I was in a Wikipedia-freefall the other day and I decided I’d start a new weekly feature. Every week, I will scour the internet to find one utterly ridiculous image. For this week’s, take a look at this:<
This is a comic book cover from WWII. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Is that a US War Bond punching out Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, and Hideki Tojo (or possibly Emperor Hirohito –I can never tell which is which in our propaganda)?” And the answer to that question is YES. Yes, that is a US War Bond punching all three dictators in the face (and, according to Wikipedia, it’s Hirohito). Although he appears to have dropped the Japanese guy earlier, and is now attempting to crotch-stomp him.
This image has a lot going for it. I like the War Bond’s facial expression. I saw that same expression on the bullies in middle school when they were throwing punches, too. The whole “the War Bond is stealing the Axis Powers’ milk-money” motif is backed up by the way that the titular “4 Favorites” (plus Magno’s child sidekick, Davey) are singing a song about punching Hitler while Hitler is being punched. Never before has any piece of art ever seemed to invoke such sympathy with Hitler in me. And I actually own Downfall. Also, I’d like to point out that Hitler is apparently a flamboyant or possibly just colorblind: a green tie with a pink military uniform? Is he joking? Benny Mussolini needs a shave, too. And I don’t want to say the 4 Favorites are dressed like a group of pedophile circus performers, but…I just did. Mr…”Lightning,” is it? Could we see some hands, please?
And just think this is only the cover. Imagine what the whole comic book story entailed! And all for 10 cents!
See you next week.
