Last year, a bunch of us had a lot of fun with a thread started by Hellstone called "Obscure DCU Characters". People tossed out names of obscure heroes and villains, and challenged others to come up with some information on them. The most prolific contributor had to have been Mikishawm, but after nine months of posts, he needed to focus his energies elsewhere, and the thread kind of faded away. In the end, about 200 lesser known characters were covered. Those posts have been archived at http://www.infiniteearths.org/dcu/obscurecharacters_files/obscuredcu.htm and are available for download.

I thought that perhaps, given that holiday vacations are quickly approaching, we might try to re-ignite the thread. At least for a few dozen more entries. I'll post a few of my own to start it off, and will commit to working on a few more during Thanksgiving break. Please join in the fun!

Right now, I have ready:

Tailgunner Jo,
The original Red Tornado and the Cyclone Kids,
The Odd Man, and
Captain Thunder

By the end of the month, I'm hoping to add
the 1960's Hercules, Samson, and Atlas.

If you're looking for ideas, I believe the following is a list of all the requests to date that were never answered...

Adam Strange II
Astra, Girl of the Future
Astralad
Automan
Azrael I
the Beefeater
Blackrock
Blue Jay
Burp the Twerp, the Super Son-Of-A-Gun
Captain Incredible
Chain Gang War
Colonel Future
Crusader
El Diablo (western)
Dyno-Man of Sorrta
Element Girl
the Eliminator
Flashback
the Flying Dutchman of Time
Hacker's Files
the Homeless Avenger
the Human Hurricane
Hyper-Boy/Hyper-Man of Zoron/Oceania
Hyperboy, Hyperdog, and the Hyper-Family of Trombus
Ibis the Invincible
the Intergalactic Vigilante Squadron
Isis
Kolossal Kate
Lando, Man of Magic
the Liquidator
Little Miss Redhead
Lu-Shu Shan / I-Ching
Marsboy
Marvel Maid and Marvel Man of Terra
Mighty Man
Mister E
Mystek
Nadir, Master of Magic
Neolla, the Superwoman of Zorkia
Nightwolf
Nubia
Petronius
Power Lad
Power-Man, King of Outer-Space
Pulsar
the Queen Bee (Marcia Monroe)
Sgt. Gorilla
Silver Sorcerous
Slam Bradley
Sonik
Superwoman (Kristen Wells)
Swordfish and Barracuda
the Terrific Whatzit
Tiger-Man
The Tornado Twins
Ultraa
Wendy, Marvin & Wonder Dog
Wild Dog
the Wyoming Kid
Yango the Super-Ape

Tailgunner Jo #1 (Sep 1988) - #6 (Jan 1989)
created by Peter Gillis and Tomosina Artis

In the early 21st century, a great quake collapsed the Great Lakes into one giant basin, and activated the ring of fire which surrounds the Pacific Ocean. In the space of 15 years, California and Japan were under layers of lava. A newborn land they called Lemuria formed in the Pacific. This disaster hastened the collapse of the governments of the USA and USSR. A brief, dark time under the rule of the Corporate Consortium was followed by the second American and second Russian revolutions. Afterward, the power of the Corporations was restricted to the Utility Cities and to Skyhook. The technology explosion that had begun in the late 20th century resumed. Genetic engineering was severely limited, focusing mostly on microbiological inventions, such as the creation of a bacterium that duplicated the petroleum-producing process. The conflicts in the Middle East region were greatly reduced, but not before the last atomic bomb exploded on Earth destroyed Jerusalem. Over time, the populace became blessed with a reasonably disease-free world. Materials research, super-conductivity, and neurosystem design became the most fruitful areas of technological progress. The Corporations found their last remaining major market to be armaments.

The Tailgunner Jo mini-series takes place in this future world, at some point between the mid-21st and mid-22nd centuries. Lars Gunnar has become bonded with the mind of his daughter Jo. Together they comprise the cyborg called Double Star. The story begins with Lars and Jo on a mission of vengeance, against the corporation called Telemachus.

A few years earlier, the husband and wife team of Lars and Maire Gunnar were working at S'atrap Ltd., a competitor of Telemachus. When their daughter Jo was born with severe birth defects, the couple learned that S'atrap was having them work with powerful teratogens on their project, although the company was well aware of the effects on pregnancy. The Gunnars quit S'atrap and brought their Double Star Project to Telecommunications-Machinery U.S. (Telemachus, for short). Lars and Maire worked hard on their cyborg research for years at Telemachus.

Then, one day, when an important armaments show was approaching, Telemachus grew impatient and demanded the couple produce a demo. The Gunnars insisted they were not ready, and Telemachus appeared to understand. Shortly thereafter, Lars and his daughter Jo were involved in a mysterious car accident. Maire was not informed of the disaster. She was instead directed to perform a new gene-matching technique on two human subjects, unaware that it was her husband and daughter that she was operating on. Maire implanted Jo's brain into a small chamber on Lars' back. Only after the operation is completed does she realize who the subjects were. She is then struck and, we are led to believe, killed. When he recovers, Lars creates a cybernetic fantasy world for Jo, and then transforms her and himself into a Double Star cyborg, complete with an extra set of retractable robot arms and a built-in rocket system.

As the mini-series concludes, Lars and Jo discover that Maire Gunnar is still very much alive. Together they get their revenge against both Telemachus and S'atrap and then, apparently, go on to live happily ever after.

THE RED TORNADO
created by Sheldon Mayer

Alter Ego: Abigail Mathilda "Ma" Hunkel (maiden name unknown)
Occupation: Housewife, grocer, newspaperwoman
Known Relatives: "Hunk" Hunkel (husband, first name unknown); Huey Hunkel (son), Amelia "Sisty" Hunkel (daughter); Gus and Herman Hunkel (brothers-in-law); Felix Hunkel (nephew). Note: Years later, Mortimer "Dinky" Jibbet married his childhood sweetheart, Sisty Hunkel.
Team Affiliation: Honorary member of the Justice Society of America; member of the All-Star Squadron (by default)
Base of Operations: New York City
First Appearance: All-American Comics #20 (Nov 1940)
Height: 5 ft 10 in.
Weight: 230 lbs.
Eyes: Black
Hair: Brown

History: In late Summer of 1940, Gus Hunkel hits a 100-to-1 shot at the track. His winnings are used to help his sister-in-law Abigail "Ma" Hunkel to buy Schultz's Grocery. Shortly after, some racketeers make the mistake of trying to collect "protection money" from the burly Mrs. Hunkel. She musses them up, causing them to flee in their car. The criminals are not aware that Hunkel's young daughter Sisty and her small friend Dinky Jibbet have locked themselves in the rumble seat. The racketeers later discover the children and hold them in the swanky gambling house of their boss, Tubbs Torponi.

Realizing that the kids are gone, the Hunkels and the Jibbets go to Police Headquarters and ask Police Chief Gilhooley for help. Ma Hunkel tells Gilhooley that she knows it was Torponi's gang that kidnapped the kids. The Chief explains that the police have investigated Torponi and found him to be clean. When Ma insists that he be arrested, the Chief says that Torponi is a pretty powerful man in politics and that they will need evidence to arrest him. Ma realizes the Chief is afraid to act and the two families leave.

While driving home in the back seat of the Jibbet's car, Ma Hunkel continues on to her son Huey and his friend "Scribbly" Jibbet about the cops not raiding Torponi's gambling joints. Scribbly says that if the Green Lantern was on the job, they'd have the kids back already. Huey agrees. Ma Hunkel is unfamiliar with Green Lantern, so the kids explain that he fights crime after putting on a mysterious costume so he won't be recognized. This starts the wheels turning in Ma Hunkel's head.

After they arrive at the Jibbet house, Ma Hunkel asks the kids more questions about Green Lantern. They tell her that no one suspects him, and when he gets mad enough about an injustice he goes into action. Ma walks off deep in thought, leaving the boys to wonder what had happened to distract her.

Elsewhere, the kidnappers are being terrorized by Sisty and Dinky. The kids run wild around the gambling house, thwarting the criminals' attempts to grab them. Eventually, Torponi catches them and calls for his gang, but is then hit from behind by a bottle. When the gang reaches the room, they find a strangely clad mystery man standing over their defeated boss. The hero and the kids finish off the stunned criminals. The mysterious stranger calls Police Chief Gilhooley and tells him to come pick up the kidnappers of Sisty and Dinky at Tubbs Torponi's place. When the Chief asks who he is speaking to, the mystery man replies ... the Red Tornado! The hero leaves the kids armed with bottles, then flees before the cops arrive.

Soon after, Mrs. Jibbet receives a call from the police that the children have been rescued. Scribbly runs over to the Hunkel house to tell them the good news. Huey tells Scribbly that his mother took a walk two hours earlier and hasn't returned. Mrs. Jibbet arrives with the kids, who begin telling the story of how they were saved by the Red Tornado. Ma Hunkel enters, sees the kids, and asks about the excitement. She smiles as they describe their adventures with the mystery man. Mrs. Jibbet says the Police Chief never mentioned a mystery man, claiming to have rescued the children single-handedly. Ma, who is secretly the Red Tornado, is furious that the Chief has stolen her credit. She tells the families that she is going for another walk.

Soon after, the Chief brags to the press about his "heroics" and proclaims that talk of the Red Tornado is nonsense. Suddenly, the Red Tornado smashes through the window, confronting him. The Chief tells the mystery man that "he" is under arrest for breaking in, but the Red Tornado tells the Chief to shut up. Ma introduces herself to the newspaper men as the Red Tornado, the true rescuer of the kids from the Torponi gang. When policemen arrive to arrest "him", the hero plows through them and escapes. The next day, all the local papers headline the debut of the neighborhood's new protector, the Red Tornado.

Weapons and Powers: The Red Tornado has no special abilities. She relies solely on her large size and her skills as a scrapper to battle neighborhood crime.

Comments: The Red Tornado showed up at the first meeting of the Justice Society, but made a hasty retreat due to an embarrassing accident to her costume, causing her to miss her only chance to join the group. A few months after her debut, the Red Tornado took on a pair of sidekicks, dubbed the Cyclone Kids (see Cyclone Kids). The general public is unaware that the Red Tornado is a woman.

THE CYCLONE KIDS
created by Sheldon Mayer

Alter Ego: Amelia "Sisty" Hunkel
Occupation: None
Known Relatives: "Hunk" Hunkel (father, first name unknown); Abigail Mathilda "Ma" Hunkel (mother, maiden name unknown); Huey Hunkel (brother), Gus and Herman Hunkel (uncles); Felix Hunkel (cousin). Note: Years later, Sisty Hunkel married her childhood sweetheart, Dinky Jibbet.
Alter Ego: Mortimer "Dinky" Jibbet
Occupation: None
Known Relatives: Mr. Jibbet (father, first name unknown); Mrs. Jibbet (mother, first name and maiden name unknown); Sheldon "Scribbly" Jibbet (brother, first name assumed). Note: Years later, Dinky Jibbet married his childhood sweetheart, Sisty Hunkel.
Team Affiliation: Sidekicks to the original Red Tornado; members of the All-Star Squadron (by default)
Base of Operations: New York City
First Appearance: All-American Comics #24 (Mar 1941)

History: In late Summer of 1940, young Sisty Hunkel and Dinky Jibbet were kidnapped by the Torponi gang. Sisty's mother, Abigail "Ma" Hunkel, donned a costume and rescued the children, beginning her new career in crimefighting as the Red Tornado (see entry for the Red Tornado for details).

