Pop Culture Chronicles

Sgt. Fury & His Howling Commandos

I have many fond childhood memories of reading Silver and Bronze Age comics. One of those is Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos, a premiere war comic of that era. My Sgt. Furys were so beat up by the time of my adulthood that I sold them cheap in a garage sale. Well, I found some good condition copies cheap at another garage sale allowing me a return to those nostalgic retro days. Here is a survey of three issues I just read back to back which gives a good overview of what to expect in this series. 

Sgt. Fury # 51 - (1967) This one is from the Gary Friedrich / Dick Ayers run. Friedrich and Ayers both found their signature series on this book. I met Friedrich at a comic convention where some signed back issues were reasonably priced at his booth. I was unemployed at the time, but if that were to happen again I'd snatch them up. Anyhow, issue # 51 takes place in England, Germany, and the Middle East. In the latter location the Howlers must protect Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin from a Nazi assassin. This story explores some of the negative impact of the Nazi regime on German families during World War II. 

Marvel was ahead of its time on such stories with emotional and human interest appeal. Marvel was also the leader in sub-plot continuity which companies like DC typically lacked at the time. But in this issue we learn that a member of the Howlers is currently a P.O.W. in Japan and another is struggling with a break-up from his girlfriend. The stories were good enough for an adult to read, but without the gore and profanity you could expect today. They were also educational regarding WW II history. 

Sgt. Fury # 92 - Written by Al Kurzrok, this one deals with the plight of Japanese Americans during the War. While some fought heroically for their adopted country, others were confined to internment camps. This was quite an issue for an early 70s comic. But Sgt. Fury says to a Japanese family, "Someday...I guarantee you that most Americans will look back on these camps and hang their heads in shame." Fury shows that he was ahead of his time as a WW II caucasion American, but the comic published in 1971 was even long before compensation and formal apologies were given to affected families. 

A back-up story reprints one from the earlier Roy Thomas run in which the Howlers must rescue their Captain Sawyer from an S. S. stronghold in occupied France as the S. S. attempts to extract information regarding the upcoming D-Day invasion. I love the references in conversation to the stars of the day such as Johnny Weismuller and the Three Stooges.    

Sgt. Fury # 120- Pictured here, this was the final issue of new material before the exclusive reprint run going through # 167. This 1974 story features Larry Lieber on the story and Dick Ayers on the art. By this time Roy Thomas is editing. The story deals with the capture of Gabe Jones, the only African-American member of the Howlers. This special force was well integrated, also including an Englishman, a Jew, an Irishman, a Southerner, and fictional movie star Dino Manelli. Any of these guys would lay down their lives for the others. Troops weren't really integrated in this manner during the War, but the Howlers served as good role models for readers. in this issue, they plan a rescue from a concentration camp in Holland.   

Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos were good role models in an educational War era comic that is even fit for all ages. Back issues, especially from the reprint era won't usually break the bank and two volumes of Marvel Masterworks have been dedicated to the Holwing Commandos.             

Return of Barnabas Collins

You just can't keep a good vampire down! The Dark Shadows TV series has spawned many multi-media spin-offs including movies, comics, board games, novels, and audio plays on cd. In a post entitled Retro Revival in the Fall of 08, I expressed eager anticipation at the coming of Kolchak Tales Annual # 1 with guest-star Barnabas Collins.  

It was all I hoped it would be: a suspenseful story which accurately captured the mood of both the Night Stalker and Dark Shadows TV series. Both Kolchak and Barnabas were portrayed in perfect character and the artist's renditions of these characters looked like the actors who played them on television. The cover art was awesome!

My aforementioned post was mistaken when I assumed that this was the only appearance of Barnabas in comics since the 70s. It was, however, the only appearance of Barnabas in actor Jonathan Frid's likeness since the 70s. There was a four-issue comic mini-series in 1992 and 93 which coincided with the short-lived Dark Shadows revival series featuring Ben Cross as Barnabas. 

At any rate, in addition to the recent return of Barnabas Collins in 2009's Kolchak Annual, where else might the aristocratic vampire be showing up in the near future? First, Hermes Press will be reprinting the entire Dark Shadows comic book series originally published by Gold Key from 1969-1976. These volumes willl be in hardcover archives format and will hopefully be released next month. 

