274 – Super Memory Loss Again

For the second time in two years, Superman loses his memory in Superman #32 (November 1944). This time, it’s a new brain tissue analysis machine and Superman, wishing to further science, volunteers only to discover too late that his brain is actually vulnerable. This is the first time Superman tries to piece together his own […]

Read More »

273 – Psycho-Pirate and Those Meddling Kids

Although he is a far cry from his Silver Age counterpart, the Golden Age Psycho-Pirate makes his debut in All-Star Comics #23 (November 1944). Charles Halstead, a frustrated linotyper, commits crimes based on emotions and challenges the Justice Society of America. He has no powers and would not merit a mention in this blog if […]

Read More »

272 – In the Year 3000

In Batman #26 (October 1944), a story was featured about a man taking up the mantle of Batman and inspiring the next generation to fight for their independence from Saturn invaders… It featured a twist in that the man who becomes the Batman from the Year 3000 is actually a direct descendant of Bruce Wayne.

Read More »

271 – Manipulating Heads

I had to laugh at this super-clunky advertisement that I came across in Captain America #43 (October 1944). I guess it’s pretty clear what kind of audience that Timely Publications believed they had: 98-pound weaklings, greasy teens, and wannabe radio technicians. That actually sounds about right…

Read More »

270 – Moar Villains

In Sensation Comics #36 (October 1944), Wonder Woman is beset by a league of her villains all at once. From left-to-right we have Giganta, the Duke of Deception, Blakfu of the Mole Men, Cheetah, Queen Clea of Atlantis, Doctor Psycho, and the ringleader of this story – a jealous actor named Bedwin Footh.

Read More »

269 – Patsy Walker

Timely Comics (aka Marvel Comics these days) introduced a new female character in Miss America Comics #2 (September 1944): Patsy Walker. Although the Patsy Walker feature was in the “teen humor” genre, like Archie, I did learn from Wikipedia that she is an important character for Marvel because she one of the few that bridged […]

Read More »

267 – Solomon Grundy

Speaking of rogues galleries of villains, one popular DC character that did not have one for many years was the Golden Age Green Lantern. That finally changed in All-American Comics #61 (August 1944) with the introduction of Solomon Grundy – an evil spirit encased in a physical body made of swamp matter.

Read More »

266 – First Batman Villain Team-up

In Batman #25 (August 1944), the Joker and the Penguin team up for the first time to try and foil Batman and Robin. By this time, Batman definitely had the most interesting rogues gallery of villains, so this team-up must have been pretty interesting to see!

Read More »