Enemy Ace v. The Balloon Buster - The Unknown Soldier #267 (Sept. 1982)

Presenting the final meeting between The Enemy Ace and The Balloon Buster.  It ain't going to end well for one of them!

Continuing to back up the Unknown Soldier in #267 of his title, Hans Von Hammer, The Enemy Ace finds himself a 'guest' of the Army Air Service Squadron to which Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster belongs.  In this final chapter of the 3 part 'A Very Private Hell' by Kanigher & Severin, Von Hammer, grounded across enemy lines due to engine trouble, is escorted by a gaggle of American officers to a dinner in his honor (a customary practice for WWI adversaries and a display of the code of honor to which Von Hammer, himself, strictly adheres).

Conspicuous by his absence from the meal, is Steve Savage.  Earlier, Von Hammer had witnessed the maverick ace test-flying his own red Fokker - recently repaired and being put through its paces by the wild flying of the Balloon Buster.  Ostracized by his companions for being nothing but 'white trash,' Savage used the opportunity of the dinner (to which he probably wasn't invited) to hatch a plan to restore a sense of what he considers honor - yet another crack at a final duel between himself and Von Hammer.

Prison Break

Under the cover of night, Savage releases Von Hammer from his quarters and quickly escorts him to his triplane, so that they might duel at dawn.  What follows is a beautiful aerial ballet, gorgeously illustrated by Severin as Savage and Von Hammer chase each other through the sky.  Von Hammer finally gets Savage in his sights, but before he can deliver the killing burst, his guns jam!

Duel in the skies

Not willing to take advantage of an unarmed opponent, Savage gestures toward the ground - his single-minded obsession to decisively end this rivalry compels him to engage Von Hammer in a pistol duel.  Unaccustomed to the rules & ceremony of a formal duel (being nothing like the western-style shoot outs of his youth) Savage needs a quick lesson from Von Hammer.

Duel on the ground

They pace, turn, fire and - - Von Hammer takes a flesh wound to the shoulder, but Savage takes quite possibly a mortal wound to the gut.  Unwilling to finish his opponent off, Von Hammer helps Savage to his plane, as the maverick ace claims, 'If I'm tuh die . . . I'd rather be in the sky . . .'

Like a wounded bird spotted by a hawk, Savage limps back to his line, but captures the notice and draws the fire of Von Hammer's own squadron.  In a final, honorable gesture toward his respected opponent, Von Hammer waves off his cronies, allowing Savage to fly toward the sunrise - his fate unknown.

The Balloon Buster limps off into the sunrise, under the watchful eye of The Enemy Ace, his fate unknown

An ambiguous ending to this latest (and last) Enemy Ace/Balloon Buster saga.  Significant, too, as this is the last time these great war characters were written by their creator, Robert Kanigher.  Enemy Ace would go on to guest star in various titles throughout the 80s & 90s, and even star in his own graphic novel and a couple of mini-series'.  The legend of the Balloon Buster would alternately (and unfortunately) lie dormant for some time - the ultimate fate of Steve Savage would not be revealed for another 15 years.

Enemy Ace v. The Balloon Buster - The Unknown Soldier #266 (Aug. 1982)

Hans Von Hammer, The Enemy Ace, survives the attack suffered in last issue's cliffhanger, though his injuries force him into a short convalescence at the outset of Chapter 2 of 'A Very Private Hell' the latest Enemy Ace serial by writer/creator Robert Kanigher and artist John Severin.

During Von Hammer's absence, the maverick American ace Steve Savage, unaware of the situation, drops a note of  challenge over the German airfield, requesting a rematch with The Enemy Ace after being spared the German's bullets as a honorable courtesy due to his own lack of ammunition.  A brash German lieutenant, seeing an opportunity to earn some mega points by dueling such a notorious American pilot, steals Von Hammer's distinctive red Fokker and accepts the challenge on the injured Baron's behalf.

Steve Savage, once again Stetson-ed, shoots down the Enemy Ace 'stand-in'

Savage, once again topped by his trademark white cowboy hat, makes short work of the imposter, the lopsided duel witnessed from the ground by Von Hammer & Co.

