Today in Comics History, July 4: Bruce lies to Selina

from Batman: The Long Halloween #10 (DC, September 1997), script by Jeph Loeb, pencils and inks by Tim Sale, colors by Gregory Wright, letters by Richard Starkings

Today in Comics History Alternate Future, July 4, 3007: Korvac decrees hot dogs, burgers, and insurgents shall be grilled today

from Captain America (1998 series) #18 (June 1999), script by Mark Waid, pencils by Lee Weeks, inks by Robert Campanella, colors by Christie Scheele and Gregory Wright

Today in Comics History, July 4: Chuck Austen completely ruins the Fourth of July

from X-Men (1991 series) #161 (Marvel, November 2004), script by Chuck Austen, pencils by Salvador Larroca, inks by Danny Miki, colors by Liquid Graphics, letters by Rus Wooton
(Click bottom picture to revolution-size)

Today in Comics History, July 4: Killer shark threatens holiday fun

from "The Killing Peck" in Secret Origins Special #1 (DC, October 1989), script by Alan Grant, pencils and inks by Sam Kieth, colors by Tom McCraw, letters by Albert DeGuzman

Today in Comics History, July 4: Lazy playboy Bruce Wayne arrives to switch on Christmas tree lights

from Detective Comics #1018 (DC, March 2020), script by Peter J. Tomasi, pencils and inks by Scott Godlewski, colors by David Baron, letters by Rob Leigh

Today in Comics History, July 4: The Avengers don't notice galaxies exploding behind them

pin-up from Avengers: The Ultron Imperative #1 one-shot (November 2001), pencils by Don Heck, inks by Jerry Ordway, colors by Tom Smith

365 Days of Defiance, Day 185: Mr. Batman Goes to Washington

Panels from "Batman Goes to Washington" in Batman (1940 series) #28 (April-May 1945), script by Alvin Schwartz, pencils and inks by Jerry Robinson, letters by Ira Schnapp
No one would definitely call Batman a patriotic character (aside from that one time where he dressed up as Star-Spangled Batman), but during World War II it was pretty much required for you to not only be patriotic but to turn in your old comics for scrap paper to...uh...I dunno, build tanks out of. I'm sure Bruce Wayne converted many of his ball-point pen and rubber glove factories to making big-ass guns for the Allies, and he likely spear-headed several local Gotham City events and rallies to buy bonds, but Batman himself (and, oh yeah, Robin) certainly had adventures that inspired a proud tear as you salute the ol' red stripes and White Stripes and all 48 good old American contiguous states. No foolin' though, Batman would salute as soon as Alaska joined the Union. Hawaii, though, as far as Batman was concerned — heck with it.

This is a story of defiance, not against the government ( — goodness no, National woukldn't dare in the '40s), and not even against the Axis powers, tho' there were plenty of cover images devoted to that, most infamously and wrongly Action Comics #58. No, this is about not only fighting criminal organizations rampant during the war (through use of a government crime database) as well as giving reformed ex-cons a chance to work in the wartime society. It was definitely a simpler time — let's face it, Batman's pride in the government crime database doesn't fit with his modern "don't trust nobody" ethos. But it's done with such a light touch it's forgivable, and give yourself the suspension of disbelief in a comic book world where the government is trying to help us all and bad guys can reform. Remember: once upon a time Gotham City was bright and cheerful and sunny and while clowns and quizzers freely roamed the streets, they were carefree pranksters who would have fun on top of giant appliances and really no more harm to anyone than one of those rubber-masked monsters those meddling kids chased down.

Bruce Wayne ponders the plight of reformed ex-cons who have gone straight but can't get jobs. Hmmm, too bad there aren't any main industries in Gotham for them to apply to. Instead, put on the old cape 'n' cowl and start a social media movement. Social media, in this case, meant that Batman asked to interrupt The Jack Benny Program to lecture on the radio for thirty minutes about his new employment idea. Gotham City warmed to the idea, but Don Wilson was furious.


Ex-cons reduced to doing nothing but sitting around, playing cards, and on average wearing one-third of a green suit like the idea, and Batman reads his fan mail after Alfred has already opened up all the envelopes and removed the snapshots that weren't appropriate for Robin to see.


Batman gets a letter inviting him to speak in front of the Senate, and WHOO HOO ROAD TRIP! This issue marks the first appearance of the Batmobile's famous Bat-Trailer, and NO I AM NOT KIDDING ABOUT THAT


Unfortunately, some real and unrepentant criminals want to pressure the Senate from voting for Batman's Jobs for Ex-Cons Bill. Rich private organizations trying to pressure and influence the government through shady means? Man, I'll believe in Superman, but this is a little crazy. Meanwhile, Batman gives the ex-cons a patriotic tour of Washington, prompting them to stand up straight and be as rock-steady as the Giant Ape sitting in the Lincoln Memorial WAIT A MINUTE GIANT APE?!? YOU BLEW IT UP! DARN YOU ALL TO HECK!


