Mighty Crusaders

Black Hood
Created by: Cliff Campbell & Al "Camy" Camerata
First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics #9, October 1940
Secret Identity: Kip Burland
Origin: New York Patrolman, Kip Burland, was attack by the Skull, who framed him for robbing a jewelry store. Burland was discharged from the force. When Burland tried to capture the Skull on his own he was shot and thrown in the woods. A man called the Hermit rescued him and trained him to become the Black Hood. As the Black Hood, Burland was able to clear his name.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Adventures of the Fly #31
MLJ Comics:
Top-Notch Comics 9-44
Black Hood Comics 9-19
Jackpot Comics 1-9
Pep Comics 48-51, 54, 59, 60
Roly Poly Comics 11, 12, 14
Black Swan Comics 1
Liberty Comics 12

Adventures of the Fly 7 (1st Silver Age app. 7/60), 10, 27-29, 31
Adventures of the Jaguar 13, 14
Fly Man 32-35
Mighty Comics 41-44, 46, 47, 49, 50
Mighty Crusaders 1-7
Super Heroes vs. Super Villains 1

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 11
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 11 (death)

Black Hood II
Created by: Gray Morrow
First Appearance: Archie Super Hero Special Digest #2 August 1979
Secret Identity: Kip Burland
Origin: Matt Burland passed on the Secret Identity of the Black Hood to his nephew Kip, after explaining how the Burland's had been the Black Hood through out history.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #1
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14
Black Hood 1-3
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 8, 11
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-5, 7-13

Black Jack
Created by: Al "Camy" Camerata
First Appearance: Zip Comics #20, November 1941
Secret Identity: Jack Jones
Origin: Jack Jones, a detective who likes to play blackjack at the police station, is captured and presumed murdered by criminals. He escapes, and goes undercover as Black Jack.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

Bob Phantom
Created by: Harry Shorten & Irv Novick
First Appearance: Blue Ribbon Comics #2, December 1939
Secret Identity: Walter Whitney
Origin: Walter Whitney, a Broadway theater columnist, fights crime in the big city as Bob Phantom. He has the power to become immaterial.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

First Appearance: Adventures of the Fly 1, August 1959
Secret Identity: Bobby Bell
Origin: Bobby Bell, as Captain of, the Young Shields of American (The Shield's Young Americans Club), teaches children how to defend themselves with Jiu Jitsu and Judo.
MLJ Comics:
Adventures of the Fly 1, 2, 4 & 5

Boy Buddies
Created by: Paul Reinman
First Appearance: Special Comics #1, Winter 1942
Secret Identity: Dusty and Roy
Origin: Dusty and Roy would team up to form the Boy Buddies and frequently aid the Hangman on cases.
MLJ Comics:
Special Comics 1

Captain Commando
Created by: S. M. Iger & Alex Blum
First Appearance: Pep Comics #30, August 1942
Secret Identity: John Grayson
Origin: Navy Commander John Grayson fights the Nazi menace as Captain Commando, while hiding his identity from his son.

Captain Flag
Created by: Joe Blair & Lin Streeter
First Appearance: Blue Ribbon Comics #16, September 1941
Secret Identity: Tom Townsend
Origin: A master criminal who wants the plans for the father’s latest invention kidnaps Tom Townsend and his inventor father. Tom watches helplessly as his father is strangled to death. An eagle crashes through a window and saves Tom. The eagle nurses Tom back to health. One day the eagle returns with an American Flag in it's beak and Tom takes this as an omen. He makes a costume from the flag and returns to America to fight crime as Captain Flag.

Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

Created by: Abner Sundell & Mort Meskin
First Appearance: Zip Comics 1, February 1940
Secret Identity: Unknown
Origin: U.S. Marine CAPTAIN VALOR resigned his commission and sets off for the Far East in search of adventure. In August 1941, Captain Valor returns to the Marines to serve his country.