Wracked with anger & guilt, and troubled the following day by morbid images of his deceased stand-in, Von Hammer composes his own note of challenge, explaining to Savage that he'd gunned down the wrong man.  Still not 100% healed from his injuries, but determined to face The Balloon Buster himself, Von Hammer makes his way in a replacement red Fokker toward the American airfield.

Haunted by visions, Von Hammer issues his challenge

Intercepted by a couple of British planes, piloted by bounty hunters after the huge reward sum placed on his head, Von Hammer manages to run both into the ground - just as his plane develops engine trouble.  Willing his plane the last few miles to the American field, The Enemy Ace manages to safely land, but is greeted by an armed detail of American soldiers.

Von Hammer runs his hunters into the ground

Pushing his way through the crowd, Steve Savage, in a strange reflection of a previous encounter between the two top guns, takes Von Hammer prisoner.

Not the fiery end to their relationship envisioned by the two WWI aces

The almost tidal, rhythmic quality over the course of these two characters' relationship is interesting.  Aerial chases, followed by one taking the other prisoner, followed by a daring escape.  Will this pattern repeat in the next chapter?  We'll see.  The next story does have some significance, as it is the last Enemy Ace (or Balloon Buster, for that matter) adventure written by series creator, Bob Kanigher.

Enemy Ace v. The Balloon Buster - The Unknown Soldier #265 (July 1982)

Hans Von Hammer is the lead in a new serial beginning in issue #265 of The Unknown Soldier, with Steve Savage playing the guest star this time around.  This 3-parter not only follows up on the 'Balloon Buster' saga from the previous 3 issues, but also serves as a sequel, of sorts, to the duel between the 2 WWI aces from issue #s 181-183 of Star Spangled War Stories published almost 10 years prior.  Despite having met on fairly cooperative terms during their last encounter, in this new adventure, Hans Von Hammer & Steve Savage are once again antagonists.

Pitting the two pilots against one another are writer Robert Kanigher (creator of both characters), and artist John Severin a long time vet, who'd worked on many titles for many publishers, specializing in westerns and war books (which would seem to make him the perfect artist to work on a Balloon Buster story).  He had worked with Kanigher previously on DC war features including the 'Losers,' 'Sgt. Rock' and an earlier 'Enemy Ace' serial.  Having served in WWII (along with most of the talent who'd previously worked on both Enemy Ace & Balloon Buster), Severin had a great eye for detail, and his aircraft & firearms are probably the most realistic looking of all the artists who worked on either WWI feature.

The bounty's out

This first chapter opens with a bold challenge in the form of leaflets dropped from the sky.  Though this is a familiar plot device from many EA or BB stories, this challenge is a little different - the leaflets advertise a $150,000 reward of the killing or capture of Von Hammer.  Having a job to do despite the bounty on his head, The Ace takes to the skies.

A familiar yellow Spad - could it be --?

Once there he's immediately confronted by a couple of French bounty hunters - of whom Von Hammer makes short work.  Making his way back to his own lines, Von Hammer witnesses the explosion of a German observation balloon, it's assailant in a familiar American yellow Spad.

For the balls necessary to bring a pistol to an airplane flight, a strangely hat-less Steve Savage gets the ol' Enemy Ace salute!

The Balloon Buster, Steve Savage, makes a move on another balloon, emptying his guns into the target as Von Hammer approaches.  Completely out of ammunition, Savage (looking strange sans his distinctive cowboy hat) attempts to ram Von Hammer, who manages to swerve away from the attack.  Characteristically not giving a f*** about no ammo, Savage takes a couple of potshots with his sidearm from his cockpit - though this, too, is easily evaded by Von Hammer with a salute.

To unwind the next day, Von Hammer engages in one of his favorite pastimes, hunting.  Returning from his excursion, Von Hammer is attacked by another bounty hunter, and in the cliffhanger, his car is shot off the road.  'The Hunt for Von Hammer' (my cheesy title, not Bob Kanigher's) would continue in the next issue of The Unknown Soldier.  Nice start to an exciting serial, and John Severin's art makes a nice contribution to the adventures of both The Enemy Ace and The Balloon Buster.

