The Lost Heroes of the Golden Age
NAME + ALIASES:
Elizabeth "Betsy" Rose
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Johnny Rose (brother)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Stargirl: The Lost Children #3 (Mar. 2023)
NAME + ALIASES:
Molly Mabel Preacher
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Stargirl: The Lost Children #3 (Mar. 2023)
Betsy Ross & Molly Pitcher
In 1941, best friends Betsy Rose and Molly Preacher were starstruck by a new hero called Miss America. The girls adopted their own codenames that were inspired by women of American legend — Betsy Ross and Molly Pitcher. They donned masks and costumes to help their hero find “the Moth,” a criminal who was behind a school sabotage.
They learned that the Moth had plans to destroy the Statue of Liberty (the source of Miss America's powers). Betsy and Molly helped stop the villain and Miss America was so impressed that she entrusted the girls with relics of great power. Betsy was given a spool of thread which was used to make a cape. This gave her enhanced strength, speed and limited flight. Molly was bequeathed a pitcher from the Revolutionary War which now had the ability to create weapons, tools and floods. It is unknown how these relics came to be so empowered.
After several years of crime-busting, Betsy Ross and Molly Pitcher vanished on the day that World War II ended. They were victims of the Childminder, who had kidnapped scores of kid heroes. They were imprisoned on an island that existed outside of time, and back home their existences faded from memory. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6)
Betsy’s younger brother, Johnny, spent years unsuccessfully trying to discover their origins, hoping to also become a super-powered hero. (The New Golden Age #1)
These young heroes were ultimately discovered by Stargirl, who led them to escape and defeat their captor, the adult Time Master, Corky Baxter. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #3) Stargirl (re)introduced the lost child heroes to the Justice Society, who helped find appropriate homes for them. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6)
Inspiration
The fictional Who's Who-style profile that introduces Betsy and Molly cites their ostensible "first appearance" as Military Comics #6–7. The real-world Military #6 (Jan. 1942) was home to the "Miss America" feature (which began in the first issue, dated August 1941). In that story, the heroine did inspire a group of street kids, but they were all were boys. In the next issue (Feb. 1942), Miss America did indeed face the Moth, a non-costumed silk thief.
In real-world American history, "Molly Pitcher" is a character of legend from America's Revolutionary War period, inspired by the deeds of one or more heroic women. Betsy Ross was a real-life woman who was "credited by her relatives in 1870 with making the second official U.S. flag."
Read all about Miss America in my book, The Quality Companion (TwoMorrows)!
Powers
Using the spool of thread to help make her cape, Betsy had a degree of enhanced strength, speed, and at times, flight. Using the pitcher, Molly was able to create weapons, tools, and even flash floods. How these objects became empowered and where Miss America obtained them remains a mystery. Both Betsy and Molly were also skilled hand-to-hand fighters, trained by Miss America herself.
NAME + ALIASES:
Judy Grace Garrick
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Jay Garrick (The Flash I, father), Joan Garrick (mother)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
The Boom
In 1938, Professor Hughes witnessed the debut of the Green Lantern and became obsessed with uncovering humanity's greatest potential. He secretly chose Jay Garrick as his subject and offered the young man a job. After three years experimenting with "hard water," Hughes triggered an electrical impulse that transformed Jay into the Flash. Hughes was noticed by the Nazis, who set him up with a lab in Germany, and he disappeared.
By 1941, Hughes had succeeded in giving himself power over the elements. As Doctor Elemental, he defended his German lab against the Justice Society. During this battle, he also encountered the Flash's daughter, the Boom. This mysterious girl had traveled from Jay's future and she managed to damage Elemental's suit. He took a sample of her tissue and once again escaped. (Jay Garrick: The Flash #3)
Elemental laid low and watched from afar when Judy Grace Garrick was born in the late 1940s. He waited until 1962, when Judy was about 14, to caused a similar 'accident' to happen to the girl. Hughes had theorized that the Flash was created because of the activation of his metagene, and that it could be passed onto his offspring — and he was right. Judy also gained super-speed powers. As "the Boom," she shared many adventures with her father by traveling back in time to the 1940s, before her birth.