Comet
Created by: Jack Cole
First Appearance: Pep Comics #1, January 1940
Secret Identity: John Dickering
Origin: John Dickering discovered a gas that is "fifty times lighter then hydrogen." He injects the gas into his bloodstream until he can make great leaps in the air, and when he makes his eyes cross, two powerful beams come out and disintegrate whatever he looks at.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Adventures of the Fly #31
MLJ Comics:

Adventures of the Fly 30 (1st Silver Age app. 10/64), 31
Fly Man 32-34
Mighty Crusaders 1-6
Super Heroes vs. Super Villains 1

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Comet 1, 2
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-3, 9, 11-13
Original Shield 3, 4
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14
Mighty Crusaders: Origin of a Super Team

Darkling
Created by: Richard Buckler
First Appearance: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 3, July 1983
Secret Identity: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
First Appearance: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #3 (7/83)
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #3
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 13
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 3-5, 7, 8, 10, 11 (death)

Dusty
Created by: Irv Novick & Harry Shorten
First Appearance: Pep Comics# 11, January 1941
Secret Identity: Dusty Higgins
Origin: Joe Higgins discovers Dusty as the sole survivor of a plane crash. The saboteurs of Dusty’s plane attack Joe’s girlfriend Betty. Dusty helps the Shield defend Betty and the Shield makes Dusty his partner.
MLJ Comics:

Created by: Jack Binder
First Appearance: Pep Comics #1, January 1940
Secret Identity: Flash Calvert
Origin: Daily Express reporter Flash Calvert fights gangsters to protect Central City as a guardian of the press.

Fireball
Created by: Paul Reinman
First Appearance: Pep Comics #12, February 1941
Secret Identity: Ted Tyler
Origin: Ted Tyler, a fireman, is knocked unconscious by an arsonist. Inside the blazing laboratory he is coated with a chemical bath that gives him the power to absorb and control flame. Fireball devotes his life to fighting firebugs with fire.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

Mighty Crusaders 4
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3

Firefly
Created by: Harry Shorten & Warren "Bob" Wood
First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics #8, September 1940
Secret Identity: Harley Hudson
Origin: Harley Hudson, a biochemist, discovers a secret which lets him simulate the tremendous strength of insects.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14

Flyman
Created by: Joe Simon & Jack Kirby
First Appearance: Adventures of the Fly #1, August 1959
Secret Identity: Thomas Troy
Origin: Young Tommy Troy sneaked into attic of his employer, Mr. March, who was rumored to be a sorcerer. Stumbling upon an unusual ring, Tommy placed it on his finger and suddenly found himself face to face with Turan, emissary of the Fly People. Turan designated Tommy to be their champion, enabling him to wield all the powers of the lost fly race. By rubbing his magic ring, he was transformed into the mighty Fly.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Adventures of the Fly #31
Mighty & Radio Comics:

Adventures of the Fly 1-31
Archie...Archie Andrews, Where Are You? Digest 8
Archie Comics Digest 32, 33
Double Life of Private Strong 1, 2
Fly Man 32-39
Jughead with Archie Digest 30
Laugh Comics 128, 129, 132, 137-139
Laugh Comics Digest 19, 20
Mighty Crusaders 1-7
Pep Comics 151, 154, 160
The Shadow 3, 4, 6, 7
Super Heroes vs. Super Villains 1

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 1, 4, 10, 13
Fly 1-9
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-5, 7-13
Mighty Crusaders: Origin of a Super Team

Fly Girl
Created by: Robert Bernstein & John Rosenberger
First Appearance: Adventures of the Fly #13, July 1961
Secret Identity: Kim Brand
Origin: Kim Brand slipped and fell out of a hotel window, and the Fly rescued her. She fell in love with the Fly. An enemy of the Fly thought to outwit the Fly by creating two crimes at the same time, assuming that the Fly could never handle both at once. Turan, Emissary of the Fly People, appeared to Kim Brand and offered her a Fly Ring and she became Fly Girl.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Fly Man #32
Mighty & Radio Comics:

Adventures of the Fly 13-31
Fly Man 32, 33, 35, 39
Laugh Comics 136, 137, 143
Mighty Crusaders 1-7
Pep Comics 153, 155, 156, 158

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 4
Fly 2, 3 (as Kim Brand: 1, 4, 6, 8)
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-5, 7-13
Mighty Crusaders: Origin of a Super Team

