Oddities and Articles
Famed adventurer Harry "Tex" Thompson made another public declaration that America should remain neutral in the European war. "It's a fine mess they're in, but it's not our mess," Thompson said at a conference in Dallas, Texas. He went on to argue that regardless of who wins the conflict, America will be safe, protected by the vast oceans between it and Europe. Thompson joins the ranks of others like noted aviator Charles Lindbergh and Senator Hiram Johnson of California in promoting the virtues of isolationism.
Thompson made his name on a series of daring excursions around the globe, including an expedition through the Amazon jungle that uncovered a lost temple complex many centuries old. Thompson's family also owns numerous properties in Texas and New Mexico, including several oil fields. He announced that he is remaining in the country for the time being, to do his part in "defending the American exceptionalism that has defined this great nation since its inception."
-Gotham Globe, March 4, 1940
The works are colorful, visually striking and inventive in their variety. Yet, they fail to cohere into a statement with any meaningful weight. There is the pervasive sense that the artist has been unable to formulate a real statement about the world, about life at large, and they are hiding that fact with the visual theatrics of the gallery. At its best, it hints at the works of the cubism and similarly geometric art. At its worst, and it is often at this level, it dwells in the same dingy climes as pulp schlock. This is perhaps the only possible outcome of work based on the man in question. It is as vapid and tedious as him in its totality. One leaves the exhibit with no leftover questions, nothing to ponder. It is ephemeral.
-Review of "Plastic Hearts," a Plastic Man themed art exhibit in Hub City, Illinois.
The Chinese offensive has begun to stall. Japanese forces have regrouped sufficiently to halt their continued advances. Suiyuan remains in Chinese hands in spite of Japanese counter-attacks. Chemical weapons were deployed.
A woman was seen capable of producing flames, capable of destroying military hardware. Eyewitness testimonies match similar sightings on other fronts in China, dating back to December 1938. Unconfirmed reports that the woman in question was struck down in a hail of artillery by Japanese forces. If true, this marks the third such superhuman killed in the conflict.
-British intelligence dispatch on the Japanese invasion of China, March 8, 1940.
Justice Society of America Breaks Up Smuggling Ring in Maine
-Washington Post, March 12, 1940
No, ma'am we do not know where your husband is at present.
Yes, yes, we are working on locating him, but these are difficult tim-
I understand, yes, I do.
I can't imagine the difficulties.
We are doing our best to get him home to you and your daughter.
There is a high volume of these requests right now for similar reasons to yours. We are in contact with our embassies in France and Belgium. Even in Berlin. If.. (checks notes), if Mr. Zarara shows up we will know.
Zatara, yes Zatara. That's what I meant.
No, I had not heard of Giovanni Zatara until this phone call.
Or his act.
Yes, ma'am. Understood. We will not rest.
Have a good day, Mrs. Zata-
End of phone call.
-Partial transcript of a phone call between John Nash of the State Department and Sindella Zatara, March 13, 1940
Mr. America Ends Hostage Crisis on Hijacked Zeppelin
The costumed crime fighter known as Mr. America ended a twelve hour standoff between the NYPD and a group of criminals, who commandeered a zeppelin in Manhattan. Among the many passengers rescued was Zoe Glennmorgan, daughter of prominent businessman Glen Glennmorgan, and her fiance Richard Hopper.
Mr. America has stated that the hostage takers were foreign subversives, though the authorities have not issued an official statement on the matter. Green Lantern of the Justice Society, who arrived after the rescue, did not speak to the media.
-New York Times, March 16, 1940
Superman of Metropolis remains implacable in his defense of the neighborhood of Beecher's Creek, which has been scheduled for demolition and redevelopment. Ostensibly evacuated, the area contains a large amount of squatters and low income families, many of them displaced by the economic troubles of the past decade. It is part of the broader region sometimes labeled Suicide Slums by local residents. He has blocked crews set to begin the processes of demolishing the ramshackle buildings. He has stated that he will not budge until there is a plan in place to find new housing for the residents of the community.
This move is not without controversy, with Mayor Nicholson expressing frustration at the stalemate. His staunchest critic remains industrialist Lex Luthor, who had this to say:
"This is only the latest development in the process of Superman revealing who he truly is to the people of Metropolis. Not their savior, as he so claims, but an impediment to progress and prosperity. Who is he to stand in the way of what the fine people of the city government have chosen to do? In stopping this demolition, Superman is actually making the lives of those within Beecher's Creek worse, allowing them to remain within substandard conditions, to wallow in disarray. I hope that this is a wake up call for the people of Metropolis. Our future should not be held hostage by an authoratarian in a colorful costume."
-NBC radio broadcast, March 20, 1940
The Keystone Flash stopped a series of eight near simultaneous robberies in both Keystone and Central City today. In a brief conversation with law enforcement, the hero named the criminal known as the Thinker as being the organizer of the would-be crime wave. Though the man himself has not been brought to justice, this marks the third time that the master criminal has made his presence known.
-Twin Cities radio report, March 23, 1940
Dear Mr. Garrick,
I am writing this letter as something of an intervention, a professional and personal courtesy that I would have preferred to conduct in person, but am forced to perform via these means. Your absences from the lab work have compounded to the point that many other professors would simply drop you from their course.
I am aware that you have your other responsibilities. The nebulous job that frequently is used to excuse your inability to attend to the lab work. And I understand your attachment to the social pleasures of university life. That being said, working in this lab is a privilege that numerous other students at the university would be honored to partake in, a privilege that I feel you are squandering.
This is not an admonishment for its own sake. You are a gifted student Mr. Garrick, a prime candidate for doing great work in the sciences beyond your studies. But, those talents are squandered with a lack of care that causes me anguish to observe. I was once in a similar position to you, split between the temptations of youth and the call of scientific achievement. There is no doubt in my mind that I made the right choice in the end. I hope that you are able to take to a similar path.
Sincerely,
Dr. Edward Clariss
-Letter to Jay Garrick, March 23, 1940
Gotham Police Involved in Shootout with Red Hood Gang at Ace Chemicals, Several Members Slain
Officers of the Gotham Police department engaged in an exchange of gunfire with members of the infamous Red Hood gang, which has terrorized Gotham for months. The gang was fleeing from their latest robbery, having fled to the Ace Chemicals plant. Three members of the gang were killed, with a fourth missing. Two officers were injured in the shootout.
Eyewitnesses cite the mysterious Batman as having been involved in the pursuit of the gang members, though the police have refused to corroborate.
-Daily Planet, March 26, 1940