October 9, 2023

Mission Eight: Star Jockey -- Johnny Cloud's first experience with Time Travel

What starts out as relatively routine couple of days in the combat zone takes a wild turn, one that highlights the magic that surrounds Johnny Cloud.


While on patrol, the Happy Braves are attacked by a gaggle of Me-109s, but the bandits are summarily beaten. Spirits are high and the men gather in the officer’s hut to carouse.


Johnny Cloud entertains them by telling stories about his boyhood. Even as a papoose, Cloud described being fascinated with flying. Growing up, his gaze was fixed upon the skies, mesmerized by birds soaring above. And while other boys learned to hunt with bow and arrow, Cloud played with a toy airplane.


Cloud tells his crew that the Smoke-maker once cast a glimpse of his future wherein he piloted a strange bird with silver wings. Indeed, he saw his Mustang when he was just a boy. The men are astounded by the story and joke that this is impossible. No one can see the future.


Not only that, but Cloud sees all this before WW2 had started, before the P-51 was even on the drawing board -- this is beyond incredible!


Cloud and Tex are sent on a mission the next day to destroy terror rocket launchers hidden underwater in a lake. While bombing their target, Tex’s ship is damaged by flak. Just then, three bandits arrive, hoping to pick him off. Cloud orders Tex to fly low and return to base while he distracts the enemy.


The bandits zero in quickly and catch Cloud in a barrage of lead. Cloud’s Mustang is hit and begins to smoke – a bullet rips his air hose. He climbs despite his lack of oxygen so as to lead the bandits away from Tex. They follow, angling for the kill.


Cloud ducks into a cloud, but when he comes out, he is flying an F-86 Sabre jet! Rockets streak by his cockpit in a loud VROOOSH! Cloud looks back to see three MiG-15s closing fast on his tail.


There is no time to contemplate what just happened! No! The MiGs are bearing down on Cloud's jet, and he must act or be destroyed ... 


Image Credit:
AAMOW#89 (February 1962): Story Art: I. Novick; Writer: R. Kanigher.
Johnny Cloud TM DC Comics

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