About this collection
Will Eisner (1917-2005) was already famous for his work on The Spirit when he was drafted for duty during World War II. While in the service, Eisner put his artistic talents to work in army publications, creating a character named Joe Dope. After the war, the army wanted to design a publication dedicated to preventive maintenance that soldiers would actually want to read, and turned to Eisner's young company, American Visuals Corporation. Eisner was the artistic director for PS Magazine from its inception in 1951 through 1972.
Eisner began a 24-year absence from the comic book world when he founded the American Visuals Corporation in the late 1940s to produce commercial work. As one of the biggest names in the industry, Eisner attracted some of the best aspiring comic artists. Artists you will find in PS Magazine include: Murphy Anderson (Strange Adventures, Mystery in Space, Adam Strange, The Flash, Green Lantern); Mike Ploog (Creepy, Planet of the Apes, Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing); Don Perlin (Werewolf by Night, Ghost Riders, The Defenders); Dan Spiegle (Space Family Robinson, Magnus Robot Fighter, Korak); and comic strip artist/writer Andre LeBlanc (The Phantom, Flash Gordon, Rex Gordon, MD).
Each issue of PS Magazine consisted of a color comic book style cover, often designed and drawn by Eisner; eight full pages of four-color comic continuity story in the middle; and the rest was filled with technical, safety, and policy information printed in two-color to save money. The continuity story starred his earlier character and was called "Joe's Dope Sheet." Each episode offers the same cautionary tale: a soldier who ignores preventive maintenance learns of its importance in the end. Eisner commanded a high level of freedom to create the continuity section and he used his colorful comic style to draw the reader in.
Eisner had always believed that the comics medium had teaching potential and the work of American Visuals Corporation helped confirm this for him. The company produced educational cartoons and illustrations and giveaway comics for a variety of clients and industries. Eisner took on a number of roles within the company. In the case of PS Magazine, he created the continuity section and the art of each issue based upon the technical manuscripts provided to him by the Army's PS staff. As part of his contract with the magazine, Eisner was sent on location to places like Japan, Korea, and Vietnam in order to meet soldiers and better understand the situations they and their equipment experienced.
Will Eisner revolutionized the world of comic books twice. First with the 1939 comic The Spirit, a gritty urban crime fighter tale written for adult readers and distributed as a newspaper insert. Then with his 1978 book A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories, one of the first modern graphic novels. In between, he and his company showed how comics could be used as popular educational tools.
We are pleased to offer a complete run of all Eisner issues, issues 1-229, as well as three special issues and 22 index issues, primarily digitized from the print copies held by James Branch Cabell Library Special Collections and Archives. Special thanks go to the PS Magazine Division of the U.S. Army for generously donating 92 issues for scanning to help us fill in the gaps.
Copyright This material is in the public domain in the United States and thus is free of any copyright restriction. Acknowledgment of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.
Additional research information
For more on Will Eisner, see Will Eisner: A Spirited Life by Bob Andelman. PN6727. E4Z55 2005
For more on PS Magazine or to view current issues, visit: https://www.psmagazine.army.mil/
Credits
VCU Libraries initially digitized this collection in 2007-2008. Digital Specialist Jennifer Cason supervised student employees, digitization, and quality control. Student employees Kaitlin Foray and Kelly Crone assisted with digitization. Digital Specialist Drew Rollo generated PDFs for the collection in 2014. Metadata Librarian Mary Anne Dyer created the metadata.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 097
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 098
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 099
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 100
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 101
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 102
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 103
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 104
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 105
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 106
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 107
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 108
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1961 Series Issue 109
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 110
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 111
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 112
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 113
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 114
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 115
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures a
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 116
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 117
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 118
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 119
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 120
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1962 Series Issue 121
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 122
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 123
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 124
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 125
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 126
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 127
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 128
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 129
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 130
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 131
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 132
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 133
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1963 Series Issue 134
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 135
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 136
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 137
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 138
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 139
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 140
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 141
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 142
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 143
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.
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PS Magazine 1964 Series Issue 144
United States. Dept. of the Army and Will Eisner
PS Magazine, also known as the Preventive Maintenance Monthly, is an official publication of the Army, providing information for all soldiers assigned to combat and combat duties. The magazine covers issues concerning maintenance, maintenance procedures and supply problems.