Jeffrey Mace
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Solomon "Jeff" Mace, also known as the Patriot
and Captain America
, is a fictional character
, a superhero
in the Marvel Comics
universe
, created during the 1940s period which fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books
. As the Patriot, he first appeared in a two-page text story by writer
Ray Gill
with a spot illustration by artist
Bill Everett
, in The Human Torch # 4 (Spring 1941; mis-numbered #3 on cover), published by Marvel's 1940s precursor, Timely Comics
. Later that same issue came the Patriot's first comics story, a 10-page adventure by writer Gill and artist George Mandel
.
In 1976, Marvel revealed via retroactive continuity that Mace had become the third Captain America some time after his World War II era adventures.
# 4 (Spring 1941), the Patriot appeared in the first of two Human Torch issues both inadvertently numbered #5, and known to collectors as #5[a] (Summer 1941), in a story by Gill and artist Sid Greene
. Concurrently, the Patriot began as regular feature in the superhero anthology
Marvel Mystery Comics
, appearing in issues #21-44 (July 1941 - June 1943) and #49 -74 (Nov. 1943 - July 1946), making him one of Timely's most popular characters in the second tier beneath stars Captain America
, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner. The Patriot story "Death Stalks the Shipyard", from Marvel Mystery Comics #29, was reprinted during the Silver Age of Comic Books
in Marvel Super-Heroes
#16 (Sept. 1968).
When Marvel Comics revived the character Captain America in 1964, the story explained that he had been M.I.A.
and in suspended animation
since 1945. This discrepancy with his comic-book appearances from 1946 to 1964 was later explained as the result of replacement heroes taking on the mantle. As the third Captain America, Jeffrey Mace would have been behind the mask in Captain America Comics #58-75 (Sept. 1946 - Feb. 1950) and other comics during that period. Mace succeeded the second Captain America, William Naslund (formerly the Spirit of '76
), who was shown in What If
? vol. 1, #4 (Aug. 1977) as having been killed in 1946.
The Patriot first appeared in modern times in a four-part flashback
story running through The Invaders
#5-6 (March & May 1976) and Marvel Premiere
#29-30 (April & June 1976), set during World War II
which retcon
ned him as a member of a newly created superhero team, the Liberty Legion
. That team later appeared alongside Fantastic Four
member the Thing in a two-part time travel
story, set during World War II, in Marvel Two-in-One
#20 (Oct. 1976) and Marvel Two-in-One Annual (1976).
Mace appeared briefly in a flashback
in Captain America #215 (Nov. 1977), then as a guest-star in Captain America Annual #6 (1982) with his death depicted in #285 (Sept. 1983). In a flashback, the Patriot co-starred in a World War II adventure with Captain America in Captain America Annual #13 (1994) and in a post-war adventure with the All Winners Squad in All Winners Squad 70th Anniversary Special (2009).
A simulacrum
of the Patriot was temporarily created from the mind of Rick Jones
, along with those of the Blazing Skull
, the Fin
, and the Golden Age Angel and Vision, to aid the superhero team the Avengers
during the Kree-Skrull War
.
A retelling of Jeffrey Mace's origin and time as Captain America is told in the 2010 mini-series Captain America: Patriot.
, who was inspired to become a superhero after seeing Captain America
in action. As the Patriot, Mace becomes one of several superheroes who fight Nazi saboteurs and supervillains during World War II
, sometimes alongside sidekick Mary Morgan, a.k.a. Miss Patriot
. He helps found the superhero team the Liberty Legion
, billed as "America's home front heroes" who fight saboteurs, Fifth Columnists
and other wartime threats within the United States
.
After the war, the Patriot continues to fight crime on a regular basis, eventually helping the All-Winners Squad
prevent the assassination of a young Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1946. The skirmish costs the life of the second Captain America, William Naslund, formerly the Spirit of '76
. Mace is recruited to be the third Captain America, retiring in 1949. He marries Betsy Ross, who as the superhero Golden Girl
had briefly been the post-war sidekick of his Captain America, and in modern times succumbs to cancer
at an old age.
Patriot (comics)
Patriot is the name of two fictional, comic book superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe: the Golden Age hero Jeffrey Mace and the modern-day character Eli Bradley.-Patriot :...
and Captain America
Captain America (set index)
Captain America is the name of several fictional characters in the . The first, and main, character was Steve Rogers, who was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, is a fictional character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
, created during the 1940s period which fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
. As the Patriot, he first appeared in a two-page text story by writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
Ray Gill
Ray Gill
Ray Gill holds the Football League appearance record for Chester City.The full-back played in 406 league games for Chester from 1951 to 1962, putting him seven ahead of Ron Hughes and 10 ahead of Trevor Storton...
with a spot illustration by artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
Bill Everett
Bill Everett
William Blake "Bill" Everett, also known as William Blake and Everett Blake was a comic book writer-artist best known for creating Namor the Sub-Mariner and co-creating Daredevil for Marvel Comics...
