Achtung! Commando gets a revamp
THEIR stirring tales of wartime derring-do have enthralled generations of British schoolchildren since they were first published more than half a century ago.
But now Commando books are aiming to crack the growing adult comic-book market with a range of harder-edged, more realistic stories.
The comic’s Dundee-based publisher, DC Thomson & Co, which also produces The Beano, is teaming up with the UK’s leading publisher of military history books, Osprey Publishing, to release a series of gritty, illustrated stories, based on actual historical battles.
The series of 180-page books will combine a full-colour comic strip with detailed text about the real-life events that inspired the story, written by a leading expert on the subject.
Commando editor Calum Laird said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to fuse our strengths to create the best comics of war ever.’
Since their launch in 1961, more than 4,800 Commando picture books have been published, at the rate of eight a month.
Most of the adventure stories are set during the Second World War and feature the heroic exploits of Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen as they battled the Nazis.
But whereas Commando comics are aimed at a pre-teen readership and the stories are entirely fictionalised, the new range of ‘graphic’ books is intended more for an adult audience, with stories based on actual missions and battles.
Tim Collins, Commando’s head of brands, said: ‘Commando’s stories of action and adventure have been continuously published for over 50 years and we’re really pleased to combine our fictional expertise with the factual strength of the Osprey collections.’
Founded i n 1968, Osprey Publishing has released more than 2,500 military history titles. The publishing house’s managing director Richard Sullivan said: ‘I am very excited to be working with Commando. I grew up with their comics and their commitment to telling classic war stories remains undimmed.’