Life, 1918-05-02 · page 36 of 40
Life — May 2, 1918 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a **WWI-era advertisement** for *McClure's Magazine* (May issue), not a political cartoon. It promotes a serialized story called "Licking the Huns" by H.C. Witwer. **Context for modern readers:** The image shows what appears to be a military surrender scene. The caption references July 4th at Metz with the "Crown Prince" surrendering to General Pershing—this is **speculative fiction**, a "prophecy" of Allied victory that hadn't yet occurred when published. "The Huns" was a dehumanizing WWI-era slur for Germans. The story promises American readers a thrilling narrative: a young U.S. captain goes "over the top" (into combat), gets captured in Berlin, and witnesses Germany's imminent collapse from inside enemy territory. **The satire's appeal:** The ad markets patriotic escapism and reassurance about American victory during the ongoing war, positioning the magazine as essential reading ("big 'buy' for May"). The star-bordered frame emphasizes nationalist sentiment. This reflects 1918 American war propaganda and popular entertainment designed to boost morale and magazine sales simultaneously.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
On Jaly 4th, at Metz, the Crown Prince Sarrendered to General Pershing. Licking the Huns! YOUNG American captain leads his men ‘‘over the top.”’ He finds himself, a few hours later, a prisoner in the hot- bed of militarism—Berlin. He learns at first-hand how Germany will collapse. H. C. WITWER tells the captain’s story in May ‘ Win-the-War’”’ McCLURE’S. _ His three-part narrative, “LICKING THE HUNS,” is a thrilling, logical prophecy of how the Allies will win the war. Not since “The Conquest of America” has McCLURE'’S printed so amazing a glimpse into the future. ‘“‘LICKING THE HUNS” will be talked about from Alaska to the front line trenches. There is a battalion of other big ‘‘ win-the-war ’”’ features in this issue. It is the big magazine “buy” for May—and for every month thereafter! Buy it now! 15c everywhere May Mc CLURES comicbooksieeniy