"Enemy Ace" Comic Book

I recall in the 1960-70s time period a US comic book titled "Enemy Ace," loosely based on von Richthofen, about a moody German Ace with a wolf for a companion. How long was it produced, and how did the Rittmeister meet the fate he craved?

I don't remember the comic book you mentioned, but I do remember one from the 1940's called "WINGS" It was very pro-British as i recall and I loved it. Does any buddy remember Grease Monkey Griffin?



Hope everyone has a great 1999.



leo

[Ira_Silverman]

Doug:



I have a copy of a "perfect bound" comic book issued by DC comics in 1990 called "Enemy Ace: War Idyll." It is very well illustrated but extremely dark, almost gothic. It concerns an interview with a bedridden and dying German WW1 ace named "Von Hammer" (who did fly a red tripe)by a young reporter named "Edward Mannock," no less. It largely concerns the futility, death and destruction of war, and even mentions the My Lai massacre in an aside.



I remember it being an extremely strange reading experience.



VBR,



Ira

"Von Hammer" had his own comic for a while and then he appeared in "Star Spangled War Stories".I used to have a lot of these but alas, they went the way of all things valuable, Mom pitched 'em when I wasn't looking! BTW you can find these up for auction on Ebay. Just search for "Enemy Ace"

Thanks, guys! Yes, Von Hammer was the name and it was DEFINITELY dark and moody. How many of us will never forget the demonic wail he heard in his Dr1's engine: "WELCOME BACK TO THE KILLING GROUND!"

I too remember Von Hammer. I don't think I ever read a separate comic about him, but there used to be short Enemy Ace stories in the back of "Sgt. Rock" comics. The war comics often had a short comic in the back that was unrelated to the main part of the comic. Unfortunately, that was many years ago and all of my comic books are long gone!

I also remember seeing the von Hammer graphic novel in the early 90's, but it didn't look interesting enough to buy. It seemed abstract and definitely dark. The original stories were not at all like that ... very action packed!

Graham

Enemy Ace first appeared in Our Army At War #151,153,155. These first three were short, second stories that followed the Sgt Rock first story. He then appeared in a full-length story in SHOWCASE #57,58. All of these 5 appearances occurred in 1965. After a long absence, he appeared as a guest in STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES#138-161 and 181-183. There was a re-issue by DC in the early nineties of two of the first stories. This re-issue is still available from Mile High Comics for around a buck. Just ask for Enemy Ace #1 circa 1990. Also, there was a hardbound and softbound graphic novel in the nineties. As a collector of comic books and WWI aircraft models as a boy in 1965, you can imagine the thrill I had when I discovered that DC's new character (there was a teaser campaign before the announcement) was a WWI German fighter pilot. Unfortunately, after the first 5 stories, DC let it die until it was reborn inthe 70's, only to die again. The best thing about it was the artist, Joe Kubert, whose kinetic comic art really brought all those planes to life as they've never been before or since. Collect as many as you can. you won't be dissappointed.

Thank you, James! It's really wonderful how folks will come forth here, and share their info. Now, shall we run a vote on Von Hammer's nastiest and most dangerous opponent? My vote: "The Harpy."

I had most of the EA comix in the '70s, and recall Hammer's tough fight with a Bristol F2A. Also, his pet wolf scared a buxom blonde into his waiting arms in the Black Forest. She thought his lips were cold as death.
Ah, youth.

[Richard_Schrader]

Oh yes, I remember Von Hammer well. I thought he was cool, but very unreal.