MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 204: THE MAN WITH THE TERRIBLE MACHINE

(Crack Comics 017, 1941)

The Man With the Terrible Machine (aka the Man with the Terrific Name) shows up one day in the far-off world of 2441 AD and lets humanity know that he will destroy the planet using his terrible machine in 24 hours, for no particular reason. Understandably, worldwide panic ensues.

When scientist Dr Dram shows up and says that he can stop the terrible machine if only he can get enough gold, he gets full cooperation! And it works! Because Dr Dram and the Man With the Terrible Machine were one and the same! It was all a big con!

MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 203: BLACKBEARD

(Crack Comics 016, 1941)

I keep saying that space pirates are too thick on the ground to include every one despite my inclinations but Blackbeard here overruled me on several fronts, including:

-Overall look: that's basically a perfect look for a futuristic pirate (it's not obvious from this image but I reckon that he's shirtless under the coat, btw). Maybe swap the beret out for a more traditional hat but that would be the only thing I'd change.

-Name: can't go wrong with a classic.

-Henchmen:

Blackbeard's crew are the Outlaws of Jupiter, and their names are things like One-Arm Ganz, Patch-Eye Tork and Half-Face McGurk. And Gilene, of course, who seems not to have suffered any sort of nickname-worthy injury.

It's all great stuff, even though Blackbeard's only attempted crime - hijack a shipment of ray guns - is foiled immediately by the Space Legion.

MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 197: CAPTAIN X

(Crack Comics 012-013, 1941)

It doesn't take much to push a space pirate over the line into super-villain status, and Captain X's name and costume are more than enough to do so for me. Plus, she has two whole appearances! What's that? Yes I said "she" because you see...

CAPTAIN X IS A WOMAN!

Yes, it's the ol' gender switcheroo, which is perhaps not as mind-blowing in 2022 as it was in 1941. Evidently, though, it's almost unthinkable by 2441.

MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 189: THE MASTER BRAIN

(Crack Comics 007, 1940)

Comics set in the future feature a lot of villains who would be suitable for inclusion here if it weren't for the fact that they are rendered unremarkable by context. Rock Braddon of the Space Legion, hero of this piece, has for instance faced off against several very villainous space pirates and alien conquerors over the prior six issue of Crack Comics, but the Master Brain is his first foe to make the cut.

The Master Brain (also styled the Brain Master) kidnaps brilliant men and, with the help of his brain-stealing machine and his pal Gor, sucks the knowledge out of their heads and into his own. A classic scheme, with a classic consequence: the Master Brain's brain gets too much brain in it, and goes insane. A shame.