The Commando Interviews Part 6 - Interview with Commando connoisseur Andrew McCallum
In our sixth interview that deals with classic warcomic Commando, we put the spotlight on Andrew McCallum, one of the rare few that now owns a complete run of the title. As the comicbook draws ever closer to issue 4000, this is no small feat.
First things first, can you tell us a little about yourself?
- Yes. I am 37 years old, a Police Officer and a father to Jonathon who is 9 years old, and Harry, who is 4 years. My wife Heather and I have been married for 14 years. I have lived in the UK, Australia, and South Africa. We are settled now in England and enjoying family life! One day I hope to get my PPL.
I understand that you recall your first meeting with the comicbook Commando very well?
- Absolutely. In 1974 when I was only 7 years old, my family and I emmigrated to Australia. At the airport my dad gave me a copy of a Commando comic with a Spitfire on the cover. I drooled over the art a lot before I read the story. He said it would keep me from getting bored on the flight! It did of course!
Can you even recall what issue it was that you read on that flight?
- I think it was "Spider's Web", drawn by Ian Kennedy. It was a fantastic story about a secret Luftwaffe base in a mountain.
Do you think that your father may have read Commando himself in his younger days and that he passed the torch so to speak when he gave you a copy?
- Definately. My Dad never kept his though. He bought them, read them and gave them away. It's true that boys never grow up! Jonathon currently likes the stories about knights and medievel times, though they're not my cup of tea - give me Spitfire's any day!
Have you been a faithful buyer ever since that first issue or has the collecting been more spread out over periods?
- The latter. I can safely say I lost interest temporarily when I discovered girls, motorbikes and when I got my first job (not in that order!). But as life settles down and I experience more than one mid-life crisis, I have re-discovered the joy of reading and collecting the comics. Mostly though I love the artwork.
Can you describe what it is that attracts you to this title so much?
- Sure, I think it is that in such a handy-sized little book you have a complete story. I think we all identify in one way or another with the key character. For years I was Battler Britton. I was always aware though that the dark side of war was just beyond being portrayed in the stories. Each comic was an education in a different theatre of war. Even today I appreciate the research that the authors and artists put into each story, no matter how loosely portrayed.
When did you decide to get all the backissues and how long did it take you to achieve this in the end?
- Gosh, I think it was about 7 years ago. When I found eBay it really took off. Long ago I had to rely on coming across the odd issue in book fairs or auctions. Now on eBay you can collect to your heart's content. Now, 7 years later I do believe I have every issue. I think though if you set your mind to it, and you have a sympathetic bank manager you could collect them all inside a year.
Getting them all and finding the time to read them all are two separate things. Have you read them all?
- Only the Military and Airforce issues. I'm afraid the Sci-Fi and medieval ones don't do anything for me, but the covers are often as interesting.
Do you have any idea how much money you have put into this in order to finally reach this goal?
- Blimey, that's a good one. I dare not even contemplate how much it has cost. Probably not as much as I think. I've paid £10 for lots of 300 comics and £40 each for the rare ones, so if I tell myself it is an investment I don't feel the pinch so much! Probably £700 in total.
Most collectors are into eBay these days, how many auctions do you think that you have won and how long have you been involved in that scene?
- Now that's an interesting question. Ebay is as fruitful as it is frustrating, because I've won auctions with no other interest, and yet in other auctions I've been outbid by mysterious and insane millionaires (it seems) with limitless resources. Then there are those monsters who out-bid you in the last 5 seconds of the auction. On more than one occasion a seller has emailed after a sale and asked if I wanted the rest of their collection - what a bonus! I think in total I've won 110 auctions since 1998.
When you buy from strangers on eBay there can be pitfalls, like getting a package with backissues that has an unhealthy smell for instance, and then you know that somebody has stored them in a cold and dank cellar for too long. What has your experience of eBay been like?
- Generally very good. The biggest problem has been in the packaging. I once opened the door to the postman who delivered 400 comics in a HUGE cardboard box. He carried the box up the garden path and it split open. The comics were all slippery and went everywhere! Another guy sent a comic that absolutely stunk of cannabis! Jonathon said ' Daddy that one smells disgusting!'. Good boy. Some are damp and I bin those, they only rot eventually and affect the rest. I have one that a little boy coloured in with pencils, he did a really good job!
Do you recall how you secured the first 10 issues and how much you payed for them?
- No. The first ones took ages to come by and over a longer period of time. They are in poor condition generally and I'm always looking for mint issues - but they are very scarce. I think probably the first ten issues have cost me about £80.
Do you have any suggestions for other collectors that want to get in on the action now?
