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Category: 1939

SUPER-VILLAIN FILE 003: NAMOR THE SUB-MARINER

SUPER-VILLAIN FILE 003: NAMOR THE SUB-MARINER

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(Marvel Comics 001, 1939*) No character in comics history swings more wildly and frequently between super-villain and super-hero than Namor the Sub-Mariner, Prince of Atlantis, and since as established in the case of Spy Smasher and Smasher Spy we treat the villainous and heroic actions of the same individual as different subjects we must start with Namor the villain (Namor the hero here). Namor’s origin is a relatively simple one, and to my knowledge one that has remained fairly unchanged to…

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SUPER-HERO FILE 006: THE ANGEL

SUPER-HERO FILE 006: THE ANGEL

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(Marvel Comics 001, 1939) A two-fisted vigilante in the Batman mode, the Angel was a big enough name in Marvel’s Golden Age comics that it would be kind of surprising that he has never really been revived post-Silver Age if not for the fact that his name was, and that the subsequent and ongoing popularity of the X-Men means that there was always a full “Angel” slot on the Marvel roster. On top of this (and probably because of this) the Angel…

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SUPER-HERO FILE 005: THE HUMAN TORCH

SUPER-HERO FILE 005: THE HUMAN TORCH

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(Marvel Comics 001, 1939) The Human Torch! The first major (and first overall) Marvel super-hero, despite the fact that my disorganized ass is writing about him third! The Human Torch is a synthetic man, aka an android (aka a synthezoid, which as far as I can tell means “cooler android” and won’t come into use until the 60s anyway) and created by Professor “Not Yet Phineas” Horton. Later stories will add all kinds of influences on and collaborators with Horton…

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MINOR SUPER-HERO ROUND-UP 104

MINOR SUPER-HERO ROUND-UP 104

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Here are some very minor Marvel Comics super-heroes, or at least super-hero adjacent comic book adventurers. the Masked Raider: The Masked Raider is actually Jim Gardley, a small-time rancher in the town of Cactusville (which has apparently been officially placed in California? the hell?) is run off his land and framed as a rustler by crooked business interests. Adopting his masked persona and acquiring a souped-up horse named Lightning, he strikes back at his persecutors and goes on to spread…

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MONSTER, CRITTER AND CREATURE ROUND-UP 001

MONSTER, CRITTER AND CREATURE ROUND-UP 001

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I’ve threatened to do it for long enough, it’s time for the creatures to have their day. Alligator Men: Our very first creatures are also our first tough call. Steel Sterling fights these Alligator Men in Brazonia, South America while on the trail of Dr Yar (aka the Black Knight), and with any group of intelligent humanoids there is the question: did our villain make them using the power of mad science, or did he find them in the jungle…

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CATALOGUE OF WOUNDS 011

CATALOGUE OF WOUNDS 011

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We regret to inform you that more super-heroes have been wounded. the Blue Beetle:  The very first thing that happens in the very first Blue Beetle comic: Dan “the Blue Beetle” Garret gets shot in the left arm. (Mystery Men Comics 001, 1939) Domino the Miracle Boy: It’s a miracle (a boy miracle?) that Domino survives 1941, because he gets hit by a dang car. (Green Mask v1 006, 1941) Not two issues later, Domino gets shot in the ever-popular…

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MEDIA IN COMICS 008

MEDIA IN COMICS 008

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We’re not out of the extremely crusty scan woods yet, but the media of comics must be recorded, folks. Hang in there. Books: When Diamond Jack defeats his early foe the Witch and transforms her book of magic into 1000 Ways to Cook Spinach, there is one big unanswered question: did this spinach cookbook already exist or did his ring magically compile 1000 recipes on its own? (Slam-Bang Comics 001, 1940) Early Batman foe the Wolf, meanwhile, got his start…

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CATALOGUE OF WOUNDS 010

CATALOGUE OF WOUNDS 010

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I’m beginning to think that the super-hero scene is pretty hazardous. the Blue Bolt:  The Blue Bolt’s first outing against the Green Sorceress is marred by the fact that he gets near-fatally clawed by her vulturoid monsters. (Blue Bolt v1 001, 1940) the Cloak:  Jeff Cardiff, aka the Spy-Master, aka the Spay-Chief and the future Cloak, gets a classic skull crease. On purpose! This is the way that that goon chose to knock him out! Such confidence! (Big Shot 002,…

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MINOR SUPER-HERO ROUND-UP 096

MINOR SUPER-HERO ROUND-UP 096

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Even the most minor of super-heroes gets the chance to shine brightly in the Round-Up. Super-American: I can’t decide if I’m surprised or not that the development of the archetype of the patriotic hero was so rapid as to produce a character called “Super-American” less than a year after the debut of Captain America. He’s simultaneously straight out to the sketchbook of a 60s underground comix guy (or indeed a more modern edgy comics guy) and a perfectly ordinary 1940s…

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REAL PERSON ROUND-UP 026

REAL PERSON ROUND-UP 026

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Once again we point and go “Hey. It’s that guy.” Adolf Hitler: Captain Courageous has to deal with a few pseudo-Nazis working for Hitler-alike Hinkler. (Banner Comics 003, 1941)  Real Hitler takes a scheme-foiling by Vulcan pretty hard. (Four Favorites 001, 1941) Devil’s Island: Captain America and Bucky infiltrate Devil’s Island to free a prisoner who is not only a victim of carceral justice taken to unjust extremes but also as an arm of the Nazi government in France. (Captain America Comics…

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