In the three years following Superman's seismic debut, super heroes had become a genre.
Not just pulp stories with capes and masks, the concept of the super hero had spawned a very specific and colourful type of storytelling. It has endured for close to 90 years and long may it continue.
By 1942, most of the 'big' names at DC Comics existed. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern and Hawkman were all starring in comics before the U.S. entered WWII. Captain America was leading Timely Comics version, though they didn't remotely have the market share that Marvel Comics boasts today.
The way you can see that the creative flood had peaked is in the creations of 1942. DC Comics, for the first time, introduced more 'name' villains than heroes that year. The trend would continue for years to come. They had the heroes in hand and now they needed someone for those heroes to battle.
Still a few favourite heroes would debut in 1942 and I can't wait to use them in 2038!
Wildcat, a pugilistic hero, the alter ego of former Heavy Weight Champion, Ted Grant. Dressed in a simple black unitard, with a cat themed cowl, Wildcat would be the most grounded of all the Justice Society Members. No powers, just two fists and an attitude!
House of Justice? Yes!
House of Crom? Robert E. Howard wrote a bunch of boxing tales along with his Swords & Sorcery creations, so I wouldn't rule it out!
House of Entropy? Sure!
House of Dread? Who ya gonna c...WHAM! Shaddap.
Mr. Terrific. He's probably my least favourite DC hero. I just don't know what to do with him. Hopefully, by 2038, I'll have thought of something!
House of Justice? Yes.
House of Crom? No.
House of Entropy? Here if anywhere.
House of Dread? Why not?
Liberty Belle. Another heroine I fell in love with during the run of All-Star Squadron. She's goofy, in that she gets her powers when she hears the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia get rung. Made for some weird moments in the WWII setting of All-Star Squadron when she'd have to place a trans-continental phone call to get 'powered up'. She'll be fun!
House of Justice. Definitely!
House of Crom? Unlikely.
House of Entropy? She dates Johnny Quick and he gets his powers from MATH.
House of Dread? Absolutely.
The Guardian is a non-stars and striped version of Captain America. Right down to the shield. He's a cop and generally more 'street level' than Captain America. Definitely useful!
House of Justice? Yes.
House of Crom? Shields are very 'in' this season.
House of Entropy? Unlikely.
House of Dread? Yes.
And then came the villains! Two-Face, one of Batman's most interesting villain debuted in 1942. I can see a LOT of potential in the concept.
House of Justice? Yes.
House of Crom? Maybe not the most obvious fit, but the character is so interesting, I rule out nothing!
House of Entropy? Absolutely.
House of Dread? A villain with half of their face and body horribly scarred to the point it breaks their psyche? If I can't find a horror tale in THAT, I quit!
The Shade. A villain who uses shadows projected from his staff. Golly!
House of Justice? Yes.
House of Crom? Unlikely.
House of Entropy? Yes.
House of Dread? Yes!
DC also introduced The Prankster, Rag-Doll, the Puzzler and Dr. Poison in 1942. At last I will have a decent stable of 'name' villains to draw from! 2038 will be the year that Public Domain Super Heroes REALLY opens up. The possibilities are endless!
And speaking of villains, MLJ introduced the last 2 pieces of its future core in 1942.
The rich, scheming Veronica Lodge was introduce as a foil to the wholesome Betty Cooper. The two are still vying for Archie's love...
House of Justice? Possible.
House of Crom? If any of the Archie characters could hold their own with Conan, it would be Veronica Lodge.
House of Entropy? Sure.
House of Dread? Definitely!
And the last of the core of the Archie Comics empire, Reggie Mantle made his nefarious debut that year too. He'll be getting under Archie's skin in the House of Dread, for certain!
There are also a few characters who were created in 1942 who are already in the public domain. Some are actually already in use in Public Domain Super Heroes stories!
Mary Marvel tops the list. Mary Batson (or sometimes Mary Bromfield) is already making waves in Say the Magic Word! Her super powered alter ego can't be far behind!
House of Justice? You bet. Mary Batson already appears in Say the Magic Word!
House of Crom? Unlikely.
House of Entropy? I have plans.
House of Dread? See above!
Ibis the Invincible also appeared for the first time in 1942. He appears in Say the Magic Word! and in the upcoming short story The Sizzling Spider & The Sinister Skull. It'll be free to read in February!
House of Justice? Yes.
House of Crom? Yes.
House of Entropy? Maybe.
House of Dread? Absolutely.
Hillman periodicals gave us a couple of oddball characters who I have some notion of using one day. Airboy and Valkerie are really interesting WWII era flying ace type characters and I already use a couple of those. Hop Harrigan and Captain Midnight need pals!
Finally, one of the all time great (or awful, depending on your perspective) sidekicks of all time, Woozy Winks appeared in 1942. Believe it or not, I have a definite plan to use him. It's not even goofy!
Next week, 1943. The final year of the Golden Age that has enough material in it to warrant its own full blog entry. Again, more villains than heroes as the storytelling phase of the Golden Age hit its full stride.
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