“Yesterday’s” Comic> Judomaster #90

Nothing says “traitor” like a picture of the hero beating up the enemy he’s supposed to be fighting? Wait, what?

Judomaster #90

Charlton Comics Group (August, 1966)

The Grand Comic Database credits story and art to Frank McLaughlin and lettering to Jon D’Agostino, but there are no credits in the comic outside of editor Dick Giordano announcing a letters to the editor page.

[Read along with me here]

Judomaster seeks help from his old teacher and fellow students to destroy a Japanese “super-rocket”, but he must sneak into Tokyo itself to destroy the plans. Captured, the only way for him to get word to the American forces is a coded message which he is forced to give on Tokyo Rose’s infamous radio show declaring his surrender. While Judomaster manages to escape, only Rip’s CO knows Judomaster has not betrayed his country and that the rocket is no longer a threat.

What they got right: There’s a lot of action as our hero steals a plane with help from his allies, gets into Japan, blows up the rocket with the plane, and then tools around Tokyo to get the plans. How Judomaster is seen from here out may prove interesting.

What they got wrong: Due to the panel size, the story feels shorter than the page count says. The back-up introduces Peter Cannon–Thunderbolt, but despite the comic panels is told in text.

What I think overall: It feels strange to have a 1960s comic using World War II terms for the Japanese (usually used against the soldiers, but during this war they really forgot civilians aren’t always the reason they’re fighting, the government and military of those countries are) despite being set in the period. I hope at the time it was taken in the intended spirit, something that seems impossible to do in the 2020s. I am interested to see if Judomaster can restore his reputation in the remaining issues.