Superheroes who started out late(r) in life

[WestPhillyPunisher]

I could see all the prominent Green Lanterns (except Kyle) being early 30s at least. Alan Scott was lead engineer on a railroad tressel construction. They don't let people become test pilots right after getting their licenses. Stewart was a practicing architect (as originally created).

And Guy Gardner was a cop (don't recall if he was a flatfoot or detective), so he was at least in his mid to late 20's, perhaps a tad older.

[ed2962]

When he debuted Mar-Vell had a full head of gray hair so you figure he was the Kree equivalent of a man in his mid-forties. I'm pretty sure it was during Starlin's run that it went blonde.

[DrNewGod]

When he debuted Mar-Vell had a full head of gray hair so you figure he was the Kree equivalent of a man in his mid-forties. I'm pretty sure it was during Starlin's run that it went blonde.

You are correct, and Mar-Vell was an established war hero on his debut. However, he was relatively low in rank, and an alien to boot. While that doesn't explicitly imply youth, he also came along in the time of prematurely gray he-men like Race Bannon and Jeff Chandler.

So, you could be right, but it's not a lock.

[Riv86672]

and rightly so

^^^i agreed w. Byrne on that one. Puck was fine as he was.

When he debuted Mar-Vell had a full head of gray hair so you figure he was the Kree equivalent of a man in his mid-forties. I'm pretty sure it was during Starlin's run that it went blonde.

^^^well damn. Good one!



https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbr...ite-blond/amp/

[Adam Allen]

Didn't occur to me until the mention of gray hair, but Cable was definitely not a young man, when he was introduced. Since he was inheriting leadership of an X-team, he was meant to be like a gritty, gun-toting version of Professor X or Magneto. Fiftyish, at least, right? Muscles and cybernetic arm aside.

Also leaving aside that he's currently a teenager or not much older.

[SJNeal]

One of the things Marvel has done better than DC is allowing older heroes to even exist. Between constantly trying to find ways to make the JSA "cool" - be it de aging them, teaming them with kids, or simply murdering them - they've managed to make their elder statesmen a nearly toxic property.

And then there's the whole mess that was the New 52 characters all suddenly being 28 across the board... *eyeroll*

[From The Shadows]

Of course he got older over the years but 616 Nick Fury pretty sure wasn't all that6 young when he started out, in the comics anyway. Aaand there is Banshee. Forgot about him.

[Kirby101]

Even if Sgt. Fury was in his 20s in WWII, he would be in his 40s when brought onto Sheild.

[foxley]

And Guy Gardner was a cop (don't recall if he was a flatfoot or detective), so he was at least in his mid to late 20's, perhaps a tad older.

Wasn't he a gym teacher?

[foxley]

This one is a little odd, but I've been reading The Golden Age Sandman Archive which collects all of Wes Dodds' 'business suit and gas mask' appearances from Adventure Comics (and New York World's Fair Comics). These tales are full of little details that I don't think have ever been referenced again, but according to these tales Wes has not only graduated university but also served as a naval aviator. It is hard to see how he could be less than 30 at the start of his career (which, coincidentally I'm sure, ties in with his portrayal in Sandman Mystery Theatre).

[9th.]

Kate Spencers Manhunter

[DrNewGod]

This one is a little odd, but I've been reading The Golden Age Sandman Archive which collects all of Wes Dodds' 'business suit and gas mask' appearances from Adventure Comics (and New York World's Fair Comics). These tales are full of little details that I don't think have ever been referenced again, but according to these tales Wes has not only graduated university but also served as a naval aviator. It is hard to see how he could be less than 30 at the start of his career (which, coincidentally I'm sure, ties in with his portrayal in Sandman Mystery Theatre).

Interesting. The issue of All-Star Comics that had the JSA breakup to join the services after December 7th had Sandman joining the Marines as an artilleryman. Just goes to show that continuity wasn't a thing back in the day.