late 1956


☞ "The Batwoman" makes her debut in DETECTIVE COMICS 233 (July 1956), on sale May 1956. In reality a former circus performer, now rich thanks to the will of a wealthy uncle, Kathy Kane becomes a caped crimefighter in Gotham City. [D.C./National]


☞ Charlton publishes the 1st issue of TALES OF THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER (August 1956), at newsstands June 1956. The mystery anthology is hosted by the eponymous Mysterious Traveler, a mystery man in hat and trench coat much like the Phantom Stranger. The title lasts for 13 issues, the final unlucky issue (June 1959) on sale April 1959.

Flashback facts: THE MYSTERIOUS TRAVELER anthology was broadcast on radio by Mutual, from December 5th, 1943, until September 16th, 1952. As Charlton doesn't acknowledge the radio series in their comic book, it seems that they haven't licensed the name--probably assuming the Mysterious Traveler to be in the public domain.

Flash forward: Two more issues, 14 and 15, were published by Charlton in 1985.


☞ June 1956 sees the 1st issue of YELLOW CLAW (October 1956), which ends with issue 4 (April 1957). Not to be confused with the Claw created by Jack Cole for Lev Gleason comics, 1st appearing in SILVER STREAK COMICS 1 (December 1939) and subsequently in DAREDEVIL COMICS. The Yellow Claw is not as monstrous as the Claw, but still an odious Fu Manchu style stereotype, he will later become part of the Marvel Universe. [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]


☞ The Flash (Barry Allen) debuts in SHOWCASE No. 4 (September-October 1956), at newsstands July 1956. He also appears in Nos. 8, 13 and 14 before winning his own title.

Flash facts: SHOWCASE is launched as a try-out magazine, with the National Comics editors taking turns introducing their own concepts. This issue is given over to Julius Schwartz who uses the opportunity to revive the Flash, but in the form of the more modern police scientist, Barry Allen. As a comic book fan who reads the old FLASH COMICS, when Barry gets his speed powers he naturally names himself after the Jay Garrick super-hero in those old comics. This issue is sometimes used to indicate the beginning of the so-called "Silver Age." [D.C./National]


☞ August 1956, PLASTIC MAN 64 (November 1956) is the last issue of Jack Cole's Pliable Policeman published by Quality. BLACKHAWK 107 (December 1956) is the last Quality issue of that title, yet National Comics (D.C) picks up publishing the comic without missing a beat as of 108 (January 1957). They also continue G.I. COMBAT, HEART THROBS and even ROBIN HOOD. And although National introduces Elastic Lad in 1958 and Elongated Man in 1960, Plas is left in limbo.


☞ "Aquaman's Undersea Partner" introduces a heroic octopus as Arthur Curry's eager sidekick--later to be named Topo--in ADVENTURE COMICS 229 (October 1956), on sale at the end of August 1956. [D.C./National]


☞ Created by Dave Wood and Jack Kirby, the Challengers of the Unknown get their 1st try-out in SHOWCASE 6 (January-February 1957), at newsstands November 1956. Prof Haley, Rocky Davis, Red Ryan and Ace Morgan, after surviving an airplane crash that should have killed them, believe they are living on borrowed time. The Challs have no super-powers to speak of, but there are certain similarities between them and the later Fantastic Four, another Kirby co-creation. [D.C./National]