Over the next few weeks, the Red Tornado becomes a neighborhood legend, as "he" systematically drives out the local racketeers. Scribbly Jibbet, the teen-aged brother of Dinky, who works as a cartoonist for the Morning Despatch, is told by his editor that the Red Tornado confines "his" activities to Scribbly's neighborhood, and that Scribbly should stick around his home to get a glimpse of the mysterious character. If he can get a drawing of the Red Tornado, the Despatch will be the only paper in town with a visual of the local hero. Ma Hunkel hears of Scribbly's dilemma, changes into the Red Tornado, and offers to pose for the boy cartoonist. The next morning, the world gets its first good look at the oddly-clad hero.

One day, many weeks later, in late Autumn of 1940, the Red Tornado chases off a bully who has been picking on Sisty. The bully goes to the police and complains. The police decide that this Red Tornado business has gone on long enough. Police Chief Gilhooley, who has had a grudge against the Red Tornado ever since the Torponi affair, has given orders that the mystery man should be picked up if spotted. A group of cops find the Red Tornado and chase "him" into the zoo. Ma Hunkel places her costume on a gorilla and frees him, taking his place in the cage. When the police arrive, she tells them that the Red Tornado freed the gorilla and locked her in. After a wild chase around the zoo, the "Red Tornado" is captured and unmasked. Everyone but Scribbly and Huey Hunkel are convinced that the gorilla was the real Red Tornado.

Later that day, Scribbly tells his editor that the Red Tornado can't possibly be a gorilla because he has heard "him" talk. Scribbly's boss tells Scribbly he was just imagining things. Later, Scribbly complains to Ma Hunkel about the article which is about to run. Ma wonders why it matters. Scribbly explains that all the racketeers that the Red Tornado has scared away will read the paper and return. Ma realizes he is right and changes into the Red Tornado in order to pay the editor a visit.

Soon after, the Red Tornado appears on the window ledge of the editor of the Morning Despatch. The editor is preparing a front page that proclaims that the Red Tornado was a hoax! Just as she is about to enter the window, the Red Tornado loses her balance and falls ... passed the 28th floor, the 27th, the 26th ... down, down she goes. Luckily, the Red Tornado's pants seat becomes snagged on a 7th floor flagpole, saving her. Unfortunately, she is stranded there. The paper hits the streets and, as feared, the criminal element immediately surfaces. Within 12 hours, everyone is talking about the sudden crime wave.

Sisty Hunkel reads the paper and asks Dinky Jibbet if he has heard about the Red Tornado being a fake. Dinky refuses to believe it. Sisty says, fake or not, the gangsters need to be stopped. When Dinky says the country needs more mystery men, Sisty gets an idea and grabs her friend. She begins cutting colorful cloth and fits Dinky with a costume, explaining that she is creating two of the country's best mystery men ... the Cyclone Kids!

After making herself a matching costume, the Cyclone Kids head out onto the streets. They confront two of the city's toughest racketeers, who are counting their ill-gotten money. Sisty demands that they hand over the money. The crooks chase her around a corner, where Dinky cracks both of them over the head with a board. The kids grab the money and run, but the criminals chase them down. They are cornered at the foot of the Morning Despatch! Just as the gangsters threaten to shoot the kids, the editor of the Despatch tosses his cigar out of his window. Miraculously, it lands on the Red Tornado's snagged pants. The cigar burns through the hero's pants, freeing her. She falls on the two gangsters, saving the kids. The next morning, the Despatch retracts its previous article, stating that there is indeed a real Red Tornado after all ... and "he" now has the help of two small editions.

Weapons and Powers: The Cyclone Kids have no special abilities. They rely solely on their cunning and skills as scrappers to battle neighborhood crime.

Comments: The Cyclone Kids were sidekicks to the original Red Tornado (see Red Tornado).

THE ODD MAN
created by Steve Ditko

Alter Ego: Clayton "Clay" Stoner
Occupation: Private Investigator
Known Relatives: None
Team Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: River City
First Appearance: Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2 (Fall 1978), Detective Comics #487 (Dec 1979 - Jan 1980)
Height: ~ 6 ft.
Weight: ~ 180 lbs.
Eyes: (as Clay) Blue; (as Odd Man) Wears mask with one red eye and one yellow
Hair: (as Clay) Bronze; (as Odd Man) Black

History: "He came from nowhere, garbed in a confused costume that would make a carnival clown blush with embarassment. His weapons were absurd -- impossible! But somehow he became the terror of criminals, and everyone began to wonder ... who is the Odd Man?". This is how the Odd Man was introduced in his only recorded adventure to date. This story chronicled one of the character's earliest cases in which he battled and defeated the supposed reincarnation of the first Nile Queen and her Pharoah consort.

The Odd Man is really private investigator Clay Stoner who utilizes a rubber mask, an outlandish suit, and many elaborate gadgets in order to aid in the fight against crime. In the aforementioned story, we learn that Stoner is good friends with a River City official named Judge Brass. In one panel it appears that the Judge may be aware of Clay's dual identity however this is never made clear.

The Odd Man has a very bizzare hideout ... at any given time one could simultaneously find a desk resting on the ceiling, an end table and lamp on a wall, and a door on the floor ...

however this could always change since this room could be made to tilt! All this was intended to disorient any person that the Odd Man might bring there for interrogation (not to mention it made for a pretty wild headquarters). At the story's beginning the Odd Man is shown interrogating the city's biggest jewelry fence in the hero's secret hideout. The Odd Man had somehow caused the fence to black out while sitting in his car and later would cause him to black out once again so that he could be returned to his car.

Presumably, the Odd Man is still active in River City.

Weapons and Powers: The Odd Man depends only upon his sharp wits, bizarre appearance, and oddball gadgets in his fight against crime. Among the Odd Man's many devices are his weighted extended tie, a spray he developed which melts certain plastics, powder and smoke gloves which he activates by clapping his hands together, and a slippery oil spray. He also has some unrevealed method of rendering a person unconscious (most likely through use of another spray).

Comments: The Odd Man was originally slated to appear as a back-up feature starting in Shade the Changing Man (first series) #9 (Sep-Oct 1978). The first story was completed however Shade's book was pulled from the DC line-up, along with other books, when DC made major cutbacks during the 1978 "DC Implosion". For copyright purposes, this story was included in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade #2 (Fall 1978), the second of two B&W comics which were never intended for public distribution (only 35 copies were made). The tale finally made it to the newsstand in Detective Comics #487 (Dec 1979 - Jan 1980). The Odd Man would not appear again for another twenty years, in Superboy [third series] #65 (Aug 1999).

CAPTAIN THUNDER
Based on Captain Marvel, a character created by C.C. Beck

Alter Ego: William "Willie" Fawcett
Occupation: Employee of WHAM-TV
Known Relatives: None
Team Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Metropolis (Earth-T)
First Appearance: Superman [1st series] #276 (June 1974)
Height: (as Willie) ~ 5 ft. 2 in.; (as Thunder) ~ 6 ft. 3 in.
Weight: (as Willie) ~ 90 lbs.; (as Thunder) ~ 225 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

History: A group of orphan kids, of which Willie Fawcett was one, had been sent to camp every Summer. One night, when his buddies were asleep in their tent, Willie sat outside, with a funny feeling keeping him awake. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen. Suddenly, he heard a wise old owl, which swooped down and flew overhead until Willie followed. He ran off after the horned owl and followed it until he came to a hillside. The owl looked as if it would fly right into the solid rock wall, when suddenly the walls of the hill opened up. Although Willie should have been afraid to follow the owl inside, he wasn't. What he found was fantastic -- Merokee, last of the great medicine men of the Mohegan tribe.

Merokee explains to Willie that he has awaited the youth's coming. Tribal legends had foretold that one day a boy would come forth who was noble of spirit. He would be invested with great powers by the last of the great Mohegan shamans. Merokee holds up a belt with a buckle bearing the image of a lightning bolt. He tells Willie that, when he wears the magic belt-buckle, he will have seven spiritual powers. Merokee points to the words inscribed on an animal hide hanging on the wall.

  Tornado...Power
  Hare......Speed
  Uncas.....Bravery
  Nature....Wisdom
  Diamond...Toughness
  Eagle.....Flight
  Ram.......Tenacity

Merokee tells Willie to rub the buckle and say the magic word composed of the first letters of every name on the list. Willie rubs the buckle and speaks the word "Thunder!". A brilliant starburst and a thunderous "Sha-boom!" fill the torch-lit chamber, changing Willie Fawcett into Captain Thunder! Merokee raises his eyes to a hole in the cavern ceiling, proclaiming to the Great Spirit that his work is done and that he is ready to pass on. Captain Thunder watches in awe as Merokee is transformed into a spirit that rises out through the opening. Merokee tells Thunder that he is leaving him to battle evil wherever it may appear.

Over the next few years, Captain Thunder would fight many crimes and injustices all over the world. One memorable battle was against the Monster League of Evil. He had fought them across 1,953 dimensions of time and space. Thunder imprisons them in a misty dimension, but not before they secretly do something to him which will make him turn evil. He heads back home across the time-and-space barrier, but ends up as Willie Fawcett in an alley in Earth-One's Metropolis. Sure enough, when Willie transforms into Captain Thunder, he becomes evil, as the Monster League had planned. After two battles with Superman, Thunder is forced to use his wisdom to override the hold the League has on him. Now cured, Thunder realizes how he got lost and, using his magic word, returns to his own parallel Earth.

Weapons and Powers: Captain Thunder derives his powers from his magic belt buckle. By rubbing the buckle and saying the magic word "Thunder!", young Willie Fawcett becomes Captain Thunder. When, using the same method, Thunder transforms back into his young alter ego, Willie automatically appears safely on the ground, regardless of where Thunder happened to be. Captain Thunder has immeasurable strength, super-speed, invulnerability, the power of flight, and great bravery, wisdom, and tenacity. He can also use his magic word to break the space-time barrier and travel to other dimensions.

Comments: Captain Thunder is based on the character Captain Marvel, published by Fawcett Publications from 1939 to 1953. The character was originally going to be called Captain Thunder, but the name was changed to Captain Marvel at the last moment. Sometime after Fawcett ceased publication of Captain Marvel, they sold the character to DC Comics. Even though DC had already started publishing new adventures of Captain Marvel in late 1972, the decision was made to create a derivative of the character to battle Superman, hence Captain Thunder. The mention of "1953 dimensions" in the story is an obvious reference to Captain Marvel's last appearance at Fawcett.

It is unclear what Captain Thunder's proper time period or base of operations are. Comments were made that Willie Fawcett's crew cut is 20 years behind the times. Also, Willie suspected that he had traveled into the future, something he continued to believe even when he had ample time to check the date. One may therefore conclude that Captain Thunder was last active on his Earth in the early 1950's. Given that Willie believed Metropolis to be his own home city, albeit in the future, one can conclude that his city bears the same name.

Although Captain Thunder's parallel Earth was never formerly given a designation, it is referred to here as Earth-T (the "T" is for "Thunder", of course).

Mister E

Name: Eric
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175lbs
Eyes: Unknown
Hair: Black
Family: None
Residence: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Historian
Group Affiliation: None
First Appearance: Secrets Of Haunted House #31
Current Status: Active

Vertigo Information: Although Mister E is now clearly based in the Vertigo Universe, he sometimes appears in the official DC Universe. Sometime in the future, Mister E will approach the heroes of Earth and urge them to band together and destroy Doctor Fate. Mister E has knowledge that the Helm of Nabu will become corrupt over the ages and pose a threat in the distant future. The heroes of Earth will mock Mister E's theories and consider him quite mad.

Powers: Mister E has the special abilities to see the good and evil in people's souls. Mister E also has the abilitiy to travel to any place that he wishes, even though he is totally blind. Mister E is an average hand-to-hand combatant and sometimes uses his wooden cane in battles. On occasion Mister E has used a handgun loaded with silver bullets and sometimes carries wooden stakes.

In addition he has the ability to walk through time, a skill tought to him by an older version of himself walking back to the late 80's from the end of time and his encounter with death (books of magic mini #4)

Limitations: Although Mister E. is totally blind, it rarely effects his ability to "see" using his innate powers. His limitations are unknown.

