It has thrilled generations of children with its action-packed stories of wartime derring-do.
Now the world’s longest-running – and last – war comic is celebrating the release of its 6,000th issue this month.
Commando, published by Dundee-based DC Thomson, first hit the newsagents’ shelves in July 1961 with the debut story Walk – Or Die.
Since then, eight issues a month have been produced, half of them new, original stories, and half reprints of classic issues.
The front cover of the 6,000th edition of Commando magazine
Comedian Al Murray, left, and historian James Holland, who host the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast, who have written the most recent edition
Over 65 years, the title’s format has remained virtually unchanged, with each 64-page, pocket-sized issue featuring a story illustrated with 135 black and white pictures, drawn by some of the world’s leading comic book artists.
Although most of its stories are set during the two World Wars, in recent years more recent conflicts, including the Falklands, Vietnam and the Gulf war have also featured, while some stories have been set in outer space.
The 6,000th issue is based on a story by stand-up comedian and self-confessed Second World War fanatic Al Murray and military historian James Holland.
Entitled Sweet Revenge, it follows a British veteran of the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 as he returns to fight in France when he’s dropped into Normandy on D-Day by glider.
The landmark issue is out on September 21.
