“It takes real character to admit one’s failures – and not a little wisdom to take your profits from defeat. But remember, this man’s world of yours will never be without pain and suffering until it learns love, and respect for human rights. Keep your hands extended to all in friendliness but never holding the gun of persecution and intolerance!”
This is taken from “When Treachery Wore a Green Shirt” in Sensation Comics #81, September 1948 written by Joye Murchison with art by Golden Age Wonder Woman artist Harry Peter.
Of the comparatively small amount of Golden Age comics I’ve read, Wonder Woman – despite her creator William Moulton Marston’s many peculiarities! – is one of the most progressive characters from the period. Not really a surprise with her feminist origins but I was surprised at some of the political points the stories made.
This story is one of the best examples I’ve come across, having recently read it in the Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 4.
In “When Treachery Wore a Green Shirt”, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor investigate a xenophobic gang operating in a rural area of the US. The gang of racist thugs are headed up by a grifter and once he is exposed, the gang – the green shirts of the title – see the error of their ways.
Quite a timely little tale from the late 1940s! Also – and this is rather depressing – still very much relevant to today.
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