Fawcett City Heroes
+ History
The Crime Crusaders Club (Pre-Crisis Fawcett Comics Group)
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The Crime Crusaders Club (Pre-Crisis Fawcett Comics Group) |
Those heroes acquired by DC from Fawcett Comics have been shown grouped on various occasions, but only officially named once. This was in 1943, in Master Comics #41, where Bulletgirl, Bulletman, Minute Man and Captain Marvel Jr. called themselves the Crime Crusaders Club. The first modern appearance of the Fawcett heroes was in Justice League of America #135. In this Pre-Crisis tale, Bulletgirl, Spy Smasher, Ibis, Mr. Scarlet & Pinky and the Marvels were summoned by Shazam to aid the JLA and JSA. They had no group name in this adventure.
Known members: Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Minute Man, Mr. Scarlet, Pinky, Ibis, Spy-Smasher
Master Comics #41
The Squadron of Justice
The Squadron of Justice was another grouping. This group consisted only of Captain Marvel, Marvel Jr., and the Leiutenant Marvels. No such grouping exists in DC Comics continuity.
Whiz
Comics #21
The Monster Society of Evil
It's also worth mentioning that Mr. Mind frequently formed the Monster Society of Evil. In original Fawcett Comics publishing, the Monster Society were the subject of a two-year serial that ran in Captain Marvel Adventures #?. This group was led by Mr. Mind, who recruited villains such as IBAC,
Mr. Mind's group had another appearance on "Earth-S" (the Fawcett-only Earth, Pre-Crisis). In 1942, Mr. Mind traveled to Earth-2 and recruited Earth-2 villains Oom, Nyola, Nightshade (a.k.a. Ramulus), and Mr. Who. They battled the All-Star Squadron just as other All-Stars encountered Captain Marvel on Earth-S. The Dummy joined the Monsters and led a revolt against Mr. Mind but they fell and Mr. Mind returned to Earth-S. (All-Star Squadron #51-54)
In current continuity, Mr. Mind has been depicted many different ways. He first debuted in a story arc titled "The Monster Society of Evil" in the Power of Shazam! series, it did not feature a villain group per se, only Mr. Mind and Mr. Atom. IBAC also debuted around the time of this story. Like before, Mind was a creature from the planet Venus.
Captain
Marvel Adventures #23
Fawcett City's Heroes — Current Continuity
In current DC continuity, the heroes from Fawcett City are said to have teamed regularly in the 1940s and beyond. However, no group name has been mentioned.
The ancient wizard, Shazam, came to Fawcett City in the winter of 1940. He bore the mummy of Ibis and secreted himself away. Soon, however, the Axis threat forced Shazam to awaken Ibis and to gather all Fawcett City's heroes to fight. They would team repeatedly throughout the war. (Power of Shazam! #12) Note: Shazam's origin can be found in PoS #10.
On February 9, 1942, the Nazi Edouard Laslo (the Poser) took the guise of Bulletman during an act of sabotage. The real Bulletman had been summoned along with Starman to Alaska. (#35) There they discovered a strange alien worm and worked with the Green Lantern Abin Sur to defeat it. (#36)
Just after the war, in June 1945, Spy Smasher, Minute-Man and Bulletman clashed for the last time with Captain Nazi (it was not their first tussle with the villain). They followed the Captain in Spy Smasher's Gyrosub in pursuit of a freighter destined for Miami. They were too late, however; the freighter was sunk by Captain Nazi, who then fled. Little did they know, that the Captain left his precious cargo at the bottom of the sea—it contained the body of Hitler in suspended animation! But there was an additional capsule, in which Captain Nazi then placed himself. He would not awaken for decades. (#8)
The Fawcett heroes remained active well into the 1950s, when they are known to have aided Shazam in trapping the Seven Deadly Enemies of man in stone statues. These statues he then hid inside a secret subway station, accessible only by magic. Also, Ibis helped cast a spell over Fawcett City which warded off demons and slowed the march of time. Soon after this, Shazam fell prey to a common hoodlum and wandered amnesiac for years. He was later found and recognized by C.C. Batson (Billy's father). (#12) During the Cold War, Spy Smasher encountered C.C. Batson in East Germany. The two retrieved an ancient Egyptian artifact called the Scorpion, and ran afoul of Baron Blitzkrieg. (#24)
Fawcett's heroes were called upon by the JLA and JSA to aid against King Kull. Kull had assembled an army of super-villains in his quest for world domination, including IBAC and the Weeper. Thanks to Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Spy Smasher, Ibis, Mr. Scarlet & Pinky, the villains were handily defeated. (Justice League of America #135-137) Note: Because this cross-over heavily involved the Marvel Family and others, it may be entirely out-of-continuity. This arc was the first DC Comics and first modern apperances of these characters.
