Commando No 4707 – Tough To Kill
With the German Blitzkreig in full flow, retreating British forces were headed for the evacuation at Dunkirk.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Campbell — a tough, impulsive Hurricane pilot who wasn’t so good at following orders — had ended up in the brig to teach him a lesson.
His base overrun, Jimmy was determined to fight the enemy with whatever weapon he could lay his hands on — even a cricket bat!
Story: David Turner
Art: Vicente Alcazar
Cover: Janek Matysiak
Commando No 4908 – Gunboat Jim
“Gunboat Jim” was the nickname he earned in the end. But for a long time before that young Sub-Lieutenant Jim Potter was “Calamity Jim” to everyone.
He could never take the wheel of one of the high-speed flotilla’s boats without running her slap-bang into trouble.
Introduction
Our endearing eponymous character always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and doesn’t have much luck. Therefore, he is seen as a “Jonah” — a jinx on the high seas.
One particularly obnoxious fellow crewman is convinced that poor Jim Potter will bring down their ship but, since Jim is a true Commando hero, we know that he is made of sterner stuff.
This is a solid, entertaining sea tale, nicely drawn by Sostres.
Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor
Gunboat Jim, originally Commando No 213 (May 1966)
Story: Clegg
Art: Sostres
Cover: Buccheri
Commando No 4909 – Escape Or Death
Captain Jon Laker and Lieutenant Rodney Smythe-Simmons were stuck in a remote P.O.W. camp in desolate Poland. Both came from aristocratic families and this made them viable candidates for an important Nazi prisoner exchange operation.
However, when the chance to escape unexpectedly came their way both men knew they had to seize it…or die trying.
Story: George Low
Art: Jaume Forns
Cover: Ian Kennedy
Commando No 4910 – The Long Chase
The Sunderland hurtled in like an avenging angel and two depth charges fell from beneath her wings. Seconds later two explosions signalled the end of the U-boat beneath her. Flight-Lieutenant Jack Gregory and his crew were jubilant, for the weary months of training and patrolling had paid off.
But they wouldn’t have been so happy had they known this was only the start of a long chase that would take them the length and breadth of a snow-covered Hebridean island…on foot!
Introduction
This is a fantastic air, land and sea story. I love it when Commando combines all three basic genre types and The Long Chase is a master class in doing so with complete success.
The remote Hebridean island here is an excellent, imposing setting for an adventure tale that never lets up. There’s a great script by Bill Fear, a dynamic cover by Ian Kennedy and fellow veteran interior artist Gordon Livingstone delivers stunning page after page, all rendered in his trademark style.
Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor
The Long Chase, originally Commando No 1210, (March 1978), re-issued as No 2515 (November 1991)