Red, White and Blue Comic Superheroes

Minute Man on Master Comics #14

When I first began this post, it was just to feature my newly purchased Master Comics #14 with damsel and motorcycle cover. But after doing a little research I realized there was more here, much more. And it all started with Minute Man’s red, white and blue costume.

Yank and Doodle on Prize Comics #32 (sold copy)

As it turns out there are doctoral dissertations on this subject. That is going a bit too far for me (after all, I read picture books with captions) so I’ll try and keep this post relatively brief. But red, white and blue superheroes would provide a good theme around which to build a special comic book collection, mmm. I digress.

Given the simultaneous rise of superheroes and patriotism during war years of the early 1940’s it should come as no surprise the plethora of superhero patriots that exploded onto the scene. While every comic superhero joined in to support the war effort, the special handful below literally wore the flag on their sleeves.

American Crusader (Better/Standard/Nedor)
- First appearance: Thrilling Comics #19 (Aug 1941)
- Created by Max Plaisted
American Eagle (Better/Standard/Nedor)
- First appearance: America’s Best Comics #2 (1942)
- Created by Richard Hughes and Kin Platt
Captain America (Marvel)
- First appearance: Captain America Comics #1 (March, 1941)
- Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Captain Commando (M. L. J. Magazines, Inc.)
- First appearance: Pep Comics #30 (August, 1942)
- Created by S.M. Iger and Alex Blum
Captain Flag (M. L. J. Magazines, Inc.)
- First appearance: Blue Ribbon Comics #16 (September, 1941)
- Created by S.M. Iger and Alex Blum
Captain Freedom (Harvey Comics)
- First appearance: Speed #13th (May, 1941)
- Created by Arthur Cazeneuve
Commando Yank (Fawcett)
- First appearance: Wow Comics #16 (July, 1942)
- Created by Clem Weisbecker
The Conqueror (Hillman)
Defender (Marvel)
- First appearance: USA Comics #1 (August, 1941)
- Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Fighting Yank (Better/Standard/Nedor)
- First appearance: Startling Comics #10 (September, 1941)
- Created by Richard E. Hughes and Jon Blummer
Flagman (Holyoke Publishing Co.)
- First appearance: Captain Aero Comics #1 (December 3, 1941)
- Created by Allen Ulmer and Ray Willnerr
Liberty Belle (DC)
- First appearance: Boy Commandos #1 (1942)
- Created by Don Cameron & Chuck Winter
  - - Major Victory (H Clay Glover)

Minute Man (Fawcett)
- First appearance: Master Comics #11 (February 1941)
- Created by Charles Sultan
Miss America (Quality)
- First appearance: Military Comics #1 (1941)
- Created by Elmer Wexler
Miss Victory (Holyoke Publishing Co.)
- First appearance: Captain Fearless #1 (August, 1941)
- Created by Charles Quinlan
Mr. America (DC)
- First appearance: Action Comics #1 (1938)
- Created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily
Pat Patriot (Lev Gleason)
- First Appearance Daredevil Comics #2 (August, 1941)
- Created by Charles Biro, Bob Wood and Reed Crandall

Patriot (Marvel)
- First Appearance Human Torch Comics #4 (1941)
- Created by Ray Gill & Bill Everett
Shield (M. L. J. Magazines, Inc.)
- First appearance: Pep Comics #1 (1940)
- Created by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick
Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy (DC)
- First appearance: Action Comics #40 (1941)
- Created by Jerry Siegel & Hal Sherman
Uncle Sam (Quality)
- First appearance: National Comics #1 (1940)
- Created by Will Eisner
U.S. Jones (Fox Feature Syndicate)
Wonder Woman (DC)
- First appearance: All-Star Comics #8 (December 1941)
- Created by Dr. William Moulton Marston & H.G. Peter
Yank and Doodle (Prize Comics)
- First appearance: Prize Comics #13 (August, 1941)
- Created by Paul Norris