Kismet, Man of Fate

Last updated
Kismet, Man of Fate
Kismet in Bomber Comics 1.jpg
Kismet, Man of Fate in Bomber Comics #1 (March 1944)
Publication information
Publisher Elliot Publishing Company, A Wave Blue World
First appearance Bomber Comics #1 (March 1944) [1]
Created byOmar Tahan
In-story information
Alter egoKhalil Qisma
Notable aliasesL'Homme du Sort, Rajul Al-Qadr, The Fez, The Green Line, The Marathon Man
AbilitiesLimited precognition ("foresense"), advanced gymnastic agility

Kismet, Man of Fate is a superhero published by Elliot Publishing Company in the Golden Age of Comic Books. The series features adventures of an Algerian superhero who was thought lost by the Allies at the end of World War II. [2] The character originally appeared in Bomber Comics #1 (1944), making him the first identified Muslim superhero. [3]

Contents

1940s publication

During the wartime boom of adventure comics, Elliot Publishing Company, best known for their Classics Illustrated series (as The Gilberton Company, Inc.), launched Bomber Comics, featuring several new heroes (e.g. boxer Kid Dixon, sky ace Eagle Evans, etc.) but ultimately lasting only four issues. Crediting the penname "Omar Tahan," the S. M. Iger Studio may have put writer Ruth Roche [4] with artists Chuck Winter, [5] Paul Cooper, [6] inker Alex Blum, or pencilers Henry C. Kiefer and Matt Baker to originate the character of Kismet, Man of Fate. The superheroic Kismet, battling Nazis in wartime France, appeared in all four issues of Bomber Comics before it was discontinued and later fell into the public domain. [7]

Character biography

Bomber Comics revealed little of Kismet's origin, save his being Algerian and a Muslim. He was identified as an agent of the Allies and staunch enemy of the Axis powers. Moreover, even supernatural demonic forces recognized his allegiance as he thwarted Nazi plots in occupied France and Europe more largely. Never seen in any civilian attire (i.e. only ever clad in his signature fez, cape, gloves, jodhpurs, and boots), Kismet had no known alter ego or secret identity, yet he was regarded as an official operative of the Allies behind enemy lines. His prowess with fisticuffs, gymnastics, and unarmed combat suggested an ability to foresee some degree of fate, of "Allah's will" (i.e. limited precognition). [8]

Modern revival

In 2015, the end of Kismet's wartime adventures was included as part of the Broken Frontier Anthology, the product of a successful Kickstarter campaign led by Tyler Chin-Tanner and Wendy Chin-Tanner. [9] Writer A. David Lewis, along with Noel Tuazon, Rob Croonenborghs, and Kel Nuttal, revived the character with a final wartime story.

Following the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Lewis and his creative team produced a short, modern-day story of Kismet, first for GEEKED Magazine online [10] and then reprinted by the Chin-Tanners' A Wave Blue World publishing house as part of a Free Comic Book Day 2017 give-away.

On May 2, 2017, Kismet, Man of Fate began as a weekly online series from A Wave Blue World's "Under Current" line, [11] with Lewis, Tuazon, and Croonenborghs joined by letterer Taylor Esposito. On November 28, 2018, A Wave Blue World published a print edition entitled Kismet, Man of Fate - Volume 1: Boston Strong, featuring cover art by Natasha Alterici and a Foreword by Laila Alawa. [12]

In July 2020, Lewis revealed that A Wave Blue World would not be producing a second volume and that he and the art team would be turning to a crowdfunding campaign instead. [13] That effort, though successful, was shut down during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lewis has since commented publicly that he would like to explore the character's asexuality were there future stories produced. [14]

Broken Frontier conclusion

In the 2015 Broken Frontier Anthology story, [15] Kismet's background is given more detail, including his full name (Khalil Qisma), his home (Algiers), and his occupation (jail guard) before becoming "Kismet." While fighting off a home invasion, Qisma discovers a fantastic material inside the wall of his house that, when worn as a cape, gives him his split-second glimpses of the future (his "foresense"). Later, he takes to the streets, thwarting local crimes until Frenchman Lamond Lamont enlists him to help in the European war effort. Leaving his wife and young children behind, Kismet accepts, leading to his Bomber Comics adventures.

