Daring Mystery Comics #6
Introducing Marvel Boy
In Valhalla the soul of Hercules is concerned over Hitler's rise to power and asks Jupiter to be reborn into another body. Jupiter agrees and Hercules is reborn into the body of Martin Burns. The boy would grow up with amazing strength, but would often hide it even though his school peers would think him meek because of it. On his fifteenth birthday, as he sleeps, Martin would get a package delivered to his door by a mysterious stranger.
Martin would be awoken by a strange shadow that would tell him that he must use his great powers to fight the forces of evil as Marvel Boy. Dawning his costume for the first time, Marvel Boy is advised by his shadowed companion that a group of Fifth Columnists are attempting to undermine American security.
Not far away, a German U-Boat arrives with a new load of German spies that are to be dispatched all over the United States to prepare for various attacks. Attacking this truckload of spies and rounding them up, Marvel Boy learns of a plot to attack Washington D.C. After dropping the spies off at FBI headquarters, Marvel Boy rushes off to the spies headquarters in Washington. There he easily smashes their operation ending their threat.
The next morning, when his parents learn of the news, and completely unaware of their sons involvement in the event, are worried about the danger that happened so close to home. Martin returns to his regular school life, but always the ready to go into action as Marvel Boy when his country needs him.
Recurring Characters
Marvel Boy, Nazis
Continuity Notes
The origin of this Marvel Boy (right down to the name Martin Burns) is nearly identical to a story in USA Comics #7. However, All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update #4 confirms that these Marvel Boys are different individuals. To make a distinction between the two, the middle name of the Martin Burns in this story is Simon, while the Martin Burns in USA Comics #7 has the middle name Oksner.
This story claims that Jupiter (Zeus) reincarnated his son Hercules in the body of Martin Burns in order to counter the rise of Hitler. However, these individuals are not considered those of Greek mythology. According to the same issue of the Official Handbook, these entities only share names with the Greek gods, but are in no way related to them. Who they are is anyone’s guess at this point.
Fiery Mask
One night in the home of the "Hill Folk" near a supposedly cursed section of their land, Ab and Ella Waltin sit together at night, waiting out a terrible storm that has hit outside. Ella has a strange feeling of dread and Ab dismisses it. That night, Ella is visited by a demon appears before her and charges a seemingly innocent child in her care, or risk her soul.
The following day, Dr. Jack Castle gets a call from the Waltins because Ella is in a state of mental shock. Going to the home and checking on Ella, Castle notes that the child has a strange bass like voice, almost like that of an adult, but the Waltons skirt his questions. Although he's suspicious, Jack goes back to the city. However, soon a string of strange murders happen across the city, prompting Jack to go into action as the Fiery Mask.
After stopping the killer from attacking a woman, Fiery Mask follows his demonic foe and trails him back to the Waltins house. There Fiery Mask watches in horror as the Waltins baby suddenly rises out of bed and transforms into a demonic form. Following after the creature on it's murder spree, he saves one of it's intended victims but fails to stop the creature from killing two more people. Diving at the monster as it teleports away, Fiery Mask finds himself transported back to the creatures hellish realm. After fighting off demons, their demonic master rises from the flames and banishes Fiery Mask from his realm.
He wakes up in his office in his civilian guise, roused by his nurse. He wonders if the whole ordeal really happened, and is confirmed the truth when he reads that the nightly murder sprees had suddenly stopped after it's last victim : Ab Waltin.
Recurring Characters
Fiery Mask
The Flying Flame
The Flying Flame's pilot Red Ruff is sent out to report to the Auxville Aerodrome in France to report for his next mission. along the way he spots a Nazi U-Boat and uses his plane to blast out their para-scope and informs the navy of it's location. Arriving in Auxville, Ruff is informed that behind the Siegfried Line the Nazi's have set up a strange weapon that somehow shoots Allied Planes out of the sky without any visual method of attack. Red's mission is to learn the secret of this weapon and destroy it. He is warned to be extra cautious as one of the Nazi's best fighter pilots, the Black Ace, is reported as operating in the area as well.
Red flies his Flying Flame to the outskirts of the Siegfried Line and decides to travel the rest of the way on foot. However he is soon captured by the Black Ace who was tipped off about his arrival by a spy working within Auxville. He is shown a secret facility under the Nazi base with a special ray that invisibly destroys enemy planes. Red is then locked in a jail cell until the Black Ace can figure out a suitable way to kill him.
