portraying these universal qualities, Commando Comics also show soldiers in national stereotypes, glorifying Allied soldiers, but showing soldiers as a mixture of good and evil.[1] There was usually no continuity between books; each book was a complete story with start and finish, though recently series (2 or 3 stories) of books following the same character have been published.

Publication history

The comic series, then going by the title Commando War Stories in Pictures, was launched by D.C. Thomson of Dundee, Scotland, in July 1961. It was an addition to the company's already high-profile comics, such as The Beano and The Dandy. During its launch year two issues were published per month, but due to the comic's increasing popularity this rose to four a month. Since 1971 there have been eight issues published per month. As of issue 539, certain stories have been reprinted. In September 1993 the comic title changed to Commando For Action and Adventure. The last issue to feature the former title was issue 2690, Password to Freedom, published in August. The first comic to feature the new title was issue 2691, A Race Against Time, published the following month.[2]

As well as the comics, annuals were also produced in 1989 and 1990, each containing seven new stories. The annuals were in full colour and illustrated in the style of the time, not in the original style of the comics.

At its peak in terms of sales, in one month during the 1970s, Commando comics circulation figures reached 750,000 according to George Low, who began working with Commando in 1963 and retired as editor in 2007.[3][4] Current circulation is 9,600 copies a fortnight per issue.[5] The current editor is Calum Laird.[6]

Landmark Issue no 4000 of Commando- 'Aces All!'- was released in April 2007.[3] If issues continue to be printed at the current rate, Commando No 5000 will be released in 2017.[7] In 2011, Commando Comics celebrated their 50th anniversary of publication, having begun in 1961.[8] They issued reprints of several of the early Commando stories from the 1960s.[9] Commando in 2011 re-printed (in reverse order) all of the first twelve issues from 1961.[10] Since 2007, half of Commando issues released have been re-prints of earlier stories but the remainder are new and original stories & artwork.[11] A book celebrating the best of Commando comics cover art was released in October 2011.[12] In 2011, new editions of Commando became available via digital download.[13]

In June 2013, it was announced that Commando Comics, whilst still owned by D C Thomson based in Dundee, would now be printed by GGP Media in Germany.[5][6][14]

Artists & Writers

Commando in its 50-year history has employed 140 writers, over 100 cover artists & 120 interior artists.[11] These artists & writers have been based in a variety of locations including the UK, Italy & Argentina. Notable artists who have worked on Commando include:-

Themes & Stories

In the early years, all of Commando stories were devoted to the Second World War but in more recent decades, the comic has extended its range to a variety of conflicts including the First World War, the Cold War, Spanish Civil War, the Falklands, Korea, Vietnam and even ancient and medieval conflicts. A handful of issues have also dealt with fictional conflicts such as civil wars fought between imaginary states and there have even been a small number of Western & Science Fiction stories released by Commando.[23] One example was issue no 4139-Rebel Army, set in immediate aftermath of the US Civil War in the 1860s. Another was issue no 2774-Space Watch, a science-fiction adventure about spaceship battles. In more recent decades, Commando have been also willing to portray conflicts through the viewpoint of soldiers on the opposite side. Issues such as #2598-Let Me Fly & #2713-The Flying Musketeers portrayed World War II from the experiences of German combatants whilst #2574-Giant Duel was a story about Italian air-force bomber crews in World War II. Issue No 2445-Iron Cross Yank featured a German ex-Luftwaffe pilot who is allowed to join the US air-force and fight in the Korean War. Issue No 1168-Thunderbolt was notable for including a sympathetic portrayal of a Japanese pilot.

Despite the emphasis placed on action & adventure, the creators of Commando have placed great importance on achieving historical and technical accuracy as much as possible. The second editor of Commando, Ian Forbes, served in the British Army during the Second World War. George Low remarked that Forbes always had a great respect for the Germans and that it was important that distinctions be made between fanatical Nazis and the ordinary German soldiers.[4]

Appearance and format

The Commando comic differs from the more widely known American comic book in that it is published in a 7 × 5½ inch, 68 page format, with some 135 panels per story, which is roughly similar to a standard 22 page US comic. Most panels have both captions and dialogue to further the plot. Sound effects are rarely if ever used. The intention is to make a Commando story easy to read and follow.

The artwork is in black and white except for the covers, with the lettering done in typewriter font. Until recently writers and artists went uncredited as usual for D.C Thomson comics, though now a small grenade icon appears on the first panel, crediting individuals with story, art and cover.

