by Jason Inman
While I was intimidated about writing about a singular character, I became shell-shocked when considering the monumental task of trying to compose a ripping lesson about this comic supergroup. It’s very easy to get to the heart and legacy of a singular character. Trying to figure for a whole group of amazing men and women? Near impossible. To Captain Johnny Cloud, Gunner, Sarge, Captain Storm, and Ona Tomsen, I have failed you. May you continue to “lose” in the great beyond of comic book Valhalla.
Skyrocket
Lt. Celia Forrestal is a US Navy aviator created by Kurt Busiek in JLA #61 in 1997. Using an invention called the Argo Harness that was constructed by her parents, Celia harnesses energy to fight off terrorists. Her patriotically-colored armor was designed by the legendary Tom Grummett, and her character hasn’t been seen in many DC Comics issues. This is something I hope they rectify soon.
Moon Knight
Marc Spector is a Marvel Comics character who left the US Marines quickly and became a mercenary. When he was left for dead on one of his missions in Egypt, he was carried inside an ancient temple to the moon god Khonsu. Marc speaks to the moon god and agrees to become his avatar on Earth in exchange for a second pass at life. He becomes the Moon Knight
While the character has an interesting costume and design, Deathstroke has a more compelling mercenary story.
Queen
Her real name is Adriana Soria. She was the first female marine in combat during World War II, and she soon became yet another attempt by scientists in the Marvel Universe to recreate the Captain America super soldier experiment. Adriana finds herself essentially immortal with the ability to control insects in the present.
While her World War II history is worthy of mention, the character’s storyline gets muddied with each subsequent storyline, where she is turned into more of a magical supervillain with no connection to her military past.
Skateman
Billy Moon is a Vietnam veteran who decides to wrap a scarf around his face and fight crime on his roller skates. The less said about Skateman, the better.
Acknowledgments
This book, like war, was a constant battle. Writing a book like this while I had a full-time job, weekly podcast, and YouTube channel was very challenging. At every turn, I doubted my writing ability, I doubted my picks, and I doubted that anyone would ever read this tome. Thankfully my wife, Ashley Victoria Robinson, talked me off the ledge every single time. She’s my biggest cheerleader. Without my marriage to her, this book would have never happened, so I’m deeply grateful to her.
Secondly, I have to give eternal thanks to my mother. Not only did she birth me into the world (you’re welcome, universe), but she also birthed in me a love of reading. Constant trips to the library to grab the next literary adventure were her ideas, so I thank her for starting me on the path that eventually led to this book you now hold in your hands.
I would be remiss to not thank the creators, writers, artists, inkers, colorists, letterers, editors, and anyone else that had a hand in the creation and stories of my seventeen comic book service members. It has been a privilege to read their collective work and share it with you, my readers.
A book is not built by one person alone. Thanks to the assured hand of my editor, Hugo Villabona, I was able to keep this book narratively on track. The rest of the staff at Mango Publishing were especially generous with their time and my multiple requests to devote more time to research!
Special thanks to Alicia Malone, who, because of a random email, connected me with the fine people at Mango and made this book possible. I owe her my firstborn. Not certain if she’ll want to collect, but the offer stands.
Lastly, I must shout my admiration for my little brother, Matthew, who now, as a newspaper reporter, constantly pushes me to reconsider and challenge myself to go further and further.
Here is a list of generous friends and colleagues who assisted me with ideas and praise and/or offered aid in times of peril during the completion of this book: Kate Allred, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Jeremy Skinner, Nathan Alexander, Anthony Swofford, Jeffrey Bridges, Susan Bridges, Matthew Peterson, Stephen Schleicher, Mark Reilly, Mimi Won, Michael Falk, Hope Masters, Jovan Robinson, Jace Milam, Erik Burnham, Alex Segura, JonBoy Meyers, Kendall Sherwood, Meghan Welsh, Craig Sweeny, Michael Angeli, Nicola Scott, Mitch Gerads, and Denise J. St-Pierre.
Further Reading by Subject
Captain America
Kirby, Jack, writer. Captain America by Jack Kirby Omnibus. Marvel Comics, 2011.
Gruenwald, Mark, writer. Captain America: The Captain. Marvel Comics, 2015.
Waid, Mark, writer. Captain America: Man Out of Time. Marvel Comics, 2011.
Gravedigger
Various authors. Showcase Presents: Men of War. DC Comics, 2014.
Wein, Len, writer. DC Universe: Legacies. DC Comics, 2014.
