In the Superman story of World’s Finest Comics #7 (July 1942), Superman is shown spending time in his “mountain retreat”, working out and staying fit. This is the first sort of expanding of the Superman storylines to feature things he would do in his off-hours between adventures.
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In July 1942, Wonder Woman joins the ranks of Superman, Batman, Flash and Green Lantern in getting her own self-titled regular comic book. Wonder Woman #1 features a much expanded origin story both of Wonder Woman and of the Amazons, including Queen Hippolyte (later Hippolyta) facing off against a ridiculously muscle-bound Hercules.
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Detective Comics #66 (June 1942) saw the introduction of another great macabre Batman villain: Two-Face! This origin story features everything: Handsome public defender, angry criminal court scene, acid splash and then a psychotic break into a supervillain with a fascination for the number 2. The only difference from the modern day version is that he […]
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In June 1942, Superman gains a new supervillain in his roster: The Prankster. Looking like a creepy human representation of a vaudeville style ventriloquist dummy, complete with half-lidded eyes, he plagues Superman with practical joke-themed crimes.
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Not to be out-done by Superman’s nesting, Batman #12 (June 1942) continues to deepen the Batman mythos by offering two glimpses into how Bruce Wayne celebrates his mission against crime (which is really an excuse to adventure in tights, at this point): A Hall of Trophies and a detailed glimpse at the secret lair, which […]
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By Superman #17 (May 1942), Superman has built a “mountain sanctuary”, not-yet-called a Fortress of Solitude, but looking a hell of a lot like it. Here Superman puts the finishing touches on its construction.
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In Marvel Mystery Comics #32 (April 1942), the Red Skull unmasks Captain America and discovers his secret identity as Steve Rogers. I believe this is the first time a villain learns the secret identity of a costumed hero and survives.
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In All-Star Comics #11 (April 1942), members of the Justice Society of America decide to join the United States armed forces as civilians to help with World War II. Eventually, the generals decide that having super-powered civilians in the forces is too disruptive, so they decide to form the Justice Battalion of America. In the […]
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Wonder Woman gains her iconic weapon (?), the Lasso of Truth in Sensation Comics #6 (April 1942). But it was more than just forcing her enemies to tell the truth, it forced them to do her bidding.
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U.S. comic books keep up their strong support for World War II throughout 1942. In March 1942, almost every comic book had their heroes fighting the Japanese or the Germans. In the March 1942 issue of Marvel Mystery Comics (#31), the Human Torch gives it to the Japanese.
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