Welcome back to the Greats of the Golden Age of Comics! This issue we will look at the last part of the trio of publishers that handled what would eventually become Centaur Publications. For a quick recap before we move onto the comics of Centaur and the characters that Centaur themselves published, lets take a peek at what that good online buddy, Frank Browning was cool enough to email me with the information on Centaur.

"From the desk of Frank Browing: Re: Centaur - Centaur was one of the earliest and most important comic book publishers. This often-overlooked pioneer was the seminal proving ground (in one incarnation or another) for virtually all of the early creative greats- including Jerry Siegel (Superman) and Joe Schuster, Bob (Batman) Kane, Will (The Spirit) Eisner, Bill (The Sub-Mariner) Everett, Jack (Plastic Man) Cole, Carl (Human Torch) Burgos, and a legion of others. Born of a mixed lineage, it's precursors include The Comics Magazine Company, Inc., started in May of 1936 by John Mahon and Bill Cook, former employees of Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson at his National Allied Publications, which would later become DC Comics. It's lineage also includes Star Comics; initiated by Harry "A" Chesler in February of 1937. Frank Temerson and I. W. Ullman formed Ultem Publications and bought out Chesler's Star Comics, keeping him on as editor. In September of '37, Ultem also took over Mahon and Cook's line. In January of 1938, Joe Hardie and Fred Gardner bought out Ultem and began Centaur Comics in March of 1938."

So here we pick up the story of the titles that Hardie and Gardner bought from Ultem (see archives for tales of Frank Temerson and I.W. Ullman under our Holyoke article). The first title taken over was "The Funny Pages", which was formerly known as "The Comic Magazine Funny Pages" and before that, "The Comic Magazine". The newly formed Centaur took over this title with Volume # 2, issue # 6 cover dated, March 1938. Nothing much to write home about until the September cover dated issue of Vol. #2, issue # 10 when the costumed character the ARROW started. The ARROW would remain a constant in this comic until the last issue (numbered # 42, taking the Volumes and converting them to numbered issues, Vol. # 4, issue # 1 was the last to sport a volume numbering system), which in reality was Vol.# 4, issue # 9. The rest of the book was the typical filler stuff found in a lot of books that were of the "anthology" type. In Vol. # 4, issue # 1, cover dated January 1940, the OWL made his only appearance, as did the PHANTOM RIDER, which was a western "olden days" strip set in the wild and wooly west. Currently nothing is known about the OWL at this time. The "Incredible sinister AIR RANGER" was the last character introduced (in issue # 36, cover dated April 1940), and nothing is known currently about this character. The Funny Pages ceased publications with issue # 42, cover dated October of 1940.

Next up was "Funny Picture stories" which with volume # 3, issue # 3, changed its title to just simply the "Comic Pages". Centaur had taken over this title with volume # 2, issue # 6, cover dated again in March of 1938. What one found with Centaur's takeover of the title was again the typical filler "anthology" stuff found back in the day. No one strip really stands out here, and this might be why the comic ended its run with volume # 3, issue #6, with the cover date of December 1939, with no memorable characters to sustain or differentiate itself from the mass of other comics on the news stands of its day.

Following that, came the old Harry "A" Cheslers Star Comics, which Centaur took over from Ultem with volume # 1, issue # 10, and that issue had a cover date of March 1938 again. The only notable feature this book had going for it was the PHANTOM RIDER, who appeared in the cover dated December issue of 1938, and had the distinction of being the 16th issue in volume # 1! Starting with volume # 2, issue # 1 (cover dated February 1939), the PHANTOM RIDER ran for 6 of the last 7 issues and was not seen in the final 7th issue of volume # 2, which ended that books run with the cover date of August of 1939. Another title that was abruptly ended by Centaur. Perhaps Centaur saw this book and the previously mentioned one as not being good enough to continue and was draining resources away from books that were doing well. The next title that Centaur had acquired from Ultem was another Chesler book called " Star Ranger Comics", and once again this title had a Centaur start date of March of 1938. Volume # 1, issue # 10 through issue # 12 kept this title before changing the title of the comic to COWBOY Comics with volume # 1, issue # 13, cover dated July 1938 and kept that title for issue # 14 before changing to Star Ranger Funnies with the 15th issue of volume # 1, which would remain the comics title until its run was completed. The only good feature to be found in this book started in volume # 1, issue # 15, was the character called the ERMINE. The ERMINE was a pioneer type character set in contemporary times who fought crime. The first appearance of the ERMINE was cover dated October of 1938, one month after the ARROW. The ERMINE started his run in earnest with volume # 2, issue # 1 and in four out of the five last issues of Star Ranger Funnies, which ended its run with volume # 2, issue # 5, cover dated October 1939, just a few months after the previous Chesler book, and just a few months before Funny Picture Stories was cancelled. So far things didn't look so promising for the Centaur books by the end of 1939.

