Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Birth of the Avenger!"

Appropriately, on Russia's "Victory Day"...

...we present our final Avenger tale...his origin...which was caused by the Russkies, as you shall see!

This tale, written by Paul S Newman and illustrated by Dick Ayers was the final story in Magazine Enterprises' The Avenger #1 (1955), after three other tales already showing The Avenger as an established and well-known fighter against the Communists in general, and Russkies in particular!
BTW, the "Ghost Rider mask" shown on page 3 that inspires Roger Wright to become the costumed Avenger was a real licensed product you could mail-order from Magazine Enterprises, which published both The Avenger and Ghost Rider!

Is that "meta", or what?

Note: there are a number of Avenger stories that feature Chinese Communists as well as colorful criminals without political affiliation, but since Russkies are the villains of this blogathon, those tales won't be presented this time around!

But, fear not, lovers of Freedom and the American Way!

There are numerous heroes ready and waiting to SMASH Russkies, beginning with...

...The Fighting American and SpeedBoy!

So we'll hardly be lacking for material in the coming months!

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Red Hand of Terror!"

In the 1950s, whenever Russkies threatened free people anywhere in the world of comics...

...The Avenger was there to end their depredations!

Don't be surprised that next Monday's story is entitled "Birth of the Avenger!"...and will answer those particular questions!

This cover-featured tale that leads directly into that origin was written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Dick Ayers!
BTW, the cover was rendered by Bob Powell!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Man Who Played Spy"

As we showed last week, there were (and still are) Americans working with the Russkies!

But what about Americans the Russkies claim are working with then...who aren't doing so?

And Russkies, as usual, go down again!

Written by Gardner Fox, illustrated by Bob Powell.

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Fog Robbers"

Sadly, even today, there are Americans working with the Russkies...
...including a former inhabitant of the Oval Office who proclaimed Putin's invasion of Ukraine "smart"!

Scratch one Russkie sub!

You'll note there's a lot of exposition about Roger Wright aka The Avenger.

That's because this was the lead story in Magazine Enterprises' The Avenger #1 (1955), and was the readers' introduction to the character!

His origin was included in the issue...as the final story (which you'll see in a few weeks)!

Note:beginning a series with the character already established and operating was a common trope back in the Golden Age.
Written by Gardner Fox, illustrated by Dick Ayers with touch-ups by Bob Powell.

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Death Has Three Faces"

Russkies!
Atomic Missiles!
Kick-Commie-Ass Hand-to-Hand Combat!
Jump in and enjoy!

You may notice the art in this story from Magazine Enterprises' Avenger #1 (1955) is a little different from the previous tales!

It's by then-young Dick Ayers, one of the publisher's most prolific artists, who made up for lack of technical expertise with a rather exciting, freewheeling style, and the ability to do almost any genre from horror to Western, to war, to superheroes!
When ME folded, he moved over to Atlas/Marvel, where he became Jack Kirby's primary inker on most of the giant monster tales like "Fin Fang Foom" and "I Challenged Groot...the Monster from Planet X!" as well as the penciller of several strips including Giant-Man, and Sgt Fury and His Howling Commandos!
Ayers and Bob Powell split the art duties on The Avenger, with the two of them producing all the artwork in the series! 

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Invader from the Sea"

This cover-featured tale from the final issue of Magazine Enterprises' Avenger (#4 in 1955)...

...features The Avenger doing what he does best...rescuing an innocent from Russkies!
Or does it???

The Avenger isn't quite the wholesome, "gosh, gee-whiz" gullible fool the Russkies believed he (and most Americans) were!

To be fair, if the Russkies used an Italian, or Spanish, or Black female agent, she wouldn't have been so obvious!

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!

Russkie-Smashers AVENGER "Metal Menace"

There was the occasional Russkie scientist who was the equal of Roger Wright aka The Avenger...

But, they used their scientific knowledge for evil...not good...as we Americans did!

Hopefully, the Russkie didn't leave copies of the blueprints for the beam back in the Motherland!
And it pays to be wealthy, so you can afford to build another unique crime-fighting vehicle, as Bruce Wayne aka You Know Who, well knows!

Written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Bob Powell, the story from Magazine Enterprises' The Avenger #2 (1955) shows that Commies could be anywhere, even in America's Heartland!

Be Back Next Week for Another Exciting Russkie-Smashing Adventure!