Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt
Encyclopedia
Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt is a fictional superhero
character originally owned by Charlton Comics
, notable for containing some of the earliest respectful invocations of Eastern mysticism
in American pop culture. The character has been owned by the estate of its creator, writer-artist Pete Morisi
, since his death in 2003.
's "Action Heroes" superhero line. The series then took over the numbering of the defunct title Son of Vulcan
, and ran from issue #50-60 (March-April 1966 - Nov. 1967), after which Morisi, a New York City Police Department
officer and time-pressed with police work, left the title, which was canceled along with the rest of Charlton's "Action Heroes" comics line.
There were several backup series in Thunderbolt. "The Sentinels", by Gary Friedrich
(writing his first superhero stories) and penciler-inker Sam Grainger
, appeared in #54-59, and #60 had the Prankster, written by Dennis O'Neil
with art by Jim Aparo
.
Morisi, who'd done work for Lev Gleason Publications
in the 1940s, reported in Comic Book Artist
#9 (Aug. 2000) that he had attempted to buy the rights to the 1940s superhero Daredevil in the early 1960s. Gleason gave him his okay, but the character's primary writer-artist, Charles Biro
, balked, requesting a percentage of future profits. Morisi declined and went on to create Thunderbolt in a scaled-down version of that Daredevil's symmetrically divided, red-and-blue costume.
As a police officer, Morisi signed his work with his initials, PAM, in order to keep his moonlighting hidden.
crossover series (April 1985 - March 1986, Thunderbolt appearing in #6, 7, and 10) when he joined the heroes of the Multiverse
in their crusade against the Anti-Monitor
.
Introducing him into the new DC Universe
, DC published Peter Cannon — Thunderbolt, by writer-penciler Mike Collins and inker
Jose Marzan Jr.
. The series ran for 12 issues before cancellation (Sept. 1992 - Aug. 1993). During the series' short run, his recurring foils were the criminal terrorists-for-hire known as Scorpio
. He later discovers that his girlfriend Cairo DeFrey was actually in charge of the organization.
The character also appeared briefly with the Justice League
.
and Mark Waid
's comic Kingdom Come as a member of Magog's Justice Battalion, along with the rest of the Charlton 'Action Heroes'. In them, he is wearing an outfit more reminiscent of the Golden Age Daredevil, wearing a full head mask. He was apparently killed with the other members when Captain Atom
was killed.
In the 1986 series Watchmen
by Alan Moore
and Dave Gibbons
, published by DC Comics, though not set in the DC Universe
, many of the characters were based on old Charlton heroes; the character of Ozymandias
drew inspiration from the original Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt character.
This origin is reminiscent of the Golden Age hero, Amazing Man, and the earlier still pulp hero and radio serial character, The Shadow
.
His costume is his training outfit from the lamasary, with an added mask. A recurring villain is the "Hooded One", another monk from the lamasary who resented the fact an outsider like Peter was given access to the sacred scrolls.
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 —...
character originally owned by Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics
Charlton Comics was an American comic book publishing company that existed from 1946 to 1985, having begun under a different name in 1944. It was based in Derby, Connecticut...
, notable for containing some of the earliest respectful invocations of Eastern mysticism
Eastern mysticism
Eastern mysticism or Eastern spirituality is a broad and largely Western concept summarizing and sometimes amalgamating mystic traditions of the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East, a separate realm from Western mysticism...
in American pop culture. The character has been owned by the estate of its creator, writer-artist Pete Morisi
Pete Morisi
Peter A. Morisi , who sometimes went by the pseudonym PAM, is an American comic book writer and artist who also spent much of his professional life as a New York City Police Department officer. He is best known as creator of the 1960s Charlton Comics series Peter Cannon .....
, since his death in 2003.
Charlton Comics
The character debuted in Peter Cannon ... Thunderbolt #1 (Jan. 1966), part of Charlton editor Dick GiordanoDick Giordano
Richard Joseph "Dick" Giordano was an American comic book artist and editor best known for introducing Charlton Comics' "Action Heroes" stable of superheroes, and serving as executive editor of then–industry leader DC Comics...
's "Action Heroes" superhero line. The series then took over the numbering of the defunct title Son of Vulcan
Son of Vulcan
Son of Vulcan is the name of two comic book characters, one created by Charlton Comics in 1965, the other by DC Comics in August 2005. Son of Vulcan was one of the characters DC Comics purchased from defunct Charlton Comics in 1983.-Charlton Comics:...
, and ran from issue #50-60 (March-April 1966 - Nov. 1967), after which Morisi, a New York City Police Department
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
officer and time-pressed with police work, left the title, which was canceled along with the rest of Charlton's "Action Heroes" comics line.
There were several backup series in Thunderbolt. "The Sentinels", by Gary Friedrich
Gary Friedrich
Gary Friedrich . is an American comic book writer best known for his Silver Age stories for Marvel Comics' Sgt...
(writing his first superhero stories) and penciler-inker Sam Grainger
Sam Grainger
Samuel E. Grainger was an American comic book artist best known as a Marvel Comics inker during the 1960s and 1970s periods fans and historians call, respectively, the Silver Age and the Bronze Age of Comic Books...
, appeared in #54-59, and #60 had the Prankster, written by Dennis O'Neil
Dennis O'Neil
Dennis J. "Denny" O'Neil is an American comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement....
with art by Jim Aparo
Jim Aparo
James N. "Jim" Aparo was an American comic book artist best known for his 1960s and 1970s DC Comics work, including on the characters Batman, Aquaman and the Spectre....
