- "For thousands of years, men have spoken of the mysterious powers of the stars... but I am the first to discover that radiated starlight can be harnessed and used scientifically..."
- ―Theodore Knight
| "The Amazing Starman!" [1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adventure Comics | |
| Title: | "The Amazing Starman!" [1] |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 61 |
| Cover price: | .10 |
| Cover date: | April, 1941 |
| Publisher: | National Periodical Publications |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Whitney Ellsworth |
| Writers: | Unknown [2] |
| Pencilers: | Jack Burnley |
| Inkers: | Ray Burnley [3] |
| Cover artists: | Jack Burnley |
| Colorists: | Raymond Perry [4] |
| Letterers: | Betty Bentley [3] |
| Editors: | Whitney Ellsworth |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Adventure Comics #60 |
| Next: | Adventure Comics #62 |
"The Amazing Starman" is the first story featured in issue #61 of the Adventure Comics superhero anthology series published by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics). The story was written by an unknown author and illustrated by Jack Burnley with his brother Ray Burnley on inks. It was colored by Raymond Perry and lettered by Betty Bentley. The cover feature of this issue, illustrated by Burnley, introduces the character of Theodore Knight, aka Starman. The second story in this issue features Mark Lansing, and was written and illustrated by Howard Purcell. The third story is a "Federal Men" featurette written by Jerry Siegel, with art, inks and lettering by Chad Grothkopf. "Treachery Off Singapore" is a Steve Conrad adventure written and illustrated by Jack Lehti. The next superhero feature spotlights Rex Tyler as Hourman and is written by Ken Fitch with artwork by Bernard Baily. Next is Paul Kirk, Manhunter in "Too Many Suspects", which is put together by Ed Moore. After that is Cotton Carver in "Defender of Barlunda" by Jack Lehti. The final story features Wesley Dodds as the Sandman and is written by an unknown author and illustrated by Creig Flessel. All stories were edited by Whitney Ellsworth. This issue shipped with an April, 1941 cover date and carries a cover price of .10 cents per copy.
"The Amazing Starman"[]
- Writer - Unknown
- Penciler - Jack Burnley
- Inker - Ray Burnley
- Colorist - Raymond Perry
- Letterer - Betty Bentley
- Editor - Whitney Ellsworth
Synopsis
"Nobody f**ks with Doctor Doog!"
Across the city of Gotham, communications centers and power facilities begin spontaneously shutting down. The F.B.I. investigates the calamity and director Woodley Allen decides to place a secret call to the only man he knows who can help - Starman.
Meanwhile, Theodore Knight is having dinner with Doris Lee at the Flamingo Club. He fusses about sitting near a draft and not feeling well, which puts a damper on Doris' mood. He then receives the electronic signal from Woodley Allen and changes into his Starman costume to meet him at a secret cabin. Allen explains the situation and tells Starman that a criminal mastermind named Doctor Doog and the Secret Brotherhood of the Electron are responsible for the chaos. Doog has kidnapped scientist Professor Abraham Davis and has stolen his Ultra-Dynamo device. With it, he intends on turning the United States into a dictatorship.
Starman flies off and uses his Gravity Rod to hone in on an electrical discharge coming from a mountain cave. He encounters one of Doog's henchmen and forces him to bring him to his boss. Upon meeting Doctor Doog, Starman discovers that the criminal possesses the power of hypnosis and tries to mentally command Starman into falling through a trap door. Starman breaks free of the control and then uses his Gravity Rod to counter the destructive effects of the Ultra-Dynamo. Doog tries to escape, but then falls through his own trap door, seemingly to his own demise.
