Doll Man + Doll Girl
Created by Will Eisner
+ History
The Doll Man holds the distinction for being the first super-hero published by Quality Comics. However, he was preceeded by two masked (but non-powered) heroes—the Hawk and the Clock. He was crafted by Will Eisner (later, creator of the Spirit) during his time as partner in the Eisner & Iger Studio.
Golden Age
Scientist Darrel Dane had developed a revolutionary formula, but with a suggestion from his friend, Prof. Roberts, he perfected it into a fluid using the chemical acid called aqua regia. Dane found that the resulting concoction could reduce a human to the size of a doll! Against the Professor's warning, Dane used the formula on himself. Sure enough, he shrunk, but he was driven temporarily mad. And despite his small size, he now also had the strength of twenty men. Roberts challenged him: would Darrell use his new powers for good or evil? As Dane's mind cleared, his choice was obvious. In his first adventure as a crime fighter, Dane followed his fiancé, Martha (the Professor's daughter), who was being blackmailed. Using his new strength, he saved her from the extortionist, and crafted a new name for himsefl—Doll Man. (Feature #27)
Making a colorful costume for himself, the Doll Man wasted no time offering help thwart some modern-day pirates. (#28) The formula distilled into a pill (#29)
Borrowed the model plane of Tim Smith
for his own aircraft to catch a jewel theif, the hideous Grimes. When he returned te plan, he left $10 as well (#31)
When Prof. Roberts was kidnapped, Martha was fearless and insisted that she accomapny Darrel. (#32) Darrel invented a pill that makes teh body rigid and the heartbeat imperceptible. (#33)
Descended into the lands of the Old West where they found the El Diablo Blanco, a horse descended from Montezuma's own steed. hid behind the horse and gave the effect that it was speaking helped Wampum, an Indian friend of Dr. Roberts save his land. Doll Man tamed the horse and pursued their enemy—straight off a cliff. (#34) soon seemed to need no special drug to shrink
freakish opponent in the Python, who nearly stole the Doll Man's brain, as he had that of his henchman, Kreeper. (#36)
puppet master Bombasto were actually shrunken corpses! (#37)
He was seen over a decade ago during the Appellaxian invasion. (JLA: Year One #11-12) Darrel Dane went undercover some time ago and was believed to have been In an insane asylum. (Starman v.2 #??, Uncle Sam #5, 2006)
Doll Man is reputed to have shared one adventure with the Justice Society. (Starman v.2 #62)
Postwar
Martha became Doll Girl after the war.
Pre-Crisis
In the 1976 Freedom Fighters series — which is now out-of-continuity — Doll Girl was said to have perished on Earth-X. Subsequently, Doll Man met her Earth-1 counterpart, also named Martha Roberts. (Freedom Fighters #5, 1976)
Legacies
Another pair of young heroes once took the names Doll Man II and Doll Girl II. (Titans Secret Files #2) The boy joined the Teen Titans as Molecule (52 #32), and was killed by the Persuader. (Terror Titans #1) Doll Girl's fate is unknown.
Lester
Colt, along with the Human Bomb, Ray III and Phantom Lady III.
From Uncle Sam & the F. F. v.1 #2 (2006). Art by Daniel Acuña.
Soon after this, Uncle Sam recruited Lester Colt, Doll Man III, to join Freedom Fighters.
Like the original Doll Man, Lester Colt was affiliated with a scientist, Dr. Glenn and fancied his daughter, Emma. Colt was a military man chosen as a test subject for Dr. Glenn's miniaturization technology. But after he'd been shrunk, Glenn's lab was invaded by government agents who wanted stole the technology, destroyed his equipment then killed Glenn himself. Lester was trapped at this reduced size. 38 years old. Learned that Emma was pregnant.
Notes
Though he quickly became Feature's most popular strip, Doll Man was not featured on the cover of Feature #27. He snagged the cover roughly every other month beginning with issue #30. Often shirtless in his early adventures.
+ Powers
By ingesting or injecting a special formula, the Doll Man could shrink to about 6 inches in height. The effects would wear off and required additional dosages. While small, he had the strength of twenty men. Unlike the Atom, does not weigh the same as a full-grown man.
Clothes do not shrink with him, but his uniform did.
Appearances + References
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Doll Girl
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