First, there were the Surf Pack Assassins, in the August 1967 issue of Male magazine. Story by Walter Kaylin, writing under his frequent nom de plume Roland Empey. Male was published by Magazine Management Company.

"Mag Mang" was also the birthplace of Marvel Comics. So perhaps it's not too surprising that a little over a year later, Marvel swiped the idea of surfing savages for their war title, Captain Savage and His Leatherneck Raiders in October, 1968.

Both illos were predated in print by another group of savage surfers, this gang with significantly less firepower, but no shortage of outrageousness. Of course I'm talking about Mort Künstler's equally jaw-dropping illustration for "The Hell Surfers," published in For Men Only in July 1967.

And, good news for fans of surf gang pulp: Mort Künstler's website offers prints of Mort's classic illo in two different sizes. You can order from the Mort store HERE.

 "Surf Pack Assassins" and its unforgettable Norem illustrations are included in the Men's Adventure Library's Walter Kaylin collection, He-Men, Bag Men, & Nymphos, available now.