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| + | {{For|other versions of Gardner|Captain Metropolis (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Character |
{{Character |
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| name = Nelson Gardner |
| name = Nelson Gardner |
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| − | | image = |
+ | | image =Captain Metropolis.jpg |
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| − | Nelson Gardner - Watchmen (TV series).jpg|TV |
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| − | Captain Metropolis.jpg|Comic |
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| − | Nelson_Gardner_(Movie)_001.png|Movie |
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| − | </gallery> |
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| + | | actor = [[Tom Stechschulte]] <small>(Motion Comic)</small> |
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| − | | alias = Captain Metropolis |
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| + | |cause_of_death = Decapitation via car crash |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |spouse = [[Hooded Justice]] <small>(former lover)</small> |
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| − | |first episode="[[This Extraordinary Being]]" |
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| + | |father = Albert Gardner |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |mother = [[Matilda Gardner]]|gender=Male|status=Deceased}} |
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| − | | actor = Darryl Scheelar (film)<br>Chris Whitley (''AHS''; TV series)<br>Jake McDorman (TV series) |
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| + | {{Quote|Please! Don't all leave! Someone has to do it, don't you see? '''Someone has to save the world!!!'''|Captain Metropolis to the [[Crimebusters]]|Chapter II: Absent Friends}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | '''Nelson Gardner''', known publicly as '''Captain Metropolis''', was the organizer, founder, and leader of the [[Minutemen]]. As a retired Marine, Gardner used his tactical knowledge to organize the team against enemies that had to be fought with numbers, almost always proving successful. He acted as the lover of [[Hooded Justice]], a relationship that was hidden from the public eye. After the split of the Minutemen and HJ's disappearance, Gardner enthusiastically attempted to form a second team known as the [[Crimebusters]], but it fell apart the same day it was formed. Years later, he was decapitated in a car crash in 1974. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |spouse = [[Hooded Justice]] (lover)}}'''Nelson Forrest Gardner''' (1908 - August 9, 1974) aka '''Captain Metropolis''', was a [[masked adventurer]] and a minor character in ''[[Watchmen]]''. He and the [[Comedian]] were the only masked adventurers to join both the [[Minutemen]] and later the [[Crimebusters]]. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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| − | ===Early life=== |
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| − | [[File:Soldiergardner.jpg|thumb|left]]Born in 1908, Nelson Forrest Gardner grew up a child of privilege in [[New York City]]. As a child, Nelson was sickly and asthmatic, but years of physical training allowed him to get past his condition and eventually played football at Harvard University. He enlisted in the Marines after washing out of Harvard, and served with distinction under Major General Smedley Butler in the Banana Wars. He was honorably discharged as a lieutenant in 1936 and began a career as a security consultant and military contractor. He would introduce himself as "Marine Lieutenant USMC Nelson Gardner: Free-Lance Consultant". His line of work gained him a significant amount of wealth, owning a mansion and several domestic servants.<ref>[[Before Watchmen: Minutemen]]</ref><ref>EVIDENCE: The Will of Nelson Gardner |
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| − | |||
| − | https://www.hbo.com/content/dam/hbodata/series/watchmen/peteypedia/06/memo-the-will-of-nelson-gardner.pdf |
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| − | </ref> |
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===Minutemen=== |
===Minutemen=== |
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| − | Nelson was advising the New York City Police Department on urban warfare strategies when he was inspired by [[Hooded Justice]] to become a masked vigilante, adopting the guise of Captain Metropolis. |
+ | Nelson Gardner was advising the [[New York City Police Department]] on urban warfare strategies when he was inspired by [[Hooded Justice]] to become a masked vigilante, adopting the guise of Captain Metropolis. |
| ⚫ | |||
| − | https://www.hbo.com/content/dam/hbodata/series/watchmen/peteypedia/06/memo-the-will-of-nelson-gardner.pdf |
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| − | </ref>[[Image:Nelson Gardner (Movie) 001.png|thumb|Gardner as Captain Metropolis, circa 1940]] |
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| ⚫ | Using the skills he acquired in the military, he meticulously shaped his Captain Metropolis persona and attempted to eradicate organized crime in urban areas |
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| − | He |
