Super Soldiers Read online

  “Jason Inman provides a manual which utilizes and analyzes subtext to offer psychological profiles of our favorite superheroes, viewed in the context of their fictional experiences as warriors and veterans in the US armed forces. He demonstrates vividly and entertainingly how the superhero pantheon is firmly rooted in the disciplines, lore, and traditions of American combatants throughout history. The creators of all these characters took a good look at real-life military heroes for their inspiration, and now Mr. Inman makes this link clear.”

  —Dan Aykroyd, actor/writer of Ghostbusters and

  The Blues Brothers

  “Finally, someone takes a deep dive into two of our best American institutions. From Captain America to the rest of this elite unit, get ready to salute.”

  —Brad Meltzer, bestselling author of

  The First Conspiracy

  “An inspiring reflection on the impact our brave men and women have had on pop culture and the heroes we see on the pages and the big screen.”

  —Jen Griswold, CEO and author of Mission Entrepreneur

  “Super Soldiers is a hell of a fun book and with it Jason Inman has written a love story to soldiers, to comic book heroes, and to his country. Witty, fast-paced, and nerdy (I mean learned) on his subject, Inman is a perfect guide for a deep dive into the interwoven historiographies and mythologies of American warriors and pop culture. Every American must ask: will I wear tights today or will I wear digi camo? Inman lets us have it both ways.”

  —Anthony Swofford, former US Marine and author of Jarhead

  “Not all heroes wear capes…but some do. Jason Inman’s Super Soldiers is a brilliant examination of fictional service enlisted in very real wars. A topic near and dear to my heart and, one chapter in, you’ll realize that Inman’s words are ALL heart.”

  —Mitch Gerads, coauthor of Mister Miracle and

  The Sheriff of Babylon

  “Inman brings more insight to the superhero genre than any writer, fan, or critic ever before. A truly thoughtful look at the tradition of heroism in the face of war.”

  —Joshua Hale Fialkov, writer of The Bunker, Tumor,

  I, Vampire, and The Ultimates

  “Jason Inman’s military experience and pure, unfiltered comics fandom gives the lucky readers of Super Soldiers a chance to view comics’ greatest veterans through a different lens. Comparing the actions of fictional heroes who serve, like Steve Rogers, to what real soldiers have to face provides us a new understanding of what it means to ‘serve with honor.’ And what a lineup we get—from the obvious ones, like Sgt. Rock, Nick Fury, and Green Lantern (both Hal Jordan and John Stewart), to deep cuts like Flash Thompson, Isaiah Bradley, Batwoman, and even Beetle Bailey! Thank you for your service, and for this illuminating book.”

  —Mike Avila, host of SYFY WIRE’s Behind the Panel and author of The Art and Making of Aquaman

  “Super Soldiers is a fascinating book written by a soldier (who happens to be a comic book expert) about soldiers (who happen to be comic book superheroes). Jason Inman delves deep into the lives and legends of these beloved military heroes, shining a light on how and why they became the superheroes they are.”

  —Lisa Yee, author of DC Super Hero Girls novel series

  “Jason’s unique perspective helps us tell the difference between comic books and real life and where that line blurs—from a soldier’s perspective. Great read!”

  —Tom Merritt, author of Pilot X

  “Having worked with military charities for a decade now, I know how real the connection is between costumed heroes and the everyday heroes of our country. In this informative and funny book, Jason Inman highlights that connection for people who may have never known of its existence. We have our vets to thank for the Marvel Universe (both Stan Lee and Jack Kirby served), and we have Jason to thank for this book that acts as a love letter to the patriot comic book characters of the past and present.”

  —B. J. Mendelson, comic book writer and author of Social Media Is Bullshit

  “A wide-ranging mix of comic book history and autobiography, Jason Inman’s Super Soldiers intelligently examines the lives of superheroes through the lens of their own military service. Inman’s personal experiences in the US Army lend a fresh and unique take on several major heroes, and his comic book commentaries are full of razor-sharp wit. Super Soldiers provides a wonderful overview of the uniformed men and women who have dedicated their lives in service to our country…even if only in the pages of a comic book!”

  —Sterling Gates, screenwriter, producer, and comic book writer

  “Jason’s experiences as both a dedicated soldier and serious comic book geek make this an unforgettable read. As informative as it is entertaining, Super Soldiers gave me a deeper appreciation for the heroes that I love and the values they inspire. It should be required reading for every comic fan.”

  —Samm Levine, actor in Freaks and Geeks and professional nerd

  “Jason Inman, I salute you. This is a heroic, inspiring, smartly researched, deeply personal, and historically relevant book that manages to be as thrilling as it is thoughtful.”

