"Conquest," a standout story from Two-Fisted Tales #1 (1980), delivers a gripping wartime tale written by Harvey Kurtzman and illustrated with gritty precision by John Severin, with inks by Bill Elder and letters by Ben Oda. The story follows fighter pilot Strange, haunted by the loss of his love Katherine, as he faces a perilous mission under stormy skies and thick fog. When a mysterious sack of letters arrives just before takeoff, Strange’s resolve is tested—especially as a desperate radio call from fellow pilot Jake fades into silence, leaving the airfield in eerie stillness. The cover, a striking piece by Harvey Kurtzman, captures the tension of that final moment before flight.
Contains 24 stories
Conquest
8 pp · adventure
unnamed Indian King (death)various native inhabitants (many die)Captain Juan Alvarado (villain, death)Alvarado's men [FrancescoLieutenant Velasquezothers unnamed] (villains, all die)
Hong Kong Intrigue!
7 pp · detective-mystery
War Story!
7 pp · war
Dave Hunzer (flashback, death)Duke Hunzer (flashback)Colonel Hishomura (villain, death)The Japanese (villains, many die, flashback)North Koreran soldiers (villains, some die)
Jivaro Death!
8 pp · adventure
Senor Churchill (diamond messenger, death)Churchill's bodyguard (death)Slick Charlie (villain, death)Garcia (villain, death)Smitty (villain, Charlie's con man, death)The Jivaros (villains, head shrinkers)
Flight from Danger!
6 pp · adventure
Brutal Capt. Bull!
7 pp · adventure
Massacred!
8 pp · war
un-named sergeantSouth Korean soldiers [Yup-in-Pai (death)others un-named]Colonel Jun (villain, death)Li (villain, death)Kung (villain, death)
Devils in Baggy Pants
7 pp · war
Colt Single Action Army Revolver
6 pp · western-frontier
Pirate Gold!
7 pp · adventure
Sebastin (death?)Diego (death?)Thomas Tew (Sawkin's First Mate, death)Calico Jack Sharp (Sawkin's 2nd Mate, death)Ben Avery (Sawkin's Boatswain, death)Captain Ben Sawkins (villain, pirate, commander of the "Pandora", death)
Pigs of the Roman Empire
7 pp · adventure; history
Commander Decius (death)Decius' un-named slave (death)Brennus (slave of Decius and Wise Man, death)Genseric (King of the Vandals)the Vandals
The Murmansk Run!
6 pp · adventure
Search!
7 pp · war
Joe Angliosani (a soldier)"The Kid" (a soldier, death)Mario Angliosani (Joe's brother, death)The Nazis (villains, many die)
Dying City!
7 pp · war
Kim's grandfatherSun Yoo (Kim's sister, flashback, death)Kim's father (flashback, death)Kim's mother (flashback, death)Kim (villain, North Korean soldier, death)North Korean soldiers (villains)
Massacre at Agincourt
6 pp · historical; war
Chicken!
7 pp · war
Lieutenant Robert Hall (death)Captain Harold Black (death)
Old Soldiers Never Die!
7 pp · war
Kill!
6 pp · war
Abner (soldier, death)Joe (soldier)North Korean soldiers [Li (death)others unnamed] (villains)
Dog Fight!
7 pp · aviation; war
USMC Captain Jacob Strange (pilot)Sergeant J. F. FridayBates (pilot)Johnson (pilot)The Japanese (villains, some die)