Collected editions

In 2005, Carlton Books Ltd released an anthology of twelve Commando stories selected by George Low, who has edited the series since 1963. This proved a commercial success and further anthology collections have been published, some of which are themed. To date, these collections are:

Containing 12 issues: Inland Navy, Rileys Rifle, Aces Wild, Trouble Spot, Mustang Patrol, Death Patrol, The Ship Busters, Battle Wagon, Three...Two...One...Zero!, March of the Monsters, Man of Iron, Glider Ace. (This book was also published in two other editions, one called 'The 12 Best Commando Stories ever' (with different cover art also) and the other entitled 'Call of Battle', published by Seven-Oaks in 2009 which had identical cover-art to 'Dirty Dozen' but contained 10 of the above 12 stories).
Containing 12 issues: Guns on the Peak, The Fighting Few, Bright Blade of Courage, The Haunted Jungle, Tiger in the Tail, The Specialists, VLR-Very Long Range, The Mighty Midget, Flak Fever, Fight or Die!, Fearless Freddy, Another Tight Spot. (This book has been also published in two other editions- one in 2009 with the same cover-art and same title- 'True Grit' -but with 10 of the above 12 stories, and the other in 2007 with all 12 stories but with different cover-art and title-'The 12 Toughest Commando Stories Ever').
Containing 12 issues: Maori Challenge, The Forgotten Five, War in the Wet, Test By Battle, Regan's Raiders, Killing Zone, Outback Army, Sub-Chaser, Secret in the Sand, Island of Fear, Outlaw from the Outback, The Warlord
Containing 12 issues: Fire Over England, Desert Fox, Danger in the Deep, The Desert of Death, The Savage Sky, The Death or Glory Mob, Zero Smasher, Island of Death, Sea Strike, Assassin!, They Flew by Night, Colonel Scarface.
Containing 12 issues: Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor, Jungle Madness, Mighty Maguire, Leave Him Behind!, Jungle Patrol, Grudge Fight, Into the Jungle, Jungle Sniper, The Black Pagoda, Jungle Express, Halt-Or Die!, Danger Everywhere!
Containing 12 issues: Battle Squadron, Son of a Traitor, Death of a Wimpey, The Silver Spitfire, Sailor with Wings, Lone Eagle, Sea Blitz, A Stirling called Satan, Low-Level Lanc, Black Zero, Mosquito Ace, Jet Blitz.
Containing 12 issues: Ambush at Dawn, The Strongpoint, Normandy Drop, Wrong Time-Wrong Place, Big Joe, Blood of Heroes, D-Day Drop, Operation Bulldog, Wolf Pack, Man of Iron, Big Guy, The Footsloggers
Containing 10 issues: The Flying Avengers, Upside-Down Ace, Battle of the Boffins, Winged Wolves, Danger Below, Czech Mate, Squadron Scramble, No Mercy, Spitfire Spirit, Death of a Cobra.
Containing 10 issues: Operation Firebrand!, Half-Pint Commando, Terror Team, The Iron Sergeant, Time of Terror, The Mad Major, Spring the Trap, A Born Leader, Marked Man, Ten Tough Paratroopers.
Containing 10 issues: The Family Honour, Tin Can Warriors, Submarine Warriors, Killers in No-Man's Land, Mooney's Monster, Mongrel Squadron, Roar of the Guns, Duel over the Desert, Battling Bessie, Sentenced to Death!

Two box sets have also been published:

Containing The Dirty Dozen, True Brit, All Guns Blazing and the very first issue of Commando - Walk or Die!
Containing Bandits at 12 O'Clock, Rumble in the Jungle, D-Day: Fight or Die! and the second issue of Commando - 'They Called Him Coward!'

