Time Lines


    The 1950s was not a good period for superhero comics; less than 50 new characters would appear, and the majority were short-lived features or one-shot characters from National Periodical Publications (today’s DC comics). Even in the ABC countries (Australia, Britain, Canada) the 1950s saw the decline of their own native characters. And without public support or publishing innovation, it looked like the superhero craze of a decade earlier was over. Only briefly in 1954-1955 would there be a slight revival in the once-ubiquitous costumed heroes. But this revival went nowhere fast. Here are the years of 1951 through 1955.

1951

   Knight of Great Britain 01/1951
   Squire of Great Britain 01/1951
   Captain Comet 06/1951
   Robot Girl 11/1951
   Electro Man (UK) 191951
   The Shadow II (AU) 191951

1952

   Rocketman II (Ajax/Farrell) 06/1952
   Wingman of Sweden 06/1952
   Jesse Quick 10/1952
   Starr Flagg 191952
   Masterman II (UK) 191952
   Mr. Apollo (UK) 191952

1953

   Purple Claw 01/1953
   Rocket Girl II (The Zip-Jets) 02/1953
   Rocket Man III (The Zip-Jets) 02/1953
   Martian Manhunter I 08/1953
   Captain 3-D 12/1953
   Nightfighter (Jack Kirby unpublished) 191953
   Sunfire (Jack Kirby unpublished) 191953
   Char Chapman (AU) 191953
   Raven IV (AU) 191953

1954

   Fighting American 04/1954
   Speedboy 04/1954
   Mental Man 09/1954
   Leopard Girl 10/1954
   Black Cobra II (Ajax Farrell) 11/1954
   Flame III (Ajax/Farrell) 12/1954
   The Human Cross 12/1954
   Phantom Lady III (Ajax/Farrell) 12/1954
   Captain Universe (UK) 191954
   Marvelman (UK) 191954
   Scorpion IV (AU) 191954
   Young Marvelman (UK) 1954

1955

   Gaucho 01/1955
   Legionary 01/1955
   Ranger 01/1955
   Avenger II (M.E.) 02/1955
   Torpedoman 02/1955
   Strong Man II (M.E.) 03/1955
   Samson II (Ajax/Farrell) 04/1955
   Wonderboy III (Ajax/Farrell) 04/1955
   Red Rocket II (Ajax/Farrell) 06/1955
   Martian Manhunter II (J'onn J'onzz) 11/1955
   Kid Marvelman (UK) 1955

Join us next time when we cover the years 1956-60,
The end of the First Heroic Age.

If any errors or omissions are found, please notify us and we will correct where necessary.

 

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