Unapologetic appreciation for Hauptmann Deutschland (Vormund)

To the best of my recollection, Captain America # 393 (JAN 1992) was my first glimpse at the character originally--and supremely, in my opinion--known as Hauptmann Deutschland.

This was a classic case of me being seized by the cover.  I had no idea who the guy on the front kicking Cap's shield was, but I knew I wanted to know more.

As it turned out, Hauptmann was yet another national super-hero built in the mold of Captain America.  (See my post on the Red Guardian for the Soviet counterpart).  In this case, the Hauptmann had a name that essentially translated to "Captain Germany."  Once you know that, the color scheme of his costume makes perfect sense.

This issue was part of a larger story arc in which Hauptmann, with fellow German heroes Blitzkrieger and Zeitgeist (man, I love these names!) were seeking to capture the Red Skull and his cohorts and try them for war crimes.  (I'd like to point out, here, that Hauptmann was fully convinced that this Red Skull was the Red Skull, even before Cap was!  Bear that in mind when assessing the merits of ole Hauptmann.)

Much like the Captain America #353 storyline, which featured the Red Guardian,  we again see a case of villains impersonating the Avengers (in this case, bioplastoids created by Arnim Zola).  The faux-Avengers demand that Hauptmann Deutschland and friends remand the Skull and his gang into their custody.  The German heroes reluctantly do so, though one wonders why.  The overall demeanor of the Americans--Cap especially--seems suspiciously out-of-sync with their public personas.

Back in America, a phone call comes into Avengers HQ inquiring about the status of the Skull's prisoner transfer. When Cap tells Jarvis he doesn't know any "Hauptmann Deutschland," der kapitan assumes he's been had, hangs up, and hops the next available transatlantic flight.

This, naturally, sets up the classic case-of-mistaken-identity-fight, when both Captains indepedently arrive at the Skull's former Washington D.C. base.

While it's reasonable enough to conclude that the Captain America that took the Skull wasn't legit, one wonders why Hauptmann didn't stay on the horn a bit longer with the Avengers...at least to give the real Cap a courtesy, "Hey-there's-some-dude-impersonating-you-just-thought-you-should-know" warning. 

Unfortunately--and despite my great respect for German quality control--the fight is rather one-sided. 

That face you make when Steve Rogers starts gratuitous trash-talking...

This is actually, rather a shame.  I feel like the Red  Guardian gets more respect despite being a virtual one-to-one parallel of Captain America in strength, skills, weapons, and costume.

At least Haupt is sans a shield and has his own unique (if somewhat low-level) superpower. 

[Hauptmann Deutschland] possesses the ability to absorb kinetic energy and redirect that energy at an opponent. By aiming this energy at an opponent's heart, he can kill them. Under normal circumstances, he uses this energy to provide himself with greater endurance in a battle, increase his speed and strength, and to repel attacks. On one mission, [Hauptmann Deutschland] wore a vest containing a variety of weapons, including a metal net encased in a ball, ball bearings coated in oil, and a cable gun. (Vormund. Comicvine)

I like that powers were subtle, but still enough to make him a respectable challenge (though, as I lamented above, the fight in Cap #393 was more one-sided than I felt justified).

So what's in a name...really? 
There's apparently been a fair bit of debate over the years about the best name for ole' Hauptmann Deutschland.  I'm just gonna say right off the bat that I prefer the original name.  He's a nationalistic knock-off of Captain America.  There's no reason his name shouldn't reflect that...nor is there any reason that simply being modelled on Cap means he couldn't develop in his own dimensions and be an interesting character.  Consider the Superboy knock-offs that populated the Legion of Superheroes (e.g., Mon-El, Ultra Boy, et al.)

Despite my opinions, the original name was abandoned.  The general consensus online is that this was due to German cultural sensitivities about having any German hero with a militaristic name.  That sounds moderately plausible...but I would suppose that German does still have a military of some sort, right?  They've got police.  Presumably, at least some of these law enforcement officials are respected.

As with the various name-changes doled out to the former Supreme Soviet, the transition to "Vormund" was a horrible screw up, in my opinion.  First, it doesn't roll-off-the-tongue any easier than Hauptmann Deutschland.  At least the very length of the original name signals that you're dealing with an official code name.  Vormund sounds like it could be the personal name of a barbarian warlord...or maybe "he-who-must-not-be-named."

Even if you try to examine the name from the perspective of a German, this change still doesn't make much sense.  First, I've read that the name Vormund in German actually means something like "legal guardian."  It's been proposed that a more faithful translation would be Wachtner.

Third, if the concern is that Hauptmann Deutschland was nothing more than a linguistic plagiarization...a formulaic adaptation of "Captain America," then I still don't get how Vormund is an improvement.  Remember, both Marvel and DC already have heroes named Guardian.  How is this a horrible transition:

But this is deep and meaningful?

 

 

 

Dreams for the Future

In addition to restoring Hauptmann Deutschland's original name, I'd love to see a mini-series entitled Patriots featuring Captain America, Hauptmann Deutschland, Captain Britain, Red Guardian, Collective Man,  et al.