Fox
Created by: Joe Blair & Irwin Hasen
First Appearance: Blue Ribbon Comics #4, June 1940
Secret Identity: Paul Patten
Origin: Paul Patten, a photographer, became the Fox so that he could be first on the scene when crime happens.
MLJ Comics:

Mighty & Radio Comics:
Mighty Crusaders 4 (1st Silver Age app. 5/66), 5
Mighty Comics 49, 50 (1 panel)

Fox II
Created by: Richard Buckler, Stan Timmons & Tony deZuniga
First Appearance: Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 6, March 1984
Secret Identity: Paul Patten Jr.
Origin: Paul Patten, son takes over his father's role as the Fox.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #11
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 6, 7
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 9, 11-13

Hangman
Created by: Cliff Campbell & George Storm
First Appearance: Pep #17, July 1941
Secret Identity: Robert Dickering
Origin: Robert "Bob" Dickering adopted the secret identity of the Hangman to avenge the Death of his brother the Comet.
MLJ Comics:

Pep Comics 17-47
Black Hood Comics 9, 10, 12-19
Special Comics 1
Hangman Comics 2-8
Liberty Comics 10

Mighty & Radio Comics:
Fly Man 33 (1st Silver Age app. 9/65), 36, 37
Mighty Comics 45, 48
Mighty Crusaders 3, 4

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Comet 1, 2
Mighty Crusaders: Origin of a Super Team

Hangman II
Created by: Bill Dubay & Carmine Infantino
First Appearance: Comet 1, October 1983
Secret Identity: Steve Dickering
Origin: Steve Dickering son of the original Hangman adopted the secret identity of the Hangman to prove himself to his father.
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Comet 1, 2
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 9

Inferno, the Flame-Breather
Created by: Joe Blair & Paul Reinman
First Appearance: Zip #10, January 1941
Secret Identity: Unknown
Origin: Inferno is a circus fire-breather who fights crime by breathing fire from his mouth; he can burn his way through steel doors and walls and can melt bullets before they reach him.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:
Zip Comics 10-13
Blue Ribbon Comics 13-19
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Mighty Crusaders 4 (1st Silver Age app. 5/66)
Mighty Comics 50

Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14

Jaguar
Created by: Robert Bernstein & John Rosenberger
First Appearance: Adventures of the Jaguar #1, September 1961
Secret Identity: Ralph Hardy
Origin: Ralph Hardy was on an archaeological dig in Peru when a giant serpent burst forth from the ground and began terrorizing the area. Hardy fled into a ruined temple and found a series of cave drawings depicting the ancient Incas battling the same monster and a mystical belt with an inscription reading "He who loves the animal kingdom may wear this belt and be transformed into a human jaguar." Ralph Hardy put on the belt and became the Jaguar.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #1
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Adventures of the Fly 23
Adventures of the Jaguar 1-15
Jughead Jones Comic Digest 7
Laugh Comics 127, 130, 131, 133, 135, 140-142, 144
Laugh Comics Digest 25, 27
Mighty Crusaders 4, 5
Pep Comics 150, 152, 157, 159, 168

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 13, 14
Fly 4-9
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-5, 7-13

Created by: Harry Shorten & Lin Streeter
First Appearance: Zip Comics #1, February 1940
Secret Identity: None
Origin: Kalthar, chief of the Urganas, protects the jungle’s denizens. When Kalthar's father dies saving the Urganas from Arab slave traders, the Urganas raise the boy as one of theirs. They name him Kalthar, which in their language means “God-Son.”

Created by: Harry Shorten & C. A. Winter
First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics 1 December 1939
Secret Identity: None
Origin: Kardak travels the world using magic to dispense justice.

MLJ Comics:
Top-Notch Comics 1-29
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Mighty Crusaders 4

Created by: Abner Sundell & Harry Lucey
First Appearance: Pep Comics 16, June 1941
Secret Identity: Iola
Origin: The Devil found a beautiful woman to seduce mortal men, he called his mate, Madame Satan.