Principle Adversaries: Unknown

Appearances:
Books Of Magic v1 #1-2 (Jan - Feb 1991)
Books Of Magic v1 #4 (Apr 1991)
Mister E #1-4 (Jun - Sep 1991)
Secrets Of Haunted House #31 (Dec 1980) - First Appearance
Secrets Of Haunted House #32-41 (Jan 1981 - Mar 1982)
Trenchcoat Brigade #1-4 (Mar - Jun 1999)

Yay. Obscure characters is back. How I've missed this thread.

I just love these profiles and would love to put them up on the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe along with complete character chronologies and images and such if you'd permit me to do so.

Tenz.

The Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
http://www.comicboards.com/dcguide/.

Hi Tenz!

I can only speak for myself, but you can use anything I might post here. I also have images available. Just e-mail me and let me know what you need. Later.

The Big Gang
First apperance - ????
Known members - Big Ben, Big Deal, Big Bertha, Big Cheese
Adversaries - the Atom

THIS IS GREAT!!! I've tried to start this thread again a couple of times but never got any big response! You da man outpost. I'll contribute as soon as I get some time.

See ya soon.

/ola

Blackrock

I'll have to do some research, but I can recall that he was a Silver Age villain of Superman's. He fought Superman with (suprisingly enough) a Black Rock, which I believe was a fragment of meteorite or moon rock, I can't remember which. The rock shot out rays which were powerful enough to stun Superman into submission. I'm thinking there was an issue with him from around the original SUPERMAN run #245. I'll have to look it up.

The Beefeater

First appearance I saw this character was around the #20's of JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE. He was dressed much like an 18th century English guard, with a staff that shot out energy beams. Again, I'll have to pull my old JLE's to get more info.

Blue Jay

Should be easy enough to find. His appearances were from JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA/INTERNATIONAL era, around the #70-85 timeframe, I think. He could shrink to six inch size and had gliding/flying capabilities. Someone said he met his end with Power Girl's stupid cat - he was eaten.

Hellstone! Good to see you're still lurking around these parts!

I too missed this thread, and felt it was high time for it's return.

I decided last night to add "Starman of 1957" to my "to do" list. This was the temporary identity used by Batman, which later became the inspiration for the post-Crisis "Starman of 1951". I've already finished scanning and touching up a picture for that entry, which I'll post a link to when the text is ready.

Thanks to those of you who have already contributed to this thread, and to those who are considering it. Hopefully, I'll have a few more entries myself to post by the end of this weekend.

Later.

I'll return soon with more info on Blue Jay, Silver Sorceress, Automan, and Element Girl. And I know that Mikishawm has handled Astra, Flashback, Little Miss Redhead, and Queen Bee Marcia Monroe in other threads, so I'll try to find them and repost them.

/ola

Mikishawm's Queen Bee/Marcia Monroe piece from the Batman board:

The Gotham Blade, undated clippings:

ITEM! Gotham is buzzing with the news that our own Caped Crusader has a new passenger in the Batmobile these days. Last week, we told you how Batman had plucked bombed bombshell Marcia Monroe from the ledge of the Gotham Bridge and given her a long overdue spanking. It seems the rowdy redhead grooved on that display of brute force and has made it her goal in life to be his new partner-in-crimefighting. As more that a few of the highstrung heiress' old beaus can attest, Marcia's a crack shot with the pistol and she proved it when she blasted a billyclub out of the hand of a baddie who was about to bust Batman. Sure, we know what you're thinking. Ol' Bats doesn't have much use for firearms and -- stop me if you've heard this -- "crimefighting is too dangerous for a girl." Unfortunately for the square-jawed one, "no one tells Marcia Monroe what to do." Boy, we wonder what Robin thinks about this?

**************

BRIEFLY NOTED: Just a few days ago, the Gotham Gangbuster was talking marriage but late word has it that his flame-haired beauty has gone back to her playgirl ways and dumped the Bat. Watch out Europe --Hurricane Marcia's on her way!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Gotham Gazette, December 9, 1965:

Gotham City's law enforcement agencies are in a state of shock this morning as the result of the overnight arrest of the famed Batman. The Masked Manhunter is accused of stealing the Cat Emerald, an international treasure currently on display at the Gotham City Municipal Museum. In a brief statement, Police Commissioner James W. Gordon indicated that the GCPD is in possession of photographic evidence that documents Batman's elevation of the gem from a perch high above the Cat Emerald's display case. The Caped Crusader's claim that he was actually returning the treasure is refuted by a Museum spokesman, whoconfirms that the Cat Emerald is missing. Batman surrendered to authorities without incident and is currently in a holding cell at GCPD headquarters.

Marcia Monroe's Private Correspondence, December 9, 1965:

My dearest Batman,

I can only imagine what you must think of me now but please believe me, I have only your best interests at heart. My love for you has not dimmed in all these months, as our kiss last night must surely have told you.

When we parted, I'd hoped to spare you from becoming involved in the scandal that threatened to disgrace out family. My father had suffered some business reversals and, to my horror, had become involved with the international organization known as Cyclops. To keep his name clear and save him from death by their assassins, I agreed to cooperate with them -- become Queen Bee of their "Hive" here in Gotham.

Fortunately, I've been granted a bit of leeway in how I deal with you and, rather than do the unthinkable and have you killed, I conceived a plan that would leave you safely out of our operations. The assassin whom you rescued me from last night was, in fact, an operative of my own and the story I told you of my murdered lover was, I'm afraid, pure fiction. The Cat Emerald was not stolen by a man determined to prove himself your equal but, instead, by our own forces. The gem that you returned to the Museum was actually a replica designed to dissolve after a short period.

Oh, darling -- please try to understand ... I had no choice! Once caught in Cyclops' web, there's no escape. I only want to put you behind bars -- out of the way of trouble."

Bruce Gordon's Journal, December 9, 1965:

As seems to happen with disturbing frequency, Eclipso has emerged from my body and evaded our attempt to banish him with a burst of light. Apparently, on one of his previous excursions, our foe has made an alliance with parties unknown. How else can we explain the appearance of a trio of flying men dressed as bees who plucked the lunar scourge from our laboratory here in the ruins of Solar City ? As I write these words, Professor Bennett, Mona and I are en route to Gotham City, where rumors of a fiend armed with an energy-projecting black diamond are even now being reported.

The Gotham Gazette, December 10, 1965:

Gotham was terrorized last night by a veritable crime wave, a series of robberies apparently spearheaded by one of North America's most notorious fugitives, the lunar-themed Eclipso, and a new player known as the Queen Bee. Clad in an orange vest, black shirt and striped pants, the mysterious red-head's features are largely concealed by a golden skullcap (complete with antennae) and domino mask. The Queen Bee and her drones (whose faces are concealed by bee-like helmets) were equipped with flight-packs that enabled them to evade any of their robbery victims with ease. Authorities have yet to establish a connection with three earlier criminals who took the name of Queen Bee, women who fought Mister America in 1942, the Blackhawks in 1951 and the Justice League of America in 1963.

"Gorilla" Grimes' Statement to Police, excerpt, December 11, 1965:

Just before I was sprung from jail, I got word from Frankie Malone that Mister E was flyin' into town to have a confab with Queen Bee and the rest of us at the Hive. I guess Bat-Brain must've heard us talking and busted out 'cause he was in the Apis Building right after I got there. I gotta admit, I held my own against the Bat for a minute or two but it was all them fancy gadgets in the walls that really did the trick. While he was dodging spring-loaded office furniture, I was pumpin' the room full of gas.

Now, understand, Mister E, um, Eclipso, and the Queen Bee are both tough cookies but when it comes to dealin' with spies -- especially big guns like ol' Bats -- they just ain't up to snuff. After I went to all the trouble of catching the Bat-bum, Eclipso just chucked his body down a chute into the river and expected him to drown. Hey, I know Mister E's an out-of-towner but he shoulda known better than that. 'Course that's nothin' compared to Queenie. She practically started blubberin' when she thought Eclipso had killed Bats and told E that he was a freak and a murderer. You'd think they were closet good guys or somethin'!

Inside The Sinister Citadels, Galaxy Publishing, 1979:

The Hive was, as one Cyclops recruiter touted it, "the biggest, most deadly underworld set-up ever conceived." Constructed over the course of 1965 as the United States branch of Cyclops' operations, Apis Enterprises seemed no different than the other skyscrapers that had popped up on the Gotham skyline in recent years. Only its name, Latin for bee, offered a hint to its true exterior, with offices on each floor sandwiching weapons, transportation and even areas devoted to training. At first glance, though, perhaps the most striking object in the building may have been the enormous eyeball that peered down from the wall of the Hive's meeting chamber. The emerald orb powerfully conveyed the fact that this was an operation named after the mythological one-eyed men.

The big eye also served as a concealed gateway for Cyclops' European enforcers, something Batman used to his advantage when he raided the facility on December 10, 1965 in the guise of one of the gang's black-hooded executioners. Unfortunately, everything in the Apis building was a potential weapon, from the furniture to the mail slots to the floor, which suddenly began to accelerate in treadmill fashion and sent Batman hurtling towards Eclipso. Fortunately, there were also concealed chamber in the roof that enabled the mysterious Queen Bee to rescue the Dark Knight.

Script excerpt from "The Batman-Tarantula Hour", 1966.

BATMAN: Queen Bee -- Marcia -- you ?!

QUEEN BEE: Yes, Batman ... I see you know who I really am. But believe me, I'm trying to save you now. Hurry, follow me -- this way!

BATMAN: Yes, Marcia, I recognized your voice before. But why have you turned criminal ? Why did you frame me ? Why ?

QUEEN BEE: I ... I had to, Batman. My father got involved with Cyclops. To keep his name clear and save him from death by their assassins, I agreed to cooperate with them -- become 'Queen' of this crime hive. I only wanted to put you behind bars -- out of the way of trouble. I never dreamed you'd turn up this way and tangle with Eclipso.

BATMAN: So suddenly you turn all goody-goody. Kind of late, baby, isn't it ?

QUEEN BEE: Oh darling -- please try to understand ... I had no choice. Once caught in Cyclops' web, there's no escape. I hated doing it to you -- the only man I've ever loved. This door -- it leads to the weapons room ... please save yourself.

BATMAN: Come with me, Marcia. I'll see that you get a light sentence.

QUEEN BEE (kissing him): Like 20 years, darling. No, you'll have forgotten me by then. It's too late for me ... but Batman must live to fight on! Good luck, darling. I'll try to stall Eclipso. Here's a souvenir of my love.

BATMAN: The Cat Emerald! Thanks, baby ... so long, for now.

Commissioner Gordon's Memoirs, recalling the events of December 10, 1965:

Batman's life quite literally hung in the balance, suspended in mid-air between the forces of the GCPD on the ground and Eclipso, firing obsidian energy blasts from his black diamond. Fortunately, the Caped Crusader had an ally in the form of Doctor Bruce Gordon. I'd previously accepted the sandy-haired scientist's offer of help, joking that "we Gordons have to stick together," but I never imagined that he'd play such a crucial role. With no regard for his own safety, Gordon rode a fire engine's ladder to the height where Eclipso was trying to blast Batman from the side of the Apis Building. Without warning, a brilliant flash of white light momentarily blinded all of us on the ground and, when we'd recovered our collective sight, the moon-faced rogue was gone. Doctor Gordon claimed to have banished Eclipso with some sort of light grenade. Frankly, I was a bit dismayed at his evasiveness on the villain's fate but, under the circumstances, I chose not to press the issue.

To my great relief, we found ample evidence within Apis Enterprises to support Batman's claim that he'd been framed, not the least of which was the Masked Manhunter's own recovery of the real Cat Diamond. The warrant for Batman's arrest was voided immediately.

