The Curse of Skeleton Munroe

Category: Scar

  • MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 866: THE SCAR

    (Wonderworld Comics 014, 1940)

    The Scar is a fairly ordinary crypto-fascist spy chief – in his first appearance he is leading a gang of incompetents in a plot to blow up a Europe-bound supply ship, for example – but I’ll be danged if he isn’t well suited to his nickname. Most guys named Scar in 1940s comics are maybe rocking one big facial scar, while our friend here not only has three, but is missing at least one ear! Whatever happened to this guy, he earned that nickname.

    The Scar’s other remarkable property is that he manages to return to vex super-spy K-51 on three separate occasions. In his second appearance, in Wonderworld Comics 015, he spearheads a plan to disrupt the burgeoning US air forces by sabotaging the training program and thus discouraging future applicants. K-51 of course foils this plan as well, but not before the Scar scampers off into the undergrowth and escapes.

    During the Scar’s final appearance, in Wonderworld Comics 016, he is attempting to secure some super-power-inducing powders invented by a Dr Barrow but is unable to do so before Barrow gives them to K-51. When K-51 then decides to use the powders to hunt down the Scar, the spy is so alarmed by the sight of a tiny man wielding a machine gun that he loses all control of his body and topples through a window to his doom. Truly an ignominious end for a slightly better-than-average spy.

  • MINOR SUPER-VILLAIN 866: THE SCAR

    (Wonderworld Comics 014, 1940)

    The Scar is a fairly ordinary crypto-fascist spy chief – in his first appearance he is leading a gang of incompetents in a plot to blow up a Europe-bound supply ship, for example – but I’ll be danged if he isn’t well suited to his nickname. Most guys named Scar in 1940s comics are maybe rocking one big facial scar, while our friend here not only has three, but is missing at least one ear! Whatever happened to this guy, he earned that nickname.

    The Scar’s other remarkable property is that he manages to return to vex super-spy K-51 on three separate occasions. In his second appearance, in Wonderworld Comics 015, he spearheads a plan to disrupt the burgeoning US air forces by sabotaging the training program and thus discouraging future applicants. K-51 of course foils this plan as well, but not before the Scar scampers off into the undergrowth and escapes.

    During the Scar’s final appearance, in Wonderworld Comics 016, he is attempting to secure some super-power-inducing powders invented by a Dr Barrow but is unable to do so before Barrow gives them to K-51. When K-51 then decides to use the powders to hunt down the Scar, the spy is so alarmed by the sight of a tiny man wielding a machine gun that he loses all control of his body and topples through a window to his doom. Truly an ignominious end for a slightly better-than-average spy.

  • GENERIC COSTUMED VILLAIN ROUND-UP 008

     

    The Scar was a spymaster encountered and captured by adventurer Biff Bronson and maybe if he dressed like that all of the time he’d have an entry of his own but no, he had just left the opera. (More Fun Comics 067, 1941)

    This bunch work for the villainous Count Parla and his pal Eddie in a classic case of “work your way into polite society in order to set up a big score”. If there’s a non-evil Count in comics I have yet to encounter him. Beaten up by Captain Desmo in a rare unhelmeted appearance. (More Fun Comics 069, 1941) 

    This unnamed fellow got up to all kinds of hijinks on a train, including murder, espionage and impersonating a conductor. Seen here inadvertently unmasking a crossdressing thief – it was a very busy adventure for Captain Desmo. (More Fun Comics 070, 1941)

    Johnny Quick’s first outing features one of my favourite comic book things: a series of vignettes of prior cases to establish Johnny’s bona fides vis-a-vis crimefighting. Two of the adventures in question involve what would almost certainly have been Minor Super-Villain entries if they were featured players, so here’s to you, the Pharaoh’s Mummy and the Murderous Musician (and the Money-Mad Miser, not pictured) (More Fun Comics 071, 1941)