True Comics #47

This non-fiction account traces the scientific breakthrough that led to the atomic bomb—from Dr. Lise Meitner's crucial 1938 discovery of nuclear fission in Berlin, through the work of exiled scientists like Dr. Enrico Fermi and Dr. Niels Bohr who fled Nazi persecution to continue their research in America, to the secret construction of Oak Ridge and the Trinity test in the New Mexico desert. The story documents how this revolutionary harnessing of atomic energy was ultimately deployed in the war against Japan, and looks ahead to scientists' hopes for peacetime applications that could reshape civilization.

Brigadier General Maxwell Taylor and Colonel William Gardiner undertake a covert mission deep into enemy territory, infiltrating German-occupied Rome to meet with Italian leadership on a crucial assignment that could reshape the course of the Allied campaign in Europe. Operating under constant threat of discovery—navigating Nazi checkpoints, avoiding patrols, and racing against time—the two officers must complete their dangerous work and escape before their presence is uncovered. This is the true story of a weekend that changed the fate of nations.

Over half a century before this 1946 account, Reverend Sheldon Jackson introduced Siberian reindeer to Alaska as an experiment in providing sustenance to the Eskimo people—though the locals were skeptical about herding these unfamiliar creatures instead of hunting. As the herds grew and proved their worth, the true value of Jackson's vision became clear when American soldiers flooded into Alaska after Pearl Harbor, creating a desperate need for meat and materials that Alaskan reindeer ranching was perfectly positioned to supply.

Henry Hudson, one of the sixteenth century's boldest explorers, makes a fourth attempt at discovering the Northwest Passage to the East Indies, setting sail aboard the *Discovery* in 1610 with high hopes and a mutinous crew. As Hudson pushes deeper into uncharted waters, his determined leadership clashes with the growing desperation of his men, leading to a conflict that will define his legacy far beyond the route he sought. This True Comics story follows the explorer's relentless pursuit of discovery in the face of ice, starvation, and betrayal in the waters now bearing his name.

In this 1946 exploration of chemical innovation, "Man-Made Miracle" traces three centuries of scientific pursuit to create an artificial fiber—from Robert Hooke's 1664 vision through the experiments of George Audemars, Sir Joseph Swan, and Hilaire de Chardonnet, who finally achieved a practical process. The story charts how rayon manufacturing evolved from costly laboratory curiosities into an affordable textile that revolutionized fabrics and industrial applications, revealing the chemistry and human determination behind one of the modern age's most useful innovations.

From sundials and hourglasses to mass-produced timepieces in every home, this illustrated history traces how American industry revolutionized the humble clock. Beginning with the invention of the first mechanical clocks centuries ago and the refinement of the pendulum design, the story shows how early American clockmakers adapted factory methods after 1803 to bring affordable, reliable timekeeping within reach of ordinary families. Today's well-known clock brands stand as proof that industrial innovation and quality craftsmanship serve the nation by making essential tools accessible to all.

Ann Curtis dreams of becoming a champion swimmer, but when an early coach tells her she lacks the drive necessary for greatness, she's left to prove him wrong. After a disappointing return to competition and a chance meeting with Coach Charlie Sava at the Crystal Plunge Club, Ann commits to a grueling training regimen—swimming miles daily, building strength through unconventional methods, and refining her technique. "Frisco Flash" follows her determined climb toward the major competitions that will test whether her hard work and determination can transform natural talent into true championship glory.

A spectacle-maker's chance discovery in early 1600s Holland—looking through two lenses at once—leads to an unexpected breakthrough that will transform how humanity sees the cosmos. When word of the invention reaches the continent, a scientist recognizes its potential and begins refining the instrument into something far more powerful than anyone imagined.

When Wing Commander Robert Davidson's plane is shot down over Nazi-occupied France in 1944, the Canadian RCAF ace must go underground—literally joining French resistance fighters to survive and strike back at the enemy. Hidden in barns and pigsties by day, Davidson sabotages Nazi operations at night, from cutting phone lines to destroying rail bridges, all while posing as a French laborer and risking discovery at every turn. As the resistance uncovers a critical German secret weapon site, Davidson proves that an Allied pilot can be just as dangerous to the Nazis on the ground as he was in the sky.