Captain Swastika

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Hangman Comics #2
Original Publisher: MLJ
Created By: Unknown

Golden Age Origin

Captain Swastika was a famed Nazi saboteur and the most frequently recurring archenemy of the Hangman.

The two first crossed paths by accident after the Hangman (in his civilian identity) picked up a distressed woman being pursued by Captain Swastika because of her knowledge regarding a country-wide sabotage plot.

While his face appears to be covered by a simple mask, Captain Swastika's insistence of wearing it even when disguising himself implies that it may simply have been his actual face.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Hangman Comics #2, 3

Pep Comics #28, 29, 34

Mist

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics #16 (June, 1941)
Original Publisher: MLJ
Created by: Al Camy, Harry Shorten

Origin: 

The Mist was a thief and killer who wore a "Molecular Disintegrator" belt, which allowed him to turn his body into a gasseous state. In this state, he was impervious to fists and bullets and could escape through even the smallest crack. He could also fly and carry small objects in this state. However, to make attacks, he had to become solid.

He usually carried a dagger on him, but he was also known to use firearms. He battled The Black Hood on several occassions.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Top-Notch Comics #16

Jackpot Comics #3

Poker Face

Real Name: Unknown
First Appearance: Zip Comics #23 (February, 1942)
Original Publisher: MLJ
Created by: Al Camy

Origin: 

Poker Face was a skilled gambler. After two men named Wayne and Phelps tried to kill him during a poker game, Poker Face swore to return and take revenge. He managed to kill both men, but came into conflict with the hero, Black Jack. Poker Face used a blow dart to kill his victims. The poison on his darts caused the victim's facial features to melt and turn white. Poker Face was also a skilled fighter, nearly a match for Blackjack, and he sometimes carried a dagger. He was also a true master of disguise. It appears that his white, featurless face was, in fact, his actual face, though he was able to talk and use his blow gun despite the lack of a mouth.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Zip Comics #23-24

Monstro

Real Name: Monstro
First Appearance: Pep Comics #40 (July, 1943)
Original Publisher: MLJ
Created by: Irv Novick

Origin: 

Monstro was a powerful, but peaceful martian who visited earth when he accidentally trapped himself in a spacecraft bound for our planet. Monstro created pandamonium amonst most of the earth citizens he encountered when he set out on foot in New York, and the police assumed him to be the vanguard of an alien invasion. Monstro tried to escape, but was tracked down by The Shield. When The Shield attacked him, mistakenly believing that Monstro was threatening his partner Dusty the Boy Detective, Mostro crumpled into a fetal position. Monstro decided to stay on Earth for a while and The Shield attempted to look out for him during his visit. However, The Shield quickly became annoyed with him and Monstro set out on his own for a few weeks in March. He naively attempted to help a number of earth men, but was taken advantage of by swindlers. Soon after, he decided to leave the earth.

Although he is not aggressive, Monstro demonstrated tremendous strength, speed and athleticism, likely on a superhuman level. He was highly resistant to injury, at least enough to shrug off the bullets of police firearms without harm. He had the ability to read minds, which in turn allowed him to instantly learn English. He also had the ability to morph his appearance to look like any human (or anything else he wanted to resemble). He also had x-ray vision, allowing him to see through solid matter.

Despite his power, Monstro was quite timid. He revealed that he had high blood pressure and that he suffered a nervous break down at one point.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Pep Comics #40-41

Web

Real Name: John Raymond
First Appearance: Zip Comics #27 (1942)
Original Publisher: MLJ
Created by: John Cassone

Golden Age Origin:

John Raymond was a college professor of criminology and a mystery writer. He became interested in criminology when his brother, Tim, broke the law and wanted to know what led men to a life of crime. However while he only theorized about criminals by day, he became the crime fighter Web at night.

During one of his early adventures, he rescues Rose Wayne, a former student of Raymond, from the Black Dragon of Death. She later discovered his secret identity by noticing a spider clasp that was dropped by the professor.

His enemies included Captain Murder and Count Berlin.

Golden Age Appearances: 

Zip Comics #27-38

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