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#Comicbook history
Golden Age super heroes and the Fear of Air Raids
This thread presents information based in part on theory and conjecture. The producers purpose is to suggest some possible explanation, but not necessarily the only ones, to the mysteries we will examine
Golden Age super heroes and the Fear of Air Raids
This thread presents information based in part on theory and conjecture. The producers purpose is to suggest some possible explanation, but not necessarily the only ones, to the mysteries we will examine
#comicbooks history
Doctor Mid-Nite is a National Periodicals (DC) super-hero created by Charels Reizenstein and Stanley Aschmeir in 1941.
Dr Charles McNider is a surgeon. A mobster bombs his office, trying to kill a witness that McNider was operating on. McNider is blinded
Doctor Mid-Nite is a National Periodicals (DC) super-hero created by Charels Reizenstein and Stanley Aschmeir in 1941.
Dr Charles McNider is a surgeon. A mobster bombs his office, trying to kill a witness that McNider was operating on. McNider is blinded
#comicbooks history
Its his blindness that modern readers then associate with the modern (not Golden Age) Marvel blind super-hero Daredevil
Doctor Mid-Nite is sometimes cited as the first disabled super-hero. That's important, but consider that 1941 creation date in that
Its his blindness that modern readers then associate with the modern (not Golden Age) Marvel blind super-hero Daredevil
Doctor Mid-Nite is sometimes cited as the first disabled super-hero. That's important, but consider that 1941 creation date in that
#comicbooks history
For months in 1940 and 1941, Britain suffered through air raid drills and actual air raids by the German Luftwaffe.
To protect themselves, massive blackouts were put into effect to take away aerial landmarks to navigation.
For months in 1940 and 1941, Britain suffered through air raid drills and actual air raids by the German Luftwaffe.
To protect themselves, massive blackouts were put into effect to take away aerial landmarks to navigation.
#comicbooks history
The shades are drawn in London tonight
but behind them sleepless millions wait
wait for the weird howl of the air raid alarm
Perhaps if the fog remains there will be no raid
but the fog rises!
This is the moment Adolf Hitler has been waiting for
The shades are drawn in London tonight
but behind them sleepless millions wait
wait for the weird howl of the air raid alarm
Perhaps if the fog remains there will be no raid
but the fog rises!
This is the moment Adolf Hitler has been waiting for
#comicbooks history
London bridge is falling down
The schoolboy's song has a terrible meaning now
Men, women and children rush for the air-raid shelters
(Daredevil Comics no. 1, Lev Gleason Publications)
London bridge is falling down
The schoolboy's song has a terrible meaning now
Men, women and children rush for the air-raid shelters
(Daredevil Comics no. 1, Lev Gleason Publications)
#comicbooks history
This....is London
A few signs from the days of the London Blitz.
Americans listened to the nightly radio reports from correspondet Edward R Murrow
Good night, and good luck
This....is London
A few signs from the days of the London Blitz.
Americans listened to the nightly radio reports from correspondet Edward R Murrow
Good night, and good luck
#comicbooks history
In Lev Gleason's Daredevil no 2, we get a super-hero that is, in effect, the Spirit of London during the Blitz
Here is the splash page, by Jerry Robinson. Character by Jerry Robinson
In Lev Gleason's Daredevil no 2, we get a super-hero that is, in effect, the Spirit of London during the Blitz
Here is the splash page, by Jerry Robinson. Character by Jerry Robinson
#comicbooks history
The mysterious masked hero "London", is an escapee from a Nazi concentration camp in Holland, and foils the attempted kidnapping of Churchill!
The mysterious masked hero "London", is an escapee from a Nazi concentration camp in Holland, and foils the attempted kidnapping of Churchill!
#comicbooks history
What were blackouts? These are *not* the blackouts we're familiar with - these were wartime blackouts done in desperation to take away visual landmarks for hostile bombers looking for targets in the dark.
If it were bright, they'd bomb it in the night
What were blackouts? These are *not* the blackouts we're familiar with - these were wartime blackouts done in desperation to take away visual landmarks for hostile bombers looking for targets in the dark.
