Zog

Real Name: Prince Zog of Mars
First Appearance: Amazing Man Comics #15 (1940)
Original Publisher: Centaur
Created by: Unknown

Golden Age Origin: 

Prince Zog of Mars was a martian intent on conquering Earth after being transported from his planet by a strange race of island men. He could shoot lasers from his eyes which he uses to destroy the scientist who brought him to Earth. However, the hero known as the Shark and his father Neptune were also captured by the inhabitants of the island and prevent Zog from conquering the world by destroying him using his weakness, water. They discovered his weakness when Neptune doused him with it, causing Zog to dissolve.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Amazing Man Comics #15

Thor

Real Name: Grant Farrel
First Appearance: Weird Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Fox
Created by: Pierce Rice

Origin: 

Believing that the world needed a defender, Thor, son of Odin and supreme ruler of Valhalla, bestowed upon the human Grant Farrel his own powers, which Grant used to become a crime fighter. When he transformed into Thor, Farrel could fly, throw lightning bolts, and generate storms. He wielded Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, which could be thrown hard enough to smash through multiple tanks but, like a boomerang, would return to his hand.

Public Domain Appearances: 

Weird Comics #1-5

Clown

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Super Mystery Comics #5 (1940)
Original Publisher: Ace Periodicals
Created by: Paul Chadwick

Origin: 

A malevolent crazy who seems to work for himself at times and other times for Adolf Hitler. He was a skilled swordsman and an inventor of various brain-washing devices. The Clown's background was never revealed, but his debut story hinted that he was not an American. He was decked out in face-paint and wore a clown outfit. This villain fought Magno the Magnetic Man and Davey on multiple occasions.

Public Domain Appearances: 

Super Mystery Comics #5-9, 14-15, 17, 22-23, 27

Four Favorites #8, 12, 14-17

Frost

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Wham Comics #2 (1940)
Original Publisher: Centaur
Created by: Lew Glanzman

Golden Age Origin: 

Frost was a German saboteur who ingested a special pill which gave him ice powers. When Blue Fire attempts to stop him, Frost tries to shoot Blue Fire, but the bullets phase through him. Fire then tries to punch Frost, but he can not hit him while intangible. The two reach a stalemate and with Blue Fire's powers about to run out he left his foe. When he brought the police to capture Frost, the villain had escaped. Tanya Gerhst, a fellow German spy, and Frost were later confronted by Blue Fire at their hideout. Frost began to fight Fire, but lost control of his intangibility and plunged to the bottom floor of the building. Frost manages to escape capture by Blue Fire, but Fire stops him from freezing another ship.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Wham Comics #2

Zoro the Purple Zombie

Real Name: Zoro
First Appearance: Reg'lar Fellers Heroic Comics #1 (Aug 1940)
Original Publisher: Eastern Color Printing
Created by: Tarpe Mills

Golden Age Origin:

Created by Doctors Malinsky and Hale, the Purple Zombie was intended by Dr. Hale to be used to prolong life, not to revive the dead. However, the evil Dr. Malinsky wanted to create zombie armies and become "ruler of the living and the dead." Malinsky shoots Hale but is then strangled to death by the zombie, who, in his own words, is "without a conscience...but not without a brain." The Purple Zombie then destroys Malinsky's allies.

The rampaging zombie was then captured by the police and sentenced to death. But when he was taken to the electric chair ("This'll be the first time I ever saw a guy die twice!") it would not die because its skin does not conduct electricity. Luckily, Hale turned out not to dead after all and the Purple Zombie, who Hale called "Zoro," was still obedient to him. The court released the zombie into his custody. But notorious gangleader Joe Coroza saw the zombie as a potential asset and kidnapped him. Hale fought the gangsters and the Mechanized Skeleton to recover him.

In later adventures they traveled back in time together. On one trip, they battled Saracens and met King Richard, The Lionheart. On another trip, they travelled to Rome during the reign of Nero, where they narrowly escaped the Great Fire.

