Saturday, November 17, 2012

That one time Roy Thomas almost inserted FDR/Churchill slash into All-Star Squadron

In 1982's All-Star Squadron #10, writer Roy Thomas and artists Adrian Gonzales and Jerry Ordway have President of the United States Franklin Delano Roosevelt and All-Stars The Atom and Liberty Belle about to pay a surprise visit to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who is staying at the White House while the two Allied leaders hammer out their plans.

"It's, er, still awfully early, Mr. President," The Atom asks, "Are you sure the Prime Minister will even be awake yet?"

Judging by the direction of the dialogue balloon's tail, it's Liberty Belle who answers, singing Churchill's praises, saying he "has a constitution as hardy as the one we wrote in 1787."

Roosevelt notice that Churchill's door is ajar, and they enter. They don't see Churchill though, and Roosevelt says, "Wait! Isn't that running bathwater I hear?"

Then, in the next panel, Churchill enters his room, naked save for a cigar , a towel and a complete lack of embarrassment:
He fixes the president with a puckish smile...
...and continues (in dialogue balloons too close to the spine to be clearly scanned): "The Prime Minister of Great Britain has nothing to conceal from the President of the United States! Now, what is on your mind, Mr. President?"

Nothing to conceal! Not even his own naked body! Yes, Mr. Roosevelt, what is on your mind*, now that you are confronted by your naked ally and his suggestive comments?

Jeez, talk about a "Special Relationship"...!



*The United Nations. The pair had been trying to think of a better name for their anti-Axis coaltion than "allies" or "The Associated Powers," and, after a sudden inspiration, FDR wanted to suggest "The United Nations" to Churchill.

3 comments:

kevhines said...

Based on a true story as told by Doris Kearns Goodwin. That happened. Just sans the All Star Squadren. That's a quote!

SallyP said...

Yup! Oh that Churchill...a bon mot for any occasion.

Caleb said...

What? How dare that Doris Kearns Goodwin remove the All-Stars from the story in her telling...!