Kismet's final wartime mission, however, brings him to the realization that Lamont has turned traitor and threatens the Allies plans to liberate France. He confronts Lamont who admits to his treachery just as Kismet foresees Lamont falling to his death. Unwilling to accept both his friend's betrayal and fate, Kismet denies his foresense and stops Lamont from falling; Lamont, however, does not wish to be saved and wriggles loose, falling to his slightly delayed death. Yet, Kismet's action—delaying Lamont's fate even momentarily—triggers some kind of supernatural phenomenon. Kismet suddenly disappears, removed from physical reality.

Some time later, Kismet is somehow bonded to Bostonian urban planner Qadar Hussein with whom he can communicate from a ghostly other plane of reality he terms "side-space." Qadar can switch places physically with Kismet, allowing the unaged superhero to return to action. Apparently, Qadar's sister Deena, their friend Rabia, and Lamont's descendant Larue Lamont are all aware of this double life. [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Amazing Fantasy</i> Comic book anthology

Amazing Adult Fantasy, retitled Amazing Fantasy in its final issue, is an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics from 1961 through 1962, with the latter title revived with superhero features in 1995 and in the 2000s. The final 1960s issue, Amazing Fantasy #15, introduced the popular Marvel superhero Spider-Man. Amazing Adult Fantasy premiered with issue #7, taking over the numbering from Amazing Adventures.

<i>All Star Comics</i> Comic book series

All Star Comics is an American comic book series from All-American Publications, one of three companies that merged with National Periodical Publications to form the modern-day DC Comics. While the series' cover-logo trademark reads All Star Comics, its copyrighted title as indicated by postal indicia is All-Star Comics, with a hyphen. With the exception of the first two issues, All Star Comics told stories about the adventures of the Justice Society of America, the first team of superheroes. It also introduced Wonder Woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulletman and Bulletgirl</span> Comics character

Bulletman and Bulletgirl are fictional superheroes originally published by Fawcett Comics.

Spider Widow is a fictional superhero character that was published by Quality Comics during the Golden Age of Comic Books. The character was created by writer and artist Frank Borth, and debuted in Feature Comics #57, which bore a cover date of June 1942. Borth continued to write and draw the Spider Widow feature until the end of its run in Feature Comics #72.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat-Man and Kitten</span> 1940–1946 comic book superhero

Cat-Man and Kitten are a pair of fictional superhero characters created by artists Irwin Hasen (Cat-Man) and Charles M. Quinlan (Kitten) with unknown writers. Cat-Man was first published in 1940 by various Frank Z. Temerson companies. Due to circumstances during World War II, an altered version of Cat-Man was published in Australia and reprinted in the 1950s. AC Comics later revived the characters in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantasy comics</span> Comic genre

Fantasy comics have been around as long as comics. The classification "fantasy comics" broadly encompasses illustrated books set in an other-worldly universe or involving elements or actors outside our reality. Fantasy has been a mainstay of fiction for centuries, but burgeoned in the late 1930s and early 1940s, spurred by authors such as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. They inspired comic book producers. Fantasy-themed books—driven by superhero comics gaining popularity through the 1960s—grew to dominate the field. In the 1990s, authors such as Neil Gaiman helped expand the genre with his critically acclaimed Sandman series.

Aaron David Lewis is an American comic book and graphic novel writer. He is also a comics scholar focusing on literary theory, religious studies, and graphic medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Diamond (character)</span> Marvel Comics Golden Age superhero

Blue Diamond is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, debuting under the company's 1940s forerunner, Timely Comics. The character was created in 1941 by Ben Thompson, who also drew the first comic book adventures of Ka-Zar the Great and Citizen V for Timely, as well as the Masked Marvel for Centaur Publications and Dr. Frost for Prize Comics.

<i>Blue Ribbon Comics</i>

Blue Ribbon Comics is the name of two American comic book anthology series, the first published by the Archie Comics predecessor MLJ Magazines Inc., commonly known as MLJ Comics, from 1939 to 1942, during the Golden Age of Comic Books. The revival was the second comic published in the 1980s by Archie Comics under the Red Circle and Archie Adventure Series banners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samson (Fox Feature Syndicate)</span> American comics superhero, created 1939

Samson is a superhero who appeared in comic books published by Fox Feature Syndicate. He first appeared in Fantastic Comics #1. The writer was uncredited, but is believed to be Will Eisner; the artist was Alex Blum, using the pseudonym "Alex Boon".

Bronze Man is a fictional comic-book superhero in comics published by Fox Feature Syndicate. He first appeared in Blue Beetle #42.