Powers and Abilities:

He possesses super-strength, is bullet-proof, and is immune to electricity.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Reg'lar Fellers Heroic Comics #1-12

Professor Fenton

Real Name: Professor Fenton
First Appearance: Thrilling Comics #4 (May 1940)
Original Publisher: Nedor
Created by: Richard Hughes? and August Froehlich?

Origin: 

Professor Fenton was a mad genius with plans of world domination. He built a time machine in his castle which he used to aid him in his quest in a variety of ways. He sometimes used the time machine to banish his enemies into the past. The Ghost caught on to his plans and managed to rescue a number of his victims from prehistoric times, but the Ghost was unable to destroy the time machine, because there were still other victims trapped in other time periods.

Fenton also used the time machine to transport himself and a handful of his henchman into the past, in search of riches, relics and allies. He attempted to make alliances with a number of legendary figures including Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Morgan le Fay and even Zeus! He gained possession of relics such as the spear of Diana the Huntress. He also briefly posed as King John of England to collect the ransom for King Richard, The Lionheart. He usually attempted to impress historical persons with the modern weapons of his men, but his men usually ended up being slaughtered. Fortunately, he seemed to have a small army working for him in the present. They monitored his progress and communicated with him through an electronic monitor. Fenton himself usually carried a handgun or an "electric pistol".

Golden Age Appearances: 

Thrilling Comics #4-35, 37-38, 47

Eagle

Real Name: Captain Bill Powers
First Appearance: Science Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Fox Features
Created by: Lester Raye

Origin: 

Wealthy scientist and American patriot, Bill Powers first fought the Nazis as a spy and then put on a patriotic costume and battled them as the Eagle. He was assisted by his sidekick, Buddy.

The Eagle battled many foes, including the likes of the Beast, the Gimp and the Scarecrow. The Eagle was willing to kill his enemies if need be.

Powers and Abilities: 

At one time, he had wings and could fly. Later, he developed an anti-gravity solution which he soaked his cape in before every adventure. He also possessed great strength.

Public Domain Appearances: 

Science Comics #1-8

Weird Comics #8-20

Eagle #1-4

Bird Man

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Weird Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Fox Features
Created by: Unknown

the Raven

Golden Age Origin:

The Bird Man, winged hunter of the plains and descendant of an ancient Native American god, was gifted with the ability to fly and the keenness of a bird of prey. His wings were said to be as durable as steel. He carried with him a hunting knife and a bow and quiver.

Golden Age Appearances:

Weird Comics #1-4

Moth

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Mystery Men Conics #9 (April, 1940)
Original Publisher: Fox Features
Created by: Jim Mooney

Crimson Moth suit

Golden Age Origin: 

The mysterious Moth was a superhero who, whether through his own power or because of a special suit, could fly. He used his talents and abilities to fight crime. During his adventures, he stopped a kidnapping and prevented a group of villains who were trying to control the weather called the Weather Kings. He also fought various mad scientists such as one who could drain life force and another who was a Dr. Frankenstein-like grave robber called the Doc.

Golden Age Appearances:

Mystery Men Comics # 9-12

Wonder Boy

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: National Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Quality /Ajax-Farrell/Elliot
Created by: Toni Blum and John Celardo

the kid becomes Wonderman

Golden Age Origin:

Wonder Boy was the last survivor of the planet Viro.

He escaped his home world's explosion on a spaceship, hurling through space and time and crashing into the heart of Chicago. He survived, but when he tried to explain his origin to the local police, they didn't believe him and placed him in an orphanage.

He sulked for a while, but when he heard that a Mongol warlord was trying to invade Europe, he left the orphanage and stopped the warlord's forces single-handedly. He decided to continue to use his superhuman abilities to fight Nazis and criminals.

Powers and Abilities:

Wonder Boy had "the strength of a thousand men" as well as a degree of super speed. The comic is unclear as to whether his powers were natural Viran abilities or result of Earth's unique conditions.

Wonder Boy was one of the few superheroes who never so much as attempted to keep a secret identity.

