Legendary Leading Comics #1-#14 3 3

[Ghastly542454]

Thanks to Roy Thomas’ All Star Companion Volume Four for this information regarding “The Seven Soldiers of Victory”. Not only did “The Seven Soldiers of Victory” fit the group from Leading Comics #1-#14 to a “T”, but the group now most often called by that moniker, never had a formal name or group logo for any of their 14 stories and they could never quite decide on how many of them there were!!

Sometime very early in 1941, somebody at National/DC-co-publishers Harry Donenfield and/or Jack Liebowitz, or maybe line editor Whitney Ellsworth, or maybe even new staff editor Mort Weisinger must have looked at All Star Comics. The title, published by DC’s sister company All-American Comics, featured the Justice Society of America was already moving up from quarterly to bi-monthly status. The JSA was composed of heroes from four of the monthly anthology titles by AA and DC. So DC decided that they would produce a strictly in-house version, limited to DC heroes proper. It would feature one hero from each of the pure National titles-Action Comics, Detective Comics, More Fun Comics, Adventure Comics, and Star Spangled Comics. 

Superman and Batman were doubtless ruled out right away as prospective members of the new group just as they had been for regular duty in the JSA. Instead, the editors chose that modern day cowboy The Vigilante accompanied by his sidekick Billy Gunn from Action Comics and the recently revamped costumed Crimson Avenger accompanied by his valet Wing from Detective Comics.

Over in Adventure, The Shining Knight was the selection since once and current stars Hourman, Sandman, and Starman were all JSAers. Green Arrow and Speedy came from More Fun Comics since the Spectre and Dr. Fate were already JSAers. Aquaman and Johnny Quick were two other possibilities but not chosen. 

From Star Spangled Comics, came the titular hero The Star Spangled Kid, a rich youngster whose costumed partner Stripesy was also his chauffeur. It was probably the first time a comic book sidekick was older and bigger than his boss. 

Those seven heroes with Wing and Billy Gunn assembled for Leading Comics #1 which hit the newsstands in the autumn of 1941 almost exactly a year after the landmark All Star Comics #3. Maybe the new mag didn’t feature any heroes with true super powers , unless you counted the Knight’s flying stallion Winged Victory, but they were still a colorful crew. Still, for whatever reason, the Seven Soldiers of Victory never quite flew, as they say-even with the aid of Sir Justin’s steed. 

It doesn’t seem to be accurate or fair to say that comic book fandom once considered Leading Comics greatly inferior in story and art to All Star Comics. They had some bright lights in artwork-Mort Meskin, Creig Flessel, Jack Lehti, George Papp, and Hal Sherman. For writing they had Weisinger and Jerry Siegel plus Bill Finger and later Joe Samachson.

For whatever reason, Leading never moved up from a quarterly to bimonthly and after 3 ½ years, the comic was sadly turned over to a bunch of funny animals. 

Leading Comics #1 Winter 1941-42 cover by Mort Meskin, interior chapters by George Papp, Hal Sherman, Jack Lahti, Creig Flessel, and Mort Meskin and the writing by Mort Weisinger except for the Star Spangled Kid chapter which was done by Jerry Siegel. There is no name to the story.

The Hand, a dying scientist, frees criminals Red Dragon, Prof. Merlin, Big Caesar, The Needle, and the Dummy from prison to commit crimes that he plans, challenging five heroes to stop them. The Hand is defeated and dies from an illness that turns out was curable. The stalwarts decide to fight crime in the future as a team.

By the end of the story, it’s unclear if “The Seven Soldiers of Victory” is the name of the new group. In the course of the issue, they are also referred to “Modern Knights of the Roundtable” and “America’s Foremost Champions of Justice”.

The Hand’s “Five Fingers” is the first group of comic book super-villains, pre-dating the JSA’s Injustice Society by six years. 

The Dummy who debuted in #1 as if he was an established bad-guy, went on to become The Vigilante’s most-fought nemesis. 

Wing, Crimson Avenger’s sidekick, would be the unofficial “eighth soldier” and appears in in all 14 issues. Billy Gunn, Vigilante’s companion, also never joined officially although he did appear in in few chapter with Vigilante. 

Green Arrow first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 with a cover date of November 1941 was actually published on September 19, 1941. Leading Comics #1 was the first cover that Green Arrow ever appeared on. 