Elemental was only further emboldened by his success. In 1963, he kidnapped Judy's mother, Joan Garrick to experiment on her as well. The Flash and the Boom rushed to her rescue, and in the midst of it, Judy was abducted by the Childminder and spirited away to island outside of time. Her parents forgot that she or Hughes had ever existed. (#1) Elemental later claimed that his experiments had succeeded in extending Joan's longevity. (#6)
Judy was kept in a cell until she and scores of other young heroes were discovered by Stargirl and Red Arrow. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #3) Red Arrow encouraged the Boom to free herself and the others in cells. (#5) Judy was instrumental in their foe's defeat (the adult Corky Baxter, a former Time Master). (#6)
Stargirl helped reintroduce the lost child heroes to the world. Judy Garrick was finally reunited with her father at JSA headquarters (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6) and her mother in Keystone City. (Jay Garrick: The Flash #2) Dr. Charles at S.T.A.R. examined Judy and concluded that she was a healthy 15-year-old. Judy was overwhelmed by how large the "Flash family" had grown and her parents were understandably protective of her. But Judy was ever hero-minded and instinctively responded to calls for help. To help her acclimate, Stargirl invited her to go shopping and they were attacked by Dr. Elemental's minion, Ro-Bear. (#1–2)
Mister Terrific and his son, Fairplay invented a device to project memories from Judy's mind, which gave them clues about Elemental's motives. (#3) Jay and Judy soon discovered that Hughes had been a secret backer behind S.T.A.R. Labs and they sought help in Brazil from Dr. Pieter Cross (Dr. Mid-Nite III). Elemental's plan was to direct beams of energy into Judy who, as a catalyst, would transform all the water on earth into a toxin. This would kill 90% of all people but transform the rest into metahumans. Jay managed to destroy the apparatus and Elemental escaped again. (#5–6) (He was recruited by Wotan to join a new Injustice Society.)
Inspiration
The fictional Who's Who-style profile that introduces the Boom cites her "first appearance" as Flash Comics #10 (Oct. 1940). That issue featured an unremarkable case (as most early Flash stories were, sadly) with the Flash fighting common organized criminals.
The Boom was one of the more significant new characters, in part because the Flash was one of the few Golden Age heroes without children.
Powers
Like her father, Judy Garrick can move at incredible speeds, can catch bullets and run up the sides of buildings. The exact extent of her powers remains a mystery. In the Flash's early days, he was often described as "invisible" because he was so quick; the Boom also liked to operate in this way.
NAME + ALIASES:
Gloria James
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Professor Brian James (father, deceased)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Stargirl: The Lost Children #2 (Feb. 2023)
Cherry Bomb
Professor Brian James was a chemist who worked with Roy Lincoln on a formula that might open any lock. They were attacked by criminals who killed the professor. When Lincoln delivered the news to the professor’s daughter, Gloria, she threatened to expose Lincoln’s identity as the Human Bomb — if he didn’t let her find the killers. He refused, so she set about recreating the Human Bomb's awesome powers. She succeeded in creating 28-ORX and when Roy discovered this, he gave her a containment suit like his own. Together they brought in her father’s killers. (The New Golden Age #1)
As Cherry Bomb, she became his sidekick. They learned that her powers could not be controlled without wearing her suit. But in 1942, before they could find a solution, Cherry Bomb and a host of other young sidekicks were kidnapped by the Childminder. She was imprisoned on an island that existed outside of time and her existence faded from memory. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6) These captive heroes were ultimately discovered by Stargirl and Red Arrow; Gloria was among the first to meet them. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #2) Stargirl led them all to escape and to defeat their captor, the adult Time Master, Corky Baxter. (#3–6)
After Stargirl reintroduced the lost child heroes to the world, Cherry Bomb worked with Dr. Mid-Nite to test her super-powers. While Gloria would still need to wear a containment suit, Mid-Nite was optimistic that she could learn to control her powers. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6) Soon Phantom Lady came to take Cherry Bomb and Ladybug to the Freedom Fighters for mentorship and training. (#9)
Inspiration
The fictional Who's Who-style profile that introduces Cherry Bomb cites her ostensible "first appearance" as Police Comics #25 (the "Human Bomb" feature began running in its first issue, August 1941). It asserts that Cherry Bomb's father, Professor James, was a colleague of the Human Bomb. While the real-life Police Comics #25 (Dec. 1943) does show Roy Lincoln in his lab, it appears to be a home lab and no other people are depicted.
