Golden-Age Greats Spotlight #13 - Centaur Chronicles

([August] 2013)

The Tangled Lineage of Centaur (Table of Contents: 1)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Hames Ware

Pencils

William Allison; Terry Gilkison; ?

Inks

William Allison; Terry Gilkison; ?

Letters

typeset

Indexer Notes

Includes small reproductions of the covers to Funny Picture Stories (Comics Magazine Company, 1936 series) #v1#2 (December 1936), Keen Detective Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#1 (January 1939), and Keen Detective Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#10 (October 1939).

Centaur Notes (Table of Contents: 2)

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

Script

Mark Heike

Letters

typeset

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 3)

Aman the Amazing-Man / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Paul Gustavson

Inks

Paul Gustavson

Letters

Paul Gustavson

Genre

superhero

Characters

Amazing Man [John Aman]

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #22 (May 1941)

Indexer Notes

All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 4)

Dr. Mystic / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel [as Jerome Siegel] (signed)

Pencils

Joe Shuster (signed)

Inks

Joe Shuster (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

An entire city freezes with terror...

Genre

superhero

Characters

Dr. Mystic [Dr. Occult]; Zator (introduction); Koth (introduction)

Synopsis

Zator appears to attack the city but only to attract Dr. Mystic's attention. He has come to bring Dr. Mystic through the spirit world to the Seven, but they are attacked by Koth on the way.

Reprints

• from The Comics Magazine (Comics Magazine Company, 1936 series) #v1#1 (May 1936)

Muss 'Em Up (Table of Contents: 5)

Hammer Donovan / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Will Eisner [as William Eisner] (signed)

Pencils

Will Eisner [as Eisner] (signed)

Inks

Will Eisner [as Eisner] (signed)

Letters

?

Genre

crime

Characters

Hammer Donovan; Captain Spencer; Fen Soo (Donovan's servant); Mike Morelli (villain); Tony (villain, death); Curley [aka as Curly] (villain, death); Hophead Harry (villain)

Synopsis

Hammer Donovan is called back onto the Police force, with no legal limitations, to track down a notorious killer and his gang that have been bumping off cops, and whose identity and whereabouts are being protected by the underworld.

Reprints

• from Detective Picture Stories (Comics Magazine Company, 1936 series) #4 (March 1937)

The Case of the Missing Heir (Table of Contents: 6)

comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Bob Kane (signed)

Pencils

Bob Kane (signed)

Inks

Bob Kane (signed)

Letters

Bob Kane

Genre

adventure

Characters

Dr. J. R. Ferguson (death); Peterson (lawyer); Rodgers; Dorothy; John Williams; Matilda (maid); The Boss (villain); Slick Ranger (villain, make-up artist)

Synopsis

John Williams inherits a fortune from his uncle, unaware that clever criminals have secured the services of a make-up artist, who will pose as Williams and take over the fortune.

Reprints

• from Detective Picture Stories (Comics Magazine Company, 1936 series) #5 (April 1937)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 7)

Dirk the Demon / comic story / 3 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Everett ?

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

You can land just to the right of the main building...

Genre

science fiction

Characters

Dirk the Demon [Dirk Cay]; Princess Nemo; Prince Marcus

Synopsis

Dirk and the Princess arrive for her wedding to Prince Marcus, but they find the place overtaken by men in strange masks. They're captured, but Dirk escapes and frees the royal couple.

Reprints

• from Amazing Mystery Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#3 (March 1939)

Episode One - The Ermine Appears (Table of Contents: 8)

The Ermine / comic story / 4 pages (report information)

Script

George Filchock (signed)

Pencils

? Filchock [as Phil Chalk] (signed)

Inks

? Filchock [as Phil Chalk] (signed)

Letters

?

Genre

western-frontier

Characters

The Ermine (Intro)

Reprints

• from Star Ranger Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v1#15 (October 1938)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 9)

Skyrocket Steele / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Everett ?

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Back on Earth, after their adventure on the planetoid Mannin...

