Wonder Woman encounters a different version of Atlantis than the one introduced in Aquaman stories in Wonder Woman #8 (February 1944). In this version, Atlantis is rules by giant woman who have no respect for men, treating them as second-class citizens. As if to punctuate that, Steve Trevor is kidnapped and forced to wear butt-cheek […]
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Alfred the Butler becomes the first non-sidekick supporting character to get his own stories in Batman #22 (February 1944). Mostly focusing on Alfred’s bumbling attempts to be a successful detective, Alfred’s stories came long before Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen got their supporting stories in Superman comics.
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In More Fun Comics #96 (January 1944), Nabu – an ancient Chaldean wizard? – interrupts Doctor Fate’s sleep to take away his powers for 24 hours. But wait, more importantly – Doctor Fate sleeps face down in his full costume with his helmet on!
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Up until now, Jimmy Olsen has had very few appearances in the comic books. Mostly as an unnamed office boy, sometimes with blonde hair and sometimes with red. The one named appearance as “Jimmy” was back in Superman #13 (August 1941), but as far as I can tell, it wasn’t until World’s Finest Comics #13 […]
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In Batman #21 (December 1943), we find the first instance of a comic referencing a minor event in its continuity from a previous month in a footnote. In fairness, the thinning of Alfred the Butler was an atypical event in comic history at this point, since the goal was to generally keep the same formula […]
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Queen Hippolyta leaves Paradise Island for the first time to help out her daughter in Sensation Comics #26 (December 1943). She finds out Wonder Woman is being threatened, prays to Aphrodite to let her leave, and is granted her wish but cannot reveal her identity to anyone – even Diana. I also notice that Wonder […]
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Speaking of challenging Superman, the writers brought back Lois’ niece Susie Thompkins in Action Comics #68 (November 1943). Continuity problems already DC? For shame! Lois seems to have forgot that she introduced the two earlier in the year and Susie’s hair color has changed! I also liked two things about this issue: 1) The banter […]
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Speaking of over-powered god-like beings, the Roman God Mercury awakens in Superman #20 (November 1943) and causes mischief for Superman. Eventually, Superman takes scissors and snips off Mercury’s ankle and helmet wings… a little harsh! Humiliated, Mercury stops clowning around and helps clean up the mischief and goes back into hibernation for another 1,000 years. […]
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Wonder Woman’s powers continue to grow as she uses her power of astral projection in Sensation Comics #25 (November 1943) to track down criminals. Speaking of newfound powers, over in Superman #20 (also November 1943), we learn that Superman has super-control over his super-facial-muscles: And so the super-powers arms race continues…
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Bruce Wayne loses ward-ship over Dick Grayson for the first time in Batman #20 (October 1943), a recurring story idea that comes up in later years. Dick’s shifty Uncle George and Aunt Clara come to claim him, take Bruce to court claiming his playboy ways are a bad influence, and then use the opportunity to […]
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