The Fall and Rise of the Supers

[Jim Kelly]

Preface: This list began some weeks ago as something I threw together for another thread. When I looked at my list, I found I'd made a lot of mistakes and it was inadequate. So I worked on it over the next many days until it became much bigger than I had first intended.

It was so big that I had to break it down into smaller sections, so I could post it here within the character limits for posts.


The Fall and Rise of the Supers

(timeline determined by on sale dates rather than cover dates)

Pre-Code Comics, 1950 - 1954

Overview: By 1950, most of the super-heroes had already suffered severe losses. Publishers had turned to other genres--western, funny animals, crime, celebrities, teen humour, good girl, war, jungle adventure, horror, romance and science fiction. The concept of the masked mystery man and costumed super-hero survived by adaptation to these other genres as horror mystery men or as western masked vigilantes or as caped funny animals or as science-heroes in space-suits with ray-guns.

[Jim Kelly]

early 1950

☞ The St. John publishing house releases IT RHYMES WITH LUST, some time in 1950 [not sure when]. A digest size comic book, 128 pages plus cover, in black & white, the book describes itself as a "picture novel." Arnold Drake and Leslie Waller provide the script (credited as "Drake Waller"), while Matt Baker and Ray Osrin are the artists. This is not a super-hero comic--it's more of a thriller-romance--but it's an important experiment in comics history. A second long form picture novel follows--THE CASE OF THE SMILING BUDDHA, an "original, all-picture mystery," by Manning Lee Stokes and Charles Raab.

Flash forward: This is maybe the first comic book work by Arnold Drake (he and Leslie Waller came up with the story at college the previous year) and after this, a neighbour, Bob Kane, employs him as a collaborator on his comics for National Comics (D.C.). Drake goes on to have a significant comics output, including the Doom Patrol.


☞ A Jerry Siegel creation, JON JUAN (Spring 1950) arrives from Toby Press as 1950 begins. Alex Schomburg's story art is a rare find, since Schomburg almost exclusively does cover art, not inside panels.

Jon Juan,"the one and only superlover, " is born thousands of years ago on the ancient continent of Atlantis. Jon makes love to beautiful Atlantean women, before a disapproving mob goes after him. He falls into an ice pack. Presumed dead, Juan is actually preserved in ice (a healing factor from the seaweed encased in the ice makes him immortal), whereas Atlantis meets with disaster and falls into the sea. In his iceberg, Jon Juan floats to warmer climes, thaws and revives, to enjoy lusty, swashbuckling escapades throughout history.


☞ A MOON, A GIRL...ROMANCE No. 12 (March-April 1950) is the last ish, at newsstands the 1st week in January 1950, from E.C. (which stands for Educational Comics/Entertaining Comics).

Flashback facts: The 1st issue of this title is MOON GIRL AND THE PRINCE, the next 5 issues are just MOON GIRL, then a couple are MOON GIRL FIGHTS CRIME, before it ends up as A MOON, A GIRL...ROMANCE for the last 4 issues. Moon Girl appears in the first 9 issues of the comic, between December 1947 and June 1949. In truth, she debuts in THE HAPPY HOULIHANS No.1 (Fall 1947) which comes out the same month as her own 1st issue. Posing as high school teacher Claire Lune, she's really a princess from Samarkand who gets her powers from a moonstone.


☞ Also in January 1950, for the "New Trend" line, E.C. converts 2 more titles to horror anthologies: THE VAULT OF HORROR--takes the numbering of WAR AGAINST CRIME--with No. 12 (April-May 1950)--and THE HAUNT OF FEAR--with No. 15 (May-June 1950)--takes over from GUNFIGHTER, which in turn had been FAT AND SLAT. However, HAUNT then converts to TWO-FISTED TALES (Harvey Kurtzman's war comics) after only 3 issues. A new run of THE HAUNT OF FEAR starts later in the year at No. 4 (November-December 1950).