Genre

science fiction

Characters

Skyrocket Steele Dodge; Sari Marston

Reprints

• from Amazing Mystery Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#3 (March 1939)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 10)

Little Dynamite / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Jack Cole (signed)

Pencils

Jack Cole (signed)

Inks

Jack Cole (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

It's early evening in a great metropolis.

Reprints

• from Keen Detective Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#2 (February 1939)

Part 1: The Conqueror (Table of Contents: 11)

Air-Sub 'DX' / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Carl Burgos (signed)

Pencils

Carl Burgos (signed)

Inks

Carl Burgos (signed)

Letters

?

Genre

adventure

Characters

Captain Tim; Professor Gray; Rita; Turjak (villain); Air Sub DX

Synopsis

Upon hearing that Dr. Montan may yet be alive, according to a diary entry in which the doctor talks of "living diamonds" on Mystery Isle, Tim and company head out to check out the story. But when their ship is forced down miles from their destination, they believe that they were expected, and that "The Conqueror," who has returned, may in fact be Dr. Montan!

Reprints

• from Amazing Mystery Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#7 (July 1939)

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

Dan Dennis, F.B.I. / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Sam Gilman [as Gilman] (signed)

Pencils

Sam Gilman [as Gilman] (signed)

Inks

Sam Gilman [as Gilman] (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Washington - centre of the nation's crime-fighting machine...

Characters

Dan Dennis; Inspector Joe Tickner; Chop Quiderio (villain); Achmet (villain, huge giant)

Synopsis

Dan is sent to New York to break up a dangerous dope ring and discovers an old smuggling racketeer posing as a fortune teller...and he smells a rat!

Reprints

• from Keen Detective Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#6 (June 1939)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 13)

The Arrow / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Pencils

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Inks

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Letters

Paul Gustavson

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Court-martialed because of the disapearance of government munitions...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Arrow [Ralph Payne]

Reprints

• from Funny Pages (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#12 (December 1938)

Indexer Notes

All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 14)

Reef Kinkaid / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Bob Lubbers (signed)

Pencils

Bob Lubbers (signed)

Inks

Bob Lubbers (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

'Reef' Kinkaid is a daring adventurer and soldier of fortune...

Genre

adventure

Characters

Reef Kinkaid (introduction); Jane Warren (newspaper reporter); Grayson (Coast Guard officer); un-named ship's Captain (villain)

Synopsis

Reef rescues a girl reporter from a gang of dope smugglers and uses the shanghaied crew to restore order aboard ship.

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #12 (May 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 15)

Fantom of the Fair / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Pencils

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Inks

Paul Gustavson (signed)

Letters

Paul Gustavson

First Line of Dialogue or Text

From the top of one of the towering buildings of the World's Fair...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Fantom of the Fair (introduction); Andy (a painter); Collins (a policeman); Russel (a policeman); Johnson (a contractor); Occo (villain, a contractor); Marco (villain)

Synopsis

The Fantom, mentioned in a book written in Icelandic thousands of years ago, appears on the scene at the World's Fair to stop a crooked contractor who is attempting to fraudulently prevent another contractor from fulfilling his contracts.

Reprints

• from Amazing Mystery Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#7 (July 1939)

Indexer Notes

All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 16)

Aman the Amazing-Man / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

A. L. Kirby (signed)

Pencils

Louis Glanzman [as Sam Decker] (signed); Sam Glanzman [as Sam Decker] (signed)

Inks

Louis Glanzman [as Sam Decker] (signed); Sam Glanzman [as Sam Decker] (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Zona Henderson, ace girl crime investigator...

Genre

superhero

Characters

Aman, the Amazing Man [John Aman]; Zona Handerson (crime investigator); Great Question (villain); Homer (villain); Bim (villain); Kerner (villain); Kully (villain); Operator Nine (villain, death)

Synopsis

The Green Mist, better known as the Amazing Man, must act quickly to prevent the Port of San Francisco from being blown up and blamed on a foreign power, as a way of drawing the United States into the war in Europe.

