Commando Comics
Encyclopedia
Commando For Action and Adventure, formerly known as Commando War Stories in Pictures, and colloquially known as Commando Comics, are a series of British comic book
s that primarily draw their themes and backdrops from the various incidents of the World Wars I
and II
. The comic, still in print today, is noted for its distinctive 7 × 5½ inch, 68 page format that became a standard for these kinds of stories. It 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. 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.
, 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.
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, the editor. Landmark Issue no 4000 of Commando- 'Aces All!'- was released in April 2007. If issues continue to be printed at the current rate, Commando No 4500 will be issued in July 2012. In 2011, Commando Comics are celebrating their 50th anniversary of publication, having begun in 1961. They have issued reprints of several of the early Commando stories from the 1960s. Commando in 2011 are currently re-printing (in reverse order) all of the first twelve issues from 1961. Since 2007, half of Commando issues released have been re-prints of earlier stories but the remainder are new and original stories & artwork. A book celebrating the best of Commando comics cover art is planned for release in October 2011.
There have been a large number of writers and artists who have produced the stories in Commando, based in a variety of locations including the UK, Italy & Argentina. One of the earliest artists was Gordon Livingston who was one of the very first artists employed by Commando when it began in 1961. His first issue was Commando No 4-'Mercy for None' first printed in July 1961. Livingston produced the interior story art for over 360 issues of Commando, his last work being issue no 3293-'Sweeney's Island', released in December 1999, the same year he retired. Another early artist was Ken Barr who has produced the cover art for over 200 issues, including the earliest ones printed in 1961. Another notable cover artist was Ian Kennedy
who, since 1970, has produced the cover-art for over 1200 issues of Commando and has also done the interior story art for a number of them (he also worked for Battle, Air Ace & War Picture Libraries
). Another popular artist was Argentinian Jose Marie Jorge who had a distinctive and precise drawing style and who produced the interior art for 163 issues, mostly aviation-themed stories. His work with Commando began in 1969 with issue no 384-'Flying Fury' and he had the honour of illustrating Commando No 4000 in 2007. His final issue was No 4329-'Divided Aces' printed shortly before his death at the age of 69 in October 2010. Commando in its 50-year history has employed 140 writers, over 100 cover artists & 120 interior artists. In February 2011, new editions of Commando became available via digital download.
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.
Two box sets have also been published:
, where they are known by the name "Korkeajännitys", meaning "high tension". 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.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s that primarily draw their themes and backdrops from the various incidents of the World Wars I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The comic, still in print today, is noted for its distinctive 7 × 5½ inch, 68 page format that became a standard for these kinds of stories. It 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. 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 DundeeDundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, in July 1961. It was an addition to the company's already high profile comics, such as The Beano
The Beano
The Beano is a British children's comic, published by D.C. Thomson & Co and is arguably their most successful.The comic first appeared on 30 July 1938, and was published weekly. During the Second World War,The Beano and The Dandy were published on alternating weeks because of paper and ink...
and The Dandy
The Dandy
The Dandy is a long running children's comic published in the United Kingdom by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. The first issue was printed in 1937 and it is the world's third longest running comic, after Detective Comics and Il Giornalino...
. 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.
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, the editor. Landmark Issue no 4000 of Commando- 'Aces All!'- was released in April 2007. If issues continue to be printed at the current rate, Commando No 4500 will be issued in July 2012. In 2011, Commando Comics are celebrating their 50th anniversary of publication, having begun in 1961. They have issued reprints of several of the early Commando stories from the 1960s. Commando in 2011 are currently re-printing (in reverse order) all of the first twelve issues from 1961. Since 2007, half of Commando issues released have been re-prints of earlier stories but the remainder are new and original stories & artwork. A book celebrating the best of Commando comics cover art is planned for release in October 2011.
