Snard scans
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An interesting issue -
from jfglade:
"First Sword Story and Wing Wendall in Costume
[This issue contains] two relatively significant stories, both by Vernon Henkel. I can only speculate that either it was suggested to Henkel that costumed characters were the wave of the future, or he had decided that by himself, because the issue marks the first appearance of Chic Carter in his short-lived Sword persona, and the first appearance of Wings Wendall in what certainly looks like a mystery man costume. Both stories are models of economical and inventive storytelling, and both are complete in just four pages.
The story which introduced Chic Carter as the Sword was also his last appearance in Smash comics; the Chic Carter series transfered over to Police Comics with the new titles first issue, and Carter acted as the Sword in the first four issues of that book and then apparently never used that identity again (Carter also wound up in National comics a little later on and was a remarkably enduring character). Wings Wendall stayed in Smash, and wore his new spiffier duds only once more before turning them in for good. Interestingly, Smash Comics #24 marked the last time either character appeared in four page stories and both went on to be featured in slightly longer stories (six pages). At this late date, it is hard to say why Henkel or an editor decided why both characters should briefly try mystery man affections and then return to their tried and true formats, but I would certainly be willing to listen to speculative explanations." |