Script excerpt from "The Batman-Tarantula Hour", 1966.

BATMAN (picking up a garment near Apis Enterprises): Queen Bee's costume ... Marcia's gone. Some day, she'll have to pay for her crimes -- and when that day comes, she'll need all my help. Until then -- farewell, honey!"

Inside The Sinister Citadels, Galaxy Publishing, 1979:

According to declassified CIA documents filed by agent Urania Blackwell, Cyclops' central headquarters was finally laid bare in November of 1966. The base was a former Nazi stronghold hidden in Holland that had been converted into a a major crime syndicate facility. As with Apis Enterprises, the European stronghold was replete with war machines and deathtraps, including an ultimate failsafe. In the event of the lair's exposure, "one push of a button will blow up the entire dike system - bringing the sea crashing in on half their land." The combined efforts of Metamorpho and Blackwell, alias Element Woman, prevented the catastrophic fate and captured the apparent mastermind of Cyclops, Stingaree, a green-costumed villain with a deadly artificial tail.

In early 1967, several mid-level Cyclops administrators were part of a consolidation of European super-syndicates but, with no central leadership, the organization soon collapsed. No definitive connection has been established between the Hive overseen by the Queen Bee and the subsequent Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination.

The Gotham Blade, April 19, 1966:

ITEM! Batman has an itch that he can't scratch and she goes by the name of Poison Ivy! Witnesses tell us that us that the Gotham Goliath couldn't keep his lips off the auburn-haired beauty during yesterday's battle in the suburbs. We hear that Ivy only made it into custody because Robin (that spoilsport!) interrupted the proceedings. The Batty One sure seems to have a thing for redheads. Say, has anyone seen Marcia Monroe lately ?

**********

Afterword:

The strange story of Batman's affair with Marcia Monroe was recounted in late 1965's THE BRAVE & THE BOLD # 64 ("Batman Versus Eclipso"), a story subsequently reprinted in 1976's SUPER-TEAM FAMILY # 5. Though entertaining in its own right, the whirlwind romance between Batman and Marcia, who goes so far as to usurp the unmentioned Robin's place as the Dark Knight's partner, along with Batman's hip dialogue makes for a rather bizarre reading experience.

The previous Queen Bees, incidentally, fought Mr. America in ACTION COMICS # 42, 46-49, the Blackhawks in BLACKHAWK # 38 and the JLA in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA # 23. And there was even a fourth prior Queen Bee, this one a mutated insect who faced the Sandman in his first exploit with Sandy (ADVENTURE COMICS # 69), a story that transcends B&B # 64 for pure freakiness.

The B&B story was, of course, scripted by Bob Haney (with art by Win Mortimer), whose dialogue I've quoted throughout the above article, not all of it obviously. Haney went on use Cyclops in METAMORPHO # 10 and tossed them (and other mid-1960s criminal syndicates) into the background in BLACKHAWK # 229 and 231. Marv Wolfman's own version of the H.I.V.E. was a regular threat during the early 1980s both in various Superman-related series and, of course, THE NEW TEEN TITANS.

And, finally, Poison Ivy (created by Bob Kanigher) showed up five months after the Queen Bee, already boasting of an extensive criminal career that had yet to be uncovered by law enforcement agencies. That brings to mind an intriguing thought. Could Marcia Monroe have been an alias of Pamela Lillian Isley, using her powers to seduce Batman as a final test before her debut as Poison Ivy ? Bees and pollen naturally lead one to think of plant life and who is more familiar with plants than Ivy ?

Mikishawm's FLASHBACK piece from the Batman board:

The past several months had been difficult ones for Diana Prince. Steve Trevor, the love of her life, had been restored to life by the goddess Aphrodite (WONDER WOMAN # 223) only to perish again at the hands of a madman (WW # 248). Seeking a new start as an astronaut with NASA in Houston, Texas (WW # 252), Diana found herself feeling homesick for New York and her job with United Nations security (WW # 255). The last straw came when Diana, as Wonder Woman, unmasked the new leader of the Royal Flush Gang in Texas -- and found her new boyfriend, Mike Bailey staring back at her. Within twenty-four hours, Diana Prince had left the space program, intent on returning to the U.N. (WW # 256).

The U.N.'s head of security was convinced that Diana was a security risk (WW # 256) and said as much (WW # 263) but the young woman still had plenty of friends who wanted to see her back. Hoping to ease some of the tension, they invited her to a reception for French ambassador in Manhattan's Gramercy Park in October of 1979. Making the most of it, Diana was only too happy to hold back when Batman, of all people, stepped in to stop a trio of gun-toting thieves in stocking masks.

Working through the crowd, Diana eventually cornered Bruce Wayne for a personal thank you. He was in the Big Apple, he explained, on behalf of the Wayne Foundation. The United States had been privately pushing for France to be the home of a proposed European automotive plant and Bruce was there to consult with the ambassador. "It means jobs ... prosperity ... and an important step toward easing international trade tensions."

As Bruce joined the ambassador, Diana spotted an intruder on the grounds and realized that Wonder Woman was going to have to make an appearance, after all. The stranger wore a violet body suit with blue tinted goggles and a white gas mask. His gloves were white as was the icon on his chest, a circle with lines of varying lengths erupting from it as if in a burst of light. And, most ominously, he wore holster belt that contained a gun of sorts, a weapon he was prepared to draw on the Amazing Amazon.

Accustomed to deflecting bullets with her bracelets, Wonder Woman nearly laughed when several small green glass spheres struck her. In a moment, her eyes were burning and she was lost in a fog of emerald gas. And suddenly it was 1968 again and a powerless Diana Prince was entering the mansion of millionaire Robert Fass in search of Doctor Cyber (WW # 180). "Go BACK!"screamed Steve Trevor from the top of a staircase. "Get OUT OF HERE!" "You're walking into a TRA ..." The cracking of gunfire roared in Diana's ears and a sobbing Wonder Woman could do nothing but scream.

Alerted by the agonizing cry, Bruce Wayne made his apologies to the ambassador and rushed outside to help the still disoriented Amazon. As his JLA teammate regained her composure, Bruce observed that it "sounds like a drug flashback ... a chemically-induced case of deja vu. Normally it only happens to people who've had a bad trip on LSD."

A collective chill ran through Bruce and Wonder Woman when she recalled that the intruder had a French accent. Racing to the ambassador's side, they were horrified to find the elderly Frenchman convulsed and giggling in a state of madness. The attack of the thieves and the masked subsequent confrontation with Wonder Woman had both been efforts to divert attention from his true target. "There shall be no 'deals' between the people of France and the American traitors!" a note read. "The ambassador is a warning. Anyone who attends the Paris conference will suffer at the hands of Deja Vu!"

Vowing that the economic summit would proceed, Bruce Wayne took his place at the meeting the following week while Wonder Woman paid a visit to the DuBois chemical plant elsewhere in Paris. "Several of the compounds used in the fog were developed at (DuBois)" and "the glass spheres containing the fog used a form of silicon unique to this region of France." The Amazing Amazon was stunned to find "the man we call Flashback" at the site and intently mixing a new brew of his mind-altering compound. Having managed to distract his opponent for a second time, Flashback escaped again, gloating that "you cannot stop me, ma jolie cherie. The traitors will die! They will die -- tonight, in memory of one who died before!"

Aware that he'd have costumed interference, Flashback made it a point to fire a volley of spheres at Batman and Wonder Woman before proceeding with his attack on the international delegation. In a heartbeat, Bruce Wayne was nine years old once more, reliving the murder of his parents and vowing that, this time, he would strike back at their killer. In his delirium, Batman hammered Wonder Woman with punches, convinced that he was pummeling Joe Chill. The beating, coupled with Diana's "Amazon constitution," shielded her from the effects of the nightmare fog but she was far from secure.

Diana and the deranged Dark Knight were now dangling above the streets of Paris, prevented from falling only by a thin loop of Wonder Woman's lasso wrapped around a rooftop spire. Pulling the lasso free, Wonder Woman and Batman began to descend rapidly, finally jolting the Dark Knight back to reality and putting his acrobatic skills to the test as he dived for the cushion of a fabric restaurant awning.

Rushing into the meeting, the Justice Leaguers found Flashback standing on top of the conference table, tossing dozens of glass spheres and laughing maniacally as the economists began to relive the darkest hours of their lives. The Amazing Amazon twirled her lasso into a cyclonic force that blew the fog towards Flashback, obscuring his vision long enough for Batman to land a knockout punch on his jaw. Now aware that even his iron will wasn't enough to withstand the villain's drug, the Dark Knight wore a gas mask as he prepared to air out the room.

Following the terrorist's incarceration, authorities learned that Flashback had been a chemist at DuBois whose "father lost his life working in an American canning plant in southern France ... All his life, he's BLAMED it on Americans and American business."

His confidence still shaken by the effects of the gas, Bruce Wayne wondered what his own hatred of crime said about his mental state. "There IS a difference, Bruce," she emphasized. "HIS obsession ALMOST made him a killer. YOUR obsession leads you to SAVE lives."

"Thank you, Diana," Bruce nodded. "I need to be REMINDED of that, now and then ..."

Published in October of 1979, THE BRAVE & THE BOLD # 158's "Yesterday Never Dies" represented the beginning of a new era in that title's history. Hoping to inject some new voices and perspectives into the venerable Batman team-ups, editor Paul Levitz had removed veteran writer Bob Haney from the book in favor of a succession of guest-writers working with artist Jim Aparo. Gerry Conway was the first of these and, making it a family affair, he featured a villain created by his wife, Carla. Flashback had originally been called Deja Vu, a name that still survived in the art on the villain's manifesto. Destined to be a one-shot wonder, Flashback was sentenced to a long stay in his prison, where he relives his mission of vengeance to this day.

My own Element Girl piece (with help from DarkMan's Indexing Domain):

Element Girl was originally Urania "Rainie" Blackwell, a U.S. espionage agent who successfully infiltrated the European crime syndicate known as CYCLOPS (mentioned above in Mikishawm's "Queen Bee" biography. Unfortunately, the unsecure Urania fell in love with and married the leader, the terrorist codenamed Stingaree. She was spurned by the man she fell in love with, and volunteered for a mission to expose herself to radiation in an Egyptian temple. This action was duplicating the process by which a man named Rex Mason became Metamorpho, the Element Man.

Like Mason, Urania became an elemental being, looking almost exactly like the freakish Metamorpho (except for getting long green hair instead of Rex's baldness). Shocked by her new appearance, Urania sought out Metamorpho's help in defeating Stingaree and CYCLOPS. (METAMORPHO (Vol. 1) #10, January-February 1967)

Following this incident, Urania adopted the codename "Element Girl" and hang out with Metamorpho from time to time. Noted mostly for being inactive in the background (METAMORPHO (Vol. 1) # 11, March-April 1967), or getting kidnapped by the evil Professor Zorb and turned against her allies (METAMORPHO (Vol. 1) #12-13, May-August 1967), she nevertheless acted as a full-fledged heroine against such menaces as the midget Thunderer, who actually managed to split Metamorpho and Element Girl into three beings apiece. Luckily, a teenage genius put them back together. (METAMORPHO (Vol. 1) #14-15, September-December 1967).

When Metamorpho was tried, sentenced, and executed (obviously, it didn't work) for the murder of a Wally Bannister (Sapphire Stagg's former husband), Element Girl was there to save him. Together, they then encountered Algon, an ancient Egyptian elemental like themselves, after which they went away to free Metamorpho from the false murder charges. (METAMORPHO (Vol. 1) #16-17, January-April 1968).

Shortly after this, the METAMORPHO series was cancelled, and the storyline remained unfinished. When Metamorpho next appeared, teaming up with the Batman in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD (Vol. 1) #101 (April-May 1975), he was free from the murder charges and Element Girl was nowhere to be seen.

