In this posting, we return to our discussion about what makes a superhero and whether or not Johnny Cloud is a superhero.
Remember that a superhero must: 1) possess a super power or a set of extraordinary skills; 2) devote oneself to a mission to help others at all costs; and 3) have a secret identity often marked by a costume.
We have examined the first element a while back, and it is clear that Cloud sure seems to get an edge when he needs it. He is unstoppable. The hand of his Big Brother is on his shoulder, tilting the scales of fortune in his favor. Whatever it takes: This is Cloud’s superpower – he is invincible! But let's go a step farther: Johnny Cloud is the avatar of the Great Warrior Spirit (aka his Big Brother).
So, let’s move on to talk about The Mission. Superheroes are defined by it! With few exceptions, superheroes are the good guys, and they dedicate their lives to this duty.
A young Clark Kent decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. He realized early on that his powers demanded that he act responsibly. He had been given a gift, and within a few years Superman became champion of the helpless and oppressed.
Batman, too, took on the noble mission, but for him, he was motivated by the death of his parents, killed by robbers with him watching helplessly. It was a grieving Bruce Wayne who made the declaration: I swear by the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals.
Unlike Superman and Batman, Johnny Cloud was assigned his mission by the Air Force. But he chose to be a fighter pilot. Or did he? Was it preordained that he become the winged warrior? Let’s review …
When he was a newborn, his father looked to the skies for a sign that would suggest a name for his son. That’s when he saw the apparition: A warrior riding a winged stallion. Suddenly the sky darkened with lightning and thunder, but the warrior remained bright. His father observed that the flying cloud does not shrink from combat! This was Cloud’s destiny: He was to become this warrior!
As the years passed, young Cloud would see the Great Warrior Spirit many times, prompting him to question if he was destined to ride a winged horse in the sky. Was this a mission in the making?
Later on, Cloud was shown a glimpse of the future by the Smoke Maker. Cloud saw himself flying a strange iron bird (a P-51) and leading a flight of airborne warriors. Once again, we see that Cloud's destiny was determined.
The first mention of a "mission" occurred when his father bid him farewell (in a flashback): "Johnny Flying Cloud -- you leave to battle the enemies of freedom."
No other Big Five war hero was born to fight. Johnny Cloud was unique. He was scripted into this special role by Robert Kanigher from the start.
But there is more ... until next time.
Image Credit:
AAMOW#82 (December 1960). Story Art: I. Novick; Writer: R. Kanigher.
Johnny Cloud TM DC Comics
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