Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics #1 (36) [Limited Variant Edition]

([October] 2004)

[frontispiece] (Table of Contents: 1)

The Angel / illustration / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

?

Inks

?

Colors

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Angel

Reprints

• from ?

Marvel Masterworks Credits/Contents (Table of Contents: 2)

credits, title page / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Letters

typeset

Introduction (Table of Contents: 3)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 3 pages (report information)

Script

Roy Thomas (signed)

Letters

typeset

Reprints

• in Golden Age Marvel Comics Omnibus (Marvel, 2009 series) #1 (2009)
• in Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics (Marvel, 2012 series) #1 ([January] 2012)
• in Marvel Comics #1: 80th Anniversary Edition (Marvel, 2019 series) (2019)

[This Month...] (Table of Contents: 4)

Human Torch / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Frank R. Paul

Inks

Frank R. Paul

Colors

?

Letters

?; typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Human Torch

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 [First Printing] (October 1939)

[Origin of the Human Torch] (Table of Contents: 5)

Human Torch / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

Carl Burgos (signed)

Pencils

Carl Burgos (signed)

Inks

Carl Burgos (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Carl Burgos

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Human Torch (introduction and origin, an android); Prof. Phineas T. Horton (introduction); Mr. Harris (businessman); Tony Sardo (villain, introduction, death), Red (villain, introduction, death)

Synopsis

After the Scientist's Guild convinces inventor Horton to dispose of his new creation, a "human torch", a clever criminal figures out a way to use this creation for his own evil purposes.

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)

Indexer Notes

First Human Torch history. The Human Torch wears a blue uniform in this story. He doesn't adopt the Jim Hammond identity until issue #4.

[The Six Big Men] (Table of Contents: 6)

The Angel / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Pencils

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Inks

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Paul Gustavson

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway] (introduction); Lil (introduction); The Six Big Men [Gus Ronson; Mike Malone; John Dillon; Trigger Bolo; Steve Enkel; Dutch Hanson] (villains, introduction for all, all die); the Big Boss [Dr. Lang] (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

The Angel is called in to handle a group known as the "Six Big Men" and their mysterious leader who have taken over an entire city.

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)

Indexer Notes

First Angel story, character created by Paul Gustavson.

Gustavson credits from Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[Origin of the Sub-Mariner ["Here is the Sub-Mariner!"]] (Table of Contents: 7)

Namor the Sub-Mariner / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Everett (signed)

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Bill Everett

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor] (introduction and origin); Anderson; Nelson (death); Carley (death); Princess Fen (flashback, introduction); Emperor Tha-Korr (introduction, un-named in story); Dorma (introduction)

Synopsis

Prince Namor, having learned of what the race of white men once did to his undersea kingdom, vows, and is encouraged, to make war on the surface dwellers.

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)
which is reprinted
• from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly (First Funnies, Inc., 1939 series) #1 (1939) [as the first 8 pages of that 12-page story; pages 1-8 only]

Indexer Notes

First Namor history.

[Origin of the Masked Raider] (Table of Contents: 8)

The Masked Raider / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Al Anders ?

Pencils

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Inks

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

western-frontier

Characters

The Masked Raider [Jim Gardley] (introduction and origin); Lightning (Raider's horse); Steve (Sheriff); Lordin (rancher); Mr. Bleck (rancher, death); Mrs. Bleck (death); Cal Brunder (villain, introduction); Slick (villain); Rowdy (villain)

Synopsis

When Cal Brunder, who has been forcing small ranchers in Cactusville to sell out at his price, sends his men to the ranch of Jim Gardley. When Gardley won't sell, he has a phony charge of rustling leveled against him.

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)

Jungle Terror (Table of Contents: 9)

comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Art Pinajian (signed as Tomm Dixon)

Inks

Art Pinajian (signed as Tomm Dixon)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

adventure

Characters

Ken Masters; Professor John Roberts; Tim Roberts; Crafton (villain, death); Mike (villain, death); Slug (villain, death)

Synopsis

Ken and Tim are worried about Professor Roberts, who went into the Amazon jungle three months earlier, trying to locate a certain Indian tribe that had in its possession a diamond with hypnotic powers.

