World War II absorbed America's attention for the four years in which it fought, from December 1941 to August 1945. It is natural, then, that American popular culture was also preoccupied with the conflict. In comic books and strips, movies, animated cartoons, and many other media, patriotism and propaganda were rampant. For instance, Timely Comics launched Captain America early in 1941, while National Periodical Publications introduced Wonder Woman later that year. Like National Periodical's Superman, introduced in 1938, both superheroes fought for truth, justice, and the American way. Both also wore patriotic costumes, and along with many other superheroes of the period their enemies included Axis foes. The cover of the first issue of Captain America, for instance, showed the hero dealing a blow to Adolf Hitler. While the comics dealt with the Axis threat seriously (though with a strong fantasy element), there were...