Fact is, she wouldn't be seen for another twenty-two years. Metamorpho himself appeared from time to time, in THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, WORLD'S FINEST, ACTION COMICS, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, in the mid-80s as a member of the OUTSIDERS, and still later in JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE, but no writer seemed to want to bring Element Girl back. Neither did she show up in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARHTS, HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE, or even WHO'S WHO, where such obscure parties as Automan, Claw the Unconquered, and Chris Kl-99 appeared.

Enter the Sandman. Just like yours truly, Neil Gaiman always had a soft spot for many of the lesser-known characters in the DC Universe. In SANDMAN #20, he taught us what happened to Rainie. She had developed romantic feelings towards Metamorpho, but Rex only had eyes for his Sapphire. Heartbroken, Urania had a breakdown, and spent many years completely alone, abandoned by her employers and afraid to interact in society, because of her freakish appearance. She considered suicide, but couldn't do it - a metamorph's greatest curse is that he or she is virtually immortal. No temperature, no poison, no known force on Earth can kill them.

However, Death of the Endless felt Rainie's despair, and comforted her. She herself couldn't give Rainie the peace she wanted, but she pointed out that one of her kin, Algon, had actually died (in METAMORPHO #17), so eternal peace was not impossible. Death then helped Rainie get into contact with the Egyptian Gods that had granted her her powers in the first place.

Rainie looked into the face of the sun god Ra, and finally made her peace with the Gods. She was transformed into dust and claimed by Death. (THE SANDMAN (Vol. 2) #20, October 1990)

After her death, Element Girl finally got her own Who's Who page in the loose-leaf format WHO'S WHO IN THE DC UNIVERSE #10, June 1991, featuring art by Colleen Doran and Malcolm Jones III.

Recently, she had a retrospective one-panel cameo, showing her interacting with Metamorpho, in SILVER AGE SHOWCASE #1, July 2000.

I think those are actually all of her appearances. I know Rex mentioned her in an issue of JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE, but can't remember when.

Element Girl Stats:
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 130 lbs.
Hair: Green (as Urania: Blonde)
Eyes: Black (as Urania: Blue)

Additions and comments to the other bios:

Tailgunner Jo - thank you, Outpost. I always wanted to know more about this character. The only I've seen of her is a cameo in the Elseworlds MXYZPTLK/BAT-MITE: WORLD'S FUNNEST.

Red Tornado I - she also appeared in the recent ALL-STAR COMICS 80-PAGE GIANT. And a variant of her was part of the Justice League in the Elseworlds KINGDOM COME. In a recent issue of YOUNG JUSTICE, we were told that she is dead.

Cyclone Kids - not "Cyclone Twins" as Peter David keeps calling them, have aged normally and married, and were part of the "Old Justice" team seen in YOUNG JUSTICE and the SINS OF YOUTH miniseries.

Captain Thunder - had a cameo as one of many alternate Captain Marvels in THE POWER OF SHAZAM a couple of years ago.

Mister E had a cameo in the UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED - ABYSS, HELL'S SENTINEL, December 1995.

Blackrock - there were two Blackrocks. One older and then his nephew, Les Vegas (!). He/they was actually a corporate hero, owned by some TV company that rivaled Morgan Edge's Galaxy Communications.

Post-Crisis, it was assumed that Blackrock never existed or battled Superman, but in JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #43 (October 1990), he appeared fighting the League together with Black Mass, Crowbar, Brainstorm, the Cavalier, and Sonar.

I'm not sure, but I think that Blackrock was later one of the villains who got their weaponry absorbed by the Replicant in the pages of FLASH about a year ago.

The Beefeater was actually Michael Morice, the caretaker of the JLI London Embassy, first seen in JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL (vol. 1) ANNUAL #3 (1989). In JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE #20 (November 1990), he adopted the garb of the Beefeater, who he claimed had been worn by his father, fighting alongside General Glory in the second World War. The Beeafeater wanted to join the JLE, but only managed to destroy their Paris Embassy. Later, the Beefeater fought Eclipso during the "Breakdowns" storyline, and was humiliatingly defeated. When last seen, the Beefeater took off together with JLI Liaison Camus. They have not been seen since.

The character of Morice/Beefeater was based on John Cleese, or rather, his character Basil Fawlty from "Fawlty Towers".

Blue Jay - let me return with a full biography of him. I just want to add that he appeared much earlier than the JLI era. He, along with Silver Soceress, Wandjina, and Jack B. Quick first appeared in the original JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #87, February 1971. AND I want to point out that he is still alive, although he hasn't been seen since JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE #48, March 1993.

/ola

The Automan biography:
(main source: WHO'S WHO #2)

AUTOMAN
Created by Lee Elias
First appearance: TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #91, November 1965.

Stats:

Alter ego: Robot #32198
Occupation: Robot for hire
Known relatives: Miller Sterling (creator), Ilda (wife)
Group affiliation: None
Base of operations: Robot Tech University
Timeframe: Late 21st century
Height: 6'11"
Weight: 514 lbs.
Eyes: Photocellular
Hair: None
"Skin": Golden metal

History:

Dubbed "Automan - the automatic man" by his creator, Professor Miller Sterling, robot #32198 was the first graduate of Robot Tech, an institute for higher learning designed exclusively for mechanical men, a.k.a. "computer men". These artificial intelligences were fed a wealth of information via intricate teaching computers, then programmed for independent action.

After graduation, Automan embarked on a successful career as a robot-for-hire, working as everything from a mechanical manservant to a beautiful blonde actress. His missions inevitably made him come into contact with danger, adventure, and heroism, often together with his master Miller Sterling, and the latter's beautiful daughter Stella. (TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #91, October-November 1965, #94, April-May 1966, and #97, October-November 1966.)

At the end of the 21st century, Automan encountered the intergalactic detective known as Star Hawkins, and his robot secretary Ilda. While Hawkins got romantically interested in Stella Sterling, Automan fell in robotic love with Hawkins' android assistant Ilda. They chose each other as life-mates and now consider themselves married. (DC COMICS PRESENTS #33, May 1981)

Automan's body apparently still exists in the late 30th century, and will be displayed at the robot section of the Time and History Museum in Metropolis. (LEGIONNAIRES #68, February 1999)

Powers and weapons:

Constructed entirely of meteorite manganese, Automan's body is completely bullet- and fireproof. The robot's internal equipment includes a forehead film recorder, a radar-scanner, a powerful electromagnet, laser-beam eyes, and a self-contained parachute system. Furthermore, Automan possesses superhuman strength and, by virtue of his programming, is an excellent hand-to-hand combatant. His knowledge and intelligence rate is extremely high according to human standards.

Astralad was the Superboy villain with the long hair and funky outfit, right? If I find that issue, I'll write something up about him.

Ibis the Invincible was a Fawcett Comics character who first appeared in WHIZ COMICS #2 (which also contained the debut of Captain Marvel among others). He and the other Fawcett heroes were acquired by DC in the 1970s.

Ibis was originally Prince Amentep of ancient Egypt. He was chosen by Thoth (the God of Wisdom) to bear the Ibisstick, a magic wand which could grant its owner's every wish. Amentep and his lover Taia had everything their hearts desired but soon grew bored. They were also oppressed by Amentep's cruel relative (his uncle, I believe), the Black Pharoah. Using the Ibisstick, they placed themselves under a spell of sleep and vowed to awaken in "more interesting times."

Believed to be dead, their mummified bodies were later found by archaeologists and placed in seperate museums. Amentep ended up in Fawcett City. In the 1940s, he was awakened by the wizard Shazam who knew of the prince from his years in Egypt. (An unnamed man looking at the sarcophagus in the original Fawcett story was revealed as Shazam in DC's THE POWER OF SHAZAM.) Ibis (as the museum employees had nicknamed him) set out to find his lost love, Taia. Once they were reunited, Ibis began operating as a mystery man and joined the loose affiliation of heroes who worked for Shazam in Fawcett City, among them Spy Smasher, Minute Man, Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Mr. Scarlet, and Pinky. (Pre-Crisis, they were known as the Squadron of Justice and were the heroes of Earth-S. They were featured in a crossover with the JLA and JSA in the 70s.)

I know little of Ibis' Golden Age stories other than the fact that the Black Pharaoh resurfaced, kept alive by dark sorcery. After the war, Ibis returned to his mystical sleep and was awakened in modern day by Mary Marvel in an issue of THE POWER OF SHAZAM. In that series, Ibis was depicted as being very bored because of his near infinite power. His youth faded later in the series, supposedly due to something in the Genesis crossover (perhaps Thoth withdrew his influence from the Ibisstick). There was also some tension between Ibis and Taia but the two eventually reconciled. Unless I am mistaken, Ibis has returned to his mystic sleep to await "more interesting times" once more.

HERCULES

Alter Ego: Born Alcides, renamed Herakles, later adopted the alias Hercules
Occupation: Demigod
Known Relatives: Zeus (father); Alcmene (mother, deceased); Iphikles (half-brother, deceased); Amphitryon (step-father, deceased); Megara (first wife, deceased); Deianira (second wife, deceased); Hebe (half-sister, third wife, annulled); Perseus (great-grandfather, deceased); Andromeda (great-grandmother, deceased); Hera (step-mother); Ares (half-brother); Hephaestus (half-brother); Athena (half-sister); Apollo (half-brother); Artemis (half-sister); Hermes (half-brother); Dionysus (half-brother); Hestia (aunt); Hades (uncle); Poseidon (uncle); Demeter (aunt); plus many more relatives (too numerous to mention)
Group Affiliation: The Gods of Olympus
Base of Operations: 12th century BC Greece and Italy, late 20th century Earth
First Appearance: (Earth-S, mentioned only) Whiz Comics #1 (#2 on cover) (Feb 1940);
(Earth-Two) All Star Comics [first series] #8 (Dec 1941-Jan 1942);
(Earth-One) Wonder Woman [first series] #105 (April 1959);
(Parallel Earth future) Hercules Unbound #1 (Oct-Nov 1975)
Height: 6 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 327 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black

History: The story of Hercules begins some 3200 years ago, in the nation of Greece. Amphitryon, grandson of Perseus and Andromeda, had married his cousin, the beautiful Alcmene. One year, while Amphitryon is away at war, the adulterous god Zeus, who had come to desire Alcmene, devises a plan to have her. On the night the general is to return home, Zeus disguises himself as Amphitryon and sleeps with Alcmene, conceiving the child that would later become Hercules. Zeus then slips away as the true Amphitryon returns. Amphitryon in turn sleeps with his wife, conceiving a second child. Hera, the wife of Zeus, becomes enraged when she learns of this latest "conquest", however she is powerless to take her anger out upon her husband, so she vows she will take it out on his son instead.

As his son's birth approaches, Zeus declares that the next descendant of Perseus to be born will be the future king of Mycenae. Hera succeeds in delaying the delivery just long enough to allow Eurystheus, another grandson of Perseus, to be the first born. Alcmene then gives birth to two sons, Alcides and Iphikles. Amphitryon and Alcmene soon learn that Alcides is not really Amphitryon's son, but Zeus'. A few weeks after the twins' birth, Hera sends two snakes to kill Alcides in his cradle. Alcides grabs both of the snakes, protecting his defenseless brother, and squeezes them to death. After that, Alcmene so fears Hera's wrath that she decides to abandon Alcides. Athena, seeing what has transpired, tricks Hera into taking a walk, whereupon they encounter the abandoned child. Athena prevails upon Hera, the goddess of childbirth, to tend to the hungry infant, whom they name Herakles, "the Glory of Hera". The infant unintentionally hurts Hera though, and she hurls him away.

