Adventure Comics, #54
Published: September 1940
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Issue Contents:
The Hour-Man and the Minute Men of America (1)
Credits
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
Announcing the Sensational New Daisy 1000-Shot Red Ryder Carbine
Credits
- Pencils: Fred Harman
- Inks: Fred Harman
Story Notes
Advertisement for the Red Ryder 100-Shot Carbine air rifle from the Daisy Manufacturing Company of Plymouth Michigan. Rifle was advertised with a price of $2.95. Advertisement appears on the inside front cover. This page also contains the indicia for this issue.
The Kidnapping of a Minute-Man (1)
Storyline
Shortly after his mother forces him to resign from the Minute Men of America, banker's son Rodney Morvan is kidnapped by Ricky Maffiri's gang. With the help of the Minute Men, the Hourman tracks down the gang and reunites Rodney with his family who allow the boy to rejoin the Minute Men.
Credits
- Script: Ken Fitch
- Pencils: Bernard Baily
- Inks: Bernard Baily
- Letters: Bernard Baily
Story Notes
Writer confirmed by Martin O'Hearn. Letterer credit added by Craig Delich. The last panel of the story encourages readers to write in and let the editors know how they like the Minute Men of America, because the editors are offering ten $1.00 awards PLUS an autographed picture of the Hourman and Minute Man Martin for the ten best letters received.
Fang Gow's Challenge
Storyline
When O'Neill and Le Grand learn of Fang Gow's attempt to poison a group of refugee children, Fang Gow takes control of O'Neill's mind. Le Grand makes a deal with Fang Gow for O'Neill's release and, upon Fang Gow's escape, the children are saved.
Credits
- Script: Ed Winiarski
- Pencils: Jerzy Młynarczyk
- Inks: Jerzy Młynarczyk
Featuring Oscar Skatterbrain
"Darling, I love you!" "Oscar! Look out! A truck!!"
Storyline
On a drive with his sweetheart Ann, Oscar's car is damaged by a bull. After having the car fixed, Oscar gets into another accident leaving his mechanic's garage.
Credits
- Script: Emil Flohri
- Pencils: Emil Flohri
- Inks: Emil Flohri
Story Notes
Only appearance.
The Dreaded Mokos (1)
"Marooned in the strange land of the Mikishawm beneath the surface of the Earth, Mark Lansing and his party of four are unaware of the danger that lurks on the clifftop above them..."
Storyline
Mark and his companions are captured by the Mokos. Mark, Jada and Koda escape, but Mark and Koda are recaptured and Mark is forced to fight as a gladiator in order to win his friends' freedom.
Credits
- Script: Howard Purcell
- Pencils: Howard Purcell
- Inks: Howard Purcell
Story Notes
Story title from next issue blurb in previous issue.
"As Steve Carson works at his desk, he receives a call from a newspaper friend.......!!"
Storyline
Investigating an alleged murder at the Borinquen embassy, Steve Carson finds that the supposedly murdered butler is still alive. Upon returning to headquarters, Carson learns that a photographer, who's been seen outside, is actually a Borinquen agent and returns to the embassy to bust the ambassador.
Characters
- Steve Carson (mainstream Universe)
Credits
- Script:
- Pencils:
- Inks:
Story Notes
A box after the final panel on the last page promotes the recurring feature: "Follow the rip-roaring racket-buster, Steve Carson, in every issue of Adventure Comics!"
"Hello again, Members! I'll bet you've been reading in the newspapers about something called "The Fifth Column," and how the Federal Men are trying to combat it."
Storyline
The column explains that "fifth columnists" are and how the FBI finds them.
Story Notes
The page includes a clip-and-mail coupon that could be sent, along with 10 cents, to "enlist" in the Junior Federal Men Club. Those who joined received a badge, certificate and Operator's number.
Nothin' Serious
Storyline
A play on words involving men buying tickets at a train station.
Credits
- Script: Eugen Taru
- Pencils: Eugen Taru
- Inks: Eugen Taru
- Letters: Russell Cole
Story Notes
Letterer credit confirmed by Craig Delich.