No character called "Professor James" was ever introduced in the Human Bomb's adventures. There was, however, a Professor James who appeared in an Invisible Hood story (Smash Comics #16, Nov. 1940). This person discovered an ancient Egyptian artifact imbued with anti-gravity attributes.
The Human Bomb had other "sidekicks." First was the bumbling Hustace Throckmorton, who actually got bomb powers in Police Comics #15 (Jan. 1943). And the Human Bomb empowered a trio of Bombadiers in issue #22 (Sept. 1943).
Read all about the Human Bomb in my book, The Quality Companion (TwoMorrows)!
Powers
Like the Human bomb, Gloria became a human detonator, able to unleash an explosive power from her body. Often concussive, hero explosions varied in strength, most likely tied to her emotional state.
Cherry Bomb is immune to her own explosions and, within limits, to other forms of impact including that of bullets. She must wear her “fiber-wax” suit to keep her powers from discharging unintentionally.
NAME + ALIASES:
Michael Mayne
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Molly Mayne (the Harlequin, mother), unnamed father, unnamed grandmother
GROUP AFFILIATION:
Justice Society of America
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Justice Society of America vol. 4 #1 (Jan. 2023)
The Harlequin's Son
Michael Mayne is the son of Molly Mayne, aka the Harlequin, a frequent troublemaker for the Green Lantern. The identity of his father remains unknown. Michael grew up mostly with his grandmother and saw his mother only on occasion, due to her career (she worked for the FBI).
When he was in his twenties, he was assaulted after leaving a gay bar in Los Angeles. Michael took his mother’s illusion-casting glasses, made a costume, and hunted down the men who had put him in the hospital. One of these men was accidentally shot and killed, and the blame was placed on “the Harlequin’s Son.”
Mayne was overwhelmed by this and turned to a life of crime. He was eventually exonerated with the help of his mother and he established a new career as an actor. He received accolades for his portrayal of Carver Colman (one of Hollywood’s first openly gay actors) in Dusk Before Dawn.
When the Star-Spangled Kid formed Infinity, Inc., he approached Michael to join the team but Michael had no interest in costumed adventuring then. He would occasionally become the Harlequin’s Son when the need arose.
When the Huntress (Helena Wayne) came from the future, she encouraged the Justice Society to recruit new members from among those in need of 'redemption.' Their search for the Harlequin's Son was no easy task; he evaded them with ease (and glee) until the intervention of the Legionnaire (the young Mordru). (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #9)
The Harlequin's Son accompanied the JSA on a mission to find the Gentleman Ghost (#10) and fought alongside them during a dust-up with the Legion of Super-Heroes, but he left afterwards. (#11)
Inspiration
This character was originally proposed by Mike Machlan and Jerry Ordway in their first designs for Infinity, Inc. A new, male "Harlequin" appeared in his sketches, which were exhumed and printed in Alter Ego vol. 3 #1 (Spring 1999).
The notes on Machlan's sketch read, “Maybe he’d become comic’s first gay character. Or we could just assume it.” This character was passed over because there were already two Green Lantern-related characters on the team (Jade and Obsidian, the latter of whom later came out as gay).
The fictional Who's Who-style profile that introduces the Harlequin's Son cites his "first appearance" as Infinity, Inc. #1 (Mar. 1984). There isn't anything within that issue that hint at Michael Mayne's inspiration or involvement. His mother, the Golden Age Harlequin, re-entered the picture in Infinity, Inc. #9. Jade and Obsidian thought the Harlequin was their mother at first (but it was ultimately revealed to be the Thorn; the whole mess was sorted in Infinity, Inc. Annual #1 [1985]).
If the Star-Spangled Kid had approached him, it wouldn't have been until around issue #12, when the team was officially formed, and Power Girl and Huntress declined to join full time.
Geoff Johns’ name for the character seems to be an homage to the “Joker’s Daughter” character (aka Duela Dent) from the 1970s. The character of Carver Colman comes from Geoff Johns' Doomsday Clock series (2018). Colman was himself an actor who portrayed "Nathaniel Dusk" — the titular hero of a DC mini-series in 1984, by Don McGregor and Gene Colan.
» SEE ALSO:
- The Harlequin
- TwoMorrows: "Two Co-Creators Reveal--The Secret Origins of Infinity, Inc."
- CBR: "Did Infinity, Inc. Almost Have the First Openly Gay Superhero?"
Powers
Utilizing the Harlequin’s illusion-creating tech in his mask, Michael can project illusions in the form of lifelike holographic images, most often duplicates of himself to distract his opponents. His acting skills also come into use when Michael creates what he calls “players,” which are holograms that impersonate others. The Harlequin’s Son is a skilled hand-to-hand fighter, reluctantly trained by his mother.
NAME + ALIASES:
John Henry Irons
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Butter Irons (brother), John Henry Irons II (Steel, grandnephew), Natasha Irons (Steel II, grandniece)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
DC: The New Frontier #6 (Nov. 2004)
John Henry, Jr.
John Henry Irons I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1953. He and his older brother, Butter, witnessed the birth of a southern hero the day that the Ku Klux Klan set fire to the home of John Wilson. Wilson’s family died in the blaze and he sought retribution by donning a mask and becoming John Henry, after the legendary American folk hero. (DC: The New Frontier #3)
His war against he Klan was short-lived. Wilson was soon found out and murdered; then it was covered up. (#4) Young John Henry visited Wilson's grave. (#6)
During the Civil Rights movement, reporters uncovered this injustice. John Henry was now a teen and he was approached by a mystery man who gave him one of John Wilson’s hammers. He tasked John with finding Wilson's killers — which he did.
Just after this, John was abducted by the Childminder and imprisoned on an island that existed outside of time. His family moved to Metropolis, where his brother Butter Irons would one day have a grandson named after his lost brother, John Henry Irons II, who became the super-hero called Steel. (The New Golden Age #1)
He and scores of other young heroes were ultimately discovered by Stargirl and Red Arrow. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #3) Stargirl led them to escape and to defeat their captor, the adult Time Master, Corky Baxter. (#3–6)
After Stargirl reintroduced these lost heroes to the world, John Henry went to live with the Irons family in Metropolis. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6)
Inspiration
The DC version of "John Henry" (and the hero, Steel) is rooted American folklore. In classic blues songs, the African American hero John Henry is the "steel-driving man," a mighty powerhouse who wielded a hammer.
DC's first John Henry Irons is a post-Crisis hero who debuted in Adventures of Superman #500 (June 1993). He was the third DC hero to take the name "Steel," in Superman: Man of Steel #22 (June 1993). In more recent times (Rebirth, etc.), Irons is often content to remain an inventor while his niece, Natasha Irons operates as Steel IV. She first appeared in Steel vol. 2 #1 (Feb. 1994) and first donned the armor in Superman vs. Darkseid: Apokolips Now! #1 (Mar. 2003)
Then in DC: The New Frontier #3 (Nov. 2004, an Elseworlds story), Darwyn Cooke created a "retro" version of the character, John Wilson, and hinted at his successor, the boy John Henry Irons, in issue #6 (Nov. 2004).
Powers
John Henry Jr. wielded one of two hammers forged by the original John Henry. The hammer gives him super-strength, imperviousness, and creates intense shock waves when striking the ground. He has never found the hammer’s twin, which would supposedly produce even greater power if weilded together.
NAME + ALIASES:
Rosibel Rivera
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Miguel and Ana Rivera (parents, deceased)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Stargirl: The Lost Children #3 (Mar. 2023)
Ladybug
Miguel and Ana Rivera came to the United States from San Salvador. When she was 14 years old, their daughter, Rosibel, helped them work on a honey farm, the Big Bee Ranch. The Riveras befriended Rick Raleigh, a local assistant district attorney whose interest in bees led him to become the costumed hero called the Red Bee.
When gangsters tried to extort the Riveras, Raleigh intervened on their behalf and their farm became a hideout for the Red Bee. One day, Rosibel stumbled upon a device that the Bee had confiscated from the evil Professor Pollen; it shrunk Rosibel to the size of a bug! Even though the device was destroyed, Rosibel retained the ability to shrink. She built a suit with wings that enabled her to fly and became the Red Bee’s short-lived sidekick, Ladybug.