As an adult, Herakles marries Megara, daughter of King Creon of Thebes. Hera later places a spell of madness upon Herakles, causing him to murder his wife, their three sons, and his brother's two children. To atone for his sins, Herakles goes to Delphi, where the Oracle instructs him to serve his cousin, King Eurystheus, and perform twelve labors on Eurystheus' behalf. One of those labors is to steal the girdle of the Amazon queen, Hippolyta. Herakles is uneasy about an unprovoked attack on the Amazons, but Ares taunts him, claiming Herakles is afraid of a mere woman. Angry at the attack on his masculinity, Herakles leads a mighty army to the Aegean island of Themiscyra, the home of the Amazons. When they arrive, Hippolyta challenges Herakles to single combat. Using the great strength granted to her by the magic girdle, a gift from the goddess Aphrodite, Hippolyta defeats him. Unfortunately, Hippolyta allows herself to be seduced by Herakles into letting him hold the girdle, which he steals. Herakles and his army then attack, defeat, and enslave the Amazons. Hippolyta prays to Aphrodite and, with her help, regains the girdle and their freedom. The goddess then guides the Amazons to Paradise Island, where they become immortal and eternally young, providing they remain there, apart from the world of men.

After his labors are completed, Herakles is freed from his debt, and he goes on to take part in many heroic adventures. At one point, Herakles travels to Italy, changing his name to the Latin form "Hercules", and spends several years there defending it's people. The exploits of the mighty demigod become well-known throughout the region. In fact, a few generations later, the legends of Hercules would inspire another Roman hero to continue on in his name. In the end, though, Hercules longs for home, so he says his farewells and returns to Greece.

Years later, Hercules marries for a second time, to a woman named Deianira, daughter of King Oenus of Aetolia. When Deianira becomes jealous of another woman, she is tricked into putting a deadly poison, which she is told is a love potion, onto a cloak. When Hercules dons the cloak, it becomes stuck to him, and he begins to die an agonizing death. He struggles to build a huge pyre and has it set afire. Hercules' mortal self burns away, but what remains rises to Mount Olympus, fully transforming the demigod into an immortal. Once in Olympus, Hercules finally reconciles with Hera, and he marries her daughter Hebe to bind the two closer together.

Nearly a 1000 years later, in the gardens of Mount Olympus, Hercules observes Ares and another god, Cyphus, falconing with their birds. Ares is particulary proud of his bird, Redclaw, who was a gift from their father Zeus. On this day however, something goes terribly wrong. Redclaw is killed by Cyphus' bird. Hercules has never seen Ares so distraught over the death of any creature. Ares bends over his falcon, touches it, and suddenly it lives again. It is then that Hercules realizes that the god of war also possesses the power to restore life.

Over the next few decades, Hercules and Ares begin to feud over mankind. Hercules feels most gods treat men as puppets. This attitude is not well received by the gods, especially by Ares, but not for the reasons Hercules believes. Soon after the fall of ancient Greece, circa 300 BC, the gods begin to blame themselves for the failings of their mortal children. They formulate a secret plan, envisioned as a divine exorcism, designed to free them from the vestiges of evil that still linger in them all. Zeus, Hera, Hermes, Athena, and Ares combine their divine energies to isolate their dark sides, literally extracting them from their very beings. An entity of pure evil is spawned by the exorcism, something the gods had not foreseen. Using armaments forged by Ares, they stun the creature, but it is only a temporary solution. They require a more permanent means of restraining the dread anti-gods they have created. After desperately striving for alternatives, only one solution presents itself. It involves mounting a conspiracy against Zeus' beloved son, Hercules.

Hercules is invited to, and attends, a grand feast in which his usual nemesis Ares plays a most gracious host. Hercules is drugged through a nectar he consumes, and an entire unit of Olympian warriors are required to subdue him until the drug takes effect. Unconscious, Hercules is carried to a remote Mediterranean isle that the gods had selected, where enchanted chains are fettered by Ares' hammer. Ares places a spell of invisibility around the island, and Poseidon provides fearsome behemoths to stave off any potential visitors. Hercules awakens, finding himself all alone, bound to a rock, incorrectly believing he is solely a victim of Ares' treachery. For more than two thousand years, Hercules remains chained, as no being ventures remotely near the island.

On October 9th, 1986, a nuclear missile strikes Greece, it's point of origin unknown. A limited nuclear exchange ensues. Ares is intrigued by the potential for great battle, and heads to Earth. On October 20th, a subterranean race of mole-people, bent on conquering the surface world, trigger the launch of scores of missiles, which escalates the war. The last bomb falls on October 29th, then the Earth falls silent.

Four weeks after the outbreak of World War III, a young boy and his dog sail perilously close to the small isle, the same day that the constant thrashing of Hercules' titanic strength is finally enough to break the enchanted bonds. Hercules figures that Ares is either dead or up to something, and he vows revenge. He hears the boy, Kevin, and his dog, Basil, fighting off a sea beast from their sailboat. Hercules, occupied with rescuing the teen from the raging sea creature, doesn't realize that the rock he has left behind is the prison the gods had created to contain the anti-gods. It was Hercules' strength, channeled through his chains, that was binding the rock and making it an inescapable cell. Hercules is also not aware that the long dormant anti-gods have amassed enough power to thrust out one of their number, the Anti-Ares, who hastily needs a physical shell in which he can rest and slowly strengthen his malevolent force. While Hercules finishes off the beast, Kevin is possessed by the escaping anti-god.

After saving the boy and his dog, Hercules realizes that Kevin is blind. Kevin relates the tale that brought him to the island. He was in Athens with his brother Jason. Jason and their father were in foreign service, his father was the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. Air raid sirens began to blare, and the two brothers and their dog ran for cover. Jason shoved Kevin into a shelter, but was incinerated himself by the nuclear blast. After spending two weeks underground, Kevin came out. When he was attacked by scavengers, he ran to the docks and escaped with his dog on a sailboat. Hercules then introduces himself. He explains that his enemy Ares, the god of war, had bound him to this rock, and that he will seek him out and get his revenge. Elsewhere, in Rome, Ares watches a battle in the streets. He delights as he pits one side against another, reflecting that it has been a long time since he was last on this world.

Three days later, Hercules and Kevin arrive in Rome. They are attacked by Ares' forces, and Hercules is amazed at how well Kevin handles himself without seeing. Soon, Hercules confronts Ares himself. Ares sends a creature he calls the Smasher against his enemy. Kevin ultimately kills the beast with a slingshot. He realizes too late that the Smasher was his father, mutated beyond recognition. Hercules turns to face Ares, but the god of war is gone.

After many weeks, Hercules and Kevin make it to Paris, where they meet Dave Rigg, Simon St. Cloud, and Jennifer Monroe. Hercules battles Cerebus, who has been sent by Ares. Cerebus captures Jennifer and flees. Hercules and Kevin descend into the underworld, where they rescue Jennifer from Cerebus' clutches. Pluto, the god of this dark realm, is convinced by Orpheus to allow these innocents to leave.

A few weeks later, Hercules, Kevin, and Jennifer sail across the English Channel to London, on their way to find Dave Rigg and Simon St. Cloud. They are attacked by cat-people and brought to England's new self-proclaimed ruler, Hunter Blood. Mutated by radiation, Hunter uses his deadly eye beams to defeat Hercules and capture Jennifer. Hercules is later found by other animal-men, led by the ape Durak. Hercules and Kevin are taken to the National Medical Research Center in London. Durak explains how animals evolved and humans disappeared. Before the war, Durak was a mere lab animal. Researchers, led by Dr. Janson, were testing a chemical called Cortexin, developed by an American doctor named Michael Grant. When the bomb exploded, Dr. Janson, his assistant, and an orderly were turned to dust, along with every other human in the area. A mist spread through the room from some beakers broken on the floor. Cortexin was spreading everywhere, reaching all across London. The animals evolved to their current state in a matter of hours. Kevin postulates that he too has been mutated. Hercules soon defeats Hunter Blood, and rescues Jennifer, but Kevin's dog Basil is killed in the process.

Hercules, his friends, and his new animal-men allies are attacked by Ares warriors. Hercules finally locates Ares at Stonehenge. He sees that the god has captured Dave Rigg and Simon St. Cloud. Hercules and Ares then enter into battle. Hercules learns the reason why Ares hates him so. Ares believes that their father Zeus spurned him for his half-brother. Hercules finally wins the fight, and a truce is called. Remembering that Ares possesses the power to restore life, he asks that Basil be revived. Ares raises the dog in return for his freedom. Hercules states that if he finds Ares again, one of them will die.

While on his way back to his camp, it begins to dawn on Ares that if Hercules is free, then the anti-gods' prison must have been breached. Up until this point, Ares resentment of Hercules had blinded him to that fact. Ares begins to panic, and returns to Olympus with his forces to warn the other gods. An ominous cosmic storm begins to form around the extradimensional home of the gods.

Back on Earth, Hercules, Kevin, Jennifer, and Dave arrive in Loch Ness in Northern Scotland. They are captured by Casper Zedd, who has been mutated by radiation. Zedd claims he has met, and now serves, the Loch Ness Monster. When Zedd summons the beast, Hercules recognizes it as Oceanus the Titan, who he had fought eons ago. Hercules surmises that Oceanus felt the vibrations of the nuclear bombs in the netherworld where he lay dormant. Thinking the end of the world had arrived, Oceanus had returned to Earth. Hercules battles the creature, sending it back into the void from which it came.

Shortly thereafter, Hercules, Kevin, Jennifer, and Dave travel on a raft on the Irish Sea. They are unaware that they have entered a timewarp, which has drawn them six years into the future. They are suddenly attacked by 1944 jet fighters, which destroy the raft. Hercules saves Kevin and Jennifer, but Dave appears to drown. When they reach land, they are taken by android women warriors to meet their creator, Lady Agatha Simms. Lady Simms tells them that, before the war, she had become a master technician, who designed advanced computer systems for various governments. Her machines can reach through the time-barrier and call up a simulacrum of any war machine from the last five decades. For the last few months, she has been engaged in a war game with some unknown opponent. It started when a few of her planes were shot down over the Isle of Man, and they have been going at it ever since. Lady Simms demonstrates that she can restore Kevin's sight, but will only make it permanent if they help her beat her opponent. Elsewhere, Dave grabs a floating log and makes it to shore. He is captured by a robot and brought to Lady Simms' mysterious opponent.

Hercules leads his friends and a band of android warriors across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man. They fight their way into the opponent's fortress, but are shocked to learn that their enemy is Dave, now hooked up to a vast computer network. Dave uses the machines at his disposal to beat back his attackers. Dave, attempting to understand what has happened to him, learns he is being controlled by an energy being, the animate representation of the Simms Analogue Data Energizer, the most advanced computer defense system ever devised. The entity has been under an unprovoked and ever-escalating attack by Lady Simms for the last several weeks. It has recently become convinced that nuclear retaliation is inevitable, but because of a built-in failsafe in it's programming, it requires a human operative to launch any nuclear weapons. The entity is soon proven right when Lady Simms, who believes Hercules has failed, sends a nuclear bomb to the isle. The entity disposes of the threat, then forces Dave to launch nuclear missles at Lady Simms' citidel. Jennifer destroys some machinery, which causes the device to which Dave is attached to explode, but not before the missiles are launched. Hercules is able to stop all but one, and it is heading for Lady Simms' citadel. Jennifer then presses an auto destruct button, which begins a destruct sequence. Hercules, Kevin, Jennifer, and Dave leave just in time, watching from the sea as the island explodes. When they arrive on the English coastline, they are surprised to find Lady Simms' citadel still standing. She explains that she simply sent the missile back to another time, to October 9th 1986 in Greece. Kevin begins crying, refusing any further help, revealing to her that it was she who started World War III.

