EXCLUSIVE: DC goes to war in May — and brings the defunct Quality Comics with them…
Knock me over with a feather: DC in May is reprinting two war comics classics in the lead-up to Memorial Day — 1959’s Our Army at War #81, featuring the first appearance of Sgt. Rock and Easy Co., and Quality Comics’ Military Comics #1, which gave us the 1941 debut of Blackhawk.
That’s astonishing — and wonderful — news.
Dig the official solicitations, which will be formally released by DC later this week. Oh, and for even bigger DC Facsimile Edition news — click here.
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MILITARY COMICS #1 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by WILL EISNER
Art and cover by CHUCK CUIDERA
“Hawk-a-a-a!” The legendary Blackhawk and his squadron take to the air against the Nazis for the very first time in this full-facsimile reprint of the action-packed first issue of Military Comics from 1941.
$6.99 US
64 pages
ON SALE 5/21/24
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OUR ARMY AT WAR #81 FACSIMILE EDITION
Written by BOB HANEY
Art by ROSS ANDRU and MIKE ESPOSITO
Cover by JERRY GRANDENETTI
“Nothin’s easy in Easy Company.” Sgt. Rock and the legendary World War II fighting force make their first appearance together in “The Rock of Easy Co.!” This full facsimile edition also features three other explosive battle-action stories from legendary DC war artists Joe Kubert, Russ Heath, and more.
$3.99 US
32 pages
ON SALE 5/7/24
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A few thoughts:
— I like what DC is doing here. Usually, the publisher sticks with superheroes. This month, however, we got the Young Romance #125 Facsimile Edition in time for Valentine’s Day. Now, we have two war classics in May. What a great way to celebrate the company’s rich history across genres.
— DC could have very easily gone with 1957’s Blackhawk #108, the team’s first outing with the publisher after it picked up the Quality Comics characters. But, as with the Fawcett Whiz Comics and Marvel Family Facsimiles a while back, it’s really great to see DC tip the cap to one of the companies that’s become part of its fabric. Plus, having Will Eisner in the mix certainly makes a nice bonus.
— Love the creators we’re seeing here: Eisner, Chuck Cuidera, Bob Haney, Ross Andru, Mike Esposito, Jerry Grandenetti, Joe Kubert and Russ Heath — not to mention Our Army at War editor Robert Kanigher, who’s not mentioned in the solicitations.
— Hey, don’t forget: There’s other great DC Facsimile Edition news. Click here.
— Obligatory Price Comparisons: A 9.4-graded, slabbed Military Comics #1 sold for $52,580, including buyer’s premium, in 2018 via Heritage Auctions. An 8.5-graded, slabbed Our Army at War #81 sold for $5,400, including buyer’s premium, in 2019 through Heritage.
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MORE
— A Birthday Salute to LADY BLACKHAWK — and DICK DILLIN. Click here.
— Dig the Groovy Glory of SGT. ROCK’s Action Figures and Vehicles. Click here.
February 14, 2024
We so need a revival of the DC Archives programme
February 14, 2024
I don’t get the appeal of some of these Facsimile reprints, which seem to be just reprinting the same stuff DC did with their Millennium Editions about 20 years ago. Military Comics # 1 and Our Army at War # 81 were both reprinted as Millennium editions so it’s not quite accurate to compare the Facsimiles to what the originals are going for—just compare the Facsimile price versus what a Millennium edition is going for. In some cases, a Millennium edition might cost you LESS than a Facsimile edition.
February 14, 2024
a lot of buyers/readers new to comic books in the last 25 yrs
February 15, 2024
That.
February 15, 2024
A Millennium Edition is not the same as a Facsimile Edition. The stories are reprinted but not the ads, etc. And the whole point of the price comparison is that it’s pointless — but fun.
February 15, 2024
It seems DC considers OAAW 81, and not 83, the first appearance of Sgt Rock.
February 15, 2024
Now DC, how about publishing facsimiles for significant issues of western characters Tomahawk and Johnny Thunder!