The Lost Heroes of the Golden Age
NAME + ALIASES:
Elizabeth "Betsy" Rose and Molly Mabel Preacher
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
Betsy Ross and Molly Pitcher
Inspiration
The fictional 'Who's Who' entry that introduces Betsy Ross and Molly Pitcher lists their first appearance as Military Comics #6 (Jan. 1942), which was published by Quality Comics, and was the home of the "Miss America" feature since its first issue.
In that historical issue, Miss America inspired a group of street kids (all of whom were boys). These girls are said to have been similarly inspired by Miss America's exploits, after which she gave them powerful relics.
History
Read all about Miss America in the Quality Companion!
Powers
Using the spool of thread to help make her cape, Betsy had a degree of enhanced strength, speed, and at times, flight. Using the pitcher, Molly was able to create weapons, tools, and even flash floods. How these objects became empowered and where Miss America obtained them remains a mystery.
Betsy's younger brother, Johnny, spent years unsuccessfully trying to discover their origins, hoping to become a super-powered young hero like his older sister. Both Betsy and Molly were also skilled hand-to-hand fighters, trained by Miss America herself.
NAME + ALIASES:
Judy Garrick
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Jay Garrick (The Flash I, father), Joan Garrick (mother)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
The Boom
Inspiration
The fictional 'Who's Who' entry that introduces The Boom lists her first appearance as Flash Comics #10 (Oct. 1940). That issue featured an unremarkable case (as most early Flash stories were) with the Flash fighting common organized criminals.
Often in these early stories, the Flash was "invisible" because he was so quick. The Boom could also arrive under such a mysterious cover...
History
Powers
Like her father, Judy could move at incredible speeds, able to catch bullets and run up the sides of buildings. The exact extent of her powers remains a mystery, as they were never tested or fully explored during her adventures with her father.
NAME + ALIASES:
Gloria James
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Professor Brian James (father, deceased)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
Cherry Bomb
Inspiration
The fictional 'Who's Who' entry that introduces Cherry Bomb lists her first appearance as Police Comics #25 (Dec. 1943), which was published by Quality Comics. The "Human Bomb" feature began running in Police's first issue.
The profile asserts that Cherry Bomb's father was a colleague of the Human Bomb. While Police #25 does show Roy Lincoln in his lab, it appears to be a home lab and no other people are depicted.
The Human Bomb did have sidekicks. First was the bumbling Hustace Throckmorton, who actually got bomb powers in Police #15 (Jan. 1943). And the Human Bomb empowered a trio of Bombadiers in issue #22 (Sept. 1943).
Read all about the Human Bomb in the Quality Companion!
History
Powers
Like the Human bomb, Gloria became a human detonator, able to unleash an explosive power from her body. Often concussive, hero explosions varied in strength, most likely tied to her emotional state.
Cherry Bomb is immune to her own explosions and, within limits, to other forms of impact including that of bullets. She must wear her “fiber-wax” suit to keep her powers from discharging unintentionally.
NAME + ALIASES:
Michael Mayne
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Molly Mayne (The Harlequin, mother)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
The Harlequin's Son
Inspiration
This character was originally proposed by Mike Machlan and Jerry Ordway in their designs for Infinity, Inc. The new, male "Harlequin" appeared in his sketches, which were printed in Alter Ego vol. 3 #1 (Spring 1999).
The notes on Machlan's sketch read, “Maybe he’d become comic’s first gay character. Or we could just assume it.” This character was passed over because there were already two Green Lantern characters on the team (Jade and Obsidian).
The fictional Who's Who-style entry that introduces the Harlequin's Son lists his first appearance as Infinity, Inc. #1 (Mar. 1984). There aren't really any "clues" within that issue that hint at Michael Mayne's inspiration. His mother, the Golden Age Harlequin, did not re-enter the picture until as Infinity, Inc. #9. Jade and Obsidian thought she was their mother at first (but ultimately revealed to be the Thorn; the whole mess was sorted in Infinity, Inc. Annual #1 [1985]).
Geoff Johns’ name for the character seems to be an Earth-Two play on the “Joker’s Daughter” concept (Duela Dent) from the 1970s.
History
Mayne was an actor who portrayed Carver Coleman, who was himself a closeted actor that portrayed Nathaniel Dusk. Dusk was a DC comic character from 1984 that was used as a plot thread in Geoff Johns' Doomsday Clock (2017).
