Russkie-Smashers FIGHTING AMERICAN and SPEEDBOY "Sneak of Araby"

Let's start off this section of the Russkie-Smasher blogathon with a volatile combination....

...Russkies and Middle Eastern oil!

Produced by the legendary team of Simon & Kirby, exactly who did what on this opening tale from Prize's Fighting American #7 (1955) is somewhat muddled as both Jack Kirby and Joe Simon tended to do everything (scripting/penciling/inking) together as they went!

Trivia: Curiously, the previous issue featured a cover with this plot concept (Russkies and Middle Eastern oil)...

...but with different Arab characters, both in name and appearance, none of whom appeared in that issue!

Russkie-Smashers FIGHTING AMERICAN "Hero Who Laughed at Himself"

Due to the Dreaded Deadline Doom (as Marvel editors used to say in the 1970s) on a paid assignment...

...we were unable to prep the story scheduled for today!

Luckily, we had already prepared a never-reprinted text feature from Harvey's Fighting American V3N1 (1966) about the Fighting American and SpeedBoy, which was scheduled for use later in this blogathon.

Note: the hero mentions they had been "on a secret government assignment"...which lasted a decade!

(The previous issue was in 1955!)

BTW, since this text feature conveniently-synopsized the character's origin, we're going to save the actual origin tale for last (as we did with The Avenger) and jump next week into the insane action with Russkies trying to steal Middle-Eastern oil in "Sneak of Araby".

Never has kicking Russkie asses been so much sheer fun!

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!