THE CHALLENGER (1945)

In 1945, a comic book called The Challenger hit newsstands—not from a major publisher, but from a small interfaith group working under the Protestant Digest. Their mission? Use comics to stand up against fascism, racism, and antisemitism as it was happening—not in hindsight, not in theory, but right then and there.

Each issue tackled real-world subjects: propaganda, race, free speech, labor, and civic responsibility. The contributors included artists, educators, clergy members—and at least one major figure worth remembering: E.C. Stoner, one of the first Black comic artists in America. His work helped shape early adventure comics and ad illustrations, though he rarely gets the credit.

Only four issues were printed. No reprints. No fanfare. Just a quiet belief that stories could help shore up the soul of a country that felt, at the time, like it was slipping.

The pages weren’t perfect, but the intention was. And maybe that’s what makes The Challenger so worth revisiting: it was trying. Earnestly. And without asking permission.

Who knows? Maybe one day somebody will start a club.