Keen Detective Funnies though, would have a better time of it. Starting with the odd numbering of Volume # 1, issue # 8, cover dated July of 1938. No number 1 through 7 fitting this time line is known to exist. The oddity here is that the character the CLOCK made two appearances (Vol # 1, issue # 8 and, Vol.# 2, issue 1), while simultaneously being published by the Quality Comics Group. Brenner the creator of the strip had taken the Clock character with him over to Quality, perhaps this was left over inventory from the Ultem days, however we may never know how the Clock managed to be in two different comics by two different publishers at the same time. Indeed a first for comics back then. The character the MASTERMIND would be resurrected here to give this title a boost with volume # 2, issue # 4, cover dated April of 1939, and would again pop up in issue # 8 of vol.# 2. Also added in Vol. # 2 was the conversion of the strip TNT Todd, Ace G-Man, to the costumed and super powered TNT TODD in issue # 21 (again the volume numbering was changed to reflect individual issues, thus arriving at the number designation), which was in reality Vol. # 3, issue # 5, cover dated June of 1940. However TNT Todd as the G-Man had run for several issues previously (Vol. # 2, issue #'s 7 and 8, and issues 19 and 20 <really Volume # 3, issue #'s 3 and 4), before the conversion over to super hero, which lasted only two issues before the strip was dropped. Another new feature was added with Volume # 2, issue # 7 in the form of the MASKED MARVEL, one of Centaurs more enduring characters. The MASKED MARVEL strip ran until the title ended and has the notoriety of being a serial character later on. His first appearance was cover dated July of 1939, and his last appearance in issue # 24, was cover dated September of 1940. Another memorable character started in this book was the EYE SEES, a bizarre strip involving a floating EYE that fought crime. The EYE debut was in Vol. # 2, issue # 12, cover dated December of 1939. He lasted to the end of the books run, just like the Masked Marvel did. The last new character to start in Keen was the AIR MAN, who ran for the last two issues (Issue # 23, cover dated August 1940, and issue # 24, the last issue of the title, cover dated September 1940), before the title was cancelled.

AMAZING MYSTERY FUNNIES got its start with the cover dated August issue, noted as Vol. # 1, issue # 1 of 1938. The MASTERMIND was on hand for issue 1 and Vol. # 2, issue # 2, before dissapearing again. Not to worry, for in Volume # 2, two more western characters (set in the old west) started. First up was the Phantom O' the Hills, in Vol. # 2, issue # 3 (taking the place of the MASTERMIND), and the Ghost Rider in issue 4, of vol. # 2. But the first real costumed character popped up in Vol. # 2, issue # 7 in the form of the PHANTOM of the FAIR whose first appearance was cover dated July of 1939. The PHANTOM of the FAIR would last till the books end. SPEED CENTAUR who was a truly bizarre crime fighter started the very next issue (cover dated August of 1939,) and also ran until the titles end with issue # 24 (again the volume numbering was changed to reflect individual issues). Half man and half horse, reminiscent of the mythological character of the same name SPEED CENTAUR was indeed a sight to behold! The character the Bullet popped up for one issue (Vol. # 3, issue # 1, the last to bear the volume numbering before switching to individual issue numbering), and was never seen again. The last character introduced was another old time western feature in the character of the HEADLESS HORSEMAN (who was really a woman!), with issue # 19 for one appearance here. Sadly this innovative title ended its run with the last issue being # 24, in September of 1940.

