Posts tagged All-Star Squadron

It is the mid 1930s, the shadow of fascism has slowly begun to rise in Germany. Based on the premise of the “Ubermensch”, Adolf Hitler rose to power and Berlin hosted the 1936 Olympic Games and in retrospect we have to assume that Hitler was confident that his superior race would win out.

Then came along Jesse Owens. An American. A Black American. No one used African-American back then. He won four gold medals in Berlin in track and field. Humiliating the German ubermensch and enraging Hitler. Now, was Hitler’s mad dash for power because of this? God no. But this mini drama is the opening salvo in America’s entry into World War II.

On September 1st, 1939, Germany invades Poland and the war is on. America remains deeply divided as Germany conquers country after country. And with America’s eyes firmly fixed on the foundation of isolationism while keeping on eye on Europe, December 7th, 1941, the Japanese surprise attack the United States in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. An enraged America rises up and Franklin Delano Roosevelt gives one of the most rousing political speeches of all time.

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – The United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.“

This being the case that our history serves as a mirror to the history in our fictional universes, the question that fanboys must ask themselves is “Why do they not just send Superman over there to kick Hitler’s butt?”

Very good question and it deserves an answer that will hold substantial water.

And now we introduce our first official religious icon into the DC Universe.

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵ The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶ These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” ³⁷ and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.” John 19: 31-37 NIV Version.

This bit of text from The Holy Bible is a description of what soldiers did and did not do as Jesus’ dead body hung from the cross. The spear is the key though that we will be focused on. As any watcher of Indiana Jones movies knows, one does not mess with artifacts related to the Old and New Testaments. It is a really good way to get your face melted off.

All these religious artifacts are rumored today to hold immense powers if used in the correct way and by those interpretations in modern pop culture.. the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail.. lets add this. The Spear of Destiny or The Spear of Longinus. We need to make the leap that this is a literal spear and not a metaphorical one for the purposes of storytelling in the DCU.

Now that the Spear is lost to time and memory…eventually falling into the hands of Adolf Hitler. It is rumored that whomever has the Spear, will conquer the world. Well, Hitler very nearly did conquer the world. Did he have the real Spear or just a facsimile? I won’t argue either side for now.

In the DCU, Hitler did have the Spear of Destiny and was quite an accomplished occultist. Hitler used the Spear of Destiny to form large areas that would instantly assert mental control over any super powered being that entered into them. Get too close to Europe or Japan and boom! You’re suddenly a pawn of Hitler?

Nice solution really when you think about it. We have to explain how Superman could let all these normal people go overseas and die for their country when Supes could zip in there and take care of them all at superspeed.

The Justice Society of America was formed prior to the All-Star Squadron, the All-Star Squadron is the “beefier” version of the JSA including every Golden Age character that existed.

Between these characters and our fighting men and women, the Axis never stood a chance.

Next Time: JSA Roll Call!