Wednesday, May 30, 2018

HORRORS OF WAR WEEK (DAY 3)


UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Vol. 26, No. 205 (1st issue)
April/May 1977
DC Comics, Inc.
Publisher: Jenette Kahn
Managing Editor: Joe Orlando
Cover: Joe Kubert
Pages: 36
Cover price: 30 cents


CONTENTS
"Legends Never Die" (Unknown Soldier)
Story: Bob Haney
Art: Dick Ayers (pencils); Gerry Talaoc (inks)

"And Then There Was One" (Lt. Larry Rock, "The Fighting Devil-Dog")
Story: Steve Skeates
Art: Ric Estrada (pencils and inks)

The Unknown Soldier (a.k.a., The Immortal G.I.) was a DC Comics character created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert. He first appeared in the Sgt. Rock story (another creation of Kanigher and Kubert), "I Knew The Unknown Soldier" in Our Army At War #168 (June 1966). 

Kubert was editor of the DC line of war comics and believed the character was interesting enough to be in his own series, which began in STAR SPANGLED WAR STORIES #151 (June–July 1970) through issue #204 (February 1977). With issue #205, the book changed its title to THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER (just listed as "UNKNOWN SOLDIER" in the indicia) and ran for 64 more issues until it was cancelled with issue #268 (October 1982).

The series is named for The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery and represents the unnamed soldiers who fought and died for our country. It is also emblematic of the courage and selflessness that is a part of the sacrifice these soldiers made preserve our freedom and ideals. In his first story, the character was described as the "man who no one knows -- but -- is known by everyone!"






















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