Mighty Crusaders
Created by: Jerry Siegel & Paul Reinman
First Appearance: Fly-Man #31, May 1965
Origin: Comet, Black Hood and Shield, join Fly-Man and Fly Girl to form the Mighty Crusaders.
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Fly-Man 31-39
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 1) 1-6

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 13
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-13

Mr. Justice
Created by: Joe Blair & Sam Cooper
First Appearance: Blue Ribbon Comics #9, February 1941
Secret Identity: Prince James of England (aka Paul Morse)
Origin: During the Rogers Rebellion in 11th century Scotland, Prince James of England is lured to Rogers Castle and murdered. His spirit comes to America and fights crime.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

Blue Ribbon Comics 9-22
Jackpot Comics 1-9
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Laugh Comics Digest 21
Mighty Crusaders 4 (1st Silver Age app. 5/66), 5
Mighty Comics 47

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 2
Fly 1
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 9

Created by: Abner Sundell & Edd Ashe
First Appearance: Zip Comics 1, February 1940
Secret Identity: Dudley Bradshaw
Origin: Unknown

MLJ Comics:
Zip Comics #'s 1-9

Pow-Girl
Created by: Jerry Siegel & Paul Reinman
First Appearance: Mighty Comics 43 May 1967
Secret Identity: Rosie Raymond
Origin: The Web's wife came up with her super hero identity to spend more time with her husband.

Mighty & Radio Comics:
Mighty Comics 43

Created by: Jack Binder
First Appearance: Pep Comics #1, January 1940
Secret Identity: Perry Chase
Origin: Daily Express reporter Perry Chase battle crime as the Press Guardian.

Red Rube
Created by: Ed Robbins
First Appearance: Zip Comics #39, August 1943
Secret Identity: Reuben Reuben
Origin: Reuben Reuben, a cub reporter for the Daily Sun, can call upon the powers of his ancestors by simply shouting "Hey Rube", which cases him to turn into the all powerful Red Rube.
MLJ Comics:

Zip Comics 39-47

Roy the Super Boy
Created by: Harry Shorten
First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics #8, September 1940
Secret Identity: Roy Whitney
Origin: Roy was an orphaned shoeshine boy that was taken in by Blaine Whitney to become the Wizards crime fighting partner, Roy the Super Boy.
MLJ Comics:
Shield-Wizard Comics 2-13
Top-Notch Comics 8-27

Mighty & Radio Comics:
Mighty Crusaders 4

Scarlet Avenger
Created by: Harry Shorten & Irv Novick
First Appearance: Zip Comics #1, February 1940
Secret Identity: Jim Kendell
Origin: When Jim Kendell dons the scarlet mask and cloak over his green business suit he becomes the Scarlet Avenger.
MLJ Comics:
Zip Comics 1-17

She-Fox
Created by: Rich Margopoulos & Alan Kupperberg
First Appearance: Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 12 June 1985
Secret Identity: Delilah Monaco
Origin: Paul Patton's ex-girl friend, Delilah Monaco, becomes the She-Fox.
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 12, 13

Shield I
Created by: Irv Novick & Harry Shorten
First Appearance: Pep Comics #1, January 1940
Secret Identity: Joe Higgins
Origin: Joe Higgins, the son of scientist Tom Higgins, whose research had included a quest for a chemical to give super-powers to ordinary humans. With success within his grasp, the elder Higgins was killed by foreign agents. The son, an F.B.I. Agent, used the process on himself, then made put together a skin-tight outfit based on the American flag to become G-Man Extraordinary, the Shield.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #1
MLJ Comics:
Miss Liberty 1
Pep Comics 1-65
Shield-Wizard Comics 1-13
Special Comics 1
Top Notch Comics 5 & 7

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics 13
Comet 1 & 2
Mighty Crusaders 1-13
Original Shield 1-4
The Shield TPB
Mighty Crusaders: Origin of a Super Team

Shield II
Created by: Irv Novick & Harry Shorten
First Appearance: Super Comics #1
Secret Identity: Joe Higgins
Origin: Joe Higgins, the son of scientist Tom Higgins, whose research had included a quest for a chemical to give super-powers to ordinary humans. With success within his grasp, the elder Higgins was killed by foreign agents. The son, a R.C.M.P., used the process on himself, then made put together a skin-tight outfit based on the Canadian flag to become Mountie Extraordinary, the Shield.
MLJ Comics:
Super Comics 1-5
Three Ring Comics 1 (Cover only)