In modern times, Jim Barr, Jack Weston and Alan Armstrong (Fawcett's Golden Age heroes) remain active in Fawcett affairs. They sat for an interview at WHIZ radio about their last meeting with Captain Nazi. It was then that the newly awakened Nazi attempted to retrieve the body of his Führer. The capsule had failed, though, and the body was dead. (#8) Captain Nazi was subsequently captured by the Marvels. (#9)
Ibis resurfaced to help against Shazam's daughter, Blaze. Ibis defeated her handyman, Black Adam, and took responsibility of minding the Rock of Eternity while Shazam traveled. (#12) Minute-Man, now working for S.T.A.R. Labs, trailed Captain Marvel Jr. and Captain Nazi and took the villain into custody. (#19)
When Edouard Laslo was let out of prison, a neo-Nazi group quickly took him under their wing. Laslo, they hoped, would assassinate Jim Barr (Bulletman). At this time, the phony picture surfaced of Bulletman involved in treasonous activities. Barr was arrested as a traitor. In the end, Laslo was fully repentant and took a bullet meant for Barr. (#35-36, Starman #39-40)
When the Venusian worm called Mr. Mind gained power, he launched the robotic Mr. Atom and successfully destroyed the Fawcett suburb, Fairfield. Though this city was home to Mary and Billy's adoptive parents, the Bromfields survived. Ibis was able to absorb much of the bomb's destructive force, but not save lives. (#38) This severely taxed his powers; his former lover Taia then placed him in suspended animation. Also at this time, Deanna Barr took her mother's uniform and became Windshear (#43) and Pinky resurfaced as Mr. Scarlet II. (#44)
Black Adam returned claiming that in his "death," only the evil Theo Adam had perished. This supposedly left Thet Adam in control. Despite Adam's continued loyalty to Blaze, he sacrificed himself to save Captain Marvel. (#44-47) Both Marvel and Adam are currently active with the Justice Society.
Most recently, Ibis and Taia recently perished during a mission led by Zatanna. It was during the Arachne (the secret 13th month on the sorcerers calendar), when several other magicians met at the home of Baron Winters. While on the astral plane, an entity called Gwydion incinerated all except Zatanna. (Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #1)
DC Comics: Power
of Shazam! #8
List of Characters
| Character | Original 1st Appearance | Current 1st Apparance | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletgirl (Susan Kent Barr) | Master #13 | Power of Shazam #12 | Deceased, revealed PoS #43 |
| Bulletman (Jim Barr) | Nickel #1 | PoS #8 | Retired |
| Commando Yank (Chase Yale) | Wow #6 | PoS #12 | Unknown; last seen in 1948 (Whiz #102) |
| Ibis (Prince Amentap) | Whiz #1 | PoS #12 | Inactive, Helmet of Fate: Ibis |
| Minute-Man (Jack Weston) | Master #11 | PoS #8 | Killed by the Fourth Reich, per Justice Soceity of America v.3 #3 |
| Mister Scarlet (Brian Butler) | Wow #2 | PoS #12 | Retired, revealed PoS #44 |
| Phantom Eagle (Michael "Mickey" Malone) | Wow #6 | PoS #12 | Last seen in 1948 (Wow #69) |
| Shazam (the Wizard, Jebediah of Canaan) | Whiz #1 | PoS Graphic Novel | killed by the Spectre, Day of Vengeance #6 |
| Spy-Smasher (Alan Armstrong) | Whiz #1 | PoS #8 | Retired |
| THE MARVEL FAMILY | |||
| Marvel (William "Billy" Batson, Captain Marvel) | Whiz #1 | PoS Graphic Novel | Active in adventuring |
| Mary Marvel (Mary Bromfield [née Batson], Captain Marvel II Mary Marvel) | Captain Marvel Adventures #18 | PoS Graphic Novel (as Mary); PoS #4 (as Marvel) | Active in adventuring |
| Shazam II (Freddy Freeman, Captain Marvel Jr., CM3) | Whiz #25 | PoS #3 (as Freddy); PoS #7 (as C.M. Jr.) PoS #37 (as CM3) | Active in adventuring |
| OTHER FAWCETT CITY CHARACTERS | |||
| Mr. Tawky Tawny (none) | Capt. Marvel Adv. #79 | PoS #4 (talking) | Active in adventuring |
| Mr. Scarlet II ("Pinky" Butler) | Wow #4 | PoS #44 | Active in adventuring |
| Taia Toth (none) | Whiz #1 | PoS Graphic Novel | Inactive, Helmet of Fate: Ibis |
| Windshear (Deanna Barr) | n/a | PoS #32 (as Deanna); PoS #43 (as Windshear) | Active in adventuring |
| VILLAINS | |||
| Black Adam (Thet Adam, Theo Adam) | Marvel Family #1 |
PoS Graphic Novel |
Active in adventuring |
| Captain Nazi (Albrecht Krieger) | Master #21 | PoS #5 (All-Star Squadron #??) | Active in villainy |
