Charlton Meets MLJ Week: Can't Escape the Law!

This is a battle we'd LOVE to see between two volatile vigilantes!

Marvel Mondays: The Comets and their Avengers

In perhaps the most outright homage of a concept from the old MLJ by Marvel Comics, we introduce you our loyal (and few) readers to the Comet! Harris Moore was a citizen of New York City during the 1950's when, while simply minding his own business, one of those extremely confident plot devices... er a small comet... irradiated him. He was then transformed into a flying powerhouse, with the ability to manipulate electrical energy. Adopting the alias of the Comet, he became a crimefighter during a time when there not many, if any, operating publicly.

When Comet abruptly left his family, his son Frank thought this meant that his father was the victim of gangland. Hence, he created a flying pod and specialized hand gun that ensnared his foes, developing the alias of Crimebuster.

This is extremely similar to the modus operandi of the Hangman, who used ropes to entangle his foes, seeking vengence against criminals including the man who shot his brother  the Comet!

Unlike this pair, the MLJ/Mighty superhero siblings didn't play nice as the former heroic Hangman turned villain temporarily. They last spoke during the his dying breath with apologies exchanged between both brothers.

Even the flying pods were somewhat similar, although the now evil Hangman's choice of head gear left something to be desired!

Eventually, Frank met his father who had since taken up residence on an alien world named Xandar to protect it's residents (sound familiar...like say planet Altrox?). There he formed the Champions of Xander and eventually recruited his son into their ranks. Alas both father and son were killed in conflicts with alien forces. No doubt, this had something to do with the Comet connection between Marvel and MLJ's characters (MLJ owned the rights) and the family legacy connection of Crimebuster and the Hangman to their father and older brother, respectively.

Will there be another Charlton or Mighty MLJ character we can dig up for next Marvel Monday? Join us in seven days... or tomorrow!

Marvel Mondays: The Captains of the Cosmos

Captain Atom debuted amidst the the Cold War when atomic power was a scary prospect. He was revived and had a three year run until 1967, when another Captain... this one from outer space... was introduced at Marvel Comics. This Captain was inspired by a different contemporary topic... space exploration! Both liked that stars and Starlin!

Mar-Vell was a military captain, much like Atom's civilian identity, only he was sent by his race the Kree to Earth. At first an agent for their interests, he ultimately turned his attention to the affairs of the humans. In the process of doing this he changed his costume and gained cosmic energy manipulation powers which included superhuman strength and intense radiation discharges.

He also gained a human alter ego, of a kind, in Rick Jones whom he traded places with from his universe and that of the Negative Zone. His run didn't last much longer than had Captain Atom's, and ultimately he was doomed to an early death  thanks to toxicity obtained from a villain. Meanwhile one of Cap's inspirations over at Charlton Comics was immune both to toxic substances and to cancellation of his titles.

Next week we turn our attention back over to the MLJ crowd with a two-for-one, as we're keeping that entry "all in the family":

Marvel Mondays: Meta-Human Mimics

Ah the "House of Idea", as Stan Lee called it. And it definitely was that and much much more. However, his publisher was also known in some circles as the "House of Recycled Ideas". Need proof? Consider these guys:

Okay, a homo sapien turned into a fly. Got it. A guy in a special suit that gains strength and becomes a human shield. Sure. A dude that inhales fumes allowing him to fly and emit radiation to transform into a living comet. Um, alright. And a rope slinging vigilante who, after figuring that his long last relative (read: living comet) is dead then decides to avenge his death. Whatever. Where have I heard this before?

Oh yeah! The Fly, Shield, Comet and Hangman! What a coincidence!

Or not. Stan Lee was allegedly not very keen on Mighty Comic's mocking of his style of comics and editorial writing (such as Jerry Ees for Siegel) and in the 1970's decided to do a back handed slap at his one time wimpy rival over at Archie. However, the most blatant copy, in this writer's humble opinion, was leveled against Charlton who always minded their own business and even revered the powerhouse publisher:

Two military captains gaining cosmic powers clad in bright garb traveling through space to champion a heroic age! Make Mine Mighty Charlton!

Team-Up Tuesdays: Celluloid Heroes

Over in a parallel universe adjacent to MLJ, a group of teenagers decide to dress as their fictional heroes for the opening night of "The Shield". What Archie (aka the Shield), Betty (aka the Comet), Veronica (aka the Jaguar), Jughead (aka the Web) and Reggie (aka the Brain Emperor) didn't realize is that their heroes were REAL. Oh wait...this was 2002...two years after Archie and gang had met them in His Weird Mysteries #3 and 14. Guess they forgot... but then again continuity has never been what one would call a strong staple in the World of Riverdale, now is it?

What is interesting about these selections is how dead-on they were to their heroic counterparts. Reggie is definitely the "big bad" within his teen clique. Betty is the "looker" (wearing goggles, get it?) while Ronnie was always the catty one. Jug never let no girl keep him from his higher calling, just like the Web, only Mr. Jone's calling wasn't capturing criminals but consuming calories. By the way, wouldn't Big Ethel have made a wonderful "Pow Girl" aka Rose? That would be old school Ethel, natch.

