Real Life Comics #35

Rudyard Kipling's early life is explored through his formative years in India and England, from his tough time at the Westward Ho! school to his rise as a young journalist in Lahore. The story follows his journey from a shy boy inspired by his Indian roots to a celebrated writer whose stories of the British Empire and its people resonated across the world.

Captain Martin Scott’s legendary marksmanship is brought to life in this true tale from Real Life Comics #35, where a young man’s daring hunt for a mother bear leads to a legendary moment—when a raccoon, startled by his rifle, famously “came down,” giving rise to the phrase “I’m a gone ‘coon.” The story traces Scott’s journey from Vermont farm boy to Army officer, highlighting his sharpshooting prowess and unflinching courage, culminating in his heroic final stand at the Battle of Molino del Rey during the Mexican War.

Brigham Young leads a group of Mormon pioneers on a grueling journey across the American West, facing floods, hostile encounters, and war demands, all while striving to find a promised land. Through faith, determination, and innovative planning, he guides his people to settle near the Great Salt Lake, where they build a self-sustaining community, establish shared resources, and endure natural hardships—until divine providence, in the form of seagulls, saves them from locusts.

Captain John S. Mosby leads a daring raid on Union forces in Virginia, outmaneuvering larger troops with speed, deception, and the help of local sympathizers. As General Stoughton’s camp is overrun and captured, Mosby’s guerrilla tactics earn both fear and reluctant respect from Union commanders like General Sheridan, who vow to hunt him down. The story follows Mosby’s relentless campaign, where his small, mobile force strikes hard and vanishes—leaving behind only chaos and the legend of a man who fought not with regular armies, but with cunning and courage.

Agostina, a young woman in Zaragoza, steps up to defend her city when French forces lay siege to it in 1808, taking up her husband Pedro’s fallen cannon after the gun crew is killed. With courage and determination, she fires the gun with a lit taper, rallying the defenders and earning the admiration of General Palafax, who honors her as a hero. The story follows her pivotal role in the city’s resistance, as Zaragoza holds firm against overwhelming odds.

Stephen Hales, a curious clergyman in 1710, uses his inventive mind to tackle medical and societal problems with unorthodox methods, from pioneering early ideas on blood pressure to revolutionizing prison ventilation. His experiments with disease prevention and fresh air—like improving conditions in Savoy Prison and the navy—lead to lasting reforms, all while he studies everything from plant growth to the mechanics of the human body.

John Ledyard, a restless young man driven by wanderlust, leaves his studies at Eleazer Wheelock’s school—where he learned more from Native Americans than from books—and embarks on a series of daring journeys, from the Connecticut River to the Pacific, sailing with Captain Cook and encountering cannibals, Tasmanians, and the wild landscapes of New Zealand and Alaska. His travels take him across the globe, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Sandwich Islands, where he climbs Mauna Loa, only to return home after Cook’s death, disillusioned but still dreaming of uncharted lands.

Commodore Uriah P. Levy, a fearless and principled sailor, rises through the ranks of the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812, commanding the swift brig Argus with daring tactics that strike fear into British ships. From fending off mutineers to confronting insults with quick fists and unwavering resolve, Levy’s career is defined by courage, justice, and a deep love for the sea.

Ethan Allen leads his Green Mountain Boys in a daring surprise assault on Fort Ticonderoga in 1775, capturing the fortress and its cannons with just eighty men. After the victory, he and his lieutenant Seth Warner march north to join the campaign in Canada, facing challenges from British forces and internal setbacks.