My copy of Leading Comics #1 was acquired through a trade of a Spiderman #129 CGC 8.5 that was signed by Stan Lee and $400 in 2017. 

 

 

 

Edited August 13, 2020 by Ghastly542454

[sconnie_comics]

I love this kind of thread (the all-star and this now). Thanks for sharing! Interesting read.

[sagii]

Bring it on buddy!

[Ghastly542454]

Leading Comics #2 Spring 1942-Cover by Fred Ray and the story “Beware! The Black Star Shines” by Mort Weisinger and Bill Finger.

The Black Star sends henchmen-The Falseface, Captain Bigg, Hopper, The Brain, and The Rattler to fight the heroes and retrieve five elements he needs to build a machine to turn him into a giant. But Black Star collapses and dies under his own weight. During the story, Star Spangled Kid calls the group “the Legionnaires” in reference to the Law’s Legionnaires, an alternative name for the Soldiers. 

Leading Comics #2 was the last issue I needed to complete my run of #1-#14. I had been searching for it for a couple of years, placing a want to buy thread on the Board with no luck. In February 2020 I asked @jimjum12 if he had the issue. He didn’t but he told me that James Payette, a famous long-time dealer from New Hampshire had the issue. Sure enough, not only did James have it but he had two (raw copies) of them. I ended up buying the better condition one for $400!! @Tri-ColorBrian had told me also to check out James Payette in the past I just never did it! Anyway, I sent the book in for grading without having it pressed or cleaned and it came back a 6.5! I was just ecstatic!

Edited August 14, 2020 by Ghastly542454

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

I was just thinking yesterday I wonder if we are going to see the Leading Comics thread and lo and behold here it is! Glad to see this thread and also to see some appreciation for a very under appreciated title with some very fun covers!!

[Ghastly542454]

Leading Comics #3 Summer 1942-Cover by Mort Meskin and the story “The Tyrants of Time” by an unknown writer.

The time machine of Dr. Doome brings Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Attila, Napoleon, and Nero to 1942. He sends them after 5 elements he needs in order to travel to the future, where he will reign unbeatable. The heroes ultimately pursue Doome to the Trojan War, where his time device explodes, killing him. 

The Brain Wave, who would appear months later in All Star Comics #15, owns a tower lab that resembles Dr. Doome’slighthouse headquarters. 

My copy of Leading Comics #3 was purchased as a raw book in January 2020 at the Costa Mesa Comic Convention. I believe I paid $350 for it and it was submitted to CGC for grading where it received a 5.5. Actually, about half of my Leading Comics were purchased raw since graded ones were not easy to find.

[bpc3qh]

This is a great thread, just like the last one.

[Ghastly542454]

3 minutes ago, bpc3qh said:

This is a great thread, just like the last one.

Thanks 😊 a lot! I appreciate it.

[Ghastly542454]

Leading Comics #4 Fall 1942-Cover by Mort Meskin and the story “The Sense Master” by Bill Finger.

The Sixth Sense, a paralyzed telepathic, sends five men, each with one sense of smell, touch, sight, hearing, and tasteenhanced, after five jewels. When reunited in an idol, these gems allow the actual villain, Dr. Brett who is disguised as The Sixth Sense’s robot, to give life to animated statues with a sixth gem, the Lifestone. But he is turned to stone by it. 

In early 2020, I was down to two last books. I already wrote about how I acquired issue #2 which was the last book I needed. I was looking for a #4 with no luck and decided to check out World Wide Comics who I had bought a few books from in the past. I really didn’t expect to find #4 there much less any Leading Comics, but to my amazement, they not only had a #4, but it was a San Francisco Pedigree and at a 9.6, it was the highest graded copy on the CGC Census with White pages to boot. The problem was at $3,000 it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. But something inside me kept telling me to GO BIG!!! After some negotiations with World Wide, I was able to purchase it for $2,500 in the middle of February 2020 while I was on vacation in Kauai. It’s a decision that I’m glad I made!!

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

2 hours ago, Ghastly542454 said:

Leading Comics #4 Fall 1942-Cover by Mort Meskin and the story “The Sense Master” by Bill Finger.

The Sixth Sense, a paralyzed telepathic, sends five men, each with one sense of smell, touch, sight, hearing, and tasteenhanced, after five jewels. When reunited in an idol, these gems allow the actual villain, Dr. Brett who is disguised as The Sixth Sense’s robot, to give life to animated statues with a sixth gem, the Lifestone. But he is turned to stone by it. 

