Military Comics #26

Sporting a bold 10-cent cover price and Alex Kotzky's striking portrait arrangement, this February 1944 issue of Military Comics presents Mighty Blackhawk at the center — confident in his aviator's cap — surrounded by six companions including his squadron members and their grinning simian mascot. The cover banner promises a clash of "Brains and Brawn" as Blackhawk goes up against the villainous Skell the Ruthless, setting an appropriately tense tone for Quality Comics' wartime anthology. It's a fine snapshot of mid-war adventure comics done with real craft and flair.