Blue Eagle (character)

Blue Eagle
Blue Eagle
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	As American Eagle: The Avengers #85 (Feb. 1971) As Cap'n Hawk: The Avengers #148 (June 1976) As Blue Eagle: Squadron Supreme #1
Created by	Roy Thomas (writer) John Buscema (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	James Dore Junior
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Squadron Supreme
Notable aliases	American Eagle, Cap'n Hawk, Condor
Abilities	Powers of flight derived from the special wings he wears

Marvel Comics alternate universes
Marvel stories take place primarily in a mainstream continuity called the Marvel Universe. Some stories are set in various parallel, or alternate, realities, called the Marvel Multiverse.
The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes 2005 designates the mainstream continuity as "Earth-616", and assigns other Earth numbers to each specific alternate reality.
In this article the following characters, or teams, and realities are referred to:
Character/team	Universe
Blue Eagle	Earth-712

Blue Eagle (James Dore Jr.) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is not from the main reality where stories are set in the Marvel Universe, but from an alternate universe.^{(See Sidebar)}

Publication history

The character was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, and debuted as a member of the team of superheroes called the Squadron Supreme in The Avengers #85 (Feb. 1971) as American Eagle, then as Cap'n Hawk in The Avengers #148 (June 1976), and finally as Blue Eagle in Squadron Supreme #1 (Sept. 1985).

Fictional character biography

James Dore Sr. operated during World War II under the persona of American Eagle, outfitted with a pair of wings which he obtained through unknown means. During this period, he was allied with other heroes such as Power Princess and Professor Imam as members of the Golden Agency. At an unspecified time after the war, he had retired, was married and had a son years later.

James Dore Jr., who was born in Mayflower, Freedonia on his Earth, was an airplane mechanic. He began his career as a superhero when he inherited the mantle of the American Eagle from his father and joined the Squadron Supreme. Dore abandons the American Eagle identity after a falling out with his father over political differences, and adopts the identity of Cap'n Hawk. ^[1] Cap'n Hawk and the Squadron are used as pawns in Overmind's conquest of Earth-712. The Squadron members are freed by the Defenders, who they work with to stop Overmind. ^[2]

The Squadron Supreme, as a result of their conflict with the Overmind, institute the "Utopia Program". They assume control of Earth-712's United States, and publicly reveal their identities. ^[3] Dore again adopts another identity after his father died from a heart attack. Using a costume made by his dead father, he takes the name Blue Eagle. ^[4]

Dore discovers that the Golden Archer has used the Behavior Modification Device on Lady Lark, and calls for Golden Archer's dismissal from the team. ^[5] Blue Eagle is later captured by Nighthawk's Redeemers and subjected to the Behavior Modification machine. ^[6]

Blue Eagle recovers and returns to the Squadron, just in time for the Redeemers to attack Squadron City. During the battle, Blue Eagle kills Golden Archer with his mace, but loses the use of his wings after Lamprey drains the artificial gravity effect from them. Blue Eagle falls and crashes into Pinball, breaking Pinball's neck. Both Blue Eagle and Pinball are killed, with the two being placed in cryostasis until they can be resurrected. ^[7]

Powers and abilities

Blue Eagle wears a specially designed flying suit of synthetic stretch fabric equipped with artificial wings on his back enabling natural winged flight, that was designed by his father James Dore Sr. (the original American Eagle) and his mother Adrian Dore. These wings had a "anti-gravity effect" that allowed Dore to fly.

Dore was highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat, specializing in aerial combat. He demonstrated a wide range of skill with ancient melee weapons.

Equipment

The Blue Eagle costume could be enhanced with a shield, light armor, and a protective helmet.

Other versions

Supreme Power version

A version of Blue Eagle appears in Supreme Power , a modern revamp of the Squadron Supreme, in the possible future timeline of the Supreme Power: Hyperion mini-series.

Heroes Reborn (2021)

In the 2021 "Heroes Reborn" reality, Blue Eagle is a member of the Secret Squadron. Black Widow and Hawkeye later kill Blue Eagle and take his wings. ^[8]

References

1. The Avengers #148 (June 1976)
2. The Defenders #112-115 (October 1982 - January 1983)
3. Squadron Supreme #1 (September 1985)
4. Squadron Supreme #4 (December 1985)
5. Squadron Supreme #6 (February 1986)
6. Squadron Supreme #11 (July 1986)
7. Squadron Supreme #12 (August 1986)
8. Heroes Reborn: Siege Society one-shot (July 2021)