Comic Title: All-American Comics #100
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: August 1948
Approx. On Sale Date: June 18, 1948 Copyright Date June 16, 1948
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1948
Until 1958 DC did not report actual on sale dates to the copyright office
The publication dates listed in LoC records are NOT release dates.


Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 48
Editor: Julius Schwartz

Title: "Johnny Thunder"
Pages: 10

Feature(s):
Johnny Thunder (Western)

Writer: Robert Kanigher
Artist: Alexander Toth

Feature Character(s)

• Johnny Thunder (Johnny Tane; a school teacher; first appearance; not to be confused with the JSA member with the magic Thunderbolt; next appearance in All-American Comics #101)

Supporting Character(s)

• Black Lightning (Johnny's horse; first appearance; not to be confused with Jefferson Pierce; next appearance in All-American Comics #101)
• Sheriff Tane (Johnny's father; next appearance in All-American Comics #101)
• Kathy (a ranch owner; next appearance in All-American Comics #101)
• Kit (Kathy's kid brother; next appearance in All-American Comics #101)

Villain(s)

• Jagger Bowen and his gang (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Gary, Lem, Zeke, and Bart (cowboys; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Accidents have plagued the ranchers near the High Mesa Trail. Kathy, the owner of the Hi-Kathy Ranch calls a meeting of the locals in hopes of solving the problem. Johnny, the school teacher son of Sheriff Tane, suggests that the ranchers band together to protect each other on the trail. The suggestion is agreed upon, but Johnny doesn't join the group as they head down the trail.

Most people, including Johnny's father, believe the school teacher to be an unmanly coward. However, Johnny is an excellent cowboy and is able to control Black Lightning, a bronco that no other cowboy can ride. Using a disguise which includes dying his blond hair to a black color, Johnny sets off on the trail riding Black Lightning in pursuit of the party.

On the trail, he sees the burning tumbleweeds have spooked the herd and caused a stampede. Johnny uses his wits to put out the fire, call the herd, and stop the stampede. Then he is attacked by a masked man and his henchmen. Johnny, with the help of Black Lightning, fights the outlaws and exposes the masked leader as Jagger Bowen, a rival ranch owner.

Johnny receives the gratitude of Kathy and his father the sheriff, but they do not recognize him through his disguise. Sheriff Tane give him the moniker Johnny Thunder, and Kathy gives him the permanent use of Black Lightning. Johnny then rides home to remove his disguise and protect his secret identity.