Heroic Comics #32

Lieut. William Rufus Mooney embarks on a diversionary mission over Guam that takes a harrowing turn when his plane is hit and he's forced to ditch in the Pacific, stranding him on a raft with nothing but a handful of supplies. Over the next two weeks, Mooney endures hunger, enemy fire, and the constant threat of the island itself as he desperately signals for rescue while rationing malted milk tablets and sips of water. His ordeal explains the impressive appetite his fellow officers witness back aboard the battleship—a man who's learned never to take a meal for granted.

Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle of the 8th Air Force never shies away from the toughest combat missions—regulations be damned—and on his 30th sortie against Nazi forces, he ensures every member of his crew bails out safely before the damaged plane spirals out of control. This is the fateful mission that would earn Castle the sorrowful distinction of being reported missing to the American people, a stark reminder of the price paid by those who lead from the front.

This wartime propaganda piece examines the brutal training methods that shape Japanese soldiers and their fanatical tactics in the Pacific Theater. Through stark contrasts with American military standards—from pay scales to physical conditioning—the story portrays the enemy's devotion to the Emperor and their willingness to sacrifice themselves in combat, culminating in a harrowing encounter between U.S. tank crews and Japanese soldiers armed with explosive charges. A grim but gripping look at the opposing forces American servicemen faced in 1945.

This educational piece explores the fascinating world of cartography, breaking down how mapmakers transform a globe into a flat surface and the trade-offs involved in different projection methods. From Mercator's revolutionary 1568 innovation to modern navigation techniques, the story examines why no single map can perfectly represent our world—and why certain projections work better for sailors, pilots, and explorers than others. Learn the answers to six key questions about maps and discover why understanding map distortion matters for anyone plotting a course across land or sea.