Aces High #1

   In an attempt to placate critics, brought forth by the witchhunt of Dr. Frederic Wertham, EC Comics canceled many of it's most controversial (but ultimately popular)  titles. In their stead were several more 'family friendly' titles that still contained the shock ending that was EC's signature. This approach was called EC's NEW DIRECTION- and it was a colossal failure.

    One such title was called 'Aces High.' It was a war comic devoted to the aerial maneuvers of World War I. While stories about the bi-planes of the War to End All Wars would've made for some interesting additions to EC's previous war titles such as 'Two-Fisted Tales' or 'Frontline Combat' t to have an entire 48-page comic devoted to Sopwith Camels and Spitfires while trying to shock the reader with a twist ending just didn't work on paper.  The title only lasting 5-issues was such proof of the formula not working. By issue 3, the publisher allowed for the title to also include stories about the infantrymen and land wars of WWI but it still couldn't save the title from an early extinction.

    This issue featured 4 stories. The first tale is called 'The Way it Was.' With the art by George Evans, it features a grandfatherly type character giving an overview of the war to a young boy. It's actually a clever way to start the series.

   The next story is a Wally Wood work titled 'The Outsider' and it involves a newcomer to a fighter squadron and the prejudice he occurs as he tries to fit into the unit. Only once he's baptized by fire is he finally considered one of the guys. It's a powerful tale.

   The third adventure was my favorite. 'The Mascot' involves a puppy that can tell when one of the pilot's of a squad isn't going to make it back from their mission. Call it a sixth sense but when the mascot refuses to acknowledge the demise of a pilot listed as Missing In Action, his buddies conduct a hi-flying rescue mission that would've made a great addition to Speilberg's short-lived 80's TV series 'Amazing Stories.'

   Lastly, we meet 'The New C.O.' He's a take no prisoners type and he's got a tough mission ahead of him. His new assignment is known as a bunch of goof-offs and now Uncle Sam expects him to make them into aerial killing machines. Featuring art by the great Jack Davis, it's a poignant story about the horrors of war- not just physical but the psychological effects as well.

    Along with these four EC gems was a short story called 'The Stork With Talons.' In was a jumbled mess but it was necessary for EC to include in this book in  order to qualify this title as first-class mail. Lastly, this reprint included something that wasn't in the original publication. It's the first part of an interview with artist George Evans. It included some very interesting inside info about EC during the 1950s. I hate that I don't have issue #2 in order to read the rest of this interview, but I have something to look forward to someday.

      While this isn't my ideal EC title, it was an enjoyable read. The classic art was worth the cover price alone. But even with a weak premise, the stories themselves were quite good. Plus, these 'New Direction' titles are important parts of comic book history and they show the sad progression of EC's ultimate demise.

Darn you, Dr. Wertham!!!

Worth Consuming

  Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.