+ | He contacted [[Laurence Schexnayder|Larry Schexnayder]], a talent agent representing [[Sally Jupiter]], aka Silk Spectre, informing him that he devised codes, passwords and strategic exercises for the "[[Minutemen|The New Minutemen]]" and asked for his cooperation. He signed as "Captain Metropolis" and left the name of "Nelson Gardner" as his representative.<ref>Sally Jupiter clippings</ref> Once Gardner collaborated with Larry on forming the superhero team, the Minutemen were born: consisting of Silk Spectre, [[Ursula Zandt|Silhouette]], [[Nite Owl]], [[Eddie Blake|The Comedian]], [[Byron Lewis|Mothman]], and [[Bill Brady|Dollar Bill]]. |
| + | But Captain Metropolis was not ready to take the Minutemen public yet. He needed Hooded Justice and he worked diligently to track down the vigilante and recruit him to the team. Once Hooded Justice, the masked vigilante who had inspired the movement, was recruited Gardner felt secured in his decision and he introduced the Minutemen to the press. |
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| − | He had a relationship with fellow gay teammate [[Hooded Justice]], yet this information was unknown to the public.<ref name="clip">[[Sally Jupiter clippings]]</ref> |
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| + | Throughout his time with the Minutemen, Captain Metropolis took on various criminals and supervillains including Moloch, [[Screaming Skull]], [[King Mob]], and [[Captain Axis]]. |
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| − | [[File:Afterliquidator.jpg|thumb|left]] |
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| − | When [[Ursula Zandt]]'s lesbianism was outed by the press, and despite their homosexuality, C.M. and H.J. voted her out as the revelation would damage the team's image. She was soon murdered by the [[Liquidator]] and Sally held themselves responsible. While investigating his murders, C.M. and H.J. were after his traces in gay joints, before reaching his hideout. They found Sally, having already killed the Liquidator and after scolding for their hypocrisy, she announced her wish to quit.<ref>[[Before Watchmen: Minutemen]] 04</ref> |
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| + | Though it was publicized that Silk Spectre was in a relationship with Hooded Justice, it is all but confirmed today that Nelson and Hooded Justice were in a relationship and Silk Spectre was merely playing the part for the added publicity - and possibly being paid by Nelson. When Ursula Zandt's lesbianism was outed by the press, and despite their homosexuality, Metropolis and H.J. voted her out as the revelation would damage the team's image. |
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| − | [[File:Lastaction.jpg|thumb]] |
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| − | During those declining years, 2 mysterious figures disguised as comic book characters [[Bluecoat]] and [[Scout]] warned the Minutemen that Japanese saboteurs planned to destroy the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty Statue of Liberty]. Captain Metropolis coordinated the assault to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Island Liberty Island], which they reached with his private boat. C.M. and H.J. covered Nite Owl and the two strangers who attempted to neutralize the threat.<ref name=min5/> |
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| + | When [[United States]] entered [[World War II]] in [[1940s#1941|December 7, 1941]], Captain Metropolis reactivated his military status to go fight. Gardner returned home unharmed and resumed his secret relationship with Hooded Justice.<ref>[[Watchmen Sourcebook|''Watchmen Sourcebook'']]</ref> |
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| − | The mission was a success however its publicity would be disastrous and the whole event was covered-up. Although that would be the biggest feat by the Minutemen, it was buried and Gardner, who could not act without the warrior's honor and glory, was devastated.<ref name=min5/> |
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| + | In 1949, Captain Metropolis disbanded the Minutemen following a series of tragedies and scandals that befell the team. |
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| − | The Minutemen were eventually disbanded by Captain Metropolis himself in 1949 and he returned to his mansion. Because of his exemplary military service, he was given a passing grade by the HUAC in 1952. Hooded Justice disappeared that time and Gardner hadn't seen him since then and realized his "friendship" was not as deep as he hoped.<ref name=min5>[[Before Watchmen: Minutemen]] 05</ref><ref name=min6>[[Before Watchmen: Minutemen]] 06</ref> |
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===Afterward=== |
===Afterward=== |
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| + | In the 1950s, the [[House Un-American Activities Committee|House UnAmerican Activities Committee]] demanded that all costumed adventurers to reveal their identity. Because of his exemplary military service, Gardner was given a passing grade by the HUAC. |
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| − | In 1955 Nite Owl and Mothman visited him in his mansion, asking for H.J.'s whereabouts, believing that he was the child kidnapper and murderer. Gardner told them that he never learned his identity or his residence and hadn't seen him for years, and his only known residence was the [[Tower of Freedom]].<ref name=min6/> |