The Red Bee was also 'assisted by’ a trained bee named “Michael” who was housed within his belt. This bee possessed a higher level of intelligence and an unnaturally long lifespan. After The Red Bee’s death and Ladybug’s disappearance, Michael returned to the Big Bee Ranch. (The New Golden Age #1)
In early 1944, Ladybug and a host of other young sidekicks were kidnapped by the Childminder. They were imprisoned on an island that existed outside of time and back home, their existence faded from memory. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6) These young heroes were ultimately discovered by Stargirl, who led them to escape and defeat their captor, the adult Time Master named Corky Baxter. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #3)
After Stargirl reintroduced the lost child heroes to the world, she accompanied Rosibel back to the Big Bee Ranch in Superior City, Oregon. While her parents had passed on, Ladybug was astonished to find that that Michael the bee was still alive! (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6) Soon Phantom Lady came to take Ladybug and Cherry Bomb to the Freedom Fighters for mentorship and training. (#9)
Inspiration
The fictional Who's Who-style profile that introduces Ladybug cites her ostensible "first appearance" as Hit Comics #1, which was published by Quality Comics. That comic featured the short-lived "Red Bee" feature. The historical story from Hit #1 (July 1940) concerns the Red Bee routing the mob. Ladybug's profile mentions this court case and in the story, the Red Bee does make a visit to the countryside, but it's in pursuit of crooks.
The Rivera family honey farm is not mentioned. Perhaps it was the Bee's never-mentioned friend, Miguel Rivera, Ladybug's father, who helped Richard Raleigh gain the evidence to take down the mob?
The profile also references Professor Pollen, who was not a Golden Age character.
Read all about the Red Bee in my book, The Quality Companion (TwoMorrows)!
Powers
The accident that Rosibel survived gave her the ability to shrink to the size of a ladybug and still retain her normal strength. With her “bug wings” she designed and constructed, Ladybug was able to fly.
NAME + ALIASES:
Thaddeus Brown
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Ted Brown (son)
GROUP AFFILIATION:
Justice Society Dark
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Mister Miracle vol. 1 #1 (Mar./Apr. 1971)
Mister Miracle I
As a child, Thaddeus Brown escaped his abusive uncle’s home in the slums of New York and journeyed out west. He spent most of his teenage life the streets of San Francisco, where he first encountered magic performers. He studied with them and learned sleight of hand, illusions and escapology. He coined the stage name “Mister Miracle” and began performing on street corners to survive.
Ultimately, Thaddeus found his place in Hill’s Circus, traveling the country and meeting his future assistant, Oberon. With other allies (and enemies), Mister Miracle would come to form the mysterious Justice Society Dark. This group’s membership and adventures remain relatively unknown outside of one event in 1945 known as “the Storm of Sin.” (The New Golden Age #1)
Decades after his debut, the aging Thaddeus trained a successor, Scott Free, who was a "god" from the Fourth World of Apokolips. Free had fled to escape Darksied and met Brown and Oberon on Earth. While Brown was rehearsing his act, Darkseid's Inter-Gang attacked him and Scott helped fight them off. Afterwards, Scott went to live with Brown and became his apprentice. During a practice, Thaddeus was shot and killed by a sniper ordered by Inter-Gang boss the Steel Hand. Scott found the Hand and exacted vengeance. (Mister Miracle vol. 1 #1)
When Thaddeus' son, Ted Brown, returned to his father's home in suburban Metropolis, (#10) Ted became Mister Miracle's new manager and filmed an act involving the Female Furies, who didn't seem to mind it. (#11) Ted Brown was kidnapped by King Komodo, aka Albert Von Killowitz, whom Ted had met in Korean War. (#13) He continued to work with Scott during his time on Earth.
Powers
Mister Miracle was the world’s greatest escape artist and a master of escapology, said to be trained by the great escapists of his youth, such as Harry Houdini, Major Zamora and Doc Cunningham. He also gained experience with real magic during his adventures leading the Justice Society Dark, but never became a wielder of the mystic arts, preferring to avoid the personal costs he witnessed to those associated with them.