These 2 horrors are added to THE CRYPT OF TERROR, which takes over from CRIME PATROL, in December 1949, No. 17 (April-May 1950)--that CRYPT title then becomes the famous TALES FROM THE CRYPT with No. 20 (Oct.-Nov. '50). These 3 anthologies share 3 hosts: the Crypt-Keeper, the Vault-Keeper and the Old Witch. February 1950, E.C. adds to the "New Trend" with the 1st ish of WEIRD SCIENCE, and then WEIRD FANTASY in March.


☞ Based on the CBS radio series of the same name, the 1st issue of LET'S PRETEND (May-June 1950) from D. S. Publishing goes on sale in early 1950. There are two other issues that same year, then D. S. closes up shop.

Flashback facts: LET'S PRETEND (1934 - 1954) is a children's theatre program that adapts fairy tales and fantasy stories for the radio. The comic book does the same during its short existence.


☞ National Comics (D.C.) publishes the 1st Superbaby story in SUPERBOY 8 (May-June 1950), available March 1950.


☞ The May release of the SUPERMAN-TIM promotional comic is the last one.

Flashback fact: The 1st of these giveaways comes out in 1942. [Distributed at Tim Stores; D.C./National]


☞ SUPERMAN 65 (July-August 1950) features "The Three Supermen from Krypton," on sale May 1950. This is the 1st glimpse of other survivors from the doomed planet Krypton. [D.C./National]


☞ At the end of May, Quality Comics puts out the final LADY LUCK, No. 90 (August 1950), featuring all new stories of the costumed crimefighter, in reality socialite Brenda Banks.

Flashback facts: Lady Luck is created as a 4 page back-up feature for THE SPIRIT section, in the very first such comic section, June 2nd, 1940. Her final appearance in the sections is November 3rd, 1946. In truth, this run of LADY LUCK is short, only taking that title with No. 86 (December 1949). The original title is SMASH COMICS, beginning in 1939.


☞ Fox's BLUE BEETLE ends with No. 60 (August 1950), at newsstands June 1950.

Flashback facts: The Beetle, alias Dan Garrett, begins his career in the back pages of MYSTERY MEN COMICS No. 1 (August 1939). In subsequent issues, Dan starts to wear invulnerable chainmail and his druggist gives him Vitamin 2X to increase his energy. The 1st issue of BLUE BEETLE (Winter 1940) goes on sale at the start of 1940. That title is published by Fox, but after 11 issues it ends--publisher Victor Fox having numerous financial problems. Finally in 1942, Holyoke gets the rights to continue the title with issue 12 up to 30. Then in 1944, Fox resumes publishing the title as of 31 (May 1944).

Flash forward: Charlton later revives Blue Beetle in 1954.


☞ On sale June 1950 is the 1st ish of the science fiction anthology STRANGE ADVENTURES (August-September 1950). Space explorer of the 21st century, Chris KL-99, is featured in issues 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15. [D.C./National]


☞ Quality's THE SPIRIT--which reprints stories from Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT section--comes to the end with No. 22 (August 1950), at newsstands June 1950


☞ In the same month, TORCHY reaches the end of her own title's run with No. 6 (September 1950).

Flashback fact: Torchy Todd starts out as a comic strip character created by Bill Ward for Army newspapers in World War II (1944) before getting her own back-up feature in DOLL MAN 8 (Spring 1946). [Quality]


☞ July 1950 sees the 1st issue of GHOST RIDER. The publisher double classifies many of their titles so that some are also identified as A-1 in the indicia thus, besides being No. 1, this is identified as "A-1 No. 27" in the indicia.

Flashback facts: Not to be confused with Marvel's later use of the Ghost Rider code-name, this western hero is published by Vin Sullivan's Magazine Enterprises. Sullivan's name may be familiar as he starts out working for Major Malcolm Wheeler Nicholson at National Allied, as an artist, writer and editor for NEW FUN, NEW COMICS, DETECTIVE COMICS and ACTION COMICS. He is the editor on the very early Superman and Batman stories, in 1938 and 1939. After leaving National (D.C.), Sullivan establishes Magazine Enterprises in 1943.