After returning to London, Dave Rigg dies from his injuries, and is buried. Elsewhere, in one of London's few remaining laboratories, three scientists use a laser synchrotron to dissect a strange fragment, which unleashes millions of gallons of water. Hercules, Kevin, and Jennifer find one of the scientists dying. He tells them that this devastation occurred when they chipped a sample of an unidentified substance. They were getting reports that there was more of the substance in America, in the Great Lakes region ... blocks twenty times the size of the fragment they had. The trio acquire a plane, and Kevin is somehow able to fly them to America. They head to Lake Ontario, where they encounter Gardner Grayle and Douglas Herald of the Atomic Knights, who are also looking for the blocks, created by the evil Doctor Skuba. The Knights are unaware that their teammate, Bryndon Smith, has been consumed by a being of pure energy, spawned by a 50-megaton blast which exploded a half-buried meteorite. After a fierce encounter, Hercules defeats the creature.

Later, in Detroit, the Atomic Knights are amazed by the new, impervious armor that Hercules has forged. While flying back to the Knights' headquarters, Kevin suddenly blasts them from the plane. Hercules saves the falling heroes, but is himself shaken loose. Kevin uses missiles to attack them, but Hercules takes the plane down with a boulder. The gods of Olympus watch from their extradimensional realm, stating they have made a grave error. The anti-gods grow stronger, but the gods themselves are trapped in Olympus by the ethereal forces of a temporal storm. They combine their mental forces to send a message to Hercules. As Hercules restrains Kevin, Jennifer receives the message, warning them of some danger. Kevin then transforms into a dragon and attacks. Hercules stops the creature, and the dragon becomes Kevin once again, but Jennifer has been killed during the battle. Kevin runs to the plane and flies to the Mediterranean, with Hercules hanging on. They arrive on the isle on which Hercules was originally bound. Kevin then transforms into the Anti-Ares, who has finally reached peak strength.

Hercules struggles against the Anti-Ares, but it buries him under a pile of rocks. The Anti-Ares then frees and merges with the rest of the anti-gods, and they leave for Olympus. Hercules rises from the debris, then rides on twin bolts of ethereal lightning sent by the gods. He arrives through the cosmic storm just ahead of the anti-gods. Hercules is told the truth by Zeus and is sickened by their deception. The anti-gods invade Olympus and a great battle commences. Hercules decides that the only way to defeat the anti-gods is by destroying the realm they hope to conquer. The common cause of stopping the destruction of Olympus provides the one bond that draws the two halves, gods and anti-gods, together again. Hercules leaves Olympus in disgust, preferring instead to live among men. When he arrives back on Earth, he finds Kevin's dog Basil, but he is also shocked to find Jennifer alive. Zeus has returned her to life, hoping one day that his son can forgive him.

Weapons and Powers: Hercules possesses unimaginable strength and is virtually immortal. Only a force of immense power can even momentarily stun or harm him. Hercules has the ability to call upon his fellow gods in a manner which involves extradimensional communication. Although his war club is his best known weapon, he relies mainly on the power of his own two hands. He is also a master of most ancient forms of weaponry.

Comments: The history described above is virtually the same for all parallel Earth versions of Hercules, up until the creation of the anti-gods. Some differences include such things as Hippolyta being called Hippolyte on Earth-Two, and Hercules contributing to Shazam's magic lightning on Earth-S. The birth of the anti-gods presumably caused a divergence in the timestream, leading to the timeline in which Hercules was chained up for over two millennia. The Earth-One Hercules appeared, unchained, in the 20th century in WONDER WOMAN [first series] #259 (Sep 1979) - #261 (Nov 1979), establishing without a doubt that the events of HERCULES UNBOUND took place in an alternate reality. In DC COMICS PRESENTS #57 (May 1983), when Superman sees the black-haired Hercules, he remarks that the Hercules he had previously met had red hair, indicating that there were two distinct Hercules in Earth-One continuity. The future Hercules, seen in HERCULES UNBOUND #1 (Oct-Nov 1975) through #12 (Aug-Sep 1977), also appeared in a dream sequence in DC COMICS PRESENTS #57 (May 1983) and in WHO'S WHO: THE DEFINITIVE DIRECTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE #10 (Oct 1985).

HERCULES II

Alter Ego: Hercules, alias Tarkus, alias Roger Tate
Occupation: (as Hercules) Hero, (as Tarkus) Stablehand, (as Roger Tate) Reporter
Known Relatives: Unnamed family members
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: 10th century BC Greece (Earth-One)
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #257 (February 1959)
Height: ~6 ft. 4 in.
Weight: ~255 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Red

History: Very little is known of the second man to go by the name Hercules. While it is clear that this red-headed hero is not the black-haired demigod once known as Herakles, who performed the legendary twelve labors, including the attack on the Amazons, it is just as clear that he does have some relationship with the gods of Olympus, and thus with his predecessor. Perhaps he is one of the many descendants of Herakles, following in his ancestor's footsteps. Perhaps he is the Roman hero who followed a few generations after Herakles' death, who was befriended by the Olympians, and who has since settled in Greece. Perhaps he is Herakles himself, who has had his appearance altered for a time by some sorcerer's spell. Or perhaps he is the spirit of Herakles, temporarily trapped in the body of a mortal man. No one but Hercules and the gods of Olympus themselves can know for sure.

The red-haired Hercules' first contact with the 20th century comes when Lex Luthor, who is imprisoned in Bleak Rock Prison near Metropolis, creates a time-ray which he uses to draw Hercules from the past. Hercules is at the Oracle's cave in Greece, seeking information from the wise man about the cause of a solar eclipse. A strange glow surrounds the hero, he fades from his own time, and appears in Luthor's cell. Luthor, who had learned ancient Greek in preparation for this scheme, explains that an evil king has imprisoned him and taken his gold. Hercules frees Luthor, then the two go to Luthor's hideout. The evil scientist uses a device to teach Hercules English while he sleeps. The next morning, Luthor and Hercules "retrieve" Luthor's "stolen" gold from Fort Knox. Hercules soon discovers the deception however, and helps Superman capture his enemy. Superman recognizes Hercules from when he met him in Smallville as Superboy, but Hercules has no memory of the meeting. Superman theorizes that crossing the time-barrier to the past must have wiped out his memory of the Smallville visit. In truth, Hercules wouldn't meet Superboy for another few years, one of the peculiarities of time-travel.

Hercules asks Superman if he could stay awhile, so that he might observe the future civilization. Superman agrees. He rents Hercules a room, buys him a suit, and tells him he will put him in contact with a friend, Clark Kent. Soon after, Clark introduces the disguised Hercules to Perry White as Roger Tate, a reporter. Roger is given a job at the Daily Planet and is introduced to Lois Lane, who he is immediately attracted to. Soon, Roger falls for Lois and asks her to marry him. Lois tells him they have just met and, besides, there is only one man for her, Superman. Roger reveals to Lois that he is in reality the legendary Hercules. Lois explains that Superman is still her heart-throb. The spurned Hercules begins to compete with Superman for her affections.

As Roger Tate, Hercules travels to Athens to cover a festival. That night, he goes to the secret cave of the eternal Oracle. Hercules asks the Oracle to summon the gods from the past, which he does with a pinch of time dust. Hercules tells the gods he is on a mission in the future, and requires their magic powers and weapons. They grant them to him, but warn him they must only be used for good. Hercules then battles Superman, using the new powers at his command. Aphrodite appears, telling Hercules that Zeus is furious over his abuse of their gifts, but Hercules continues fighting. Superman uses his time-travel powers to draw both Hercules and himself back into the past. As Superman had hoped, Hercules loses all memory of the future. Hercules tells the "stranger" before him that he must go consult the Oracle about the strange blackening sun. Satisfied that the problem is resolved, Superman flies back into the timestream and returns home.

After a time, Hercules meets and befriends the mighty Samson, another hero of his own era. They eventually find themselves under the rule of King Zarl. Zarl is a greedy miser, who taxes his people into poverty so he can increase his royal fortune. Zarl forces Hercules and Samson into being the royal guards at his treasure cave, day and night. They are unable to appear elsewhere to aid others, except in disguise, hence they adopt secret identities. Hercules becomes Tarkus, a stablehand, while Samson becomes Merrio, a court jester. They begin to secretly distribute the King's fortune to the poor. To keep Zarl from entering the cave and finding the jewels missing, they make up a supernatural tale of the Avenger, who they claim has taken over the cave. They tell the King that even their great strength cannot defeat the powerful spirit. The King informs the heroes that he will keep their families as hostages until they think of a way to defeat the Avenger. If they fail, both Hercules and Samson will be executed.

Desperately, the duo consult their friend, the Seer, who peers into the future with his crystal-ball. They observe the exploits of Superboy, who they soon learn is invulnerable. Believing he has an elixir which could bestow invulnerability on them, the Seer casts a magic spell which transports the two heroes into the future. The spell also apparently gives them both the ability to speak modern English. 12-year-old Clark Kent attends a sideshow at the Smallville County Fair, starring Hercules and Samson. Clark soon learns that they are not actors, and later confronts them as Superboy. The two heroes try to learn the secret of the invulnerability elixir, but soon realize that no such potion exists. Their only hope is for Superboy to return to the past with them. The magic spell will soon wear off, so Hercules and Samson blackmail Superboy into coming with them, threatening to reveal his secret identity if he doesn't. They hurry to a predetermined hilltop, where the sunset draws them all back into the past. They then explain the situation to Superboy in more detail, who says he will try to think of some way to save them both from execution.

Hercules and Samson don their secret identities and head to the royal arena, where a big show is scheduled for King Zarl's entertainment. Superboy is forced to reveal himself when a stray war club almost strikes the kind Queen. Zarl believes that Superboy can defy the Avenger and tells him that, if he succeeds, it will save Hercules and Samson from execution. The two disguised heroes hurry back to the cave, so that they are there when the King arrives. When Superboy attempts to enter the cave, he is thrown out by the magic of the Avenger. Suspicious, the King insists on seeing the cave for himself, with the three strongmen as his bodyguards. Suddenly, the Avenger appears! Neither the heroes nor the King's soldiers can defeat the supernatural menace. The Avenger soon chases off the King, telling him the jewels are lost to him forever. Superboy then reveals to his allies that the Avenger is really Krypto, his Super-Dog, who he had summoned from the future. Superboy had supplied the Avenger's voice with his super-ventriloquism. Superboy and Krypto then fly back to their own time, leaving Hercules and Samson to free their families.

Some time later, Hercules finds himself drawn one more time into the future. When Lana Lang breathes in the scent of a weird tropical plant, called the hate flower, she develops a deep hatred of Superboy. Using a magic mask from the supernatural section of the Smallville Museum, she summons various people from the past. The magic of the mask compels those summoned into doing whatever Lana commands. At one point, she calls upon Hercules, Samson, and Atlas. She commands them to destroy the Smallville Scientific Institute, then sees to it that the destruction is blamed on Superboy. After the deed is carried out, the three heroes are returned to their own eras. Eventually, Lana is cured by her father, Superboy, and Krypto.

Weapons and Powers: Hercules possesses tremendous strength and stamina. Unlike his namesake, he is neither invulnerable nor immortal.

Comments: In DC COMICS PRESENTS #57 (May 1983), when Superman sees the black-haired Hercules, he remarks that the Hercules he had previously met had red hair, verifying that the adventures of the red-headed Hercules were still part of Earth-One continuity.

