Yellowjacket Webnesdays: The Web, Cover Boy

The Web appeared in exactly ten golden age comics, in Zip Comics #27-37. Despite almost every cover having him and his pal Steel Sterling duking it out versus Axis thugs, he almost never battled foreign foes in his own tales underneath the front cover. And while generally shown as a brunette, in his first and another appearence he appeared as a red head, so apparently he was a fan of the hair dye which was quite unusual among his peers back in the day.

Cap may have had a Red Skull over at Timely Comics, but Web had the more nefarious "Green Skull" to butt heads with

DC Comics may have had the World's Finest Team, but MLJ's dynamic duo of the Web and Steel Sterling was "Top Notch"

This incarnation would then rest until being revitalized within the canon of MLJ/Red Circle in Mighty Crusaders #9, as an aged criminologist (long since retired and having bequeathed his costume to his henpecked son) called upon to testify in the trial of his old ally the Shield.

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: "The Adventure of the Golden Horn"

Welcome back to Yellowjacket Webnesdays, where we dive into another tale from the golden age with Charlton's most famous hero of that era (and virtually their only one, matter of fact). Once more, Vince Harley decides to investigate the premise behind his latest tale, although this time he's still forming from the beginning.

"Slack off". Umm okay, I'm sure that meant something a little more PC than how it sounds today. When you see a slick customer like this goon with teeth grinning from the start, you know who the villain of the piece is. Now let's dive into the final confrontation between are antagonist and the plot's protagonist, and see if the Count had counted the cost of his corrupt course....

Yikes, so not only did Jacket's yellow pets keep tabs on this troublemaker, one of those buggers sacrificed his life to help his master clock this crook. But tripping on the machination of his malevolent manipulations...classic! And once more, Vince absconds an idea from the actual writer of the story he starred in. C'mon you can do better buddy?!?

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: Horror in Hotel

The Web usually got knee-deep into trouble that his alter ego, Professor John Raymond, had initially gotten involved in. Which kinda makes sense, since he was a criminologist and crime writer on the side, not dissimiliar from Charlton's Yellowjacket. However, MLJ Comic's resident spider-man found threats not in Hollywood but in a hotel as in this weeks tale:



What secret does this mysterious stranger possess to engender such interest in these nefarious nimrods? What special gadget will the Web unleash on his adversaries? Let's find out...



That's it? What exactly was the purpose of all this chaos? Apparently the writer (not either superhero's other identity, we would hope) left this to our imagination. Which is okay but kind of a cheat, storytelling wise. And the gimmick at Web's disposal... a robe! Not exactly a webline or the exploding web-balls his son John Jr. would use decades hence, but still doable.

What will next tax the terrific talents of our two troubleshooters? Find out next week...

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: Adventure of the Hollywood Blackmailers

After a lengthy hiatus, we're back with an edition of Yellowjacket Webnesdays where we revisit the thrilling (or semi-entertaining, anyways) adventures of the bold bee-boy of the 1940's.

How will this mystery unfold further? What secret weapon will Yellowjacket unleash (hint: it's a vitamin... no not Miraclo nor 2-X... he had his own special formula). The answers are in part 2...

Interesting way of melding the civilian occupation with the costumed career of Vince Harley. And no one is the wiser that he's one-in-the-same despite a lack of a mask. His doppleganger the Web will himself also be drawn into a web of conflict that his alter ego has to resolve, upcoming...

Under the Hood: The Makings of a Yellowjacket

Although most golden age masked men had origins explaining their powers, even if said origins were rather flimsy. However, there were those exceptions that 1.) weren't masked and, 2.) just came upon their powers through apparent osmosis (or rather plot contrivance).

Within the story, it appears that crime fiction author Vince Harley gained the ability to mentally control wasps of the variety that he named himself after as the Yellowjacket. And what of his miniature minions?

According to Wikipedia: "Yellowjacket is the common name in North America for predatory wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespula. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries. Most of these are black and yellow; some are black and white , while others may have the abdomen background color red instead of black. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, small size (similar to a honey bee), their occurrence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side to side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of stinging which can cause pain to the person who has been stung. Yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects. They have a lance-like stinger with small barbs and typically sting repeatedly, though occasionally the stinger becomes lodged and pulls free of the wasp's body; the venom, like most bee/wasp venoms, is primarily only dangerous to those who are allergic, unless a victim receives a large number of stings."

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: Zip #38 Part Two

When last we visited with the Web, he was knee deep in the midst of a mystery involving a married woman and various missing men, including her husband. Would Professor John Raymond Sr get to the bottom of this mystery and save the sanity of this sultry sister of sorrow?