The character of Ghost Rider begins as the Calico Kid in TIM HOLT and later reveals himself to be Rex Fury before adopting a new masked identity as the Ghost Rider.


☞ On sale July 1950, Star Publications reprints stories of WHITE RIDER AND SUPER HORSE in three issues, Nos. 4 (September 1950) - 6 (March 1951) taken from Novelty Press's BLUE BOLT 1940 series. White Rider is just your typical masked cowboy hero, but Super Horse (alias Cloud) puts Gene Autry's Champion to shame.


☞ July 20th, 1950, SUPERMAN VS. ATOM MAN, a 15 part serial starring Kirk Alyn and Noel Neil, is released in theatres. [Distributed by Columbia Pictures]

Flashback fact: The previous 1948 SUPERMAN serial also stars Alyn and Neil.

Flash forward: Kirk Alyn later plays BLACKHAWK in a 1952 serial. Noel Neil returns to play Lois Lane in the 2nd season of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN and thereafter (1953 - 1958).


☞ "The Girl in Superboy's Life," the 1st appearance of Lana Lang, is in SUPERBOY 10 (September-October 1950), on sale July 1950. [D.C./National]

[Jim Kelly]

late 1950

☞ A spin-off from Tootsie Rolls candy, Toby Press publishes 2 issues of CAPTAIN TOOTSIE in 1950, cover dated October and December but on sale in August and October respectively. The Captain is assisted by the Secret Legion Kids--Rollo, Fisty and Fatso.


☞ Timely's MARVEL BOY No. 1 (December 1950) arrives at newsstands August 1950. Bob Grayson is born on Earth, but in 1934, after the Nazis kill his mother and sister, his father--the scientist Matthew Grayson--takes the infant Bob in a rocketship to Uranus. The boy grows up to have extraordinary powers and so the scientist returns his teen-age son to Earth, where Bob becomes Marvel Boy.

Issue 2 (February 1951), on sale October 1950, is the last under that title and with issue 3 (April 1951), out in December 1950, it becomes ASTONISHING but continues to feature stories of Marvel Boy until issue 6 (October 1951). After that ASTONISHING continues as an anthology for many years, finally ending with issue 63 (August 1957).


☞ Avon's STRANGE WORLDS features Kenton of the Star Patrol in Nos. 1 and 3 to 6--great art from Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, Joe Orlando and Wally Wood--1st issue (November 1950), on sale August 1950. The last issue is 9 (November 1952); however, the title gets a second life when EERIE becomes STRANGE WORLDS with No. 18 (October-November 1954), finally ending at 22 (September-October 1955).


☞ August 1950, issue 95 (October 1950) of Quality's MODERN COMICS is the end for this title.

Flashback fact: MODERN has its start as MILITARY COMICS in 1941 with Blackhawk the lead feature in every issue.

Flash forward: The Blackhawks--a team of aviators from around the world--provide inspiration for Marvel's international approach to the X-Men, as first seen in GIANT-SIZE X-MEN No. 1 (May 1975).


☞ Plastic Man ends his POLICE COMICS run in issue 102 (October 1950), out August 1950. After that, POLICE is a straight crime comic, while Plas continues in his own title.

Flashback facts: The Plastic Man first shows up in the inaugural issue of POLICE COMICS (August 1941). "Eel" O'Brien can never catch a break. An orphan at ten, always getting pushed around, he pushes back and gets in with the wrong crowd. One night, on a job, escaping a guard, he's plugged full of holes and just his luck a vat of acid tips over and drenches him. Long story short, he wakes up in a monastery the next morning (as you do) and he can stretch like nobody's business. As Plastic Man, he works for the Feds, along with his buddy, Woozy Winks. [Quality]


☞ To defend the Earth from an oncoming alien invasion, Gordon Dane becomes CAPTAIN SCIENCE in the 1st issue of his own quarterly mag (November 1950), from Youthful Magazines. The title ends with issue 7 (December 1951), but Gordon Dane returns in FANTASTIC which picks up the numbering from this title.