- Yes - go for it! There are enough copies in circulation for complete collections many times over. Half the fun is the collecting of course, and joking aside, it is an investment. Without doubt the greatest resource is eBay, and of course there is pleasure to be had in selling copies you have doubles of. I find it is like a giant worldwide 'swap meet'. You'll be bitten by the bug after getting your first copy.
What is your opinion on the Annuals that have been published so far?
- The Annuals are very good. It shows there is still a good demand today for these stories.
Looking back, do you have any favourite periods of Commando?
- Not really. I haven't seen any peaks or troughs in Commando styles or stories to be honest. Now though some stories are in their third or fourth printing. Possibly the best period was in the early seventies, when Commando was well established and artists were throwing stories at us.
Do you have any favourite artists and how hard has it been for you over the years to obtain information about the people that has been involved in this comicbook over the years?
- Favourite artists . . .absolutely. At the top of the list is Ian Kennedy. Cam Kennedy is another favourite. Getting information about their work and careers has been nigh on impossible, until very recently. Your website was where I found the first online info about Ian Kennedy. I think though as interest takes off more enthusiasts like yourself are making this info more available and it will only get better.
What would you change, if anything, if you had the chance?
- Nothing. I think Commando have got it just right. The stories are great, the covers are awsome, and it is a great size. Four issues a fortnight as well is spot on. Perhaps more colour would be nice though, thinking about it.
Your collection must take up quite a lot of space, especially if you have additional titles as well in your ownership. Has this ever been a problem?
- Only until recently. With two little boys space is at a premium. I have comics in the loft, two bedrooms and the dining room. Usually there's one on the sofa that I'm looking at currently. My wife doesn't appreciate that we ought to build an extension - for more shelf space. Women!
Have you considered creating a homepage about this interest?
- Absolutely. I have great ideas for showing off the covers and some of the finer artwork. I also think some artists really deserve greater exposure. If you think about it we are a small market, so demand for such websites have maybe been limited? The secret would be finding a suitable web designer - and the time! Yours is the best by the way!
Not counting Commando, how many issues of other similar comics do you have, roughly speaking?
- I have about a hundred `issues of Air Ace, War Picture Library and Lion Picture Library. Also some issues of Battle. These are copies of my favourite artists. Do you know that I cannot identify some artists because their signatures were inked out before publication? Best reason for a website I think - to find out who they are!
Why do you think that Fleetway jacked it in when Commando proves that warcomics still has an audience?
- Good question. I think Fleetway underestimated the demand, or there are reasons we will never know. Competition is supposed to be a healthy thing.
If you go back and take a look at the output from say the last six months or so, which ones has been the best in your opinion?
- Interestingly enough they are all good, and some stories we have seen before, but I did like an edition about the British army in the Zulu war. Conversely, there was a time warp story that I can't bear to look at!
Do you prefere stories that are set in WW II or do you think that the other adventures are just as interesting?
- Definately ww2 stories. I think that's the pull of Commando comics - they target your specific interest. Generally the stories have a 'good guy beats bad guy' element, and that always strikes a chord.
The Korkeajännitys staff over in Finland has come up with a few titles about the finns wars against Russia, later published by Commando. Did you enjoy them?
- Yes, very much. I think that part of ww2 is little known to be honest. The Finnish Airforce fought superbly and only now with web forums for example and new books being published are we being made aware of theatres of war other than the Battle of Britain and other really well known conflicts.
Do you have any copies in your collection of Korkeajännitys, just for the sake of having a few even if you do not understand the lingo? After all, these are mostly exported Commando-stories but in nice pocketbook format.
- Only two - and they are around here somewhere! It's nice to have those because they are a variation of a theme.
I personally have at least a faint hope that somebody out there that has great knowledge about the classic british scene will some day write a decent book about it. I feel that there is so much to be told and that the collectors deserve a good book about it. Do you have any thoughts about this?
- A man after my own heart. A number of soft cover titles have been published in the UK, but they are not in great demand. This ought to be done while the older artists and writers are still around, before it's too late, and wouldn't it be nice to have one great resource? Maybe one day when I win the lottery . . .
Do you want to add something to this interview?
- Only that Commando is a passion. I grew up with the comics, my eldest son likes them and my dad read them. Isn't that great? There aren't many things in life that can stand the test of time like that. I also think that forever we will have a record, however loosely based, on a period of time that either fascinates you or should be recorded for posperity. And, if you like art - then there are some works that will positively make you drool! The last thing I would like to add is that I've yet to meet a less than nice person through buying and selling Commando comics, it seems to be a really nice community - and Mike you are a perfect example!
Feedback from Commando regarding this interview / - Good work yet again, Mike. Very interesting. Keep in touch ... and all the best. George Low (Commando Editor).