  —Benjamin Percy, writer of Wolverine, Green Arrow, Teen Titans, and Nightwing and author of The Dark Net

  “The relationship between America’s superheroes and service members has existed almost as long as the comics medium itself. The connective tissue between the two has changed and morphed over the years, as have our perceptions regarding America’s role in global conflicts. Jason Inman’s in-depth examination of this fascinating topic is a remarkable study of our country’s heroes, both real and imagined, and their compelling links, through the ever-changing course of our nation’s military history.”

  —Dan Jurgens, writer/artist of Superman and Captain America and creator of Booster Gold

  “Drawing from his own military experience and his clear love of comic books, Jason Inman crafts a heartfelt and humorous (though no less gloriously nerdy) overview of superheroes who have served their country.”

  —Joseph Mallozzi, writer/executive producer of Dark Matter, Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Stargate Universe

  “What I love most about Super Soldiers—and there’s a lot to love—is Jason Inman’s thorough joy and passion. Both burst onto the page, making for one compelling, and important, read.”

  —Michael Moreci, writer of Wasted Space and Star Wars and author of Black Star Renegades

  “Jason does what few can—he takes his own stories of service and weaves them into complex looks at the heroes we’ve all grown up reading, and continue to enjoy to this day. Comparing his guard duty with Captain America’s? Explaining how the US Air Force values are intrinsic to Captain Marvel’s ethos? Demonstrating how John Stewart being a marine makes him a better Green Lantern? These are enthralling character studies that no one else can pen, and it’s why I loved Super Soldiers.”

  —Greg Miller, cofounder of KindaFunny.com

  “During my childhood, my world revolved around superheroes. Countless hours were spent reading, watching, and drawing any- and everything related to the world of capes and tights. Of course it was easy to get lost in all of those various tales of cosmic rays, radioactive spiders, and speeding faster than bullets, but I believe it was their common thread that resonated most deeply. All of those heroes used their extraordinary abilities to defend the defenseless against those who would do them harm. They put their lives on the line to oppose evil, not for thanks, but because it was the right thing to do.

  “Growing up as the son of Master Sergeant John H. Sands, I learned early on that there was a commonality between those who wore costumes in comics and those men and women I saw every day
in uniform. I came to know that the same people that we passed in the commissary actually possessed a superpower: bravery. If called upon, they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to uphold those self-evident truths that our country was founded upon

  Super Soldiers shines a spotlight on several beloved comic book superheroes (and a few villains) who were once counted among the ranks of the US armed forces. Jason’s prose informs who these characters are to a great degree and in many cases, why they’ve endured for decades.”

  —Ryan Sands, artist/actor on Marvel’s Runaways

  A Salute to the Comic Book

  Heroes and Villains Who

  Fought for Their Country

  Jason Inman

  Mango Publishing

  Coral Gables

  Copyright © 2019 Jason Inman.

  Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

  Cover Design: Roberto Núñez

  Cover illustration: Maxim Maksutov (Shutterstock)

  Layout & Design: Liz Hong

  Mango is an active supporter of authors’ rights to free speech and artistic expression in their books. The purpose of copyright is to encourage authors to produce exceptional works that enrich our culture and our open society.

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  For permission requests, please contact the publisher at:

  Mango Publishing Group

  2850 S Douglas Road, 2nd Floor

  Coral Gables, FL 33134 USA

  [email protected]

  For special orders, quantity sales, course adoptions and corporate sales, please email the publisher at [email protected]. For trade and wholesale sales, please contact Ingram Publisher Services at [email protected] or +1.800.509.4887.

  Super Soldiers: A Salute to the Comic Book Heroes and Villains Who Fought for Their Country

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2019938547

  ISBN: (print) 978-1-63353-994-5, (ebook) 978-1-63353-995-2

  BISAC category code: SOC022000, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Popular Culture

  Printed in the United States of America

  For Bernadette Inman—my dear mom—who created my love for books, and for the veterans and service members of the US armed forces, whose bravery and courage should never go unrecognized. I count myself lucky to call you my brothers and sisters.

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Captain America

  Chapter 2

  Gravedigger

  Chapter 3

  Captain Marvel

  Chapter 4

  War Machine

  Chapter 5

  Green Lantern

  (John Stewart)

  Chapter 6

  Captain Atom

  Chapter 7

  Green Lantern

  (Hal Jordan)

  Chapter 8

  Flash Thompson

  Chapter 9

  Isaiah Bradley

  Chapter 10

  Sgt. Rock

  Chapter 11

  Batwoman

  Chapter 12

  Beetle Bailey

  Chapter 13

  Nuke

  Chapter 14

  The Punisher

  Chapter 15

  Deathstroke

  Chapter 16

  Nick Fury

  Honorable Mentions

  Acknowledgments

  Further Reading by Subject

  About the Author

  Introduction

  There’s a surprisingly high amount of crossover when it comes to camouflage and spandex. It’s quite shocking, actually. Both are machine-washable, they are staples of ’90s hip-hop fashion, and, probably most importantly, both are worn by heroes. In all seriousness, the pages of comic books are littered with men and women who have signed on the dotted line and put on the uniform of the United States military.

