Four Color #1052
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeA 1959 Dell Four Color comic brings the classic tale of Ben-Hur to life in a thrilling, serialized format, featuring the dramatic return of Messala to Jerusalem as Roman commander. Written by Lew Wallace, Eric Freiwald, and Robert Schaefer, with dynamic art by Russ Manning—pencils, inks, and lettering all by the same hand—the story follows Prince Judah Ben-Hur’s fall from wealth to galley slavery, his rise through valor and skill, and his long-awaited return to challenge his old friend in a race that will decide their fates. Sam Savitt’s striking cover captures the tension of the moment, while the narrative unfolds with quiet intensity, weaving Ben-Hur’s journey through hardship and redemption against the backdrop of a world shaped by faith and upheaval.
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Messala returns to Jerusalem to become commander of the Roman Legion there. He meets a childhood friend, Prince Judah Ben-Hur, who is the richest man in the city. Massala asks him to put down a possible rebellion by the Jews. Ben-Hur refuses and is sentenced to be a galley slave. After three years on the galleys, he saves the life of Commander Quintus Arrius during a sea battle and is given his freedom, though not allowed to return to Judea. He becomes an expert chariot racer and is rewarded by being named Arrius' heir. He is able to return to Judea, where he challenges Messala to a chariot race to the death. While all this is happening, the story of Jesus Christ is being told in the background.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).
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