Hooked by the House Ad: 'Mazing Man

Through the years, DC Comics has published innumerable house ads, highlighting new books, or changes in existing titles.  Many of these have been memorable (here's one advertising our good friend Steve Savage, the Balloon Buster's book at the time), and some I'd consider 'Hall of Fame'-worthy.  My one rule for a Hall of Fame house ad is simple: did it directly lead to me buying the book, either new on the shelf or by hunting through back issue boxes?

One of my favorite house ads was for the title 'Mazing Man.  I consider 'Mazing Man to be something of a masterpiece by series creators, writer Bob Rozakis & penciller Stephen DeStefano.  This series presented readers with episodes, humorously & poignantly, in the life of a Queens, NY neighborhood, whose residents' lives were touched by the presence of a strange (possibly deranged), but good-hearted little man dressed in a DIY hero outfit & going by the name, 'Mazing Man.  'Maze's title was a unique comic that had a tragically short run - 1986 was the year of The 'Maze, as the book ran from January of that year and ended 12 issues later in December (3 annual specials followed in 1987, 1988 & 1990).  The book, in a way, was part of a long tradition of humor titles DC had published since the 1930's, but this one was different.  It had heart and a self awareness other humor comics in the past lacked.  It was a modern title, made for the 80's and tackled seemingly mundane, everyday issues confronting everyday people ('Mazing Man, aside). 

The house ad introducing the book appeared in various DC Comics with the same cover date as 'Mazing Man #1, Jan. 1986 (the above scan came from Green Lantern #196).  The ad made a big impression on me: the 8 year-old accustomed to flipping by ads depicting various muscle-bound Hulks or bodacious babes stopped short at the image of a mock-up cover to issue #1 under the slogan 'In this crazy world we all need a friend like . . . 'Mazing Man'  Who doesn't?  At the bottom of the ad the copy reads, 'DC. We've made comics fun again.'  This was significant and must have been a breath of fresh air to readers who at the time may have been overwhelmed by the violence and grittiness of the vigilante adventures that were increasingly the norm from comic companies both major and independent.

My 1st issue - a well-loved, dog-eared copy of 'Mazing Man #7

The little headshots of 'Maze's buddies surrounding him on the cover mock-up stood out, too.  'Eddie?' not something-Man?! Instead of whose-it-Woman, we get 'Brenda?'  And in 'color'-'noun'-Man (ala the Red Bee)'s place, is 'Guido?!'  Denton looks like a cartoon dog, but it turns out he's a man that just happens to look like a cartoon dog.  It also turns out that the people in 'Mazing Man's life, despite some caricature-like moments resemble real, well-rounded people.

Slice of life stuff that 'Mazing Man did so well - set up for the night out; Brenda and Eddie can't agree on B.'s new hairstyle

When I write 'turns out,' I mean to say that despite being drawn to this ad which promised a new kind of comics reading experience, as an 8 year-old I had not yet the grasp of a monthly release schedule, or the means of transportation to hunt down comics that were not offered at the local drug store.  It wasn't until issue #7, that I was able to fulfill my desire to hop aboard the 'Mazing Man express, at a point when it was almost too late.  And you know what?  It didn't matter.  Having since completed my 'Mazing Man collection, I can attest to the fact that the quality of this book never faltered (though I will say that it's with Karl Kesel on inks that the art is at its sharpest), and #7 was as perfect an entry point into the world created by Rozakis & DeStefano as any other.

Denton meets a brick-wall-of-a-bouncer; these panels were opposite a house ad for Angel Love, a new attempt at an old genre (romance)

A night at the local bar for 'Maze & his friends was the 'plot' of my initiation story, and I find Brenda & Eddie's domestic squabble, Guido's inferiority complex, and Denton's frustrating experience getting in to the bar, just as hilarious re-reading the story now as I did back then. It just holds up.  I'm still looking for a bar like 'October's.'