While you might think that's nothing more than a pipe dream, I never would've guessed that Hauptmann Deutschland (yep, I refuse to use this stupid new name) would end up in a LEGO Superheroes feature, but here we are...

Liberty Lass: a webcomic review

Synopsis Review


Liberty Lass is an unapologetic celebration of patriotism, cast in the Comics Code compliant style of Bronze Age. Creator Steve Vincent's love for Bronze Age comics goes so far that he even has a fictional company--the Cosmic Comic Company--that "produces" the title. Liberty Lass is a character originally generated for the online gaming world, City of Heroes. Currently, Vincent has produced five full issues of Liberty Lass.

Issue 1: Birthright, part one: self evident truths introduces us to U.S. history nerd Abigail "Abby" Madison who, while en route to get a simple chocolate shake, happens upon the attempted robbery of an armored car by the Rapscallions, a trio of super villains.  The leader, Jackal, initially promises no harm will come to bystanders, but makes clear this is contingent on "not trying anything stupid."

It being the 21st century and all, one young woman in the crowd attempts to use her phone and this is interpreted as the aforementioned "something stupid."  When one of the Rapscallions lashes out at the girl, Abby heroically shoves her to safety; but proves a step too slow to save herself.

Abby is engulfed in flames.  Shockingly, she emerges from the flames, her clothes immolated--with the curious exception of the fabrics covering her breasts and genitals.   

[Good ole' Comics Code. Are the average person's undergarments made of asbestos in this fictional world?]

The villains assume Abby must be a "super" and launch a full force attack. Through this engagement, Abby discovers she possesses superhuman strength and the ability to fly, as well as extreme durability. Though she puts up a good fight for a novice, in the end Abby is rescued by the timely arrival of Shield of Dawn--the world's premiere superhero team.

The villains subdued, Shield of Dawn leader Dr. Synapse offers to scan Abby's mind to determine more about her suddenly-manifested powers. He notes her signature is unusually strong and that he's only known one other person with that sort of signature. He writes down an address and offers to introduce Abby to this mystery person if she will meet him there. Somewhat tentatively, she agrees.

At this point, Abby scuttles on home where she is able to change into a new set of clothes just before her mother walks through the front door. Unsure how much to to reveal, Abby elects to keep her newfound discovery to herself...for now.

The next day at Eldredge Prepatory, Abby is grilled by her friends Jackson and Deena when they learn that she was present at the site of the "big superhero battle" the previous day. Again, Abby hesitates but ultimately determines NOT to reveal her newfound identity. Here follows the stereotypical angsty self-questioning, "Will I have to start telling lies and half truths to everyone I know?"

The first issue ends with Abby meeting Dr. Synapse outside a nursing home. Upon entering, the Dr. introduces her to a man named Lincoln Hamilton. It is revealed that the octagenerian [who, frankly, looks like he should be in his forties] reveals that he was once the superhero known as Liberty Man--the original superhero!

While I initially planned to provided synopses for each of Liberty Lass's chapters, Internet connectivity problems have complicated that.  Rather than postpone this review any longer, I decided to cut the issue synopses off, offer my overall ratings, and "move on down the road."  Here's hoping YOU give Liberty Lass a read and maybe even a subscription!

Sustainability - 4

Vincent's kept churning out content for going on three years now.  This leads me to believe he'll be able (and willing) to keep it up. 

Language - 4

The (from my perspective) excessively sensitive may object to some of the flash back language (e.g., when Lincoln Hamilton refers to having fought "the krauts" in WWII, or his tendency to address Abby as "little lady")

I've not run across anything along the lines of what you'd traditionally consider a "curse word."

Violence - 5

As with MOST, The "violence" in here is not much to worry about.  It seeks to adhere to the old Comics Code Authority standards. 

Sexuality - 5

For as far as I've read through the comic, I've not seen anything would cause me to worry about excessive sexuality.

Political Leanings - 4

As indicated above, this comic is thoroughly steeped in classic American patriotism.  It makes not apologies and not attempt to  hem and haw on that topic.  If you like that, then you'll likely love Vincent's work.  If you don't, then my rating scale won't go low enough for you.  Personally, as a fan of the late 80's Captain America, I'm more in favor of this than not.  So I give the comic a 4 on this point.

Morality - 3
Though I do like the proud patriotism--primarily because it's so atypical in today's superhero comics environment--I back off a bit on the morality score because the tone Vincent strikes seems to me to flirt with being "excessive."  I would feel comfortable bumping up the morality score a bit more if in future issues Abby exhibits a clear-headed objective assessment of her country's greatness and its flaws.
 

Artwork - 2

My weak scoring on art has more to do with the fact that this particular style (pure CGI, or whatever I should call it) is just not really my "cup of tea." 

Storytelling - 2

While I do appreciate the patriotic tone of the storytelling, thus far its complexity and sophistication could be better.  However, practice does make perfect, and given Vincent's dedication to stay after it, I have no doubt he will continue to improve.

Overall Rating: 3.6