The Scarab is a fictional superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in Startling Comics #34, published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantomah</span> American comic book superheroine

Fantomah is an American comics character, best known as one of the earliest comic-book superheroines. Created by Fletcher Hanks, the character first appeared in Jungle Comics #2, published by Fiction House. Hanks is also known for creating the equally strange Stardust the Super Wizard.

Mystic Comics is the name of three comic book series published by the company that eventually became Marvel Comics. The first two series were superhero anthologies published by Marvel's 1930-1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, during what fans and historians call the Golden Age of comic books. The third, simply titled Mystic, was a horror fiction-suspense anthology from Marvel's 1950s forerunner, Atlas Comics.

<i>Elks Run</i>

Elk's Run is an eight-issue limited comic book series created by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov, artist Noel Tuazon, and colorist Scott A. Keating, featuring covers by Datsun Tran.

<i>Space Adventures</i> (comics)

Space Adventures is an American science-fiction anthology comic book series that was published sporadically by Charlton Comics from 1952 to 1979. Its initial iteration included some of the earliest work of industry notables Steve Ditko, Dick Giordano, and Tony Tallarico, and at least one story by EC Comics mainstay Bernard Krigstein.

<i>Zip Comics</i>

Zip Comics was the name of an American anthology comic book series published by MLJ Magazines Inc., more commonly known as MLJ Comics, for 47 issues between February 1940 and Summer 1944. It featured a number of adventure, humor and costumed hero stories throughout the series, including the first appearance of superhero "Steel Sterling" and the earliest appearances of the humor strip Wilbur, who later had his own long-running series for Archie Comics.

The Gilberton Company, Inc. was an American publisher best known for the comic book series Classics Illustrated featuring adaptations of literary classics. Beginning life as an imprint of the Elliot Publishing Company, the company became independent in 1942, Between 1941 and 1962, domestic sales of Gilberton's publications totaled 200 million. Gilberton was sold to the Frawley Corporation in 1967. The company ceased publishing in 1971.

Ruth Ann Roche was a writer and editor in the Golden Age of Comic Books. She was also the business partner of Jerry Iger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phantasmo</span> 1940-1942 Dell Comics superhero

Phantasmo, Master of the World is a fictional superhero who appeared in Dell Comics' The Funnies from 1940 to 1942, during the Golden Age of Comic Books. He was Dell Comics' first original superhero feature, and was created by E.C. Stoner, the first known African-American comic book artist.

References

  1. ↑ "GCD :: Issue :: Bomber Comics #1".
  2. ↑ Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 240–241. ISBN   978-1605490892.
  3. ↑ Lewis, A. David (20 March 2017). "Kismet Seventy Years Later: Recognizing the First Genuine Muslim Superhero". ISLAMiCommentary. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "13 DAYS OF SUPER WEIRD HEROES: Kismet — Man of Fate! | 13th Dimension, Comics, Creators, Culture". 13thdimension.com. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  5. ↑ "GCD :: Issue :: Bomber Comics #1". Comics.org. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Steven (2010-06-19). "Four-Color Shadows: Kismet, Man of Fate-Bomber Comics-1944". Fourcolorshadows.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  7. ↑ Yoe, Craig (2016). Super Weird Heroes:Outrageous But Real!. Yoe Books/IDW. p. 203. ISBN   978-1631407451.
  8. ↑ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 153. ISBN   978-1-61318-023-5.
  9. ↑ "Broken Frontier: The boldest comics anthology in the galaxy by Tyler & Wendy Chin-Tanner". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  10. ↑ "Kismet: Man of Fate by Geeked Magazine". Issuu.com. 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  11. ↑ "Under Current". A Wave Blue World. Archived from the original on 2017-10-31. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  12. ↑ "Interview: A. David Lewis embraces Kismet". The Beat. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  13. ↑ "A Different Spin on Crowd-Funding?". Kleefeld on Comics. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  14. ↑ "adlewis on Twitter.com" . Retrieved 2023-07-23.
  15. ↑ Lewis, A. David, Noel Tuazon, Rob Croonenborghs, and Kel Nuttal. "The Fiction of Free Will." Broken Frontier Anthology. A Wave Blue World, 2016, pp. 98-109.
  16. ↑ Lewis, A. David, Noel Tuazon, Rob Croonenborghs, and Taylor Esposito. Kismet, Man of Fate. A Wave Blue World, 2017. Web.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.