Reinforcements Have Arrived: Knights And Stabby Boys

 Taking a break from the commando posts for a moment to update you on the status of my Toy Soldier Army. I've had some more stuff come through, partially from Ebay and partially from Southsea Car Boot Sale. 

 I don't want to post everything but I did get some interesting stuff so here we go.  Let's start with this odd couple...

Just to show you what a job lot can throw up, what we have here is a grizzled old dude from the Wild West. A townsman who's finally taking up arms against them, thar  cattle rustlers. 

Right next to him is  - I think - a Greek soldier in traditional uniform. I didn't know anybody made those so it's nice to have. 

 Sticking with the "Motley" theme we have these:

 A native American warrior, an unidentified rifleman , a fast-moving GI and two brightly coloured dudes with blades.

 I think these might be pirates but given the bare chests and bare scalps, they might also be some sort of martial arts warrior.  Makes a change from generic Airfix knockoffs, I feel.

 I also got a load of KNIGHTS. 

 Heroic Silver knights both afoot and a-horse. 

 And Dastardly Black knights intent on mayhem. Obviously I then had to do this:

FIGHT

 That's All Folks!

 

When Commando Gets Creepy: Cursed.

 Hello and welcome back

 This is the third post in this series looking at long-running British comic Commando, and more specifically issues where things get supernatural.

 

 So far we've covered stories where characters deal with something that may or may not be paranormal but is (usually) helpful.

 This is about the other side.

 Literally.

The characters are Axis pilots and assholes to boot.  Since Commando is old-fashioned about such things and has never liked anti-heroes, this is not going to end well.  

   

Commando 1559: Squadron Of Doom (1981)

 I am 90% sure I read this one when I was a kid.

The Story:  Occupied France 1941ish.  Members of an elite Luftwaffe fighter unit decide to jazz up their BF109s with personal markings. A local artist does the work but then gets stiffed on his money. And humiliated. And his pet bird gets killed. 

 I suspect it's that last one that really pushed him into Vengeance is mine territory. One good cursing later and the Nazi wankers start meeting unfortunate and improbable deaths, each being directly related to the design they chose. The guy with a lightning bolt hits electric pylons, the guy with the hammer design gets a hammer dropped on his head. You get the picture. 

 The pilots quickly work out what's going on and start freaking out. Or rather, some do, others scoff.  It's a bit Final destination, really.

This is a theme Commando used several times, with slight variations, and it does work quite well.  The artwork (uncredited) is neat and if you look at the cover the expression on the pilot's face is marvellous. Commando cover artists  really need more appreciation. 

 

Commando 3427 : Strike Them Down (1986. Reprinted 2001)

 Another Axis squadron gets Voodoo-ed. Don't feel bad for them 

  The Story: Burma 1944-ish. With the Allies dominating the skies, an elite Zero unit is moved into a hidden airstrip to cause some mayhem. But first, some of them take a break to desecrate a local shrine. The priest warns them that the gods of Air, earth, fire and water will not be happy. 

  The Japanese promptly use the shrine statues for target practice and swagger off. 

You know what's coming next. 

The four pilots die horribly but with a definite karmic justice. Serves them right.  

If this was written today I wonder if they would make the pilots British instead. I guess that would depend on the writer. Maybe Garth Ennis needs to take a crack at something like this.  

 Can I remind you all that this is a children's comic.  Bloody hell, kids in the 1970s and 80s were bloodthirsty little sods. 

Anyway, that's it for now but I still have more Creepy Commando to post. Check back soon.

That's All Folks.