.
Morisi, who'd done work for Lev Gleason Publications
Lev Gleason Publications
Lev Gleason Publications, founded by Leverett Gleason, was the publisher of a number of popular comic books during the 1940s and early 1950s, including Daredevil, Crime Does Not Pay, and Boy Comics....
in the 1940s, reported in Comic Book Artist
Comic Book Artist
Comic Book Artist was an American magazine founded by Jon B. Cooke devoted to anecdotal histories of American comic books, with emphasis on comics published since the 1960s...
#9 (Aug. 2000) that he had attempted to buy the rights to the 1940s superhero Daredevil in the early 1960s. Gleason gave him his okay, but the character's primary writer-artist, Charles Biro
Charles Biro
Charles Biro was an American comic book creator and cartoonist. He is today chiefly known for creating the comic book characters Airboy and Steel Sterling, and for his 16-year run on the acclaimed 1940s series Daredevil Comics for Lev Gleason Publications.-Biography:Charles Biro studied art at...
, balked, requesting a percentage of future profits. Morisi declined and went on to create Thunderbolt in a scaled-down version of that Daredevil's symmetrically divided, red-and-blue costume.
As a police officer, Morisi signed his work with his initials, PAM, in order to keep his moonlighting hidden.
DC Comics
After Charlton Comics sold its superhero properties to DC Comics in 1983, Thunderbolt reappeared after almost two decades in the Crisis on Infinite EarthsCrisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
crossover series (April 1985 - March 1986, Thunderbolt appearing in #6, 7, and 10) when he joined the heroes of the Multiverse
Multiverse (DC Comics)
The DC Multiverse is a fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by comic book company DC Comics. The DC Multiverse consists of numerous worlds, most of them outside DC's main continuity, allowing writers the creative freedom to explore alternative versions of characters and...
in their crusade against the Anti-Monitor
Anti-Monitor
The Anti-Monitor is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain and the antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 , and was destroyed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, only to return after a long absence in Green...
.
Introducing him into the new DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, DC published Peter Cannon — Thunderbolt, by writer-penciler Mike Collins and 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...
Jose Marzan Jr.
Jose Marzan Jr.
José Marzán, Jr. is an American comic book writer and artist. Over his career he has worked on many titles including Action Comics, Final Night, Marvel Comics Presents, Nightwing and Y: The Last Man....
. The series ran for 12 issues before cancellation (Sept. 1992 - Aug. 1993). During the series' short run, his recurring foils were the criminal terrorists-for-hire known as Scorpio
Scorpio (DC Comics)
Scorpio is a fictional DC Comics terrorist organization introduced in 1965's Challengers of the Unknown issue #47.-History:A mercenary group of terrorists-for-hire...
. He later discovers that his girlfriend Cairo DeFrey was actually in charge of the organization.
The character also appeared briefly with the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
.
Legacy
Thunderbolt was briefly shown in flashbacks in Alex RossAlex Ross
Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross is an American comic book painter, illustrator, and plotter. He is praised for his realistic, human depictions of classic comic book characters. Since the 1990s he has done work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an...
and Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
's comic Kingdom Come as a member of Magog's Justice Battalion, along with the rest of the Charlton 'Action Heroes'. In them, he is wearing an outfit more reminiscent of the Golden Age Daredevil, wearing a full head mask. He was apparently killed with the other members when Captain Atom
Captain Atom
Captain Atom is a fictional comic book superhero that has existed in three basic incarnations. Created by writer Joe Gill and artist/co-writer Steve Ditko, he first appeared in Space Adventures #33 . Captain Atom was created for Charlton Comics but was later acquired by DC Comics and revised for...
was killed.
In the 1986 series Watchmen
Watchmen
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form...
by Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
and Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons
Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...
, published by DC Comics, though not set in the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, many of the characters were based on old Charlton heroes; the character of Ozymandias
Ozymandias (comics)
Ozymandias , is a fictional character and the main antagonist appearing in the comic book limited series Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, published by DC Comics. Named Ozymandias in the manner of Ramesses II, he is a modified version of the comic book character Thunderbolt from Charlton...
drew inspiration from the original Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt character.
Fictional character biography
His origin, as detailed in the original comic:"Peter Cannon, orphaned son of an American medical team, was raised in a HimalayanHimalayasThe Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
lamasery, where his parents had sacrificed their lives combating the dreaded Black Plague! After attaining the highest degree of mental and physical perfection, he was entrusted with the knowledge of the ancient scrolls that bore the secret writings of past generations of wise men! From them he learned concentration, mind over matter, the art of activating and the harnessing the unused portions of the brain, that made seemingly fantastic feats possible! Then he returned to America with his faithful friend, Tabu, and sought out a new life, in a new land, that required the emergence of Peter Cannon... Thunderbolt."
This origin is reminiscent of the Golden Age hero, Amazing Man, and the earlier still pulp hero and radio serial character, The Shadow
The Shadow
The Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in pulp magazines, then on 1930s radio and then in a wide variety of media, that follow the exploits of the title character, a crime-fighting vigilante in the pulps, which carried over to the airwaves as a "wealthy, young man about town"...
.
His costume is his training outfit from the lamasary, with an added mask. A recurring villain is the "Hooded One", another monk from the lamasary who resented the fact an outsider like Peter was given access to the sacred scrolls.