43,000 Thank You's May I take the LIBERTY ?

Whilst doing my last piece on the Liberty Legion ( which too a long time to complete !!!)  my visitor count hit 43,000 and 44,000.

As I usually like to do a special thank you for each 1000 visitors come and view my Dawg's Blog  I prepared this one a few months ago.

I promise NO MORE LIBERTY LEGION after this post.

Thanks for all you who come back time and time again,

Until Next Time

ENJOY 

The Coming of the Liberty Legion Part .... The Future makes a Good Past

Before I finally say GOODBYE to the Tale of How and Why The Liberty Legion came to be, I think I  should make a FEW more comments.   

Firstly, many of you may have noted that Miss America's look changed during my retelling of the tale. This was a nod to how between the story told in  The Invaders issues #5 & 6 and the Marvel Premiere issues #29 & 30 issued in 1975, that artists in both books used many different looks. Some of the other heroes also had small changes, but not as many as Miss Madeline ( Maddie ) Joyce. I myself  made a few changes in colours of some of the Liberty Legion to make them standout better. Also I did on occasion make Red Raven's hair change from Ginger To Blond.   As funny enough they did in the comics.

The Many Looks of Miss Maddie Joyce aka Miss America 

In the 1970's the clever boys at Marvel Comics decided to take a look at DC Comics to see where their successes laid.  What they saw that DC had started to look to the past, and that The WW2 based tales of the Original Justice Society of America was still of interest of their readership. The JSA of the WW2  era (now confirmed as Earth 2 tales)  now included new members (some based on older characters they had invented, some re invented and some that were new)  Some of these new characters would become a sub team of the JSA but mainly fight the fight against Nazi's on home ground in the USA. Thus the All Star Squadron was formed.

These new stories sold well, and as the plan to merge the Earth Two heroes into the main DC community via The First Crisis on Infinite  Earths,  this some how helped with that transition. This kind of sorted out How Batman , Superman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman and some of the early heroes existed in the 1940's and still in the 1970's

What Marvel did was even better. They had heroes that had survived since the 1940's, and had already enjoyed a new success in the 1960's.  Like Prince Namor had been rediscovered in the early 1960's as a homeless man with no memory by Johnny Storm of the FF. The Newly formed Avengers had found The frozen Body of Steve Rodgers aka  Captain America in the Ocean. Even The original Human Torch had been reactivated by the 1970's.  Captain America had been in frozen Animation so he had not aged. Prince Namor was of a Human-Atlantian hybrid combination (later to be renamed as a Mutant), so his lack of  ageing was put down to generics..... and Jim Hammond was an Artificial Life Form, so did not age. He had just stopped functioning . Marvel used the Invaders as a chance to fill in the gaps in these heroes back stories and in the new Marvel Universe. Timely Comics had ownership of many heroes in its long back history. This gave them a chance to use some of them. And surprising enough most of them given a small tweak to their costumes and back story and powers would live to fight again in a newly documented past.

The Liberty Legion just helped increase the list of older characters that would or could impact the future of some of the Heroes in the Modern Day.  Both The Whizzer and Miss America legacy would live on ( No spoilers ) with their relationships and so called connection to The Scarlet Witch and Quick Silver. A stint as ongoing characters with the Invaders in WW2 would also be expanded. Also The Original Human Torch would be connected to The Modern Day Vision. The Patriot would have a "connection" with  the Captain America of the 1950's.  Red Raven would have a meeting with The Modern Day X-Man Angel in the late 1960's .  Jack Frost would later believe he had connections to The Asgardian Ice Giants.  The Blue Diamond would have connections to the Infinity Stones, The Thin Man would become an undercover agent of SHIELD in later life. So the members of The Liberty Legion had lasting impact.

Although the Liberty Legion never had their own on going comic, they did appear from time time with the likes of the Fantastic Four and the Blue Eyed idol of millions Ben Grimm the THING.

Here is a final look at the members of the Liberty Legion how they were individually drawn and how they looked in the 1970's revamp.

On the whole only the Blue Diamond and Miss America's revamp was on;y slightly changed. The Thin Man lost his scarf and had a change of colour, and Jack Frost lost his boots. Whilst The Patriot, Red Raven and the Whizzer got a major redesign. ..... But to tell the truth those guys had many costume changes in the 1940's. 

So its now time to say "Good Bye" to the Liberty Legion for now. I cannot believe I started this tale about the Liberty Legion way back in the first week in January last year..... Yes it started in January 2018..... Hopefully Next Time I will chose a simpler story and range of characters.   I tried to do a spot of "animation" this time around. If you liked it let me know.


Until Next Time................ ENJOY !



Next Time some thing NEW !