Keen Komics started with the numbering of Vol. # 2 and lasted all of three issues before being cancelled. No doubt due to the lackluster features shown within. The last issue was cover dated November of 1939. One can see that Hardie and Gardner had for the last quarter of 1939 cancelled a book per month in favor of more super hero fare that was all the rage at that time. For the next comic book up was the most chocked filled book to feature super powered and costumed characters, this being.....

AMAZING MAN COMICS. Amazing Man Comics and its sister title, Stars and Stripes, were probably the most successful books that Uncle Joe and his partner ever produced, and for sure the most remembered titles of the whole Centaur run. For starting in the cover dated issue of September 1939, Hardie and Gardner jumped on the costumed and super hero bandwagon for all it was worth. John Aman, the Amazing Man, also know at times as the Green Mist, was the titles premier superman. He would run the length of this house of characters until the end of the titles successful run. He gained a side kick in the form of TOMMY Henderson, the sister of ZONA Henderson the girlfriend of AMAZING MAN. The interesting twist here was that ZONA was to become the super powered partner of AMAZING MAN, being whisked off to Tibet to be granted super powers like AMAZING MAN, the abruptly was dropped in favor of TOMMY gaining super powers instead! ZONA was to be the "new" GREEN MIST, but that story line was dropped (In the STARS and STRIPES book), in favor of TOMMY. Talk about being dumped! AMAZING MAN himself was granted a super costume in later issues as well. Also found in the first issue of AMAZING MAN Comics was: The Amazing MIGHTY MAN, the MINIATURE MAN, the IRON SKULL, and the Cat Man (not to be confused with the costumed CAT-MAN over at Holyoke), who was not a costumed character and had no powers. MIGHTY MAN would gain a female partner in the form of SUPER ANN the worlds strongest girl, later on in the books run. As did the renamed MINIATURE MAN, who became MINI MIDGET with his female partner RITTY, who were both diminutive super characters. Perhaps the female partners that the heroes were getting prompted the short shifting of ZONA becoming the GREEN MIST, but of course this is simple speculation. Before moving onto the other features found in this comic, lets take note of the IRON SKULL, who started off as a super powered android set in the future of the 1970's, but over in STARS and STRIPES was treated as a costumed hero over there, set during the "then" contemporary days of 1941. This dual role of the IRON SKULL was another unique innovation not seen before in comics. Of note here also, that by mid 1940, Centaur had stared a whole bunch of short lived comics that featured costumed and super powered characters. We will deal with them in length later on, but it is mentioned here for the gates were about to bust on the damn of creativity when it came to costumed and super powered people in this book first! However in the months coming after the debut of AMAZING MAN Comics, came the SHARK in issue # 2, a female in the form of the MAGICIAN from MARS, and ZARDI, the Eternal Man. Then all hell broke loose! Between issue # 14 through issue # 26 a gathering of super beings, costume crime fighters and masked adventurers could be found. Out came DOCTOR HYPNO in issue # 13, starting the ball rolling. Next up in issue # 21 is TNT, not to be confused with TNT TODD, but both were costumed heroes. The costumed character the VOICE had his first appearance in issue # 22. Issue # 23 saw the likes of the MARKSMAN who nothing is known about currently and was his only appearance. Issue # 24 saw the BLUE LADY come onboard as did NIGHTSHADE and the KING of Darkness, all had "costumes" of sorts and sported gimmicks and super powers. The last super character to make is one and only appearance was the ELECTRIC RAY in the last issue # 24, cover dated January 1942. All in all AMAZING MAN Comics was one amazing book. Truly the centerpiece of the Centaur line and one of the most sought after comic runs in the collection of comic books to this day.

Now we will take a look at the rest of the Super Hero, Costumed characters that was the main focus of the years of 1940 and 1941, and was the most memorable years of the Centaur line. First up was Amazing Mystery Funnies, cover dated June 1940. It starred The PHANTOM of the FAIR, and would prompt a change in title to FANTOMAN (a renamed PHANTOM of the FAIR), with issue # 2, cover dated August of 1940. The ERMINE finally reappears for an origin story in this issue before disappearing for good, and in issue # 3, the ARROW was brought on board for issue #'so 3 and 4, before the title changed back to Amazing Adventure Funnies, with its second issue, numbered # 2, and cover dated September 1940. In that issue the Phantom Rider makes a showing. A short lived showing for FANTOMAN and the ARROW and a brief return of the ERMINE, was not enough to sustain this title before being cancelled, and this would be the fate for most of the books stared over the next three months staring in September of 1940.

