PLUS: 13 Favorite BLACKHAWK Covers…
Blackhawk #10 (Spring 1946). Art by Al Bryant.
By PETER BOSCH
It was 85 years ago, on May 2, 1941, that the world was introduced to that determined Nazi fighter, Blackhawk, in Quality’s Military Comics #1. A dedicated enemy of oppression, the Polish pilot and his team of fighting flyers of many nations took the battle to the Axis powers, bringing instant fear to the would-be conquerors — just from the mention of their name alone.
Blackhawk’s first tale (below) was written by Will Eisner and Bob Powell. And though Chuck Cuidera is given the official credit for the art of the story, could anybody but Eisner have drawn that last page’s panel of the lookalike Spirit and Ellen Dolan? (Eisner, with an art assist from Gill Fox, also handled the cover art.)
The enemy was clear, it was Nazis — with a little swipe at the Japanese, too — even though America was still not in the war that would consume the entire world later in 1941. Other foes were even closer at hand, with fifth columnists actively at work within our shores, and Military Comics #1 had plenty of heroes to take on every adversary of freedom.
In addition to drawing the Loops and Banks feature, Bob Powell may have also written it.
The Blue Tracer, with art (and possible script) by Fred Guardineer.
Archie Atkins. Scripter not verified. Art by Frank Frollo.
Shot and Shell, with script and art by Klaus Nordling.
Yankee Eagle, written by John Stewart, drawn by Bill Smith.
Death Patrol, written and drawn by Jack Cole.
Miss America, art by Elmer Wexler (with script possibly by Wexler).
Q-Boat, art by Henry Kiefer, with script possibly by Kiefer.
Blackhawk received his own title in winter 1944, beginning with Issue #9, taking up the numbering from where Uncle Sam Quarterly left off at #8. After the war ended, Military Comics became Modern Comics with Issue #44 (Nov. 1945), and the enemy became the Communists.
Blackhawk #9 (Winter 1944). Cover art by Al Bryant.
In 1952, kids could see Blackhawk onscreen, with former Superman Kirk Alyn as the team leader.
Modern Comics came to an end with its 102nd issue (Oct. 1950) and Blackhawk continued being published by Quality Comics until the company’s demise. DC Comics picked up the title and its numbering, starting with #108 (Jan. 1957) and — running on and off — ending with #273 (Nov. 1984).
Here is a collection of 13 great Blackhawk covers over the years from all three titles.
Military Comics #11 (Aug. 1942). Art by Will Eisner.
Military Comics #12 (Oct. 1942). Art by Chuck Cuidera.
Military Comics #13 (Nov. 1942). Art by Reed Crandall.
Military Comics #18 (Apr. 1943). Art by Crandall.
Military Comics #28 (Apr. 1944). Art by Alex Kotzky.
Military Comics #29 (May 1944). Art by Kotzky.
Modern Comics #55 (Nov. 1946). Art by Al Bryant.
Modern Comics #73 (May 1948). Art by Crandall.
Modern Comics #97 (May 1950). Artist unconfirmed.
Blackhawk #19 (June 1948). Art by Crandall, who lifted the figure of Blackhawk from the poster image of Humphrey Bogart in the classic 1943 World War II drama, Sahara.
Blackhawk #151 (Aug. 1950, DC). Cover pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Cuidera.
Blackhawk #255 (Feb. 1983). Cover pencils by Ed Hannigan, inks by Dave Cockrum.
Blackhawk #272 (Sept. 1984). Cover art by Dan Spiegle.
HAWKA-A-A!
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MORE
— PAUL KUPPERBERG: My 13 Favorite REED CRANDALL BLACKHAWK Covers. Click here.
— A Birthday Salute to LADY BLACKHAWK — and DICK DILLIN. Click here.
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13th Dimension contributor-at-large PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, was published by TwoMorrows. (You can buy it here.) A sequel, American Movie Comic Books: 1930s-1970s — From the Silver Screen to the Printed Page, is out now. (Buy it here.) Peter has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. He lives in Hollywood.
May 2, 2026
I would really like to see the Mark Evanier/Dan Spiegle run collected (maybe include the Marv Wolfman/Dave Cockrum BRAVE AND THE BOLD 167 too) as an omnibus, deluxe edition, or DC Finest. I have the issues, but it was such a good run.
May 2, 2026
>> Modern Comics came to an end with its 102nd issue (Oct. 1950) and Blackhawk continued being published by Quality Comics until the company’s demise. DC Comics picked up the title and its numbering, starting with #108 (Jan. 1957….
>>
This part isn’t clear. When Quality took over did the numbering pick up where Modern left off? So only 5 issues then DC took over? What year did Quality die? 1951? Or did Quality publish 107 issues of Blackhawk before DC took over in ‘57?
May 2, 2026
Buck, you might have missed the earlier paragraph:
“Blackhawk received his own title in winter 1944, beginning with Issue #9, taking up the numbering from where Uncle Sam Quarterly left off at #8. After the war ended, Military Comics became Modern Comics with Issue #44 (Nov. 1945), and the enemy became the Communists.”
In other words…
Quality Comics: “Military Comics” #1 to #43, then renamed as “Modern Comics” #44 to #102. “Blackhawk” #9 to #107.
DC Comics: Blackhawk #108 to #273.
May 2, 2026
Thanks for the article. Being an old Blackhawk fan (‘old’ in both literal and figurative terms), I’m always glad to see the title still getting some attention in fandom. I agree with Kevin… it would be nice to see a collection of the Evanier/Spiegle run. ‘Course I’d like to see a nice collection of the best Crandall art stories.
May 2, 2026
Does anyone know if the Blackhawk serial was edited into a feature film like some others?
May 2, 2026
Yes, you’ll find a couple of really nice versions on YouTube. The best way to find them both is to search for “Blackhawk” and “Dan Thompson”, who is the person who edited both. Also, for those looking for the complete serial, you’ll find the original and colorized versions on archive.org.
May 2, 2026
Not sure why the list stopped in 1984, but having just reread it, I can attest that Howard Chaykin’s three-issue mini-series from 1987 is pretty great and still holds up really well.
May 2, 2026
I really want to see DC’s run collected as part of the DC Finest series. They can start by publishing a color version of what they had for the Showcase Presents release. I wouldn’t buy the War Five Arrive book for the little bit of Blackhawk they had there, but I would buy a dedicated Blackhawk book in a heartbeat.
May 2, 2026
I wonder what went into the decision for DC to do inclusive genre titles for Horror, War, and Western in the DC Finest line. Like Sgt. Rock, Blackhawk could sustain his own series (as could Jonah Hex from the Western book) and others.