Shield III
Created by: Joe Simon & Jack Kirby
The Shield III (Captain Strong)
Secret Identity: Lancelot Strong a.k.a Roger Flemming
First Appearance: The Double Life of Private Strong #1, June 1959
Origin: Dr. Malcolm Flemming, is raising his son Roger to use the untapped portions of the human brain, thus making him a superhuman. After Communists spies kill Dr. Flemming; the Strong's, a farm couple, raise Roger.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #1
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Adventures of the Fly 8 & 9
Double Life of Private Strong 1 & 2

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics 5
Fly 1
Mighty Crusaders 1-10
Shield 1-3

Shield IV
Created by: Jerry Siegel & Paul Reinman
First Appearance: Fly-Man #31, May 1965
Secret Identity: Bill Higgins and Joe Higgins Jr.
Origin: Bill and Joe Higgins, sons of the Original Shield, took his place after the Eraser had turned the Original Shield to stone.

Joined the Mighty Crusaders: Mighty Crusaders (vol.1) 1
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Fly-Man 31-37
Might Comics 41, 43, 44, 45, 48
Mighty Crusaders 1-7
Super Heroes vs. Super Villains 1

Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14
Mighty Crusaders: Origin of a Super Team
Sonic the Hedgehog 70
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3 & 14, Ashcan

Steel Sterling
Created by: Abner Sundell & Charles Biro
First Appearance: Zip Comics #1 February 1940
Secret Identity: John Sterling
Origin: John Sterling, an experimenter who plunged his body into a cauldron of molten metal. That gave Sterling the powers of invulnerability and flight.

Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3

Zip Comics 1-47
Jackpot Comics 1-9
Roly Poly Comics 1, (2-15?)
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Archie...Archie Andrews, Where Are You? Digest 9
Fly Man 39 (1st Silver Age app. 9/66)
Mighty Comics 44, 46, 49
Mighty Crusaders 4, 5, 7
Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 3
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 9, 10
Shield 1, 2
Shield/Steel Sterling 3
Steel Sterling 4-7
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14

Web
Created by: John Cassone
First Appearance: Zip Comics #27, July 1942
Secret Identity: John Raymond
Origin: The Web was really noted criminologist John Raymond, whose brother, Tim, was a criminal. After John helped the police capture his brother, he set out to avenge evil as the Web.
Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) #1
MLJ Comics:

Mighty & Radio Comics:
Fly Man 36 (1st Silver Age app. 3/66), 38
Laugh Comics Digest 23
Mighty Crusaders 4, 5
Mighty Comics 40, 43, 45, 46, 50
Super Heroes vs. Super Villains 1

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Blue Ribbon Comics (vol. 2) 7, 13, 14
Mighty Crusaders (vol. 2) 1-5, 7-13
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14

Wizard
Created by: Harry Shorten & Edd Ashe
First Appearance: Top-Notch Comics #1, December 1939
Secret Identity: Blain Whitney
Origin: Trained from youth to be a mental wizard, Blain possesses a photographic memory and supersensory perception, which allow him to tune into criminal activity. His costume also made him invulnerable.

Joined the Mighty Crusaders: In an untold story prior to Archie's Weird Mysteries #3
MLJ Comics:

Top-Notch Comics 1-27
Shield-Wizard Comics 1-13
Special Comics 1
Pep Comics 4, 5
Miss Liberty 1
Mighty & Radio Comics:
Fly Man 33 (1st Silver Age app. 9/65), 37
Mighty Comics 48
Mighty Crusaders 3, 4

Red Circle & Archie Comics:
Shield: America's 1st Patriotic Comic Book Hero tpb (two very minor cameos)
Archie's Weird Mysteries 3, 14

Zambini the Miracle Man
Created by: Joe Blair & Ed Wexler
First Appearance: Zip Comics #1 February 1940
Secret Identity: Zambini
Origin: Zambini, the worlds master of magic, has many miraculous powers, but the greatest is his ability to compel an evil force to return like a boomerang to the place where it started. Zambini's services are free but he will serve only the forces of justice and mercy.
MLJ Comics: