| Uncle Sam | |
|---|---|
 J. M. Flagg's 1917 poster | |
|
Real Name |
Uncle Sam |
|
First Appearance |
War of 1812(term)/ 1852(art) |
|
Original Publisher |
US Government(poster) |
|
Created by |
US Folk Lore/J. M. Flagg(poster) |
Origin
Uncle Sam is the national personification of the United States and, more specifically, of the US government. The first usage of the term dates from the War of 1812, and the first drawing dates from 1852. Common depiction is of a serious, elderly white man with white hair, a beard, and patriotic clothing. He first appeared in comics in 1940 when Will Eisner introduced him as a superhero in National Comics #1 (See Uncle Sam (Quality)). Uncle Sam also appeared in many other Golden Age comics, usually as a guest star.
Harry 'A' Chesler
Uncle Sam approached the recently created Yankee Doodle Jones and his sidekick, Dandy, ordering them to solve the supernatural murders of American officials.
Novelty Press
After president Franklin Roosevelt announced that the United States would provide weapons and supplies for it's allies, becoming an "arsenal for democracy," Uncle Sam summoned the Chameleon, Skipper (leader of Boystate), Karen Drake (an actress working for Fantastic Features studio), Lucky Byrd,Bull's-Eye Bill, Manowar the White Streak, Spacehawk, and the Target - in other words, all of the characters that appeared in Target Comics at the time. Explaining that the United States needed them more then ever, he charged each character with a certain task:
- Bull's-Eye Bill was ordered to provide horses for the U.S. Cavalry Remount Service.
- Chameleon was ordered to assist the U.S. Secret Service.
- Lucky Byrd was told to keep doing what he was already doing - fighting the Nazis as the member of the G2 intelligence service.
- Karen Drake, and, by extension, all other Fantastic Features actors, were ordered to "use their talents for entertainment and propaganda purposes."
- Skipper was ordered to make weapons for the Defense Department.
- Spacehawk was ordered to protect the Earth from alien invasions.
- Target was ordered to "unearth foreign plots against the U.S. government."
- White Streak was ordered to hunt down industrial saboteurs.
Although this was Uncle Sam's only actual appearance, it affected Target Comics storylines for several following issues.
Golden Age Appearances
Eisner's Uncle Sam
- National Comics #1-45
- Uncle Sam Quarterly
Other Uncle Sam appearances
- Target Comics Vol 2, #1
- Yankee Comics #1, 2, 4
Notes
The copyright status of the Eisner version of Uncle Sam is disputed. He fell into DC Comics' possession when DC Comics acquired Quality Comics. However, it is believed that DC Comics allowed the character to fall into public domain. DC Comics did use a modified version of the character from the 1970s onward, and that version is definitely NOT in public domain. The look of the original drawing and concept are, on the other hand, undeniably Public Domain, and anyone can create their own version of Uncle Sam.
When DC acquired and revived characters from Quality comics, Uncle Sam was included on a team called the Freedom Fighters that consisted of Black Condor, Doll Man, The Human Bomb, Ray, Phantom Lady and other Quality comics heroes.