Daring Mystery Comics
Encyclopedia
Daring Mystery Comics is an American
comic-book series published by Timely Comics
, a predecessor of Marvel Comics
, during the 1930-1940s period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books
. Primarily a superhero
anthology
, it ran eight issues from 1940 to 1942, and is notable for work by Carl Burgos
, Bill Everett
, Alex Schomburg
, and the team of Joe Simon
& Jack Kirby
.
Daring Mystery Comics #8 (Jan. 1942) features the first appearance
of the Golden Age superhero Citizen V
, who decades later appears in flashback
in the Marvel series Thunderbolts
, where his family and the Citizen V identity play a major part. A small handful of other Daring Mystery superheroes have been revived or have made guest appearances in modern-day titles, such as the World War II
-set flashback
series The Invaders
and the feature "Liberty Legion
" in Marvel Premiere
.
's Timely Comics
, which by the early 1960s would evolve into Marvel Comics
. It was initially edited by Joe Simon
, Timely's first editor, followed briefly by future Marvel chief Stan Lee
very early in his career. As with other of the earliest Timely comics, most material came from Funnies Inc.
, one of the prominent comic-book "packagers" who produced complete, outsourced comics on demand for publishers entering the fledgling medium
.
Following Daring Mystery Comics #1-8 (Jan. 1940 - Jan. 1942) and a publishing hiatus, the series' numbering continued under different titles. In a quirk of publishing involving U.S. Postal Service regulations and mailing costs, and a World War II
, paper-supply-related moratorium on launching new series, publisher Goodman somehow continued the series numbering as both Daring Comics for four issues from 1944 to 1945, and as Comedy Comics for 26 issues from 1942-1946, both of which launched with an issue #9.
, by artist co-creator Ben Thompson; writer-artist Bill Everett
's the Fin
; and the Thunderer, created by writer John H. Compton and notable for artist co-creator Carl Burgos
. All three heroes were introduced in issue #7 (April 1941). The comic's first five covers were by artist Alex Schomburg
. In the 1970s, the Blue Diamond resurfaced in period stories in Marvel Premiere
, as a member of the homefront World War II
team the Liberty Legion
. He also appeared in writer Paul Jenkins
' 2011 miniseries
All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes (2011).
Other heroes included the Challenger
, drawn by George Klein
under the pseudonym
Nick Karlton; artist co-creator Steve Dahlman's Dynaman; writer-artist Simon's Fiery Mask
; the Laughing Mask, who became the Purple Mask, by writer Will Harr and artist Maurice Gutwirth; and the superheroine the Silver Scorpion
, by artist co-creator Harry Sahle
. Due to Golden Age comics work often going unsigned, comprehensive credits are difficult if not impossible to ascertain, and in many early cases, a feature's artist is also the uncredited writer.
The final three issues contained work by the commercially popular team of writer-inker
Joe Simon and penciler and sometimes co-scripter Jack Kirby
. They collaborated on the covers of #6 (July 1940) and #8 (Jan. 1942), the former of which also featured a 10-page Simon & Kirby story introducing the single-appearance superhero Marvel Boy
(the first of several Marvel universe
characters to take that name), and 10-page story starring the previously introduced Fiery Mask. Issue #7 (April 1941) contained an eight-page Simon & Kirby story introducing the obscure Captain Daring (taken over for the next and last issue by artist Frank Borth
). One of the first superhero parodies
— Stuporman, by writer-artist Harry Douglas — debuted in issue #6 (Sept. 1940).