Time to visit FBI Headquarters and see how their patented 3 by 5 card system helps stamp out racketeers and fifth-columnists across the country! Crime cards! Collect 'em all!


Then they see the almost photographically detailed Capitol Building — eriously, nice job, Jerry Robinson! I'm sure if Bob Kane had done the Capitol it would have been red. Meanwhile...suspenseful caption strikes!


Batman and Robin are coshed by the bad crooks and that robot from Planet Express and spirited away to a warehouse, which only goes to prove: Golden Age Batman and Robin must have had some serious head injuries. Also: hash is settled.


And the good ex-cons hunt for and release Batman! To be fair, it was six days later, and they'd put 3,300 miles on the Batmobile joyriding around the Capitol area, but in the end they did the right thing.


And now, in the spirit of Batman Returns and Batman Forever...Batman Filibusters! Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

76 of a Kind: Your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth

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Today in Comics History, July 4: Baby, you're a firework

Wow! Kate Kane and gal pal Maggie Sawyer sure are havin' a fun Fourth of July back in the 1940s! Why, they're spending it at Coney Island whatever the equivalent of Gotham's Coney Island is and having a dee-lightful day!


from DC Comics: Bombshells (digital series) #8 (DC, September 2015); script by Marguerite Bennett; pencils, inks, and colors by Marguerite Sauvage; letters by Wes Abbott
Neat-o! That all looks like some good time old-fashioned Fourth o' July fun. Why, what could be even more fun that that!


...

Gol-ly.

Well, Happy Independence Day, everybody!

Today in Comics History, July 4, 1996: Alan Moore visits the US Capitol

from The Dreaming #6 (DC/Vertigo, November 1996); script by Peter Hogan; pencils and inks (and letters?) by Steve Parkhouse; colors by Daniel Vozzo

Today in Comics History, July 4: Popeye's cousin continues to serve out his 25-30 for bunco fraud

So. I am not going to reprint the cover of Chesler/Dynamic's 1937 Star Comics #5 (go ahead, look it up yourself; don't say I didn't warn you), but here's a gag strip about the Fourth of July. Wow, who knew there were men's right activists doing cartoons back then. Still: hardened criminals cutting out paper dolls: always good for a larf!


"Belly Laughs" from Star Comics #5 (Chesler/Dynamic, July 1937), creators uncredited and unknown

Today in Comics History, July 4, 1776: Battlestar willfully ignores at least four of the US amendments

from Captain America (1968 series) #347 (Marvel, November 1988), script by Mark Gruenwald, pencils by Kieron Dwyer, inks by Al Milgrom, colors by Greg Wright, letters by John Morelli

Today in Comics History, July 4: Happy Birthday, Uncle Sam!

back cover pin-up from Marvel Treasury Special Featuring Captain America's Bicentennial Battles one-shot (Marvel, September 1976), script and pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia (?), letters by Gaspar Saladino
7,800.

365 Days of Star Wars Comics, Day 185: May the Fourth be With You

Panels from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi #4 (January 1984); script by Archie Goodwin; pencils by Al Williamson, Carlos Garzon, and Ron Frenz; inks by Al Williamson, Carlos Garzon, and Tom Palmer; colors by Christie Scheele and Bob Sharen; letters by Ed King


Or, should you prefer the "Yub Nub" version:

76 of a Kind: Wavin' Flag

76 of a Kind for 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014

Today in Comics History, July 4, 1979: Crimson Dynamo successfully prevents Peter Parker from romance*

from Marvel Team-Up Annual #2 (Marvel, December 1979), script by Chris Claremont, breakdowns by Sal Buscema, finishes by Jack Abel, colors by Roger Slifer, letters by Joe Rosen

*There's a much more succinct phrase for the same thing, but I'm not allowed to use it.

Today in Comics History, July 4, 1776: HULK SMASH GEORGE THREE!

variant cover of Indestructible Hulk #11 (Marvel, September 2013), art by Michael Del Mundo

76 of a Kind: Ev'ry time that flag's unfurled / They're coming to America

76 of a Kind for 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013

76 of a Kind: I'm a free born bull of the USA

76 of a Kind for 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012

Today in Comics History, July 4: Batman is sorry he hired a robot DJ for his Fourth of July party

from The Brave and the Bold (1955 series) #103 (DC, September 1972), script by Bob Haney, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Frank McLaughlin, letters by Milt Snapinn