REVIEW: Fighting American #1

REVIEW: Fighting American #1

October 12, 2017
Blog Posts, Reviews
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By Matt Vroom

 

Today I am going to be reviewing something a little more patriotic from Titan Comics. Titan Comics has a lot of titles that are European. Some of their more well known books originated from folks across the Atlantic. They are well known for their “Doctor Who” comics, and other like stories. So, when they release something American, like the Fighting American, I get pretty excited.

 

Fighting American #1, is a new on going comic book event from Titan Comics. It was written by Gordon Rennie, drawn by Duke Mighten, lettering by Simon Bowland, colors by Tracy Bailey, and edited by David Leach.

 

The Fighting American is an original creation of Joe Simon, and Jack Kirby. Yes, the duo that brought Captain America to life created a rip-off of their own character. They did it to actually get back at Timely Comics (later known as Marvel Comics) as their 1950s iteration of Captain America didn’t suit what they had originally imagined. So they published Fighting American through Prize Comics. It was a creator-owned story during a time where that was unpopular.

 

 

The Fighting American was meant to be more serious that Captain America. He was the first Commie-bashing super hero. However, his origin very closely parallels that with ol’ Cap. Both Steve Rodgers and Nelson Flagg are genetically modified individuals with enhance strength and speed, and they are both nearly indestructible. They also have both been displaced in time, and have been forced to come to terms that the future is a disappointment compared to the promises they were led to believe by their governments.

 

So what is the difference between the two? Well, to be frank… Fighting American is not secretly a Nazi. In fact, he is so American that it is almost offensive to us Americans. I want to get into this a lot more because there is so much complexity to this story. It raises all sorts of questions like, “how would 1950s ideals clash with millennials?” or “have we progressed or regressed since the 1950s?”

 

Now before we get any deeper, it’s time for the synopsis:

 

Direct continuation of Simon and Kirby’s classic series! Fighting American returns!

Written by Gordon Rennie with artwork by Duke Mighten, with a cover by Terry and Rachel Dodson!When the 1950s heroes find themselves trapped in the modern world, how will they handle what society has become, and what dangers will they face?

With modern-day villains to contend with, enemies from their past pursuing them, and a whole new world to come to terms with, what daring adventures could Fighting American and Speed-Boy find themselves in now? 

 

 

Let’s answer this first question, “how will they handle what society has become?”

 

I think you should look at the panel above. Just think of it… seeing a woman’s ankle back-in-the-day was pretty scandalous. The government censored everything. Plus, religious morals was the big thing. Most companies advertised that a woman’s place in society is in the home, cooking meals for her husband, and being an accessory to her husband.

 

Things have changed. Women are more valued in society, and have an equal say. They are able to hold public office. There has never been a better time for a woman to make it in the world. Yet, society is very conflicting with the image it sells on a woman. They still sell the fact that a successful woman is a “sexy” woman. The panel above is a mixed bag. In one hand it shows how far society has grown and deteriorated. Women are still objects. It’s sad, but true.

 

This panel just proves that sex sells. Speedboy, the titular sidekick for Fighting American, a teenage boy, is entranced by the scantily clad woman. Distracted while the bad guy gets away. It is a reflection of our society. The bad guys get away with so much because those that are able to do something about it are too distracted.

 

 

Sorry for the deep cut, but that’s what this comic does. It asks some serious questions. I honestly want you guys to read this book. I feel like it is the Captain America story that we deserve today. Forget about Secret Empire for a little bit, and jump on the Fighting American band wagon.

 

I give this comic 8 out of 10 capes. It was a solid read. There is a good reason why Titan Comics is doing as well as it is right now. They get the right talent for the right jobs. This is a good adaption of Simon and Kirby’s original vision. I won’t say that it completely captures their tone and style, but I do think that it is something that they would be accepting of.

 

You can buy this comic and most local comic book shops, and on Comixology.

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If you guys have a comic that you would like us to review feel free to email Matt at matt@superherospeak.com, or Dave at dave@superherospeak.com.

Matt Vroom – Content Creator and Comic Reviewer for SuperHeroSpeak.com.

 

Follow Matt on Twitter: @vroomatt

 

See Matt’s Comic Book Work: www.vroomation.com

 

For latest news for Super Hero Speak, follow us on Twitter: @superherospeak

 

or Facebook: @superherospeak

 

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Matt Vroom

Independent comic reviewer for Super Hero Speak. Also, the creator of a few comic book series. Such as: Super Elders, Planet Ultra, and the Apostate.

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