Golden Age Appearances:

National Comics #1-26

Bomber Comics #1-4

Terrific Comics #16

Wonder Boy #17-18

Notes:

When he started appearing in Bomber Comics, he gained something of a permanent supporting cast. He found a friend in Professor Benson and a potential love interest in professor's daughter, Sally Benson.

Tornado Tom

Real Name: Tom Kenny
First Appearance: Cyclone Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Bilbara Publishing
Created by: Unknown

Golden Age Origin:

Tom Kenny was a farmer who got picked up by a tornado and thrown about for hours. When he finally landed, Tom now had amnesia but had also gained super powers. Tornado Tom has the speed and strength of a tornado and uses those attributes to fight crime. He had the strength of 12 men and could run as fast as 70 miles per hour.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Cyclone Comics #1-5

Merlin

Real Name: Jock Kellog
First Appearance: National Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Quality Comics
Created by: Don Zolnerowich

Origin:

In 1940, while unhappily contemplating his waning fortunes, playboy Jock Kellog is contacted by a messenger who tells him his eccentric, wealthy uncle is ill and might be dying. Kellog races to the scene in rural England, hoping his financial troubles will be ameliorated by a great inheritance. Instead of the palatial residence he expected, Jock arrives at a modest cottage. Upon entering, he discovers it is filled with numerous antiques of Arthurian vintage. Kellog's uncle is indeed dying, and he tells the young playboy that he is the last of a line of men who can trace their descent directly from Merlin . Before dying, the old man gives Kellog a green hooded cloak and tells him that, while wearing it, he will inherit all the powers of Merlin himself.

At first, Kellog disbelieves his uncle's story. However, while wearing the cloak, Kellog instinctively uses magic to save a woman falling from a building and comes to accept his uncle's story as true. He thereafter resolves to use his newfound abilities to aid mankind. Kellog assumes the name of his magical ancestor, Merlin, and goes about roaming the world, fighting Axis forces wherever he encounters them. His more mystical enemies include Mars/Ares (who he fought twice, with Ares aided the second time by Wotan), Dr. Morbidd, and Agor the Spider.

Merlin possesses somewhat ill-defined but reputedly powerful magical abilities. He was shown as being able to produce virtually any effect that he could conceive. He could battle minor gods single-handedly, instantaneously teleport anywhere in the world, or summon mythological creatures to do his bidding. Later in his career he began casting spells by speaking backwards, much like Zatara and Tor.

Public Domain Appearances: 

National Comics #1-26

Master Mystic

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Green Giant Comics #1, 1940
Original Publisher: Pelican Press
Created by: Victor E. Pazmino

Golden Age Origin:

Master Mystic had developed to the utmost the power of mind over matter, which allowed him to defy gravity, project his voice to thousands, turn into vapor, create materials from nothing, emit "liquidating rays" from his mind that destroy objects by "melting" them.

He had a tower "at the top of the world".

In his first adventure he battled Rango, an evil Slovanian scientist who made himself a giant to exact revenge upon those who foiled his attempts at world domination.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Green Giant Comics #1, 1940, Pelican Press.

Dick Cole

Real Name: Richard "Dick" Cole
First Appearance: Blue Bolt Comics #1 (Jun. 1940)
Original Publisher: Novelty Press
Created by: Bob Davis

Golden Age Origin:

Dick Cole was a student at the Farr Military Academy, a military academy somewhere on the East Coast of United States. He was born in 1923. Less then a month later, his mother gave him up because his father was dead and she had no means to take care of him on her own.[1] Wanting to give him a best chance in life, she left him on the doorstep of Professor Blair. She heard that Professor Blair knew a way to raise a child so that it may become "a perfect specimen of manhood." Professor Blair realized that he finally had a chance to put his theories into practice.

Over the next few years, Professor Blair used the combination of "special vitamin serums" and radiation treatment to boost Dick's physical and mental development. Dick was able to walk when he was six months old and talk when he was one year old. He breezed through public schools, graduating from Junior High at 10 and from High School at 12, earning the highest honors along the way. Over the next five years, Professor Blair took Dick around the world, where, in the Bruce Wayne-like fashion, Dick learned all sorts of athletic skills. To help Dick appreciate American values, Professor Blair took Dick to (unnamed) totalitarian countries.

