Synopsis
The absolute masterpiece of the late-1970s Men of War run. Still reeling from the sudden destruction of his ancestral home and the death of his father, Hans von Hammer's carefully isolated operational world is shattered on the ground by the arrival of his fiercely proud sister, Ingrid von Hammer, in her historic first appearance. Taking to the skies to escape his mounting grief, the Rittmeister is instantly intercepted by the theatrical French ace Monsieur Guillotine—the pilot responsible for the fatal bombing on the von Hammer estate. Trapped in a vicious 'Duel at Dawn', Hans must conquer his own exhausting emotional trauma to defend his life against a lethal adversary who views the war as a personal grand stage
Collector Notes
A highly sought-after key issue among late-Bronze Age property archives, marking the dramatic introduction of Ingrid von Hammer. Robert Kanigher rarely utilized immediate family as a driving narrative device, making her sudden arrival a deeply disruptive emotional milestone for the series' lore. Howard Chaykin's spectacular, angular graphic design sensibility completely redefines the aesthetic boundaries of the franchise, while master colorist Carl Gafford delivers a high-contrast, smoke-and-ash color palette that captures the bleak atmosphere perfectly. Enhanced by Gaspar Saladino's unmatched, deeply expressive lettering, this 6-page standalone short story stands as a masterclass in comic book composition.