About Star-Spangled Kid approaching him, this would have been around issue #12, when the team officially launched, and when Power Girl and Huntress declined to join full time.
» SEE ALSO:
- The Harlequin
- TwoMorrows: "Two Co-Creators Reveal--The Secret Origins of Infinity, Inc."
- CBR: "Did Infinity, Inc. Almost Have the First Openly Gay Superhero?"
Powers
Utilizing the Harlequin’s illusion-creating tech in his mask, Michael can project illusions in the form of lifelike holographic images, most often duplicates of himself to distract his opponents. His acting skills also come into use when Michael creates what he calls “players,” which are holograms that impersonate others. The Harlequin’s Son is a skilled hand-to-hand fighter, reluctantly trained by his mother.
NAME + ALIASES:
John Henry Irons
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Butter Irons (brother), John Henry Irons II (Steel, grandnephew), Natasha Irons (Steel II, grandniece)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
DC: The New Frontier #6 (Nov. 2004)
John Henry, Jr.
Inspiration
The DC versions of "John Henry" and the hero Steel are rooted American folklore. In classic blues songs, the African American hero John Henry is the "steel-driving man," a mighty powerhouse who weilded a hammer.
DC's first John Henry Irons is a post-Crisis hero who debuted in Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993). He was the third DC hero to take the name "Steel" (III), in Superman: Man of Steel #22 (June 1993). In more recent times (Rebirth, etc.), Irons has been content to remain an inventor while his niece, Natasha Irons operates as Steel IV. She first appeared in Steel vol. 2 #1 (Feb. 1994) and first donned the armor in Superman vs. Darkseid: Apokolips Now! #1 (Mar. 2003)
Then in DC: The New Frontier #3 (Nov. 2004, an Elseworlds story), Darwyn Cooke created a "retro" verison of the character. This man was John Wilson, who donned a mask and took the alias John Henry to defend himself and his community against the Ku Klux Klan in Tennessee. Wilson and his family were killed in New Frontier #4 (July 2004). In issue #6 (Nov. 2004), a young boy with the name "Irons" is shown sitting by Wilson's grave.
The New Frontier takes place in the 1960s, so John Henry Jr. is an anomaly among the Lost Children, most of whom were taken from the 1940s.
History
Powers
John Henry Jr. wields one of the hammers forged by John Henry. The hammer gave John Henry Jr. great strength, was seemingly impervious and could create intense shock waves when striking the ground. The mysterious elderly man who gave John Henry Jr. the hammer urged him to seek out the other one, believing there to be even greater power when both of John Henry’s hammers were wielded together. The other hammer was never found.
NAME + ALIASES:
Rosibel Rivera
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Miguel and Ana Rivera (parents)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
Ladybug
Inspiration
The fictional "Who's Who" entry that introduces Ladybug lists her first appearance as Hit Comics #1 (July 1940), which was published by Quality Comics. Hit featured the short-lived "Red Bee" feature.
The historical story from Hit #1 concerns the Red Bee routing the mob. Ladybug's profile mentions this court case and in the story, the Red Bee does make a visit to the countryside, but it's in pursuit of crooks.
The Rivera family honey farm is not mentioned. Perhaps it was the Bee's never-mentioned friend, Miguel Rivera, Ladybug's father, who helped Richard Raleigh gain the evidence to take down the mob?
The Red Bee used trained bees — Michael and another — in his crimefighting, but no trainer was ever mentioned. The profile also references an encounter with Professor Pollen, who was not a Golden Age character.
Read all about the Red Bee in the Quality Companion!
History
Red Bee’s favorite trained bee was named Michael and lived inside a pouch on Red Bee’s belt. Unlike normal bees, Michael could sting multiple times and had great intelligence and a prolonged life span. Rosibel and Michael became close friends. After Rosibel disappeared and Red Bee was killed, Michael returned ot Big Bee Ranch.
Powers
The accident that Rosibel survived gave her the ability to shrink to the size of a ladybug and still retain her normal strength. With her “bug wings” she designed and constructed, Ladybug was able to fly.
NAME + ALIASES:
Mordru
KNOWN RELATIVES:
...
GROUP AFFILIATIONS:
...
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Mention: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
Actual: Justice Society of America #9 (May 2024);
The Legionnaire
Inspiration
...
History
Powers
....
