Legends Lore: Special Rip Hunter Tales

Rip Hunter was a character introduced back in Showcase at DC Comics, and he considered himself a time master, traveling to various times with his crew to explore historical mysteries....

...a little different than the character found on DC's Legends of Tomorrow....

....yet maybe not so different, as you will see from these tales from Rip Hunter's comic book past.

Prisoners Of 100 Million B.C.

The first tale of Rip Hunter, from Showcase #20 (May-June, 1959) by Jack Miller and Ruben Moreira, sees Rip assemble his team, with lab assistant Jeff Smith, his friend Bonnie Baxter and her brother, Corky Baxter.  Rip had built two time spheres, and took off in one of them with Jeff, to check out the dinosaurs.  Criminals Hoyt and Keegan break into Rip's lab, and force Bonnie and Corky to take the other Time Sphere out for a spin, ending up at the same time, but damaging their Time Sphere.  The crooks go searching for and finding Rip's sphere and hide it, but get swept away in a roaring river.  Rip and Jeff are reunited with the Baxters, and look for the hidden Time Sphere, finding it, and Rip sends Bonnie and Corky back to their home time (while taking extra parts with him as well).  Finding the criminals and braving this prehistoric world, the four men get back to the broken Time Sphere, with Rip fixing it to enable them to return home.  The first recorded time travel of Rip Hunter....and already he seems to bring more trouble with him!

The Criminal League Of Time

Rip and his crew get green uniforms in Rip Hunter, Time Master #16 (September-October, 1963 by Jack Miller and John William Ely), but seem to still get into trouble with criminals.  Lars Kreel kidnaps Corky, forcing the boy to take him to Harry Hawkins, a famous rogue highwayman.  Rip, Jeff and Bonnie follow in their second Time Sphere, but Lars, Harry and Corky have already taken off to another time period by the time Rip's team arrived.  Rip and his crew follow, finding the criminals attempting to recruit the Black Knight, with Rip dueling the rogue in place of Count de Grammond.  After the battle, Rip follows the Black Knight to Kreel and Hawkins, and one of the Time Spheres is destroyed.  Everyone races back to the other, that has Bonnie guarding it, and the villains are defeated, being returned to their correct times.

Seems alliances over time don't work well for the villains, do they?

Adolf Hitler's Greatest Secret

One of the greatest fears of time travel is it falling into the wrong hands, and, while going back to get footage of World War II, the Time Sphere is shot down on the eastern front, with the team being captured by the Nazis (all related in Rip Hunter, Time Master #20 of May-June, 1964 by Jack Miller and John William Ely).  Adolf Hitler forces Rip to retrieve Napoleon to help in his battle with the Russians, and Rip must comply or Hitler will kill Jeff.  Rip saves Napoleon from the Prussians, and returns with the leader to Hitler.  Rip and Napoleon take charge of the German army, but lead them into a trap over a frozen lake, then return to Hitler's headquarters to free Jeff, and in doing so, leave this time, and Hitler, to his fate.

 
Sometimes enemies seem to control Rip, but sometimes, Rip can control them, and usually has a plan.

George Washington -- Enemy Agent

Documents are discovered that prove that George Washington was a traitor, working against the colonies during the Revolutionary War for the British in Rip Hunter, Time Master #23 (November-December, 1964, by Jack Miller and John William Ely).  As author Brad Meltzer and his Decoded team weren't yet available, the United States sends Rip back in time to explore these new historical facts...with Rip confronting Washington, who doesn't deny the charges, and tries to capture Rip and his crew, who escape and return to their home time, with the father of their country now known as a traitor.  Rip and his crew go back to the incident in question, finding George Washington conspiring with General Cornwallis of the British Army to steal continental money.  Things look grim, until Rip inspects the money on the ship, finding it to be counterfeit.  This was part of a plan of Washington's to lure the British away from Chesapeake Bay, which Rip's interference has now threatened, but Rip disguises himself as Cornwallis, leading the British Army away, then returning to his own time, knowing Washington wasn't a traitor.

A few tales from the early days of Rip Hunter, and more information on Rip Hunter and his 1980s teammates of the Forgotten Heroes can be found here....
  
