At least, that was the basis for two different series from the same publisher running simultaneously in 1952; Atomic War! and World War III!
Oddly, the premiere issue of World War IIIpresented a similar series of events to the first issue of Atomic War, but in a slightly-different time-frame, and a different order! There were no cross-overs and certain events and available technology were very different in the two titles, indicating the two series were alternate universe / multiverse versions of each other! BTW, Atomic War! came first, in November, 1952, with a second issue following in December, then going bi-monthly in February and April, 1953. World War III ran in March and May of 1953, the months Atomic War! wasn't published, giving kids of the era a monthly fix of future fun!
With Russia threatening us with nuclear annihilation (again), we thought we'd call your attention to our re-presentation of these kool examples of Cold War paranoia at our "brother" RetroBlog ™, War: Past, Present & Future™.
At this time of year, Christmas carols are in continuous rotation on radio stations and in the Atomic Kommie Comics™ office.
(Remember when this didn't happen until after Thanksgiving?)
One of our favorites is Christmas at Ground Zero by "Weird" Al Yankovic.
(You were expecting maybe Adeste Fidelis?)
Which brings us to, perhaps, the most unusual theme for potential Christmas presents (and, you gotta admit, we've had some real weirdies!)...atomic Armageddon!
BTW, our apologies...the brand-new link directly from YouTube does a weird re-routing, so you have to click on the video embed to go directly to YouTube instead of being able to watch it on the blog!
Within our sci-fi-oriented The Future WAS Fantastic!™ section is the Atomic War line of kool collectibles with classic comic book covers from the fear-filled '50s, featuring the nuclear destruction of New York City (see above), Washington DC, and Moscow on black hoodies, sweats, and tees, as well as mugs and other tchochkies! So for all you survivalists out there, while you duck n' cover under the Christmas tree, prepare for the irradiated end stylishly with our radiation-proof (not really!) garb and goodies!
At least, that was the basis for two different series from the same publisher running simultaneously in 1952; Atomic War! and World War III!
Oddly, the premiere issue of World War IIIpresented a similar series of events to the first issue of Atomic War, but in a slightly-different time-frame, and a different order! There were no cross-overs and certain events and available technology were very different in the two titles, indicating the two series were alternate universe / multiverse versions of each other! BTW, Atomic War! came first, in November, 1952, with a second issue following in December, then going bi-monthly in February and April, 1953. World War III ran in March and May of 1953, the months Atomic War! wasn't published, giving kids of the era a monthly fix of future fun!
With Russia threatening us with nuclear annihilation (again), we thought we'd call your attention to our re-presentation of these kool examples of Cold War paranoia at our "brother" RetroBlog ™, War: Past, Present & Future™.
Here's a story from the 1950s that might've inspired the 1960s cult flick The Green Slime!
This tale from the fifth (and final) issue of the 1952-53 comic book Atom-Age Combat is one of only three stories in the entire series with actual sci-fi or alien elements! Most of the tales were of the World War III / Atomic War type showing a long-feared "US vs the Russian and/or Chinese Commies" war using advanced technology and limited nuclear weaponry.
While the writer is unknown, the art is by longtime war comics artist Dick Ayers, best-known for Sgt Fury and His Howling Commandos.
Please Support Atomic Kommie Comics! Visit Amazon and Order...
The final (in more ways than one) Captain Rocket comic tale...
...is not an outer space adventure, but an inner space one!
We had an atomic war in 1962...and nobody told us?
And Cap's adventures take place eons (or many millions of years) from now?
Writer/artist Harry Harrison handled the creative chores of the never-reprinted final story from PL's Captain Rocket #1 (1951), as he did every other story in this book.
Captain Rocket didn't have a second issue, and the character never reappeared, though his name has been appropriated for video games and halloween costumes for a totally-different character!
Little is known about PL Publishing, one of the least successful comic publishers in history, lasting less than a year and producing only eight titles, none of which ran more than three issues! BTW, there was a thirdCaptain Rocket story in that issue...but it was a text feature based on the cover! We ran it last year, and you can read it HERE!
Think we're paranoid about the (unnamed, but obvious) enemy discovering our atomic secrets?
Look at how nutso we were back in the 1950s!
(BTW, the "Based on TRUE Stories" caption is a total lie!)
The lead story from this Avon Comics 1950 one-shot with a Norman (Mars Attacks) Saunders cover exemplifies the "Russkies/Chinese under the bed" paranoia that's making a comeback today! Although with Putin going Don da Con-level bonkers...ya never know! Regrettably, neither the writer nor artist(s) are known.
The idea that we should leave Earth before atomic war destroys it is not new...
...nor is the "surprise ending" to this never-reprinted backup tale from Ziff-Davis' Crusader from Mars #1 (1952)
"You blew it up!
Damn you!
Damn you all to hell!"
Almost two decades before Rod Serling had Charlton Heston scream those words to the sky at the conclusion of Planet of the Apes, artist Mike Becker and an unknown writer presented a much more mellow discovery by space travelers returning to Earth centuries in the future!
The script may be by editor Jerry (Superman) Siegel...
Mike Becker illustrated over 100 crime, horror, romance, sci-fi, sports, spy, war and western stories for various publishers including Timely, Ziff-Davis, Hillman, Youthful, and Nedor/Better/Standard from 1948 through 1956.
What happened after that is, regrettably, unknown.
It's said you can tell a comic story is well-crafted...
...if it makes sense without captions and dialogue!
I'd say this never-reprinted tale from Pacific's Alien Worlds #5 (1983) fulfills that criteria, eh? Please Support Atomic Kommie Comics! Visit Amazon and Order...
With North Korea threatening us with nuclear weapons (again)...
...maybe
we should look at how it was during the Cold War by looking at what
they thought (in the 1950s) would happen in the near-future (the 1960s
onward)!
Turns out it wasn't so great, as you'll see when you click on the links to our "brother" RetroBlogWar: Past, Present & Future...and read about...
...which were two different series with two different plotlines and histories taking place at the same time in the near future...from the same publisher!
The
recent rumblings and threats from the Hermit Kingdom about atomic
weaponry and the will to use it sounded strangely familiar.
A quick look thru the extensive Atomic Kommie Comics™ archives shows a whole section of Korean Police Action kool kollectibles featuring designs from over 50 years ago for the perusal (and purchase) of all you veterans, relatives of vets, and / or war comics fans in our War: Past, Present, & Future™ collection! Never has "retro" been so timely!
So, if you want to make a statement, or just look like you're up on current events, go with Korean Police Action mugs, t-shirts, messenger bags, or other tchochkies...before the missiles fly and the bombs drop!