Showing posts with label Russ Heath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russ Heath. Show all posts

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

DC Big 5 War Comics: G I Combat

The final title in my overview of DC's Big 5 War Comics did not originate with DC but was a Quality Comic Publication that DC continued to publish after purchasing the company.  DC also continued to publish Quality's Blackhawk but chose not to hand Blackhawk to Editor Bob Kanigher as they did with G I Combat.  Quality launched G I Combat in 1952 hot on the heels of DC's Our Army at War, Star-Spangled War Stories and All-American Men of War.
G I Combat #1 (October 1952)
Art by Reed Crandall

Friday, 24 August 2012

DC Big 5 War Comics: Our Fighting Forces

DC had successfully entered the war comics market in 1952 with Our Army at War, Star-Spangled War Stories and All-American Men of War and so Editor Bob Kanigher was instructed to launch another title and Our Fighting Forces was the result, making its debut cover dated October/November 1954.
Our Fighting Forces #1 (October/November 1954)
Art by Jerry Grandenetti
The comic followed the tried and tested formula of the other war anthologies and featured high quality art from the best in the business including Jerry Grandenetti, Russ Heath, Joe Kubert, Ross Andru and Irv Novick.
Our Fighting Forces #21 (May 1957)
Art by Joe Kubert

Tuesday, 21 August 2012

DC Big 5 War Comics: All-American Men of War

All-American Comics is one of the most important titles in DC history as it shared its title with its original publisher All-American Publications which alongside National Allied Publications and Detective Comics evolved into what we now know as DC Comics.  The first issue was cover dated April 1939 and was an anthology covering humour and adventure stories.
All-American Comics #1 (April 1939)
Art by Sheldon Mayer
No single character dominated the cover until the debut of Green Lantern in #16 (July 1940).

Monday, 20 August 2012

DC Big 5 War Comics: Star-Spangled War Stories

Star-Spangled Comics was launched by DC in 1941 as a superhero anthology title featuring Star-Spangled Kid by Jerry Seigel and Hal Sherman.
Star Spangled Comics #1 (October 1941)
Art by Hal Sherman
Star-Spangled Kid remained as the cover star until #7 (April 1942) with the debut of Guardian and the Newsboy Legion by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby.