MINOR SUPER-HERO ROUND-UP 091

Have a few mid-tier minor super-heroes, for a change.

the Black Terror:

Pharmacist Bob Benton is the kind of guy who will step in when a little kid is being roughed up by thugs, but despite this he is pretty relentlessly bullied by city Comptroller Rodney Clark* and (in a less overt but still insidious way) their mutual love interest Jean Starr.

* Clark is such a bully, in fact, that I assumed that he was going to eventually turn out to be crooked but instead he gets murdered** after a couple of issues.

** In fact I was wrong when I wrote this: he is merely almost  murdered and seemingly never recovers sufficiently to return to the comic. I guess I was just hoping that he would get murdered because he is, again, such a bully.

Perhaps because of this, Benton spends his spare time working on a "tonic for run-down people," or so he says. I assume that he's going for something closer to anabolic steroids, and thanks to his new assistant Tim Roland (the kid who was getting beaten up earlier), he stumbles upon the formula for something even better: formic ether! 

Thanks to those sweet sweet formic ether fumes, Benton becomes a super-human and in a real break for society decides to keep on being a decent guy rather than setting out for revenge on all those people who pushed him around when he was weak (though he does take the opportunity to give Rodney Clark a black eye every issue until he's murdered he retires). He gets his super suit in the most efficient way possible: by sending Tim down to the costume shop to see what they have in stock.

The formic ethers give Benton tremendous strength and a sort of mid-tier invulnerability: he can shrug off a sock on the jaw no problem, and eventually proves to be bulletproof, but he gets knocked around and knocked out an awful lot. (Exciting Comics 009, 1941)

Tim Roland:

Though Bob tells Tim that he can't join him on his quest for vigilante glory, he also just kind of leaves a smoking bottle of super power serum sitting out where anyone can get it - frankly he's lucky not to have to team up with Rodney Clark. Instead, Tim - who has had the foresight to pick up a second costume for himself, but not to pick a super-hero name - huffs a little formic ether and gets straight to busting heads.

Tim is the rare Golden Age sidekick who appears to be legitimately around eight to ten years old, instead of a stocky thirteen to fifteen like so many of his peers. Even more remarkably, he stays roughly in this age bracket for a couple of years, as far as can be ascertained (multiple artists mean that his height fluctuates quite a lot, but he pretty consistently wears short pants in his civilian identity). He's also one of those orphan boys who just kind of falls into a super-guy's orbit and becomes adopted by default. (Exciting Comics 009, 1941)

The Black Terror dabbles in the common practice of leaving a calling card in his first appearance, and makes the baffling decision to go with his domino mask as a design, rather than the cool skull-and-crossbones on his chest.

Categorized in: Accessories (Calling Cards), Body (Emotions - Terror), Origins (Chemical Mutates), Origins (Sidekicks)

the Sphinx **UPDATE**:

The Sphinx adopts the identity of the Domino Kid in order to have a very brief boxing career. (Exciting Comics 012, 1941)

Categorized in: Origins (Secondary Identities)

the Liberator:

Like many super-heroes, the Liberator starts out as a weedy nerd. Specifically, he is Dr Nelson Drew, lecturer in Chemistry at Claflin College. He is, troublingly, in love with Annabel, one of his students, who also serves as one of his major bullies - she is not only bored by chemistry (but you chose to take the course, Annabel!) but also scornful of Drew for caring about it when so much is afoot in the world, but... I don't actually know what her problem is? Like, chemistry was wildly consequential to the US war effort? Perhaps if he taught a social science I could see her point of view, if not agree with it. 

While doing a little light research into Ancient Egyptian poisons (okay, this is arguably inconsequential), Drew discovers the lost formula for a drug called Lamesis which will supposedly make one into their physical ideal. Though skeptical, he brews up a batch and since his lab safety appears to be nonexistent (troubling indeed for a guy who is researching poisons) he immediately gets a snootful of the stuff, and  turns into a big ol' hunk. I really enjoy how viscerally unpleasant the transformation process looks here - sadly this transformation conceit doesn't last more than a couple of issues.

This unexpected transformation isn't a dream come true for Drew, and he spends his first outing in his new body - the Lamesis turns out to be a temporary thing, you see - trying to figure out how to turn back, and engages in his first bout of super-heroism after discovering that the scientist he was trying to consult with had been murdered by fascists. 

I also enjoy the origin of the Liberator's costume: there are plenty of super-heroes going around in their old Halloween costumes, but he might be the only one who gets his outfit by stealing someone else's. Would he have become such an explicitly patriotic hero if he hadn't ended up in a star-spangled shirt? (Exciting Comics 015, 1941)

Categorized in: Accessories (Drugs), Day Jobs (College Professors), Origins (Patriotic Heroes)

VERY MINOR UPDATES:

John Thesson, aka the Son of the Gods, after being a character of no fixed address for his first several appearances, finally settles down: he was in Washington DC in Exciting Comics 006, but it wasn't until 007 that it became clear that that is where he chose to hang his hat and offer his services to the US Government.

