Issue Guide

ISSUE GUIDE

The following is a listing, issue by issue, of every INVADERS comic published, plus a few special issues. All stories were written by Roy Thomas (unless otherwise indicated). The format is "Issue title," date published: Synopsis, notable events, and comments. Click on the story's title for a picture of the cover. An extra-special HUGE thanks to Dave Medinnus for the use of his scans for INVADERS #1-41, the Limited Series, Giant-Size #1, and the Annual. I owe you one!

  1. "Ring of the Nebulas!," Aug 1975:The team's second mission together. The Invaders learn about Brain Drain and at the end of the issue encounter the Star-Gods.
  2. "Twilight of the Star-Gods!," Oct 1975:Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch duke it out with the Star-Gods while Cap encounters Brain Drain. This is Brain Drain's first physical appearance and seemingly his death. By only the second issue, sales warranted a change to monthly status for the INVADERS.
  3. "Blitzkrieg At Bermuda," Nov 1975:The Invaders, reunited with Bucky and Toro, are informed about attacks from Namor's old enemy Meranno, the U-Man. This issue centers around the oldest comic book cliche: Heroes battling heroes (Cap and Torch vs. Subby) over a misunderstanding. Still though, an entertaining story and a nice set-up for number four.
  4. "U-Man Must Be Stopped!," Jan 1976:The Invaders rejoin Namor and battle U-Man. Already, the book is sent back to bi-monthly status.
  5. "Red Skull in the Sunset!," Mar 1976:The Invaders' only war-time meeting with the Red Skull. Later one of Cap's greatest foes, the Skull leaves a mark in his only Invaders appearance by brainwashing Cap, Torch, Toro, and Subby and turning them into Nazis. The story's title is a take-off of the WWII era song "Red Sails in the Sunset."
  6. "...And Let the Battle Begin!," May 1976:Picks up where Marvel Premiere #29 left off--Bucky has formed the Liberty Legion to stop the brainwashed Invaders from destroying US national monuments. This story is concluded in Marvel Premiere #30. For the first time (in maybe either the Golden or Silver Ages) Bucky gets to take charge, instead of just being Cap's sidekick.
  7. "The Blackout Murders of Baron Blood!," July 1976:The first appearance of several important characters: Baron Blood, Jacqueline Falsworth, and Lord Montgomery Falsworth--the original Union Jack.
  8. "Union Jack is Back!," Sept 1976:Lord Falsworth reveals to the Invaders that he was Union Jack and is invited to join the Invaders. This was a landmark for Roy for two reasons: it created the first major World War I super-hero (after the Phantom Eagle, who cameos in this issue as a member of the Freedom's Five); and by having Union Jack join the Invaders Roy is making the first significant addition to Marvel history. Suddenly, the INVADERS wasn't just the exploits of Marvel's biggest '40s characters: the book was forever changing the foundations of Marvel's history. And not in a hoaky "this-character-never-existed" Crisis on Infinte Earths kind of way, but in a believable subtle way. Roy was leaving a lasting mark on comic book history.
  9. "An Invader No More!," Oct 1976:The origin of Baron Blood is revealed shortly before he is killed (at least, he was dead for 30 issues). In the final conflict with Blood, Union Jack loses the use of his legs and is already forced to quit the Invaders. Jacqueline loses a lot of blood and is rushed to the hospital. Also, this issue marks the book's return to monthly status.
  10. "The Wrath of the Reaper!," Nov 1976:This is one of those "cripes-we're-behind-deadline" fill-in issues. It features a reprint of CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #22 from January 1943. It was originally done by Al Avison and Al Gabrielle. The issue also features a few pages of new material to set up the flashback.
  11. "Night of the Blue Bullet!," Dec 1976:The first appearance of the Blue Bullet and the issue where Jacqueline gets that magic transfusion from the Human Torch.