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| − | [[File:Gardnercrying.jpg|thumb|left]] |
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| − | Gardner followed the two to the Tower and saw as he threatened them and Nite Owl snapped his neck killing him. He started crying and shouted them not to touch or unmask him. After everyone left, he demolished the Tower, either to offer his lost mate a warrior's funeral or vanish all traces of the crime.<ref name=min6/> |
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| + | In 1960 as a representative of the former masked adventurers Gardner was asked about his opinion about [[Doctor Manhattan]], the first person with superpowers; in obvious tension, Nelson just said that they were "pleased" for him.<ref name="four" /> To maintain his physical physique, Nelson followed a strict regimen of Canadian Air Force Exercises, but his beer belly had started to show.<ref name="hood5" /> Later that year, Gardner along with former and new costumed heroes attended a Red Cross charity event<ref name="hood5">[[Under the Hood: Chapter V]]</ref> and was seen troubled, talking with the [[Comedian]].<ref name="four">[[Chapter IV: Watchmaker]]</ref> |
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| − | He followed a strict regimen of Canadian Air Force Exercises, but his beer belly had started to show.<ref name=hood5/> |
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| ⚫ | Around 1962 he reunited at [[Sally Jupiter]]'s house along with [[Hollis Mason]] and [[Byron Lewis]], and thirteen-year-old [[Laurie Juspeczyk]] met them.<ref>[[Chapter IX: The Darkness of Mere Being]]</ref> That year he read Mason's book ''[[Under the Hood]]'' where his relationship with [[Hooded Justice]] was revealed. |
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| − | In 1960, as a representative of the former masked adventurers, he was asked about his opinion about [[Dr. Manhattan]], the first person with superpowers; in obvious tension, Metropolis just said that they were "pleased" for him.<ref name=four/> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | That year, he with other former and new customed heroes attended a Red Cross charity event.<ref name=hood5>[[Under the Hood: Chapter V]]</ref> He was seen troubled, talking with the Comedian.<ref name=four>[[Chapter IV: Watchmaker]]</ref> |
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| − | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | |||
| − | In 1962 he read Mason's book ''[[Under the Hood]]'' where his relationship with H.J. was revealed. He lost his sleep and considered suicide. His lover [[Norbert Veldon]] was sent to Mason and threatened him to remove this information from the book.<ref>[[Before Watchmen: Minutemen]] 3</ref> He also called [[Sally Jupiter]] at night "crying his heart out".<ref name=min5/> However later, Comedian threatened Hollis and he decided to cut off the sensitive parts from his book.<ref name=min6/> |
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| − | |||
| ⚫ | |||
[[File:Watchmencharacters.jpg|thumb|Crimebusters era.]] |
[[File:Watchmencharacters.jpg|thumb|Crimebusters era.]] |
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| − | In 1966 |
+ | In April of 1966, Gardner attempted to come out of retirement to form a new league of extrajudicial avengers, the [[Crimebusters]]. He invited [[Walter Kovacs|Rorschach]], the second [[Dan Dreiberg|Nite Owl]], the second [[Laurie Juspeczyk|Silk Spectre]], [[Jon Osterman|Dr. Manhattan]], [[Adrian Veidt|Ozymandias]], and former [[Minutemen]] teammate the [[Comedian]], and spoke of tackling the "social ills" of America. But his plans never fully came to fruition; the Comedian (who knew that the world was no longer the same place it was in the Minutemen era in the aftermath of Doctor Manhattan and the looming threat of nuclear warfare) mocked him for wanting to "dress up" and play "cowboys and Indians", and further accused the older hero of seeking personal glory and a sort of mid-life crisis, which Metropolis insisted wasn't true. As the would-be members filed out, Metropolis begged them not to leave, telling them that someone had to "save the world." The crime display that he worked so hard on was burned and destroyed by the Comedian. Gardner permanently retired shortly thereafter.<ref name=two>[[Chapter II: Absent Friends]]</ref> |
| − | === |
+ | === Death === |
| + | On the night of October 3, 1974, Gardner is decapitated in a motor vehicle collision. There has been some speculation on whether it was suicide or simply an accident. |
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| − | In the years following the disbanding of the [[Minutemen]] and the failure of the [[Crimebusters]], Gardner began to realize how he drove [[Will Reeves]] away with his own racist attitudes and indifference towards the black community. His aborted effort to start the Crimebusters with a focus on the inner city was in part his attempt to make amends. On May 31, 1971, the fiftieth anniversary of the [[Tulsa race riot]], Gardner modified his will to leave his entire estate to Reeves, and if he were to decline he would bequeath all proceeds from any auction of his Minutemen paraphernalia to the Southern Poverty Law Center. He even went so far as to order that his remains be cremated, with no funeral or grave marker, feeling it was what he deserved. |
