Welcome to the Goldcomics.com Forums: Blue Ribbon #4

Sometime back in late 1939-early 1940; Maurice Coyne, Louis Silberkleit, and John Goldwater took a very close look at the sales figures on the first three issue of Blue Ribbon Comics and found out that the title was in deep trouble sales wise. This very likely led to the unprecidented step of suspending publication on the title for a period of four months for a major overhaul. Of the strips that appeared in those first three issues, only two - Rang-A-Tang and Corporal Collins - were retained. The rest (with the exception of Bob Phantom who was moved to the pages of Top-Notch Comics) vanished into comic limbo. So when issue #4 (cover dated June, 1940) hit the stands in April of 1940, it was a much different book than it was before. So if one could get past that great Charles Biro cover (which also introduced the new title logo), here's what one found in the first issue of the revamped Blue Ribbon:

RANG-A-TANG; The now revamped title gets off to a good start as Rang-A-Tang and his master Hy Speed find themselves investigating a murder aboard a Panama Canal bound ocean liner. This story introduced the team that would guide comics answer to the legendary Rin-Tin-Tin for the rest of his run in Blue Ribbon, writer Joe Blair and artist Ed Smalle.

HERCULES; As a follow-up to the lead story, we get the comic book incarnation of the famed Greek demi-god. This Hercules was sent down to earth by Zeus to rid the world of crime. And his first labor was to go after ganglord Leo Nemia. The labors of Hercules, Modern Champion of Justice (the strip's full title) would continue until Blue Ribbon #8. Here Ed Wexler contributes the artwork.

GYPSY JOHNSON, ADVENTURER; In his first adventure, American Soldier of fortune Gypsy Johnson finds himself in the Foreign Legion trying to track down an elusive bandit chieftan. Gypsy Johnson's adventures would continue until issue #8.

THE FOX; Blue Ribbon's second superhero (and longest running superhero feature) is introduced in this tale that shows how photographer Paul Paxton adopted the identity of the Fox and his first battle against a gang of "night riders". Although Irwin Hasen's artwork leave much to be desired at this point (his style reminds me of Ed Wheelan's). It would tighten up (as would the Fox's costume) as the strip progressed. The Fox would continue to appear in Blue Ribbon up until the magazine's demise with March 1942's 22nd issue.

CORPORAL COLLINS; Here Corporal Collins and a group of men go rush to the aid of a besieged company in the desert about to be overrun by Nazis. This story introduced the good Corporal's sidekick Slapsie. Charles Biro contributed the art on this tale.

TY-GOR, SON OF THE TIGER; George Storm provides us with the origin and first adventure of a boy who was raised by tigers in the Malaysian jungles. The modern-day Mowgli would continue to appear in Blue Ribbon until issue #20.

DOC STRONG AND THE ISLE OF RIGHT; This offbeat feature gets off to a good start as Doc Strong gathers a group of people to move to an island to begin a new civilization and war against the tyranny of Mongol hordes that have overrun a post-apocalyptic world. This offbeat feature would continue until Blue Ribbon #12. Here Sam Cooper provides the artwork on this story.

LOOP LOGAN; For his first of 17 appearances in Blue Ribbon, Loop Logan answers the challenge of a top German air ace called the Blue Duke to a duel in the clouds.

THE GREEN FALCON; Like his contemporaries, Robin Hood and Wilfred of Ivanhoe, the Green Falcon waged war against the tyranny of Prince John. This story was how his personal crusade against Prince John began. Harry Shorten and Ed Ashe launched the green clad knight on his quest that would last until issue #15.

Looking at Blue Ribbon #4 it's safe to say that this was a good beginning for a title that had to undergo an extreme makeover for its survival. There would still be more tweaking to come for the title which would lead to the introductions of two notable superheroes - Mr. Justice and Captain Flag - later in the run. But this was only a new beginning for this title.

Shawn, keep up the good work and KEEP'EM FLYING!!!!!

Edited by Shield (Tue Jan 24 2006 10:50 PM)