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Issue: U. S. A. Comics [USA Comics; U.S.A. Comics] #5
Publication Date: January 1942
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #5 of 17 Issues
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagMarvel
Brand: none
Indicia Publisher: U.S.A. Comic Magazine Corp.
On Sale Date: 08/15/1942
Volume: 1
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 17 (10 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Stan Lee
Disclose Notes: U. S. A. COMICS is published quarterly at Meriden, Conn., by U.S.A. Comic Magazine Corp. Entered as second class matter May 2, 1941 at the post office at Meriden, Conn., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Contents copyright 1942 by U.S.A. Comic Magazine Corp. 330 W. 42nd St., New York, N. Y., Martin Goodman, Pres. Vol. 1, No. 5, Summer, 1942 issue. Yearly subscriptions $.40 in the U.S.A. No similarity between any of the names, characters, persons and/or institutions appearing in this magazine with those of any living or dead person or institution is intended, and that any such similarity which may exist is purely coincidental. Printed in the U.S.A.

The only feature in this issue that previously or subsequently appeared in this title is Sergeant Dix (previously Corporal Dix). Victory Boys and probably the Blue Blade appeared in a slightly different forms in Comedy Comics (Marvel, 1942 series) #10. The Black Widow previously appeared three times in Mystic Comics, and subsequently in All Select Comics.

The on-sale date is from the publication date recorded in the Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 2, Periodicals, 1942, New Series, Vol. 37, No. 3.
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Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age U.S.
Paper Stock: glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: saddle-stitched
Publishing Format: was ongoing series
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In17
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets0
 
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Disclose Content Items (17 total)
Disclose Issue Images
Introducing the Victory Boys

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Penciller(s): Al Gabriele ?
Inker(s): Al Gabriele ?
Colorist(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Victory Boys
Character(s): Victory Boys [Victor; Maxie Stein; Kurt Erzberger; Gus Webber]; Adolf Hitler; Benito Mussolini; Hirohito; Winston Churchill ?
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as [USA Comics #5] Introducing the Victory Boys [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
[untitled]

Public Service Announcement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Henry Morgenthal, Jr. (credited)
Penciller(s): ? (illustration)
Inker(s): ? (illustration)
Letterer(s): ?; typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: opinion
First Line: A special message to the boys and girls of America from Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury
Synopsis: The publishers donated this space, on behalf of the U.S. Savings Bonds and War Stamps campaign, to published a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., encouraging the boys and girls of America to buy at least one 10 cent Savings Stamp each week to help the war effort.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as [untitled] [Public Service Announcement on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Found on the inside front cover.
Disclose
Hitler and Hirohito's Hunting Trip

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Ernie Hart; Al Avison ? (splash page); ? (additional pencilers possible)
Inker(s): Ernie Hart; George Klein; ? (additional inkers possible)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Victory Boys
Character(s): Victory Boys [Victor; Maxie Stein; Kurt Erzberger; Gus Weber; Warren Zumwald] (in costume); Adolf Hitler (villain); Hirohito (villain); Benito Mussolini (villain); Hitz (villain); Fritz (villain)
Synopsis: Hitler and Mussolini need to find a way to hide Germany's difficulties from a visiting Hirohito, so they whisk him off to a castle in the Black Forest. The Victory Boys are nearby, and Maxie is chosen to go hunting for some food for them. He gets captured, and the Victory Boys must confront the three dictators to rescue him.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Hitler and Hirohito's Hunting Trip [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Disclose Notes: The feature last appeared in Comedy Comics (Marvel, 1942 series) #10, although the characters did not wear costumes.
Next appearance of the Victory Boys in All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes (Marvel, 2011 series) #1.
Disclose
Murder, Unlimited

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): The Black Widow [Claire Voyant]; John Marriman (actor, death); Satan (villain); Karl Koodamore (villain, introduction, death); Henderson (villain); Pete (villain, death); Sparks (villain, death); Cross-Face Durok (villain, death)
Synopsis: Satan sends the Black Widow to collect the soul of Karl Koodamore, a man who arranges murders for money. After one of Koodamore's henchmen kills an actor on stage, the Black Widow appears, killing one henchman, driving another to suicide, and tricking Koodamore into driving off a cliff.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Murder, Unlimited [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: previous appearance in Mystic Comics (Marvel, 1940 series) #7.