In early 2020, I was down to two last books. I already wrote about how I acquired issue #2 which was the last book I needed. I was looking for a #4 with no luck and decided to check out World Wide Comics who I had bought a few books from in the past. I really didn’t expect to find #4 there much less any Leading Comics, but to my amazement, they not only had a #4, but it was a San Francisco Pedigree and at a 9.6, it was the highest graded copy on the CGC Census with White pages to boot. The problem was at $3,000 it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. But something inside me kept telling me to GO BIG!!! After some negotiations with World Wide, I was able to purchase it for $2,500 in the middle of February 2020 while I was on vacation in Kauai. It’s a decision that I’m glad I made!!

 

That's one of my favorite covers in the run; and you knocked it out of the park with this book! Boy the premise of that story sure sounds a lot like the Avengers movie. Well Bill Finger was a talented guy so we should not be too surprised. Thanks for continuing to post. Are any of these stories reprinted? I'm trying ot remember if they ever put any in the 100 page giants back in the early seventies when the Soldiers cross overed into JLA. As a matter of fact I think that was the first crossover JLA series I bought off the stands.

[Ghastly542454]

36 minutes ago, 50YrsCollctngCmcs said:

That's one of my favorite covers in the run; and you knocked it out of the park with this book! Boy the premise of that story sure sounds a lot like the Avengers movie. Well Bill Finger was a talented guy so we should not be too surprised. Thanks for continuing to post. Are any of these stories reprinted? I'm trying ot remember if they ever put any in the 100 page giants back in the early seventies when the Soldiers cross overed into JLA. As a matter of fact I think that was the first crossover JLA series I bought off the stands.

They are all reprinted in the DC Archive Editions. I believe there are 3 or 4 volumes for Leading Comics.

[sagii]

7 hours ago, Ghastly542454 said:

Leading Comics #4 Fall 1942-Cover by Mort Meskin and the story “The Sense Master” by Bill Finger.

The Sixth Sense, a paralyzed telepathic, sends five men, each with one sense of smell, touch, sight, hearing, and tasteenhanced, after five jewels. When reunited in an idol, these gems allow the actual villain, Dr. Brett who is disguised as The Sixth Sense’s robot, to give life to animated statues with a sixth gem, the Lifestone. But he is turned to stone by it. 

In early 2020, I was down to two last books. I already wrote about how I acquired issue #2 which was the last book I needed. I was looking for a #4 with no luck and decided to check out World Wide Comics who I had bought a few books from in the past. I really didn’t expect to find #4 there much less any Leading Comics, but to my amazement, they not only had a #4, but it was a San Francisco Pedigree and at a 9.6, it was the highest graded copy on the CGC Census with White pages to boot. The problem was at $3,000 it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. But something inside me kept telling me to GO BIG!!! After some negotiations with World Wide, I was able to purchase it for $2,500 in the middle of February 2020 while I was on vacation in Kauai. It’s a decision that I’m glad I made!!

 

WOWZERS!! 

[sconnie_comics]

Not to take away from this thread, but there are a lot of fantastic looking Leading Comics in the next Sunday HA for those who are also motivated to search out some these books!

[Ghastly542454]

Leading Comics #5 Winter1942-43 Cover by Mort Meskin and the story “The Miracles That Money Couldn’t Buy” by an unknown writer. The interior artwork was by Ed Dobrotka.

The Seven Soldiers of Victory battle The Skull, who has sent five henchmen-Bronco Slade, Sparkler, Bull Corbin, Matt Greider, and Porky Johnson to perform virtually impossible tasks on his behalf. When The Skull uses rays emitted by his ill-gotten gains to try to become young again, he dies of old age. 

The Vigilante is shown without his kerchief mask on the cover, no doubt so he can be seen smiling. 

After being a brunette previously in both More Fun and Leading, Green Arrow has blond locks in this issue and forever after. 

My copy of Leading Comics #5 was purchased at the Costa Mesa Comic Con in January 2020 as a raw book for $400 from an unknown seller. It was given to CGC to be graded at the show. I was pleased with the grade of 6.5 it received. This is one my favorite covers in the run.

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

55 minutes ago, Ghastly542454 said:

Leading Comics #5 Winter1942-43 Cover by Mort Meskin and the story “The Miracles That Money Couldn’t Buy” by an unknown writer. The interior artwork was by Ed Dobrotka.