Stephen DeStefano's superb storytelling - Guido & friend renew a rivalry

Now, I've got a feeling that the 8 year-old age group was not DC's target demographic for this book, 'Mazing Man was never able to find the right audience during its publication life.  Had 'Mazing Man been published 10 years later, in black & white by an independent publisher, I bet we'd now be seeing the trailers for the Netflix original series.  I'm tempted to use my 'Where's the Trade?' label on this post, because damn it, where's the trade?  This series needs a new shot at a new audience, and a slim Showcase Presents . . . (like the Bat Lash one) would give it just that.

Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster: The Unknown Soldier #264 (June 1982)

The 1st time Steve Savage's face has graced a cover in over 15 years

Written by Robert Kanigher & drawn by Dan Spiegle, this final chapter in the 3-part 'Balloon Buster' serial in The Unknown Soldier #264 (June 1982) is light on plot, but heavy on action: Savage awaits word on the fate of his young friend, Rene, who'd previously been taken behind German lines by Hans Von Hammer, The Enemy Ace.  Rene was to meet with a doctor who, it was hoped, would restore the boy's sight.

Waiting for the news, Savage blows a bunch of stuff up.

Attacked by a couple of German planes in the cliffhanger of last issue, Savage and his Spad make short work of his assailants.  In between taking down enemy aircraft and exploding German observation balloons, Savage kills even more time with a couple of animals: a stallion, which allowed him to relive his youth in the Old West, and a lone eagle with whom he identifies with much more than with his Air Service comrades.

Savage finds it much easier to bond with members of the animal kingdom

Savage returns from a balloon bustin' mission, to find American anti-aircraft fire taking shots at Von Hammer's unique tri-plane, which is looking for a safe place to land.  Eager to hear the news, Savage escorts his uneasy ally to the ground, just as Rene hops out of Von Hammer's plane - the procedure was a success!

Special delivery - courtesy of The Enemy Ace

The maverick ace fires on his own American comrades to provide Von Hammer the opportunity to drop, run & live to duel another day.  Witnessing this, frankly, treasonous altercation, commanding officer Major Michaels threatens to watch Savage hang for the stunt - but Savage can only smile, as his patron general rolls up behind the Major.  Though we won't see the results of the proceeding discussion, with the general's intervention, The Balloon Buster will most likely avoid the gallows and continue his role as the Allies' top killing machine.

Firing on his own men to cover Von Hammer's escape - at the risk of the gallows

Taken together, I can't help but think the 24 pages of this story, which is essentially a Balloon Buster/Enemy Ace team-up, would've made a heckuvan issue of The Brave & The Bold back before that Bat-Guy took it over.

Though Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster would go on to guest in a handful more stories, this serial finale would be his very last appearance in a feature of his own.

My Favorite Coluan: Superman #213 (Jan. 1969)

The 1st in an occasional series of looks at interesting moments and adventures in the print life of the Legion of Super-Heroes' resident super-genius: Brainiac 5.

(As with all posts on this blog, there's nothing but spoilers, so . . . )

The lead story in Superman #213 from January 1969 is titled by writer Cary Bates 'The Most Dangerous Door in the World,' but I'd like to re-name it 'Superman and His Friends are Dicks - The Entrapment of Lex Luthor.'  It's an unusual story in the Superman canon, in that Superman is really just a guest star in his own book, with much of the action being carried out by a surprise imposter -  it's Brainiac 5 under a spit-curl wig and S-shield.

The story, illustrated by Superman artist extraordinaire, Curt Swan along with Jack Abel (a fantastic art team that did a bunch of Adventure Comics Legion stories together around this time) begins with a public announcement by 'Superman' that the valuable contents of a mysterious vault in his possession will pass on to all mankind in the event of his own death.  Until the day that Superman draws his last breath, the vault will be sealed away underground and heavily guarded.  Watching all of this on television is a sad and bitter Lex Luthor.  Superman's greatest enemy rejects the notion of seizing the vault, perhaps beginning to accept the fact that he's destined to fail against the Man of Steel.