NAME + ALIASES:
Raghu Seetharaman
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed parents (deceased)
GROUP AFFILIATIONS:
Fair Play Club, Justice Society of America
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Stargirl: The Lost Children #3 (Mar. 2023)
Quiz Kid
After his parents died in a fire, 10-year-old Raghu Seetharaman was placed in an orphanage. Trivia was his favorite hobby, which earned him the nickname "Quiz Kid." When the Spirit King attacked a trivia competition, Raghu helped the super-hero Mister Terrific (Terry Sloan) defeat him. Afterwards, the boy bested Terrific himself in a competition and was dubbed "the smartest boy in the world."
As Quiz Kid, Raghu became Mister Terrific's costumed sidekick and a member of his “Fair Play Club," a group of boys who were inspired by the hero. Just after the war, in 1946, Quiz Kid was abducted along with other kid heroes by the Childminder; he and the other children were all forgotten by the general public. (The New Golden Age #1) Raghu spent many decades with dozens of children who were sequestered on an island that existed outside of time. The captives did not age and had no true sense of the passage of time.
Many decades later, the young hero Stargirl discovered the island and all the lost children. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #3) She led them to escape and to win their freedom against their jailer, the adult Corky Baxter (a former member of the Time Masters). (#6)
Stargirl helped reintroduce Quiz Kid to the world. Raghu took up residence with the JSA and the new Mister Terrific (Michael Holt) became his de facto guardian. Quiz Kid and his fellow castaway, Salem, joined the Justice Society. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6) With access to the JSA's resources, Quiz Kid invented a new "Q sphere," (a version of Mister Terrific's T-Sphere); his mission was to use these devices to search for people who deserved a "fair shake," as his original mentor had tried to do. (#9)
Quiz Kid befriended Mister Terrific's son, Jeffrey aka Fairplay. Together they invented a device that could produce images from people's minds. (Jay Garrick: The Flash #3)
Inspiration
The fictional Who's Who-style profile that introduced Quiz Kid gives his ostensible "first appearance" as Sensation Comics #2 (Feb. 1942, in the "Mister Terrific" feature). This profile explains that this character lived in an orphanage. The story from Sensation #2 does center around a 'home for boys,' and the “Fair Play Club” was been formed in the previous issue (Mister Terrific’s first appearance); the Club's members from Sensation #1 were all unnamed boys.
In the real-life Sensation Comics #2 (Feb. 1942), the Club’s members were adult performers. And instead of a trivia competition foiled by the Spirit King, the story’s charity event was fouled by Hugo Snitz. Snitz said he acted, “on behalf of my client who doesn’t wish to be known.” In retconning this, one might make this boss the Spirit King. (The Spirit King never actually appeared in the Golden Age! He is a character from the classic Justice League of America #171 [Oct. 1979], wherein he murdered Mister Terrific!)
Mister Terrific’s feature ended in Sensation Comics #63 (Mar. 1947).
Powers
Declared “the smartest boy in the world” by Mr. Terrific himself, Raghu’s intellect was unmatched by anyone, save perhaps his mentor, although he beat Mr. Terrific in chess regularly.
Raghu has photographic memory not only for text and imagery, but also for movement, meaning he can master any fighting style simply by watching someone use it. This makes Quiz Kid and incredibly formidable hand-to-hand combatant. Raghu had multiple inventions, including an aircraft he dubbed the Fair Play Flier, in development when he vanished.
Red Lantern
NAME + ALIASES:
Vladimir Sokov
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed father, unnamed wife, Ruby Sokov (daughter)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story, as Johnny: DC Pride: Through the Years #1 (Aug. 2023)
As Red Lantern: Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #2 (Jan. 2024);
RUBY
NAME + ALIASES:
Ruby Sokov
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Vladimir Sokov (father), unnamed mother
GROUP AFFILIATION:
Injustice Society
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Justice Society of America vol. 4 #1 (Jan. 2023)
The Red Lantern and Ruby
Eons ago, the Guardians of the Universe gathered and imprisoned a totality of 'wild magical energy' inside of a star. This mass ultimately gained sentience and became lonely, so it created a green meteor from its essence. This portion, called the Starheart, set out in search of satisfaction and it was later followed by a second, red-colored aspect which followed it to Earth. There they lay together in peace for untold years.