For in September of 1940, The MASKED MARVEL was given his own comic and lasted only 3 issues. In issue # 2, the VAMPIRE had "its" only appearance and nothing further is known about this character. By December of 1940 this title was cancelled. October of 1940 saw the ARROW get his own title as well, but he too only lasted 3 issues. In issue # 2 the Headless Horseman made her final return. And in issue # 3, the character the RAINBOW made his only appearance in his origin story. Again this title was cancelled as well in December of 1940. The other book to make its start was again another short lived title called SUPER SPY Comics, starring the SPARKLER, another super powered character. The Phantom o' the Hills his final return in issue # 1 as well. And in issue # 2, the NIGHT HAWK, another masked western old time hero made his only appearance. Again this title was cancelled in November after the second issue. November started two more books, first was Detective Eye Comics, starring The EYE SEES, the return of AIR MAN in issue # 2, and the MASKED MARVEL for both issues. No new characters were featured here and is most likely inventory stories left over with these characters. The second title in November was Wham Comics, which mixed previously seen characters with all new characters. In issue # 1 was the return of the SPARKLER, SPEED CENTAUR and the Phantom Rider, probably these too were inventory stories as well, being used in the first issue. Issue # 2, had all the new characters, such as: The BLUE FIRE, the BUZZARD, and SOLARMAN. None of this helped because with the second issue this title was cancelled as well in December of 1940. 1940 was the height of the boom for Centaur, but as 1940 wore on, and with the cancellation of so many of the new books, that by the end of the year, things around the Centaur offices must have looked pretty gloomy.

1941 and the year started off with the release of Centaurs new title STARS and STRIPES comics in May, (cover date) of that year, a sister title to the successful Amazing Man Comics. Many of the features found in Amazing Man Comics would be found here, if in a somewhat altered state. First off there was no issue # 1, rather the numbering started with issue # 2, probably using an older title for mailing permit reasons, which was a common practice back then. Starring here was Aman the Amazing Man, and Zona. Zona was whisked off to Tibet in issue # 3 (cover dated July), to be given super powers like Amazing Man, to aid Amazing Man in his current battle, but was never heard of again, instead over in Amazing Man comics issue # 23 (August cover date), TOMMY the Boy Wonder became his side kick instead. Poor Zona! Also on hand in this issue was the SHARK and MIGHTY MAN, MIGHTY MAN would also have SUPER ANN join him here in issue # 5. The IRON SKULL was here but he was not the futuristic version seen over in Amazing Man comics, rather he was a costumed character fighting dictators who were trying to take over America! The VOICE returned for his final appearance here in issue # 2 as well. The BLACK PANTHER makes his one and only appearance in issue # 3, another new costume crime fighter. Doctor Synthe also made his only appearance in issue # 3 as well. With issue # 4 the STARS and STRIPES made their debut. A 3 man team dressed in patriotic costumes, they would last until the last issue, # 6, when the title was cancelled in the cover dated issue of December 1940. Not the smashing success that was Amazing Man comics, even with most of the same cast members, and cross advertising between the two books, could keep this title afloat. The end was near. The last gasp came with the four titles to get their start in the latter half of 1941.

