Super-powered superheroes suffered some attrition in MLJ comics as their inspiration seemed to shift away from Superman toward Batman.
Let’s take February 1941 as a representative sample.
True, MLJ’s anthology titles did offer readers such super-powered characters as the Shield, the Comet, the Fireball, the Firefly, the Wizard, Bob Phantom, Kardak, Mr. Justice, Steel Sterling and Zambini the Miracle Man. And they clearly outnumbered the costumed mystery men: the Black Hood, the Fox and the Scarlet Avenger.
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| The Black Hood confronts his nemesis in Top Notch Comics 13 |
By July 1941, the flying, death ray-visioned Comet would be dead, murdered by criminals and replaced by his non-superpowered brother, the Hangman (an even grimmer version of Batman).
In September 1941, the cover of Blue Ribbon Comics was taken over by the non-superpowered Captain Flag, despite the fact that the previous star, Mr. Justice, could go toe-to-toe with Satan himself.
By July 1942, the non-superpowered Web would replace the invulnerable flying champion Steel Sterling as the cover feature in Zip Comics. That same month, the Shield would lose his scientifically induced super powers, which had once rivaled the early Superman’s. He’d decide to crusade on without them.
Why this evolution from extraordinary to ordinary? I suspect it was because the publisher thought such extravagantly powered avengers might appear to be in questionable taste while Allied troops were risking their lives to fight the fascist forces of darkness without the help of any such advantages.
In fact, when he lost his powers, the Shield suggested as much.
Addressing readers, the Shield said, “(J)ust as American soldiers are inspired to strong battle by their losses, instead of being discouraged by them — my fight is going to be stronger and stronger.”
But the final indignity for the Shield would come in 1944, when he’d lose his Pep Comics cover spot to — of all things — a red-headed, girl-crazy te
Salvatore Marlow wrote: I'm thinking it was about this time while MLJ was turning down the hero’s power other companies were turning up the power on their heroes. National turned Tex Thompson into Mr America and Sandman dropped his trench coat for a leotard.
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ReplyDeleteBob Doncaster wrote: I bought all the MLJ revivals in the 60s. Still have a soft spot for those books. Charlton kind of took the same route with their action heroes. Only Captain Atom had powers.
Edward Lee Love wrote: In that regard, the Wizard went more stereotypical superhero. He lost much of his esoteric powers and swapped his tuxedo for a bulletproof Superman inspired costume. He gained a sidekick who he was able to communicate telepathically with. And played more the typical superhero with a secret identity as opposed to a top secret agent.
ReplyDeletePart of me wonders if some of the changes allowed for more efficient writing as the closer the heroes were to being the same, it made for easy swapping of stories. A plot with the Black Hood fighting the Skull can be easily retooled for Captain Flag fighting the Black Hand. A Wizard & Superboy story to the Shield and Dusty.
Scott Casper wrote: That's an interesting analysis. Could it be MLJ simply misread the market and thought mysterymen would be the next big thing over superheroes?
ReplyDeleteRobert Barker wrote: I never did understand the proliferation of 'jaw sockers.' over the characters with super powers. DC continued to do it, and do it well. In fact, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman were the only major characters to survive the Golden Age and continue successfully. (Batman being a little different, having trained himself to a great physical and mental state).
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