Pyroman | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Nedor Comics AC Comics |
First appearance | Startling Comics #18 (December 1942) |
Created by | Jack Binder |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Dick Martin |
Team affiliations | SMASH |
Abilities | Summon electricity Transmit electrical bolts Magnetize metal Electrical force field generation Electromagnetic pulses Flight via magnetic currents and radio waves |
Pyroman is a fictional superhero that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. His first appearance was in Startling Comics #18 (December 1942), with art by Jack Binder. [1] This character was later revived by both AC Comics and America's Best Comics.
Pyroman is the secret identity of research student Dick Martin. Due to his work with high voltage electricity, his body develops the ability to store electrical current. He discovers this ability after he's framed for murder by a saboteur, and sentenced to die in the electric chair. [2] After clearing his name, he decides to use his powers to fight crime. [3]
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "Pyroman fights evil men like Venomi and his Black Boas, Schneubel (who uses a weapon to recreate Mars' environment in America), Dr. Fosfor and his semi-sentient living flame, and would-be world-conqueror Dr. Zucca and his city-destroying Tornado". [4]
Pyroman appeared in numerous Nedor Comics titles during the 1940s. His last Golden Age Appearance was in America's Best Comics (no relation to the DC Comics imprint) #29 (January 1949). Many of his cover appearances were drawn by artist Alex Schomburg. [5]
Pyroman was one of the many Nedor Comics' characters revived by AC comics in the late 1990s. AC Comics reprinted Startling Comics #23 as Golden-Age Men of Mystery #9 (August 1998). [6] His sole original appearance was in a new story written for All-Hero Retro Comics Annual #1 (1998).
Alan Moore used Pyroman, along with many other Nedor Comics characters, for his Tom Strong series. In Tom Strong #12 (June 2001), Pyroman was revealed to have been a member of SMASH, a superhero team that had been placed in suspended animation after an alien invasion from the Moon in 1969 and revived 30 years later thanks to the efforts of Tom Strong. SMASH disbanded shortly thereafter. When SMASH reformed three years later, Pyroman rejoined the team.
In 2007, Pyroman was again one of several Golden Age characters used, this time in Dynamite Entertainment's Project Superpowers written by Jim Krueger and drawn by Alex Ross. [7] [8]
The American Crusader is a superhero who originally appeared in Thrilling Comics #19. He appeared in almost every issue until #41.
The Black Terror is a fictional comic book superhero who originally appeared in Exciting Comics #9, published by Nedor Comics in January 1941. The character was popular, and on the strength of the Black Terror's sales, Nedor made Exciting Comics a monthly magazine starting with issue #11.
Doc Strange is a Golden Age comic book superhero who originally appeared in Thrilling Comics #1 in February 1940. The character continued in Thrilling Comics until issue #64. He also appeared in America's Best Comics #1-23 and 27.
The Fighting Yank is the name of several superheroes, first appearing in Startling Comics #10.
Captain Freedom is a 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.
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.
The Arrow is a fictional superhero created during the Golden Age of Comic Books. He was the first superhero published by Centaur Publications.
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 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 Flame is a superhero that appeared in American comic books published by Fox Feature Syndicate. The Flame first appeared in Wonderworld Comics #3 and was created by writer Will Eisner and artist Lou Fine. The Flame became Wonderworld's primary character.
Standard Comics was a comic book imprint of American publisher Ned Pines, who also published pulp magazines and paperback books. Standard in turn was the parent company of two comic-book lines: Better Publications and Nedor Publishing. Collectors and historians sometimes refer to them collectively as "Standard/Better/Nedor".
Miss Masque is a fictional masked crime-fighter. She originally appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics, and was later revived by AC Comics, America's Best Comics, and Dynamite Entertainment.
The Ghost is a superhero that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. His first appearance was in Thrilling Comics #3. The character is loosely based on the pulp hero created by G.T. Fleming-Roberts, who was variously known as the Ghost, the Ghost Detective, and the Green Ghost.
The Woman in Red is a fictional character that first appeared in the period known to comic book historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. Created by writer Richard E. Hughes and artist George Mandel, she first appeared in Thrilling Comics #2, published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics. She would also be used by Dynamite Entertainment in Project Superpowers Chapter Two.
The Liberator is a superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. His first appearance was in Exciting Comics #15, published by Nedor Comics. The character was later revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
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.
Lance Lewis, Space Detective is a fictional superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in Mystery Comics #3 (1944), published by Nedor Comics. The character was revived by writer Alan Moore for America's Best Comics.
The American Eagle is a superhero from the Golden Age of Comics. He first appeared in America's Best Comics #2, published by Nedor Comics, an imprint of Standard Comics.
Princess Pantha is a jungle heroine that appeared in comic books published by Nedor Comics. The character was revived twice; first by AC Comics, and then by writer Alan Moore for his Tom Strong spin-off, Terra Obscura. She first appeared in Thrilling Comics #56.
Captain Future is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in Startling Comics #1 from Nedor Comics.