In 1974, DC put out the tabloid-sized FAMOUS 1ST EDITION C-30 that reprinted SENSATION COMICS No. 1. This had a card stock outer-cover (with a slick cover under that--so some crooks took off the card-stock and palmed this comic off as the actual SENSATION COMICS No. 1, since it was an exact reproduction). The card stock cover was bronze, just as the reproduction of ACTION COMICS No. 1 had gold and the reproduction of DETECTIVE COMICS No. 27 had silver. This means they must have had the printer add a special pantone in addition to the regular four colours (CMYK) just for that cover. All for a dollar (plus shipping and handling when I sent away for my copy, using the order form cut out from a newsstand comic).
SENSATION COMICS No. 1 (January '42) featured the second appearance of Wonder Woman, who made her debut in ALL-STAR COMICS No. 8. But the comic also had the first appearances and origins for Little Boy Blue and the Blue Boys, the Gay Ghost and Wildcat. The Black Pirate (one of the greatest of DC's forgotten heroes) continued his adventures from ACTION COMICS. And, of course, the first issue of SENSATION also had the debut of Mr. Terrific.
Needless to say, this was all amazing stuff. To see these comics presented exactly as they had appeared thirty years before was truly mind-blowing. But Terry Sloane's origin story was the real shock to the system. Here was a guy who came very close to taking his own life.
Mike's Amazing World delivers a good synopsis for this story:
Terry Sloane was a boy genius at the age of 10 and graduated college at age 12. However, though he finds success at everything he tries, both physical and intellectual, Terry is bored with life because it presents no challenge for him.
While contemplating suicide, Terry saves the life of Wanda Wilson, who wants to kill herself because her brother has joined a gang. Terry offers to help and designs a costume for himself. He then confronts Wanda’s brother, Billie and his friends. He proves that Big Shot, the gang leader the boys idolize, is a coward and turns their lives around. In doing so, Terry finds a new purpose for his own life as the costumed, Mr. Terrific.
The origin story has always stayed with me. It's a real roller-coaster of emotion, because here's a guy who we would all like to be--accomplished in every way--and yet his depression is palpable. He doesn't care to live--life holds no interest for him. That he then finds a purpose and dresses up in a such an upbeat costume demonstrates the striking combination of darkness and light in his creation.