Although Atlas/Marvel had largely given up on superheroes by 1956, there was an attempt at a super-villain-like character in The Yellow Claw (June 1956). The Yellow Claw was 150 years old, as well as a genius with supernatural powers allowing him to see into the past and future. He was opposed by Jimmy Woo, an […]
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Comic book historians like to call the appearance of the Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen) in Showcase #4 (July 1956) the beginning of the Silver Age of Comic Books. From my standpoint, having gone through the first twenty years of superhero comic books, I don’t think there is single defining moment. I believe the Silver […]
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Well it happened enough to Superman, so I guess it was Batman and Robin’s turn to get amnesia. In Detective Comics #234 (June 1956), the dynamic duo is subject to a “sonic beam” that completely robs them of their memories of who they are. Some nice detective skills are exhibited as the pair piece together […]
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In Marvel’s Uncanny Tales #45 (May 1956), a short story “The Men With Green Blood”. In it, a doctor investigates a corpse who had green blood and uncovers a group of older men who identify themselves as mutants and have “mentalities and strange developing powers”, operating in secret to benefit humanity.
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In Action Comics #218 (May 1956), Superman encounters a talking, super-strong, intelligent ape who turns out to be from the planet Krypton. The apes were shot into space by a scientist, Shir Khan, who was too cautious and died in the explosion of Krypton. Superman unites Super-Ape with his kindred who were sent to other […]
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In Superman #106 (May 1956), Luthor invents a metallic allow that absorbs the energy Superman generates within a 100-mile radius and tricks Superman into performing several impressive super-feats to charge up the suit. Luckily Superman gets wise and fishes out some kryptonite to drain himself, which somehow drains the battle-suit, foiling Luthor’s plans.
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In Detective Comics #233 (May 1956), Batwoman makes her exciting debut, challenging Batman and Robin to keep up with her. Batwoman is Kathy Kane, an heiress who was once a “circus daredevil performer”. In typical misogynist fashion, Batman tries to convince Kathy that her antics are too dangerous – and Kathy agrees to give up […]
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Speaking of Kryptonian robots, Superboy #49 (April 1956) features another one that Superboy discovers while trapped on an asteroid that is surrounded by kryptonite dust, trapping him there. The robot has the name “Metallo”, which is later used for a series of Superman villains.
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In Action Comics #216 (March 1956), Superman encounters a series of menaces on Earth that lead him to believe an evil Superman is operating on Earth. As he employs his detective skills, he discovers that “person” operating the menaces is actually a robot from Krypton created by his father, Jor-El to prevent war on his […]
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In the Batman feature of Detective Comics #231 (March 1956), Robin learns that early in his crime-fighting career, Batman took on a partner called “Batman Junior”. Batman Junior was John Vance, a rando kid who got caught up in a case of Batman’s. Robin exhibits jealousy and sadness at not being special, but Batman assures […]
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