June 13, 2026 · 12:54 am

22 PATRIOTIC THEMED SUPERHEROES AND SUPERHEROINES

This weekend’s escapist, light-hearted superhero post at Balladeer’s Blog looks at some patriotic themed heroes and heroines here in the U.S.

THE SHIELD

Company: MLJ

Secret Identity: Dr. Joe Higgins, a chemist. 

Origin: On his deathbed Joe’s father Tom revealed to him the secret of a chemical formula he had been working on. That formula could convey superpowers on a normal human being. As Joe grew older he got his PhD in chemistry, finished his father’s formula and used it on himself, gaining superpowers. He devised a special costume and fought the forces of evil as the Shield, a super-powered operative of the FBI.

First Appearance: Pep Comics #1 (January 1940). His final Golden Age appearance came in 1945.

Powers: The chemical formula that the Shield rubbed onto his skin followed by bombardment with flouroscopic rays endowed him with super-strength plus invulnerability. The Shield also wore an indestructible costume which encased his torso like a shield.

Comment: The Shield was America’s first star-spangled superhero, beating Captain America into print by more than a year. He eventually had a youthful sidekick called Dusty and a private detective sweetheart named Betty Warren. Only J. Edgar Hoover knew the Shield’s secret identity. Continue reading →

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June 12, 2026 · 5:13 pm

ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION: THE PEOPLE OF THE MOON (1895)

People of the Moon biggerTHE PEOPLE OF THE MOON (1895) – Written by Tremlett Carter. An unnamed narrator, a scientist of some sort, sees a glowing 18 inch object floating in the sky. A bird who makes physical contact with the glowing orb is killed by the object’s electric charge.

Our narrator jury-rigs a means of grounding against the electricity and hauling the orb down to his laboratory. The object slowly reaches room temperature and ejects from its interior a book written in an unearthly alphabet.

The anonymous narrator’s friend Professor Hector Goss visits him in the midst of all this and excitedly tells our protagonist about a secret society that he belongs to. Goss and his fellow society members have been performing scientific research by directing the astral/ spiritual bodies of hypnotized human guinea pigs.

Before dying, their most recent test subject visited the moon in his astral body and saw a city on the dark side of Earth’s satellite. He also spotted life – humanoid AND dragon life. Professor Goss jumps to the conclusion that the unearthly book that Nameless Narrator holds came from the moon.

Conveniently, Nameless and Goss had previously devised a fool-proof system of deciphering any and all languages so they translate the mysterious book and learn all about the beings on the moon.

The moon’s interior is a network of labyrinthine caverns lit by glowing materials. These vast underground caverns contain water, plant, animal and humanoid life. The humanoids – who do not need to breathe – are intelligent and are called Saravas. Continue reading →

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June 12, 2026 · 6:00 am

JUNE TWELFTH NEWS ROUNDUP

Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog presents another current events roundup.

TWO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CONVICTED FOR TRAFFICKING DEADLY FAKE PHARMA-CEUTICALS. The path toward their convictions started when ICE compiled the evidence against them and then arrested them. If Democrats had their way, ICE would be defunded and neither of these people would have ever been arrested, since Democrats believe illegal immigrants are above the law.       One of the illegals convicted in this case was set free by Joe Biden’s policies and so proceeded to commit further crimes.

HAT TIP TO MARK 1:1 BLOG – DEMOCRAT DONOR PLATFORM ACTBLUE CAPOS STILL PLEADING THE FIFTH REGARDING THEIR FOREIGN DONATIONS SCANDAL. 

EVEN MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CHARGED IN CHILD TRAFFICKING RING. Illegal immigration AND child trafficking are practically part of the Democrat Party platform at this point.

PRESIDENT TRUMP FREES AMERICAN COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN FROM BIDEN-ERA OBSTACLES. The greatest president for the working class and the poor during my lifetime. 

FREE SPEECH MARTYR CHARLIE KIRK HONORED IN BELGRADE. 

SENATOR JOHN KENNEDY STYLISHLY DISSECTS THE DEMOCRATS’ DISASTROUS CANDIDATE GRAHAM “NAZI TATTOO” PLATNER.

BELFAST UNREST CONTINUES IN WAKE OF ATTEMPTED BEHEADING.

BILL GATES, WHO TRIES TO LECTURE THE REST OF THE WORLD ABOUT HOW THEY SHOULD LIVE, TESTIFIES ABOUT HIS SHADY DEALINGS WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN. Remember how gung-ho Democrats were about talking about Epstein? Notice how they dropped it after Trump was cleared of any wrongdoing but their heroes like Bill Gates were in it up to their necks? Continue reading →

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June 11, 2026 · 4:02 pm

B-MOVIE HOSTESS: HAWAII’S VAMPIRA (1962-1964)

VAMPIRA SHOCK THEATRE was hosted by Margaret “Marty” McGuire as Hawaii’s very own Vampira, no relation to Maila Nurmi’s original Los Angeles version from 1954-1955. McGuire’s program aired LIVE on Honolulu’s KTRG-TV Saturday nights at 8:30pm from November 3rd, 1962 until June 6th, 1964. 

