Savage Combat Tales

Savage Combat Tales was a promising war comic by ill-fated Atlas Comics. Its star was Ben Stryker, a man who joined the army during World War II and wound up serving in the same unit as his girlfriend’s little brother, Andy. Stryker was a crack shot with a rifle, but his father, a doctor, had taught him that there was a big difference between hunting for food and taking a human life. As a result, Stryker had trouble firing at the enemy, even when German tanks were overrunning his unit’s position in the Kasserine Pass. It was only when Andy and the rest of his unit were killed that Stryker was able to spring into action.

Stryker desperately hunted for a weapon that could stop the tanks when he discovered four Allied soldiers being held prisoner in a bombed-out building. He freed the prisoners and they joined together to turn the tide. The reluctant warrior now led a “Death Squad,” but still tortured himself over having killed, even in self-defense.

Jump to issue:

#1

Feb 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Archie Goodwin · A: Al McWilliams, Jack Sparling

Origin of Sgt. Stryker’s Death Squad

6 copies from $2.75
#2

Apr 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Archie Goodwin · A: Al McWilliams, Alex Toth

1 copy for $14.45
#3

Rich Buckler cover. McWilliams art, Goodwin story, Sparling art

Jul 1975

Cover: $0.25

W: Archie Goodwin · A: Al McWilliams, Jack Sparling

4 copies from $6.50