As for Archie being the Shield, well there's history where the two of our resident red-heads are concerned. Consider his first cover on Pep #43:

A rather disturbing cover the next issue, maybe some building resentment on the Shield's part now that this punk was gaining more fans than he:

Despite this, our boy Arch never waivers in his adulation for his hero, even envisioning himself as the colorful crusader in action!

Charlton never had quite the same phenomenon where a humor character took top billing from heroes. Oh wait, there was ONE red-head:

Course you probably can't make out his hair color in this black-and-white rendering of Charlton Portfolio, but he's the guy right at the top in the middle of the page. Sad to say, E-Man never made it quite as big as the once and future Pureheart the Powerful... known the world over as Archie Andrews (more on Pureheart in future posts, never fear).

Son of a.... Shield Slinging Savior? Surreal!

Legendary heroes armed with mighty shields from days long ago whose time had passed. However, their legacies would persist in their sons, one biological and one symbolic, who took up their mantles and fought the fine fight against fiendish foes from across the globe. Joe Higgins aka the Shield became a stone statue, thanks to the machinations of the Eraser, for which is infant son  Bill would grow to inherit his father's superhuman strength and avenge the indignity placed upon his sire. Meanwhile, old Apollo... himself represented in statue form... would see the need in our modern age to dispatch a new protector for humanity in the altered form of Johnny Mann. The Shield and the Son of Vulcan!

Both men possessed great strength and invulnerability, matched by their great courage and zeal for good!

While Johnny Mann was a world renowned  star reporter in his civilian identity, Bill Higgins never quite measured up and always lingered in menial work.

Yet both inspired even their harshest critics due to their fearless fighting!

Both heroes were seen alongside fellow heroes of their day,  Mighty Crusaders and Action-Heroes!. While the Shield could, for a time, transport, Son of Vulcan was capable of swift flight anywhere!

Each wore armor and wore shields. Shield had his stars, Vulcan his swords.

After Bill eventually recruited the Comet to return his father Joe to animated form, Bill retired from his  short costumed career.


Bill's attempt to have a successful career in a different uniform was motivated by a crisis of conscience for not helping his dad sooner. On the other hand, a Crisis on Infinite Earths was what resuscitated the career of Vulcan's Son John as he returned to active duty to protect the innocent of Earth. Both left their mark in comics during their brief heroic escapades!

Team-Up Tuesdays: The End of an Era

At last...the end of the twin tales of silver age teams Crusaders and Captain Atom-Nightshade from Mighty Crusaders #6 and Charlton Bullseye #1. How will our heroes stack up to their foes...the mystery Maestro with his myriad of traps and the Ghost's Sunurian slave girls? Check it out...

The dynamic duo of Comet and Black Hood on the first page of part 2 illustrate the typical banter between the Crusaders during this period of time. You knew they fundamentally got along on some level... they were all good guys... yet they did not seem to have the comradery of other teams during this era. Trying to emulate the magic of a certain four heroes of fantastic abilities? Try harder. Although the devilish face of the Maestro peeking out from amidst the flames? Classic stuff, folks.

Working as a tandem, the men of the stars and of mysteries out maneuver their malignant musician, circumventing his seemingly clever death trap. Forget the flames... it is the Comet's own fashion sense that may be the death of them both. Why he traded out of his classic blue and red costume for this garish arrangement of colors is a mystery even Black Hood can't seem to decipher. At least he has the Tony Stark 'stache going for him allowing his to exude a suave demeanor.

"Whatever cluck writer writes your material... Maestro, has my deepest sympathies". Um, that would be Jerry Siegel. Better be careful, Comet, a certain big "S" boy scout might fly over to your dimension and bench press you for slamming his creator! I mean... that's the co-grandfather of ALL superheroes that you are slamming with that reference (oh wait, it was gramps who wrote that hambone line!). At least the gang is all together for the roundup on swinging steeds, gitty up pardners!

What... mechanical horses? That's been done to death! Me thinks the winner would be Black Hood, from whom this idea was stolen. I mean... it's the same design as the original Nightmare... didn't Hoody take out a patten on his design? And now Maestro's true intentions are revealed! What, exactly, does T.R.I.U.M.P.H. stand for? And how'd Nick Fury get a receding hair line? By not taking his Infinity Formula... that is a Marvel trademark dontcha know?

At least T.RI.U.M.P.H. provides their meta agents cooler gadgets than had S.H.I.E.L.D. Now the Crusader's resident red-white-and-blue boy has his own portable projectile. A round shield made of Adamantium? Forget about it! He's got his shooting stars. TAKE THAT, CAP!  Why'd they skimp on the rest of the gang, aren't they deserving of a few nicknacks themselves? Wonder what killer do they'd give Ms. Brand that would make her a more FLY girl, no what I mean peeps?