This Vampira was never as heavily made-up as the original but was sharp-tongued and charismatic. Vampira Shock Theatre‘s major sponsor was Island Lumber, but the undead hostess was known for her comedically off-beat and possibly ad-libbed on-air ads for various other products, all performed sitting up in her coffin.

Vampira’s harried assistant was Charles the Ghoul, played by local deejay John Henry Russell, who went on to appear in a few episodes of Hawaii 5-0 and did voice work in the movie Tora, Tora, Tora. McGuire herself worked at KTRG-Radio before her television gig as Vampira. Her husband was a Lt. Colonel stationed in Hawaii. The couple had two sons and a daughter. Continue reading →

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June 11, 2026 · 8:04 am

THE ORIGINAL SIX JUSTICES OF AMERICA’S SUPREME COURT

Here’s a look at the six-Justice Supreme Court when the Court was first established.

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN JAY

Served: October 19th, 1789 – June 19th, 1795. (Resigned)  

Some Highlights: West v Barnes, the first case which saw arguments take place before the Supreme Court. You want a quick turnaround? The arguments were heard on August 2nd, 1791 and the decision was published the very next day!  In the 1794 case Glass v The Sloop Betsy, Jay’s Court ruled that France could not use its American Consulate as a prize court.  Chief Justice Jay adopted a professorial role of sorts, writing explanatory items on procedures and the rudiments of federal governance at every opportunity for the benefit of lower courts and practicing lawyers.   

Comment: During the Revolutionary War, John Jay served as a colonel in the 2nd New York Regiment. Continue reading →

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June 10, 2026 · 7:31 pm

SWASHBUCKLER MOVIES OF DALE ROBERTSON

Though mostly associated with westerns, Dale Robertson managed to squeeze in a couple of swashbuckler films during his Hollywood career.

SON OF SINBAD (1955) – Dale Robertson stars as Sinbad II, son of the original hero of the seven seas.  Vincent Price plays his sidekick, the poet Omar Khayyam, so if anachronisms bother you, stay far away from this movie, because there are plenty more on the way. But Price steals the flick!

When Sinbad is in Baghdad between his adventures he sneaks into the Khalif’s palace to seduce a few harem girls or dancers. This time though, he makes the mistake of exercising his charms on one of the Khalif’s wives, Nerrissa (Lili St. Cyr). Sinbad and his wing-man Omar wind up imprisoned by the angry Khalif (Leon Askin) to await execution.

Also in the ruler of Baghdad’s clutches are the Greek Simon Aristides and his daughter Kristina (Mari Blanchard). Simon knows the secret of Greek Fire (which we in the modern world have still not been able to duplicate), and when Tamerlane and his Mongol armies draw near intent on conquering Baghdad, Simon demonstrates Greek Fire to the Khalif, who wants to use it to drive off the Mongols.

Traitors kill Simon and make off with Kristina, who alone holds the secrets of Greek Fire now. The Khalif agrees to set Sinbad and Omar loose to find and return with Kristina. Assorted action scenes follow, and ultimately the Son of Sinbad joins forces with the Daughters of the Forty Thieves – beautiful women warriors who rob caravans and the like.

After much action, Sinbad, Omar and the Forty Daughters return to Baghdad with Kristina and use Greek Fire to help themselves defeat the invading Mongols. Sinbad marries Ameer (Sally Forrest), Omar marries Kristina and our title character is made the new chief of the Khalif’s Royal Guards, consisting of the Forty Fabulous Femmes. Watch for Kim Novak as one of the Forty! 91 minutes. Continue reading →

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June 10, 2026 · 8:03 am

NEWS ROUNDUP FOR JUNE TENTH

Time for another current events roundup from Independent Voter Site Balladeer’s Blog.

DEMOCRATS ONCE AGAIN PROVE WHO THEY ARE BY ELECTING GRAHAM “NAZI TATTOO” PLATNER AS THEIR CANDIDATE IN NOVEMBER’S SENATE ELECTION. His brutality toward women, bizarre port-o-john fetish and slush fund perfectly represent that political party. More HERE.

DEMOCRAT MOB PARTICIPANT TAUNTS WIDOW ERIKA KIRK BY ACTING OUT HER LATE HUSBAND’S MURDER. Stay classy, Democrats.

CHEATING IS STILL THE DEMOCRAT PARTY WAY: HOMELESS IN LOS ANGELES SPEAK OUT ABOUT DEMOCRATS PAYING THEM TO VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORED CANDIDATES. Plus more cheating HERE. And HERE.

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS SO BRAZEN THEY ARE NOW STEALING ELECTIONS IN PRIMETIME. More HERE. And HERE.

CALIFORNIA TECH BOSS JAMSHID GHOMI CHARGED WITH SENDING MATERIAL AID TO THE CURRENT IRANIAN REGIME AND ITS MILITARY. Let’s face it, Ghomi would win election to high office in Democrat-held California.

