Comic Book Superheroes and War in Twentieth Century America
ous about Soviet infiltration in the United States . 39 Fighting American ’ s stories had five main themes that reflected American fears and anxieties in the first years of the Cold War : domestic foreign spies , organized crime , foreign troops on American soil , worldwide communist sabotage , and the loss of American freedom and ideals . 40 Simon and Kirby both stated their character was dedicated to taking on the “ red menace ” and were proud to create “ the first commie-basher in comics .” 41
The comics that most acted as a mirror for feelings and events of the Cold War in America were the “ Fantastic Four ” from Marvel Comics . These superheroes who did not act like superheroes explored themes of atomic anxieties , gender roles , the family , science and new technology and communism — all in the first eight issues of a series about four bickering superpowered humans . 42 The first issue of “ Fantastic Four ” had its origins in the race to get to space , which was an offensive tactic against the Soviet Union and Communism . Brilliant scientist Reed Richards , his girlfriend Susan Storm , her younger brother Johnny Storm , and Reed ’ s best friend Ben Grimm take a prototype spaceship to space to “ beat the ‘ commies .’” 43 Throughout this first issue , Susan worries about the effects of “ cosmic rays ,” which when they go to space , give the four superpowers . Reed becomes Mr . Fantastic and can stretch and twist his body in unnatural ways , Susan gets powers of invisibility , Johnny becomes a human fireball , and Ben transforms into a monstrous , rock-like humanoid with super strength . 44 In comic book historiography , Dr . Reed Richards is considered a “ personification of science and technology as an expression of America ’ s greatness ” while also reflecting public fears about scientists and technology in the years following the creation of the atomic bomb . 45 This debate over scientists is also reflected again in “ Fantastic Four # 5 ,” when the group first encounters Doctor Doom , real name Victor von Doom . Doctor Doom is a scientific match for him , but Reed Richards explains that Doctor Doom is only interested in forbidden experiments , magic , and time travel . Doctor Doom is even drawn at a desk with books about “ Demons ” and “ Science and Sorcery ” on top . 46 This issue gives the Fantastic Four an arch enemy , but it also explains “ that it is not the science , but the scientists , that is good or evil .” 47 Other “ Fantastic Four ” comics
explore the American fear of communist brainwashing and the government ’ s awareness of the effects of the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb . In “ Fantastic Four # 2 ,” the group fight the “ Skrulls from Outer Space ,” who can transform themselves into an exact match of any living being . The Skrulls turn themselves into the Fantastic Four and wreak havoc , turning the community against the Fantastic Four . To defeat them , Reed Richards uses hypnotism to imprison the Skrulls and make them transform into cattle . 48 This new fear of brainwashing manifested in American minds in the years following the Korean War , with the worry that good people could be involuntarily turned into communists . The Skrulls also reflected
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