, in The Human Torch # 4 (Spring 1941; mis-numbered #3 on cover), published by Marvel's 1940s precursor, Timely Comics
Timely Comics
Timely Comics, an imprint of Timely Publications, was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics....
. Later that same issue came the Patriot's first comics story, a 10-page adventure by writer Gill and artist George Mandel
George Mandel
George Mandel is an American novelist and short story writer.A native of New York City, Mandel was educated at the Pratt Institute, The Art Students League of New York and The New School...
.
In 1976, Marvel revealed via retroactive continuity that Mace had become the third Captain America some time after his World War II era adventures.
Publication history
Following his debut in a backup feature in The Human TorchJim Hammond
Herbert Edward 'Jim' Hammond was an English professional football player for Fulham and a cricket player for Sussex.Having been signed from non-league side Lewes F.C., Hammond played for Fulham between 1928 and 1938, scoring 150 goals in 342 games. He was once called up for duty with the national...
# 4 (Spring 1941), the Patriot appeared in the first of two Human Torch issues both inadvertently numbered #5, and known to collectors as #5
Sid Greene
Sidney "Sid" Greene was an American comic book artist known for his work for a host of publishers from the 1940s to 1970s, most prominently DC Comics, where as an inker on series including Batman, Green Lantern, Justice League of America and The Atom he helped to define the company's house style...
. Concurrently, the Patriot began as regular feature in the superhero anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
Marvel Mystery Comics
Marvel Mystery Comics
Marvel Mystery Comics is an American comic book series published during the 1930s-1940s period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books...
, appearing in issues #21-44 (July 1941 - June 1943) and #49 -74 (Nov. 1943 - July 1946), making him one of Timely's most popular characters in the second tier beneath stars Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner. The Patriot story "Death Stalks the Shipyard", from Marvel Mystery Comics #29, was reprinted during the Silver Age of Comic Books
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
in Marvel Super-Heroes
Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)
Marvel Super-Heroes is the name of several comic book series and specials published by Marvel Comics.-Marvel Super-Heroes Special:The first was the one-shot Marvel Super-Heroes Special #1 , reprinting Daredevil #1 and The Avengers #2 Marvel Super-Heroes is the name of several comic book series and...
#16 (Sept. 1968).
When Marvel Comics revived the character Captain America in 1964, the story explained that he had been M.I.A.
Missing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
and in suspended animation
Suspended animation
Suspended animation is the slowing of life processes by external means without termination. Breathing, heartbeat, and other involuntary functions may still occur, but they can only be detected by artificial means. Extreme cold can be used to precipitate the slowing of an individual's functions; use...
since 1945. This discrepancy with his comic-book appearances from 1946 to 1964 was later explained as the result of replacement heroes taking on the mantle. As the third Captain America, Jeffrey Mace would have been behind the mask in Captain America Comics #58-75 (Sept. 1946 - Feb. 1950) and other comics during that period. Mace succeeded the second Captain America, William Naslund (formerly the Spirit of '76
Spirit of '76 (comics)
The Spirit of '76 is the name of two fictional comic book characters, one each from Harvey Comics and Marvel Comics.-Harvey Comics:The first comics character by this name is a patriotic superhero created by writer Gary Blakey and artist Bob Powell in Harvey's Pocket Comics #1...
), who was shown in What If
What If (comics)
What If, sometimes rendered as What If...?, is the title of several comic book series published by Marvel Comics, exploring "the road not traveled" by its various characters...
? vol. 1, #4 (Aug. 1977) as having been killed in 1946.
The Patriot first appeared in modern times in a four-part flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
story running through The Invaders
Invaders (comics)
The Invaders is the name of two fictional superhero teams in the . The original team was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema in The Avengers #71 . A present-day incarnation was introduced by writer Chuck Austen and artist Scott Kolins in The Avengers vol...
#5-6 (March & May 1976) and Marvel Premiere
Marvel Premiere
Marvel Premiere is an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It ran for 61 issues from April 1972 to August 1981....