What follows is the blatant provocation of Lex Luthor in the form of a very public display of sudden power-loss in the Man of Steel (an inability to cleave a diamond with his bare hand) and an antagonistic editorial arranged by 'Clark Kent' & friends called "Superman Remembers . . .  the Many Times He's Beaten Luthor."  Luthor erupts with anger at the public humiliation & interprets these signs as an opportunity to 'take it to the 'Man' concocting an overly complicated plan to steal the vault and and obtain its secrets.

'Clark Kent' (& conspirators) provoke Lex, while Superman 5, er . . ., I mean 'Superman' has trouble cutting a diamond

Having been pushed into successful theft of the giant safe, Luthor's coup de grace is the the public execution of the The Man of Tomorrow - to be carried out by 3 giant Kryptonite robots.  With the tell-tale sign of fatal Kryptonite poison setting in (green skin - hmmmm), Superman's lifeless body is teleported into the arms of his friends Jimmy Olsen and Supergirl.  The two Super-friends mysteriously revive the deceased hero with some sort of unexplained antidote spray, and the suddenly spry and smiling 'Superman' asks if everything is going according to plan (according to plan? hmmmmm).

NSFW? Luthor's large unit penetrates the mysteries of the vault

Back at the lab, Luthor and a couple of his goons are finally able to break open the vault, whose secret content is revealed to be -- Superman?!  The true Man of Steel promptly does his best Moe impersonation and slaps out the stooges, just as Jimmy, Supergirl and the other green-skinned Superman arrive on the scene.  Another abject defeat sends Lex into a swoon, and all is explained: Superman discovered the mysterious vault in orbit around the Earth; the vault was a trap by old Legion of Super-Heroes villain, Mordru; Superman figured Lex Luthor was his best bet in cracking open the Super-Safe, so using his 'power' of super-ventroliquism contacts Supergirl, who contacts Brainiac 5 in the far future; it was their plan for Brainiac to masquerade as Superman (his green skin making it easier to feign Kryptonite poisoning, I guess) and to trick (a reluctant, remember) Luthor into 'killing' the imposter and in doing so, freeing the true S-man from his imprisonment.

A curiously green-skinned 'Superman' is revived by his Super-Friends, while a newly-freed Superman gives a big ol' Stooges slap to Larry, Curly & Shemp

All of this ends up being an overly complicated and very circuitous way to deposit Luthor back behind bars.  Entrapment is a crime, people.

Supergirl's boyfriend from the future, Brainiac 5 drops his ultra-acting role while Lex Luthor stews - cue sad trombone

It wasn't common for a member of the LSH to be a single guest-star in another book, so this story is something of an oddball.  In a great DC-Silver Age-y kind of way, it really made no sense for Brainiac 5 to show up from 1000 years in the future, when maybe the Martian Manhunter was available (if all the plan required was green skin), but it was a fun way to incorporate a few disparate elements of the Superman mythos (The Legion, Luthor, Supergirl, etc.) in one 15-page story.

note: I could be wrong, so please correct me, but this might be Cary Bates' first work on a Legion character.  Bates would go on to script many, many Legion stories throughout the 70s.

Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster: The Unknown Soldier #263 (May 1982)

Writer Robert Kanigher and artist Dan Spiegle continue the 3-part 'Balloon Buster' serial in issue #263 of The Unknown Soldier, picking up right where they left off . . . but first . . .

At the time this story was published, Spiegle had been drawing comics for over 30 years.  He specialized in adventure strips, but worked in just about every comics genre.  His work was versatile and could oscillate between realism and a looser, more cartoony drawing style.  If Alex Toth's and Joe Staton's style had a love child, I think it would be the work of Dan Spiegle.  Spiegle sandwiched this 'Balloon Buster' serial in between a long-running 'Nemesis' back-up feature in The Brave and the Bold, and a re-defining run, with writer Mark Evanier, on Blackhawk (at which I'd like to take a close look soon on this blog).

The Enemy Ace's I.O.U.

