Heroic Comics #17

During the three-day Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, Lieut. John James Powers flies his dive bomber straight into enemy fire, systematically devastating Japanese vessels—a gunboat, an aircraft tender, and a transport carrier—with fierce determination and unwavering courage. This biographical account traces Powers' journey from his days at the Naval Academy through his service on the USS West Virginia and his flight training at Pensacola, showing a young officer shaped by patriotism and resolve. With the nation watching, President Roosevelt personally honors his extraordinary sacrifice and heroism in the Pacific Theater.

Separated from his squadron during a violent thunderstorm while flying a mission over the Philippines, Capt. Hewitt Wheless presses on alone with a damaged engine and spots six Japanese troop transports below—a chance to strike a critical blow against an enemy landing operation. What follows is a harrowing aerial engagement where Wheless and his crew unleash everything they have on the vessels, then must nurse their bullet-riddled, crippled aircraft back to base with wounded aboard and every system failing. This is the true wartime saga of a pilot whose cool determination under fire would earn him the nation's highest honors.

When Joyce is kidnapped by the mysterious Red Scorpion with a cryptic ransom note, Hydroman teams up with Rainbow Boy to uncover the villain's identity and plans. Disguised as a dock worker, Hydroman infiltrates the criminal underworld, but his investigation leads him into the Scorpion's clutches—tied up and left to burn. After a daring escape, Hydroman pursues the Scorpion across the city, from a riverside hotel robbery to a nightclub hideout, racing against time to locate Joyce before it's too late.

When a radio star dies in what police call an auto accident, The Music Master and his partner Downbeat suspect foul play—and their investigation points straight to "Sweets" Norgetti and his criminal operation. As the duo closes in on the truth, they'll have to use The Music Master's extraordinary sound-based powers to survive Norgetti's deadly trap and uncover the real reason Jon Wells had to die. It's a high-stakes mystery where melody becomes a weapon and one false note could be the last thing they hear.

Rainbow Boy springs into action when tire thieves strike near a radio broadcast, leading him to uncover a criminal operation far darker than simple robbery—one that threatens the very war bonds meant to support America's victory effort. Working with his friend Whitey, Rainbow Boy must battle counterfeiters and their gang while racing to stop a dangerous cargo from reaching enemy hands. Fast-paced and patriotic, this tale combines colorful heroics with a timely reminder of the home front's vital role in the war effort.