Air Raiders #3 (Marvel, 1988) | Comic Issue Overview
Air Raiders #3 (March 1988) titled "The Good Fight" is the third issue of Marvel’s comic adaptation of Hasbro’s five-issue but visually iconic 1980s toy line. Published during the height of Marvel’s toy-tie-in storytelling era, this issue blends sci-fi vehicle combat, high-concept fantasy world-building, and dramatic artwork tailored to the Air Raiders universe. Today, it stands as a fascinating piece of 80s toy and comic history, popular among collectors, toy historians, and fans of obscure Marvel titles in their Star Comics imprint. Meet the Dragonwinds of Doom (then run out and buy the toys!)
Story Summary | Air Raiders #3
What game is Eeleta playing!? The beautiful Air Raider appears to seduce Lord Aerozar and gain his favor, outwitting Blot and Lady Kala in Aerozar's Castle. Is it the power of love in the air, or the power of the air, or the power of her green bodysuit and 1980s Motley Crue video hair? Regardless, the Air Raiders assemble every warship (aka, every plastic vehicle and playset in their toybox) to attack Aerozar's forces, including the Man-O-War, the Thunderhamer, the Thunderclaws, Twin Lightnings, and the Air Razors. This issue is wall-to-wall action as Airlandia erupts into a plastic conflagration of 1980s air-powered toy combat!
Creative Team
Writer: Howard Mackie
Penciler: Kelley Jones
Inker: Jim Sinclair
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: Janet Jackson
Editor: Bob Budiansky
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco
Collector Notes & Value Trends
Like the other Air Raiders issues from Marvel Comics, this particular book is worth only a couple of dollars, depending on the condition. Of great interest, however, are the vehicles featured inside. If you are a collector of the Air Raiders toys, you can see them all in action, like the giant Thunderhammer, the massive Man-O-War, the Thunderclaws, Twin Lightnings, Air Razors, as well as the enemy Wind Razors, Wind Seekers, Dragonwinds, and Hawkwinds!! You'll need to make a stop at Toys R Us after reading Air Raiders #3 for sure...
Related Issues
Why Air Raiders #3 Is a Unique 80s Comic
What makes the Air Raiders comic book issue #3 unique is once again Kelley Jones' unique, stylish artwork and his (often) bizarre use of perspective and shot placement. Admiring his illustration work in the context of a 1980s toy comic book is occasionally jarring as the Air Raiders start to look like the Micronauts being thrust into another universe, and then moments later, they're fighting enemies reminiscent of a huge battle out of a G.I. Joe comic.
Where Air Raiders Fits in the 1980s Comic Landscape
Despite the immense talent that went into making Marvel's Air Raiders comics, these really were nothing more than glorified advertisements to sell Hasbro's toys. Air Raiders #3 does a great job at making the reader feel like they're lying on the shag carpet, beneath a cloud of 1980s cigarette smoke, and smashing all of the plastic Air Raiders vehicles into each other. I was more of a G.I. Joe and Transformers kid, so I didn't have any Air Raiders, but the vehicles look really cool! They seem very expensive to collect today, sadly.
FAQ | Air Raiders #3 (1988)
Q: What is Air Raiders #3?
A: The third issue of Marvel’s adaptation of Hasbro’s 80s Air Raiders toy line that expands on the main characters, landscape, and the overall plot of a planet where air is the most valuable commodity. Watch all of the Air Raiders' vehicles battle each other!
Q: Is Air Raiders #3 valuable?
A: Prices vary by condition, but as a toy-tie-in comic with a short run, not particularly.
Q: Who created the Air Raiders comic series?
A: Writer Howard A Mackie, penciller Kelley Jones, and colorist Janet Jackson.
Q: How many issues are in the Air Raiders comic series?
A: Five.
Q: Why is Air Raiders considered a collectible comic?
A: Short print run, toy line nostalgia, strong 80s aesthetics. Air Raiders #3 is not valuable, but it is a great collectible and a good read. This issue is like one all-out plastic vehicle battle on the imaginary air planet.
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