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| − | |||
| − | On the night of August 9, 1974, Gardner was driving northbound on Broadway in a Buick LeSabre in the general direction of his uptown mansion. He had attended a rally protesting the repeal of the 22nd Amendment. Gardner lost control of the car and crashed into a barrier at a high rate of speed. He ejected through the front windshield and was decapitated. (In a bizarre footnote, his head was never found.) At his request, there was no funeral or memorial and his remains were thoroughly destroyed. His only desire was for Will Reeves to be the sole beneficiary of his estate.<ref>[[Chapter I: At Midnight, All the Agents...]]</ref><ref>EVIDENCE: The Will of Nelson Gardner https://www.hbo.com/content/dam/hbodata/series/watchmen/peteypedia/06/memo-the-will-of-nelson-gardner.pdf</ref> |
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==Personality== |
==Personality== |
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| − | Owing to his military background he had a strategic approach for crime-fighting as he was the brain behind the Minutemen and later the Crimebusters. He was also polite and reserved.<ref name=hood4>[[Under the Hood: Chapter IV]]</ref> Though a soldier and a de facto leader, Metropolis often appeared timid, weak-willed and easily flustered. |
+ | Owing to his military background, he had a strategic approach for crime-fighting, as he was the brain behind the Minutemen and later the failed Crimebusters. He was also polite and reserved.<ref name=hood4>[[Under the Hood: Chapter IV]]</ref> Though a soldier and a de facto leader, Metropolis often appeared timid, weak-willed and easily flustered. |
| − | Although a |
+ | Although a gay man, Gardner had conservative and racist views and during his time in the Minutemen, according to Hollis Mason in his memoir ''[[Under the Hood|Under The Hood]],'' he made racist comments regarding the blacks and the Hispanics.<ref name=hood3>[[Under the Hood: Chapter III]]</ref>. It can be seen from the display in the Crimebusters scene that Gardner's views were very conservative, even reactionary. He regarded the liberal sentiments of the '60s as "social evils" that the Crimebusters should crush; furthermore, he was concerned by "Black Unrest", "Campus Subversion" and "Anti-War Demos".<ref name=two>[[Chapter II: Absent Friends]]</ref> It would seem that the world he wished to save was that of respectable, White 1950s America and the "social ills" he feared were the changes and political upheaval of the 60s. |
| − | |||
| − | ==Film== |
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| − | Metropolis only appears in flashbacks in the [[Zack Snyder]] 2009 [[Watchmen (movie)|''Watchmen'' adaptation]]. He has only one line in the film and is not present in the 1966 meeting. [[Ozymandias]] attempts to lead the 1966 meeting, calling the proposed team "the Watchmen". The [[David Hayter]] draft eliminated him entirely from the plot, and [[Dan Dreiberg]] was used as a replacement for the Crimebusters meeting scene, so as to make him more of a leader. |
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| − | |||
| − | ==TV series== |
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| − | [[Wade Tillman]] watched a scene from the "[[American Hero Story]]" show that featured Hooded Justice engaging in sexual intercourse with Captain Metropolis.<ref>[[Little Fear of Lightning]]</ref> |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Inspiration== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| − | |||
| − | ==Appearances== |
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| − | ===[[Watchmen (TV series)|TV series]]=== |
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| − | *"[[It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice]]"<small>(pic)</small> |
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| − | *"[[Little Fear of Lightning]]" <small>(''AHS'')</small> |
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| − | *"[[This Extraordinary Being]]" <small>(flashback)</small> |
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== Trivia == |
== Trivia == |
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| + | * He is named after the DC Comics writers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Nelson_Bridwell E. Nelson Bridwell] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardner_Fox Gardner Fox], the former known for decades as being "DC's continuity cop", while the later was the creator behind some of the company's most iconic superhero characters from the 1930s and 40s, such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkman Hawkman], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Fate Doctor Fate], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_(Jay_Garrick) the Flash (Jay Garrick)], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_Society_of_America Justice Society of America]; which the Minutemen are based on. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | * The Comedian's remarks to Gardener of accusing him of being nothing more than a grown man "playing cowboys and Indians" maybe a reference to Le Chiffre's scornful reference to James Bond's adventurous career as "a game of Red Indians" while the cold war was in fact "a game for grown-ups" in Ian Fleming's novel [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casino_Royale_(novel) Casino Royale]. |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | * As Nelson Gardner got older, he begins a strict regimen of Canadian Air Force exercises to try and stay in shape. However, there is no evidence that he actually served in that military organization. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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<references /> |
