Military Comics #1 Values

Title: The Origin of Blackhawk

Characters: Blackhawks [Blackhawk (introduction and origin); Baker (introduction, no further appearances); at least 6 other unidentifiable members (see Note #3 for possible candidates)]; Jack (Blackhawk's brother, introduction, death); Connie (Blackhawk's sister, introduction, death); Ann (Red Cross nurse, unidentified by name in this story, named in issue #3); one unnamed captured soldier; Captain von Tepp (Nazi villain, introduction, death); Captain von Kreck (Nazi villain, introduction, presumably killed); Nazis (villains, many die)

Synopsis: Warsaw, Poland 1939. The Nazis are massing to rout the Polish Air Force, the only obstacle to their victory over Poland, and are being led by the Nazi commander, Captain von Tepp. However, in his attack, the brother and sister of a lone survivor are killed, and this survivor, later to become The Blackhawk, vows to hunt down von Tepp and make him pay personally for their deaths.

Pages: 11.000

Script: Will Eisner; Bob Powell

Pencils: Chuck Cuidera [as Charles Cuidera) (signed)

Inks: Chuck Cuidera [as Charles Cuidera] (signed)

Letters: Sam Rosen

Reprints: Secret Origins (DC, 1973 series) #6 (January-February 1974)

Notes: (1) Writer addition of Bob Powell and letterer credit per Chuck Cuidera. (2) Introduction of Blackhawk. Introduction and death of Blackhawk’s brother Jack and sister Connie (both buried by Blackhawk). Blackhawk (DC, 1957 series) #242 (Aug-Sep 1968) reveals that Blackhawk's civilian name is Bart Hawk, however the story of Jack's death in that issue is vastly different from the original account, and therefore cannot be considered in the same continuity. Given this, one cannot state unequivocally that the three siblings' last name is "Hawk", or that Blackhawk's first name is "Bart". (3) A minimum of 8 Blackhawks, including Blackhawk himself, are depicted. Baker, a Cockney Englishman, is the only one named. Based on later revelations of the team's early membership, the 6 unidentified members likely include: Andre, Hendrickson, Olaf, Stanislaus, Zeg, Chuck, and/or Boris. Based on his physical appearance, the prisoner referred to as "Blackhawk's man", seen on page 5 panel 4 between the Red Cross nurse and Captain Von Tepp, could be Andre or Zeg. Based on his physical appearance, the man struck in the head by a rock, seen on page 6 panel 9, could be Stanislaus, Olaf, or Boris. (4) A small map of Blackhawk's Island is depicted. (5) The lyrics to the song of the Blackhawks are: "Over land over sea, we fight to make men free, of danger we don't care... we're Blackhawks!"