...as well as information on where to find the few reprints of Rip Hunter's original tales can be found here. 
 

With 4 issues of Showcase and 29 issues of his own title, seems to me, with the popularity of the CW's time traveling series, the Legends of Tomorrow (featuring Rip Hunter in tales related to tales in the comics), it is time to see all of these legendary tales collected in Omnibus form (including the ones above, as the TV Show has encountered dinosaurs, seen villains unite, gone to World War II and even met George Washington).

DC on CW Comics for Supergirl, Flash, Arrow and Legends fans

DC Comics is slowly taking over the CW, with four shows based on DC comic books soon to be airing from Monday through Thursday on the CW network....Supergirl, Flash, Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow!

These shows feature characters from the comics, and are well liked by many fans, as well as professionals who work on the comics, and on the TV series as well.

Here's a look at where to find some of the origins of these characters, and how to connect with fans of the shows and comics!

Supergirl

Supergirl started her career in Action Comics #252 (May, 1959) with "The Supergirl From Krypton" by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, where Supergirl lands on Earth after being sent from Argo City by her parents, Zor-El and Alura, and is met by her cousin Superman.  Supergirl's life continued as a back-up in Action Comics, and the Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1 from 2016 with a cover by Darwyn Cooke features the Supergirl back-ups from Action Comics #252 to Action Comics #307 (December, 1963), with the stories having her meet new friends like Tommy Tomorrow, Krypto the Super-Dog, Superman's ex-girlfriend mermaid Lori Lemaris, the Legion of Super-Heroes (including Brainiac 5, a descendant of Superman foe, Brainiac and even future Legion member, Mon-El), and Batman and Robin, fights Superman foes like Mr. Mxyzptlk, Lex Luthor, Phantom Zoners General Zod, Jax-Ur and Kru-El,  as well as introducing Dick Malverne, Streaky the Super-Cat, Jerro the Mer-Boy, adoptive parents Fred and Edna Danvers, Luthor's sister Lena, Comet the Super-Horse, and even Supergirl's  own foes, Kandorian scientist and Supergirl look-a-like, Lesla Lar and Zora, also known as the Black Flame, and the revelation of Supergirl to the world!  Though they did miss a few stories of Supergirl from Superman issues of the time (but those were reprinted in Action Comics Giants).

Make new friends and keep up with the Supergirl TV show at Supergirl Discussing the TV Show, a facebook group for fans of the TV show, and even the comics!  The show airs Mondays on the CW, and stars Melissa Benoist as Supergirl, dealing with being an upcoming hero after revealing herself to the world.   

Flash

Flash began his run in Showcase #4 (September-October, 1956) with the "Mystery Of The Human Thunderbolt" by Robert Kanigher, Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert, with police scientist Barry Allen getting hit by a bolt of lightning while standing in front of a wall of chemicals, turning into the fastest man alive...the Flash!  Flash's run continued into Showcase #8, #13 and #14, then into a magazine of his own, Flash, starting with #105 (February-March, 1959), and Barry has been running ever since.  The Flash: The Silver Age Volume One of 2016 contains the stories from Showcase #4, #8, #13, #14, and Flash #105 to #116 (November, 1960), featuring the first appearances of the Flash and Iris West, along with villains like the Turtle, Mazdan, Mr. Element and Dr. Alchemy, Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Pied Piper, Gorilla Grodd, Weather Wizard, and the Trickster, as well as Kid Flash Wally West and Ralph Dibny the Elongated Man!

Run around with fans of the Flash TV show at The Flash/Flash Facts Discussing the TV Show, a facebook group for fans of the CW drama, as well as the comic books that inspired them.  The show airs Tuesdays on the CW, with Grant Gustin as the Flash, Central City's super-speeding super-hero, who keeps the citizens of that city safe from the ever growing cast of super-villains and other dimensional menaces that threaten that city, as well as the world, the universe and the multiverse!