The Coming of the Liberty Legion Part Eighteen...... Fire in the Sky

The Yankee Stadium was literately beginning to heat up. Fires had started to spring up all around the Stadium. These had been caused by the flaming debris of the destroyed  the Red Skull's Air Ship that had exploded over the Stadium after a hypnotised Toro had returned to his Nazi Master.

The Red Skull had not accounted for the fact that all of his Hypnotised Slaves had been given a post hypnotic  command to return to the base of the Nulla Ray signal if they had been come compromised.

Bucky had believed that after capturing Toro he would lead them to The Red Skull, but what Bucky did not know that the Red Skull's base of operations had now moved to a mobile one..... One filled with highly inflammable gas. The return of  Toro in full flame had caused the Air Ship to explode.

The blast had not just knocked Toro out, but had snuffed out his flame.  As his lifeless body fell towards the ground his fate did not look good.

However, as Jim Hammond aka The Human Torch had been trying his best to stop the flaming debris of the Air Ship he had spotted a falling body, the body of his adopted son Toro.

As the Torch raced up to aide his fallen partner back on the ground many of the other heroes were trying to avoid the death and destruction of both the Yankee Stadium and the people within.


During the mayhem Jack Frost had calmly walked to the centre of the ball park.   He had an idea what he could do to stop any further flaming debris falling on to the stadium.

Raising his hands he started to using his freezing powers to create a shield over the Stadium.

Jack knew that this was a risky feat to undertake, as he had never had to use his powers in such an extreme way.

The Ice Umbrella started to form

The Shield began to form...... and grow

As the Ice Umbrella grew  the Flaming Fire Balls kept on coming

The heat from the fire balls made Jack Frost actions even harder.

Concentration was important.

The task was extremely difficult, and one slip of concentration could mean the Ice Shield falling onto the stadium as well.

The Weight of the Ice Umbrella was terrific  as was the heat from the fire balls.

But finally The Ice Umbrella covered the whole of  Yankee Stadium shielding it from the Fire and Wreckage that continued to fall.

The Ice Shield was working.

The Heroes up in the sky saw that Jack Frost was attempting, and did what they could to direct as much of the debris onto the Ice Shield


As this was happening The Human Torch reached the falling Toro.... matching his velocity he made contact with is junior partner.

Great Catch

Looking down at the  boy, The Torch could only hope that Toro was OK.

The Warm embrace of his father awoke the stunned  boy hero

The Flames of The Torch re ignited Toro

Because their powers were basically the same, Toro's flame was set ablaze once more.

Both Flaming Fire Balls flew down to the Stadium putting out all the remaining fires as they descended.

THE TORCH AND TORO DESTROYS THE LAST PART OF THE RED SKULLS AIRSHIP.

Back inside Yankee Stadium both teams united in celebration of a job well done.

TWO TEAMS, One Great Fighting Unit.

Next Time I round off this story

Until then ENJOY

The Coming of the Liberty Legion Part Seventeen..... Two Groups United

With the destruction of the Nazi Airship, Prince Namor, The Human Torch and Captain America found they were released from the Mind control caused by the Nulla Rays that had made them subject to the control of the Red Skull.

UNDER CONTROL

BACK IN CONTROL OF THEIR OWN MINDS

The explosion caused all in Yankee Stadium to look up...... and this alerted everyone to an immediate danger from above.

Not knowing what or why something had burst into flames, the crowd knew and the Heroes knew that the wreckage from the explosion was soon to start raining down upon them.

In a flash All the Heroes that could fly flew up into the air. The Human Torch easily absorbed some of the flame from the descending wreckage, but soon he was to be distracted by what he saw.

"FLAME ON !"

The  Red Raven used his Artificial Wings to knock debris away.

METAL WINGS MEET METAL FRAGMENTS

Miss America did the same, but took care as although she had increased strength and the ability to fly, she was not fire proof.

MADDIE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN YOURSELF

 Prince Namor was also not flame proof but his harden skin allowed his some protection from the heat and flaming hot metal fragments, but the heat also sapped his strength as a result.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

On the Ground Bucky , the Patriot and Captain America tried to control the crowds from panicking. The trio tried to pursued the crowds not to come onto the pitch, as they would have little protection from the flaming debris as it started to make contact with the ground.

DON'T PANIC , STAY OFF OF THE PITCH !

 Whilst The Blue Diamond used his might to smash through a wall providing a safe exit for some of the audience. ...

The BLUE DIAMOND KNEW HOW MAKE A GREAT EXIT..... 

However, hot flaming debris had started to reach the top of the stadium.....

Both the Whizzer on the ground and the Thin Man on the roof did their best to stop any fires that had started before they could spread.

THE THIN MAN HAVING A HOT TIME UP ON THE ROOF

THE WHIZZER RUNNING ABOUT PUTTING OUT FIRES

While this was happening know one realised that Jack Frost had positioned himself in the middle of the Ball Park and had started to prepare himself for what would turn out to be an immense feat of bravery that could kill him.