If it were bright, they'd bomb it in the night
#comicbooks history
In times of blackout, the night was incredibly dark. Civilians had to be trained on what to do. Even crossing the street could become a deadly encounter with a car that never saw you, or you the car
Nothing was familiar or safe in the dark
In times of blackout, the night was incredibly dark. Civilians had to be trained on what to do. Even crossing the street could become a deadly encounter with a car that never saw you, or you the car
Nothing was familiar or safe in the dark
#comicbooks history
People were dying or being seriously injured nightly - sometimes from the bombing like the sisters drowning in their cellar, and sometimes just from the blackout - like the man who thought the train was at the station - but it wasn't
People were dying or being seriously injured nightly - sometimes from the bombing like the sisters drowning in their cellar, and sometimes just from the blackout - like the man who thought the train was at the station - but it wasn't
#comicbooks history
A few more wartime posters cautioning people about moving about in blackout conditions.
A few more wartime posters cautioning people about moving about in blackout conditions.
#comicbooks history
So now we come to the theory of Dr Mid-Nite.
Not so much a blind super-hero, but a figure to Take Back the Night for everyone living in fear of blackouts and air raids.
He can see in the dark
He carries "Blackout" bombs to rob others of their sight
So now we come to the theory of Dr Mid-Nite.
Not so much a blind super-hero, but a figure to Take Back the Night for everyone living in fear of blackouts and air raids.
He can see in the dark
He carries "Blackout" bombs to rob others of their sight
#comicbooks history
Dr Mid-Nite, like "London" is Taking Back the Night from Fear
While he packs a good All American Right Hook, he's also not a soldier. He's doctor called to war (war against crime, or against the Nazis). He's effective, but not eager about it
Dr Mid-Nite, like "London" is Taking Back the Night from Fear
While he packs a good All American Right Hook, he's also not a soldier. He's doctor called to war (war against crime, or against the Nazis). He's effective, but not eager about it
#comicbooks history
He joins the Justice Society of America (JSA) as "The Famous Dr. Mid-Nite"
If you think there is a bit of Batman going on, there is. Like the original Batman, Dr Mid-Nite has a pulp vibe. Instead of a bat, Hooty the Owl flew into his window
He joins the Justice Society of America (JSA) as "The Famous Dr. Mid-Nite"
If you think there is a bit of Batman going on, there is. Like the original Batman, Dr Mid-Nite has a pulp vibe. Instead of a bat, Hooty the Owl flew into his window
#Comicbooks history
Dr. Mid-Nite becomes a longtime member of the Justice Society.
We tend today to focus more on his personal blindness, but his 1941 origins led to this Air Raid and Blackout fears theory
Let me know what you think
Dr. Mid-Nite becomes a longtime member of the Justice Society.
We tend today to focus more on his personal blindness, but his 1941 origins led to this Air Raid and Blackout fears theory
Let me know what you think
#comicbooks history
We've looked at Dr Mid-Nite, but there is another Golden Age super-hero that comes to mind when you think about the Fear of Air Raids
Its his fellow Justice Society of America member, The Sandman
We've looked at Dr Mid-Nite, but there is another Golden Age super-hero that comes to mind when you think about the Fear of Air Raids
Its his fellow Justice Society of America member, The Sandman
#comicbooks history
There have been many DC characters called "The Sandman", but this is the original one, Wesley Dodds - created by Gardner Fox and Bert Christman in New York Worlds Fair Comic 1939.
(If you have a copy you don't want anymore, I'll pay for postage)
There have been many DC characters called "The Sandman", but this is the original one, Wesley Dodds - created by Gardner Fox and Bert Christman in New York Worlds Fair Comic 1939.
(If you have a copy you don't want anymore, I'll pay for postage)
#comicbooks history
Sandman is created after Superman but before Batman.
His adventure is straight pulp, involving impersonations, stolen plans while the lights are turned out, betrayal.
Fedora and trench coat stuff.
Sandman is created after Superman but before Batman.
His adventure is straight pulp, involving impersonations, stolen plans while the lights are turned out, betrayal.
Fedora and trench coat stuff.
#comicbooks history
Wait - what does that have to do with the theory of "Take back the night" from air raids?
What's' the most obvious part of the Sandman's costume?
The gasmask
Wait - what does that have to do with the theory of "Take back the night" from air raids?
What's' the most obvious part of the Sandman's costume?
