Chic Carter, The Sword

Vernon Henkel created two non-costumed heroes who took very brief turns in costume. One of these was Chic Carter, a police reporter for the Daily Star (the same name as Superman’s original newspaper). Chic was often sent abroad on assignment, and so saw much of the world’s wartime strife.

**********Carter was an ace reporter clashing with Detective Monohan over the disappearance of a wealthy man and his actress daughter Gloria Gorman. (Smash Comics #1) flown to Mongolia where he fought… Mongols (#3) tyhen to Singapore Henkel sig disappears but hes’ on it (#4) Princess Maria of Moravia rewarded him with a kiss (#5)

*************Chic returns to Moravia captured by General Von Fritz and made to write his propaganda bests his guard and saves the King Ludwig and is reunited with his love, the princess. (#7) smashed a marijuana ring (#9)

For a civilian, Carter encountered more than his fair share of eccentric antagonists, like the almost-masked, goggled villain who could walk through walls! This “mystery man” was Professor Krauss, who had invented a way to use radium to pass through solids. (Smash #11) Other villains included Hugo, a freakish phantom of the opera, who was the tool of a greedy opera singer (#15), and the Black Death, who used blow darts. (#23)

*******accompanied an expedition to the orient where they uncovered the Lamas of the REd Dragon. high priest Khirgi poisons the Grand Lama and unleashes the actual giant lizard, the red dragon whichj wound up killing Khirgi instead (#19)

Super-heroes were basking in popularity by 1941, so Henkel briefly tried transforming Carter into a costumed hero, too. In Alter Ego #48, Henkel said, “[super-heroes] didn’t interest me. I was more into adventure stories, like those in the movies. I liked realism.” Perhaps this was why Chic Carter only remained costumed for a handful of issues. 

It began when he was framed for murder by “One Thumb” Hogan. Carter was forced to don a yellow-and-red outfit and mask to create an alter ego, the Sword. As an Olympic fencing champion, the gig was a snap. The disguise worked; the Sword was able to extract a confession from Hogan and clear Carter’s name. The caper was such a success that Carter decided he might just try it again. (#24) 

While reporting on the will reading of Curtis Randall, Chic uncovered a murder plot by the deceased’s brother Harvey, the Black Baron. Harvey invented a skull mask to try to claim his brother’s fortune, but fell to his death in the end. (Police Comics #1)

The last time Chic wore his costume, he’d brought it aboard a luxury liner bound for South America. Good thing, too, because Chic ran afoul of a murder plot where he once again became a suspect. Carter solved the crime as the Sword, and defended the honor of one Tamara de Vielle, daughter of the ruler of Brazilia. Despite his success, he was forced to flee from authorities once again. (#2)

Back home, Carter would abandon his alter ego and return to his “normal” life as a reporter. Things were squared away with the police as well. (#4) In Police #5, the title returned to just “Chic Carter” but the introductory text added that Chic “often becomes the Sword.” He couldn’t resist donning the mask one last time, but this time he wore a tuxedo to rescue his colleague Gay Nolan. Gay saw through his disguise. (#5) The costumed adventures were short-lived, but Carter still encountered exotic foes like the masked Hangman. (#7) And he fought “ghostlike” enemies who wore hoods like those of the Ku Klux Klan. (National #45)

Notes

The Sword was the inspiration for a character (in name only) in John Arcudi’s 2002 Elseworlds series, JLA: Destiny. This character was a superhuman.