The pressure from last issue's stand-off is relieved by the sudden appearance in skies by Hans Von Hammer, the Enemy Ace.  Just as it appears that Steve Savage will be forcibly taken prisoner to face court martial, The Enemy Ace pilots his plane through heavy ground fire to drop a message to The Balloon Buster - basically, 'thanks for saving my life - I owe you one.'  The bubble of tension burst, the pause allows Savage's patron, Gen. Talbot to swoop in & again explain the benefits of having a killer such as Savage available to fly missions, much to the dismay of Major Michaels.

On his very next mission, Savage comes close to meeting his end: caught in the explosion of a German bomber, Savage just manages to pull his plane up before crashing, but not before contemplating suicide with a bullet as alternative to burning to death.

Gruesome thought before pulling up

Visiting his young, blind friend Rene the next day, Savage is informed by the boy's sister Marie that there is a doctor capable of restoring Rene's sight.  The catch is that the doctor operates only in Berlin - behind enemy lines!  Thinking he might be able to call in his marker from Von Hammer in this situation, Savage agrees to help the family.

Dropping a note for Von Hammer over the German airfield, Savage and Rene wait in a field miles away from the front.  Von Hammer rolls up in a Mercedes (strange seeing The Enemy Ace operating any vehicle besides his distinctive red triplane) and honorably, characteristically, agrees to take the boy to Berlin for the sight-saving medical procedure.

Heading back to his own airfield, Savage is attacked by a couple of Fokkers from Von Hammer's squadron.  This battle and the first and last Balloon Buster/Enemy Ace TEAM-UP will conclude - next issue!

Super-(Revolutionary War)-Heroes Battle Super-Gorilla: Tomahawk #107 (Dec. 1966)

What's the old comics editorial trope?  Increase sales by putting a gorilla on the cover.  This piece of advice was followed by every editor at DC comics in the 60s, including, strangely, Murray Boltinoff, the editor of DC's Revolutionary War title, Tomahawk.

I'm so glad Boltinoff did follow that advice, because I've been chomping at the bit to take a look at another of the strange Tomahawk's Rangers v. any assortment of monster/alien/prehistoric beast issues that I stubbornly chose to ignore for too long a period of time.  Tomahawk #107 (Dec. 1966) is a great example of one these issues, and it's actually a bit of a 'silliness two-fer,' as Tomahawk's team of frontier patriots don't only tangle with a giant gorilla raised by Native Americans, but also with a honest-to-goodness costumed super villain!  Who comes up with this stuff?

Well in this case, it's writer Ed Herron (a long time DC scribe dating back to the dawn of the Golden Age and no stranger to Tomahawk) and artist Fred Ray (who also had had a long history with Tomahawk at this point) who are the team asking its readers to suspend disbelief even beyond what is customary of a typical comics reader.  The 1st of 2 stories in the issue, 'Double-Cross of the Gorilla-Ranger' begins with some fast action as Tomahawk's band are blind-sided by the attack of a strange creature - a feather-wearing, bow & quiver-carrying giant ape!

No build-up, this story starts out with all-out ape action!

After tangling with Big Anvil, the biggest & strongest Ranger, the ape is stopped by a native warrior, who explains that the ape was merely spooked and is in fact, friendly to the Rangers' cause.  Seems Mikora, as the ape is called, was brought to the New World by a 'paleface' who had visited Africa.  When his benefactor died, Mikora, a member of a mysterious gorilla species which grows to great size, fell into the care of a tribe of Native Americans under the leadership of Chief Tanka - it was amongst this tribe that the gorilla gained his great archery skill.

Turns out Chief Tanka has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom by a band of British deserters under the command of a mysterious figure named Thunder-Man.  As this was the mission Tomahawk's men were en route to complete when they were interrupted by the giant gorilla, they agree to take the beast along.

Thunder-Man, a surprisingly menacing villain

After easily handling an advance guard, the Rangers and their new member are attacked by Thunder-Man, himself.  Thunder-Man cuts a strangely menacing figure, as drawn by Fred Ray.  Contorted features and wildly radiating electrical force, the costume design is actually not bad for a Silver Age villain (this really could have been, sans lightning bolts, a much better original look for JLA foe, Owl Man).  The Rangers and Mikora all succumb to the might of Thunder-Man, who takes the giant gorilla prisoner.  Rather than simply hold him for ransom (honestly, who'd pay?), along with Chief Tanka, Thunder-Man plans to (weird science moment) use his electrical power to alter the beast's mind and sway him to Thunder-Man's side.