Hercules (Earth-One, 10th century BC) : Adventure Comics #257 (Feb 1959), Action Comics #267 (Aug 1960) - #268 (Sep 1960), Superboy [first series] #110 (Jan 1964)

Hercules (Earth-One, Jimmy Olsen's dream) : Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #16 (Oct 1956)

Hercules (Earth-One, criminal in disguise) : Superman [first series] #112 (Mar 1957)

Hercules (Imaginary Tale of Earth-One) : Action Comics #279 (Aug 1961)

Hercules (Cosmic Man in disguise) : Superman [first series] #155 (Aug 1962)

Hercules (Parallel Earth) : Action Comics #320 (Jan 1965)

SAMSON

Alter Ego: Samson, alias Mighty Youth, alias Merrio
Occupation: (as Mighty Youth and Samson) Hero, (as Merrio) Court jester
Known Relatives: Unnamed family members
Group Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: 10th century BC Greece (Earth-One)
First Appearance: Adventure Comics #257 (February 1959)
Height: ~6 ft. 4 in.
Weight: ~260 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black

History: The biblical Samson was born circa 1090 BC, to the Israeli tribe of Dan, in a region adjacent to the Philistine territory. Samson was a man of great strength, a Nazirite consecrated to God who, for religious reasons, had never cut his hair. In fact, he believed his strength derived from his devotion to God, and that if his hair were ever cut, his strength would leave him. He was one of the last Judges to lead Israel, a duty he performed for some 20 years.

Samson's downfall came when he fell in love with a woman named Delilah, from the Valley of Sorek. The rulers of the Philistines went to Delilah and offered her a small fortune in silver if she could learn the secret of their enemy's great strength. With this knowledge, they would overpower Samson and subdue him. Delilah's first three attempts at learning his secret were unsuccessful but, after nagging him day after day, claiming he would tell her if he truly loved her, Samson relented and confided in her. Delilah sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, who soon arrived with the silver they had promised her. Delilah then put Samson to sleep on her lap, and called a man to shave off the braids of Samson's hair. Samson awoke from his sleep, finding his enemies around him, but he quickly learned that his mighty strength had left him. The Philistines seized Samson, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza, where he was imprisoned.

Some time later, the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon, and to celebrate the capture of their enemy. They brought Samson out to the temple to entertain them, not mindful that his hair was beginning to grow back. The temple was crowded with many people, and all the rulers of the Philistines were there. Samson instructed the lad who held his hand to position him where he could feel the pillars that supported the temple, so that he might lean against them. Samson prayed to God to strengthen him just once more, so that he might get revenge on the Philistines. He then reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Samson pushed with all his strength, bringing the temple down upon himself and on all the people in it. Samson's family retrieved his body and brought him back home to be buried.

The Greek hero known as Samson was not the biblical hero described above. Evidence suggests however that he could be his grandson or grandnephew. It is very possible that, when the first Samson was captured, some of his family fled to Greece, where they settled. So what then is known of this hero named Samson who battled evil 3000 years ago?

Samson's first contact with the 20th century comes during his teen years. Jimmy Olsen is contacted by a man named Kasmir, who convinces Jimmy that he is a time policeman from the future. Kasmir tells Jimmy, who is an honorary member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, that the Legion have detailed him to assist Jimmy on a vital mission into the past. He brings Jimmy to the Legion time bubble, and offers to allow him to take the controls. Kasmir instructs Jimmy to take them about 3000 years into the past, where he will explain their mission. Once there, Kasmir draws a heat-blaster gun. He tells Jimmy he is really a criminal from the future, who escaped and stole the time bubble. The complex controls stumped him, but luckily the automatic controls were set for the late 20th century. Kasmir figured that Jimmy, being an honorary Legionnaire, would know how to operate the device. He fires the heat-blaster, but Jimmy dodges the beam, which hits the time bubble instead. This, in turn, sets fire to an adjacent pile of logs. A teen arrives, saying it took him all morning to cut that timber. Jimmy, who has spent time in this period before, understands the youth's language. He is amazed when the teen easily kayos Kasmir with one punch.

Jimmy asks the teen what his name is and why he is wearing a turban. The teen responds that it is his business, that a wise man had warned him to keep his real name secret or his enemies would destroy him and his parents. He introduces himself instead as Mighty Youth. Jimmy explains that he is from the future, and asks Mighty Youth's help in hiding the time bubble. The teen brings Jimmy and the time bubble to a secret room within the walls of the city. He then lends his stranded guest some clothes and gets him a job with a shepherd. After a hard day's work, Jimmy comes up with an idea to make more money, but ends up being arrested instead. Later, his new friend rips the bars out of the dungeon wall. Mighty Youth's turban is knocked off, revealing his long black hair underneath. Given the time period, the long hair, and the teen's strength, Jimmy concludes he must be Samson. Mighty Youth admits that Jimmy is correct, but tells him that a Seer had foretold that he would have a giant's strength only as long as he never cut his hair. Kasmir overhears this secret and devises a plan.

As Mighty Youth and Jimmy pass a small shop, the lovely Delilah comes out and stops them. Mighty Youth tells her he is in a hurry and cannot stay. Although Delilah admits she finds him very attractive, Mighty Youth says he has no time for romance. Jimmy, incorrectly believing this is the biblical Samson, reflects on how Delilah will someday cause Samson's downfall. Later, as they sleep, Kasmir attempts to cut off Samson's hair. Superman arrives just in time, having followed the time bubble's locator signal. Kasmir throws a vibro-grenade, whose vibrations begin to shake the place apart. Superman braces himself against the columns to protect his friends. However, at that very moment, the guards arrive to arrest Jimmy. Superman tells his friends to go, while he pushes down the supporting columns. The whole city wall topples, preventing the guards from following. Jimmy introduces Samson to Superman. Superman notes to himself that he has already met Samson as a grown man. Superman then flies Jimmy and Kasmir back to their proper eras.

After reaching adulthood, Samson abandons the Mighty Youth identity. He continues combating evil under his real name. In the years that follow, Samson meets and befriends Hercules, another hero of his own era. They eventually find themselves under the rule of King Zarl. Zarl is a greedy miser, who taxes his people into poverty so he can increase his royal fortune. Zarl forces Samson and Hercules into being the royal guards at his treasure cave, day and night. They are unable to appear elsewhere to aid others, except in disguise, hence they adopt secret identities. Samson becomes Merrio, a court jester, while Hercules becomes Tarkus, a stablehand. They begin to secretly distribute the King's fortune to the poor. To keep Zarl from entering the cave and finding the jewels missing, they make up a supernatural tale of the Avenger, who they claim has taken over the cave. They tell the King that even their great strength cannot defeat the powerful spirit. The King informs the heroes that he will keep their families as hostages until they think of a way to defeat the Avenger. If they fail, both Samson and Hercules will be executed.

Desperately, the duo consult their friend, the Seer, who peers into the future with his crystal-ball. They observe the exploits of Superboy, who they soon learn is invulnerable. Believing he has an elixir which could bestow invulnerability on them, the Seer casts a magic spell which transports the two heroes into the future. The spell also apparently gives them both the ability to speak modern English. 12-year-old Clark Kent attends a sideshow at the Smallville County Fair, starring Hercules and Samson. Clark soon learns that they are not actors, and later confronts them as Superboy. The two heroes try to learn the secret of the invulnerability elixir, but soon realize that no such potion exists. Their only hope is for Superboy to return to the past with them. The magic spell will soon wear off, so Samson and Hercules blackmail Superboy into coming with them, threatening to reveal his secret identity if he doesn't. They hurry to a predetermined hilltop, where the sunset draws them all back into the past. They then explain the situation to Superboy in more detail, who says he will try to think of some way to save them both from execution.

Samson and Hercules don their secret identities and head to the royal arena, where a big show is scheduled for King Zarl's entertainment. Superboy is forced to reveal himself when a stray war club almost strikes the kind Queen. Zarl believes that Superboy can defy the Avenger and tells him that, if he succeeds, it will save Hercules and Samson from execution. The two disguised heroes hurry back to the cave, so that they are there when the King arrives. When Superboy attempts to enter the cave, he is thrown out by the magic of the Avenger. Suspicious, the King insists on seeing the cave for himself, with the three strongmen as his bodyguards. Suddenly, the Avenger appears! Neither the heroes nor the King's soldiers can defeat the supernatural menace. The Avenger soon chases off the King, telling him the jewels are lost to him forever. Superboy then reveals to his allies that the Avenger is really Krypto, his Super-Dog, who he had summoned from the future. Superboy had supplied the Avenger's voice with his super-ventriloquism. Superboy and Krypto then fly back to their own time, leaving Samson and Hercules to free their families.

Some time later, Samson finds himself drawn one more time into the future. When Lana Lang breathes in the scent of a weird tropical plant, called the hate flower, she develops a deep hatred of Superboy. Using a magic mask from the supernatural section of the Smallville Museum, she summons various people from the past. The magic of the mask compels those summoned into doing whatever Lana commands. At one point, she calls upon Hercules, Samson, and Atlas. She commands them to destroy the Smallville Scientific Institute, then sees to it that the destruction is blamed on Superboy. After the deed is carried out, the three heroes are returned to their own eras. Eventually, Lana is cured by her father, Superboy, and Krypto.

Weapons and Powers: Samson possesses tremendous strength and stamina. Like his namesake, Samson loses his extraordinary power whenever his long hair is cut.

Comments: The Samson depicted in ACTION COMICS #279, an imaginary story, was seen battling the Philistines, and may well have been the biblical hero described above. The version shown in SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #19 must have been a dream based on a number of discrepancies. Most glaring is the fact that the adventure took place in Rome, a thousand years after Samson's other exploits. Another is the method of time-travel, caused by the fumes of a strange hallucinogenic plant. Finally, Lois had the ability to understand and speak the native tongue. It is likely that she had learned earlier from Superman that Samson used the cover of Merrio as a secret identity, something she incorporated into her dream.

Samson (Earth-One, 10th century BC) : Adventure Comics #257 (Feb 1959), Superboy [first series] #110 (Jan 1964), Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #79 (Sep 1964)

Samson (Earth-One, Jimmy Olsen's dream) : Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #16 (Oct 1956)

Samson (Earth-One, criminal in disguise) : Superman [first series] #112 (Mar 1957)

Samson (Earth-One, Lois Lane's dream) : Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #19 (Aug 1960)

Samson (Imaginary Tale of Earth-One) : Action Comics #279 (Aug 1961)

Samson (Earth-One, Lightning Man in disguise) : Superman [first series] #155 (Aug 1962)

Samson (Parallel Earth) : Action Comics #320 (Jan 1965)

ATLAS II
created by Jack Kirby

Alter Ego: None
Occupation: Defender and avenger
Known Relatives: None
Team Affiliation: None
Base of Operations: Various
First Appearance: 1st Issue Special #1 (April 1975)
Height: ~ 6 ft. 6 in.
Weight: ~ 280 lbs.
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown

History: Many eons ago, in a time when mankind was rising out of barbarism, there lived a mysterious people who came from the fabled Crystal Mountain. One fateful day, an evil slaver and his men attack the village of these quiet people, burning their homes and capturing the inhabitants as slaves. Hidden by his parents in a nearby cave, the child named Atlas watches the terrible scourge. Atlas sees that his mother is among the captured, but his father resists against overwhelming odds, exhibiting strength many times that of an ordinary man. Eventually he is overpowered and is struck down. The grief-stricken Atlas runs to his father's aid, only to be snatched up by the cruel slaver. With a single blow, the child fells the brutish man. Swift as he is strong, young Atlas races to a marsh for safety.

A traveler named Chagra, who had been hiding in the marsh, grabs Atlas, covers his mouth, and tells him to keep quiet. Soon, the slavers give up the search and depart. The child, still in Chagra's grip, grabs Chagra and tosses him into the marsh. Atlas rushes back to the village, only to find his father among the dead. An annoyed and perplexed Chagra watches as Atlas digs through the ruins of his home, only to emerge with a large, glowing crystal. Chagra realizes that the villagers had come from the Crystal Mountain, kneels, and offers his apologies to Atlas. Chagra states that it is said that the leader of Atlas' people bears a piece of that mountain, and must pass it on when he dies. Atlas proclaims that he is the new leader. Chagra tells Atlas that where Atlas leads, he will follow. The grief-stricken boy is indifferent to Chagra's offer, telling Chagra the choice is his -- only ve