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)

Indexer Notes

Art identification by Dr. Michael J. Vassallo of the Timely-Atlas list. Note that the 3rd letter in the signature's first name is a dense smudge. The Masterwork edition and Craig Delich interprets it as an "h" (Tohm), while Dr. Vassallo believes it is an "m" (Tomm).

Burning Rubber (Table of Contents: 10)

text story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Ray Gill (signed as Raymond Gill)

Pencils

Sam Gilman (signed as Gilman) (illustration)

Inks

Sam Gilman (signed as Gilman) (illustration)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

car

Characters

Bill Williams; Fred Turner; C. G. Clark; Ruth Clerk; Ann

Synopsis

Bill has invented a new gas feeder for his race car and is testing it out....at the risk of his own life!

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)

[Origin of Ka-Zar] (Table of Contents: 11)

Ka-Zar the Great / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Ben Thompson ?

Pencils

Ben Thompson (signed)

Inks

Ben Thompson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

jungle

Characters

Ka-Zar I [David Rand] (introduction, origin); John and Constance Rand (introduction for both, both die, Ka-Zar's parents); Zar (a lion, introduction); Chaka [a gorilla, introduction]; Trajah [an elephant, introduction]; N'Jaga [a leopard, introduction]; Paul De Kraft (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

A plane crashes in the jungle of the Belgian Congo, and a young boy named David watches his mother die, and later his father, at the hands of Paul De Kraft. The youngster is trained in survival tactics by his father and is later re-named Ka-Zar, brother of the mighty Zar, a lion whose life he once saved.

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 (October 1939)

Indexer Notes

First Ka-Zar history. Adapted from Bob Byrd's "King of Fang and Claw" (KA-ZAR pulp magazine) #1).

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 12)

The Angel / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Chuck Mazoujian

Inks

Chuck Mazoujian

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text

With a tremendous leap, the Angel catches the bomber's landing gear...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway]

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

Keywords

bomber planes; bombs

[Murder at the Racetrack] (Table of Contents: 13)

Human Torch / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

Carl Burgos (signed)

Pencils

Carl Burgos (signed)

Inks

Carl Burgos (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Carl Burgos

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Human Torch (origin retold in flashback); Professor Horton; un-named girlfriend of Blackie Ross (introduction); Johnson (introduction, prison con and former racecar driver); Blackie Ross (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

The Torch must battle a racketeer who wants his racing car to win so badly that he uses an airplane that fires incendiary bullets into the other cars.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

Indexer Notes

The Human Torch still wears his blue uniform. He doeswn't adopt the Jim Hammond identity until issue #4.

[The Treasure of Alano] (Table of Contents: 14)

The Angel / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson ?; Ray Gill ?

Pencils

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Inks

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Paul Gustavson

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway]; Jane Framan (introduction); Lelong [as Sumner] (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

The Angel saves a woman's life. She has a map with a curse on it as it reveals the location of a treasure connected to the lost temple of Alano.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

Indexer Notes

Gustavson credits from Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[Attack on New York City] (Table of Contents: 15)

Namor the Sub-Mariner / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Everett (signed)

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Bill Everett

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; Pinkerton; un-named girl; Foley (Policeman, death)

Synopsis

Namor heads for New York City, and while he is securing a disguise, a young woman accidently sets her dress ablaze with a cigarette. Deciding that she can be of value to him in his avowed war against the Americans, he kidnaps her from the hospital and takes her to his undersea kingdom.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

[The Town of Wanted Men] (Table of Contents: 16)

The Masked Raider / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Al Anders ?

Pencils

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Inks

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

western-frontier

Characters

The Masked Raider [Jim Gardley]; un-named Sheriff; "Hook" Tebbs (villain, introduction) and his men [Tex, Miguel] (villains)

Synopsis

The Raider disguises himself as a fugitive in order to infiltrate a gang that has been harrassing and robbing ranches in several towns.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

[Origin of the American Ace] (Table of Contents: 17)

American Ace / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Lauretta ?