☞ October 1950, "The Secret Life of Catwoman" reveals that the feline felon's true identity is Selina Kyle, in BATMAN 62 (December 1950 - January 1951).

Flashback facts: First known as the Cat, her 1st appearance is in BATMAN No. 1 (Spring 1940). An enigma throughout the 1940s, Catwoman assumes many guises. Once she recovers her memory, she turns over a new leaf and assists the Dark Knight in his war on crime, before being lured back into the underworld. [D.C./National]


☞ The 1st issue of CAPTAIN ATOM (no cover date) goes on sale October 1950. Published by Nation-Wide, a Chicago company, it's 52 pages for 5¢--which is a steal! It's supposed to be educational so maybe the low price is subsidized. The series lasts for 7 issues, with the final ish out July 1951.

As the text explains on the inside front cover of the 1st ish, at only 21, Captain Atom is world famous as an athlete, adventurer and scholar. Sponsored by Professor King, Captain Atom flies King's custom-built luxury turbojet airliner all over the globe, assisted by Rusty McQuigg, co-pilot, navigator and radio man. Along for the adventure are King, his lovely wife and their two adopted 12-year old twins, Jeff and Carol, as well as the twins' nurse and governess, 19 year old Jill Jordan. Captain Atom chooses to wear no trousers and young Jeff does the same.

Flash forward: Not to be confused with the Charlton Captain Atom who first appears in SPACE ADVENTURES 33 (March 1960) on sale at the beginning of 1960.


☞ When TIM HOLT hears the legend of a vigilante named Red Mask, he's inspired to assume that masked identity himself, in No. 20 (October 1950) of his own magazine. The story of the previous Red Mask resembles that of Zorro. With the success of the masked mystery man, TIM HOLT is retitled RED MASK with No. 42 (June-July 1954), coming to an end with No. 54 (September 1957).

Behind the scenes: Charles John "Tim" Holt III is the star of many Western B movies from R.K.O. in the 1940s and early 1950s. Tim Holt is also a veteran of W.W. II, serving as a bombardier in the U. S. Army Air Force. And he's the star of some classics movies, including Orson Welles' THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (1942) and John Huston's THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948). Holt never becomes a crimefighter called the Red Mask--yet in the comic book that bears his name he does. [Magazine Enterprises]


☞ At the end of October 1950, National Comics (D.C.) puts out the first annual RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. The Christmas series continues for thirteen issues, the last in 1962.


☞ Archie publishes the 1st annual issue of FAUNTLEROY COMICS in November 1950. The comic is a spin-off of SUPER DUCK COMICS (The Cockeyed Wonder).

Flashback facts: Originally appearing in JOLLY JINGLES 10 (Summer 1943), Super Duck starts as a Superman parody and gets super-powers by taking vitamins. He soon wins his own title--1st issue Fall 1944--but the super-hero spoof quickly fades and he is mainly known for being an odd duck.

Fauntleroy is the nephew of the Cockeyed Wonder. Al Fagaly is the artist-creator for both--he is also the co-creator of the long running syndicated strip, THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW. While SUPER DUCK enjoys an extensive run--ending with No. 94 (December 1960)--FAUNTLEROY COMICS ends its annual act after only 3 issues, the last out July 1952.


☞ At newsstands December 1950, the surprise ending of the Batman story in DETECTIVE COMICS 168 (February 1951) reveals that "The Man Behind the Red Hood" is the Joker.

Flash forward: In 1988, this story is rehashed for BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE. [D.C./National]


☞ Jet Powers, a master of science, fights alien threats to our world, in the 1st issue of JET, on sale December 1950. A second feature is Space Ace who travels our solar system fighting menaces on other worlds. After 4 issues the title changes to SPACE ACE with No. 5 as he takes over the comic; however that's the final issue in the run, on sale August 1952. [Magazine Enterprises]


☞ Out in December 1950, the Justice Society of America say adieu in ALL-STAR COMICS 57 (February-March 1951)--this is the last appearance of the Flash (Jay Garrick), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Hawkman (Carter Hall), Dr. Mid-Nite (Charles McNider), the Atom (Al Pratt) and Black Canary (Dinah Drake) for many years. The title becomes ALL STAR WESTERN with the next issue.