T-Man's plan seems to have been a great one, as when the recovered Rangers storm the stronghold, a therapy-shocked Mikora tears into them.  Things look mighty bleak for Tomahawk & his crew, until Big Anvil manages to get his hands on Thunder-Man, revealing a battery-powered back-pack as the source of his electric power.  Big Anvil shakes the device free, and uses it himself to give Mikora an additional jolt of juice which settles the ape's mind, making him once again friendly.

With Thunder-Man and his crew in cuffs, Tanka is freed, and the Rangers & their new friend part ways, but not before Big Anvil and Mikora get a chance to hug it out.

Hugging it out

A rather silly, but fun story - I'm glad I opened my mind up a little bit and allowed myself to enjoy it. It's never been reprinted but it's also not impossible to find, low-grade for a couple of bucks - recommended!

Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster - The Unknown Soldier #262 (April 1982)

Steve Savage returned 8 years after his tussle with Hans Von Hammer, The Enemy Ace, in a new serial in the back of The Unknown Soldier.  This 3-part story, 'Killers of the Sky,' marked the first time in over a decade that The Balloon Buster was the star of his own feature - and the first cover he'd appeared on (get your magnifying glass) since 1966!

Joyride through the clouds

In this adventure, writer Robert Kanigher and artist Dan Spiegle tie Steve Savage more closely to his real-life inspiration, WWI ace Frank Luke (see note below).  The story opens with a look at a softer side of the ace - Savage is taking a young, blind boy for a joy ride through the clouds.  Savage deposits the boy, Rene, into the arms of his attractive sister, Marie, just as his commanding officer, Major Michaels (named here for the first time) rolls up to bust Savage for insubordination.  To avoid a chewing out, Savage takes his plane back into the air and daydreams of his early days.

His hometown mysteriously now Eagle Rock, Arizona (Frank Luke hailed from Phoenix), as opposed to the Mustang Valley, Wyoming of earlier stories, Savage recalls his father's training - young Steve became a superb marksman, and put those skills to use, defending himself from hometown thugs that didn't appreciate the 'white trash' presence of the Savages in town.

Savage comes out of his daydream remembrances to see not only a lone eagle much like the one he identified himself with back home (an interesting contrast with the wolf companion of The Enemy Ace), but also a couple of German observation balloons.  Bustin' balloons is what a Balloon Buster does best, so Savage goes to town, avoiding heavy artillery, while converting 3 balloons into gigantic fireballs.

Excellent Dan Spiegle battle sequence

Savage is confronted by a lone and very familiar German triplane - the red Fokker of Hans Von Hammer!  Savage notes that The Enemy Ace's guns have jammed before their duel could start in earnest, so with a gesture, signals to the German ace that his life will be spared - they'll both live to duel another day.

A gentleman's agreement NOT to kill each other

Savage makes his way back to his own airfield and is greeted by Major Michaels and a couple of M.P.s who immediately try to take Savage into custody.  As unlikely as that is to happen, the M.P.s are taken aback when Savage pulls out both of his sidearms and declares that he'd be taken only over 'muh dead body!'  The story ends on this cliffhanger, and will be continued next issue, and in a future post - plus a couple of lines about artist Dan Spiegle.

Stand-off cliffhanger

     ___________________________________________________________________________

Recommended reading: Terror of the Autumn Skies: The True Story of Frank Luke, America's Rogue Ace of World War I by Blaine Pardoe (Skyhorse Publishing, 2008).


When beginning this documentation of the adventures of Steve Savage, The Balloon Buster, I was surprised to learn that the character was based on real-life WWI pilot Frank Luke.  Robert Kanigher must have been familiar with the details of Luke's life & service, as many details from the Balloon Buster stories are pulled right from Luke's demeanor and experiences.

