Blue Beetle #26 – Key Highlights
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Publisher: Fox Features Syndicate
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Publication Date: October 1943
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Editor: Not specified
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Cover Artist: Joe Kubert
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Interior Artists: Louis Ferstadt, Sid Lazarus, George Tukel, and others
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Writers: Zac. H. Gabel, Edith Wieselthier, Ruth Peecook, Lev Nikulin, and others
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Genre: Superhero / War / Crime / Adventure
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Pages: 68
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Original Cover Price: $0.10
🔥 Key Significance
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Features Blue Beetle (Dan Garrett), the bulletproof-costumed superhero who uses the fictional supplement Vitamin 2X to gain super-energy.
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The lead story, “Death Stalks Democracy,” places Blue Beetle against a Nazi spy network operating in Washington, D.C., attempting to stage a coup that would prolong the war against the Nazis and Japanese.
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Includes a wartime profile of General George S. Patton, featuring a black-and-white photograph.
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Features a diverse Golden Age lineup of superhero, crime, war, humor, and historical material.
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The cover is credited to Joe Kubert, an important early-career credit for the celebrated comic-book artist.
📖 Story Highlights
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“Death Stalks Democracy” – 12 pages. Written by Zac. H. Gabel. Blue Beetle battles an insidious Nazi spy ring operating in the nation's capital. Pencils and inks tentatively attributed to Louis Ferstadt.
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Ali Baba – 6 pages. Pencils and inks tentatively attributed to Sid Lazarus.
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“George S. Patton” – 6 pages. A biographical feature about the famous American general, including a black-and-white photograph.
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“Little Off Fannie” – 1-page humor story.
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“Drop Towers” – 1-page feature, with pencils and inks tentatively attributed to Louis Ferstadt.
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“Sergeant ‘CH’ Czech Hero Flier” – 9 pages. A true war story written by Edith Wieselthier, with pencils and inks by George Tukel.
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“Ferdie and His Friends” – 1-page humor story.
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“Russian Boy Makes Shells Behind the Urals” – 2-page text story written by Lev Nikulin.
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“Crime Reporter: Case of the Red Rose Killer” – 6 pages. A crime mystery, with artwork tentatively attributed to George Tukel.
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“Blue Beetle Presents Tricks Easy to Learn” – 1-page activity feature.
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“The Disappearing Wreck” – 6 pages. A true war story written by Ruth Peecook, with pencils and inks by George Tunkel.
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Untitled Blue Beetle Story – 6 pages. Another adventure featuring Dan Garrett.
📌 Additional Details
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Cover: Joe Kubert.
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Blue Beetle: The issue showcases the character's distinctive combination of a bulletproof costume and Vitamin 2X-powered strength.
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Wartime Content: Several features reflect the wartime atmosphere, including the Nazi conspiracy storyline, the Patton profile, and two true war stories.
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Creator Credits: Some artwork attributions remain tentative, and the supplied spellings of George Tukel and George Tunkel have been retained where listed.
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The supplied story breakdown accounts for 57 pages of the 68-page issue.
A fascinating wartime Golden Age comic featuring Joe Kubert cover art, a Nazi conspiracy storyline starring Blue Beetle, and a mix of patriotic, historical, crime, and superhero features.
