Saturday, February 3, 2024

MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 442: GAT ARAT

(Mystery Men Comics 023, 1941)


I think that Gat Arat's name doesn't mean anything, that it's just a guy with the unusual surname "Arat" and the nickname "Gat", but it bothers me. I feel like I should be able to extract meaning from it. Is it a reference to 40s popular culture? Is he supposed to look like a rat? No idea.

Confusing name or not, it turns out that Gat Arat has taken a lesson from the dearly departed Dr Krug, he of the exploding gorillas, only instead of trying to destroy NYC York City using hard-to-acquire primates he is extorting NYC York City using easily-sourced birds. He also demonstrates his temper via one of the more striking methods I have ever seen: hurled explosive pigeon.

There's a lot of running around and birds exploding and deathtraps but what it all comes down to in the end is that Gat Arat never considers that any of his explosive pigeons might return to him, a frankly major oversight. Still, he manages to survive a bird-based train explosion unlike his three cronies so he has a chance to learn from his mistakes.

BONUS HONOURS: the Blue Beetle is thanked on the radio by the Mayor of New York York City, whoever he is.

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