The Moth is the name of two American comic-book superhero characters. The first was created by artist Jim Mooney and an unknown writer for Fox Feature Syndicate in 1940, during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books. [1] The second was created by writer-artist Steve Rude in 1998 for Dark Horse Comics.
Moth | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Fox Feature Syndicate |
First appearance | Mystery Men Comics #9 (April 1940) |
Created by | Jim Mooney (artist) and unknown writer |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Jack Mahoney |
Abilities | Flight |
One of the first comic-book superheroes, the Moth was created by artist Jim Mooney and an unknown writer using the joint pseudonym "Norton Kingsley", which at least once was rendered as "Norman Kingsley". The character — a superhero whose sole apparent superpower, flight, was never explained as either natural or as an ability built into his costume — debuted in comic-book publisher Fox Feature Syndicate's Mystery Men Comics #9 (cover-dated April 1940), during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books. [2]
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "he fights a life-draining mad scientist, the Weather Kings (who use weather control machines in an attempt to take over the United States), a Dr. Frankenstein-like grave-robbing mad scientist, and others". [3]
The Moth starred in four stories, drawn either all by Mooney [4] or with the second drawn by Greg Chapian, [5] both using the Kingsley pseudonym. The feature ended with Mystery Men Comics #12 (July 1940). [6]
Moth | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
First appearance | Dark Horse Presents #138 (1998) |
Created by | Steve Rude & Gary Martin |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Jack Mahoney |
Team affiliations | Vansant Circus |
Abilities | Highly trained acrobat, excellent wrestler/brawler, gliding via suit, sleep/flammable gas gun concealed in fingertips |
The Moth (real name Jack Mahoney) is a fictional superhero published by Dark Horse Comics. Created by Steve Rude, The Moth first appeared in Dark Horse Presents #138, followed by an appearance in Madman Comics #13 by Dark Horse Comics, and then the 56-page The Moth - Special (March 2004). [7] [8]
The Moth is a circus performer named Jack Mahoney. Mahoney developed the Moth costume for his high-wire act, and he also uses it catch wanted criminals in exchange for bounties.
During his four-issue solo series, the Moth encounters a biker gang whose leader has had a bounty offered for his capture. The Moth turns him over to the authorities. He also encounters a supernatural lion-man who is on a killing spree. His victims include the Moth's mentor Victor, the ringmaster of the circus where the Moth performed, and a member of the biker gang. The Moth inherits the circus and enlists the help of the biker gang he clashed with earlier to help him track down the creature and exact revenge.
In the next story, the Moth turns rival mob families against each other in order to collect bounties offered for the leaders of both groups.
Black Fury is the name of several fictional comic book characters published in the Golden Age of Comics.
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.
Vision (Aarkus) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by the writer Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby, the character first appeared during the Golden Age of comic books in Marvel Mystery Comics #13, published by Marvel predecessor Timely Comics.
Captain Freedom is a fictional comic book superhero from the period known as "Golden Age of Comic Books". His creator was identified as "Franklin Flagg" in the credits, but the identity of the individual behind the pseudonym remains unknown. He first appeared in Speed Comics #13, a Harvey Comics title. He continued to appear in Speed Comics until its cancellation in #44.
Yellowjacket is a fictional super-hero, and the first to be published by the company that would become Charlton Comics. He first appeared in Yellowjacket Comics #1.
Airman is a fictional, comic-book superhero first published by Centaur Publications in 1940, during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books. He first appeared in Keen Detective Funnies #23, in a story by artist Harry Sahle and an unconfirmed writer, generally credited as George Kapitan. Keen Detective Funnies was cancelled after issue #24, but Centaur published two more stories in Detective Eye Comics #1 and 2 before pulling the plug on the character.
Hydroman is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in comic books from Eastern Color Printing in 1940.
Wildfire is a fictional superheroine in the DC Comics universe. One of the first female superheroes, she was originally published by Quality Comics during what comics historians and fans called the Golden Age of comic books. With her luxurious mane of red hair and revealing costume, she has been called "the sexiest super-hero of 1941".
The Skyman is a fictional comic book superhero that appeared stories during the Golden Age of Comic Books. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Ogden Whitney, the character first appeared in the Columbia Comics omnibus title Big Shot Comics #1. He is unrelated to the DC Comics character.
The Green Mask is the name of two fictional comic book superheroes, both published by Fox Feature Syndicate. Both are in the public domain with some of the original stories having been reprinted by AC Comics.
The Bouncer is a fictional superhero who appeared in comic books published by Fox Feature Syndicate. The Bouncer had no secret identity, but was in reality a statue of the Greek mythological figure Antaeus. The statue had been sculpted by Adam Anteas, Jr., a descendant of the very same legendary figure. Like his Greek ancestor, Anteas Jr. gained power when in contact with the earth. Anteas Jr.'s power was that he bounced back whenever he struck the ground; the harder he hit, the higher he bounced. Like his ancestor, he lost his power when out of contact with the ground.
Samson is a fictional superhero that 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".
Pyroman is a fictional superhero that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. His first appearance was in Startling Comics #18, with art by Jack Binder. This character was later revived by both AC Comics and America's Best Comics.
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.
Firefly is a fictional comic book character created by Harry Shorten and Bob Wood for MLJ Comics in 1940. He first appeared in Top-Notch Comics #8. Artist Warren King and writer Joe Blair loaned their talents to many of the Firefly's installments.
The Black Owl is the name of two fictional superhero characters. Both appeared in the Prize Publications title Prize Comics in the 1940s.
Captain Future is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in Startling Comics #1 from Nedor Comics.
The Unknown Soldier is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in Our Flag Comics #1 from Ace Comics. The comic was devoted to patriotic superheroes, and also included Captain Victory and the Three Cheers.
The Green Turtle is a fictional character, a superhero published by Rural Home Publications. He first appeared in Blazing Comics (1944), and was created by Chinese-American cartoonist Chu F. Hing.
Bob Phantom was a costumed crime-fighter who debuted in the December 1939 issue of Blue Ribbon Comics making him one of the earliest costumed superheroes MLJ/Archie Comics published. He was written by Harry Shorten and illustrated by Irv Novick.