NAME + ALIASES:
Thaddeus Brown
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Ted Brown (son)
GROUP AFFILIATION:
Justice Society Dark
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Mister Miracle vol. 1 #1 (Mar./Apr. 1971)
Mister Miracle
History
Scott Free was a "god" from the Fourth World of New Genesis. He fled to Earth to escape Darksied and came to meet escape artist Thaddeus Brown aka Mister Miracle and his assistant, Oberon. While rehearsing his act, Darkseid's Inter-Gang attacked Brown and Scott helped fight them off. Afterwards he went to live with Brown and became his apprentice. During a practice, Brown was shot and killed by a sniper ordered by Inter-Gang boss the Steel Hand. Scott found the Hand and exacted vengeance. (Mister Miracle vol. 1 #1)
When Thaddeus' son, Ted Brown, returned to his father's home in suburban Metropolis, (#10) Ted became Mister Miracle's new manager and filmed an act involving the Female Furies, who didn't seem to mind it. (#11) Ted Brown was kidnapped by King Komodo, aka Albert Von Killowitz, whom Ted had met in Korean War. (#13) He continued to work with Scott during his time on Earth.
Powers
Mister Miracle was the world’s greatest escape artist and a master of escapology, said to be trained by the great escapists of his youth, such as Harry Houdini, Major Zamora and Doc Cunningham. He also gained experience with real magic during his adventures leading the Justice Society Dark, but never became a wielder of the mystic arts, preferring to avoid the personal costs he witnessed to those associated with them.
» SEE ALSO:
NAME + ALIASES:
Raghu Seetharaman
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed parents (deceased)
GROUP AFFILIATIONS:
Fair Play Club
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
Quiz Kid
Inspiration
The fictional "Who's Who" entry that introduces Quiz Kid lists his first appearance as Sensation Comics #2 (Feb. 1942), ostensibly within the "Mister Terrific" feature.
This profile explains that this character lived in an orphanage, and the story from the original Mister Terrific story in Sensation #2 does involve a “boys home.” Quiz Kid’s group affiliation, the “Fair Play Club” was also a part of this story. The Club was created in Sensation #1 (Mister Terrific’s first appearance) and its members were all unnamed boys.
In Sensation #2, the Club’s members were adult performers. And instead of a trivia competition foiled by the Spirit King, the original story’s charity event was fouled by Hugo Snitz. Snitz said he acted, “on behalf of my client who doesn’t wish to be known.” In retconning, his boss could be the Spirit King — who never actually appeared in the Golden Age! The character was a retcon from the classic Justice League of America #171 (Oct. 1979). He killed Mister Terrific.
Quiz Kid was abducted by the Childminder in 1946.
Mister Terrific’s feature ended in Sensation Comics #63 (Mar. 1947).
History
Powers
Declared “the smartest boy in the world” by Mr. Terrific himself, Raghu’s intellect was unmatched by anyone, save perhaps his mentor, although he beat Mr. Terrific in chess regularly.
Raghu has photographic memory not only for text and imagery, but also for movement, meaning he could master any fighting style simply by watching someone use it. This made Quiz Kid and incredibly formidable hand-to-hand combatant. Raghu had multiple inventions, including an aircraft he dubbed the Fair Play Flier, in development when he vanished.
NAME + ALIASES:
Vladimir Sokov
KNOWN RELATIVES:
None
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
NAME + ALIASES:
Salem Rula Nader
KNOWN RELATIVES:
None
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
Salem
Inspiration
The fictional "Who's Who" entry that introduces Salem lists her first appearance as More Fun Comics #56 (June 1940). This issue was only the second appearance of Doctor Fate. Salem’s profile says that Fate saved her from Wotan, who does appear in issue #56. Other than that, there are no textual elements to suggest her inspiration.
This character is clearly inspired by Grant Morrison’s version of Klarion the Witch Boy, from 2005's Seven Soldiers. Klarion's people, of Limbo Town, have blue skin so Salem’s green skin might be the result of her half-human parentage.
History
Powers
Salem inherited a “bad fates” curse from her mother. She is a witch-in-training with great mystical knowledge and power, owing to both her heritage from Limbo Town, her tutelage under Doctor Fate and the secrets she has unlocked within Fate’s tower.
Although the Witch Girl’s skills are vast she often overextends herself and disaster occurs.
Salem has a loyal familiar named Midnight who takes the form of a black cat (and on occasion a mystical panther of terror) and an enchanted and fussy broomstick known as Sweep.