Non-superhero features included "G-Man, Don Gorman", a single-issue cover character by unknown creators, though inked by future notable Dick Briefer
; "Soldier of Fortune, John Steele" and "Monako the Master Magician" a.k.a. "Monako, Prince of Magic", both by artist co-creator Larry Antonette (under the pseudonym Dean Carr for "John Steele"); "K-4 and the Sky Devils", by artist co-creator Jack Alderman; "Whirlwind Carter of the Interplanetary Secret Service", by artist co-creator Henry Fletcher
; the jungle-lord adventure "Trojak the Tiger Man", by artist co-creator Joe Simon using the byline Gregory Sykes; artist co-creator Ben Thompson's Western
"Robin Hood of the Range", featuring the Texas Kid; and the college football star Flash Foster at Midwestern, by writer and artist Bob Wood.
animated television series.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comic-book series published by Timely Comics
Timely Comics
Timely Comics, an imprint of Timely Publications, was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics....
, a predecessor of Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
, during the 1930-1940s period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books
Golden Age of Comic Books
The Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s or early 1950s...
. Primarily a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
, it ran eight issues from 1940 to 1942, and is notable for work by Carl Burgos
Carl Burgos
Carl Burgos was an American comic book and advertising artist best known for creating the original Human Torch in Marvel Comics #1 Carl Burgos (né Max Finkelstein, April 18, 1916, New York City, New York; died March 1984) was an American comic book and advertising artist best known for creating...
, Bill Everett
Bill Everett
William Blake "Bill" Everett, also known as William Blake and Everett Blake was a comic book writer-artist best known for creating Namor the Sub-Mariner and co-creating Daredevil for Marvel Comics...
, Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg was a prolific American commercial and comic book artist and painter whose career lasted over 70 years.-Biography:...
, and the team of Joe Simon
Joe Simon
Joseph Henry "Joe" Simon is an American comic book writer, artist, editor, and publisher. Simon created or co-created many important characters in the 1930s-1940s Golden Age of Comic Books and served as the first editor of Timely Comics, the company that would evolve into Marvel Comics.With his...
& Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
Daring Mystery Comics #8 (Jan. 1942) features the first appearance
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
of the Golden Age superhero Citizen V
Citizen V
Citizen V, is the codename of several fictional superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. The original Citizen V was an obscure hero from the Golden Age of Comic Books, but the character's identity was revived in the modern day in the pages of Thunderbolts. The various incarnations of the...
, who decades later appears in flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
in the Marvel series Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts (comics)
The Thunderbolts are a Marvel Comics superhero team, which consists mostly of former supervillains. The group first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #449 , and was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley.-Publication history:...
, where his family and the Citizen V identity play a major part. A small handful of other Daring Mystery superheroes have been revived or have made guest appearances in modern-day titles, such as the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-set flashback
Flashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
series The Invaders
Invaders (comics)
The Invaders is the name of two fictional superhero teams in the . The original team was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Sal Buscema in The Avengers #71 . A present-day incarnation was introduced by writer Chuck Austen and artist Scott Kolins in The Avengers vol...
and the feature "Liberty Legion
Liberty Legion
The Liberty Legion is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was first created in 1976 and set during World War II...
" in Marvel Premiere
Marvel Premiere
Marvel Premiere is an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It ran for 61 issues from April 1972 to August 1981....
.
Publication history
Daring Mystery Comics came from publisher Martin GoodmanMartin Goodman (publisher)
Martin Goodman born on was an American publisher of pulp magazines, paperback books, men's adventure magazines, and comic books, launching the company that would become Marvel Comics....
's Timely Comics
Timely Comics
Timely Comics, an imprint of Timely Publications, was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics....
, which by the early 1960s would evolve into Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. It was initially edited by Joe Simon
Joe Simon
Joseph Henry "Joe" Simon is an American comic book writer, artist, editor, and publisher. Simon created or co-created many important characters in the 1930s-1940s Golden Age of Comic Books and served as the first editor of Timely Comics, the company that would evolve into Marvel Comics.With his...
, Timely's first editor, followed briefly by future Marvel chief Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
very early in his career. As with other of the earliest Timely comics, most material came from Funnies Inc.
Funnies Inc.
Funnies, Inc. is an American comic book packager of the 1930s-1940s Golden Age of comic books. Founded by Lloyd Jacquet, it supplied the contents of early comics, including that of Marvel Comics #1 , the first publication of what would become the multimedia corporation Marvel Comics. The Funnies, Inc...