The Mask sheds two of his assistants, Silk and Butch, as of Exciting Comics 007, and becomes of interest to the law somewhere between 009 and 010. 

MEDIA IN COMICS 002

Fictional books, fictional movies, fictional stage shows: it's media in comics time! 

Books:

Dexter, a friend of Ellsworth "the Sphinx" Forrester, has written a book titled Who's Who in Murder which is one of those grand exposes that causes everyone in crimedom to attempt to kill the author before they can publish. That's gotta be great publicity. (Exciting Comics 010, 1941)

While Guns Make Dust is very plot relevant in this Ellery Queen mystery, as a doped-up stamp thief hides his prize in one of three copies in a local bookstore and subsequently murders several people in search of the right one, we never learn much about the book itself. I think it's a Western, personally. (Crackajack Funnies 024, 1940)

We learn even less about Life of Lee, the book that gives DA Tom Kerry the idea that solves a big murder case. Could this be a biography perhaps? Of Robert E. Lee? (Big Shot Comics 007, 1940)

As we have established, there are many faux Hitlers in comics. Much more rare is the Hitler-alike who has written his own Mein Kampf analog, but such a one is Nargoff, aka the Leader, whose book The New Order is ultimately weaponized against him by the Spirit. (The Spirit, "The Leader," 29 December, 1940)

Magazines:

Roving photographer Fran Frazer works for Strife magazine, an obvious play on LIFE but one which neatly justifies the action-packed lifestyle of the comic book photog. (Top-Notch Comics 009, 1940)

Movies:

Real-life animal trainer Clyde Beatty plays some role in the fictional film Jungle Drama, but what it is we cannot say, other than the fact that it involves a lion. (Crackajack Funnies 023, 1940)

"Gabby Scoops" was a short-lived strip that was an awkward hybrid of goofy humour and crime action that ended after the titular hero went Hollywood and starred in the movie It's a Scoop! (Crackajack Funnies 030, 1940)

Shadow Devils, an espionage thriller with an unusual name, is one of those comic book movies that goes on shooting even after female lead Norda Noll is shot dead on-camera. Detective Charlie Chan eventually sorts it all out: it's all about horse racing somehow. (Big Shot Comics 001, 1940)

Dick Cole, aka the Wonder Boy, is roped into doing the stunts for a movie called Shining Star over his summer vacation. Interpersonal conflicts and murder attempts stretch the filming over a couple of issues, but it does eventually get made. It's even well received, despite being an incoherent hodgepodge of action setpieces! (Blue Bolt v1 005, 1940)

Theatre:

Like the movie that finishes production despite death an calamity, the play that continues its run while actor after actor is killed on stage is a real staple of the Golden Age mystery comic. Espionage is such a play, albeit with only one murder and a series of near-misses as the show's conductor fires poisoned darts out of his baton at those who he sees as standing between him and his love of the female lead. (Keen Detective Funnies v2 007, 1939)

MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 960: THE MAN IN THE HOOD

(Exciting Comics 008, 1941)

This fellow expends an awful lot of effort setting up and facilitating a city payroll robbery by gang boss Owney Biggers. He is eventually revealed to be City Treasurer Robert V. Shaw, who has set the whole thing up, double-crossed Biggers, faked his own death and murdered several people in order to cover up the fact that he had been embezzling city funds.

The most annoying thing about this annoying man (seriously, just an irritating character. True loser energy) is that he isn't actually called the Man in the Hood, or anything else for that matter. Instead, he is variously referred to as:

-a Menacing Form

-that Bozo on the Roof

-the Masked Attacker

-the Hooded Killer

-the Mysterious Assailant

-that Mug

-that Sneak in the Hood

-a Grim Figure

-that Rat in the Hood

-the Guy in the Hood

-the Killer

-the Mysterious Form

and "the Man in the Hood" is as good of a throughline as I could achieve from that mess.

Categorized in: Objects (Hoods), Origins (Faked Own Death), Theft (Embezzlers) 

CATALOGUE OF WOUNDS 008

Everybody gets shot now and then.

the Bronze Terror: 

The Bronze Terror is shot in the left arm during his first adventure by the wicked Scar Thornton, which gives him an excuse to show off his penchant for knocking out crooks' teeth. (Daredevil Comics 002, 1941)

Whiz, King of Falcons: 

Whiz is shot through the left wing by a Lord Haw-Haw analog, and since this is the one issue in which he has the power of speech, he gets to complain about it. (Daredevil Comics 001, 1941)

Trojak the Tiger Man: 

Clawed across the chest by a lion. (Daring Mystery Comics 002, 1940)

the Mask:

The Mask gets his head creased by a bullet. (Exciting Comics 007, 1941)