Arrow

Green Arrow had the earliest start of all, in More Fun Comics #73 (November, 1941) by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, but it is his short run by France Herron and Jack Kirby from the 1950s that we are looking at now, as that is the start of the Silver Age for Green Arrow, and introduces the Green Arrow origin where he was stranded on an island and learned the skills that would make him Green Arrow as related in Adventure Comics #256 (January, 1959) in "The Green Arrow's First Case".  This was a bit of a change from Green Arrow's original origin, that had Speedy (Roy Harper) their for the origin, and it was in a mesa in the middle of the desert...but, things change over a few decades, and Green Arrow, though he proclaims to be a loner, has picked up quite a few friends over the years....like Black Canary, Arsenal, Speedy, and more (and being the first to join the Justice League after it formed).  True, in this collection of Green Arrow by Jack Kirby from 2002, you'll only see Green Arrow and Speedy, but there's a few interesting stories here from Adventure Comics #250 to #256 and World's Finest Comics #96 to #99, including the "Green Arrows of the World", with Oliver and Roy mentoring other archers trying to good elsewhere (an ideal reflected on the show....that of Ollie training others, that is).

Oliver Queen's journey from a lost soul on the island to Star City super-hero is the focus of the Arrow TV show, and fans of that show can be found at the Arrow Cave/Arrow Discussing the TV Show, the facebook group dedicated to the Arrow show, as well as to the comic books that inspired the series.  Arrow airs Wednesdays on the CW, with Stephen Amell as the Arrow (then Green Arrow), the rich kid who learned archery when stranded, and returned to the world to make a difference at his home city.

Legends of Tomorrow

The Legends of Tomorrow aren't really a team in the comics....it's just a loose collection of heroes fighting together.  A great source for their beginnings is the Secret Origins of the Super DC Heroes from 1976, which collects the Golden Age and Silver Age origins of the Atom and Hawkman (both of whom were Legends), as well as Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, as well as one origin for Captain Marvel and Plastic Man.  Due to the age of this book, you might need to time travel like Rip Hunter (the leader of the Legends of Tomorrow, though his first appearance is reprinted elsewhere), so perhaps another book is a good choice for fans of this show on a budget.

For a more recent collection, the Secret Origins Hardcover of 2012 is the way to go, reprinting the "Birth Of The Atom" by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson from Showcase #34 (September-October, 1961), with scientist Ray Palmer using white dwarf star matter to shrink to save his girlfriend, Jean Loring.  This collection also features the origins of the Superman/Batman team, Adam Strange, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), the Challengers of the Unknown, Wonder Woman (a different Silver Age origin than the book above), Martian Manhunter, Flash (Barry Allen), the Justice League of America, Aquaman, Robin (Dick Grayson), Superman (also a different Silver Age origin than the one above), the Robin-Jimmy Olsen team, Kid Flash, Eclipso, Hawkman (Katar Hol, the Silver Age Thanagarian) and his wife Hawkgirl, Dr. Fate, the Enchantress, Animal Man, Congorilla, the western El Diablo, Bizarro, and the Spectre....not bad?  Even if you don't know all these characters, this would be the place to get familiar with them!  DC would also be wise to collect Golden Age origins or first appearances in a book, especially with the Justice Society of America coming to Legends of Tomorrow for season 2, as well as a collection of some of the more modern heroes, like Rip Hunter, Firestorm and Vixen, and even a few villains like Heat Wave and Captain Cold!

Keep up with the past, present and future of the CW show, Legends of Tomorrow, featuring the Atom (Brandon Routh), Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill), Firestorm (Victor Garber and Franz Drameh), Heat Wave (Dominic Purcell) and the White Canary (Caity Lotz) with the facebook group of DC's Legends of Tomorrow discussing the TV Show , that will let you in on who's who, as well as give you a chance to make your own legends with the friends you'll make there!

I hope to see you all on the message boards, and, as always, hope this helps anyone who watches the shows and wants to discover the wonders of comics!

Legends Lore: Atom and Hawkman Archives

With a cast as big as CW's Legends of Tomorrow, it can be necessary to shrink it down a bit...

...shrinking is what the Atom does, and Hawkman and Hawkgirl are already part of the show's past, flying off after the first season.

As the summer without new episodes continues, how about looking back to the early days of Atom and Hawkman, and finding those old adventures in DC Archives!

