World War I raged in the trenches of Europe another, more unusual campaign was going on in British and German East Africa.
British Lieutenant Trevor Waite and his South African counterpart, Dirk Van Ormer, had taken charge of “Scrapper”, a derelict steamer which they would pilot against sleek German Navy torpedo boats. Not only that, they also had to contend with a nasty Commanding Officer who would gladly see Scrapper put on the scrapheap once again!
Story: George Low
Art: Carlos Pino
Cover: Carlos Pino
One day he was Flight Lieutenant “Topper” Brown — a young, unremarkable pilot and the idea of him becoming an ace was far-fetched.
Then he was shot up and crash-landed. Out of the flames rose a new Topper — a pilot who could flay anything with wings; an ace who could outwit the Luftwaffe and who could hold a Spitfire in flaming shreds together long enough to clear the skies of Nazis.
However, his mates said Topper wasn’t like himself these days. In fact they suspected he wasn’t even human anymore!
Introduction
This offbeat outing from June 1966 is certainly different from traditional Commando fare and that’s why I thought it deserved another airing. Although the story of potential extra-terrestrial influence upon an average British pilot does stretch credibility a tad, it’s done with such panache that any accusations of being far-fetched are easily forgiven. Fantastic script, art — Medrano’s interior line work simply is stunning — and cover perfectly combine here for a wonderfully oddball yarn.—Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor
Story: Alan Hebden
Art: Medrano
Cover: Buccheri
Space Pilot, originally Commando No 217 (June 1966), re-issued as No 863 (August 1974)
John “Bronco” Bronson was a ranch hand in Arizona who became interested in fledgling flying machines such as the Wright model B.
With World War I at its peak in Europe, the American wanted to do his duty, even though the United States had not yet joined the conflict. He enlisted with the Royal Flying Corps and soon was at the controls of a Bristol F2B aircraft duelling with enemy Albatros fighters high above the trenches of the Western Front.
Bronco was unique…the War’s only flying cowboy!
Story: Bill Styles
Art: Vicente Alcazar
Cover: Janek Matysiak
Sammy Baker’s Ventura Squadron had everything going for it — brand new planes, top-line aircrew, the lot. So how come they got hacked out of the sky on nearly every air raid? The answer was obvious — there had to be a spy on the station, telling the enemy when the raids were coming.
But who was the spy? And how quickly could they find him? Because until they did, every raid was doomed, right from the moment of take-off!
Introduction
Our hero is Sammy Baker, a dependable bomber commander in the best Commando tradition. However, poor Sammy is upstaged by Van Dyke — a surly goat with a penchant for chasing pilots and chewing on their caps. The horned squadron mascot definitely steals the show (as well as any R.A.F. headgear that he can). However, despite these high jinks, there is a still a fairly serious espionage tale at the heart of this book.—Scott Montgomery, Deputy Editor
Story: R.A. Montague
Art: Giralt
Cover: Ian Kennedy
Doomed Squadron, originally Commando No 1198 (February 1978), re-issued as No 2499 (September 1991)
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