The gasmask
#comicbooks history
1939 predates the London Blitz. People looked back to WWI, and there was definite fear that air raids would drop poison gas, and not just incendiary bombs
Imagine living in *this world* of "always carry your gas mask"
1939 predates the London Blitz. People looked back to WWI, and there was definite fear that air raids would drop poison gas, and not just incendiary bombs
Imagine living in *this world* of "always carry your gas mask"
#comicbooks history
Imagine living in world where *this* is the information you need to know to survive the night.
Now that gasmask on the Sandman takes on new dimensions
Imagine living in world where *this* is the information you need to know to survive the night.
Now that gasmask on the Sandman takes on new dimensions
#comicbooks history
Here are another set of three informational posters about poison gas attacks in an air raid - what these three different types of poison gas smell like
Anyone scared yet?
Here are another set of three informational posters about poison gas attacks in an air raid - what these three different types of poison gas smell like
Anyone scared yet?
#comicbooks history
Sandman also brings to mind The Green Hornet.
The Green Hornet, a radio character, was created earlier (1936) by George Trendle, Fran Striker, and James Jewell.
The Hornet also uses a gas gun.
There is a lot in common here - but not the gas mask
Sandman also brings to mind The Green Hornet.
The Green Hornet, a radio character, was created earlier (1936) by George Trendle, Fran Striker, and James Jewell.
The Hornet also uses a gas gun.
There is a lot in common here - but not the gas mask
#comicbooks history
The Sandman would be the headliner in Adventure comics for a time.
Notice the emphasis on people being gassed
Not punched
Gassed
The Sandman would be the headliner in Adventure comics for a time.
Notice the emphasis on people being gassed
Not punched
Gassed
#comicbooks history
Like Dr. Mid-nite, Sandman would join the Justice Society of America
Unlike Dr. Mid-Nite, Sandman would get a major character overhaul
Like Dr. Mid-nite, Sandman would join the Justice Society of America
Unlike Dr. Mid-Nite, Sandman would get a major character overhaul
#comicbooks history
By fall of 1941, the London Blitz was over.
Sandman was given a major overhaul in Adventure comics 69, with kid sidekick.
The new costume is bland and generic
Could it be than fear of poison gas had dissipated?
By fall of 1941, the London Blitz was over.
Sandman was given a major overhaul in Adventure comics 69, with kid sidekick.
The new costume is bland and generic
Could it be than fear of poison gas had dissipated?
#comicbooks history
Possibly because of the emotional weight of that gasmask, Wesley Dodds returned in 1930s period comic - Sandman Mystery Theater - in the 90s in a Vertigo imprint of DC
Possibly because of the emotional weight of that gasmask, Wesley Dodds returned in 1930s period comic - Sandman Mystery Theater - in the 90s in a Vertigo imprint of DC
#comicbooks history
Wesley Dodds, the original 1939 Sandman, is also one of the few super-heroes to die and stay dead
In his last adventure, he does gas criminals with a permanent coma inducing gas. He dies (by suicide) protecting information about a child who will be Dr Fate
Wesley Dodds, the original 1939 Sandman, is also one of the few super-heroes to die and stay dead
In his last adventure, he does gas criminals with a permanent coma inducing gas. He dies (by suicide) protecting information about a child who will be Dr Fate
#comicbooks history
The costume change in 1941 could also have been in response to first Green Hornet serial in 1940.
A radio character is one thing, but once you see The Green Hornet on a poster or on screen, the similarity to The Sandman is strong
The costume change in 1941 could also have been in response to first Green Hornet serial in 1940.
A radio character is one thing, but once you see The Green Hornet on a poster or on screen, the similarity to The Sandman is strong
#comicbooks history
So, that's our second Golden Age comic book hero that might have some roots in fears of WWII air raids, blackouts and poison gas attacks.
The Night Vision and Blackout bombs of Dr Mid-Nite
The Gas Mask of The Sandman
Any others?
Tell me what you think.
So, that's our second Golden Age comic book hero that might have some roots in fears of WWII air raids, blackouts and poison gas attacks.
The Night Vision and Blackout bombs of Dr Mid-Nite
The Gas Mask of The Sandman
Any others?
Tell me what you think.