| Dr. Sivana (Thaddeus Bodog Sivana) | Whiz #1 | PoS Graphic Novel | Active in villainy |
| IBAC (Stanley Printwhistle) | Capt. Marvel Adv. #8 | PoS #25 | Active in villainy |
| Mister Atom (none) | Capt. Marvel Adv. #78 | PoS #23 | Destroyed PoS #38 |
| Mister Mind (none) | Capt. Marvel Adv. #22 | PoS #13 | Deceased PoS #41; returned Joker: Last Laugh #?? |
Mini-Profiles
Bulletgirl (Susan Kent Barr) (Fawcett Comics)
First appearance: Master Comics #13
(April 1941). First DC appearance: Power
of Shazam #12
Featured appearances: Justice League of America #135-137 • Master
Comics #13-106
The DC Comics Bulletgirl deceased, as revealed Power of Shazam #43. Secretly Susan Kent Barr, the wife of Bullet-man, Bulletgirl accompanied her husband in his crimefighting career. She has appeared only as a co-star in her husband's series.
A mysterious woman named Susan Parr recently appeared at a super-hero fan convention, claiming she used to work with Bulletman. (Seven Soldiers: Bulleteer #3)
Bulletman (Jim Barr) (Fawcett Comics)
First appearance: Nickel Comics #1 (May
1940). First DC appearance: Power
of Shazam #8.
Bulletboy: Master #48 (March 1941)
Featured appearances: America's Greatest #1-8 • Bulletman #1-16 • Justice League of America #135-137 • Master Comics
#7-106 • Nickel Comics #1-8 • Whiz Comics #106 • Power
of Shazam #35-36 • Starman #39-40
The DC Comics Bulletman is retired, but aids Captain Marvel from time to time. Secretly police scientist Jim Barr, Bulletman invented a serum that increased his strength and a gravity helmet that enables him (and his wife) to fly. Also insipired the heroine called The Bulleteer. (Seven Soldiers: Bulleteer #1)
Commando Yank (Chase Yale)
First appearance: Wow #6 (Sum 1942).
Featured appearances: Whiz #6-59, 102??
First (and only) DC appearance: Power
of Shazam! #12
In current continuity, the Commando Yank has appeared only in a flashback to the 1942 formation of Fawcett City heroes. (Power of Shazam! #12)
Obscure
Characters: Commando Yank
Ibis the Invincible (Prince Amentap) + Taia
Toth )
Ibis: First appearance: Whiz
Comics #1 (February 1940). First DC app. Power
of Shazam #12.
Featured appearances: All-Hero #1 • Ibis
the Invincible #1-6 • Whiz Comics #1-155
Princess Taia of Thebes (Taia Toth): First appearance: Whiz #1 (Feb. 1940) First DC app.: Power of Shazam Graphic Novel
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 uncle, the Black Pharaoh. 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 separate 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.
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. 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. He helped the Marvels against Shazam's daughter, Blaze. Ibis defeated her handyman, Black Adam, and took responsibility of minding the Rock of Eternity while Shazam traveled. (Power of Shazam! #12) When the Venusian worm called Mr. Mind destroyed the Fawcett suburb, Fairfield, Ibis was able to absorb much of the bomb's destructive force, but not save lives. This severely taxed his powers; his former lover Taia then placed him in suspended animation.
Ibis and Taia apparently died on a recent mission with Zatanna, (Seven Soldiers: Zatanna #1) but they soon resurfaced only to be forced to return to their hibernation.
The lovers nearly died again while attmpting to prevent the god Set from acquiring the Helmet of Doctor Fate. They failed but put managed to put a a protective spell on it. Ibis then reached out to 17-year-old Danny Kasim Khalifa for help. Danny is an American descended from Egyptian royalty. When he found Ibis and Taia, they were already mummified and in their slumber. Ibis magically entrusted Danny with the Ibistick which guided him to their patron, Thoth. Danny succeeded in getting the Helmet back from Set and put a new spell on it to ensure that no evil force could retrieve it. (Helmet of Fate: Ibis)
Minute-Man (Pvt. [later Lt.] "Jack" Weston)
(Fawcett Comics)
First appearance: Master Comics #11 (Feb. 1941). First DC appearance: Power of Shazam #8
The DC Comics Minute-Man worked for S.T.A.R. Labs (Power of Shazam #19). He was killed by the Fourth Reich sometime prior to Justice Soceity of America #3 (4.07). This group's mission was to destroy the legacy of all American heroes whose identities were closely tied to America itself.
