Two-Fisted Tales (E.C.)

Two-Fisted Tales began in 1950 with issue #18 (its numbering was picked up from the early issues of Haunt of Fear, a continuation itself of Gunfighters.) Edited by Harvey Kurtzman, Two-Fisted Tales was easily one of the most remarkable war comics of all time.

The stories featured Kurtzman himself, as well as Wally Wood, John Severin, and others. Kurtzman’s art in particular conveyed an anxious feeling perfect for depicting the emotions of frontline soldiers. Two-Fisted Tales also had a real knack for bringing global conflicts down to a personal scale, allowing the reader to identify with soldiers on both sides of the struggle. In one story, “Hungnam!” the writer employed the unique device of illustrating the chaos of a troop withdrawal through the eyes of a town mutt. The dog’s incomprehension of the various artillery barrages and explosions made it seem all the stranger when it woke up in a suddenly empty town.

Jump to issue:

#18

Nov 1950

Cover: $0.10

W: Harvey Kurtzman · A: Harvey Kurtzman, Albert B. Feldstein, Wallace Wood, Johnny Craig

1 copy for $324.99
#19

Jan 1951

Cover: $0.10

W: Harvey Kurtzman · A: Harvey Kurtzman, John Severin, Will Elder, Wallace Wood, Johnny Craig

1 copy for $75.00
#22

Jul 1951

Cover: $0.10

W: Harvey Kurtzman · A: Jack Davis, Alex Toth, Harvey Kurtzman, Wallace Wood, John Severin, Will Elder

1 copy for $390.00
#31

Jan 1953

Cover: $0.10

1 copy for $40.00
#33

May 1953

Cover: $0.10

1 copy for $34.00
#34

Jul 1953

Cover: $1.00

Reprint No. 9

1 copy for $140.00
#37

Apr 1954

Cover: $0.10

3 copies from $2.47