12.13
WONDER MAN
I’ve been reading GA downloaded comics as I am trying make a poster featuring some of the more obscure ones so I thought reading some would get me a better take on them.
First off is Wonder Man who was published almost immediately after Superman. Now DC or national as they were known back then thought WM was too miuch like Supes. I read the story and one of things I didn’t know was Wonder Man (Fox’s Wonder Comics 1) actually wore a ring that gave him his powers, also unlike his cover appearance, he wore a mask.
Here are a couple of pages, his civilian identity was Fred Carson (who was quite the inventor as he invents a televisor and somehow can see events happening in foreign lands and has made a portable televison camera) received his ring and costume after a trip to Tibet, it is never said why he got these (seems Tibet was the place to go in the 30’s and 40’s to get powers and costumes.
The story was rather clever and topical with the overlord not feeding the public and having our hero go into action to save a Red Cross hospital, I thought it was a lot more thought out than a Superman story but we are talking Eisner who with help (Lou Fine?) did the art too and is very animated. Too bad they could not do anymore as I said above due to DC citing copyright infringement and quickly obtained a permanent injunction, again, I actually don’t see similarities, except they are both strong and somewhat invulnerable, but where Supes was born that way in a sense (being from a different planet), WM was given his via a ring so I see him more of the forerunner to Green Lantern and The Fly. He would also be closer to Captain Marvel or Green Lama as this seems more magic-based powers. Maybe someone will take the reins and continue it, hmmm.
Here is an ad for the ring, knowing Fox’s rep I’m sure no rings were made:
First time blogging so hope these images come up ok.