Mister Scarlet (Brian Butler) and
Pinky (real name unrevealed, now Mr. Scarlet II) (Fawcett
Comics)
First appearance: Wow Comics #1
(Spring 1941). First DC
app.: Power of Shazam #12.
Featured appearances: America's Greatest #1-7 • Wow Comics
#1-69 • Justice League of America #135-137
Pinky, first appearance: Wow Comics #4. As Mister Scarlet II: Power of Shazam #44
The pre-Crisis Mister Scarlet and Pinky were wiped out in the Crisis. He was a former district attorney who cut past the red tape as a super hero.
Mister Scarlet is now retired. (Power of Shazam #44) Attorney Brian Butler was a costumed acrobat. His former sidekick Pinky became Mr. Scarlet II sometime prior to Power of Shazam #44. No explanation was given as to his apparent lack of aging.
Phantom Eagle ("Mickey" Malone)
First appearance: Wow #6 (Summer 1942)
First (and only) DC appearance: Power of Shazam! #12
In current continuity, the Phantom Eagle has appeared only in a flashback to the 1942 formation of Fawcett City heroes. (Power of Shazam! #12)
Spy Smasher (Alan Armstrong) (Fawcett Comics)
First appearance: Whiz Comics #2 (February
1940). First DC appearance: Power
of Shazam #8
Featured appearances: All-Hero #1 • America's
Greatest #1-6, 8 • JLofA #135-137 • Spy Smasher #1-11 •
Whiz Comics #2-75
The pre-Crisis Spy Smasher was wiped out in the Crisis. Spy Smasher became Crime Smasher in Whiz Comics #76; he appeared in the remainder of the run of Whiz Comics (through #155) and in one issue of his own title.
The DC Comics Spy Smasher is retired, but aids Captain Marvel from time to time. Virginia sportsman Alan Armstrong began his Spy Smasher career during World War II.
Succeeded by Katarina Armstrong (relation unknown), Spy Smasher II. She operates at the deepest levels of U.S. espionage. (Birds of Prey #100)
Other Fawcett Comics Heroes
These Fawcett Comics characters have not been used in the mainstream DC Universe.
Balbo
the Boy Magician
First appearance: Master #32 (Nov 1942)
Devil's
Dagger (Ken Wyman)
First appearance: Master
#1 (Mar 1940)
Diamond
Jack (Jack Lansing)
First appearance: Slam-Bang
#1 (Mar 1940)
Dr.
Voodoo (Dr. Hal Carey)
First appearance: Whiz #7
El
Karim, Master of Magic (??)
First appearance: Master #1 (Mar 1940)
Golden
Arrow (Roger Parsons).
First appearance: Whiz #2
(Feb 1940)
1940's era western hero.
The
Hunchback (Allan Lanier)
First appearance: Wow #2 (Sum 1941)
Master
Man (??)
First appearance: Master
#1 (March 1940)
Radar,
the International Policeman (Pvt. "Pep" Pepper)
First appearance: Master
#50 & Captain Marvel Adventures #35 (both May 1944)
Pep Pepper was the latest a long
line of circus folks. His father was a strongman and
acrobat and his mother was a "mentalist," and Pep inherits both their
powers, along with clairvoyant "radar vision." He works for the
side of right, fighting against the Germans during the war and then against
international lawbreakers after the war.
Red
Gaucho (??)
First appearance: Nickel
Comics #4 (1940)
Warlock the
Wizard
First appearance: Nickel Comics #1 (1940)
The "last of the white magicians." Like Ibis, most of his power was situated in his fist-headed wand called the Golden Hand.
Whenever he said the magic word, "Abraxas!" the hand would detach and fly through the air, growing to giant size and doing whatever he commanded.
He was assisted in his battle against evil by his talking pet raven Hugin (named, no doubt, after one of a pair of such black birds who perched on the shoulders of the Norse god Odin and acted as his spies in the mortal world).
White
Rajah (David Scott)
First appearance: Master
Comics #1 (March 1940)
Zoro the Mystery Man (??)
First appearance: Slam-Bang Comics #6 (August 1940)
Zoro was a masked mystery man who actually started in Fawcett's Slam-Bang Comics before Slam-Bang, Nickel Comics, and Master Comics were all combined into Master Comics.
Appearances + References
Non-Marvel Family, DC Comics appearances:
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Fawcett Comics:
DC Comics:
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