Author Archives: Rick D. Williams

About Rick D. Williams

Teaching and writing have been my life's work for over two decades as a journalist and educator. My degrees in History were earned at Illinois State University, and I've done additional graduate work at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Urbana Theological Seminary. Over the years I’ve led conference workshops and authored articles and book chapters on topics ranging from religious education and international student ministry to state and local history.

Marvel Milestones (part 1): Timely’s Golden Age (1940s)

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

Comic books as we know them got their start in the early 1930s, first as published collections of daily newspaper comic strips. Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson founded National Allied Publications (later named DC) in 1934 and began publishing original material (but … Continue reading →

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“Who Is Captain America?” A Legend is Born

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

The beginning of Steve Rogers’ career as Captain America has been significantly embellished over the years, as has that of his wartime partner, “Bucky” Barnes. In the original 1941 origin story, we jump from the end of the “Rebirth” to … Continue reading →

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Captain Counterfeit: Marvel’s Riskiest Retcon Ever

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

WARNING:  Major spoilers from Captain America:  Steve Rogers #1 to follow!!! In honor of the 75th Anniversary of the publication of Captain America, Marvel Comics has chosen to dishonor their most iconic hero by turning him into a traitor. Captain … Continue reading →

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Rich Mullins: a Ragamuffin Remembered

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

“The angels worship God in heaven, but we cast up our prayers from the gravity and stone of earth. This is the land of our Sojourn. We are Americans, and our Legacy is the stone and weight of this place, … Continue reading →

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New Kinds of Christians? (pt. 3)

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

“The concept of seeker-sensitivity, properly understood, is not new and not controversial — because it’s biblical. In fact, the apostle Paul said, ‘Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity’ (Col. 4:5). He … Continue reading →

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New Kinds of Christians? (pt. 2)

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

Old religious factions are volcanoes burned out; on the lava and ashes and squalid scoriæ of old eruptions grow the peaceful olive, the cheering vine, and the sustaining corn. — Edmund Burke In part one of this consideration of Christianity … Continue reading →

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New Kinds of Christians? (pt. 1)

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

“What if the Christian faith is supposed to exist in a variety of forms rather than just one imperial one? What if it is both more stable and more agile—more responsive to the Holy Spirit—when it exists in these many … Continue reading →

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Captain America: Alternate Visions and Versions

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

In the12-issue series, Avengers Forever (1998-99, Kurt Busiek), Captain America and several fellow Avengers past, present, and future are drawn through time by perenial foe Kang the Conqueror to help him fight his own future self, Immortus. Brought from just … Continue reading →

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Other Super-Soldiers?

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

Before we move on to beginning of Steve Rogers’ career as Captain America, let’s take a  brief aside to consider the consequences of Prof. Erskine’s demise.  The presumption that the serum, if it could be recreated, would work on anyone … Continue reading →

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Becoming Captain America (part 2)

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

This narrative attempts to bring together in a seamless account all the diverse elements depicted in the comics listed in Part 1.  The base story line is that of CAC #1 (March 1941), with later additions and embellishments as documented. … Continue reading →

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