Pencils

Paul Lauretta (signed)

Inks

Paul Lauretta (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

war; aviation

Characters

American Ace [Perry Wade] (introduction); Minisater of Attainia (death); Queen Ursula (villain, introduction), Josef (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

Queen Ursula of Castle D'or, whose empire was shattered when she lost her colonies during WWI, plans revenge.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)
which is reprinted
• from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly (First Funnies, Inc., 1939 series) #1 (1939) [pages 1-6]

Indexer Notes

Story continued next issue.

Death-Bird Squadron (Table of Contents: 18)

The Angel / text story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

David Cooke (signed)

Pencils

Chuck Mazoujian (signed as C. J. M.)

Inks

Chuck Mazoujian (signed as C. J. M.)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway]; the Nazis (villains, some die)

Synopsis

The Angel takes matters into his own hands against the Nazis, who, without warning, attack the Polish town of Grybow.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

Indexer Notes

Art identification by Hames Ware and Dr. Michael J. Vassallo via the Timely-Atlas list. Corrected from Claire S. Moe (Henry Andrews 2009-03-08).

[The Battle with Bardak] (Table of Contents: 19)

Ka-Zar the Great / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Ben Thompson ?

Pencils

Ben Thompson (signed)

Inks

Ben Thompson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

jungle

Characters

Ka-Zar [David Rand]; Zar (a lion); Sha (lion mate of Zar); Trajah (an elephant); Zoro (a lion cub); Chaka (an ape); Kru (a vulture); Bardak (villain, introduction, an ape, death)

Synopsis

After the death of his parents, Ka-Zar goes to live in the cave of his friend, Zar, but soon faces Bardak, who has found a mirror in the abandoned tent of De Kraft, and refuses to relinquish it. Ka-Zar takes it from him, and Bardak swears revenge.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 20)

The Angel / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Alex Schomburg

Inks

Alex Schomburg

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Unaware of death behind him, the Angel went into action

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway]

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

[The Menace from Mars] (Table of Contents: 21)

Human Torch / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

Carl Burgos (signed)

Pencils

Carl Burgos (signed)

Inks

Carl Burgos (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Carl Burgos

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Human Torch; Mr. Carson (introduction, owner of the Carson Explosive Company, death); Diane Carson (daughter of Mr. Carson); the Martians (villains, introduction); Captain Ott (villain, introduction, a Martian); Mr. Ritton (villain, introduction, agent of the planet Mars on Earth, death)

Synopsis

After an attack on New York by Martians, the Torch decides that a new explosive called Trinitrotoluol is probably better off in the hands of the Martians rather than allowing it to remain on Earth.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

Indexer Notes

Torch wears a blue costume. He doesn't adopt the Jim Hammond identity until issue #4.

[The Voodoo Sacrifice] (Table of Contents: 22)

The Angel / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Ray Gill ?

Pencils

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Inks

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway]; The Sacred One (villain, introduction, death); a voodoo cult (villains, introduction)

Synopsis

The Angel must battle a voodoo cult that has kidnapped young women to sacrifice to their fire god

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

Indexer Notes

Script credit suggested by the Who's Who.

[Enter: Betty Dean] (Table of Contents: 23)

Namor the Sub-Mariner / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Everett (signed)

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Bill Everett

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; Inspector Peterson; Betty Dean (introduction); Esther; a Nazi U-boat crew (villains, introduction for all, all die)

Synopsis

The police concoct a plan to use police officer Betty Dean as bait in a trap to capture the Sub-Mariner, but instead she convinces Namor to fight for the Allies in the war.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

[The Land Grabbers] (Table of Contents: 24)

The Masked Raider / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Al Anders ?

Pencils

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Inks

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

western-frontier

Characters

Masked Raider [Jim Gardley]; Barney (the sheriff); Jeb Barnes; Dan Barnes; Jed Sirrah (villain, introduction, death?); Brace (villain); Dan (villain)

Synopsis

The Raider has to deal with a group of outlaws, trying to run a man off his run-down ranch in order to get to gold buried in the hills and oil deposits as well. The outlaws decide to frame the owner and have the sheriff run him off.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

[Origin of the American Ace, Part 2] (Table of Contents: 25)

American Ace / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Lauretta ?

