Hey, Lady, it’s the FOURTH OF JULY!
By PETER BOSCH
When you think of America, especially on July Fourth, that incredible date 250 years ago in 1776 — when the signing of the Declaration of Independence began in Philadelphia — relives itself full blown. We, as one people, stood up and declared ourselves to be a free and independent nation no longer under the tyrannical rule of King George III of England.
For many of us, our thoughts turn today to the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. This great lady not only watches over us, she reminds us every day of what freedom is and how we should never lose it.
For a refresher in high school history, she was bestowed upon us by France on July 4, 1884. The designer of the statue was Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (the statue has the occasional nickname “Bartholdi’s Daughter”). Gustave Eiffel engineered the interior construction, and the base upon which it rests was designed by American architect Richard Morris. (The base was paid for by donations from the people of the United States via a special fund set up by Joseph Pulitzer through his newspaper, The New York World.)
The Statue of Liberty’s torch was installed in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, from 1876 through 1882, to raise funds for the statue’s completion.
Here at 13th Dimension, we’re going to observe Lady Liberty’s special day with 13 COVERS featuring the statue (formally called Liberty Enlightening the World, from the French “La Liberté éclairant le mondeis”). A special note: You will not find here Kamandi #1 nor any cover that shows her being destroyed. To paraphrase Marc Anthony, “I come to praise our Lady of Freedom, not to bury her.” (However, on these covers, plenty of battles are being fought on her behalf, as you will see. You should always fight for a lady.)
Liberty, the Spirit of 1776, as we enjoy it in our country, is precious — and fragile. It is to be treasured, loved, and protected — not just on July Fourth, but every single day.
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Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact Vol. 13 #17 (Apr. 24, 1958, George A. Pflaum). Art by Fran Matera.
All-American Comics #1 (Apr. 1939, DC). Art by Sheldon Mayer.
Big Shot #12 (Apr. 1941, Columbia). Artist unconfirmed.
Skyman #4 (1948, Columbia). Art by Ogden Whitney.
All-Star Squadron #5 (Jan. 1982, DC). Art by Rich Buckler (pencils) and Romeo Tanghal (inks).
National Comics #24 (Aug. 1942, Quality). Art by Reed Crandall.
1977 Super DC Calendar (DC). Art by Neal Adams (pencils) and Dick Giordano (inks).
Daredevil #45 (Oct. 1968, Marvel). Art by Gene Colan (pencils) and Frank Giacoia (inks). Photographer unknown.
The Spectacular Spider-Man #42 (May 1980, Marvel). Art by Mike Zeck (pencils) and inks by Joe Rubinstein (inks).
Strange Adventures #112 (Jan. 1960, DC). Art by Gil Kane (pencils) and Joe Giella (inks).
Master Comics #107 (Sept. 1949, Fawcett). Art by Kurt Schaffenberger
Master Comics #36 (Feb. 24, 1943, Fawcett). Art by Mac Raboy.
Limited Collectors’ Edition #C-38 (Oct.-Nov. 1975, DC). Art by Curt Swan (pencils) and Bob Oksner (inks).
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MORE
— CAPTAIN AMERICA’S BICENTENNIAL BATTLES: A Glorious JACK KIRBY Tour de Force — 50 Years Later. Click here.
— 13 COVERS: Hey, Baby, It’s the Fourth of July — With CAPTAIN AMERICA! Click here.
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13th Dimension contributor-at-large PETER BOSCH’s first book, American TV Comic Books: 1940s-1980s – From the Small Screen to the Printed Page, was published by TwoMorrows. (You can buy it here.) A sequel, American Movie Comic Books: 1930s-1970s — From the Silver Screen to the Printed Page, is out now. (Buy it here.) Peter has written articles and conducted celebrity interviews for various magazines and newspapers. He lives in Hollywood.
July 4, 2026
Happy 250th birthday from Canada to all of my American friends, family and fellow comic collectors. All of these are rousing, patriotic covers, but I was always partial to the cover of Amazing Spider-Man 175 and the story within it as my favourite Statue of Liberty cover. And I’ll always think of the Statue’s torch as the (not-so) secret meeting spot of Spidey and Johnny, even if they are duking it out on the Zeck cover for Spectacular 42.
July 4, 2026
Hi, Wade. Actually, the meeting on the Statue between Spidey and the Torch goes back to Strange Tales Annual #2 (1963). And I appreciate the well-wishes from a fellow Canadian. I was born and lived half my life there.
July 4, 2026
Wonder Woman #239 with the Statue of Liberty reaching for WW and GA Flash is a great cover by Rich Buckler.
July 4, 2026
Anyone else getting a strong Iron Man vibe from that Strange Adventures cover?
And a happy Fourth of July to all of you.
July 4, 2026
I was fixated on it being a Kane. But, yes, I can see that. I think I’d have to go with the Adams as my favorite though.
July 4, 2026
Thanks for posting these great covers, Peter. And thanks, Wade, for the birthday greeting.
July 5, 2026
what, no Kamandi #1? that was my first mental image once i read statue of liberty…
July 5, 2026
>> what, no Kamandi #1?
>>
I agree with Peter’s decision not to allow entries that depicted Lady Liberty in ruin. It wouldn’t fit the spirit of the holiday – Independence Day.
July 5, 2026
Exactly, Buck. Thanks!
July 5, 2026
Rob, if you go to the 4th paragraph in my article above the covers, you’ll see I wrote: “A special note: You will not find here Kamandi #1 nor any cover that shows her being destroyed. To paraphrase Marc Anthony, ‘I come to praise our Lady of Freedom, not to bury her.’”
July 5, 2026
There are some wonderful covers here. Even though I didn’t live in those decades, The golden age covers have the strongest appeal for me. But, I bought DD#45 off a spinner rack.