Friend or Foe?

From Smash 48, 1943

"Open all night for war workers"

One of the things you notice in the popular culture of the early Forties is how every aspect of life was focused on the war, even things like keeping shop open all night to accommodate the around the clock work of the defense plants.



from Whiz Comics #53

Fascinating take on racism in WWII

One of the virtues of popular art is the way it can supply useful counterexamples to the conventional wisdom about the "way people used to be."

Check out this Green Lama story written by the character's creator, Richard Foster (pseudonym of Kendell Foster Crossen) and gracefully drawn by the great Mac Raboy.

"Airboy Fights the Rats"

Airboy was an orphaned, twice. The first time because... well, he was an adolescent comic book hero in the Forties and it was kind of the thing to do. The second time because he was one of the few major characters of the time that National (DC) never got around to acquiring. No Smallville makeovers or edgy Vertigo reimaginings for the greatest generation's greatest boy pilot.

But among those who do remember him, Airboy is remembered fondly, particularly the story "Airboy Fights the Rats." Here it is with beautiful Fred Kida art.

Enjoy*.



















* Was there a sequel? What do you think?

Gay Hitler

The Marksman was a minor back-pages feature in Quality's Smash Comics, home to a number of fondly remembered characters such as Wildfire, The Ray and the great Jack Cole's Midnight. Given that company, it's easy to see how the Marksman has been overlooked. Other than an odd but useful alter ego as a Nazi officer, there's just not much reason to remember the series, but it did give us this example of wartime propoganda based on homophobia instead of racism.

Mippyville Blood Drive of '44

We like to think of WWII as perhaps the one time in our country's history when we all pulled together. There is certainly some truth to that version, but it leaves out the scorn that was heaped upon those who didn't join in.