Atom Archives #1

The Atom Archives #1 (June, 2001) features the origin and early tales of Ray Palmer, the Atom.  Issues included in this collection include his three Showcase appearances of Showcase #34, #35 and #36 from 1961/1962, as well as Atom #1 to #5 from 1962/1963 by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson.



Physicist Pay Palmer shrinks himself down to save his girlfriend lawyer, Jean Loring, in Showcase #34 (September-October, 1961) with "The Birth Of The Atom", and gets his Atom name and costume (which only appears when he is shrunken) in the second tale in this issue, as he saves small alien Kulan Dar from criminal Carl Ballard in a "Battle Of The Tiny Titans".

Atom helps a man get his inheritance in the full length tale of "The Dooms From Beyond" in Showcase #35 (November-December, 1961), and finds himself a "Prisoner In A Test Tube" in Showcase #36 (January-February, 1962), saving Jean's professor father from foreign spies (and beginning a relationship with the government), as well as helping out a friend of Jean's from false accusations in "The 'Disappearing Act' Robberies".

Atom faces his major foes as well, starting with Jason Woodrue, the Plant-Master, an exile from an inter-dimensional world in the full-length tale from the Atom #1 (June-July, 1962) in "Master Of The Plant World" and Chronos (David Clinton) in "The Time Trap" from the first half of the Atom #3 (October-November, 1962).  Other stories included are the two from the Atom #2 (August-September, 1962) with "The Oddest Man On Earth" and "The Prisoners Who Vanished" (facing Carl Ballard again), the first appearance of the inventor of the time pool, Alpheus V. Hyatt (and the Time Pool, a device that a small man like the Atom could use to travel time) in "The Secret Of "Al Atom's' Lamp" in the Atom #3 (October-November, 1962), "The Machine That Made 'Miracles'" that guest-starred Snapper Carr from the Justice League of America (which Atom had joined) and "The Case Of The Innocent Thief" from the Atom #4 (December-January, 1962/1963), and "The Diamond Of Deadly Dooms" and "The Specter of 3000-Moons Lake" from the Atom #5 (February-March, 1963), rounding out the Archive.

Atom Archives #2

The Atom Archives #2 (October, 2003) continues the adventures of Ray Palmer's smaller alter ego from the Silver Age, starting with the Atom #6 and running through the Atom #13.


The Atom #6 (April-May, 1963) featured two stories, the first "The Riddle Of The Two-Faced Astronaut" having Ray and Jean help out a stage magician, and second, "The Highwayman And The Mighty Mite" having the Atom secretly use the Time Pool to fight the Highwayman (Dick Turpin, also known as Tom Palmer) in 18th Century London.

The Atom #7 (June-July, 1963) has "The Case Of The Cosmic Camera" and features the first meeting between the Silver Age Atom and Hawkman, with the two facing off against a race of invading aliens called the Thalens.  This started a life-long friendship among the heroes (and helped out Hawkman, who still didn't have his own book at the time, but more on that further on down the page).

The Atom could have used Hawkman's help in the Atom #8 (August-September, 1963), as he faced JLA foe, Dr. Light, in the "Lockup In The Lethal Lightbulb" alone, as the JLA was on a space mission at the time (facing Zazzala, the Queen Bee in Justice League of America #23 of November, 1963).  The second story of the Atom #8, "The Purloined Minatures" is also included.  Atom faces off against "The Atom's Phantom Double" and takes another dip in the Time Pool to 1609 in "The Seaman And The Spyglass" in the Atom #9 (October-November, 1963).  Atom works for the C.I.A., and with a dangerous "Ride A Deadly Grenade" and meets "The Mysterious Swan-Maiden" in the Atom #10 (December-January, 1963/1964).

Ray Palmer meets members of his Ivy University graduating class, and has "Trouble At The Ten-Year Club" with Jack Archer and then goes on a vacation cruise with Jean Loring (and finds more trouble) in a "Voyage To Beyond" from the Atom #11 (February-March, 1964).  Ray's lab assistant, Enrichetta Negrini first appears (and needs Ray's help) in "Danger -- Atom Gun At Work", then the Atom goes into the Time Pool, meets Edgar Allan Poe, while helping out during in "The Gold Hunters of '49" (1849, that is) in the Atom #12 (April-May, 1964).