Flashback facts: The Justice Society of America is first formed at a Thanksgiving dinner held in ALL-STAR COMICS No. 3 (Winter 1940). Hawkman has the distinction of being the only super-hero at that meeting and every meeting after that during the original run. [D.C./National]

[Jim Kelly]

early 1951

☞ February 1951, the 1st issue of MYSTERY IN SPACE (April-May 1951) goes on sale. The 25th century space team, the Knights of the Galaxy are the lead feature in the first 7 issues. [D.C./National]


☞ Jet Dixon leads the SPACE SQUADRON peace keeping force through the galaxy, aboard the Solar 1, in the 1st issue of their magazine (June 1951), on sale February 1951. The series lasts 6 issues, with the final issue retitled SPACE WORLDS (April 1952), on sale December 1951, even though it still stars the Space Squadron. [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]


☞ Zatara exits this plane of existence after WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 51 (April-May 1951).

Flashback fact: Zatara the Magician debuts in ACTION COMICS No. 1 (June 1938).

Flash forward: His daughter, Zatanna, makes her 1st appearance in HAWKMAN 4 (October-November 1964) as she begins her search for her father (do the math). [D.C./National]


☞ Ajax-Farrell's ersatz Lone Ranger, THE LONE RIDER, gets his 1st issue (April 1951), at newsstands February 1951. His faithful companion is Bright Feather and his trusted stallion is Lightnin'.

The 2nd issue has the debut of Golden Arrow as a back-up feature--not to be confused with the Fawcett character of the same name, who 1st appears in WHIZ COMICS No. 2 (February 1940)--this Golden Arrow is a Native-American. THE LONE RIDER's last issue is 26 (July 1955).


☞ The last radio episode of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN is broadcast on March 1st, 1951, having been on the air since February 12th, 1940.

Behind the scenes: Bud Collyer voices both Superman and Clark Kent throughout the run of the series; he also the voice for them in the '40s and '60s Superman cartoons.


☞ March 1951, Marsboy meets SUPERBOY in issue 14 (May-June 1951) of the title.

Flash forward: Marsboy is later rehashed as Star Boy in the Legion of Super-Heroes. [D.C./National]


☞ At newsstands April 1951, the 1st issue of SPACE DETECTIVE (July 1951) features Rod Hathaway and his gal pal Teena, as they fly to other planets solving mysteries--out of this world artwork by Orlando and Wood. The title lasts for 4 issues with the final on sale April 1952. [Avon]


☞ A mutant ahead of his time, Adam Blake a.k.a. Captain Comet, debuts in STRANGE ADVENTURES 9 (June 1951), out May 1951. [D.C./National]


☞ Also May 1951, ACTION COMICS 158 (July 1951), "The Kid from Krypton" retells Superman's origin, but unlike previous origin stories for the Man of Steel this one includes his life as Superboy.

Flashback fact: Even though MORE FUN COMICS 101 (January-February 1945) introduces the Boy of Steel, that phase of Clark Kent's life is never admitted in the adult adventures before this story. [D.C./National]


☞ Sir Justin, the Shining Knight, makes his last crusade in ADVENTURE COMICS 166 (July 1951), at newsstands May 1951.

Flashback facts: The Shining Knight actually debuts in ADVENTURE COMICS 66 (September 1941)--he and his flying horse, Winged Victory, are unthawed from the ice that has kept them in suspended animation since their days in the court of King Arthur. Sir Justin is also a member of the Seven Soldiers of Victory, as seen in LEADING COMICS 1 (Winter 1941) - 14 (Spring 1945). [D.C./National]


☞ At newsstands June 1951, CASPER THE [FRIENDLY] GHOST 5 (September 1951) is the last ish from Archer St. John's publishing house. Harvey Comics continues the series in 1953.


