A young black man, in that time period, especially when the war came, might have ended up joining the military, even lying about his age to do it—maybe for chances of advancement (however limited, back then), or just to get out of Kansas, or maybe even out of a sense of patriotism. Despite everything, maybe he loved what the country could be, or the good it had accomplished already, or even just knowing that, for all America’s flaws, we were fighting enemies far, far worse.
Maybe he volunteers for combat right off the bat, revealing his abilities. Maybe he tries to keep his head down, just accepting whatever duties he’s shuffled to, knowing it’s at least doing a part in the fight—but maybe then, he’s caught up in extraordinary circumstances that force him to display his true might, in a stunning act of natural heroism.
Maybe then the higher ups’ have the wisdom to recognize something in this black kid from Kansas—this Man of Steel. They see that the Superman exists…and he’s American. They see the Man of Tomorrow, a Sentinel of Liberty, a Gladiator for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
A symbol, more than a man…he’ll need a look, befitting his rank. Maybe something in red and blue…with a shield…