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #12 (May 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 17)

Iron Skull / comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Script

Sam Gilman (signed)

Pencils

Sam Gilman (signed)

Inks

Sam Gilman (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Towering high above the city, far from the turmoil...

Genre

superhero

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #14 (July 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 18)

Dr. Hypno / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Frank Thomas (signed)

Pencils

Frank Thomas (signed)

Inks

Frank Thomas (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

A name emblazoned in headlines, yet whispered in awe!!

Genre

superhero

Synopsis

Psychologist Dr. Hypno battles crime.

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #14 (July 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 19)

Zardi the Eternal Man / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

? [as Steve]

Inks

? [as Steve]

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

He saw the pyramids built...

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #12 (May 1940)

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

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

Script

Louis Glanzman ? [as Lew Glanz] (signed)

Pencils

Louis Glanzman [as Lew Glanz] (signed)

Inks

Louis Glanzman [as Lew Glanz] (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

The Shark is an amazing under-sea creature serving justice,...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Shark; Tom; Everett; Johnny

Synopsis

The Shark is asked by a scientist to go to Mars and send back descriptions of what he finds to be recorded for posterity. While there, he discovers a race of petrified mummies, who take him captive, forcing him to slave away with other humans who have been similarly captured.

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #12 (May 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 21)

Fantom of the Fair / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson

Pencils

Paul Gustavson

Inks

Paul Gustavson

Letters

Paul Gustavson

First Line of Dialogue or Text

The Earth is torn open...

Genre

superhero

Characters

Fantom of the Fair

Reprints

• from Amazing Mystery Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#10 (October 1939)

Indexer Notes

All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 22)

Chuck Hardy in The Land Beneath the Sea / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Frank Thomas ?

Pencils

Frank Thomas (signed)

Inks

Frank Thomas (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

After thwarting the attempts of the frogmen...

Synopsis

Chuck Hardy vs. 2-headed frog-man

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #12 (May 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 23)

Masked Marvel / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Ben Thompson

Pencils

Ben Thompson

Inks

Ben Thompson

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

The Masked Marvel, arch-enemy of crime, with the aid of his three confederates...

Reprints

• from Keen Detective Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#12 (December 1939)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 24)

Minimidget / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

John F. Kolb ?

Pencils

John F. Kolb (signed)

Inks

John F. Kolb (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Minimidget and Ritty, are super-midgets, the size of a normal hand...

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #12 (May 1940)

On the High Seas (Table of Contents: 25)

Air Man / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Harry Sahle

Pencils

Harry Sahle

Inks

Harry Sahle

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Air-Man [Drake Stevens]; Ellen Page; Corzen

Synopsis

When the Air-Man hears of a "Ghost Ship" perpetrating piracy, he decides to book passage on the ship in order to investigate and to end the nefarious crime spree of the pirate Captain, Corzen.

Reprints

• from Keen Detective Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #24 (September 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 26)

Solarman / comic story / 6 pages (report information)

Script

Frank Thomas (signed)

Pencils

Frank Thomas (signed)

Inks

Frank Thomas (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Close to the heart of the great solar system...

Genre

science fiction; superhero

Characters

Solarman (introduction, origin); Quino (Saturian scientist, introduction); Al Ravoni (villain, gangster); Joe (villain); Tony (villain)

Synopsis

On Saturn, the dwarf scientist Quino sends Solarman to help the people of Earth. His first assignment is to capture a fugitive gangster attempting to leave the country on a forged passport and bring him to justice.

Reprints

• from Wham Comics (Centaur, 1940 series) #2 (December 1940)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 27)

Blue Fire / comic story / 9.67 pages (report information)

Script

Louis Glanzman [as Lew Glanz] (signed)

Pencils

Louis Glanzman [as Lew Glanz] (signed)

Inks

Louis Glanzman [as Lew Glanz] (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Blue Fire is a real figure of mystery to the world...