Second, Johnny Depp has signed on to play Barnabas Collins in a big screen version of Dark Shadows. Depp says it's a dream come true given his love for the character and for the original series. I personally cannot wait to see one of my favorite actors playing one of my favorite characters.  

Third, the entire Dark Shadows TV series is available from Netflix with some seasons in streaming video and others in DVD format. The entire revival series is also on DVD. So if you're looking for a Dark Shadows fix, help is on the way.

Earth-Two Batman

I just had to buy the Earth-Two Batman a few weeks ago at my local comic shop. He is from DC Direct's All Star Comics with the Super Squad line---the fourth Reactivated series. I've actually had the Earth-Two Robin since 2005. I bought him at a comic shop while vacationing in Colorado. He is part of the Crisis on Infinite Earths action figures series, released on the 20th anniversary of the comic book series. Although from two different sets, these guys do look great together.   

While this is the "Golden Age" Dynamic Duo, these figures actually reflect the "Bronze Age" look of these characters. This is how they looked in the 70s. During these years, Robin fought alongside the JSA in their annual team-ups with the JLA. This version of Robin also appeared with the JSA in All Star Comics and Adventure Comics. He remained active into the early modern age in the original Infinity Inc. and with the Huntress in the back pages of Wonder Woman.

But how often did this version of Batman and Robin actually pair up during the Bronze Age? I can think of only one adventure they shared during that era. They appeared in Justice League of America 135-137.

For that matter, how often did the Earth-Two Batman appear during that era? His rare appearances include the following:

• There was a one panel cameo in Justice League of America 82 (1970), recently reprinted in the trade, Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 2.

• The above mentioned appearance with Robin in Justice League of America 135-137 (1976), recently reprinted in the trade, Crisis on Multiple Earths, Volume 4. 

• In 1977 Batman appeared in All Star Comics 66-68.

• Also in 1977, readers learned that the Earth-Two Batman and Catwoman had married, raising a daughter who grew up to be the crime fighting Huntress. These stories were told in All Star Comics 69 (Huntress' first appearance) and DC Super Stars 17 (telling of the Catwoman's death which inspired her daughter's crime fighting career). The DC Super Stars story was recently reprinted in the trade, The Huntress: Dark Knight Daughter.    

• The year 1979 saw the story of this Batman's death in Adventure Comics 461-463.

The Earth-Two Batman also made various "retroactive" appearances during the Bronze and Modern Age. Most of these were stories set in the 1940s during World War II.

- DC Special 29 - Origin of the JSA (1977)

-The Brave and the Bold 146 (1979) {Batman and the Unknown Soldier during WW II}

- Justice League of America 193 (1981)

- All Star Squadron 1-4, 24-26, 31-37, 41, 54, 59-60 (1981-1986)

- All Star Squadron Annual 2 (1983) and 3 (1984)

- The Brave and the Bold 182 (1982) {Dick Grayson's short stint as Batman}

- The Brave and the Bold 197 (1983) {Retroactive telling of events in 1950s leading to Batman & Catwoman's marriage} Reprinted in the trade, Greatest Stories, Volume 2: The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told.

- America vs. The Justice Society of America (1985) Four part limited series in which Batman plays a vital role through flashbacks.

- Secret Origins 6 (1986) Retelling of Batman's origin.

- JSA 82 (2006) Retroactive tale of Earth-Two's Batman and Superman.

- JSA 85 (2006) Batman appears as a ghost.

It's possible I could have missed something, but these are the appearances I came up with in my comic and internet research. If you have anything to add, or any questions, feel free. 

I love Batman and especially the Golden Age Batman. Since his recent appearances in the pages of JSA and the announcement of a new Earth-2 in August, I'm hoping this guy will make a comeback. I've always liked the idea of Batman and Catwoman having a daughter who fights crime. It would be awesome if her parents could still be living on the rebooted Earth-2, perhaps serving as mentors. I'm not holding my breath, but with the return of the Earth-2 Robin and Huntress at least an Earth-Two Batman's legacy might continue.