Here he comes — as young as the Liberty Bell, as old as the very concept of freedom —the living embodiment of the American Dream! He is your uncle, my uncle, the uncle of those who fight for freedom everywhere!
In 1777, in the Pennsylvania woods, a supply train headed for Valley Forge, was pursued by the enemy. Samuel Hawke volunteered to distract them by leading them on a wild goose chase while the wagons slipped away. He was warned it would be certain death, but he said, “I ain’t goin’ alone! I’m bringin’ along some protection!”
Samuel was shot and left to die when a strange talisman appeared in the palm of his hand. However, he awoke to find a strange presence, the literal Sprit of America…
Are you willing to give up eternal rest. — to help me defend our country always?
Anything… for America!
Then come Samuel — take my hand! We shall be as one, you and I — helping to guide America into a glorious future!
Thus was born he legend of the Minuteman. Different entities were required for different times, though. After the Revolutionary War, the Minuteman faded away.
During the Civil War, the talisman was divided between two brothers , Billy Yank and Johnny Reb, and they gained opposing powers.
In the late 1870s, the corrupt Boss Tweed ruled politics.
Samuel’s niece had given him the two pieces of the talisman that she received from her uncles who fought in the war… Billy Yank and Johnny Reb… and he thought they would keep him safe from retaliation. Instead…
He was beaten and left to die, then awoke to find a strange presence; again, the Sprit of America…
I need a human soul to walk the land, make right what is wrong. Will you be that soul?
Three times, different men melded their souls to the spirit of the nation. Three times, Uncle Sam was formed to serve different generations.
Read about the next incarnation… soon…
Secret Origins (vol. 2) #19
Oct. 1987 (July 7, 1987)
$1.25
“The Coming of… Uncle Sam”
18 pages
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Editor: Roy Thomas
The Spectre #37
Jan. 1996 (Nov. 24, 1995)
$2.25
“Fallen Dreams”
22 pages
Writer: John Ostrander
Artist: Thomas Mandrake
Editor: Dan Raspler
The Spectre #38
Feb. 1996 (Dec. 21, 1995)
$2.25
“Icons”
22 pages
Writer: John Ostrander
Artist: Thomas Mandrake
Editor: Dan Raspler
CODEX OMNIVERSA 