☞ June 1951, BLACK CAT MYSTERY COMICS 30 (August 1951) is the last issue to feature the Black Cat herself, not to be confused with the later Marvel character.

Flashback Facts: Stuntwoman Linda Turner, alias the Black Cat, debuts in POCKET COMICS No. 1 (August 1941). She wins her own title in 1946. As the popularity of super-heroes wanes, Linda Turner's title has a few format changes (WESTERN and MYSTERY COMICS), before she's asked to leave. [Harvey]

[Jim Kelly]

late 1951

☞ CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED 90 [Highest Reorder No. 89] (December 1951) is the 1st printing of their Green Mansions adapting the W. H. Hudson story of Rima, the jungle goddess.

Behind the scenes: In late 1951, Curtis Circulation begins distributing Gilberton's CLASSICS ILLUSTRATED--they had already been doing so in Canada since 1948. The CLASSICS are promoted in schools as an educational tool. Curtis Circulation is an offshoot of Curtis Publishing Company, which puts out THE SATURDAY EVENING POST and THE LADIES' HOME JOURNAL, among others.

Flash forward: In 1969, Perfect Film and Chemical, which now owns Curtis Circulation, buys out Marvel Comics from Martin Goodman, and Curtis is their new distributor. 1973, Perfect Film is renamed Cadence Industries.

National Periodicals (D. C.) adapts the story of RIMA, THE JUNGLE GIRL in 1974.


☞ When Tod Kramer and Vivian Foote volunteer to time travel 85 years into the past from 1950, they end up travelling 85 years into the future in the one-shot sci-fi mag ROCKET SHIP X (September 1951) the last comic from Fox before they fold up their tent, on sale July 1951.


☞ TONTO gets his own comic--the 1st issue is numbered 2 (August-October 1951) as the previous FOUR COLOR 312 is a Tonto try-out issue (on sale December 1950). The title becomes THE LONE RANGER'S COMPANION TONTO with the next issue and runs until No. 33 (November 1958 - January 1959). [Dell]


☞ The 1st issue of BEST OF THE WEST, out August 1951, features Ghost Rider, Durango Kid, Straight Arrow and B-Bar-B Riders. Red Mask (Tim Holt) takes the place of B-Bar-B Riders for the remaining 11 issues, while Red Hawk switches in for Durango Kid in the final issue, 12 (April-June 1954). [Magazine Enterprises]


☞ August 1951, Martha Roberts becomes Doll Girl for the 1st time in DOLL MAN 37 (December 1951). Appearing ever since the 1st Doll Man story in FEATURE COMICS 27 (December 1939), Martha is the daughter of Professor Roberts and the devoted girl friend of Darrel Dane (alias Doll Man). [Quality]


☞ The Phantom is featured in HARVEY COMICS HITS 51 (October 1951), available August 1951, which is actually the 1st issue of this title, formerly JOE PALOOKA. [Harvey]


☞ At newsstands September 1951, as of issue 111 (November 1951), BLUE BOLT becomes BLUE BOLT WEIRD TALES OF TERROR, with all horror stories and no Blue Bolt himself.

Flashback facts: In 1949, L.B. Cole's Star Publications takes over BLUE BOLT from Novelty Press. Blue Bolt is just an adventurer, no costume, in his later Novelty stories, but in the Star run they reprint old Novelty Press stories from when he was still in his super-hero suit.


☞ Doctor Thirteen, also known as the Ghost Breaker, debuts in STAR SPANGLED COMICS 122 (November 1951), on sale September 1951. Terry Thirteen makes it his mission to debunk all supernatural phenomena. [D.C./National]


☞ September 1951, St. John, the publisher of the ongoing PAUL TERRY'S MIGHTY MOUSE COMICS, launches PAUL TERRY'S MIGHTY MOUSE ADVENTURES No. 1 (November 1951); however with the 2nd issue it becomes simply ADVENTURES OF MIGHTY MOUSE. Eventually this title morphs with another St. John title, PAUL TERRY'S COMICS (originally titled TERRY-TOON COMICS), assuming its numbering.

