Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Wouldn't Be the 4th Without the Captain


Having stated over and over that Cap is my favorite, I would be remiss if I didn't run something on CAPTAIN AMERICA on this of all days. Not that impersonator they have today, mind you. No, this inspiring painting is by Cap's creator, himself, Mr. Joe Simon, in collaboration with his daughter, Gail Simon Coleman. It's from 1994's issue 6 of the sadly short-lived GOLD AND SILVER, THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK QUARTERLY. Why is it so hard for people to forget that Captain America is not a fascist. He was born to fight fascism, not promote it as he sometimes seems to be doing these days in the name of nationalism and perhaps misguided patriotism! Cap is a symbol of true freedom and independence, not that we've ever really had it. He represents the dream, the goal and the struggle without which it wouldn't be worth having. In a very real way, Captain America has transcended his own origins and the character can't really be bent and twisted into someone else's realities. No matter what's done to him, Captain America, like the US flag itself, means something bigger and there will always be those who truly embrace that something. Happy 4th of July, Cap, ol' buddy. Keep 'em flying! The struggle goes on...

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