<references /> |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Gallery== |
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| − | <gallery> |
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| − | Nelson Gardner meets Will Reeves for the first time in S1 E6.png |
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| − | Nelson in bed with a young Will in S1 E6.png |
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| − | Nelson Gardner shirtless and with his mask on in S1 E6.png |
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| − | The Minutemen in S1 E6.jpg |
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| − | </gallery> |
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| − | |||
| − | ==Navigation== |
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| − | {{Characters}} |
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| − | {{references}} |
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:Gardner Nelson}} |
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[[Category:Characters]] |
[[Category:Characters]] |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Watchmen Characters]] |
| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Watchmen Sourcebook Characters]] |
| − | [[Category:Deceased]] |
+ | [[Category:Deceased Characters]] |
| + | [[Category:Minutemen Members]] |
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| + | [[Category:Crimebusters Members]] |
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[[Category:LGBT Characters]] |
[[Category:LGBT Characters]] |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Villains]] |
| + | [[Category:Watchmen: Who Watches the Watchmen? Characters]] |
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| + | [[Category:Villains (Original)]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:08, 24 January 2024
- For other versions of Gardner, see Captain Metropolis (disambiguation).
"Please! Don't all leave! Someone has to do it, don't you see? Someone has to save the world!!!"
—Captain Metropolis to the Crimebusters
Nelson Gardner, known publicly as Captain Metropolis, was the organizer, founder, and leader of the Minutemen. As a retired Marine, Gardner used his tactical knowledge to organize the team against enemies that had to be fought with numbers, almost always proving successful. He acted as the lover of Hooded Justice, a relationship that was hidden from the public eye. After the split of the Minutemen and HJ's disappearance, Gardner enthusiastically attempted to form a second team known as the Crimebusters, but it fell apart the same day it was formed. Years later, he was decapitated in a car crash in 1974.
Biography
Minutemen
Nelson Gardner was advising the New York City Police Department on urban warfare strategies when he was inspired by Hooded Justice to become a masked vigilante, adopting the guise of Captain Metropolis.
Using the skills he acquired in the military, he meticulously shaped his Captain Metropolis persona and attempted to eradicate organized crime in urban areas. He decided that coordinating a team of masked adventurers would be more effective against crime than each of them acting independently.
He contacted Larry Schexnayder, a talent agent representing Sally Jupiter, aka Silk Spectre, informing him that he devised codes, passwords and strategic exercises for the "The New Minutemen" and asked for his cooperation. He signed as "Captain Metropolis" and left the name of "Nelson Gardner" as his representative.[1] Once Gardner collaborated with Larry on forming the superhero team, the Minutemen were born: consisting of Silk Spectre, Silhouette, Nite Owl, The Comedian, Mothman, and Dollar Bill.
But Captain Metropolis was not ready to take the Minutemen public yet. He needed Hooded Justice and he worked diligently to track down the vigilante and recruit him to the team. Once Hooded Justice, the masked vigilante who had inspired the movement, was recruited Gardner felt secured in his decision and he introduced the Minutemen to the press.
Throughout his time with the Minutemen, Captain Metropolis took on various criminals and supervillains including Moloch, Screaming Skull, King Mob, and Captain Axis.
Though it was publicized that Silk Spectre was in a relationship with Hooded Justice, it is all but confirmed today that Nelson and Hooded Justice were in a relationship and Silk Spectre was merely playing the part for the added publicity - and possibly being paid by Nelson. When Ursula Zandt's lesbianism was outed by the press, and despite their homosexuality, Metropolis and H.J. voted her out as the revelation would damage the team's image.