Flashback facts: Initially, this spoof of Superman is Super Mouse in the cartoon "The Mouse of Tomorrow, " from Terry-Toons (debut October 16th, 1942). More cartoons follow, but Paul Terry learns that Standard has their own Supermouse--debuts in COO-COO COMICS No. 1 (October 1942), on sale in the summer of 1942 (before the Terry-Toons character). So then the Terry-Toons rodent becomes Mighty Mouse (as of 1944).

Timely is Mighty's 1st publisher--beginning with TERRY-TOON COMICS 38 (November 1945). St. John gains the license in 1947.


☞ The final issue of SENSATION COMICS to star Wonder Woman is 106 (November-December 1951), at newsstands in September 1951.

Flashback fact: After a preview in ALL-STAR COMICS 8 (December 1941 - January 1942), the Amazon Princess stars in SENSATION COMICS when the 1st issue (January 1942) hits the newsstands November 1941. [D.C./National]


☞ From the American Comics Group, THE HOODED HORSEMAN 21 (January-February 1952) is the 1st issue under that title, on sale November 1951. Bud Fraser wears a red mask as the western mystery man, the Hooded Horseman, along with his dog Flash. Their run comes to an end with 27 (January-February 1953). However, the title comes back for a second run, taking over the numbering from OUT OF THE NIGHT with No. 18 (November-December 1954) ending with 22 (August-September 1955).


☞ November 23rd, 1951, SUPERMAN AND THE MOLE MEN, starring George Reeves and Phyllis Coates, is released in theatres. [Distributed by Lippert Pictures]


☞ Christmas is not so merry for VENUS in 1951, as that's when the last issue of her own mag goes on sale--No. 19 (April 1952).

Flashback fact: As we learn in her 1st issue (August 1948), Venus rules the planet Venus for centuries before coming to Earth and working for Beauty magazine. [Timely/Atlas/Marvel]

[Jim Kelly]

early 1952

☞ At some time in 1952*, the syndicated newspaper strip, MISS FURY by Tarpé Mills, comes to an end.

Flashback fact: Originally BLACK FURY, this super-hero strip begins running on April 6th, 1941. To become Miss Fury, wealthy Marla Drake dons a panther skin that she inherited from her uncle, what he got from a witch doctor, which seems to give her enhanced strength and speed. Timely publishes MISS FURY 1 (Winter 1942) - 8 (Winter 1945), reprinting the strip. [Distributed by the Bell Syndicate]

*(I haven't yet found the exact date.)


☞ On sale at the beginning of 1952 or the end of 1951, FANTASTIC 8 (February 1952) has the final story of Captain Science; the next issue is the last issue and is your standard horror anthology.

Flash forward to doom: Youthful Magazines is the publisher, but they don't have many good years left as time draws a curtain in 1954.


☞ January 1952, Dick Briefer's FRANKENSTEIN is given new life when issue 18 (March 1952) revives the moribund monster title, following the extreme horror fashion of the day.

Flashback facts: In 1940, Dick Briefer tries to sell his Frankenstein strip to the syndicates, but there are no takers, so the feature winds up in PRIZE COMICS 7 (December 1940) [from "Feature Publications" which comes to use the imprint "Prize" for all its comics]. These "New Adventures of Frankenstein" play on the terrifying image of the monster with a touch of pathos. Amid all the super-hero knock-offs in PRIZE, Briefer's chiller thriller stands out.

However, in PRIZE COMICS 33 (August 1943), the creature is captured and turned into a new man, a kinder gentler Frankenstein's monster. This funny turn leads to the Merry Monster gaining his own comic book, FRANKENSTEIN, 1st issue on sale April 1945, with an all new origin story. However, Briefer's comic book goes into limbo after issue 17 (January-February 1949).