  12. "To The Warsaw Ghetto!," Jan 1977:The first appearance of Jacqueline as Spitfire and the issue where she joins the team. This issues also marks the first appearance of Jacob Goldstein. At the end of the story, the Invaders are taken prisoner by Nazis.
  13. "The Golem Walks Again!," Feb 1977:The first (and final) appearance of The Face and the first appearance of Jacob Goldstein as The Golem.
  14. "Calling...the Crusaders!," Mar 1977:First appearance of 'Alfie' and the Crusaders (including Spirit of '76 and Dyna-Mite).
  15. "God Save the King!," Apr 1977:The Invaders reveal to the Crusaders 'Alfie''s duplicity. Features an appearance by Britain's King George IV.
  16. "The Short, Happy Life of Major Victory!," May 1977:The first appearance of Biljo White, an American GI who draws the 'Major Victory' comic. Also the first appearance of Warrior Woman (just before she assumes that identity) and the return of Master Man.
  17. "The Making of Warrior Woman, 1942!," June 1977:Warrior Woman's first appearance in that guise. Again features Master Man and, most importantly, Uncle Adolph's first, inevitable, appearance in the book.
  18. "Enter: The Mighty Destroyer!," July 1977:The first modern appearance of The Destroyer (after Mystic Comics #1, 1941).
  19. "War Comes to the Wilhelmstrasse," Aug 1977:Cap and the Destroyer take on a horde of goosesteppers, and it's revealed that the Destroyer is Spitfire's brother Brian (at the end of the issue, Brian becomes the second Union Jack). This issue is also interesting because Roy really delves into the real cruelty of the Nazis. The captured Invaders (Torch, Toro, Subby, and Bucky) are paraded through the streets and beaten like animals. Roy also does an eerie character profile of the average Nazi soldier. These plot angles, along with Hitler's continuing appearance, really brought a sense of reality to the series.
  20. "The Battle of Berlin!," Sept 1977:Union Jack II joins the team and Master Man and Warrior Woman are forced into marriage by Hitler. Also, the Human Torch is seen willfully taking a life for the first time. A Nazi soldier shoots Toro and the Torch incinerates the soldier. It puts a little more emphasis on the "Human" half of his moniker. This is a half-issue:the other half is a reprint of Marvel Comics #1, 1939, which follows Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #27 as the most important issues in comics history. It's the Sub-Mariner's first appearance and the beginning of Marvel Comics as we know it today.
  21. "The Battle of Berlin, part two!," Oct 1977:Concludes the Invader's escape from Hitler. Toro is still at death's door. This is another half-issue, allowing for a reprint of Marvel Mystery Comics #10, 1940.
  22. "The Fire That Died!," Nov 1977:As the Invaders await Toro's fate, the Human Torch recounts Toro's origin and his battles with Asbestos Lady.
  23. "The Scarab of the Nile!," Dec 1977:Roy takes the Invaders to Egypt for the first appearance of the Scarlet Scarab.
  24. "The Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner Fighting Side By Side!," Jan 1978:Another fill-in, like #10. It reprints Marvel Mystery #17, 1941, with no original art or story to connect it to the Scarlet Scarab story (hey, sometimes folks fall behind schedule!).
  25. "The Power and the Panzers!," Feb 1978:The conclusion of the Scarlet Scarab story.
  26. "Day of Infamy...Day of Shame!," Mar 1978:Almost a Bucky solo story, Roy turns the tables and explores the Japanese camps in America, where Japanese-Americans were kept until their loyalties were determined. This issue marks the return of Agent Axis and the debuts of Gwenny-Lou Sabuki and Roger "Dyna-Mite" Aubry as the new Destroyer.
  27. "Agent Axis--Master of Murder!," Apr 1978:Continuing Bucky's battle with Agent Axis. This issue marks the introduction of Davy Mitchell, the first black character to appear in the Invaders. Roy again proved his deep understanding of World War II by introducing Davy. While the media might not have given it much attention, the black experience in WWII was as real and intense as any other. By the end of the issue, Gwenny-Lou and Davy have both acquired super-human powers.