LATEST ICE ARRESTS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THIS TIME FOR BEING CONVICTED OF ARMED ASSAULT AND DRUG CONSPIRACIES.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SENTENCED FOR REPEATEDLY RAPING ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD-GIRL. Someone ask privileged white one percenter Bruce Springsteen about this.

ANOTHER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CONVICTED OF RAPING A THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL. Remember, Democrats don’t even want perpetrators like this to be arrested, let alone deported. 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PASS ICE AND BORDER PATROL FUNDING DESPITE DEMOCRAT OPPOSITION. “Illegal immigrants uber alles” is still the Democrat motto. Continue reading →

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June 9, 2026 · 6:43 pm

FOOL KILLER PART SIXTY-EIGHT: FEBRUARY 1914

Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of the many facets of Fool Killer lore. FOR PART ONE, INCLUDING THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN THE 1850s, CLICK HERE.

PART 68 – Some of the Fool Killer’s targets on both sides of the aisle in the February 1914 edition of James Larkin Pearson’s version of the folk figure:

*** The Eugenicists of 1913 and 1914.

*** Kentucky’s Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper for its hypocritical editorials blasting air pollution from factory chimney stacks while simultaneously hyping the tobacco industry despite the “air pollution” caused by smoking.

*** Republican and Democrat newspapers for amping up their combined attacks on Catholics. (Pearson found Catholic priests as disgusting as politicians, but found the newspapers’ attacks hypocritical.)

*** Joe Knowles, artist and Forest Survival enthusiast, for failing at his stunt of going into the Maine forests naked and insisting he would not only survive but would emerge after several weeks having made himself clothing that would be fitting for High Society. Knowles did survive but looked like a wild man and his clothing was like something Fred Flintstone would wear.

*** Miss Bana Douglass of Stratton, Maine. She was inspired by Joe Knowles’ stunt and announced her plan to go naked into the Maine forests herself in the summer of 1914. She too claimed she would thrive and create all the clothing and comforts of home for herself. The Fool Killer jokingly predicted that the Maine woods would be loaded with men that summer, all of them hoping to meet up with Bana Douglass.

*** What Pearson and his Fool Killer called “the Four Percent” (today we call them “the One Percent”) for their callousness toward the suffering of the working class and the poor.  Continue reading →

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June 9, 2026 · 3:44 am

THE SACK OF TROY (C 770s B.C.)

fall of troyPreviously Balladeer’s Blog examined three of the neglected tales from the Epic Cycle which dealt with the Trojan War. First came Cypria, then after skipping The Iliad because of how well-known it is I moved on to Aethiopis and then most recently I examined Iliad Minor.

SACK OF TROY aka Sack of Ilion is credited to Arktinos of Miletos in the 770’s BCE. The previous epic Iliad Minor wrapped up with the Greek warriors springing out of the Trojan Horse and at last triumphing over King Priam and his Trojans. Sack of Troy rehashes a few story elements, backing up to cover the construction of the Trojan Horse and the Trojans ignoring the prophet Cassandra’s warnings about the Horse. New elements are the arguments the Trojans have about possibly burning the Horse or rolling it off a cliff into the sea before deciding to take it inside the city gates.

BALLADEER’S BLOG

During the celebrations for what the Trojans think is their victory over the Greeks two serpents bit and killed the priest of Apollo named Laocoon and one of his sons. The Trojans called an end to the feast and retired for the evening, their spirits dampened. The Greek soldiers emerged from the Trojan Horse after most of the Trojans were asleep and started slaying the Trojans, taking time out to allow their returned comrades to enter Troy to bring their numbers up.

Much pride was taken over which Greek warrior killed which Trojan and also, given the time period, which Trojan woman or women they took as sex-toys. Taking Trojan women who had been aristocrats was a particular sign of status. To name just a few Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles, killed King Priam and Odysseus killed Astyanax (Hector’s son) by throwing him from the top of the city walls to his death. Neoptolemus then seized Astyanax’s wife Andromache. Continue reading →

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June 8, 2026 · 4:00 pm

FORGOTTEN TELEVISION: THE LIVES OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1974-1975)

THE LIVES OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1974-1975) – This was a series of four 90-minute (with commercials) dramas depicting America’s magnificently unorthodox genius at various stages of his life. Eddie Albert and Melvyn Douglas (husband of Helen Gahagan Douglas) depicted Franklin in his 70s and 80s, with flashback storylines in each episode. The Lives of Benjamin Franklin won five Primetime Emmys including Outstanding Limited Series.

Glenn Jordan directed, while Edward Adler, Howard Fast and Loring Mandel wrote the episodes. 

ONE: THE AMBASSADOR (Nov 21st, 1974) – The title is a bit deceptive as this episode’s emphasis is on the way cosmopolitan experiences in his youth prepared Benjamin Franklin for his later career in diplomatic posts, including Ambassador. Believe it or not Willie Aames portrays Franklin at age twelve. 

Also starring in The Ambassador were Alexis Smith, Clive Revill, Gig Young, Rene Auberjonois, Frank Langella, Victor Buono and Edward Mulhare. Continue reading →

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