#29-30 (April & June 1976), set during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
which retcon
Retcon
Retroactive continuity is the alteration of previously established facts in a fictional work. Retcons are done for many reasons, including the accommodation of sequels or further derivative works in a series, wherein newer authors or creators want to revise the in-story history to allow a course...
ned him as a member of a newly created superhero team, the Liberty Legion
Liberty Legion
The Liberty Legion is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was first created in 1976 and set during World War II...
. That team later appeared alongside Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
member the Thing in a two-part time travel
Time travel
Time travel is the concept of moving between different points in time in a manner analogous to moving between different points in space. Time travel could hypothetically involve moving backward in time to a moment earlier than the starting point, or forward to the future of that point without the...
story, set during World War II, in Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
#20 (Oct. 1976) and Marvel Two-in-One Annual (1976).
Mace appeared briefly in a flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
in Captain America #215 (Nov. 1977), then as a guest-star in Captain America Annual #6 (1982) with his death depicted in #285 (Sept. 1983). In a flashback, the Patriot co-starred in a World War II adventure with Captain America in Captain America Annual #13 (1994) and in a post-war adventure with the All Winners Squad in All Winners Squad 70th Anniversary Special (2009).
A simulacrum
Simulacrum
Simulacrum , from the Latin simulacrum which means "likeness, similarity", was first recorded in the English language in the late 16th century, used to describe a representation, such as a statue or a painting, especially of a god...
of the Patriot was temporarily created from the mind of Rick Jones
Rick Jones (comics)
Richard Milhouse "Rick" Jones is a fictional comic book character in the .-Publication history:Rick Jones first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1, as a sidekick to the Incredible Hulk...
, along with those of the Blazing Skull
Blazing Skull
The Blazing Skull is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, created during the 1930-'40s Golden Age of Comic Books for Marvel's predecessor, Timely Comics...
, the Fin
Fin (comics)
The Fin is the name of two characters from Marvel Comics. The Golden Age Fin has elements of both the swashbuckling pirate and superhero genres.-The Fin :-Publication history:...
, and the Golden Age Angel and Vision, to aid the superhero team the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
during the Kree-Skrull War
Kree-Skrull War
The "Kree-Skrull War" is a story arc that was written by Roy Thomas, and drawn by Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, and John Buscema. The story was originally published in the Marvel Comics comic book title Avengers #89 - 97 ....
.
A retelling of Jeffrey Mace's origin and time as Captain America is told in the 2010 mini-series Captain America: Patriot.
Fictional character biography
Jeffrey Mace was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was a reporter at the Daily BugleDaily Bugle
The Daily Bugle is a fictional New York City newspaper that is a regular fixture in the Marvel Universe, most prominently in Spider-Man comic titles and their derivative media...
, who was inspired to become a superhero after seeing Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
in action. As the Patriot, Mace becomes one of several superheroes who fight Nazi saboteurs and supervillains during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, sometimes alongside sidekick Mary Morgan, a.k.a. Miss Patriot
Miss Patriot
Miss Patriot is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #29 Miss Patriot (Mary Morgan) is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. She first appeared in Marvel Mystery Comics #29...
. He helps found the superhero team the Liberty Legion
Liberty Legion
The Liberty Legion is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was first created in 1976 and set during World War II...
, billed as "America's home front heroes" who fight saboteurs, Fifth Columnists
Fifth column
A fifth column is a group of people who clandestinely undermine a larger group such as a nation from within.-Origin:The term originated with a 1936 radio address by Emilio Mola, a Nationalist General during the 1936–39 Spanish Civil War...
and other wartime threats within the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
After the war, the Patriot continues to fight crime on a regular basis, eventually helping the All-Winners Squad
All-Winners Squad
The All-Winners Squad is a fictional superhero team in the Marvel Comics universe. The company's first such team, it first appeared in All Winners Comics #19 , published by Marvel predecessor Timely Comics during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books.While the comic-book...
prevent the assassination of a young Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1946. The skirmish costs the life of the second Captain America, William Naslund, formerly the Spirit of '76
Spirit of '76 (comics)
The Spirit of '76 is the name of two fictional comic book characters, one each from Harvey Comics and Marvel Comics.-Harvey Comics:The first comics character by this name is a patriotic superhero created by writer Gary Blakey and artist Bob Powell in Harvey's Pocket Comics #1...
. Mace is recruited to be the third Captain America, retiring in 1949. He marries Betsy Ross, who as the superhero Golden Girl
Golden Girl
Golden Girl is the name of two fictional superheroine characters in comic books published by Marvel Comics, the first of them during the 1930-1940s period known to historians and collectors as the Golden Age of Comic Books.-Golden Girl :...
had briefly been the post-war sidekick of his Captain America, and in modern times succumbs to cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at an old age.