Joe Smith, whom most everyone called “Judo Joe” because he had learned self-defense during his childhood in Japan, was a sophomore at Mid-City High. His origin revealed that his father, John Smith, was a doctor who took his wife to Japan in 1932. Joe was born shortly thereafter, making him a Japanese citizen. Joe’s father saved the life of Wan Tung, a leader of the community and the most famous judo expert in all of Japan. For this, Wan Tung chose to teach judo to Joe alongside his own son, Yoshimiru. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed and the Smiths needed to be protected from a country that no longer liked Americans. Wun Tang took them in and continued to teach the boys. When the atom bomb put an end to the war, the Smiths were able to leave their hiding place and Joe began winning judo tournaments. In 1953, Dr. Smith decided Joe should return to America to finish his studies. Once at school, Joe met a bully, Spike, and a gal pal, Judy. After a brief skirmish with Spike, Joe agreed to teach both Spike and Judy judo, but only for self-defense. Joe then learned of dope peddlers operating nearby, so him and Spike went undercover to find the crooks. Spike was captured, but Joe saved the day. Other adventures saw him disguised as a woman to trap a purse-snatcher, and take on local street thugs.
Description Joe Smith, whom most everyone called “Judo Joe” because he had learned self-defense during his childhood in Japan, was a sophomore at Mid-City High. His origin revealed that his father, John Smith, was a doctor who took his wife to Japan in 1932. Joe was born shortly thereafter, making him a Japanese citizen. Joe’s father saved the life of Wan Tung, a leader of the community and the most famous judo expert in all of Japan. For this, Wan Tung chose to teach judo to Joe alongside his own son, Yoshimiru. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed and the Smiths needed to be protected from a country that no longer liked Americans. Wun Tang took them in and continued to teach the boys. When the atom bomb put an end to the war, the Smiths were able to leave their hiding place and Joe began winning judo tournaments. In 1953, Dr. Smith decided Joe should return to America to finish his studies. Once at school, Joe met a bully, Spike, and a gal pal, Judy. After a brief skirmish with Spike, Joe agreed to teach both Spike and Judy judo, but only for self-defense. Joe then learned of dope peddlers operating nearby, so him and Spike went undercover to find the crooks. Spike was captured, but Joe saved the day. Other adventures saw him disguised as a woman to trap a purse-snatcher, and take on local street thugs.