First up was LIBERTY SCOUTS Comics, again starting with issue # 2, and probably for the same reason as Stars and Stripes Comics had started their numbering with issue # 2. The first issue came out with a cover date of June 1941. In this book four new costumed characters got their start. They were: MAN of WAR, VAPO-MAN, the FIRE-MAN, and the SENTINEL. The title lasted two issues before being forced by the Boy Scouts of America to change the title, so as not to infringe on the trademark that the Boy Scouts had on that title. The renamed title changed to Liberty Guard Comics, and had no number and had a cover date of 1942, probably January of 1942. It was a reprinting of MAN of WAR comics that had come out in November of 1941. Man of War Comics starred of course Man of War, who was seen in Liberty Scouts Comics. Joining him here was the FIRE-MAN, VAPO-MAN, and the SENTINEL. In issue # 2, the FERRET made his only appearance. Issue # 2, cover dated January 1942 was the last issue and the comic was cancelled as was the renamed Liberty Guard Comics. the last super hero comic to come out from Centaur was C-M-O Comics (Chicago Mail Order Comics) which was a unique blend of advertising and comic strips. Making their appearance here in this and issue # 2, were the super characters PYLMO the Rubber Man, and the INVISIBLE TERROR, two new costumed characters. Also on had was SUPER ANN, last seen in Amazing Man comics and Stars and Stripes Comics. Neither issue had a cover date, but sported the year of 1942. These were probably February and April of 1942, and like all the titles released in 1941, they were credited as being published by the Comics Corporation of America. The only other title release in 1941 was WORLD FAMOUS HEROES MAGAZINE, a non comic book type effort that lasted 4 issues until the last issue in March of 1942. That was the end of Centaur and the Comics Corporation of America. The doors closed, the books laid to rest and Joe Hardie and Fred Gardner moved on. We will let Frank Browning have the last say on Centaur and Joe Hardie.....

" From the desk of Frank Browning - Wildly creative, original and interesting, the Centaur Comics line ceased publication in 1942, due to poor distribution, although Joe Hardie remained in business with a line of crossword puzzle books and periodicals which ran quite successfully until they were sold off in the 1970's. Centaur had a list of comics creators that included: Bill Everett, Martin Filchock, Carl Burgos, Fred Guardineer, Frank Thomas, Ken Ernst, Ed Moore, George Brenner, Bert Christman, Joe E. Buresch, Paul Gustavson, Art Pinajian, Walt Kelly, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Sheldon Mayer, Will Eisner, Charles Biro, Bob Wood, Fred Schwab, Frank Frollo, Bob Kane, Rafael Astarita, Creig Flessel, H.C. Kiefer, Clemens Gretter, Jack Cole, Rick Yaeger, Maurice Gutwirth, Vic Dowling, Dick Moores, Winsor McKay Jr., Harry Campbell, Tarpe Mills, Malcolm Kildale, Louis Glanzman, John Giunta, John Kolb, Al McWilliams, Basil Wolverton, Sam Gilman, Ben Thompson, Bill Ely, Munson Paddock, Gus Ricca, Harold Delay, Sid Greene, Steve Dahlman, Tex Blaisedell, Vic Pazmino, Harry Sahle, Bob Butts, Bob Lubbers, Ed Robbins, Stan Drake, Jack Binder, Red Holmdale, John Belfi, John Daly, Homer Fleming, Myron Strauss, Art Helfant, Lou Ferstadt, George Wilson, Pierce Rice, Arturo Cazeneuve, Terry Gillickson, Larry Antoinette, Al Gabrielle, Al Bryant, Ben Flinton, Sol Brodsky, Pete Alvarado, Al Plastino and Bob Davis.

Gone but hardly forgotten, Centaur legacy lives on even today. In the 1990's Malibu Publications based a comic line and a series of books based loosely on the Centaur characters. Today the Centaur books are some of the most sought after and hard to find books on the market. They are very expensive when they are available and that is not very often. We hope you have enjoyed this "overview" of the Centaur line of comics.

WANTED: Characters of Centaur that we still need:

The Owl = Need visual and text information - Funny Pages , Volume #4, issue # 1

Air Ranger = Need visual and text information - Funny Pages, Issue # 36

The Ermine = Need text infromation and color code - Star Ranger Funnies Vol. # 1, issue # 15, and Vol. # 2, issue #'s 1, 3, 4 and 5, Fantoman Comics issue # 2

The Bullet = Need visual and text information - Amazing Mystery Funnies Vol. # 3, issue # 1

Marksman = Need visual and text information - Amazing Man Comics # 23

Electric Ray = Need visual and text information - Amazing Man Comics # 26

Vampire = Need visual and text information - Masked Marvel Comics, issue # 2

Rainbow = Need visual and text information - The Arrow Comics, issue # 3

Sparkler = Need visual and text information - Super Spy Comics issue # 1, and, Wham Comics issue # 1

Solarman = Need text information - Wham Comics issue # 2

The Sentinel = Need visual and text information - Liberty Scouts Comics issue #'s 2 and 3, Man of War Comics, issue #'s 1 and 2, and Liberty Guard Comics no number issue.