JACK FROST PREPARES TO RISK ALL.

Mean while, as the Human Torch was doing what he could to destroy as much of the inferno that has descending onto Yankee Stadium she spotted something, and raced off in the direction of what he saw was a body falling from the sky. Getting nearer he realised it was his "son" Toro !. 

TORO NEEDS HELP

Breaking off from his fire fighting, The Human Torch raced off in the direction of Toro !.

Next Time what was the fate of Toro, would the combined forces of the Invaders and the Liberty legion be enough to avoid complete destruction of  Yankee Stadium and those inside.....?  and what was Jack Frost Planning. ?


Until Then ENJOY !

The Coming of The Liberty Legion Part Sixteen..... Look to the Skies

Meanwhile, as Bucky and Agent Stuart had been dealing with the awaking Toro, a furious battle was taking place outside.

Watched over by thousands inside Yankee Stadium, and by Red Skull from his hidden base of operations.

The Three Invaders showed  the Seven Legionaries even with the advantage of numbers, this made little difference to the battle.  The Invaders time together made them a complete fighting unit, and even in their hypnotised dulled state were more than a match for the more inexperienced heroes.

 The Patriot and the Thin man engaged Captain America, Red Raven and Jack Frost fought off the fiery fire balls of the Torch, whilst Prince Namor took on The Whizzer and The Blue Diamond.  Miss America as planned stayed out of the initial attack as she stood ready to boast up which ever duo team she could when needed.

Seeing a chance to make a difference Miss America distracted The Human Torch long enough for Jack Frost to encase him in ice.

 With all the excitement focused on the playing field no one noticed  Bucky as he raced  back outside in to the Stadium, or had seen Toro's  flaming trail shooting up into the clouds. These clouds had  suddenly appeared over the Yankee Stadium as the battle commenced between The Invaders and The Liberty Legion. Little did Bucky or anyone else  know that hidden above the clouds was where the Evil Red Skull had his stationed his Airship.

High above the clouds the Red Skull watched on his monitor with much laughter  as his three  mind enslaved Invaders did battle with the Liberty Legion.  The Red Skull could see that his "slaves"  appeared to be holding  their own. If one group destroyed the other, the Skull knew the result would mean less America Heroes to interfere in his plans to destroy and conquer the USA and the World.

The Red Skull enjoying the Show

Then a member of the  Nazi Airship crew alerted The Red Skull to something approaching them at great speed. It was Toro...... Part of the Hypnotic conditioning was in case of capture or failure, the "Mind Slave" should return to base as soon as possible for further instruction. The Nullatron device had instilled in Toro and the others,  a Homing Instinct..... and this had enabled  Toro to locate the source of the signal.. Although the Red Skull took credit for this device it was truly the invention of the now deceived Nazi scientist Brain Drain.

What is that ?

"STOP ! STAY BACK YOU FOOL !!!!!! "

This was fine when the hidden HQ of the Skull had been in a  hidden bunker under the Radio Station in New York City..... but now as the base of operations had moved to the more mobile Airship, this caused a dangerous predicament.

Question.... What Happens when you mix Hydrogen and Fire ?

As Toro bust through the side of the Airship his flame ignited  the very element  that kept the craft afloat in the skies.   The Highly inflammable  Gas .......................Hydrogen  !!!!!

 The Answer .........KABOOM !

The Explosion up above made the Crowd and the two Battling forces look up. With the Airship destroyed it released the Invaders from their Hypnotic control...... but now free from that danger... both the Invaders and the  Liberty Legion found themselves in a more dangerous situation.


The Wreckage of the Damaged Airship was now starting to rain down on Yankee Stadium. Endangering all the people within.

Next time we will find out if the combined forces of the Liberty Legion and the Invaders would be able to save the Innocent bystanders or not. And what happened to Toro ?

Until then    Enjoy !

The Coming of the Liberty Legion...... Part Fourteen A Plan to Fool the Red Skull.

The Newly Formed Liberty Legion along with Bucky went to Yankee Stadium the following day  as instructed by The Red Skull.

The Stadium was at full capacity as local New Yorkers and the Worlds Press were all present to see the showdown between the new Heroes and the Invaders now under the control of the Nazi Red Skull.

Both Bucky and the Now liberated Toro had decided to sit on the side lines for reasons only the Liberty Legion knew.

As the Liberty legion stood silent on the Diamond they looked up as Captain America , The Human Torch and the Sub Marina dropped from the Red Skulls Air Ship which was hidden within the artificial cloud cover. The ship was not seen by anyone below so initially the heroes had no idea of its existence.

As the Liberty Legion Prepared for battle no one noticed Bucky and Toro head back inside the stadium away from the arena.

They had an appointment with Mr Stuart an FBI Agent who Bucky had been in contact with.

