The Atom
In 1940, Al Pratt was a sophomore at Calvin College, frequently ridiculed by his classmates for his short size.
Unable to impress the girl of his dreams, he met a former boxing champ who had fallen on hard times.
Why I’ve built up bodies that were worse than yours – an’ made champs out ‘f ‘em.
You’re not so bad – jus’ a little soft – why, I bet I could make a li’l Superman out of you in less’n a year!
Al became a massively strong fighter with unbelievable strength and used his abilities to protect the oppressed as, “the Atom.”
The Ray
In 1940, “Happy Terrill” was a reporter for the Morning Telegraph. When he joined the crew of an experimental, and highly risky, “Strato-Balloon,” the craft was caught in a cosmic storm, and he was exposed…
The Red Tornado
Ma Hunkel ran a grocery store in New York City when racketeers approached her about collecting protection money. Her daughter, Sissy, and her friend, Dinky, we held hostage at the home of the boss, Tubbs Torponi. Ma contacted Police Chief Gilhooley for help, but he was afraid of Torponi. The children were ultimately rescued by a mysterious figure…
When the police were called and asked who was speaking, the hero replied…
Bud – you’re talkin’ to none other than the Red Tornado in person!
Not tomato… I said tornado! The Red Tornado!
Chief Gilhooley later took credit for the rescue and, during a press conference, the mystery man… er… woman, Ma Hunkel, burst through the window and confronted him. The next day, newspapers published a story about the neighborhood’s new protector.
All-American Comics #19
May 1940 (March 20, 1940)
$0.10
“Introducing the Mighty Atom”
6 pages
Writer: Bill O’Connor
Penciller: Ben Flinton
Inker: Leonard Sansone
Editor: Maxwell Charles Gaines
All-American Comics #20
Nov. 1940 (Sept. 19, 1940)
$0.10
Scribbly: (The Coming of the Red Tornado)
4 pages
Writer: Sheldon Mayer
Artist: Sheldon Mayer
Editor: Maxwell Charles Gaines
All-American Comics #21
Dec. 1940 (Oct. 22, 1940)
$0.10
Scribbly: (The Red Tornado to the Rescue)
4 pages
Writer: Sheldon Mayer
Artist: Sheldon Mayer
Editor: Maxwell Charles Gaines
Smash Comics #14
Sept. 1940 (July 19, 1940)
$0.10
(Origin of the Ray)
6 pages
Writer: Will Eisner
Artist: Lou Fine
Editor: Edward C. Cronin
In the Nov./Dec. 1940 issue of Superman, #7, on sale September 10, a character from the radio show made his first appearance in comics. Perry White replaced George Taylor and The Daily Star became The Daily Planet.
And, the November 1940 issue of All-American Comics, #20, on sale September 19, introduced a new alter ego for the burly Ma Hunkel: the Red Tornado.
CODEX OMNIVERSA 