, one of the prominent comic-book "packagers" who produced complete, outsourced comics on demand for publishers entering the fledgling medium
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
.
Following Daring Mystery Comics #1-8 (Jan. 1940 - Jan. 1942) and a publishing hiatus, the series' numbering continued under different titles. In a quirk of publishing involving U.S. Postal Service regulations and mailing costs, and a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, paper-supply-related moratorium on launching new series, publisher Goodman somehow continued the series numbering as both Daring Comics for four issues from 1944 to 1945, and as Comedy Comics for 26 issues from 1942-1946, both of which launched with an issue #9.
Characters
An anthology with no regular star, the series included a number of obscure, mostly single-appearance features. The best known superheroes to debut in its pages were the Blue DiamondBlue Diamond (comics)
Blue Diamond is a fictional character, a superhero in comic-books published by Marvel Comics, debuting under the company's 1940s forerunner, Timely Comics....
, by artist co-creator Ben Thompson; writer-artist Bill Everett
Bill Everett
William Blake "Bill" Everett, also known as William Blake and Everett Blake was a comic book writer-artist best known for creating Namor the Sub-Mariner and co-creating Daredevil for Marvel Comics...
's the Fin
Fin (comics)
The Fin is the name of two characters from Marvel Comics. The Golden Age Fin has elements of both the swashbuckling pirate and superhero genres.-The Fin :-Publication history:...
; and the Thunderer, created by writer John H. Compton and notable for artist co-creator Carl Burgos
Carl Burgos
Carl Burgos was an American comic book and advertising artist best known for creating the original Human Torch in Marvel Comics #1 Carl Burgos (né Max Finkelstein, April 18, 1916, New York City, New York; died March 1984) was an American comic book and advertising artist best known for creating...
. All three heroes were introduced in issue #7 (April 1941). The comic's first five covers were by artist Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg
Alex Schomburg was a prolific American commercial and comic book artist and painter whose career lasted over 70 years.-Biography:...
. In the 1970s, the Blue Diamond resurfaced in period stories in Marvel Premiere
Marvel Premiere
Marvel Premiere is an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. It ran for 61 issues from April 1972 to August 1981....
, as a member of the homefront World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
team the Liberty Legion
Liberty Legion
The Liberty Legion is a fictional superhero team in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The team was first created in 1976 and set during World War II...
. He also appeared in writer Paul Jenkins
Paul Jenkins (writer)
Paul Jenkins is a British comic book writer and Gary Gygax's stepson. He has had much success crossing over into the American comic book market. Primarily working for Marvel Comics, he has had a big part shaping the characters of the company over the past decade.-Life and career:Paul Jenkins...
' 2011 miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes (2011).
Other heroes included the Challenger
Challenger (comics)
The Challenger is a fictional superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics, beginning with the company's 1940s iteration as Timely Comics during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books.-Publication history:...
, drawn by George Klein
George Klein (comics)
George D. Klein was an American comic book artist and cartoonist whose career stretched from the 1930s and 1940s' Golden Age of comic books...
under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Nick Karlton; artist co-creator Steve Dahlman's Dynaman; writer-artist Simon's Fiery Mask
Fiery Mask
Fiery Mask is a fictional character from the Timely/Marvel Comics universe. He was a Golden Age superhero created by Joe Simon and first appeared in Daring Mystery Comics #1.-Publication history:...
; the Laughing Mask, who became the Purple Mask, by writer Will Harr and artist Maurice Gutwirth; and the superheroine the Silver Scorpion
Silver Scorpion
Silver Scorpion is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe. She first appeared in Daring Mystery Comics #7 .-Fictional character biography:...
, by artist co-creator Harry Sahle
Harry Sahle
Harry Frank Sahle was an American comic book artist who drew for such publishers as Archie Comics, Quality Comics and the Marvel Comics precursor company Timely Comics during the 1930s-1940s period historians and fans call the Golden Age of Comic Books.In 1940, with writer George Kapitan, Sahle...
