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Post by chaykinstevens on Sept 6, 2020 7:39:50 GMT -5
And, I believe that Reed Richards' cameo here makes this only the second time in the Marvel Silver Age in which a Marvel hero crosses over into someone else's book (Amazing Spidey #1 being the first, unless you count Sub-Mariner in Fantastic Four, which I don't). The Hulk had appeared in Fantastic Four #12.
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Post by chaykinstevens on Sept 6, 2020 7:56:23 GMT -5
Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #4 "Lord Ha-Ha's Last Laugh" writer: Stan Lee pencils: Jack Kirby inks: G. Bell colors: ? letters: Sal Rosen Lord Ha-Ha, an Englishman captured and used as propaganda against the Allies -- was there a historical counterpart to this? I'm not sure I buy the idea of having him specifically taunt the commandos in each announcement so that they'd try to sneak into Berlin to get him and then get caught, themselves. Seems a little far fetched to me. G. Bell was a pseudonym for George Roussos. Was the letterer Sam Rosen? Lord Ha-Ha was inspired by the historical propagandist Lord Haw-Haw. I can't see the images for the covers to #4, 5, 6 or FF #21.
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Post by codystarbuck on Sept 6, 2020 10:15:35 GMT -5
Lord Haw-Haw was a general name referred to propaganda broadcasts from the Ministry of propaganda, designed to demoralize England and the British & Commonwealth troops. There were several announcers; but, the main one was William Joyce, an American, who was raised in Ireland. He had a past as an informant on IRA activities to British Forces and was a member of the British Union of Fascists. He was tipped off that he was likely to be interned and fled England, ending up in Germany. He had a particular nasal intonation and was identified by British intelligence. He was captured by British troops in northern Germany and tried for treason. He argued that as an American citizen and naturalized citizen of German he could not commit treason against the crowm; but, the court ruled that he had lied about British citizenship and voted in England; and, therefore, had a loyal obligation to the crown. There was no way he was going to get off, after years of broadcasting propaganda to a people being bombed by Germany. He was hung in January of 1946.
There was a similar program,with female announcers, called Axis Sally, aimed at American troops. German-American Mildred Gillars was the chief announcer, with Italian American Rita Zucca as aother noted one. Millars was tried and convicted of treason in 1949 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
The Japanese had a similar operation, which was known by US troops as Tokyo Rose. Again, there were multiple announcers; but, the most identifiable one was Iva Toguri, a Japanese-American, who actually broadcast as Orphan Ann, during The Zero Hour, which featured music and comical skits. Toguri had travelled to Japan to visit an aunt, who was ill and was trapped there after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She was caught in a limbo, as she was not allowed to stay with her relatives, as an American and could not receive help from her parents, who were interned in Arizona. She took a job as a typist at Radio Tokyo and was tapped to be an announcer, because she spoke English. The program consisted of music and comical skits, with propaganda to demoralize troops. The program was popular with GIs because of the music and few took the propaganda seriously, as it was rather clumsy and laughable. Toguri was detained in 1945, but released for lack of evidence; but, when she tried to return to the US, Walter Winchell and the American Legion (both ultra-conservative political voices) stirred up attacks and she was tried for treason, in 1949. In 1974, investigative journalists uncovered evidence that the FBI exerted pressure on witnesses and coached testimony for two months before the trial. Pres. Gerald Ford pardoned Toguri in 1977, after the revelations. She had been convicted on one count, out of eight, and served 6 years of a 10 years sentence. In actuality, she never broadcast news and only participated in comedy skits. She earned the equivalent of $7.00 per month , but used part of that to smuggle food to US POWs. To say an injustice had been done was an understatement.
In 2006, the WW2 Veterans Committee awarded her the Edward J Herlihy Citizenship Award, "...for her indomitable spirit, love of country, and the example of courage she has given her fellow Americans." One biography quoted her as saying it was the most memorable day of her life. She died later that year, at age 90.
Author PG Wodehouse, who had been living in France, when the Germans overran it and he was captured, He was tricked into broadcasting a comical account of his capture; but took no part in propaganda beyond that. The broadcasts (there were 5 total) caused in uproar in the British press and Wodehouse was pilloried. He contacted the Foreign Office, via the Swiss Embassy, to explain. Hetried to leave France, via neutral countries; but was denied permission. He remained in France and was living in Paris, at the liberation. He presented himself to American troops and asked them to contact British forces. He was interviewed by future journalist amd religious commentator Malcolm Muggeridge (who would be part of the debate with Michael Palin and John Cleese, over The Life of Brian), then an officer of MI-6, who found the charges of treason ludicrous and filed a report stating that. Wodehouse was then interviewed by MI-5 over 4 days, with the final reports saying he had been "unwise," but recommended no further action. The case was dropped. Given the climate, he left to live in America, commenting about his experiences in his 1953 collection of letters, Performing Flea, where he remarked on his stupidity and put it down to imprisonment draining his intellect. He became an American citizen in 1955. It wasn't until 1965 that word from the British government said he could return, without fear of legal proceedings, but he felt too old to return. He was considered for a knighthood three times, in the 60s, but was blocked. Finally, in 1974, Harold Wilson secured a knighthood and it was announced in the 1975 New Years Honors List. Wodehouse died in February, 1975, after a heart attack.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Sept 6, 2020 10:32:21 GMT -5
Before Marvel found a hit with Fantastic Four #1, it had already developed a following around Sgt. Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos.
I think Fantastic Four had reached #14 by the time Sgt. Fury began. This is the danger in working from extremely old memories. I vividly recall reading adds for first issues of core Marvel titles in the pages of Sgt. Fury and somehow added Fantastic Four to the mix...which is blatantly incorrect. Even Spider-Man was at issue #3 when Sgt. Fury hit the stands. Thanks for the correction. My apologies for being so clumsy.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Sept 6, 2020 10:52:47 GMT -5
And, I believe that Reed Richards' cameo here makes this only the second time in the Marvel Silver Age in which a Marvel hero crosses over into someone else's book (Amazing Spidey #1 being the first, unless you count Sub-Mariner in Fantastic Four, which I don't). The Hulk had appeared in Fantastic Four #12. Corrected! Thanks. Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #4 "Lord Ha-Ha's Last Laugh" writer: Stan Lee pencils: Jack Kirby inks: G. Bell colors: ? letters: Sal Rosen Lord Ha-Ha, an Englishman captured and used as propaganda against the Allies -- was there a historical counterpart to this? I'm not sure I buy the idea of having him specifically taunt the commandos in each announcement so that they'd try to sneak into Berlin to get him and then get caught, themselves. Seems a little far fetched to me. G. Bell was a pseudonym for George Roussos. Was the letterer Sam Rosen? Corrected. Thanks. Repaired! I think I need to hire you on as my editor.
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