When Dick turned 17, Professor Blair made his young charge swear that he wouldn't use his abilities for selfish and/or malevolent reasons. Then, he enrolled Dick in Farr Military Academy.

From that point on, Dick tried his best to lead the life of an average military cadet. But, being a 1940s comic book character and all, he often wound up in situations where he had to use his abilities to stop criminals, foreign spies and other menaces.

Powers and Abilities:

Thanks to Professor Blair's unique upbringing, Dick Cole was stronger, faster and more agile than an average human being. He was capable of picking up and processing information quickly and more efficiently - for example, he was able to learn how to pole-vault just by watching the track team do it. While Dick can be injured, he is more resilient than ordinary humans.

Golden Age Appearances:

4 Most Comics #1-31

Blue Bolt Comics #1-101

Young King Cole V1 #1-2, V2 #1, 5

Dick Cole (Novelty) #1-5

Dick Cole (Star) #6-10 (the apperances in issues 7-10 are reprints)

Dick Cole (Accepted) #7, 9 (reprints only)

Diamond Jack

Real Name: Jack
First Appearance: Slam Bang Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Fawcett
Created by: Gus Ricca

Golden Age Origin:

Diamond Jack (last name never revealed) was given a ring with an inset magic diamond by an old magician. The magic diamond was later revealed to have been the lost eye-jewel of the god Khor from a temple in the Far East. The ring gave him the ability to create whatever he imagined and transmute objects. The ring also gave him super strength, invulnerability, super senses, the ability to heal others, limited flight, and a few other plot-convenient abilities. He used the magic ring to fight crime.

Golden Age Appearances:

Slam Bang Comics #1-7

Wow Comics #1

Comet

Real Name: John Dickering
First Appearance: Pep Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: MLJ
Created by: Jack Cole

Golden Age Origin:

John Dickering was a chemist who discovered a special gas that was many times lighter than Hydrogen. If the gas is injected into the human body, they can achieve flying leaps. Dickering injected himself, but soon discovers there was a side-effect, eye beams that are fired whenever John would cross his eyes. However, glass could not be penetrated by Dickering's dissolvo-vision. So, he wears glass goggles to keep his powers under control. John Dickering decides to use his powers as the costumed hero the Comet. His reporter girlfriend Thelma Gordon assisted him by running news-stories about Comet's good deeds.

However, the Comet is killed when he tries to save his brother Bob from being shot by gangster gunfire. Bob Dickering would become the hero Hangman to avenge his brother's death. He also would go on to date his brother's ex-girlfriend Thelma.

Powers and Abilities:

The Comet's powers are flight and disintegrating eye beams.

Golden Age Appearances:

Pep Comics #1-17

Blue Streak & Tago

Real Names: Unknown & Tago
First Appearance: Crash Comics #1 (1940)
Original Publisher: Holyoke
Created by: Unknown

Origin:

The Blue Streak was called a "Defender of the People" and the "self-appointed foe of ruthless dictators." His sidekick was his Asian chauffeur and friend, Tago.

Masked Tago

Blue Streak had no superpowers but was a skilled fighter and wore a bulletproof vest under his costume.

Public Domain Appearances:

Crash Comics #1-5

Airman

Real Name: Drake Stevens
First Appearance: Keen Detective Funnies #23 (1940)
Original Publisher: Centaur
Created by: George Kapitan & Harry Sahle

Origin:

Professor Claude Stevens, a renowned ornithologist, was senselessly murdered. His son Drake was outraged and received no justice from the police. So Drake put together a costume consisting of a pair of gas-filled wings and some bombs and went hunting for criminals. The gas made his wings lighter than air. Later, he added a jet pack that allowed him to travel over long distances at much faster speeds. He also used a gun in several adventures.

Public Domain Appearances: 

Detective Eye #1-2

Keen Detective Funnies #23-24