Joe Palooka Comics #49

Right in the thick of the action, this October 1950 Harvey issue finds Joe Palooka — blond, grinning, and fearless in his patterned shirt — wielding a red cape in a packed bullfighting arena while a charging bull bears down and a fallen matador lies dangerously close to the hooves. The cover, by Al Avison, captures the breathless tension perfectly, and the issue's own cover copy teases a free-for-all battle featuring Balonici and Baltese alongside the bullfighting drama. Ham Fisher's beloved "Champ of Comics" rarely looked more in over his head — or more thrillingly capable of handling it.