Joe Heath is a big fan of comic books and watching things in order. So he made this spreadsheet containing every serial, short, film, television episode, commercial, motion comic, and web series based on a comic book. Now he’s watching them all. Previously, Joe watched the first feature-length Superman film. This time, he covers the first half of 1952 and watches the last ever comic book serial.

Blackhawk (July 1st, 1952)

Released on July 1st, 1952 by Columbia Pictures, Blackhawk (also known as The Miraculous Blackhawk: Freedom's Champion or Blackhawk: Fearless Champion of Freedom) was the last comic book serial ever made and was directed by Spencer Bennet and Fred F. Sears. Bennet had previously directed Superman, Congo Bill, Batman and Robin, and Atom Man vs. Superman.

The serial was written by George H. Plympton, Royal K. Cole, and Sherman L. Lowe. Together, Plympton and Cole had previously written Superman and Batman and Robin. Separately, Plympton had also previously written Hop Harrigan, The Vigilante, Congo Bill, and Atom Man vs. Superman, while Cole had previously written Captain America. Cole would go on to write an episode of the Adventures of Superman television series.

Blackhawk is based on the Quality comic (and later bought out by DC comics) character created by Chuck Cuidera, Bob Powell, and Will Eisner. Cuidera would go on to draw for Blue Beetle, Hawkman, and The Brave and the Bold. Powell would contribute art for Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, Mr. Mystic, and even Mars Attacks trading cards (which were later adapted into the 1996 Tim Burton film). Eisner created the incredibly popular comic The Spirit (later adapted into the 2008 Frank Miller film), released the graphic novel classic A Contract with God, and is the namesake for the highly respected Eisner Awards.