Comic Title: Blackhawk #272
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: September 1984
On Sale Date: June 7, 1984 Newsstand Date June 7, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #4

Newsstand Date June 7, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #218

Newsstand Date June 7, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #48

Shipping Date May 15, 1984
Source: Comic Reader, #218

Shipping Date May 15, 1984
Source: DC Releases, #4

Shipping Date May 15, 1984
Source: Comics Journal, #90

Copyright Date May 15, 1984
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1984
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date May 15, 1984
Source: Amazing Heroes, #48

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mark Evanier

Title: "The Artist"
Pages: 6

Feature(s):
Blackhawk (of Earth-1)

Writer: Mark Evanier
Artist/Colorist: Ken Steacy
Letterer: Carrie Spiegle (McCarthy)

Feature Character(s)

• Blackhawk (last appearance in Blackhawk #272; next appearance in Blackhawk #273)

Supporting Character(s)

• Hendrickson (last appearance in Blackhawk #272; next appearance in Blackhawk #273)

Villain(s)

• Klaus Gruver (a captured Gestapo agent; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Daniel Franklin (an artist; no further appearances)
• Smith (a pilot; no further appearances)
• Several Allied soldiers (no further appearances)

Comments:
This is a Detached Service Diary story featuring Hendrickson. Blackhawk only appears as a narrator.

Synopsis:
Hendrickson is assigned to transport Gestapo officer Klaus Gruver back to London for questioning. However, he is not told that Gruver has a wooden arm. By detaching the arm, the Nazi is able to escape from his handcuffs. He then gets a gun and forces Hendrickson to his plane.

The nose of the plane is being painted by artist Daniel Franklin. When Franklin tries to delay take-off to let the paint on his latest portrait dry, the Nazi takes him as a hostage. Hendrickson pilots the plane which lands in London. However, when the Nazi disembarks there is a squad of soldiers waiting to take with into custody. Franklin painted a warning on the plane which alerted the men on the ground to the Nazi's presence.