Sub-Zero: 

Sub-Zero has an eventful 1941: first he gets shot in the right shoulder while parachuting... (Blue Bolt v1 012, 1941)

 ... then breaks his right leg while in pursuit of a suspect... (Blue Bolt v2 001, 1941

... and finally gets his skull creased by some trigger-happy miscreants.  (Blue Bolt v2 005, 1941

the White Rider:

The White Rider gets himself generically shot during his very first attempt to mete out vigilante justice, and it's a lucky thing for him that he has Super Horse or there wouldn't be a second. (Blue Bolt v1 001, 1940)

Dr Miracle:

Dr Miracle takes a thrown stiletto to the right shoulder while he is physically merger with his manservant Akim, which might also make this a stiletto to Akim's shoulder as well. The physics of the situation are unclear. (Champ Comics 012, 1941)

the Sphinx:

Though he has in the past proved himself broadly invulnerable, the Sphinx is not immune to getting his skull creased by a bullet. (Exciting Comics 008, 1941) 

MINOR SUPER-HERO ROUND-UP 024

Buncha fresh heroes here!

Son of the Gods: 

Dr John Thesson, big tall archaeologist and 1940s arch-skeptic, has the misfortune to find himself on an expedition to Crete with true believer Professor Craig who can't stop running his mouth about how great Theseus was and how he totally existed and maybe Thesson and Craig can find Theseus' mystic Ring of Poseidon if they look hard enough. It is a very annoying expedition for Thesson.

Just kidding: this is a comic book and Professor Craig is completely right - it's John "We're Scientists" Thesson who has to get with the picture.

The expedition is rich with incident: on the way there the duo ore attacked by a wild boar and Thesson kills it...

... and then once they start the dig in earnest it is plagued by sabotage that is eventually traced back to their host Procostous and his manservant Cercion. This is the point at which the back of Professor Craig's head blows clean off and he starts talking about how Thesson is the reincarnation of Theseus and is reliving his famed Six Labours (he actually does half: Periphetes the Club Bearer and Sinis the Tree Bender appear only as recounted myths and Sciron is not mentioned at all. And to be honest Cercion = Cercyon is a bit flimsy. It's lucky for Professor Craig that he turns out to be correct. Again).

Surprising nobody, Thesson does indeed find the Ring of Poseidon after one last sabotage attempt that leaves Procrustous dead. This is enough for the local mystery cult to acclaim him the Reincarnation of Theseus and he vows to use the powers granted by the ring (super strength and a degree of invulnerability, mostly) to battle crime and injustice. I initially hoped that Theseus would have fun mythology-inspired adventures like the MLJ Hercules but no, it's all super-scientists and fascists - not even a hint of poor neglected Sciron and his giant turtle.

(later issues cast Thesson as a mere descendant of Theseus but whether this is because reincarnation was a but too mystical or due to simple sloppy record keeping I cannot say)

(the Minotaur only appears as one of Professor Craig's stories but I just wanted to highlight the rare bull-bodied version here) (Exciting Comics 002, 1940)

the Masked Rider:

Geologist Jim Sanford becomes the Masked Rider in order to catch crooks (including the Specter) operating a covert gold min under the Diamond D Ranch without them knowing he was onto them with specific geological knowledge. Unlike most of his peers, he has no trouble hanging up his mask once the job is done. (Exciting Comics 002, 1940)

the Sphinx:

The Sphinx is a tuxedo-clad, domino-masked vigilante (real name Ellsworth Forrester!), a perhaps over represented group in early comics but generally a solid one (I initially forgot the name of the Scarab from Terra Obscura and thought that he was this guy - imagine my confusion). The main difference between the Sphinx and his peers like the Clock or the Mouthpiece or Just n' Right is that the Sphinx is loosely affiliated with the police rather than being hunted by them.

The other main difference is the fact that the Sphinx is one of the few suit-and-mask heroes with legitimate super powers, specifically super strength and at least partial invulnerability.

Why is he called the Sphinx? As far as I can tell it's just because he's mysterious. (Exciting Comics 002, 1940)

UPDATE - the Golden Knight:

The Golden Knight stops off on his way to the Crusades to do a mission for Kara the Magician, who gifts him a magic ring that emits light in order to help him overcome the many dangers along the way and then a magic cloak of protection once he gets back - it's a very Dungeons & Dragons style quest, honestly.

The Golden Knight also takes a dip in a magic lake that triples his strength, which is handy for a warrior type. Does this strength persist? No idea. (Fantastic Comics 003, 1940)

 A couple of issues later, the Golden Knight meets the love of his life, Alice. Alice fell down a well as a child and was raised by (and eventually made queen of) a race of winged people in an underground city. Alice rules - in her first proper appearance she stabs two people to death which is way, way more than your typical female Golden Age adventurer. (Fantastic Comics 005, 1940)