For the most part, this ends the The Silver Ghost arc but these first two issues of “Freedom Force” establishes this new superhero group in the mid-70s. And I really enjoyed the second issue and it’s definitely worth checking out!
TITLE: Freedom Fighters issue #2
YEAR: June 1976
COMPANY: DC Comics
WRITER-EDITOR: Gerry Conway
PENCILER: Pablo Marcos
INKER: Tex Blaisdell
I discussed awhile ago about how back in October-December 1973, “Justice League of America” issues #107-108 featured a Justice League of America/Justice Society of America team-up and introduced the Freedom Fighters which consists of Uncle Sam, Black Condor, The Human Bomb, Doll Man, Phantom Lady and the Ray.
These heroes are from Earth-X, where unlike the Earth we know, this alternate universe unfortunately suffered with the Nazi’s winning the war and the Freedom Fighters taking them on.
After what transpired in the “Justice League of America” issues, wanting a challenge, the group transported to our Earth and not long after their arrival, are in the middle of a major threat to the city.
The first issue began with he group arriving to Earth and not long after arriving, they see a blast in the city skyline.
Unfortunately, when a villain known as The Silver Ghost turns the majority of the groups to silver, he blackmails Uncle Sam, the Human Bomb and Ray of helping them commit evil acts or else they lose the friends.
By doing so, the Freedom Fighters go from heroes to villains.
For the most part, The Silver Ghost wants revenge for people taking away his ancestor’s island (known back then as New Amsterdam and later becoming New Manhattan).
NOTE: History lesson – Back in 17th century, New Amsterdam was a Dutch settlement at the southern tip of Manhattan island and served as a seat of the colonial government in New Netherland (which is now part of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Connecticut). 1664, the English took over New Amsterdam after the Second Anglo-Dutch War of 1665-1667 and renamed it New York after the Duke of York. New York City today is pretty much what was once New Amsterdam way back in 1600s.
Back to the comic, The Silver ghost believes that the land was stolen from his ancestors and wants everyone to leave the area. If not, he intends to have the Freedom Fighters take care of them.
When Uncle Sam wants clarification on that, The Silver Ghost tells him that it’s war and people die and of course, that’s something Uncle Sam is not willing to do, so we see Uncle Sam and the others deciding to take on The Silver Ghost, King Samson and their men.
For the most part, this ends the The Silver Ghost arc but these first two issues of “Freedom Force” establishes this new superhero group in the mid-70s. And I really enjoyed the second issue and it’s definitely worth checking out!