As both Boy heroes stood in front of the FBI Agent he look shocked , and this made them smirk.  As this part of the plan had worked better than expected. Agent Stuart was shocked at see Toro in front of him, as he knew he had hidden the real Toro close by.

Agent Stuart and Bucky had hatched  a plan that would hopefully fool the Red Skull and everyone else that Toro had been freed from his hypnotic state after he had been captured by the Liberty Legion.

In truth Toro had been kept under sedation since his capture as Bucky believed he may be the key to finding the location of the Red Skull.

Bucky had disguised himself as Toro whilst one of the Bat-Boys of the Yankee Stadium had pretended to be Bucky. Bucky knew that the disguise should fool most people, but the Invaders would realise that both boys were fakes. Bucky body shape and manner would not fool Toro's  "pappy" The Human Torch, and Captain America would have noticed the normally  Blue Eyed Bucky had Green Eyes.

Bucky quickly changed clothes with his doppelganger and thanked the lad for helping him fool the public. Asking the Boy to return to his duties as the next part of the plan brought DANGER.  The Box behind them contained a dangerous weapon..... and Bucky knew it was time to deploy it.  More about this plan next time.

Until then ENJOY !

.

The Coming of the LIBERTY LEGION part Thirteen.... The Battle Commences

In the coming days, Bucky and the Liberty Legion took on many missions, to smash underground Nazi cells, and also trying to guess where the Red Skull would strike next.  The Red Skull continued to use his hypnotic control over the Invaders to wreak havoc all over the American Continent.

The Red Skull  had made his original base of operation underneath the very  Radio Station that the Newly Formed Liberty Legion was using as their HQ. Here he could SPY on the Heroes whilst he made his plans of destruction of the American way of life.  This is why when the Red Skull went on the air to spout his daily rant of Nazi propaganda  , the signal could not be traced. As it was being broadcast internally. So all the Liberty Legion believed was their own signal was being bounced back at them.

The Red Skull uses the Radio Waves as a weapon to break the people of the United States.

A second mobile base was also in operation, one that the Nazi Red Skull used as a base where he would release his unwilling slaves to do his bidding. An Air Ship built with the latest technological advances that the Skull had either devised himself, or stolen from others.

The Skull managed to form an artificial cloud around the Airship so that it was undetectable from the ground.  This way he could travel all over the USA transporting his hypnotised lackeys to be his bidding undetected.

On board the Air Ship the Red Skull using methods and adapted equipment developed by the believed dead Nazi scientist Brain Drain, continues to break down any resistance of the captured Invaders. The Nulla Rays for one had originally  been an invention of Brain Drain, although the Red Skull boasted that HE had invented them. Werner Schmidt aka the Brain Drain, more of him at a later time (maybe)

Werner Schmidt  aka The Brain Drain, in one of his Robotic Bodies

On board the Airship, The Red Skull and his enslaved Invaders

The Red Skull knew that one way to destroy a nations resolve ..... was to attack monuments and  iconic buildings that meant the most to the America Nation and its people.

The Targets chosen for destruction included ........ The Lincoln Memorial in DC , The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Lady Liberty herself, the Statue of Liberty in New York. These targets were threaten by the Red Skull in his next radio transmission. Bucky knew that this could be a trap, but he could not sit idly by whilst hes friends trashed these landmarks and symbols of Liberty and the American Nation. Bucky with the aid of the Thin Man decided to remain at their HQ to oversee the other teams, and also be on guard to keep an eye on Manhattan just in case the Red Skull used this as a chance to attack the "Big Apple" itself.

The Liberty Legion split up.  Jack Frost and the Blue Diamond went to Protect The Statue of Liberty where they took on the might of the Sub Marina. The Patriot and Miss America went to protect The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia where they fought Captain America. The Red Raven and The Whizzer rushed to Washington DC to protect The Lincoln Memorial where they fought The Human Torch and Toro.  However the Nulla Rays that the Red Skull was using to control the Invaders was proving to be a problem. The effects of the Rays did a good job at controlling the Invaders, but at a price. It effected their thinking and slowed their reactions. Making each of the Invaders much less powerful than they would normally be. Both Prince Namor and Captain America were easily defeated, and were recalled back to base. Whilst the Human Torch started to fight his reprogramming and started to doubt his instructions and he too was recalled back to base, however young Toro was captured by before he could also flee back to the Red Skull. 

Hero against Hero 

 The  capture of Toro was a good victory for the Liberty Legion.  The Red Skull becoming annoyed with his plans being dashed at every turn by the the new Legion of Heroes announced that he challenged the new Team to take on "his" team of invaders. The Battle would take place at a place in New York as symbol to the US nation, The Yankee Stadium in the Bronx New York City.

Next Time the Final Battle ...... Until then ENJOY !