lady pamela hawley – Coke & Comics

Sgt. Fury #10

On to Okinawa!

Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: July 9, 1964
Cover: September 1964
12 cents
Written by: Stan Lee (the ol’ three-striper himself)
Illustrated by: Dick Ayers ( the ol’ high-flyin’ corporal)
Inked by: Geo. Bell
Lettered by: S. Rosen
22 pages

A feature of this comic has been a desire to send the Howlers to every theater of the war. They are based in England, but have already fought in Germany, Italy, Africa… now they’re off to Japan. Does it make any actual sense that a single squadron would have such geographically disparate missions? I don’t think we’re supposed to worry about it.

Captain Sawyer describes Okinawa as Japanese-occupied. An odd phrasing. Japan had conquered it over 60 years earlier. At some point, it’s just part of Japan. At the time the comic was published, Okinawa was occupied by America, but has since been returned to Japan. It remains part of Japan to this day.

Captain Sawyer and the other characters refer to the Japanese as “Japs”. Today, this is generally recognized as a racial slur that was prevalent among 1940s Americans. Having the characters use such language is likely historically accurate.

Sgt. Fury #6

The Fangs of the Desert Fox!

Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: January 3, 1964
Cover: March 1964
12 cents
Written by: Ex-Sergeant Stan Lee, U.S. Army
Illustrated by: Ex-infantryman Jack Kirby, U.S. Army
Inked by: Geo. Bell
Lettering: Art Simek
23 pages

The cover claims this story is based on a little known incident of the North African campaign. There’s a lot going on in this comic, plenty rooted partially in history, so I can’t pinpoint what incident the cover is referring to.

Rommel was a celebrated Nazi general and field marshal of their army in World War II. He did lead Axis forces in the North African campaign. His nickname was “the Desert Fox”. And he was involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler.

Sgt. Fury #5

At the Mercy of Baron Strucker

Featuring: Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos
Release: November 5, 1963
Cover: January 1964
12 cents
Written by: Ex-Sgt. Stan Lee, U.S. Army
Illustrated by: Ex-Infantryman Jack Kirby, U.S. Army
Inked by: G. Bell
23 pages

Last issue gave us the death of a Howler. The series hasn’t forgotten that, and the opening of the issue shows Sgt. Fury processing the death of Junior Juniper in his own way.

They also haven’t forgotten about the girl Nick met last issue. We see the Sergeant and Lady Hawley on a date. She encourages more gentlemanly behavior on his part. They seem to be an item.