Men of War

"Death is a Wild Beast"

Cover Date August 1977
Issue #1
Pages 6
Type Original Story
Cover Price 35¢
Featured Character Hans von Hammer
Also Featuring Leutnant Kessel (first appearance, pilot in von Hammer's Jagdstaffel); "The Wild Boar" (first appearance, unknown English pilot who sports a flight helmet with horns); Schultz

Synopsis

Enemy Ace makes a historic transition into a brand-new late-1970s anthology showcase, launching an escalating serial that expands his operational world. While the Rittmeister attempts to guide a fragile new German replacement pilot named Leutnant Kessel, his patrol unit is suddenly ambushed over the trenches by an imposing, highly theatrical new British adversary code-named The Wild Boar. Wearing a striking, custom flight helmet adorned with actual animal horns, this mystery English ace flies with a ruthless, unpredictable savagery that completely shatters the traditional rules of the air, forcing the tight-lipped Hans von Hammer and his loyal orderly Schultz to lock into a high-stakes psychological game of observation to counter the beast

Collector Notes

A crucial Late-Bronze Age milestone marking the official launch of the post-Star-Spangled War Stories publishing era. This 6-page standalone story initiates a deliberate expansion of the franchise's supporting cast, leaning heavily into a more theatrical style of antagonist with the debut of 'The Wild Boar'. Artists Ed Davis and Juan Ortiz succeed Frank Thorne on illustration duties; while their line work lacks Joe Kubert's iconic raw expressionism, they handle the technical specifications of the vintage fighter planes and military uniforms with a sharp, reportorial competence that appeals heavily to historical purists.

Creative Team

Writer Robert Kanigher
Penciler Ed Davis
Inker Juan Ortiz
Letterer Jerry Serpe