The Beast Men
Storyline
Escaping a group of Amazons with the aid of Qwar, Cotton and Lupa travel to the land of Ugar where Norlon reveals the fate of Atlantis to Cotton. Ugar is then attacked by Beast Men and Cotton is taken prisoner.
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Jack Lehti
- Inks: Jack Lehti
Too Clever
Storyline
Coast Guard radio operator Jim Norton helps to retrieve stolen radio plans that are being unwittingly smuggled by Tom Larsen.
Credits
- Script: Clem Gordon
- Pencils: Kenney
- Inks: Kenney
Story Notes
Text story with accompanying illustrations.
The Great I, Part 3 (1)
"Socko Strong has laid elaborate plans to trap the Great I, an invisible maniac who has embarked on a career of revenge and crime..."
Storyline
Socko uses a paint sprayer and paint that conducts electricity to defeat the invisible Great I.
Credits
- Script: Jehan Sennep
- Pencils: Norman Boyd
- Inks: Norman Boyd
Hard to Discourage! (1)
Storyline
A look at people who overcame disabilities and discouragement to become successful athletes.
Approvals
Story Notes
Definition of "approvals" surrounded by several small ads from stamp dealers.
Adventure Stamp Page
Story Notes
Advertisement for an assortment of postage stamp dealers with reproductions of stamps.
Adventure of the French Agent (1)
"Well, Chang, shall we go out and stroll the boulevards of gay Paree?"
Storyline
Steve and Chang are fooled into assisting a spy in Paris.
Credits
- Script: Jack Lehti
- Pencils: Jack Lehti
- Inks: Jack Lehti
"Horses wear pants in South Africa -- to protect them from flies!"
Storyline
Facts about horses in South Africa, dog teeth in New Guinea, a chapel in Le Puys, France, knee injuries, and Chief Mountain in Glacier Park.
Credits
- Script: George Papp
- Pencils: George Papp
- Inks: George Papp
A MacBeagle Can Smell a Bargain!
Story Notes
Advertisement for Morrow Coaster Brakes produced for bicycles by the Eclipse Machine Division of the Bendix Aviation Corporation of Elmira, NY. Above the Superman radio show ad.
Superman Is on the Radio!
"Sponsored by the makers of Force over the following stations:"
Characters
Credits
- Pencils: Joe Shuster (uncertain)
- Inks: Joe Shuster (uncertain)
Story Notes
The ad promotes 14 stations in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. airing the Superman radio show, along with times and days, sponsored by Force cereal. Text at the bottom encourages readers to write their local stations and ask for the show, sponsored by Force cereal. Below the Morrow Coaster Brakes ad. This ad is similar to the one that ran originally in Action Comics #26 but with schedule changes of some stations and reformatted text.
Case of the Kidnapped Heiress (1)
Storyline
While attempting to help a friend, both Dian and Nana Martin are kidnapped by a gang of crooks, and the Sandman races to help save them and the ransom money that had been paid on their behalf.
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Creig Flessel
- Inks: Creig Flessel
Story Notes
Flessel credits by Craig Delich. Flessel signed his last name on page 7 in panel 4 on a tombstone. We previously had suggested Chad Grothkopf as artist.
The 'Big Six' Comic Magazines Still Lead the Field!
Featuring Action Comics; Adventure Comics; All-American Comics; Detective Comics; Flash Comics; More Fun Comics
Storyline
Advertisement for Action Comics, Adventure Comics, Detective Comics, All-American Comics, More Fun Comics and Flash Comics giving approximate dates of release for each title.
Story Notes
According to the text of the advertisement Action Comics was on sale "about the 23rd of every month", Adventure Comics "about the 7th of every month", Detective Comics "about the 5th of every month", All-American Comics "about the 20th of every month", More Fun Comics "about the 1st of every month", and Flash Comics "about the 15th of every month".
"What is the oldest science known to man?"
"Under Water Swimming Goggles"
Story Notes
Advertisement for various novelty items from Johnson Smith & Co. Inside back cover.
Gator Toughness - Cat Grip!
Story Notes
Advertisement for U.S. Bicycle Tires from the United States Rubber Company. This sequence appears on the back cover.