All-Winners Squad - Band of Heroes

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Although this eight-issue series is the latest in a series of updated retellings of Marvel’s Golden Age heroes, it's not about the super group Captain America II and III fought with stateside after the war, but rather it actually deals with a group of new and little-used Timely characters from the ‘40s, more of an untold tale of a hitherto unknown group of heroes Cap fought with post-Invaders toward the end of WWII. The story is told in flashback from the POV of the “Young Avenger” (not so young anymore, at 93) to his granddaughter. One Idea that I really like which is being explored in the series is that the Timely Comics of the era in the Marvel Universe were loosely based on actual exploits (as much as possible) and were commissioned by the War department as propaganda tools and recruiting devices.

The series is written by Paul Jenkins, no stranger himself when it comes to more realistic war comics.

[The Baron]

What characters are in the book?

[Jeff of Earth-J]

They are hard to identify because only bits of their costumes peak out from beneath their fatigues, but also because Cap shouts orders using their real last names. The Blue Diamond is the only pre-existing character I know for certain. I’m not sure about the Young Avenger, and although the actual Captain America Comics #7 is identified as being the first “comic book” appearance of the Invisible Man. This series’ “Silver Agent” is Captain Flame, and there’s also a robot character called T-Mech (for “Transistor Mech”). There are two other characters (one is killed) who wear red masks under their helmets, which are adorned with two red feathers in the form of a “V” in front. At least one of those two uses a bow. (So much for the days when every character would be identified early on by dialogue or narration.) Captain America is very much the soldier, using military jargon, wearing a helmet with an “A” and wings painted on, actually killing enemy combatants, etc. Bucky is part of the squad, too.

[The Baron]

Cool, thanks.  I've seen the name "The Young Avenger" before.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

I couldn't remember. I meant to look it up over the weekend, but forgot that, too. (They say the meory is the second thing to go.) I'm sure Jenkins would have preferred to use entirely existing Golden Age characters, but JMS has "The Twelve" most likely contenders tied up. I noticed, to, I forgot to complete a sentence in my earlier post. what I meant to say was, "Although the actual Captain America Comics #7 is identified as being the first “comic book” appearance of the Invisible Man... I'm not sure it is." (Meant to verify that, too.)

[Dagwan]

Jeff of Earth-J said:

(They say the meory is the second thing to go.)

Speling is the furst. :P

 

I really expected to hate this comic. Another series dealing with forgotten WWII heroes? This is at least the fourth title like it in the past few years. Bleh. Only one of them was even any good, Marvel's The Twelve, and that never finished.

 

[Sidebar: Apparently the final four issues of The Twelve are almost done, and will be solicited when they're all totally finished!]

 

All right, I'll give it a try...

 

Imagine my surprise when the story flows pretty smoothly and entertainingly. I am actually interested in what happens to these people now.

 

Well done, Mr. Jenkins!

 

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"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx

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[Philip Portelli]

I pulled out The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe-Golden Age 2004 with its back page index and The Marvel Mystery Handbook from 2009 and did a little research.

Besides Captain America and Bucky, the most well-known character is The Blue Diamond who appeared twice in 1941 in Daring Mystery Comics #7-8 but was revived in the 70s as part of The Liberty Legion in Marvel Premiere, The Invaders and Marvel Two-In-One until as an old man, he was turned into a cosmic diamond man. Yes, I'm serious.

The others are all short run Timely heroes. I can say that with certainty because 80% of Timely heroes were only in one-to-four stories!

The Invisible Man: after H.G. Wells' Griffen and before Sue Storm, Doctor Leonard Gade was splashed with chemicals that allowed him to fade away in Mystic Comics #2 (1940).  Unfortunately force fields were not included.

The Victory Boys were German orphans led by a American boy in Nazi territories from Comedy Comics #10 (1942).

The Taylor who saves Blue Diamond and Invisible Man is apparently Taxi Taylor and his Wonder Car, a tank-like vehicle that could fly and go underwater. Also from Mystic Comics #2.

Strong may be Bob Strong, a soldier of fortune/French Foreign Legion captain from Daring Mystery #3 (1940).

Merzak the Mystic from Mystic #4 possessed telepatic and precognative abilities.

Jones could be Zephyr Jones, a Flash Gordon wannabe from Daring Mystery #3.

Archie could be Archie the Gruesome from Comedy #10.

T-Mech may be based on Marvex the Super Robot from Daring Mystery #3.

The Young Avenger (Bill Byron) a super strong youth debuted in USA Comics #1 (1941).

I really don't know much about these minor characters so if The All-Winners Squad gets confusing, it's because it does not properly introduce and identify its cast of heroes from 70 years ago!

[Doctor Hmmm?]

The Victory Boys were German orphans led by a American boy in Nazi territories from Comedy Comics #10 (1942).

Yeah, I bet that was comedy gold, right there.

[Philip Portelli]

Well, never work with children.

[Captain Comics]

Or robots.

 

[Luke Blanchard]

The Victory Boys were earlier on the cover of USA Comics #5 (I owe this information to the GCD).

 

Reviews of many Golden Age Marvel issues can be found at http://unabridgedmarvel.tumblr.com/ . The reviewer often discusses the lesser features in the issues (some early ones were all lesser features).