There have been a large number of writers and artists who have produced the stories in Commando, based in a variety of locations including the UK, Italy & Argentina. One of the earliest artists was Gordon Livingston who was one of the very first artists employed by Commando when it began in 1961. His first issue was Commando No 4-'Mercy for None' first printed in July 1961. Livingston produced the interior story art for over 360 issues of Commando, his last work being issue no 3293-'Sweeney's Island', released in December 1999, the same year he retired. Another early artist was Ken Barr who has produced the cover art for over 200 issues, including the earliest ones printed in 1961. Another notable cover artist was Ian Kennedy
Ian Kennedy
Ian Patrick Kennedy is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.He is 6' 0" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
who, since 1970, has produced the cover-art for over 1200 issues of Commando and has also done the interior story art for a number of them (he also worked for Battle, Air Ace & War Picture Libraries
War Picture Library
War Picture Library was a British 64-page Pocket library war comic title published by Amalgamated Press/Fleetway for 2103 issues...
). Another popular artist was Argentinian Jose Marie Jorge who had a distinctive and precise drawing style and who produced the interior art for 163 issues, mostly aviation-themed stories. His work with Commando began in 1969 with issue no 384-'Flying Fury' and he had the honour of illustrating Commando No 4000 in 2007. His final issue was No 4329-'Divided Aces' printed shortly before his death at the age of 69 in October 2010. Commando in its 50-year history has employed 140 writers, over 100 cover artists & 120 interior artists. In February 2011, new editions of Commando became available via digital download.
- 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 & 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.
- 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 WW2 from the experiences of German combatants whilst #2574-'Giant Duel' was a story about Italian air-force bomber crews in WW2. 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.
Appearance and format
The Commando comic differs from more widely known US comics 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. Since then, there were other collections, some of which were themed. So far these collections are:- The Dirty Dozen (784 pages, November 2005, ISBN 1-84442-307-7)
- 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).
- True Grit (784 pages, October 2006, ISBN 1-84442-121-X)
- 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').
- ANZACs At War (783 pages, August 2007, ISBN 1-84442-059-0) This anthology contains a rare issue set in the Vietnam WarVietnam WarThe Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. This was also published in another edition by Seven-Oaks which featured the same 12 stories but with different cover-art and a different title:-'Commando: The Best 12 Aussie and Kiwi War 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
- All Guns Blazing (784 pages, September 2007, ISBN 1-84442-284-4)
- 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.
- Rumble in the Jungle (784 pages, May 2008, ISBN 1-84442-002-7)
- 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!
- Bandits at 12 O'Clock (784 pages, September 2008, ISBN 1-84732-128-3)
- 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.
- D-Day - Fight or Die! (May 2009, ISBN 1-84732-372-3)
- 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
- Battle of Britain - Scramble! (656 Pages, October 2009, ISBN 1-84732-421-5)
- 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.
- Rogue Raiders (656 Pages, May 2011, ISBN 1-84732-791-5)
- 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.
Two box sets have also been published:
- Commando: Ammo Box (2420 pages, October 2008, ISBN 1-84732-087-2) - contains The Dirty Dozen, True Brit, All Guns Blazing and the very first issue of Commando - Walk or Die!
- Commando: High Explosive (2420 pages, October 2010, ISBN 1-84732-703-6 ) - contains 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.
- :Commando-Tally Ho! (Aerial action)- Carlton Books, July 2011. ISBN-1847328202
- contains 3 issues- Whirlwind!, O for Orange, Hurri to the Rescue.
- :Commando-Banzai! (Pacific War)- Carlton Books, July 2011. ISBN-1847328199
- contains 3 issues- Fight to the Finish, Where the Action is!, The Curse of Nanga-Jevi.
- : Commando-Action Stations! (Naval War)- Carlton Books, July 2011. ISBN-1847328229
- contains 3 issues- Buccaneer Bob RN, Identity Unknown, Rogue Sub.
- : Commando-Achtung!(War in Europe)- Carlton Books, July 2011. ISBN-1847328212
- contains 3 issues- Danger Mountain, Destroy by Fire!, Spearhead.
