I’m still on something of a black and white English reprints of American comics kick, which is why I’m presenting stories from Blackhawk #36 (UK). It’s a 68 page comic containing reprints from Blackhawk #140 (USA) and House of Mystery #88. I’ve posted two of those Blackhawk stories, “The Return of Lady Blackhawk” and “The Amazing Mr. Lariat”, both featuring the smoothly reassuring pencils of Dick Dillin. As previously noted DC’s version of the characters were definitely dull, but you really have to admire the craftsmanship that went into these stories. Well, I do anyway.

There’s a couple of things of note about this issue. First, it contains the first example of a Charles Atlas ad I’ve come across which appears to have been drawn specifically for the British market, at least I assume so given some of the slang in it (if anyone out there can explain to me why calling Ted “old tinsides” is derogatory, please let me know). It’s also interesting because for some reason in this photo Charles Atlas looks, to me anyway, like FDR on steroids. I keep imagining him wearing Pince-Nez glasses with a cigarette holder in the corner of his mouth…

It also features an appearance by Lady Blackhawk, a.k.a. Zinda Blake, a character who has retroactively became a fan favorite mostly on the strength of a pleated skirt. Not being made of wood I can definitely see the appeal (if I ever get the chance to do my dream project, All-Star Rex the Wonder Dog and Detective Chimp, Lady Blackhawk would definitely be their bodyguard/ driver) of her paramilitary/cheerleader outfit. But, not to get too politically correct when I come across stories like this I just feel badly for not just for her but an era when the idea of a woman playing on the same team as the guys wasn’t just unthinkable but laughable. Still, if she had a battle cry it was definitely “Hel-lo Boys”.

And finally it features the first (and I’m going to assume only) appearance by the “super-villain” (to be extremely generous) Mr. Lariat. There’s just one word for him; wow.