Public Domain Super Heroes
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Lightning
Lightning
Jumbo Comics #14

Real Name

Fred Larkin

First Appearance

Jumbo Comics #14 (cover only) (April 1940)

Original Publisher

Fiction House

Created by

Bob Powell

Golden Age Origin

Fred Larkin, son of General Larkin, possessed a belt that gave its wearer superpowers with the touch of a dial. These abilities included shooting electricity from his fingers, super strength and (by turning into a lightning bolt) super speed. He decides to use the belt to become the masked superhero "Lightning". He initially wanted to be an inventor contrary to his father's wishes but eventually enlisted, continuing to operate as Lightning whenever he could sneak away.

Golden Age Appearances

  • Jumbo Comics #14-41

Notes

  • The first three covers depicting Lightning show his costume as red with blue accessories while in all actual adventures it had yellow accessories, apart from his first outing in #15 (where he sported red and black with yellow boots and no cape).
  • Curiously Lightning stopped wearing his mask by Jumbo Comics #27 (May 1941) and instead took up the habit of alternating between addressing military men and hiding from them.
  • He was already skilled at jiu jitsu in his first adventure.


See Also

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