Pencils

Paul Lauretta (signed)

Inks

Paul Lauretta (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

war; aviation

Characters

American Ace [Perry Wade] (Origin, Part 2); Jeanie; Queen Ursula (villain)

Synopsis

Perry takes the girl he saved last month back to her father and sister, then heads back to his fight against Queen Ursula. However, he is seriously wounded, but returns and is tended by Jeanie.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

Indexer Notes

Last golden age American Ace story. A similar or reworked feature titled Lieutenant Lank appears at Centaur in Amazing Mystery Funnies #24 http://www.comics.org/issue/1026/#1153116 and The Arrow #2 http://www.comics.org/issue/1083/#16332.

Next appearance in All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes (Marvel, 2011 series) #4.

Siegfried Suicide (Table of Contents: 26)

text story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

David Cooke (signed)

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed as Everett)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed as Everett)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

war

Characters

Sgt. Bill Stern; the Germans (villains)

Synopsis

Sgt. Stern and his company of men attempt to smash a hole through the German fortifications along the Siegfried Line.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

Indexer Notes

Story set in World War I.

Third Episode (Table of Contents: 27)

Ka-Zar the Great / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Ben Thompson ?

Pencils

Ben Thompson (signed)

Inks

Ben Thompson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

jungle

Characters

Ka-Zar [David Rand]; Steve Hardy (introduction); Inkosi; Tuta (an elephant); Trajah (an elephant); Quog (a wild hog); N'Jaga (a leopard); Paul DeKraft (villain)

Synopsis

A hunter who has enlisted the aid of local natives in his search for wild game, has a hard time convincing those natives that it was a man [Ka-Zar] who was interfering with their hunt and not a jungle god as they thought.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #3 (January 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 28)

Namor the Sub-Mariner / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Alex Schomburg

Inks

Alex Schomburg

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Like lightning, the Sub-Mariner attacked

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; The Nazis

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

[New York Hit by Green Flame] (Table of Contents: 29)

Human Torch / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Carl Burgos (signed)

Pencils

Carl Burgos (signed)

Inks

Carl Burgos (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Carl Burgos ?

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Human Torch [Jim Hammond]; Inspector Reiss; Clancy (Policeman); Johnson; Maizie (introduction, underecover Policewoman); Dr. Manyac (villain, introduction); the Green Flames (villains, introduction for all, some deaths)

Synopsis

Torch has to deal with the threats of a Dr. Manyac, who plans to use the Green Flames as a tool to exact revenge if his demands are not met.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

Torch assumes Jim Hammond identity, and still wears blue uniform. Letterer credit added by Craig Delich 2008-11-8.

[Butch the Giant] (Table of Contents: 30)

The Angel / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson ?; Ray Gill ?

Pencils

Paul Gustavson

Inks

Paul Gustavson

Colors

?

Letters

Paul Gustavson

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Angel [Tom Halloway]; Butch (villain, introduction, death, a giant); Rickie (villain, death); Brink (villain, introduction); Weasel (villain, death)

Synopsis

The Angel ventures into the Devil's Playground, which harbors killers, murderers, and every other imaginable menace to civilization, in order to battle a giant who carries out the gruesome activities.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

Gustavson credits from Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[The Sub-Mariner Goes to War] (Table of Contents: 31)

Namor the Sub-Mariner / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Everett (signed)

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

Bill Everett

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]; Betty Dean; Tha-Korr; Council of Three (introduction, Atlantean rulers); The Nazis (villains)

Synopsis

Betty, concerned with effect the Nazi submarine warfare has had on ocean-going travel and commerce, enlists the aid of the Sub-Mariner and his aerial subs to deal with the problem.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

[The Claim Jumpers] (Table of Contents: 32)

The Masked Raider / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Al Anders ?