Luke hailed from the west (the newly admitted state of Arizona), and was something of a loner among his squadron and was a frequent insubordinate, leading to the threat of court martial from his superior officer.  In a very short time, Luke developed a knack for taking out the heavily protected German balloons, and gained some notoriety both at home and abroad.

Luke was tragically shot down near the end of the war, after taking out multiple balloons, against orders (he was grounded at the time).  There has been some disagreement amongst scholars and apparent eye-witnesses as to the exact manner of Luke's death - he may have succumbed to wounds taken in the air; he may have had an out-in-the-blaze-of-glory shoot out with the German infantry after landing.

Both of these scenarios, and more, are explored in Terror of the Autumn Skies, a very well-researched book (that maybe could have been edited a bit better) detailing the life and brief military career of Frank Luke.  Anyone interested in WWI, aviation, or even just in good stories would do well to check it out.

Where's the Trade? Aquaman (1991) #s 1-7

While the 1994 Aquaman series by Peter David deservedly gets credit for updating the hero for the 90s & beyond, the seeds for that successful run are firmly planted in some earlier, and as yet, uncollected issues. Released on the heels of 2 mini-series and 2 Specials, the 1991 Aquaman ongoing series, though short-lived, helped define the character for the remainder of the decade. 

Written and drawn by then comics newcomers Shaun McLaughlin and Ken Hooper, inked by Bob Dvorak and colored by Tom McCraw, this series, especially in its 1st story arc from issue #s 1-7, did a few things very well. McLaughlin began to explore the character of Aquaman to some depth - at this point, the character was dealing with the grief of a lost child, and more recently, with the loss of his spouse - the hero, wracked with guilt & indecision, enters the story listless and in need of direction.  Accustomed to being alone and having his own way, it's interesting to see the hero of a book almost burdened by needs of the community he 'serves.'

Kevin Maguire (+ a variety of inkers) helped define the early look of the title with these outstanding covers

The abilities of the undersea hero are also more clearly defined than ever before.  Aquaman is forced to combat threats which push him to (and beyond) his physical limits - yes, he can confront a fleet of enemy submarines - but he'll pay for it; no, he cannot 'command' sea-life, he can only 'suggest' things; yes, those fins on his calf are part of his body, not his costume (this was a particular revelation for me, reading these issues 25 years ago).

This series also reintroduced Aquaman to the larger DC Universe - it was this version of the character that made guest appearances with Superman, the Flash and The Suicide Squad, among others, as well as joined (for a brief time) the Justice League.

The cities of Atlantis - the world which Aquaman inhabits - gain some definition in the early issues of this series.  Never before had the Atlantean cities of Poseidonis and Tritonis seemed so real.  McLaughlin & Hooper engaged in some real world-building, here - a war with the fictional surface country of Oumland provides the backdrop to the undersea people's relationship not only to the surface world, but also to each other.  Families squabble, officials debate, and communities unite in facing adversity behind the symbol of their protector, Aquaman.

Ken Hooper's Aquaman doesn't fly through the ocean, he swims - from issue #s 2 & 3

The look of this comic was pretty special.  Underneath some attractive Kevin Maguire covers, the Hooper/Dvorak art team made Aquaman and his undersea realm their own.  Aquaman, wearing his hair longer (and it would continue to grow for a few more years), was depicted as muscular but agile - the artists took care to make Aquaman look as if he's swimming through the water, not flying through the air.  The muted colors of Tom McCraw (which strangely looked better in the first 3 issues on poorer quality paper, before DC changed printers) lent a palpable moodiness to the ocean depths.

Sarcasm, Black Manta-style - from issue #5

And apart from all of this, the first story arc of the series is just a kick-ass, classic Aquaman v. Black Manta story, on par with the very best of such confrontations.

One of many examples: Ken Hooper often put small figures on large splash pages - emphasizing the vastness of the ocean

With Aqua-mania due to hit over the next couple of years due to appearances in animated and live-action films in various stages of development, these issues, a great read on their own, deserve a dusting off and would make a nice 'get-in-on-the-ground-floor' bookshelf collection.