  28. "Calling the Kid Commandos!," May 1978:Gwenny-Lou Sabuki becomes Golden Girl and Davy Mitchell becomes the Human Top. Along with Bucky and Toro, they form the Kid Commandos. This kind of puts Bucky and Toro out of the series. Again, Roy has subtly altered Marvel history without destroying the past. A nice addition to the Marvel mythos.
  29. "Attack of the Teutonic Knight!," June 1978:This story tells a flashback, before the Invaders were a team. It also introduces the Teutonic Knight.
  30. "Five Against the Flying Death!," July 1978":The conclusion of the Invaders' battle with the Teutonic Knight (featuring a cameo by Baron Strucker).
  31. "Heil Frankenstein!," Aug 1978:Digging into '40s culture, Roy incorporates the great Universal horror films of the '30s and '40s into the Invaders. It's a flashback story, as Cap recounts to Spitfire how the Invaders battled Dr. Basil Frankenstein (a nod to horror star Basil Rathbone?) and his Seig-heiling Monster.
  32. "Thunder In The East!," Sept 1978:Stretching his reach in the Marvel Universe, Roy yanked Thor into WWII as a misguided pawn of Hitler. This story also features a cameo by the future Dr. Doom. Still, somehow, Roy managed to believably pull it off.
  33. "A Time of Titans!," Oct 1978:Concludes the Thor storyline and features an appearance by Joseph Stalin (all the major WWII leaders, except Mussolini and Hirohito, made it into the INVADERS). Also in this story, Union Jack II acquires the ability to emit electrical discharges from his hands.
  34. "He Who Destroys!," Nov 1978:Master Man returns impersonating the Mighty Destroyer. By the end, Master Man is defeated (again) and the real Destroyer goes back to fighting the Nazis on their own turf. Also, Union Jack II and Spitfire leave the Invaders to fight in Europe (as Cap, Torch, and Subby head back to the US).
  35. "Havoc on the Homefront!," Dec 1978:The return of the Liberty Legion and the introduction of the Iron Cross. The beginning of the issue features a small cameo by Sgt. Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos.
  36. "Crushed By Iron Cross!," Jan 1979:The origin of Iron Cross is revealed.
  37. "The Liberty Legion Busts Loose!," Feb 1979:The conclusion of the Liberty Legion/Iron Cross story.
  38. "U-Man Comes To Town!," Mar 1978:The return of U-Man and the introduction of Lady Lotus. This issue also marks the joining of the Whizzer and Miss America into the Invaders (which is looking more and more like the All-Winners Squad. Maybe Roy knew the end of the INVADERS was near and wanted to set up the evolution of the Invaders into the All-Winners Squad?).
  39. "Back From The Grave!," Apr 1979:Several returns: Union Jack II and Spitfire, the Kid Commandos (after a small part in the previous issue) and Baron Blood.
  40. "V...Is For Vampire!," May 1979:Baron Blood joins U-Man and Lady Lotus after battling Spitfire and Union Jack. Also, at the end, Master Man and Warrior Woman return. Unfortunately, the economy is tight in 1979 and the INVADERS isn't selling like it used to. Marvel cancels the series, but promises at least one more issue to wrap up the dangling plot at the end of #40.
  41. "Beware the Super-Axis!," Sept 1979:Four months after the previous issue, the original INVADERS series concludes with the Invaders battling their greatest foes in the Super-Axis. This double-sized farewll issue also features a cameo by the Yellow Claw and a nice pin-up of all the heroes that appeared in the series. All-in-all, not a bad run. Forty-one issues over four years--almost as long as WWII itself. But of course, the Invaders were too popular to ever be forgotten...

Miscellaneous Issues Of Interest



If anyone knows of any other important issues I've left out or maybe haven't heard of, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!Thanks!

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