☞ In CRUSADER FROM MARS, on the scientifically advanced 4th planet, Tarka and Zira are found guilty of murder and for their penance sent to 1950s Earth to fight crime here. Ziff-Davis publishes No. 1 (Spring 1952), on sale January 1952, and No. 2 (Fall 1952), on sale August 1952.


☞ At newsstands January 1952, Dell's FOUR COLOR 375 is devoted to Edgar Rice Burrough's John Carter of Mars.


☞ Also from FOUR COLOR is issue 378, featuring Tom Corbett, Space Cadet. Two other FOUR COLOR issues this year star the Space Cadet--400 (on sale April 1952) and 421 (on sale July 1952). After these 3 try-outs, TOM CORBETT, SPACE CADET begins its run at number 4 (November 1952 - January 1953) and ending at issue 11 (September-November 1954).

The comics adapt the T.V. series of the same name (1950-1955) set 500 years in the future, aboard the Polaris, a training vessel for the Space Academy's Solar Guard. That series is based on a 1948 Robert A. Heinlein novel, SPACE CADET.


☞ January 1952, Fiction House's THE SPIRIT No. 1 (Spring 1952) reprints stories from Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT sections. Four issues come out in 1952, with a final 5th issue on sale at the end of 1953.


☞ The Phantom returns to HARVEY COMICS HITS for No. 56 (April 1952), out February 1952. [Harvey]


☞ February 1952, FOUR COLOR 383 has the 1st issue devoted to Walt Disney's Uncle $crooge. FOUR COLOR 456 (out January 1953) and 495 (out July 1953) are also McDuck exclusives, before WALT DISNEY'S UNCLE $CROOGE 4 (December 1953 - February 1954)--at newsstands October 1953--begins the official series.


☞ March 1952, Batman & Superman team-up in SUPERMAN 76 (May-June 1952)--this story purports to tell how they first discovered each other's secret identity. [D.C./National]


☞ April 1952, ALL AMERICAN WESTERN comes to the end of the trail with No. 126 (June-July 1952). The star of the comic, the masked cowboy hero Johnny Thunder (mild-mannered school teacher, John Tane) soon finds another stable, over at ALL STAR WESTERN with No. 67 (October-November 1952).

Flashback facts: Originally, ALL AMERICAN WESTERN starts out as ALL-AMERICAN COMICS in 1939, the flagship title of Max Gaine's All-American line, before becoming ALL AMERICAN WESTERN with No. 103 (November 1948).

Flash forward: The title becomes ALL-AMERICAN MEN OF WAR with No. 127 (August-September 1952) but undergoes a numbering change, 3 issues later, as the December 1952 - January 1953 cover dated issue is numbered 2. [D.C./National]


☞ Ajax-Farrell publishes one issue of ROCKETMAN (June 1952), on sale April 1952. Rocketman is a new idea, but the stories are altered reprints from PLANET COMICS [Fiction House] and CAPTAIN FLIGHT COMICS [Four Star Publications, an earlier Ajax colophon]. Not to be confused with Rocketman (or Rocket Man) from the early 1940s published by Harry "A" Chesler.


☞ May 1952, Robin the Boy Wonder ends his run in STAR SPANGLED COMICS 130 (July 1952) with the end of that title. It's also curtains for Doctor Thirteen. The title becomes STAR-SPANGLED WAR STORIES as of the next issue, 131 (August 1952), but then renumbers four issues later with No.3 (November 1952). [D.C./National]


☞ Bobo, the Detective Chimp, begins his series in THE ADVENTURES OF REX THE WONDER DOG No. 4 (July-August 1952), at newsstands May 1952. [D.C./National]


☞ At the end of May, Captain Comet meets "The Guardians of the Clockwork Universe," in STRANGE ADVENTURES 22 (July 1952)

Flash forward: This group of watchers serves as a prototype for the later Guardians of the Universe. [D.C./National]