Later, Starman changes back into his civilian attire and meekly attempts to apologize to Doris for bailing out on her.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Abraham Davis
Organizations
Locations
Items
Miscellaneous
"Lishak the Gladiator"[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- King Talon
- Kit
Villains
- Costa
Minor characters
- Lishak
Locations
Items
"The Ghost Plane"[]
- Writer - Jerry Siegel
- Penciler - Chad Grothkopf
- Inker - Chad Grothkopf
- Letterer - Chad Grothkopf
- Editor - Whitney Ellsworth
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Major Gruen
Villains
- Blitz Merkel
- Mister Ender
Minor characters
Locations
Items
"Treachery Off Singapore"[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Chang
Villains
- Blubber Bolsom
- Slippy Peters
Minor characters
- Sparky Watts
Locations
Items
"The Runaway Dinosaurs"[]
- Writer - Ken Fitch
- Penciler - Bernard Baily
- Inker - Bernard Baily
- Letterer - Bernard Baily
- Editor - Whitney Ellsworth
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Professor
- Museum watchman
Organizations
Locations
- Cosmos City
Items
Miscellaneous
"Too Many Suspects"[]
- Writer - Ed Moore
- Penciler - Ed Moore
- Inker - Ed Moore
- Letterer - Ed Moore
- Editor - Whitney Ellsworth
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Chief Holden
Villains
- Andrew Kallan
Minor characters
- Mister Carver
- Mister Skane
Locations
Items
"Defender of Barlunda"[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Deela
Villains
- Orko
Minor characters
- Narduk
Locations
- City of Dorgo
Items
"The Menace of the Metal Gun!"[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
Organizations
Locations
Items
Vehicles
Notes & Trivia[]
- The character of Theodore Knight was created by a committee of editors which includes Whitney Ellsworth, Murray Boltinoff, Jack Schiff, Mort Weisinger, and Bernie Breslauer. Jack Burnley contributed visual designs to the Starman costume. [3]
- A house ad featured in More Fun Comics #66 indicates that this issue shipped to news stands on March 5th, 1941. [5]
- "The Amazing Starman" is reprinted in the Golden Age Starman Archives, Volume 1 hardcover collection, Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61, and Justice League of America #94.
- "Lishak the Gladiator" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "The Ghost Plane" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "Treachery Off Singapore" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "The Runaway Dinosaurs" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "Too Many Suspects" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "Defender of Barlunda" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "Case of the Black Cat" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- "The Menace of the Metal Gun!" is reprinted in Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61.
- Originally, artist Jack Burnley had conceived the character of Doctor Doog, who was originally meant to be named Doctor Doom. Little more than two decades later, DC's marvelous competition over at Marvel Comics would have their own character named Doctor Doom, who would go on to become one of the most infamous comic book villains of all time.
- The writer on "The Menace of the Metal Gun!" is unknown, however Millennium Edition: Adventure Comics #61 credits Gardner Fox with writing this story.
- This is the first appearance of Theodore Knight, aka Starman and his supporting cast. He becomes a regular spotlight feature in the series up until issue #102.
- Wesley Dodds begins using a new wirepoon gun in this issue.
- Starman chronologically appeared last in All-Star Squadron #41. He appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [6]
- Doris Lee chronologically appeared last in All-Star Squadron #41. She appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [6]
- Woodley Allen appears concurrently in All-Star Squadron #41. He appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [6]
- Doctor Doog appears concurrently in All-Star Squadron #41. He appears next in All-Star Squadron Annual #3. [6]
- Hourman appeared last in Adventure Comics #60. He appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [7]
- Jimmy Martin appeared last in Adventure Comics #60. He appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [7]
- Thorndyke Thompkins appeared last in Adventure Comics #60. He appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [7]
- Wesley Dodds appeared last in Adventure Comics #60. He appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [8]
- Dian Belmont appeared last in Adventure Comics #60. She appears next in Adventure Comics #62. [8]
- Larry Belmont appeared last in Adventure Comics #59. He appears next in Adventure Comics #67. [8]
- This is the first and only appearance to date of Ivan Borloff. [8]
Recommended Reading[]
Golden Age titles
Modern Age titles
Related titles
See also[]
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Golden Age Starman Archives 1; Many stories were originally untitled. Title provided for reader reference.
- ↑ Although Gardner Fox was the writer on many Starman stories, artist Jack Burnley has stated that somebody other than Fox wrote this inaugural story, though he cannot recall who.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jack Burnley. January, 2000. Revealed in the Forward to Golden Age Starman Archives 1.
- ↑ Unconfirmed credit, though Raymond Perry did color many stories during the Golden Age era.
- ↑ More Fun Comics 66; House Ad.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 DC Indexes; Adventure Comics #61, "The Amazing Starman".
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 DC Indexes; Adventure Comics #61, "The Runaway Dinosaurs"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 DC Indexes; Adventure Comics #61, "The Menace of the Metal Gun!"