. Due to Golden Age comics work often going unsigned, comprehensive credits are difficult if not impossible to ascertain, and in many early cases, a feature's artist is also the uncredited writer.
The final three issues contained work by the commercially popular team of writer-inker
Inker
The inker is one of the two line artists in a traditional comic book or graphic novel. After a pencilled drawing is given to the inker, the inker uses black ink to produce refined outlines over the pencil lines...
Joe Simon and penciler and sometimes co-scripter Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
. They collaborated on the covers of #6 (July 1940) and #8 (Jan. 1942), the former of which also featured a 10-page Simon & Kirby story introducing the single-appearance superhero Marvel Boy
Marvel Boy
Marvel Boy is the name of several fictional comic book characters in the Marvel Comics universe, including predecessor companies Timely Comics and Atlas Comics.-Martin Burns:...
(the first of several Marvel universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
characters to take that name), and 10-page story starring the previously introduced Fiery Mask. Issue #7 (April 1941) contained an eight-page Simon & Kirby story introducing the obscure Captain Daring (taken over for the next and last issue by artist Frank Borth
Frank Borth
Frank M. Borth III was an American comic book artist.-Biography:Borth rose to prominence during the so-called Golden Age of Comic Books in the 1930s and 40s, where he was responsible for characters such as Spider Widow for Quality Comics...
). One of the first superhero parodies
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
— Stuporman, by writer-artist Harry Douglas — debuted in issue #6 (Sept. 1940).
Non-superhero features included "G-Man, Don Gorman", a single-issue cover character by unknown creators, though inked by future notable Dick Briefer
Dick Briefer
Richard "Dick" Briefer was an American comic-book artist best known for his various adaptations, including humorous ones, of the Frankenstein monster...
; "Soldier of Fortune, John Steele" and "Monako the Master Magician" a.k.a. "Monako, Prince of Magic", both by artist co-creator Larry Antonette (under the pseudonym Dean Carr for "John Steele"); "K-4 and the Sky Devils", by artist co-creator Jack Alderman; "Whirlwind Carter of the Interplanetary Secret Service", by artist co-creator Henry Fletcher
Henry Fletcher
Henry Fletcher may refer to:*Sir Henry Fletcher, 1st Baronet, of Hutton le Forest *Sir Henry Fletcher, 3rd Baronet, of Hutton le Forest , English MP for Cockermouth*Henry Fletcher Henry Fletcher may refer to:*Sir Henry Fletcher, 1st Baronet, of Hutton le Forest (died 1645)*Sir Henry Fletcher, 3rd...
; the jungle-lord adventure "Trojak the Tiger Man", by artist co-creator Joe Simon using the byline Gregory Sykes; artist co-creator Ben Thompson's Western
Western comics
Western comics is a comics genre usually depicting the American Old West frontier and typically set during the late nineteenth century...
"Robin Hood of the Range", featuring the Texas Kid; and the college football star Flash Foster at Midwestern, by writer and artist Bob Wood.
Collected Editions
- Marvel MasterworksMarvel MasterworksMarvel Masterworks are a American collection of hardcover and trade paperback comic book reprints published by Marvel Comics. They are printed in full color and feature various titles from the Golden Age, Pre-Code , Silver Age, and Bronze Age of comics.The collection started in 1987 with volumes...
: Golden Age Daring Mystery Vol. 1 (collects Daring Mystery Comics #1-4) - Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Daring Mystery Vol. 2 (collects Daring Mystery Comics #5-8)
In other media
The Thunderer appeared in the "Seven Forgotten Warriors" episode of one of the Spider-ManSpider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
animated television series.
Further reading
- Steranko, JimJim SterankoJames F. Steranko is an American graphic artist, comic book writer-artist-historian, magician, publisher and film production illustrator....
. The Steranko History of Comics 1 (Supergraphics, 1970, ISBN 0-517-50188-0)