 

 

Yeah, those one-eyed Nazi's were a dime a dozen back then. You would've thought the monocle would have tipped his wife off as to his true allegiance. But then, we wouldn't have a rip roaring tale to present to you this eve. Well, at least the former Mrs. Freeman landed on her feet and in the arms of another man, while the Web? Well Rose was waiting for him, we're sure, and perhaps she is the mother of the silver age Web? Or perhaps not.

We'll try to bring some other Web and Yellowjacket tales from MLJ and Frank Communale Publications, aka Mighty and Charlton Comics, on a future Webnesday.

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: YJ #10 Part 2

And now part two of Yellowjacket's tenth published adventure from the mid-40's. Will our Stinging Sleuth get to the bottom of the mystery regarding the missing Ed Aubrey? Will YJ's girlfriend Diane forgive him for racing into adventure once more? Will we see the pictured lions and insidious clown ANYWHERE inside this issue? Let's find out together in this golden age classic from Charlton Comics (well, one of their acquired interests, anyway). Sit back and enjoy:

So that was how Ed was moonlighting to prop his posh lifestyle! Guess the lions and clown weren't invited to the party this month. And Diane... I mean c'mon you have to *know* your boyfriend himself moonlights as a superhero, why the playa hating? Don't hate the player, hate the game. Anyways. this issue continues an odd trend of having Yellowjacket appear without his niche, i.e. his faithful bees. Were they taking a break with the lions and the clown?

Tune in later on for the second half of Yellowjacket Webnesdays, as we conclude the Web's final golden age adventure.

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: Zip #38 Part One

We carry on this week's edition of Yellowjacket Webnesdays, we continue the theme set by Yellowjacket of a missing husband, a panicked wife, and a detective in tights investigating a mystery. This is from Zip Comics #38, the Web's final golden age appearance:

Next week we solve the mystery alongside the Web on the missing men... and maybe an explanation on why John once more dyed his hair from its natural redish blonde?

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: YJ #10 Part 1

In this weeks Yellowjacket/Web two-parter, we see some common elements. A husband who disappears, a wife in frantic panic, a criminal detective on the case, and a mystery that knocks our costumed crusaders for a loop. First up, part one of Yellowjacket Comics #10:

Vince's gal Diane is making quite the partner in both his civilian and heroic aliases. What will Yellowjacket discover when he finally tracks down Two-Face.. er not THAT one. He was owned by National Publication.

Next up is the Web turn at a twist of a tale...

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: Zip #29 Part 2

And now, part two of the Web's adventure in Nazi Germany from Zip Comics #29 as he attempts to extract opponents to this regime. Will he accomplish this feat and live to tell about it? How will he deal with the evil Captain Murder? Who is the famous individual we promised you would see towards the end of the tale? Let's see below:

So, in answer to last weeks queries: 1.) Web's hair is still red... for the moment that is, 2.) Not only did John Sr come out of Nazi occupied Germany unscathed and none the worse for well, he actually 3.) inspired Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England during this period. to publicly thank this costumed hero for his courage! You go, boy!

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: YJ #3 Part 2

Remember last week's tale? Well this week we catch up with Yellowjacket as he unfolds a mystery at the radio station, and get to see how he'll handle it in his own fashion, and STILL wearing a mask:

And so ends another tale...that Jacket's alias Harley can recycle as a crime novel, no doubt. Simple but stylish, these golden age tales. Stay tuned for the second part of last week's Web classic to close out this week!

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: Zip #29 Part 1

And now part 2 of of our power packed double helping of golden age goodness, with a rousing tale of Professor John Raymond Sr and his mission to Nazi Germany during the height of the war. This tale definitely distinguishes the Web from his silver age counterpart in a number of areas: first of all the time frame and this hero battled during World War II given his adversaries, as well as his different personality as a more assertive individual. In addition, his student/love interest Rose Wayne isn't the henpecker that Rose Hardy was. Let's now commence!

It is evident this week that John decides on a reddish tint to his hair color. Will he stick to this or revert back to his black dye job or blond bleach job? Oh yeah, and will he come out of Germany alive and unscathed? Found out next week when we learn how his example influenced one famous historical figure!

Yellowjacket Webnesdays: YJ #3 Part 1

We start our third week of Yellowjacket Webnesdays with a bit of a twist. We'll give you MORE story by splitting up the Yellowjacket and Web entries. First up is Vince Harley's alter ego, buzzing around bad guys whom he bugged brilliantly! (Don'tcha just love this swooping pic below?)

Ah a mystery is afoot! Will our crime detective use his intellectual capabilities to solve this case? You can be sure Yellowjacket will be in the thick of it... come next week when we read the second half of this installment from the wonderous wasp's second issue.

And next up we'll revisit the tangled web that is... in the Web's latest case!