Now, here's the opening chorus of the FINAL ACT! 
- — Uncle Sam (Final appearance)
National Comics #45 is an issue of the series National Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of December, 1944.
Synopsis for The Barker: "Seven Wonders Show and Pageant of Peace"
The circus stops in the town of Grabville, where all the politicians are criminals and thieves. Worse, Colonel Lane was tricked into signing a "peace bond" to be allowed to set up in city limits, where they have to pay the city $5000 if any member of the circus starts a fight with any local. After being provoked numerous times by town rowdies, the Barker has it verified that the bond's nullified if anyone else starts a fight with a member of the circus. The tables soon turn with the carnies annoying the local toughs, until one's tricked into punching Colonel Lane, giving the carnies the right to throw them off the lot. Finding out this was the Barker's plan, however, the sore and irate Colonel Lane smashes a bucket over his head.
Appearing in The Barker: "Seven Wonders Show and Pageant of Peace"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Colonel Lane
- Lena
- Liz Flannery
- Major Midge
- Spuda the Spider-Man
- Tiny Tim
- Madame Shali, snake charmer
- Peaches, bearded lady (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Sam Smart
- his gang
- Mayor of Grabville
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Grabville
- Mammoth Circus
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for G-2: "The Agents of Despair"
Appearing in G-2: "The Agents of Despair"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Narmanx (Dies)
- Kara
- Vilmo
Other Characters:
- Major Kyle (First appearance)
- Dr. Gates (First appearance)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Quicksilver: "The Timberley Diamond"
Famed cutter Gautier has been commissioned to cut the famous Timberly Diamond by starlet Vera Dumont. However, afraid that someone will try to steal it before it can be reduced, he asks the police to get Quicksilver to guard his workshop while he does his job. Just before Gautier's about to begin, the lights go out and someone shoots him and lifts the diamond. Quicksilver tackles the thief, but is pistol-whipped by a compatriot who'd be hiding outside in case the thief was pursued.
Playing a hunch, Quicksilver pursues Durant and her "royal fiancé" as they speed away from the scene of carnage to a waiting yacht. He's caught by the henchman who caught him before and brought before the boss: Vera Durant herself. After overcoming him with a surprise backward kick, Quicksilver inspects the diamond and declares it a fake, the real one probably sold "to some crooked fence, a long time ago". They came up with the plan to have the diamond given to Gautier, but have him killed and the diamond seemingly stolen so they could collect on an insurance policy they held on the jewel. Quicksilver explains to the police chief he suspected one of them had to be in on the crime, because the lights went out just before the gunman crashed into the room. Therefore, at least one of the couple had to know he was coming ahead of time.
Appearing in Quicksilver: "The Timberley Diamond"
Featured Characters
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Vera Durant
- Boris
- their gang
Other Characters:
- Gautier (Dies)
- Police Chief
Locations:
- Police Headquarters
Items:
- Timberley Diamond
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "Danger -- Deadly Weapons"
Appearing in Sally O'Neil Policewoman: "Danger -- Deadly Weapons"
Featured Characters
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Terrible Toomey
- Kitt Kett
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Uncle Sam: "Good Neighbors -- Yes"
Appearing in Uncle Sam: "Good Neighbors -- Yes"
Featured Characters
- Uncle Sam (Final appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Buddy Smith (Final appearance)
Antagonists:
- Kroff, war fugitive
- Zando, war fugitive
- at least four lieutenants
Other Characters:
- President of Zatlan
- his aide
Locations:
- Latin America
Synopsis for Chic Carter: "Abazee the Great"
Chic Carter busts up a phony seance performed by a crooked medium calling himself Abazee. Several other spiritual swindlers who've had their activities spoiled by Carter meet with Abazee and decide to dress up as ghosts and give the sarcastic reporter second thoughts about the powers of the spirit world. This is what he was counting on, and after he catches them sneaking into his room he has a legal charge he can bring against them. After pounding some sense into them.
Appearing in Chic Carter: "Abazee the Great"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Abazee
- his gang
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Destroyer 171: "Destroyer 171 Is Missing"
Appearing in Destroyer 171: "Destroyer 171 Is Missing"
Featured Characters
- Lt. Commander Harvey Blake
Supporting Characters:
- USS Pawnee crew
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Pacific Ocean
- Captain Saito (Dies)
Items:
Vehicles:
- Destroyer 171, USS Pawnee
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- Last issue for Uncle Sam.
- Also featured in this issue of National Comics were:
- Salty Waters by Bernard Dibble
- Windy Breeze by Ralph Johns
- "City of Fear" (text story)
Trivia
- Jack Cole signed his "Windy Breeze" strip as "Ralph Johns".
See Also
Links and References
