With the 4th of July rapidly approaching, as well as the strongest existence of superhero influence on pop culture because the golden Age upon us, in this publish I look at a forgotten golden Age title that can be saw as a online anatomy lesson for the superhero genre: Banner Comics.
A persistent style in golden Age comics is the patriotic as well as pro-American messages discovered therein, particularly those published after America’s entry in world war II in December of 1941. numerous of these messages were put front as well as center with heavy doses of propaganda to assist cement the message as well as drive it home.
Banner Comics was introduced as #3 as well as published by Ace Periodicals (there are no numbers 1 as well as 2, so don’t try to look for them). Ace Periodicals was established in 1940 by Aaron A. as well as increased Wyn. The business began by publishing pulp fiction magazines however rapidly transitioned into comics with the publication of Banner Comics #3. The first/third problem of Banner Comics is cover dated September 1941.
Apparently written by Otto Binder (Captain marvel script writer as well as co-creator of Supergirl) as well as illustrated by either Art Saaf or Jim Mooney, when these comics appeared the golden Age was in full swing. reading them assists highlight the increase of the superhero genre like few other comics can.
In truth Banner Comics uses its influences on its red, white as well as blue sleeve.
To contemporary comic readers, utilized to superheroes, the themes will seem familiar as well as even formulaic. In 1941 they were anything but.Captain Courageous
Banner Comics #3 starts with the story of a patriotic Superman clone: Captain Courageous. action Comics #1 debuted in 1938 (June Cover date) as well as was an immediate phenomenon. Superman was understood to all as well as by 1941 he was punching Nazis as well as Japanese soldiers on a routine basis. The title sprinkle page of Banner Comics #3, takes full advantage of this mood by showing ‘Captain Courageous’, in his red, white as well as blue tights, flying past the Statue of liberty in quest of German spy planes. The blurb in the bottom left corner of the page states it all: “Mighty Warrior!!! Master of the Miraculous/Defender of Liberty/Who has invested his huge stamina as well as guts in the defense of his Country/The united states of America”. certainly this might be a recommendation to Superman. as well as no question the visitor was expected to believe it was. Captain Courageous’ powers: flight, amazing strength, skin difficult sufficient to stop bullets – are all taken from Superman.
The Lone Warrior
Is the second story in this traditional comic as well as it’s even better. He’s the ‘Lone’ Warrior as well as yet he has a side kick, who basically, practically never leaves his side! Yes, the early 1940s were weird. The Lone Warrior is in truth Stan Carter. Volunteering for the army he uses his silk Flag patterned uniform under his army fatigues as well as teams up with his younger sibling Dickey to fight crime.
“The dictators shadow is falling across civilization”…in situation you can’t figure out who ‘the dictators shadow is’, the sprinkle page provides you a hint by portraying a hirsute hand (it appears like a Werewolf hand to be honest) with an picture of a Swastika on the back.
In the program of the comic we discover that he’s the sinister leader of America’s fifth Column!
The Lone Warrior is a Captain America clone. Captain America Comics #1 was published February 1941, months earlier. like Steve Rogers, Stan Carter gets his powers by getting a special serum (called a ‘vaccination of power elixir’). He likewise enlists in the army. The serum in Stan’s case, is provided to him by his dad – a fantastic scientist- however just like Rogers, it endows Carter with amazing strength. His dad likewise developed him an indestructible ‘Wonder Ship’ a transformable car/airplane/tank(?), to assist him fight crime.
Captain America, like Superman, should already have been a hit at the time this comic came out. If Cap influenced the Lone Warrior, then certainly Bucky Barnes was the motivation for Dickey. The rest of the stories, highlight other genres prominent during the golden Age, including spy as well as experience stories (‘Kay McKay: Air Hostess’ is memorable) as well as a pulp fiction detective noir -prose narrative that may have been a left-over from Ace’s pulp fiction magazine days.
Banner Comics as well as its heroes are out of copyright, you can checked out problem #3 here.
After problem #5, Banner Comics ended up being Captain Courageous Comics. A copy of Banner Comics #3 in 3.5 grade last offered on 03/28/2016 on ComicConnect for $454.00. On 06/13/2017 a 9.4 copy had offered (also on ComicConnect) for $11, 250.00.
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