Finding a loose block in his cell, Red escapes and sabotages the weapon. Returning to his plane the Flying Flame, he returns to Auxville and leads an Allied air force into the Siegfried Line. When the Black Ace orders the weapon activated, it explodes leaving the Black Ace and his minions vulnerable to attack. The Flying Flame and his allies then shoot down the Black Ace and his Nazi forces. Returning to base, Red informs his superiors that there is a spy on the base.
Recurring Characters
Flying Flame, Nazis
The Falcon
After a murderous bank robbery is foiled, those responsible refuse to talk and demand to speak to lawyer James Buttersworth. Later Assistant District Attorney Carl Burgess learns from his colleague that all the men captured are in league with mobster Bo Schustak who was freed three days ago, thanks to Buttersworth. Going into action as the Falcon, Carl visits Buttersworth and forces him to reveal the location of Bo Schustak and their plot to break into another bank.
Confronting Schustak and his men, the Falcon is easily overpowered and is taken out for a "ride" to be executed. However, the Falcon revives and forces his would-be killers off a cliff, bailing out of the car at the right time. Rushing to the bank, the Falcon is there to greet Schustak and his men and easily take them down, turning them over to the authorities.
Recurring Characters
The Falcon
Monako Prince of Magic
While performing a show in the States, Monako notices a man slumping down in the spectators box. Suspecting foul play, he scares off the men who are sitting with him and sees that he man has been drugged. When he is revived, he tells Monako that he had come seeking the magicians aid to rescue his sister Louise who was kidnapped.
With is assistant Pere, Monako attacks the house where Louise has been held hostage. They fight their way through the thugs that greet them at the door and save Louise from a snake pit by turning the snakes into puppies. Rushing after the crooks, Monako is distracted long enough for the thugs to make off with the girl. Finding an old hag who is their accomplice, Monako learns of the crooks hideout by probing her mind.
Racing there, Monako uses his illusion casting powers to make it appear as though the house is on fire, sending the crooks fleeing allowing Monako and Pere to rescue the captured girl safely.
Recurring Characters
Monako the Magician
Continuity Notes
This is the last Golden Age appearance of Monako, he will resurface decades later in Doctor Strange (Vol. 4) #1.
Dynaman
The last survivor of the Kingdom of Korug -- a sunken continent -- Dynaman goes out into the world to aid those in need. Arriving in Egypt, he becomes interest in the land and decides to investigate it further. The area has been recently sieged by the Tribe of Gurban, a group of savages who hate the current ruling pharaoh and seek to invade his kingdom.
When the Gurbians attack the Pharaoh's palace, Dynaman finds the conflict interesting and offers his services in the Pharaoh's service. When confronting the Gurban army, they throw all manner of weapons and wild animals against him, however nothing proves to cause him any harm. With all other methods exhausted, the Gurbian ruler Tibur tries to attack Dynaman alone and is easily defeated in one-on-one combat. With their leader defeated the rest of the tribe flees from the city, and Dynaman is hailed as a hero. Deciding to explore more of the world Dynaman rushes off to see who else he can aid.
Recurring Characters
Dynaman
Continuity Notes
This is the only Golden Age appearance of Dynaman. He will make a brief appearance in Avengers/Invaders #12 and a small role in Marvel Zombies Destroy! #1-2.
Tigerman
When Professor Carson and his daughter Louise are attacked by the Monolink Men, a tribe of savages. As suddenly as they are attacked they are aided by the jungle hero Tigerman. They are soon overpowered and taken prisoner. Tigerman's ape ally, Rangoo tries to follow but loses them.
They are taken before King Kuu, the leader of the Monolink Men who orders them to be placed in separate cells. However, Tigerman breaks free from his and liberates the Carsons. Soon they are busted out of the Monolink jail thanks to Rangoo and they attempt to flee in the nearby river, forcing their way through it's strong currents in one of the Monolinks advanced boats.
While their boat is damaged in their escape, they break free before it can sink and swim away to safety. However, Professor Carson eventually drowns. Away from the danger, Louise wants to stay with Tigerman now that her father is now dead.
Continuity Notes
Tigerman should not be confused with Trojak the Tigerman, despite the fact that they have virtually identical origins. Marvel Mystery Handbook 70th Anniversary Special #1 confirms that they are two unique individuals.