  But why? Why are comic books filled with so many service members? The mental fortitude required to pull off wearing your underwear on the outside of your costume is at least comparable to the courage President Teddy Roosevelt displayed when he charged up San Juan Hill. Both service members and comic book characters pull off amazing feats that seemed nigh impossible. One could make the easy comparison that both sides are filled with heroes. Superheroes put on their capes and boots and dive off rooftops in a never-ending quest to save everyday citizens in the service of justice. Military soldiers do the same (without the capes, of course). Whether it is duty, responsibility, or classic patriotism, these men and women have laced up their boots and sacrificed their lives to protect civilians they have never met.

  However, there are many differences as well. Most comic book heroes are vigilantes. They can’t be tied down by any law or institution because the actions they need to take (for the good of their community) have to be done “outside the law.” Superman can’t join the military—what if he needed to stop a flood in a country that wasn’t an ally of the US? This allegiance would tie his hands. Superman is going to fix a dam in whatever country he pleases. And he should. He’s Superman.

  Service members have to follow a different code. One must raise their right hand, swear an oath of enlistment to the values of the United States, and obey the orders of the officers appointed over them—this oath leaves very little wiggle room. A soldier cannot do as they please. A soldier cannot save whomever they want.

  How could anyone uncover this commonality between soldiers and comic book characters, you might ask? Well, as an Operation Iraqi Freedom Army veteran, comic books were one of my small pleasures in a very harrowing time.

  The year was 2005, and I was stationed in Tallil Air Base, which is located near Nasiriyah, Iraq. I didn’t stay at the air base long, as many missions had our rear ends constantly parked inside a fully-armed Humvee. I had fallen away from the comic book world in the years leading up to 2005. Occasionally, when the big comic events hit, I would poke my head back into the world of capes and tights, but mostly I stayed away. Comic books were just a nostalgic thing harking back to my childhood at that time. During my mom’s shopping trips when I was a kid, I would demand she inspect the grocery store’s comic rack to pick up the latest issue of Iron Man. In 2005, that was no longer the case. She had refused to make these trips for me long before.

  One of the biggest enemies you have to fight, as a soldier deployed overseas to a combat zone, is boredom. You’re far from home, living in a strange place, and driving down to the local bar to hang out is impossible. Internet access was very limited at that time, and smartphones were still to come. At the forward operating bases where missions were assigned, recreation time was (and is) very limited. Here we were, over 150,000 members of the US armed forces, parked on a stretch of Iraqi desert no one had occupied for years. Not exactly a prime location, but the camels seemed to like it.

  When we drove “outside the wire” (our term for leaving the safety of our forward operating base), we had nothing except what we could carry with us. Passing time was an eternal struggle between reading the same paperback novel for the fifth time and staring into the sky for hours. Our cloud-naming contests were epic. In the end, comic books changed all that for me.

  Inside a care package from one of the many charitable groups in support of troops, I found an issue of Ultimate X-Men. This new take on the classic mutant team intrigued me. Why did they all have black costumes? Why did the X-Men finally act like cool teenagers? And—most importantly—why did Wolverine have a goatee? I needed to know how the story ended, so I immediately penned a letter to my parents asking for subsc
riptions to all the Marvel Ultimate Universe titles…and to have the issues shipped to me in Iraq.

  Ever since then, comic books and soldiers have been tied together in my life. It’s the same link that led me to create my annual Comic Drive for Service Members with Operation Gratitude—four successful years so far! This link has led me to write the book you now hold in your hands. My arrogance and passion have combined to decide the world must know about the secret link between comics and the military! There’s no better way to illustrate this than to examine the comic book superheroes who have served. Why did they put it all on the line for their country? What does their wartime experience tell us about them? How does it inform their comic book adventures?

  All that led me to the simple truth: I would have to create an epic list worthy of the US armed forces. (Sadly, I had to limit my list to the United States. While there are many comic characters who served in foreign armies, I only have expertise in my home country.) How does one compile a list of sixteen comic-book service members to write about? It was not a simple task, although the first choice for this list is one that I hope all comic book fans can agree on. It’s not Superman; he never served. That Kansas farm boy decided writing newspaper articles was more important.

  The most obvious choice for this book is Captain America. He is not only a comic book character, but such a true-blue soldier, he dyed all his clothes in the colors of the American flag and earned himself the prestigious honor of being the subject of my first chapter.

  I compiled the rest of the list by pulling everything from the clear choices to the unknowns who had served in alternate or previous versions of their origins. All of these characters have harnessed the principles and fortitude learned in service to this great country of ours to better protect the people as costumed heroes. Yet not all comic book soldiers are honorable people. Sometimes they fall. Sometimes their missions overseas never end, and can affect their mental well-being for their entire life. I want to dive into these men and women too—these characters are some of the best, just as some are examples of the worst.