With less than a month now until the 4th of July here’s a look at the first twenty stories of the Harvey Comics superhero called the Spirit of 76. For more than two dozen Harvey superheroes CLICK HERE
THE SPIRIT OF ’76
Secret Identity: Gary Blakely, West Point Cadet
First Appearance: Pocket Comics #1 (August 1941)
Origin: Gary Blakely, scion of an American family which had distinguished themselves on the battlefield in every conflict from the Revolutionary War onward, was a Cadet at West Point. By chance he uncovered a Fifth Column plot by Nazi agents to blow up the academy. He adopted the costumed identity of the Spirit of ’76, foiled the Axis plot and resolved to continue fighting evil afterward.
Powers: The Spirit of ’76 was in peak human condition, was exceptionally agile and was very skilled at both armed and unarmed combat. His costume was bulletproof and he wielded his saber expertly in battle. This hero lasted until 1948, so he faced Communist villains instead of Nazi villains after World War Two was over.
POCKET COMICS #1 (August 1941)
Title: Cadet Blakeley, Spirit of 76
Villains: Nazi saboteurs led by Herr Hoch
Synopsis: West Point Cadet Gary Blakely discovers a Nazi plot to blow up West Point. Donning a costume and armed with a sword, he calls himself the Spirit of 76 and takes down the spy ring.
Comment: You have to admit, there’s something appealing about a superhero whose secret identity is that of a West Point Cadet. Continue reading
The Clouds was written by Aristophanes around 423 BCE and next to Lysistrata, which I examined last week, is the Big A’s most- discussed satire, mostly because of its lampooning of the philosopher Socrates, a contemporary of Aristophanes. Many modern readers, who have been programmed to sneeringly “deconstruct” old works of art rather than understand them, love to regard this comedy with hostility. They accuse Aristophanes of being “anti – intellectual” for subjecting Socrates in particular and the Sophist philosophers in general to the same satirical criticism that every other aspect of Athenian society was subjected to in comic plays. 
In the ancient Greek democracy Athenian citizens were expected to represent themselves in court in both criminal and civil proceedings. 
TEXAS THRILLER – The KILGORE COLLEGE RANGERS traveled to face the TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS. A 9-7 Rangers edge in the 1st Quarter was reduced to an even tighter 15-14 score by Halftime. Kilgore College got a little separation from the Cardinals in the 3rd Quarter, going up 33-26, then held on against a Trinity Valley College rally in the 4th for a 40-36 triumph. 
NEO ON THE ROAD – The NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN were likewise on the road, in their case at the BLINN COLLEGE BUCCANEERS. At the Half the Golden Norsemen led the Buccaneers by a score of 14-7 and never looked back from there. After the break Northeastern Oklahoma A&M led 34-14 to end the 3rd Quarter and won the game 41-21 in the 4th. 
SUNSET (1988) – James Garner portrays old west lawman Wyatt Earp while Bruce Willis plays silent film star Tom Mix as the pair try to solve a murder in 1929 Hollywood. Don’t expect realism but DO expect a very entertaining movie.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! As usual, Balladeer’s Blog marks the occasion with a look at a neglected aspect of American military history. Spare some thoughts today for the men who perished in this action. 
With the World War still raging, the other Allied Nations prevailed on President Woodrow Wilson to divert some American forces intended for the Western Front to Archangel and beyond, joining a combined army of Brits, Poles and White Russians. The fighting in North Russia dragged on past the end of the global conflict in November of 1918 into June of 1919. The fighting in Eastern Russia dragged on until January of 1920. In other words, if the Americans sent to Russia had instead gone to their original destination of France, their combat operations would have ended on November 11th, rather than continuing for more than a year of further bloodshed and loss of limbs from frostbite. All the more reason to remember the often-neglected troops who served there. 
ONE-POINT WONDER – The COFFEYVILLE COLLEGE RED RAVENS played host to the BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES in a true thriller. A 14-7 1st Quarter lead for the Grizzlies turned into a 16-14 edge for the Red Ravens by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Butler College back on top by a score of 21-16 and in the 4th Coffeyville outscored their opponents 13-7 for a 29-28 victory.
SHUTOUTS – The ASA COLLEGE (FL) SILVER STORM paid a visit to the FIELD OF DREAMS SPORTS ACADEMY STALLIONS and struck them down by a commanding score of 28-0 ### And the HOCKING COLLEGE HAWKS were less than gracious hosts to the SUSSEX COUNTY COLLEGE SKYLANDERS, drubbing them by a final tally of 25-0. 
WIN IT IN THE FOURTH – In this game the CISCO COLLEGE WRANGLERS took it on the road against the NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN. The Golden Norsemen were out in front 6-0 in the 1st Quarter and 13-0 by the Half. In the 3rd Quarter the Wranglers pulled to within 13-7 before coming from behind in the 4th to win it 17-16. 
BLACK CONDOR 
CRACK COMICS #1 (May 1940) 
CRACK COMICS #2 (June 1940) 
BIONIC NINJA (1985) – Hey! The people who dubbed this flick into English overused “Hey!” to such a degree that if you play the Hey! Drinking Game you’ll die of alcohol poisoning a third of the way through the movie. Leo Fong supposedly choreographed the fights and did some stunt work in and out of ninja garb in this film, another splice job of unrelated movies. 
HISTORY WAS MADE – The SUSSEX COUNTY COLLEGE SKYLANDERS are playing their very first season of intercollegiate football and have now logged their first W, three games in. The Skylanders welcomed the CAPP ACADEMY CRUSADERS and dominated their opponents on both sides of the ball. By the time the dust settled Sussex County College had triumphed by a score of 48-8. 
DEFENSIVE EPIC – The 4-0 GARDEN CITY COLLEGE BRONCBUSTERS traveled to face the INDEPENDENCE COLLEGE PIRATES. After a scoreless 1st Quarter the Pirates held a 7-0 lead at Halftime. Neither team was able to put up points in the 3rd Quarter, but then in a comparatively action-packed 4th the Broncbusters’ offense finally came alive for a 14-10 triumph and a 5-0 record to this point. 