In other languages
The comics are popular in FinlandFinland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, where they are known by the name "Korkeajännitys", meaning "high tension". Special issues of Korkeajännitys based on Finnish themes have been published by Egmont Publishing
Egmont Publishing
The Egmont Group is a media corporation founded and rooted in Copenhagen, Denmark. The business area of Egmont has traditionally been magazine publishing but has over the years evolved to comprise media generally....
since 1998. These themes include Finnish Civil War
Finnish Civil War
The Finnish Civil War was a part of the national, political and social turmoil caused by World War I in Europe. The Civil War concerned control and leadership of The Grand Duchy of Finland as it achieved independence from Russia after the October Revolution in Petrograd...
, Finnish War
Finnish War
The Finnish War was fought between Sweden and the Russian Empire from February 1808 to September 1809. As a result of the war, the eastern third of Sweden was established as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire...
as well as Winter War
Winter War
The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet offensive on 30 November 1939 – three months after the start of World War II and the Soviet invasion of Poland – and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty...
and Continuation War
Continuation War
The Continuation War was the second of two wars fought between Finland and the Soviet Union during World War II.At the time of the war, the Finnish side used the name to make clear its perceived relationship to the preceding Winter War...
.
These comics have also been published in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, under the title Commando - Sachitra Yudh Kathayein by Gowarsons Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
See also
- List of magazines published in Scotland
- List of DC Thomson publications
- StarblazerStarblazerStarblazer - Space Fiction Adventure in Pictures was a British small-format comics anthology in black and white published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd.-History:...
, a sister publication, with a science fiction theme - Ricardo GarijoRicardo GarijoRicardo Garijo is an award winning author and artist from Argentina, best known for his long career in comics.-Biography:Garijo became known outside his homeland in the early 1980s through his work at D. C...
, long-time illustrator for Commando - Action
- Adventures in the Rifle BrigadeAdventures in the Rifle BrigadeAdventures in the Rifle Brigade is the name of two Vertigo comic book limited series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Carlos Ezquerra. The first series, Adventures in the Rifle Brigade, was released in 2000...
, by Garth EnnisGarth EnnisGarth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise... - BattlefieldsBattlefields (comics)Battlefields is a comic book metaseries written by Garth Ennis, comprising three mini-series, each illustrated by a different artist and published by Dynamite Entertainment.-Publication history:...
by Ennis - Battle Picture WeeklyBattle Picture WeeklyBattle Picture Weekly, at various time also known as Battle Action Force, Battle and Battle with Storm Force, was a British war comic published by IPC Magazines from 8 March 1975 to 23 January 1988, when it merged with Eagle...
- Battler Britton, by Ennis
- Charley's WarCharley's WarCharley's War was British comic strip written by Pat Mills and drawn by Joe Colquhoun. It was originally published in Battle Picture Weekly from January 1979 to October 1985-Publishing history:...
, by Pat MillsPat MillsPat Mills, nicknamed 'the godfather of British comics', is a comics writer and editor who, along with John Wagner, revitalised British boys comics in the 1970s, and has remained a leading light in British comics ever since.... - WarlordWarlord (British comics)Warlord was a comics anthology published weekly in the United Kingdom between 28 September 1974 and 27 September 1986.-Publication history:...
- War Picture LibraryWar Picture LibraryWar Picture Library was a British 64-page Pocket library war comic title published by Amalgamated Press/Fleetway for 2103 issues...
- War StoryWar StoryWar Stories was a comic book series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by a number of artists.-Overview:The series consisted of two, 4-issue mini-series the two series were printed monthly, the first beginning in November 2001 and the second beginning in January 2003.Each mini series consisted...
, by Ennis
External links
- Gott in Himmel!, BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, 27 April 2007 - Commando Comic fansite
- Writing Commando: the Ten Year Veteran