Russkie-Smashers COMMANDER BATTLE AND THE ATOMIC SUB "Day in the Life of an Atomic Commando"

Did you know the leader of the Atomic Commandos, Commander Bill Battle, was...

...an ex-spy, not a Navy officer?

Was it really wise of President Eisenhower to give command of America's first atomic submarine to a guy with no military, much less naval, training or experience?

Talk about on-the-job training!

This never-reprinted backup tale from ACG's Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub #3 (1954) was produced by series creators Richard Hughes (writer) and Sheldon Moldoff (illustrator).
There are a few more "Day in the Life of an Atomic Commando" shorts featuring other members of the team fighting various Commies.
We'll run them from time to time.
Trivia: there was another Bill Battle,who not only had his own comic book from Fawcett, but was even more of a Commie-Crusher than Commander Bill Battle!

...However, "The One-Man Army" fought only Koreans!

Also, since his series ended after only four issues in 1953, when Fawcett closed their comic book division, the character name was available for anyone to use!

ChiCom-Crushers COMMANDER BATTLE AND THE ATOMIC SUB "Payoff Battle!"

When last we left the Atomic Commandos...

I'd tell you, but the scripter did such a good job synopsizing the story, I'd be foolish to try to compete...

...BTW, I'm sure I saw this plot reused on Voyage to the Botom of the Sea in the 1960s!

Written by Richard Hughes and illustrated by Ken Landau, this never-reprinted tale from ACG's Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub #5 (1955) was the second and last issue of the anti-communist direction the series took.

The book continued for two more issues, which changed direction yet again, as the Atomic Sub battled flying saucer-riding aliens!
But there are a couple of solo short stories featuring individual Atomic Commandos battling Commies of various sorts, so you haven't seen the last of them in this category!

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Visit the Atomic PX...

...for all your radiation-proof uniform and equipment needs!

ChiCom-Crushers COMMANDER BATTLE AND THE ATOMIC SUB "Behind the Bamboo Curtain"

When Last We Left the Atomic Commandos...

...wel, that covers it pretty well!

Don't worrry, we'll check out the rest of the team as the story goes along...

Tomorrow:

PayOff Battle!

Written by Richard Hughes and illustrated by Ken Landau, this never-reprinted tale from ACG's Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub #5 (1955) was the second issue of the new anti-communist direction the series took.

Please Support Hero Histories!

Visit the Atomic PX...

 ...for all your radiation-proof 

uniform and equipment needs!

ChiCom-Crushers COMMANDER BATTLE AND THE ATOMIC SUB "ChiCom Deception"

Its Americans vs The Red Chinese!
(Gee, just like real life!)...

...as Commander Battle and his Atomic Commandos grapple with various Communists, not just Russkies!!!

Tomorrow:
Behind the Bamboo Curtain!

Written by Richard Hughes and illustrated by Ken Landau, this never-reprinted tale from ACG's Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub #5 (1955) was the second issue of the new anti-communist direction the series took.

Please Support Hero Histories!

Visit the Atomic PX...

 ...for all your radiation-proof 
uniform and equipment needs!

Russkie-Smashers COMMANDER BATTLE AND THE ATOMIC SUB "Death of the H-Bomb!"

We Have Already Seen...

When an atomic bomb launched from the Moon hits Earth, the Atomic Sub is hastily converted to an atomic spaceship.
The Atomic Commandos journey to the Moon, where they discover a race of humanoids angry at Earthmen since other Earthmen (Russians) built an atomic missile base there, while killing curious moonpeople who tried to communicate with them!
Sentenced to death by the leader of the Moonmen, the unarmed Commandos face a huge lizard, while the sub is about to be destroyed by atomic plasma fire.
However, aboard the sub is a young "Become a Junior Atomic Commando Contest" winner...who's developed a telepathic transmitter/receiver!
Whatta guy!

(And don't worry!

There are Russkies lurking about, just waiting to be smashed!)

So now the kid's a full-time member...

This never-reprinted tale from ACG's Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub #3 (1954) was produced by series creators Richard Hughes (writer) and Sheldon Moldoff (illustrator).

Russkie-Smashers COMMANDER BATTLE AND THE ATOMIC SUB "Journey to the Moon with the Atomic Commandos!"

Commander Battle and His Atomic Commandos guard democracy from the Russkies...

...even on the Moon...using their atomic submarine to get there!

(You read that right!)

Be Here
NEXT MONDAY
for the astounding conclusion...

I'm surprised Irwin Allen never did a Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea episode like this!
Making a submarine into a spaceship seems like the sort of thing he would've loved to do.
Adding a kid sidekick, though, is never a good idea.

They end up taking over the spotlight, and the series' emphasis goes from soft sci-fi to kid-show.
Note: SeaQuest DSV did have it's sub go into outer space...transported by aliens to their homeworld!
This never-reprinted tale from ACG's Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub #3 (1954) was produced by series creators Editor Richard Hughes (writer) and Sheldon Moldoff (illustrator).

Reading Room: AMERICAN EAGLE "Whirlwind of Battling Justice"

Besides Captain America, there were a number of chemically-enhanced super-patriots...

...including this multi-powered hero who debuted in Nedor's America's Best Comics #2 (1942)!

Script for the origin tale by Richard Hughes, art by Kin Platt.
America's Best Comics featured already-existing characters from other titles.
American Eagle is one of only five characters to debut there during its' 31-issue run.
The American Eagle and Eaglet (Bud Pierce's eventual costumed identity) became semi-regular features in both America's Best Comics and Exciting Comics (where American Eagle rotated cover appearances with other strips) and made their final Golden Age appearance in Fighting Yank #18 (1946).

Both Alan Moore's America's Best Comics (no relation to the Golden Age comic book) and Dynamite Entertainment's Project SuperPowers have recently-revived the character in startlingly-different plotlines.

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