Space Ace

Origin

After being struck by a meteorite, Texan sheriff Ace Hart becomes immune to radiation, and joins the Space Squadron, soon earning the rank of commander and the nickname Space Ace, captaining the spaceship LS1.

Creation

Ace Hart debuted in the first issue of Lone Star, a comic published by Die Cast Metal Toys as a tie-in to their toys. Foldes Press, who already published titles involving the space hero Ace Hart the Atom Man, unsurprisingly objected to DCMT’s Ace Hart, and so with the third issue of Lone Star the character took the name Space Ace.

Character Development

Space Ace continued to be published through the entire run of Lone Star, with Ron Turner becoming the regular artist. Atlas Publishing later bought Lone Star, and, while keeping Space Ace there, also promoted him to his own title, Space Ace, Guardian of the Universe. The character also starred in several of Atlas’ annual Book of Space Adventures. After Ron Turner left the series, Atlas purchased the rights to reprint the Spanish series Johnny Galaxia, and adapted that different character’s adventures to appear to be the continuing adventures of Space Ace.

Major Story Arcs

In the near future, when man has conquered the stars, Ace Hart was the sheriff of Tarrant County, Texas, until he was struck by a meteorite. Gaining an immunity to radiation from this strange encounter, he enlisted in the United Planets’ Space Squadron, and was assigned command of the new spaceshop LS1, exploring space and investigating interstellar crimes. His most trusted ally was Sergeant Bill Crag, but other crew members included the pilot Bill Haines, and scientists Professor McKay and Dr. Wang Fu.