MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 042: THE GORILLA

(More Fun 048, 1939)

A man has a mental health crisis and starts living in a swamp, emerging only to mug strangers. That's a sad story! Put a gorilla costume on him though... a compelling villain!

MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 039: THE SLUGGER

(More Fun 043, 1939)

A common or garden-variety mugger, the Slugger's technique (sneak up and bash 'em on the head) and the frequency of his attacks lead to a lot of press coverage, starting a city-wide panic (as in our previous entry). In response, the Slugger leans into it, up to and including sending taunting messages to the police, a favourite villainous move of mine. Crime can't be seen to pay in a comic book, though, so he is eventually hauled in by the Radio Squad.

The Slugger represents my absolute lowest level baseline version of the super-villain by dint of scale of crime. While I'm sure that there are other super-muggers out there to be discovered, I will be very surprised if I encounter another uncostumed, non-powered one.