The Enemy Ace Archives, Vol. 2 (DC Archive Editions)

I used to read DC Comics war stories when I was kid. Sgt Rock, Gunner & Sarge, Johnny Cloud, Haunted Tank and an occasional Capt Storm. But my favorite was Enemy Ace, Hans Von Hammer. Now his exploits (not all of them though) are collected in a two volume set. Joe Kubert was THE artist for war comics, showing war to be the gritty business that it was. Resigned to the fact that he is a killer in the skies, and that war is hell, he does what he feels is his duty to his Fatherland. Kubert actually took great care to render the drawings of airplanes as accurately as possible (even if some of the color schemes added to them were sometimes off), which was a big plus. While he doesn't have his own book anymore, Von Hammer does pop up from time to time, showing that he survived the First World War, flew in the Second (in all red Messerschmidts, without a swastika), and retained his Fokker Triplane after the war for some adventures in the Far East. Now if they would collect all of the American World War One pilot Steve Savage's stories in a hardbound trade paperback, I'd be very happy!

Kubert's graphics and Kanigher's stories continue to be compelling. This second volume is a collection of stories published during the late 60's and early 70's as Vietnam became an ongoing point of contention. Kanigher's story lines manage to be both compelling as to the times and yet maintain their basis in WW1 reality. The Enemy Ace series, as originally produced, wisely refused to politicize and in that alone made a strong humanistic statement. The Hammer of Hell flies on with all his personal demons and in the end, both he and the war itself are interwoven,intriguing protagonists.

The Enemy Ace comics expertly drawn by Joe Kubert were amongst the best of the "war" comics, followed by the Sgt Rock (also drawn by Kubert), and the Sgt Fury series. All dealt with the trials and tribulations of our guys in the European Theatre during World War II. These three series had wonderful story lines and character development light years beyond what you would expect in a comic book. The Enemy Ace series however focused on taking an introspective look at a German Pilot and what was going on in his mind as he prowled the skies of Europe looking for his prey in his Fokker Tri Plane during WW I. Dramatic art, wonderful story lines, twisting and provocative plots, and the range of emotions all combine to put you in the pilots seat of this great series.

This arrived in a supportive book box. Inside was an excellent book. Thank you

I have had a good time reading up on the Hammer of Hell's journey through WWI. Joe Kubert's art is still as awakening as ever. Biplanes and pilots of the era seem to carry a legacy and its all well represented in this Archive Edition. Long live Enemy Ace!

As an Artist myself, my only remark is that the Archives edition was not true to the original comic's colors; especially the light tones and tints...The printed colors were a bit too enhanced... But still a DC's Comic Masterpiece. I salute all those involved ever since...

Read all these issues when I was younger. Still have all the comics. I love the stories and artwork for Enemy Ace. Now I can reread them when ever I want without having to get the book out of its sleeve.

Remembering the stories that moved me to build model plane kits and thrill at the attempt at the same thing as portrayed in the comics was my escape from reality.