Pencils

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Inks

Al Anders (signed as Anders)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

western-frontier

Characters

The Masked Raider [Jim Gardley]; Zeb; Luke; Manuel; Ben; Buck and his gang (villains, some die)

Synopsis

A couple of prospectors discover a large gold deposit on their property but are threatened by local crooks trying to locate that claim.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Warning Enough (Table of Contents: 33)

comic story / 1.75 pages (report information)

Script

David Cooke (signed)

Pencils

Harry Ramsey (signed as H. Ramsey)

Inks

Harry Ramsey (signed as H. Ramsey)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

detective-mystery

Characters

Steve; Naylor; Jim Stinson; "Slip" Rodney (villain)

Synopsis

Steve picks up a hitchhiker along side a road, not knowing that he is a wanted killer.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

The statement of ownership is printed in the last column of the story. Artist's first name and note added by Craig Delich 2008-11-8.

Statement of ownership, management, circulation, etc. (Table of Contents: 34)

statement of ownership / 0.25 page (report information)

Script

Abraham Goodman; Maurice Coyne (notary)

Letters

typeset

Editing

Timely Comics, Inc. (as Timely Publications) (owner); Abraham Goodman (owner, publisher); Martin Goodman (editor, managing editor, business manager)

Synopsis

Statement of ownership of "Marvel Mystery Comics, published monthly, at Buffalo, New York, for October 1, 1939."

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

All addresses for Martin and Abraham Goodman as well as for Timely Publications given as 330 W. 42nd St., N. Y. C.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 35)

Electro / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Steve Dahlman ?

Pencils

Steve Dahlman (signed as Dahl)

Inks

Steve Dahlman (signed as Dahl)

Colors

?

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Prof. Philo Zog, mechanical wizard...

Genre

superhero

Characters

Electro (introduction, origin, a robot); Prof. Philo Zog (Electro's creator); the twelve Secret Operatives (introduction); Dick Gardner (secret operative #3); Little Joyce Lovely; Hymie "The Weasel" Pazetto (villain, introduction)

Synopsis

Professor Zog creates a marvelous robot, all-powerful and intelligent, as a means of helping humanity banish all crime and evil. Electro's first task is to rescue a kidnapped child actress.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

First Electro story.

[Quest for a Crime Boss] (Table of Contents: 36)

Ferret, Mystery Detective / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Bob Davis (signed as Stockbridge Winslow)

Pencils

Irwin Hasen (signed as I. Hasen)

Inks

Irwin Hasen (signed as I. Hasen)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

detective-mystery

Characters

Ferret (introduction); Lynn Froehm; Doc Wagner (villain, introduction); Knuckles Johnson (villain, death)

Synopsis

Our hero faces a challenge from the underworld, which hasn't taken a liking to his "crime doesn't pay" articles and is out robbing and killing people for jewelry.

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

First Ferret story.

Fourth Episode [Return of the Oman] (Table of Contents: 37)

Ka-Zar the Great / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Ben Thompson ?

Pencils

Ben Thompson (signed)

Inks

Ben Thompson (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

jungle

Characters

Ka-Zar [David Rand]; Zar (a lion); Chaka (ape leader); N'Jaga (a leopard); Sinessa (a snake); Kru (a vulture); Trajah (an elephant); Paul De Kraft [aka Fat Face] (villain); Ed Kivlin (villain, introduction); Inkosi (villain)

Synopsis

De Kraft returns to the Belgian Congo, where, years earlier, he had killed Ka-Zar's parents, and when Ka-Zar spots him, he swears revenge. De Kraft uses deadly tactics to deal with the natives who want to desert him because they fear retribution from the "Jungle God."

Reprints

• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

Story continued in the next issue.

Bracketed story title found in the last panel of story in Marvel Mystery #3.

[Cover Gallery] (Table of Contents: 38)

The Angel; Human Torch; Namor the Sub-Mariner / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Frank Paul; Alex Schomburg; Claire S. Moe

Inks

Frank Paul; Alex Schomburg; Claire S. Moe

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Human Torch; The Angel; The Sub-Mariner

Reprints

• from Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #1 [First Printing] (October 1939)
• from Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #2 (December 1939), #3 (January 1940), #4 (February 1940)

Indexer Notes

Back cover. Reprints covers from Marvel Comics #1 and Marvel Mystery Comics #2-4.