next appearance in All Select Comics (Marvel, 1943 series) #1.
Disclose
Tops in Thrills! Mystery! Action! Comedy! Patriotism!!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Stan Lee [as Lee] (signed)
Penciller(s): Bill King [as King] (signed)
Inker(s): Bill King [as King] (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Captain America's Sentinels of Liberty
Character(s): Captain America [Steve Rogers]
Synopsis: Illustrated house ad asking readers to join Cap's Sentinels of Liberty.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Tops in Thrills! Mystery! Action! Comedy! Patriotism!! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Lee and King signed this piece and are, most likely, two separate people. Bill King did such house ads from 1941-43 and Stan Lee wrote such ads during the same years.
Disclose
Hills of Horror

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Don Rico; ?
Inker(s): Al Plastino ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Character(s): Jonah Lamb (introduction); Mr. Lamb (introduction, Jonah's father, death); Budd Powers (introduction); Sen Yat (Chinese coolie); un-named Chinese bandits (villains, many die)
Synopsis: When young Jonah's father dies in an earthquake in Shanghai, Jonah leaves the city to start afresh. He runs into a drifter named Budd Powers, and the two decide to stick together. They run across a village being attacked by bandits, and jump in on the side of the villagers, eventually running the bandits off.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Hills of Horror [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: Caniff-esque adventure. There is a teaser at the end for another of Jonah's adventures to be published in the next issue but it never appeared.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ? (additional penciler present, possibly Fred Kida ?)
Inker(s): ? (additional inker present, possibly Fred Kida ?)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure, humorous
Character(s): The Fighting Hobo [Butch Brogan] (introduction); Mrs. Upsnoot (dog owner)
First Line: The gang laughed at Butch Brogan when he began reciting Shakespeare, but when he combined two fighting fists with Hamlet, things began to happen [...]
Synopsis: Butch Brogan, a hobo, finds a book of Shakespeare and feels inspired by it, although his fellow hobos mock him. When he sees a dog kidnapped from a woman for ransom, he volunteers to chase after the kidnappers and retrieve it.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as The Dog-Nappers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: At the end, there is a teaser for more adventures of "Butch Brogan, the Happy Hobo" in the next issue, but they never appeared.
Disclose
Sandai and the Atom Smasher

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Blue Blade
Character(s): The Blue Blade; un-named scientist; Nita (scientist's daughter); Sandai (villain); un-named Japanese spy (villain)
Synopsis: The Blue Blade heads to the Pacific coast as a result of the Japanese joining the war. Once there, he saves an inventor and his daughter from Japanese spies who were trying to steal his atomic smashing machine.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Sandai and the Atom Smasher [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: Likely a reworked version of the Fourth Musketeer from Comedy Comics (Marvel, 1942 series) #10. The different artist could explain the costume changes. As no background for the character is given at all in this story, it fits well enough (even though the Fourth Musketeer was specifically the spirit of a dead Musketeer risen to fight the Axis).

There is evidence of last-minute re-lettering of the "Blue Blade" name, and the character is referred to as "the Musketeer" twice in this story.

Next appearance in The Twelve (Marvel, 2008 series) #1, in which he was given the name "Roy Chambers", although he has no civillian name in this story.

The Masterworks edition lists the artist as unknown; in extended online notes, there are comments that "The art is unknown but wild speculation is that this could be an early appearance of Carmine Infantino and/or even Gil Kane." Given the phrasing, this speculation is best left in the notes and not in the credits where they would appear too definitive, even with question marks.
Disclose
Dead Man's Warning

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Character(s): Cliff Prentiss (death); Pete Lawson (greenhorn prospector); Sheriff McKinley; Andy Cramer (villain)
Synopsis: The death of an experienced explosives expert in a mountainous area teeming with gold leads Pete Lawson to suspect Andy Cramer, who has been wanting to buy out the claim once held by Prentiss.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Dead Man's Warning [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose
Terror in the Sky!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Character(s): Roko the Amazing [Lon Crag] (introduction, origin); Joe; Menalaos (introduction); Mike; Pete; Mr. McClure (villain)
Synopsis: Lon Crag sees some other kids reading Captain America Comics at school and wishes he could be that kind of hero. In art class, his teacher compliments him on his painting of Menalaos, and Lon stays after school to complete it. When he is done, the painting comes to life and offers to grant him a wish. When he says the word "Illium," 16-year-old Lon becomes an adult superhero named Roko with "the wisdom of Ulysses, the battle-prowess of Aggamenon [sic] and the invulnerability of Achilles," and with Achilles's weakness as well.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Terror in the Sky! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Disclose Notes: Only appearance. At the end, Roko addresses the readers and asks them to write to him.