The Ferret = Need Visual and text information - Man of War Comics # 2

The Invisible Terror - C-M-O Comics issue #'s 1 and 2

Plymo the Rubber Man - C-M-O Comics issue # 1 only

Courtesy of the Grand Comics Database -

CENTAUR COMICS GROUP published books by ALPHA:

Title/Issues Imprint Years Comments
AMAZING ADVENTURE FUNNIES #1-2 CENTAUR 1940
AMAZING MYSTERY FUNNIES #1-24 CENTAUR 1938-40
AMAZING-MAN COMICS #5-26 CENTAUR / COMIC CORPORATION OF AMERICA by 1942
1939-42
ARROW #1-3 CENTAUR 1940-41
C-M-O COMICS #1-2 CHICAGO MAIL ORDER 1942
COCOMALT BIG BOOK OF COMICS #1 through CHESLER 1938
COMIC PAGES was FUNNY PICTURE STORIES v.3 #[4-6] CENTAUR 1939
COMICS MAGAZINE #1-5 COMICS MAGAZINE CO. 1936
COWBOY COMICS (was STAR RANGER; later STAR RANGER FUNNIES) #[13-14]
CENTAUR
1938
DETECTIVE EYE #1-2] CENTAUR 1940
DETECTIVE PICTURE STORIES #1-5] COMICS MAGAZINE CO. 1936-37
FANTOMAN #[2-4] CENTAUR 1940
FUNNY PAGES v.1 #5-11 COMICS MAGAZINE CO. 1936-37
FUNNY PAGES v.2 #1-5 ULTEM 1937-38
FUNNY PAGES v.2 #6-42 CENTAUR 1938-40 34 = v 4 #1
FUNNY PICTURE STORIES v.1 #1-7 COMICS MAGAZINE CO. 1936-37
FUNNY PICTURE STORIES v.2 #1-5 ULTEM 1937-38
FUNNY PICTURE STORIES v.2 #6-11, v.3 #1-3] CENTAUR 1938-39 became COMIC
PAGES
KEEN DETECTIVE FUNNIES v.1#8-11]; v.2 #1-12; v.3 #1]; #[18-24 CENTAUR
1938-40 24 issues
KEEN KOMICS CENTAUR 1939
LIBERTY GUARDS CHICAGO MAIL ORDER 1946
LIBERTY SCOUTS COMICS #[2-3] CENTAUR 1941
MAN OF WAR COMICS #[1-2] CENTAUR 1941-42
MASKED MARVEL #[1-3] CENTAUR 1940
STAR COMICS CHESLER 1937
STAR COMICS ULTEM 1937-38
STAR COMICS CENTAUR 1938-39
STAR RANGER CHESLER 1937
STAR RANGER ULTEM 1937-38
STAR RANGER FUNNIES (2 series) CENTAUR 1937-39
STARS AND STRIPES COMICS #[2-6] CENTAUR 1941
SUPER SPY #[1-2] CENTAUR 1940
WESTERN PICTURE STORIES COMICS MAGAZINE CO. 1937
WESTERN PICTURE STORIES ULTEM 1937
WHAM CENTAUR 1940
WORLD FAMOUS HEROES MAGAZINE #1-4 COMIC CORPORATION OF AMERICA 1941-42
** Some titles were left out as they were reprints of earlier books **

We hope you will return next month as we start our two part beta article on Harry "A" Chesler and Dynamic Publications. Let us know what you thought of this "overview" of the Centaur line and we also hope that you can help us out in finding the last remaining characters we need in completing the Centaur line of characters. You will be rewarded!

Take care and bye 4 now.
Richard Boucher 11/1/03

All contents of this article and the information therein are copyright © 2003 PR PUBLICATIONS.