Today’s Flag Day comic is really two comics in one.
First, there’s the vintage, Nazi-fighting art from Our Flag Comics #3. It struck me how different times were back in 1941 and how united we were (by the end of that year) against “the bad guys.” These days, alas, we can’t even all agree who the “bad guys” are.
Second, there was this incredible, completely over-the-top caption in the 1941 art. I thought it was jaw-dropingly bizarre, but also a lot of fun. So I decided to share it with you. But—fearing that the type would be too small—I enlarged it for readability. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
(Below is a miniature version of the vintage,
untouched art so that you can see the original layout
and what I covered up when I enlarged the caption.)
Art by Harry Anderson from Our Flag Comics #3, Dec. 1941.
Transcript:
SCENE: Superhero dressed somewhat like an American flag, punches out a bunch of Nazis in a subway as terrified citizens look on in the background.
THE FLAG: That’s
what I love about America in 1941…Everyone agrees about who the bad
CAPTION BOX: Born with a chest birthmark resembling the American Flag, Jim Courtney, adopted son of John Courtney, an old flag maker and war veteran known as “Old Glory,” has been endowed by the immortals of U.S. history with the strength of a hundred men and the speed of the wind. When traitors seek to destroy our country, Jim Dons the special patriotic uniform made for him by “Old Glory” and goes forth as that hard-hitting, patriotic avenger, The Flag, to crush and destroy them!
Happy Flag Day!
Dec. 1941 Art: Harry Anderson from Our Flag Comics #3
New Dialogue: John Lustig
Yellow caption box is enlarged, but contains the original,
1941 textfeaturing the origin of The Flag. Writer unknown.
our flag comics 4_17-Flag2
THE FLAG: That’s
what I love about America in 1941...Everyone agrees about who the bad
CAPTION BOX: Born with a chest birthmark resembling the American Flag, Jim Courtney, adopted son of John Courtney, an old flag maker and war veteran known as “Old Glory,” has been endowed by the immortals of U.S. history with the strength of a hundred men and the speed of the wind. When traitors seek to destroy our country, Jim Dons the special patriotic uniform made for him by “Old Glory” and goes forth as that hard-hitting, patriotic avenger, The Flag, to crush and destroy them!
Happy Flag Day!
Dec. 1941 Art: Harry Anderson from Our Flag Comics #3
New Dialogue: John Lustig
Yellow caption box is enlarged, but contains the original,
1941 textfeaturing the origin of The Flag. Writer unknown.
our flag comics 4_17-Flag2