In July 2011, Carlton Books Ltd began releasing smaller, 'pocket-sized' collections of Commando Comics edited by Calum Laird, each edition featuring three stories published in the original size, a similar format to the original 'Holiday Specials' released by Battle & Air Ace Picture Libraries.

containing 3 issues: Whirlwind!, O for Orange, Hurri to the Rescue.
containing 3 issues: Fight to the Finish, Where the Action is!, The Curse of Nanga-Jevi.
containing 3 issues: Buccaneer Bob RN, Identity Unknown, Rogue Sub.
containing 3 issues: Danger Mountain, Destroy by Fire!, Spearhead.
containing 3 issues: Ghost Pilot, Hoodoo Ace, Deck-Level Dawson
containing 3 issues: Java Sea Jinx, Dive! Dive! Dive!, "The Silent Service.
containing 3 issues: Sabotage, The Secret Heroes, Ramsey's Raiders.
containing 3 issues: Fighting Fool!, Oasis of Death, Chariot of War.
containing 3 issues: Trail of the Tiger, Bring on the Tanks, A Tank called Tessie.
containing 3 issues: Glider Strike, Ten Tough Paratroopers, Strike at Sundown.
containing 3 issues: Into Bandit Country, One Man's War, Spy Trap.
containing 3 issues: The Secret Heroes, Sabotage!, Raiders on the Rampage.
containing 3 issues: Operation Valhalla, Rocket Strike, Project Doomsday.

In August 2013, Prion (Carlton) Books released collections of Commandoes that each featured six stories, published in the original size. Please note, these editions feature stories already included in the earlier anthologies.

containing 6 issues: Rileys Rifle, Death Patrol, Guns on the Peaks, Battle Wagon, Man of Iron, The Haunted Jungle.
containing 6 issues: Trouble Spot, Three-Two-One-Zero!, The Specialists, VLR-Very Long Range, Fight or Die!, Fearless Freddy.
containing 6 issues: Aces Wild, Mustang Patrol, Glider Ace, The Fighting Few, Tiger in the Tail, Flak Fever.
containing 6 issues: Inland Navy, The Ship-Busters, March of the Monsters, Bright Blade of Courage, Mighty Midget, Another Tight Spot.

In other languages

The comics were popular in Finland, where they were known by the name "Korkeajännitys", meaning "high excitement" - it's a wordplay, referring to "korkeajännite", which would mean "high voltage". Hence the tagline: "Iskee kuin miljoona volttia", meaning "Strikes like a million volts". The term "korkeajännitys" doesn't exist in Finnish language outside this wordplay. Special issues of Korkeajännitys based on Finnish themes have been published by Egmont Publishing since 1998. These themes include Finnish Civil War, Finnish War as well as Winter War and Continuation War.

These comics have also been published in India in Hindi, under the title Commando - Sachitra Yudh Kathayein by Gowarsons Publishers Pvt. Ltd.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Commando, Private Apache, No. 912, P.46, Nazi says "Ja, more British to kill", fellow soldier is shown thinking "This man is truly evil, how can he think like this?"
  2. ↑ "British Picture Libraries". Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Official Commando pressrelease for issue 4000: This Means War!". Where Eagles Dare. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011.
  4. 1 2 Hastings, Rob (9 August 2011). "50 years of war: Adaptable 'Commando' comic still going strong". Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  5. 1 2 "Commando comic printing moves from Suffolk to Germany". BBC News. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  6. 1 2 McBeth, Jim. "Britain’s sole surviving war comic Commando will now be printed in Germany, publishers announce". BBB News. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013.
  7. ↑ Whittle, Vic (2015). "Commando Titles 4001-5000". British Comics.
  8. ↑ "War comic Commando marks 50 years". BBC News. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  9. ↑ Stringer, Lew (6 January 2011). "Commando comic begins its 50th Anniversary". Blimey! The Blog of British Comics!. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Richardson, Peter (27 January 2011). "Commando Hits It's Half Century". Cloud 109. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  11. 1 2 "Gott in Himmel!". BBC News. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  12. ↑ Richardson, Peter (21 June 2011). "Commando - A Birthday Looms.". Cloud 109. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  13. ↑ http://scifipulse.net/?p=41733
  14. ↑ McBeth, Jim (20 June 2013). "Behind enemy lines! Britain's last war comic Commando For Action and Adventure moves printing... to Germany". Daily Mail. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Gordon Livingstone Tribute". British Comics. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  16. ↑ "Ken Barr Cover Titles". British Comics. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "John Ridgway Titles". British Comics. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "Denis McLoughlin Tribute". British Comics. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  19. ↑ "Commando Artist Interview: Ian Kennedy". Commando Comics. 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "Farewell, Jose Maria Jorge". British Comics Miscellany. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Steve (8 October 2010). "Josè Maria Jorge (1940-2010)". Bear Alley. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "Keith Page Titles". British Comics. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  23. ↑ "Two interesting Commando’s…". British Comics Miscellany. 11 October 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
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