The Masterworks edition lists Alderman as penciler and the inker unknown, while Who's Who lists Alderman as penciler and inker.
Disclose
Like a Comet!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: anthropomorphic
Feature(s): Krazy Komics #2
Character(s): Toughy Tomcat
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Like a Comet! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Includes a small version of the cover to the issue, plus additional illustration.
Disclose
[untitled]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Inker(s): ? (additional inker possible)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: adventure
Feature(s): Gypo and Bobby
Character(s): Gypo (a gypsy giant, introduction); Bobby (introduction); Bobby's un-named mother (introduction); Gypo's un-named wife (introduction); Gypo's pet dragon (introduction)
First Line: Like in all good fairy tales, our little hero Bobby, who lives with his mother in this house...
Synopsis: Bobby disobeys his mother by going into the forest where he meets Gypo, a giant who tries to scare him. Bobby is unimpressed, and Gypo feels like a failure, even more so when his normal-sized wife shows up and forces him to come home and deal with his pet dragon who is acting up again.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Encounter With a Giant [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 5
Disclose Notes: At the end there is a blurb asking readers to write in if they would like to see more of Gypo and Bobby. While the Masterworks contents only credits Winiarski with pencils, the introduction refers to him as the "artist" with some inks by Don Rico, which implies that Winiarski likely at least partially inked the feature.
Disclose
Fish Face Friday

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: war
Feature(s): Sergeant Dix
Character(s): Sergeant Dix [Jeff Dix]; Fish Face Friday (a cook, introduction); Mrs. Dix (Jeff's mother); Joe Dix (Jeff's brother); the Japanese (villains, some die)
Synopsis: Corporal Jeff Dix's furlough is cut short and he is deployed to Panama. Now a Sergeant, he runs into his old friend Fish Face Friday who is the cook on the ship. While on their way to Panama they are attacked by the Japanese, one of whom runs afoul of Fish Face when he tries to poison the food in the galley.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Fish Face Friday [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 7
Disclose Notes: This feature was called "Corporal Dix" in the previous issue. The Masterworks edition lists writer and artist as unknown.
Disclose
[untitled]

Cartoon  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Lou Paige (signed)
Penciller(s): Lou Paige (signed)
Inker(s): Lou Paige (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): Lou Paige
Subject Matter
Genres: humorous
Feature(s): Patent Pending
First Line: Our sales have doubled -
Synopsis: Numerous one-panel gags about silly inventions.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as [untitled] [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
The Origin of El Gaucho

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Vince Alascia (signed)
Inker(s): George Klein; ? (additional inker possible)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The American Avenger
Character(s): El Gaucho [Don Caldwell aka the American Avenger] (introduction, origin); Carelos Ramerez (Don's best friend); Baron Girbel (villain, introduction); The Baron (villain); the Nazis (villains)
Synopsis: Don Caldwell, an exchange student in South America, comes to love his new home and studies the legend of their protector El Gaucho, who died many years ago. An old man hears him speak of this, and gives him El Gaucho's costume to carry on the tradition. After defeating Nazis in South America, Don feels he must return to the U.S. to fight Nazis there, becoming the American Avenger.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as The Origin of El Gaucho [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Disclose Notes: The cover of Atomic Comics #2 swiped from splash page of this story.
Disclose
Thrills!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Marvel Mystery Comics
Character(s): Human Torch [Jim Hammond]; Toro; Sub-Mariner [Namor]; Angel [Tom Hallaway]; Terry Vance; Jimmy Jupiter; Patriot [Jeff Mace]; Vision [Aarkus]
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as Thrills! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Stan Lee [as Lee] (signed)
Penciller(s): Bill King [as King] (signed)
Inker(s): Bill King [as King] (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Terry-Toons Comics
Character(s): Sarge
First Line: Yeow
Synopsis: Illustrated ad for the new issue of Terry Toons Comics, on sale July 1st.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age U.S.A. Comics #2 [Regular Edition] published December 2011
as [untitled] [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Found on the back cover.

Lee and King signed this piece and are, most likely, two separate people. Bill King did such house ads from 1941-43 and Stan Lee wrote such ads during the same years.

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