The Seven Soldiers of Victory battle The Skull, who has sent five henchmen-Bronco Slade, Sparkler, Bull Corbin, Matt Greider, and Porky Johnson to perform virtually impossible tasks on his behalf. When The Skull uses rays emitted by his ill-gotten gains to try to become young again, he dies of old age. 

The Vigilante is shown without his kerchief mask on the cover, no doubt so he can be seen smiling. 

After being a brunette previously in both More Fun and Leading, Green Arrow has blond locks in this issue and forever after. 

My copy of Leading Comics #5 was purchased at the Costa Mesa Comic Con in January 2020 as a raw book for $400 from an unknown seller. It was given to CGC to be graded at the show. I was pleased with the grade of 6.5 it received. This is one my favorite covers in the run.

 

The Vigilante is a great character; but has never broken out of the list of DC B players. It seems like he would do really well as a TV show with an update. Both Stripesy and the Shining Knight are on Stargirl; seems like the Vigilante would fit right in too!

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

2 hours ago, NEED MO DAKKA said:

Not to take away from this thread, but there are a lot of fantastic looking Leading Comics in the next Sunday HA for those who are also motivated to search out some these books!

Saw that run; pretty fun. Wonder what brought that group out of the woodwork as its unusual to see so many at once.

[Ghastly542454]

Leading Comics #6 Spring 1943 Cover by Ed Dobotka and the story “The Treasure That Time Forgot” written by Joe Samachson.

To help with the war relief, the heroes compete in teams trying to locate a billion dollars in gold that Pizarro took from Atahaulpa. Crimson Avenger and Wing do not participate in the teams and instead pursue the gold on their own. The Soldierseventually succeed in obtaining pre-Columbian gold for the Allied cause. 

My copy of Leading Comics #6 came from Boardie @Top City Comics in 2018. I can’t remember what I paid for it but I did have it put into a new holder.

[Ghastly542454]

Leading Comics #7 Summer 1943 Cover by Jon Small and the story “The Wizard of Wisstark!” by Joe Samachson. 

The Soldiers are taken to the Arctic city of “Wisstark” whose “wizard” is an American with no real magical powers, who taught his adopted people democracy. The Seven Soldiers of Victory fight “wizards” from the city of Stanovia and expose them as fakes, thereby bringing peace to that temperate kingdom in Antarctica. 

Pages 6 and 7 of the first chapter are each composed of the art for two pages, reduced in size to make a pair of pages instead of four, as the total page count in National/DC Comics was reduced. But the count would be reduced even further beginning with the next issue. 

My beautiful copy of Leading Comics #7 came from Boardie @skypinkblu in 2017 after another Boardie @Comicdey had first considered buying it. For whatever reason he decided he didn’t want it and it was made available to me. I paid $450 for it. It was in one on the first generation CGC holders (no first generation “goodness” with me-I detest them) and it was quickly sent off for a new holder and presents so much better now in my opinion.

[sagii]

Some really great covers in this run. Love this one 

[50YrsCollctngCmcs]

3 hours ago, Ghastly542454 said:

Leading Comics #7 Summer 1943 Cover by Jon Small and the story “The Wizard of Wisstark!” by Joe Samachson. 

The Soldiers are taken to the Arctic city of “Wisstark” whose “wizard” is an American with no real magical powers, who taught his adopted people democracy. The Seven Soldiers of Victory fight “wizards” from the city of Stanovia and expose them as fakes, thereby bringing peace to that temperate kingdom in Antarctica. 

Pages 6 and 7 of the first chapter are each composed of the art for two pages, reduced in size to make a pair of pages instead of four, as the total page count in National/DC Comics was reduced. But the count would be reduced even further beginning with the next issue. 

My beautiful copy of Leading Comics #7 came from Boardie @skypinkblu in 2017 after another Boardie @Comicdey had first considered buying it. For whatever reason he decided he didn’t want it and it was made available to me. I paid $450 for it. It was in one on the first generation CGC holders (no first generation “goodness” with me-I detest them) and it was quickly sent off for a new holder and presents so much better now in my opinion.

 

Was Joe Samachson a science fiction writer as well? Many of these stories seem to have that flair about them.  Another great cover and interesting in that only four of the eight characters are actually shown looking at the reader. By the way which of the eight characters didn't count in the Seven Soldiers lineup?