Justice League #21 first comes to mind, I still vividly remember seeing that incredible cover on the comics rack of a Woolworth's store. That issue with the first full appearance of the Justice Society began a life long love with the heroes of Earth 2.

The same can be said for Mighty Crusaders #4, I first saw the cover at a local drug store and took it with me to a sub shop as I blew off all my assigned YMCA activities to read the book with a sub and a can of Wink. Anyone remember Wink?

I was stunned as I experienced the unseen for almost two decades latest appearance of the MLJ Heroes. Despite the writing of Jerry Siegel and Paul Reinman's attempt to ape Jack Kirby, I was fascinated by these characters.

So much untold history was in front of me and I wanted more.

Anyone with a knowledge of comics history knows the revival of the MLJ characters lasted for only a few more issues and then the line disappeared into the vaults of Archie Comics.

Despite some half hearted attempts throughout the decades ( most likely for copyright issues) my love for the characters continued.

When I started collecting original art one of my pet themes was to have various artists do commissions of the MLJ characters or in some cases, re-interpretations of Mighty Crusaders #4 cover, two of which ended up as covers of Alter-Ego.

Several years ago the actual cover for Crusaders #4 actually came up for auction on Heritage. Despite bidding as much as I could afford at the time, I hit a point where I could no longer afford the cover. At that point my good friend Michael One Minute Later who had held off on bidding for the cover until I was out of the game went ahead and won the cover.

Flash forward several years and Michael offered to sell the cover to me. This time thanks to retirement money I was able to purchase what really is a life time grail.

What you are looking at is Michael's digital fix of the cover since the title stats are no longer on the cover. I do plan of having the missing verbiage physically restored in 2026.

Once again huge thanks to Michael One Minute later for generously allowing me to have one of the great Silver Age Covers in my home.

Enjoy this ultimate grail.

12-26-25

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