Genre

superhero

Characters

Blue Fire [Jack Knapp] (introduction, origin); The Frost (introduction)

Synopsis

Jack Knapp, who spends his time experimenting with chemicals, causes an explosion that surrounds him with blue flame. While the fire engulfs him, he can pass through any object. Memorizing the formula, he goes to investigate an ocean liner sabotaged by a strange man encased in ice. Blue Fire discovers the Frost, a foreign agent who can freeze himself and his surroundings by consuming a small pill. Their powers produce a stalemate, but Jack only captures him temporarily.

Reprints

• from Wham Comics (Centaur, 1940 series) #2 (December 1940)

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

The Black Panther / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Paul Gustavson

Pencils

Paul Gustavson

Inks

Paul Gustavson

Letters

Paul Gustavson

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Through the black, still night, a sinister figure moves slowly...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Black Panther (introduction); Professor Taft; Erick Rogats (villain, death); Argo (villain, death)

Synopsis

An enemy agent kidnaps an emminent scientist who has invented a serum that can petrify any living animal on earth.

Reprints

• from Stars and Stripes Comics (Centaur, 1941 series) #3 (July 1941)

Indexer Notes

All Gustavson credits verified and courtesy of Terry Gustafson, son of Paul Gustavson.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 29)

The Blue Lady / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Frank Frollo ?

Pencils

Frank Frollo [as Frollo] (signed)

Inks

Frank Frollo [as Frollo] (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Lucille Martin, an adventurous young novelist has acquired...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Blue Lady [Lucille Martin]; Larry (Lucille's fiance); Sing Thang (death); Bin (villain)

Synopsis

The Blue Lady discovers a way to open the jade idol that had killed her master, noting it had a piece of paper inside giving instructions on how to find a hidden gold shipment from China.

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #25 (December 1941)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 30)

Fire-Man / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Maurice Filchock

Inks

Maurice Filchock

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

A passenger plane skims over the tree-tops...

Reprints

• from Man of War Comics (Centaur, 1941 series) #1 (November 1941)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 31)

The Arrow / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Bob Lubbers (signed)

Inks

Bob Lubbers (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

...And I’m to learn how this 'Lord Hawford' sends his messages to America, Sir?

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Arrow [Ralph Payne]; Jane Markham; B-12 (British agent); Lord Hawford (villain)

Synopsis

The Arrow assists British agent B-12 and Jane, his assistant, in tracking down how vital military information is being to sent to Gestapo agent, Lord Hawford.

Reprints

• from The Arrow (Centaur, 1940 series) #3 (October 1941)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 32)

The Rainbow / comic story / 7 pages (report information)

Script

Ed Herron [as Eddy Herron] (signed)

Pencils

Al Plastino [as Alfredo Plastino] (signed)

Inks

Al Plastino [as Alfredo Plastino] (signed)

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

Jim Travis, college graduate, calls at the home of his sweetheart...

Genre

superhero

Characters

The Rainbow [Jim Travis] (introduction, origin); Elsie Norris (introduction); Tommy; Black Rufus (villain, introduction); Tony (villain)

Synopsis

Inspired by a comic book he has read, Jim Travis decides to take up a bizarre mantle and fight crime.

Reprints

• from The Arrow (Centaur, 1940 series) #3 (October 1941)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 33)

Aman the Amazing-Man / comic story / 11 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Lonergan (signed); Louis Glanzman; Sam Glanzman [as Decker] (signed)

Inks

Lonergan (signed); Louis Glanzman; Sam Glanzman [as Decker] (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

First Line of Dialogue or Text

War Over Europe!

Genre

superhero

Characters

Amazing-Man [John Aman]; Tommy

Synopsis

Aman and Tommy are awarded the Victoria Cross after they stop the enemy from invading England using a cyclotron, powered by radio waves, which allows a tunnel under the sea to be built for that purpose.

Reprints

• from Amazing Man Comics (Centaur, 1939 series) #25 (December 1941)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 34)

Skyrocket Steele / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Bill Everett (signed)

Inks

Bill Everett (signed)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

science fiction

Characters

Skyrocket Steele Dodge; Sari Marston

Reprints

• from Amazing Mystery Funnies (Centaur, 1938 series) #v2#2 (February 1939)

Indexer Notes

On the back cover.