Special War Series

    (Charlton, 1965)
™ and ©1965 Charlton Publications, Inc.

Special War Series was one of numerous nearly interchangeable war titles that most publishers included in their stables from the 1940s to the 1970s. Typically, despite the presence of a genuine (if controversial) war at the time it was being published—the mid 1960s—Special War Series stories stick mostly to the safe territory of World War II, when it was clear to everyone who were the good guys and who were the bad guys.

This title featured a succession of faceless combat heroes in stories about honor, courage, and bravery under fire, recounted with nostalgia by World War II-era writers and artists for the benefit of pubescent baby boomers. The highlight of this series was issue #4’s introduction of Judomaster. This character was Sgt. Rip Jagger, who was saved by natives after his company had been overrun by forces of the evil Japanese Major Yoku. With the natives’ help, Jagger became a master of the martial arts.
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Aug 1965
    Cover: $0.12
    W: Joe Gill  ·  A: Bill Montes, Bill Molno, Charles Nicholas
    D-Day
    1 copy for $24.98
  • 2
    #2
    Sep 1965
    Cover: $0.12
    Attack!
    3 copies from $1.95
  • 4
    #4
    Nov 1965
    Cover: $0.12
    W: Joe Gill, Frank McLaughlin  ·  A: Frank McLaughlin
    1st Appearance of Bushuri; 1st Appearance of Judomaster (Rip Jagger); 1st Appearance of Major Yoku; 1st Appearance of Sensei; Origin of Judomaster (Rip Jagger); Versus Major Yoku; But Frank McLaughlin was the actual writer; Joe Gill is listed as the writer; Sarge Steel
    2 copies from $42.50