Don't Lie to White Eagle

Cover Artist Unknown

If I had to pick a Best Comic Book Ever, I'd give Dell's Indian Chief careful consideration for that title. Part of the reason is that the settings for the stories appeal to me--tales of American Indians before the influx of European settlers (though the presense of horses in some stories indicate a post-Columbian time frame for at least some of the stories). Part of the reason is that they appear to be very well-researched--though I'm not anywhere near an expert and could be getting fooled in this.

Mostly, though, it's just that the stories were always well-written adventure tales that were enormous fun to read. Dell Comics in the 1950s had some of the best writers in the business churning out countless strong scripts. Indian Chief was a beneficiary of this.

The book was an anthology, but for part of its run did feature a continuing character. White Eagle was a chief of the Sioux--a man who wanted peace but was more than willing to fight when he had to to defend his people. I've reviewed one of his adventures a few years ago and, by golly, it's time to pay him yet another visit.

Indian Chief #16 (September-November 1954) includes "White Eagle and the Treacherous Mission," which starts out with a bang when braves from the Winnebago tribe launch several attacks on the Sioux.

There is supposed to be a peace treaty with the Winnebagoes and White Eagle is reluctant to go to war becauseo of the actions of a few hotheads. So when Gray Wolf, the chief of the Winnebagoes, visits the Sioux village looking to reaffirm their peace treaty, White Eagle readily agrees to make a return visit along with four of his minor chiefs.

I like the way the unidentified writer handles this situation.  White Eagle wants to avoid a war, so he gladly consents to the peace conference. But that request to bring all his minor chiefs apparently sets off an alarm in his head. He brings along an armed escort when he travels to the Winnebago village.

Grey Wolf  won't stand for the presence of the armed Sioux braves, though. White Eagle isn't able to "trust and verify" to the degree he'd like, so in his desire for peace, he takes a chance. When Grey Wolf gives his word that there is no danger, White Eagle agrees to have his escort return home.

He knows he's taking a chance here, so he remains observant and plays Sherlock Holmes as he observes several clues that warn him Grey Wolf is planning treachery. But by then, it's too late. Though White Eagle makes a good fight of it when the Winnebagoes jump him and his chiefs, they are all captured. The Winnebagoes then plan to launch a surprise attack on the leaderless Sioux.

As I said, I really like the way the story handles all this. White Eagle in no ways seems stupid or naive when he walks into Grey Wolf's trap. He knows he might be betrayed, but chooses to take a risk in order to save the lives that would be lost in a war. In this case, he made the wrong choice, but it was a chance worth taking.

But it isn't easy to keep a Sioux warrior captive and Grey Wolf commits the Classic Villain Mistake of allowing his captives to live so he can gloat. Left tied up in a teepee, White Eagle manages to cut the ropes with a piece of broken pottery. He then knocks out an enemy warrior and takes his war mask, which allows him to mingle with the other Winnebagoes and learn their plans. Grey Wolf is planning on launching a two-pronged attack on the Sioux village after approaching it via canoe.

White Eagle frees the other Sioux captives and they swipe a canoe, taking a short-cut through some dangerous rapids to get home before the Winnebagoes can arrive.

Artist John Daly has been doing a fine job of illustrating this tale, but I think his skill as a visual storyteller really stands out during the final battle between the Sioux and the Winnebagoes. Each panel is exciting and progresses the battle in a logical fashion as the Sioux defeat their enemies and Grey Wolf gets killed.

This, like nearly every story in Indian Chief, is an example of solid, entertaining graphic storytelling with an engaging protagonist. This consistency in quality was typical of its entire run. You really can make a case that Indian Chief is the Best Comic Book ever.

You can read this story online HERE.

Next week, we'll take a ride on a ghost ship.