Meanwhile over at Earth-Four also known as Charlton, the battle is at a more fevered pitch than at Earth-MLJ. Nightshade FINALLY has something to do in this plot, as she aids the Priestess at sabotaging the Sunurian defenses and allow Shade's boyfriend, Captain Atom to flex his muscles. At which point the Ghost pulls his famed disappearing act. And so ends the alien Amazon race with the faceless fetish. Ta ta gals, she you in comic limbo. Kinda like the rest of Charlton line?

Escaping Sunuria before it (apparently) self destructs, our heroes return to their native planet. And *finally* after several years of partnership, Nightshade's secret power is revealed to her partner. Why did she keep this a secret from Captain Atom? This was never explained, nor who the true "Forgotten One' was that Sunurians idolized. It wasn't the Ghost. But, hey, it wrapped up a dangling plot thread left hanging for several years! Next up, some lesser known team-ups highlighted!

Sideline Sundays: Far Out Alien Potentates!

Two races residing beyond the stars in the sky. Two monarchies ruled by powerful women controlling technology that would boggle the minds of scientists of Earth. And yet...each sought out a mighty male that would usher in a new age. For one race, it was for self-preservation against a deadly foe. For the other, it was for adulation for an image of their legend. Both drew to their sides destructive men wearing costumes that allowed them to play out their fantasies of devastation. What will transpire next?

We present to you Queen Naija and the people of Altrox...in need of a savior to protect their world from sentient robots run amok (no, not the Cylons). What better agent to enlist than that pre-Cyclops-ian hero known as John Dickering aka the Comet aka the psycho-villain-evaporator!

And for the Sunurians, dominated by umpteen statues to their "Faceless One" cluttering up their strange self-enclosed world, they soon discover learn that he may have returned manifested as Alec Rios aka the Ghost.

Realizing that, once he's done wrecking their dauntless adversaries, he may next turn on them to vent his destructive bolts of optical energy, the Altroxians send the Comet packing back to Earth... without so much as a sewing kit to help him mend his costume. Sheesh!

Back on Sunuria, the Ghost's new consort, a blond lass with normal skin pigment and hair style (the other ladies had a sorta Geisha thing going with their physical presentation), who appears to be a High Priestess to the Cult of the Forgotten One aka disgruntled millionaire scientist Alec Rios, sends the Ghost packing to Earth of his own volition.

Switching back to the Comet, his short crime fighting career in the 40's is capped off when he's capped by a vengeful gangster. Turns out Queen Naija of Altrox has a soft spot for psychotics and brings our goggled gumshoe back to her world to revive him.

The Ghost's new Number Two in the chain of Sunurian command helps him towards his quest for indomitable power...in the first panel. And in the last two, he's returned with his tail once more firmly planted between his legs. Although this only seems to endear him to his ponytail pawns. And interesting, the Priestess is nowhere to be seen! She will return!

Queen Naija ends up marrying King Comet... er Dickering... well whatever. And they live happily ever... weekly? Cause after just one week, on their honeymoon no less, turns out a rogue robot assassinates Naija. And eventually, the Comet returns (albeit powerless, having to adopt some Altrox technology that mimics his natural superpowers... which come to think of it the Alxroxians could have used themselves ring the robot uprising! Ah but that is what we call suspension of disbelief, folks!).

The High Priestess decides to bury her face behind a mask and condemn the Ghost for his incompetence. While her people turn against her, siding with Rios, she turns the tables by sabotaging a battle royale between their Faceless One and Captain Atom. Assisted by Cap's darling of darkness, Nightshade, she ends up apparently destroying Sunuria to eliminate the Ghost. Why... we don't know. But don't worry, he returns even if she and her people fade from memory. Except on this blog.

And there you have it. The two most prominent alien races to mix with the Mighty and Charlton Comics heroes. They did not have the same impact as Kryptonians, Skrullians, Kree, Thanagarians, Rannians, or the like. But hey, they filled up a few pages for their respective publishers.

Team-Up Tuesdays: Crusaders Cornered

It's crunch-time for our courageous crusaders as they're cornered by corrupt criminals. You can catch up on part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4 in case you've missed our silver  age tales. From Mighty Crusaders #6 and Charlton Bullseye v1 #1 and 2. Our combatants the Crusaders known as Shield, Comet, Black Hood, Fly-Man and Fly-Girl versus the malevolent Maestro...and future Sentinels of Justice Captain Atom and Nightshade against the Ghost and his Sunurian love-slaves. Let us commence.

Cancelite was an element used to neutralize Mighty-heroes powers, as previously experienced in the Crusaders' battle with the Hangman. Maestro is obviously testing the heroic quintet for some purpose...but what? The Sunurians also want to see whether Earth's super humans are as 'super' when they are normal. How will our combatants fare? Find out next week as we finally conclude both of these defining stories of valor.