Finally, the Atom faces Chronos again in "Weapon Watches Of The Time-Wise Guy" as David Clinton uses his clock motif to try to steal jewelry from Anton Teljas and his daugher, Eva, then has to clear his alter ego's name when "I Accuse Ray Palmer -- Of Robbery", both from the Atom #13 (June-July, 1964), ending the Archive collection of Silver Age Atom stories (well short of the Atom's last solo issue of the Atom #38 of August-September, 1968).     

21st Century Atom

But, a few more Silver Age Atom stories from this era did get reprinted.  The full-length story of the "World Of The Magic Atom" facing the Druid from the Atom #19 (June-July, 1965) found itself reprinted in the JLA: Zatanna's Search tradepaperback of January, 2004 (along with Zatanna's original run, including Hawkman #4 from October-November, 1964), and Ray Palmer's meetings with the Golden Age Atom (Al Pratt) from the Atom #29 (February-March, 1967) facing "The Thinker's Earth-Shaking Robberies" and the Atom #36 (April-May, 1968) with the "Duel Between The Dual Atoms" both being reprinted in the Crisis On Multiple Earths: The Team-Ups #2 of 2007 (along with stories of the Green Lanterns, the Flashes and even Starman and Black Canary!). 

Wouldn't you like to see a little more of the Silver Age Atom?

Hawkman Archives #1

The Hawkman Archives #1 (September, 2000) introduces us to Katar and Shayera Hol, police officers from the planet Thanagar, starting with their first tale from Brave and the Bold #34 (February-March, 1961) by Gardner Fox and Joe Kubert, and includes their solo appearances from Brave and the Bold issues #35, #36, #42, #43, #44 and Mystery In Space #87 to #90 (with Murphy Anderson handling the art on the Mystery In Space issues).

Katar and Shayera come to Earth in pursuit of Thanagarian criminal Byth Rok, "The Creature Of A Thousand Shapes", and after defeating him in Brave and the Bold #34, stay on Earth to help Commissioner George Emmett (who knows their true identities), the Hawks live among us humans as Midway City museum curators and archeologists Carter and Shiera Hall, and work with Mavis Trent, a naturalist who has a fascination for the married Carter (and doesn't know their secret identities). 

The Hawks face their first Earth foe with the Mark Mandrill and his magic wand of Mentachem) in the "Menace Of The Matter Master", then end up in the "Valley Of Vanishing Men" in Brave and the Bold #35 (April-May, 1961).  Hawkman and Hawkgirl face magic expert Konrad Kaslak and his "Strange Spells Of The Sorcerer" and then small time crook Carl Sands who gets a device that allows him to become the "Shadow Thief Of Midway City" in Brave and the Bold #36 (June-July, 1961).

Hawkman returns in Brave and the Bold #42 (June-July, 1962) with "The Menace Of The Dragonfly Raiders", where they have returned to Thanagar, reflect on their time on Earth with police Chief Andar Pul, and fight Byth and his cellmate Jarl, with Hawkman earning his honor wings at the end of this story.  Hawkman reflects on his own life on Thanagar before his first appearance, including time with his father, Paran Katar, as he and Hawkgirl return to Earth to face the Manhawks (which Katar and his father faced before) in "The Masked Marauders Of Earth" in Brave and the Bold #43 (August-September, 1962). 

Hawkman and Hawkgirl deal with a Thanagarian holiday (which falls on the same day as the 4th of July) on "Earth's Impossible Day" (where the Hawks have to perform 3 impossible tasks), and deal with "The Men Who Moved The World" in Brave and the Bold #44 (October-November, 1962).  Hawkman then next appears in the Atom #7 (not in this collection, but you can find it earlier in this article).

Hawkman and Hawkgirl still don't get their own title, but move to Mystery In Space to share the book with Earth spaceman on the planet Rann, starting with Mystery In Space #87 (November, 1963), facing off against Ira Quimby and "The Amazing Thefts Of The I.Q. Gang" (and new Hawkman artist, Murphy Anderson).

