Images and Imaginings of Internment: Comics and Illustrations of Camp

Superman

In this comic series, titled Sneer Strikes, Superman defeats a Japanese villain, the Sneer, and his henchmen who have infiltrated the Japanese American incarceration camps in order to facilitate a Japanese invasion of the United States.

Summary

Superman tours a Japanese American incarceration camp, where there are reports of trouble. Superman discovers a group plotting to escape the camp, and manages to fight them off. To investigate further, Superman poses as a Japanese American internee and goes "undercover" in camp. He joins a group of escapees who take him to a secret meeting house, where he confronts their leader, The Sneer. The Sneer manages to escape Superman's grasp after setting up a booby trap. Superman survives the trap and goes back home to raise awareness of the Japanese threat through newspapers. For his efforts, he is invited to participate in a parade in Chinatown by Chinese Americans. At the parade, the Sneer tries to detonate a bomb, but Superman dismantles it. The Sneer and his henchmen then kidnap Lois Lane from the parade float and attempt to throw her down a well. She is about to drown when Superman rushes in and saves her. The return to the Sneer's secret lair to learn about their plan to take over the United States. Superman stops their plans by intercepting a fleet of submarines and planes.

"Our main difficulty is that loyal Americans of Jap ancestry are indiscriminately mingled with enemy sympathizers who would be glad to sabotage our national welfare.