When United States entered World War II in December 7, 1941, Captain Metropolis reactivated his military status to go fight. Gardner returned home unharmed and resumed his secret relationship with Hooded Justice.[2]
In 1949, Captain Metropolis disbanded the Minutemen following a series of tragedies and scandals that befell the team.
Afterward
In the 1950s, the House UnAmerican Activities Committee demanded that all costumed adventurers to reveal their identity. Because of his exemplary military service, Gardner was given a passing grade by the HUAC.
In 1960 as a representative of the former masked adventurers Gardner was asked about his opinion about Doctor Manhattan, the first person with superpowers; in obvious tension, Nelson just said that they were "pleased" for him.[3] To maintain his physical physique, Nelson followed a strict regimen of Canadian Air Force Exercises, but his beer belly had started to show.[4] Later that year, Gardner along with former and new costumed heroes attended a Red Cross charity event[4] and was seen troubled, talking with the Comedian.[3]
Around 1962 he reunited at Sally Jupiter's house along with Hollis Mason and Byron Lewis, and thirteen-year-old Laurie Juspeczyk met them.[5] That year he read Mason's book Under the Hood where his relationship with Hooded Justice was revealed.
Forming the Crimebusters
Crimebusters era.
In April of 1966, Gardner attempted to come out of retirement to form a new league of extrajudicial avengers, the Crimebusters. He invited Rorschach, the second Nite Owl, the second Silk Spectre, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, and former Minutemen teammate the Comedian, and spoke of tackling the "social ills" of America. But his plans never fully came to fruition; the Comedian (who knew that the world was no longer the same place it was in the Minutemen era in the aftermath of Doctor Manhattan and the looming threat of nuclear warfare) mocked him for wanting to "dress up" and play "cowboys and Indians", and further accused the older hero of seeking personal glory and a sort of mid-life crisis, which Metropolis insisted wasn't true. As the would-be members filed out, Metropolis begged them not to leave, telling them that someone had to "save the world." The crime display that he worked so hard on was burned and destroyed by the Comedian. Gardner permanently retired shortly thereafter.[6]
Death
On the night of October 3, 1974, Gardner is decapitated in a motor vehicle collision. There has been some speculation on whether it was suicide or simply an accident.
Personality
Owing to his military background, he had a strategic approach for crime-fighting, as he was the brain behind the Minutemen and later the failed Crimebusters. He was also polite and reserved.[7] Though a soldier and a de facto leader, Metropolis often appeared timid, weak-willed and easily flustered.
Although a gay man, Gardner had conservative and racist views and during his time in the Minutemen, according to Hollis Mason in his memoir Under The Hood, he made racist comments regarding the blacks and the Hispanics.[8]. It can be seen from the display in the Crimebusters scene that Gardner's views were very conservative, even reactionary. He regarded the liberal sentiments of the '60s as "social evils" that the Crimebusters should crush; furthermore, he was concerned by "Black Unrest", "Campus Subversion" and "Anti-War Demos".[6] It would seem that the world he wished to save was that of respectable, White 1950s America and the "social ills" he feared were the changes and political upheaval of the 60s.
Trivia
- He is named after the DC Comics writers E. Nelson Bridwell and Gardner Fox, the former known for decades as being "DC's continuity cop", while the later was the creator behind some of the company's most iconic superhero characters from the 1930s and 40s, such as Hawkman, Doctor Fate, the Flash (Jay Garrick), and the Justice Society of America; which the Minutemen are based on.
- The Comedian's remarks to Gardener of accusing him of being nothing more than a grown man "playing cowboys and Indians" maybe a reference to Le Chiffre's scornful reference to James Bond's adventurous career as "a game of Red Indians" while the cold war was in fact "a game for grown-ups" in Ian Fleming's novel Casino Royale.
- An alternative possibility was that Nelson Gardner staged his own death and survives to the story's present-day of 1985, and indeed appears within the story imagery, is explored in The Fate of Hooded Justice and Captain Metropolis, thus leaving his fate ambiguous.
- As Nelson Gardner got older, he begins a strict regimen of Canadian Air Force exercises to try and stay in shape. However, there is no evidence that he actually served in that military organization.