Captain Marvel
Deconnick, Kelly Sue, writer. Captain Marvel Vol. 1: Higher, Further, Faster, More. Marvel Comics, 2014.
Bendis, Brian, writer. Civil War II. Marvel Comics, 2016.
Stohl, Margaret, writer. The Life of Captain Marvel Book One. Marvel Comics, 2018.
War Machine
Kaminski, Len, writer. Iron Man: War Machine. Marvel Comics, 2008.
Benson, Scott, writer. Iron Man/War Machine: Hands of the Mandarin. Marvel Comics, 2013.
Benson, Scott, writer. War Machine Classic—Volume 1. Marvel Comics, 2010.
Slott, Dan, writer. Tony Stark: Iron Man Vol. 1: Self-Made Man. Marvel Comics, 2019.
Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Jones, Gerard, writer. Green Lantern: The Road Back. DC Comics, 2003.
Various authors. Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns. DC Comics, 2012.
Tomasi, Peter J., writer. Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Fearsome. DC Comics, 2011.
Captain Atom
Bates, Cary & Greg Weisman, writers. The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom. DC Comics, 2017.
Krul, J.T., writer. Captain Atom Vol. 1: Evolution. DC Comics, 2011.
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Giffen, Keith, writer. Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn. DC Comics, 1991.
Johns, Geoff, writer. Green Lantern: Rebirth. DC Comics, 2010.
Johns, Geoff, writer. Blackest Night. DC Comics, 2011.
Flash Thompson
Remender, Rick, writer. Venom by Rick Remender: The Complete Collection Vol. 1. Marvel Comics, 2011.
Various authors. Spider-Man: Brand New Day: The Complete Collection Vol. 2. Marvel Comics, 2016.
Isaiah Bradley
Morales, Robert, writer. Truth: Red, White & Black. Marvel Comics, 2004.
Sgt. Rock
Kanigher, Bob, writer. Sgt Rock Archives Volume 1. DC Comics, 2002.
Kanigher, Bob, writer. Showcase Presents: Sgt Rock Vol. 1. DC Comics, 2007.
Batwoman
Rucka, Greg, writer. Batwoman Vol 1. Elegy. DC Comics, 2013.
Williams III, J.H., writer. Batwoman Vol 1: Hydrology. DC Comics, 2012.
Tynion IV, James, writer. Batman—Detective Comics Vol 1: Rise of the Batmen. DC Comics, 2016.
Beetle Bailey
Walker, Mort, writer. The Best of Beetle Bailey. Easton Press, 2005.
Walker, Mort, writer. Beetle Bailey “The First Years: 1950–1952.” Checker Book Publishing Group, 2008.
Nuke
Miller, Frank, writer. Daredevil: Born Again. Marvel Comics, 2014.
Remender, Rick, writer. Captain America Vol. 3: Loose Nuke. Marvel Comics, 2014.
The Punisher
Ennis, Garth, writer. The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank. Marvel Comics, 2002.
Ennis, Garth, writer. Punisher: Born. Marvel Comics, 2003.
Ennis, Garth, writer. Punisher: The Platoon. Marvel Comics, 2017.
Deathstroke
Wolfman, Mar
v, writer. Deathstroke: The Terminator Vol. 1: Assassins. DC Comics, 2015.
Priest, Christopher, writer. Deathstroke Vol. 1: The Professional. Elegy. DC Comics, 2016.
Nick Fury
Steranko, Jim, writer. S.H.I.E.L.D. By Steranko: The Complete Collection. Marvel Comics, 2013.
Harris, Bob, writer. Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Classic Vol 1. Marvel Comics, 2015.
Hickman, Jonathan, writer. Secret Warriors Vol. 1: Nick Fury, Agent of Nothing. Marvel Comics, 2009.
About the Author
Jason Inman is a Kansas farm boy who read too many comics and science fiction novels as a child. Luckily, he was able to turn that into a career.
He is the co-creator and co-writer of Science! for Bedside Press and Jupiter Jet for Action Lab Entertainment. Jason was the host of DC All Access, DC Comics official web series, for over three years. Besides having written for several comic and entertainment websites, Jason has produced and written for web shows including Good Mythical Morning and Screen Junkies.
Prior to becoming a writer, Jason served in the US Army and Kansas Army National Guard, deploying as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
When not posting weekly episodes of his podcast, Geek History Lesson or content on his Youtube channel, youtube.com/jawiin, Jason can be found searching California for old cowboy towns.
You can find him on Twitter @Jawiin or at his website, jawiin.com