Yank & Doodle
Encyclopedia
Yank & Doodle are a pair of fictional superhero
characters who first appeared in the Prize Publications
title Prize Comics in 1941.
, were still able to fight spies and saboteurs in the United States as the costumed heroes Yank (Rick) and Doodle (Dick). The two of them were super-strong and invulnerable, as long as they were near each other; when apart, they had no superpowers.
At one point during their career, they teamed up with The Green Lama
, the first Black Owl
, and many other heroes to fight Frankenstein's monster
.
Later, their father Walt became the second Black Owl, having been made the successor of the first one; for the next three years, father and sons worked together as a team, with Yank & Doodle basically being the Owl’s sidekicks. When a bullet wound convinced Walt to retire from active crimefighting, he became an adviser to the boys, who were once again fighting as a duo.
Whatever became of Yank & Doodle after the 1940s is not yet known.
, Yank & Doodle first appeared in Prize Comics #13 (August, 1941) as two superheroes who were too young to enlist in the army, but were still able to make a difference in the war effort. Their costumes were identical, except that Yank’s had a letter Y on the front, and Doodle’s a letter D. Their names were derived from the patriotic song Yankee Doodle
.
In issue #24 (October, 1942), the duo took part in a crossover of all the Prize Comics heroes, including The Black Owl. In issue #34 (September, 1943), their father Walt became the new Black Owl, and the two titles were merged into one; when dad was sidelined in issue #64 (June, 1947), the boys once again had the spotlight to themselves.
With issue #69 (April, 1948), Prize Comics became Prize Comics Western, and everything that didn’t fit the new Western
format — including The Black Owl and Yank & Doodle — was discarded. The three characters have since fallen into the public domain
.
In issue #6 of Project Superpowers
, The Black Owl and Yank & Doodle were included in a two-page layout of Golden Age
character sketches; in the one-shot Project Superpowers: Chapter Two Prelude, it was stated that the three of them would appear in the second volume of this comic title, and that Yank & Doodle would be part of a team of kid sidekicks and young superheroes.
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 —...
characters who first appeared in the Prize Publications
Crestwood Publications
Crestwood Publications, also known as Feature Publications, was a magazine publisher that also published comic books from the 1940s through the 1960s. Its title Prize Comics contained what is considered the first ongoing horror comic-book feature, Dick Briefer's "Frankenstein"...
title Prize Comics in 1941.
Fictional biography
Identical twins Rick and Dick Walters, being too young to enlist in the army during World War IIWorld 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...
, were still able to fight spies and saboteurs in the United States as the costumed heroes Yank (Rick) and Doodle (Dick). The two of them were super-strong and invulnerable, as long as they were near each other; when apart, they had no superpowers.
At one point during their career, they teamed up with The Green Lama
Green Lama
The Green Lama was an American pulp magazine hero of the 1940s. In many respects a typical costumed crime-fighter of the period, the Green Lama's most unusual feature was the fact that he was a practicing Buddhist...
, the first Black Owl
The Black Owl
The Black Owl is the name of two fictional superhero characters, one of which is the successor of the other. Both appeared in the Prize Publications title Prize Comics in the 1940s.-Doug Danville:...
, and many other heroes to fight Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
.
Later, their father Walt became the second Black Owl, having been made the successor of the first one; for the next three years, father and sons worked together as a team, with Yank & Doodle basically being the Owl’s sidekicks. When a bullet wound convinced Walt to retire from active crimefighting, he became an adviser to the boys, who were once again fighting as a duo.
Whatever became of Yank & Doodle after the 1940s is not yet known.
History
Created by an unknown writer and artist Paul NorrisPaul Norris
Paul Leroy Norris was an American comic book artist best known as co-creator of the DC Comics superhero Aquaman, and for a 35-year run as artist of the newspaper comic strip Brick Bradford.-Early life and career:...
, Yank & Doodle first appeared in Prize Comics #13 (August, 1941) as two superheroes who were too young to enlist in the army, but were still able to make a difference in the war effort. Their costumes were identical, except that Yank’s had a letter Y on the front, and Doodle’s a letter D. Their names were derived from the patriotic song Yankee Doodle
Yankee Doodle
"Yankee Doodle" is a well-known Anglo-American song, the origin of which dates back to the Seven Years' War. It is often sung patriotically in the United States today and is the state anthem of Connecticut...
.
In issue #24 (October, 1942), the duo took part in a crossover of all the Prize Comics heroes, including The Black Owl. In issue #34 (September, 1943), their father Walt became the new Black Owl, and the two titles were merged into one; when dad was sidelined in issue #64 (June, 1947), the boys once again had the spotlight to themselves.
With issue #69 (April, 1948), Prize Comics became Prize Comics Western, and everything that didn’t fit the new Western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
format — including The Black Owl and Yank & Doodle — was discarded. The three characters have since fallen into the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
.
In issue #6 of Project Superpowers
Project Superpowers
Project Superpowers is a comic book limited series published by Dynamite Entertainment beginning January 2008. It was co-plotted by Jim Krueger and Alex Ross, with scripts by Jim Krueger, covers by Alex Ross, and interior art by Doug Klauba and Stephen Sadowski for issue #0, and Carlos Paul for the...
, The Black Owl and Yank & Doodle were included in a two-page layout of Golden Age
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...
character sketches; in the one-shot Project Superpowers: Chapter Two Prelude, it was stated that the three of them would appear in the second volume of this comic title, and that Yank & Doodle would be part of a team of kid sidekicks and young superheroes.