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 books 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 x 5 1/2 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 color. The stories contain certain characteristic motifs; to mention a few - courage, cowardice, patriotism, dying for the sake of one's country, noble actions 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 somewhat dated national stereotypes, glorifying Allied soldiers, and showing others mostly as cruel, stupid or ignorant barbarians. There is no continuity between books and each book is a complete story with start and finish.
Contents |
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 1981 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. [1] As well as the comics, annuals were also produced in the years 1989 and 1990, each containing seven new stories. However, many feel that the production of these annuals was poor and that they were produced to capitalise on the popularity of the comic. The annuals were in full colour and illustrated in the style of the time, not in the original style of the comics.
Appearance and format
The Commando comic differs from more widely known US comics in that it is published in a 7 x 5 1/2 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. The writers and artists are uncredited as is usual for D.C Thomson comics.
Collections
In 2005, Carlton Books Ltd released an anthology of twelve Commando stories selected by George Low, who has edited the series since 1963. So far these collections are:
- Commando:
- The Dirty Dozen: The Best 12 "Commando" Books of All Time (784 pages, November 2005, ISBN 1-84442-307-7)
- True Brit: The Toughest 12 "Commando" Books Ever! (784 pages, October 2006, ISBN 1-84442-121-X)
- ANZACs At War: The Best 12 ANZAC War Stories Ever! (783 pages, 2007) This anthology contains a rare issue set in the Vietnam War.
- All Guns Blazing: The Most Action-Packed "Commando" Books ever!
In other languages
Interestingly, the comics have somewhat of a cult following in Finland, where they are known by the name "Korkeajännitys" (slang term "korkkari"), a pun on the Finnish word for "High Voltage", with a tagline "Iskee kuin miljoona volttia", "hits like a million volts".
See also
- List of magazines published in Scotland
- Starblazer, a sister publication, with a science fiction theme
- Ricardo Garijo, long-time illustrator for Commando
Other similar series:
- Action
- Battle Picture Weekly
- Warlord
- Battler Britton, by Garth Ennis
- Charley's War, by Pat Mills
- Adventures in the Rifle Brigade, by Garth Ennis