Hawkman and Hawkgirl continue their adventures in Mystery In Space #88 (December, 1963) with "Topsy-Turvy Day In Midway City", facing the "Super-Motorized Menace" in Mystery In Space #89 (February, 1964), and having a full-length story teaming with Adam Strange facing "Planets In Peril" in Mystery In Space #90 (March, 1964).

Though not reprinted in this Archive, during this time Hawkman met with Aquaman in Brave and the Bold #51 (December-January, 1963/1964, more on here), and Hawkman and Hawkgirl said goodbye to Mystery In Space in Mystery In Space #91 (May, 1964), before heading to Hawkman #1 (April/May, 1964).

Hawkman Archives #2

The Hawkman Archives #2 (November, 2004) finally deals with the first issue of a regular Hawkman series, with Hawkman #1 (April-May, 1964) and continuing on until Hawkman #8 (June-July, 1965), with stories by Gardner Fox and art by Murphy Anderson.

Hawkman #1 had Hawkman and Hawkgirl report back to Andar Pul, then head back to Earth in "Rivalry Of The Winged Wonders" before facing off against new foe, the immortal Mayan chief Chac in the "Master Of The Sky Weapons).

The alien Thralls came to face Hawkman and Hawkgirl in the "Secret Of The Sizzling Sparklers" and, with Midway Museum press agent Joe Tracy, the Hawks discovered the wings of Icarus in "Wings Across Time" in Hawkman #2 (June-July, 1964).  The Hawks faced the Sky Raiders in "The Fear That Haunted Hawkman", and were "Birds In The Gilded Cage" thanks to some mobsters in Hawkman #3 (August-September, 1964).

Hawkman and Hawkgirl met "The Girl Who Split In Two" (which was really magician Zatanna, in her first appearance, looking for her lost father, Zatara), then had to deal with Time Bandits in "The Machine That Magnetized Men" in Hawkman #4 (October-November, 1964).  Hawkman and Hawkgirl dealt with the return of the Shadow-Thief (who discovered their secret identities) in "Steal, Shadow -- Steal" from Hawkman #5 (December-January, 1964/1965). 

The Hawks dealt with Tantors (evolved Rat-Men), Wingors (devolved flying gorillas) and Tiger Men on the planet Illoral, a "World Where Evolution Ran Wild" in Hawkman #6 (February-March, 1965).  


Hawkman and Hawkgirl dealt with the "Amazing Return Of The I.Q. Gang", then got ready for the "Attack Of The Crocodile-Men" in Hawkman #7 (April-May, 1965). 


Last, but not least, with the stories of Hawkman #8 (June-July, 1965), and facing the "Giant In The Golden Mask" and Fal Tal in the "Battle Of The Bird-Man Bandits", Hawkman's Archive collection concludes.

21st Century Hawkman

A couple of the later tales of Hawkman and Hawkgirl from their first series have been reprinted recently as well.  Hawkman #16 (October-November, 1966) with its story of the "Lord Of The Flying Gorillas" found its way into the collection DC Goes Ape in 2008 (along with Grodd and Titano storie as well) and Hawkman #18 (February-March, 1967) with the "World That Vanished" was reprinted in the Adam Strange Archives Volume #3 of 2008, also quite a few issues shy of the last issue of the Silver Age Hawkman with Hawkman #27 (August-September, 1968), or his continuation title with the Atom, Atom and the Hawkman #45 (October-November, 1969).

Wouldn't you fly high to see more tales of Hawkman reprinted?

Of course, the Hawkman we saw in Legends of Tomorrow was more of the classic, Golden Age Hawkman....and you can find the guide to the Golden Age Hawkman Archive here (with details on the different Hawkgirls and how they fit into Hawkman's lives here); as well as finding the guide to the Golden Age Black Canary Archive here (White Canary being a much more recent invention); with Captain Cold and Heat Wave popping up in Flash Archives (as detailed here).  Sadly, Rip Hunter and Firestorm never got Archives, but new member, Hourman, did have more than a few reprints as well (as detailed here!).

Unlike the Silver Age Flash, Green Lantern, Justice League of America and Adam Strange....no current collections Silver Age material of Atom and Hawkman have been announced (but we can hope!).