In the Golden Age, only a couple superheroes had compelling rosters of supervillains – in DC it was really only the “trinity”: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The other major heroes (Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, Aquaman, etc) were missing a compelling set of villains. Hawkman got his first nemesis with The Monocle in Flash […]
Read More »
Colonel Darnell helps Wonder Woman foil an evil plot of Countess Draska – (a replacement villain for Baroness Paula) in Sensation Comics #40 (February 1945). As a result, he ends up being promoted to a General. I like how Wonder Woman at least tried to do an actual love triangle for awhile.
Read More »
The war was still going strong in January 1945 when “Johnny Everyman” stories began to show up in DC’s World’s Finest Comics. In Worlds’ Finest #17, the installment describes the story of Ralph, an African American soldier and a friend of Johnny Everyman, as he returns to the United States a decorated war hero. Johnny […]
Read More »
As the Superman writers begin to cast about for fresh ideas, I am sure they were heavily influenced by the Captain Marvel Family and wanted to capture the young reader fantasy like Captain Marvel Jr and Mary Marvel did. Superboy debuts for the first time in More Fun Comics #101 (November 1944). This Superboy is […]
Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Lois continues to fly solo in her own strip. In Superman #31 (August 1944), Perry White admits that Lois Lane is one of the best reporters he’s ever worked with.
Read More »
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 »
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 »