In 1923, Vladimir Sokov left his father's house in Belarus and joined the Red Army. Eventually he was assigned by a high-ranking official to become a spy. When the Soviets got word that the U.S. and MI8 had found a legendary power source, the Crimson Flame of death, Vlad was placed as a spy in their midst. (Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #4)
By 1936, Sokov was ready for undercover deployment into the the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As "Johnny Ladd" he joined their top secret project to recover the Crimson Flame. Vladimir began a secret (but not-entirely false) love affair with the project's leader, Alan Scott. When their team finally located the anomaly beneath the sea, it lashed out at their ship. Scott managed to save the ship but the Flame claimed Johnny's life uttering, "First we bring death." (#1)
Alan presumed that Johnny had died beneath the waves, but the Flame resurrected him and Vlad was recovered by Soviet agents. (#4) The red power was now the only thing keeping Vlad alive. The Soviets experimented on Sokov, killing him repeatedly, and he returned stronger each time. One time, they managed to separate him from the power for days and isolated a portion of the Flame's power. (#5)
Back home, the Soviets were watching Alan Scott as he became similarly transformed into the Green Lantern (empowered by the Starheart's green flame). Vladimir was ordered back to the U.S., outfitted in a similar costume and calling himself the Red Lantern. He framed Green Lantern for murder, which drew the two of them into conflict. (#3)
But Sokov was betrayed by his own superiors, who sent a brigade of five red agents called the Crimson Host — Comrade Kostra, the Countess, Professor Molotok, Proletari-ant and Major Blaze. The Host were ordered to eliminate the Red Lantern; they crushed his battery and cut off his power, killing him again. (#5)
This time, when Vlad was revived by the flame, it cast out and killed all the Crimson Host. After the Justice Society entered the fray, the Red Lantern surrendered, having become disillusioned by his country's betrayal. (#6)
The Red Lantern no longer required a power battery or ring to manipulate the Crimson Flame. Despite his contrition, Sokov chose to escape from custody. He continued to clash with Green Lantern until 1948, when Alan reportedly witnessed him "implode."
Vlad had mentioned a wife back in the USSR and they eventually they had a daughter named Ruby. At some point, Ruby was taken from her parents and placed with a foster family. At age 13, the power of the Crimson Flame manifested within her as well — killing a group of people including her foster parents. As she fled from the authorities, more people died. Based on rumors, Ruby was convinced that her father was still alive. She went underground to search for him.
Ruby's search led her back to the infamous "Red Labs," where she killed several guards and was confronted by Alan Scott. He had come on behalf of the Justice Society, who were on a mission to redeem and reform certain individuals with checkered pasts. The Green Lantern asked Ruby to surrender for her crimes and she agreed to accompany him back to the U.S. instead of facing capture again by the Russian authorities. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #8)
Ruby stood briefly alongside the JSA during a dust-up with the Legion of Super-Heroes, but quickly chose a different path. She was recruited by Wotan to join a new formation of the Injustice Society. (JSA vol. 2 #1)
Inspiration
The fictional Who's Who-style profile introducing the Golden Age Red Lantern cites his ostensible "first appearance" as Green Lantern #1 (Nov. 1941). In real-world tales, there were never any red-themed adversaries for the Green Lantern. But Vladimir's creator, Geoff Johns, also created the Red Lantern Corps, introduced in Green Lantern vol. 4 #25 (Jan. 2008). The members of this corps possessed red power rings fueled by rage.
Powers
The Red Lantern is possessed of the power of the cosmic Starheart, its crimson version. He can command it through his willpower and it enables him to fly, manifest a crimson plasma fire, and create any object he can imagine. With expert control, the power can also allow the Red Lantern to move through time and create illusions. At first, the the ring’s power was channelled through a ring but eventually he did not need that.
The Red Lantern is a skilled and brutal hand-to-hand combatant, trained by the Red Army.
NAME + ALIASES:
Salem Rula Nader
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed parents
GROUP AFFILIATION:
Justice Society of America
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Profile: The New Golden Age #1 (Jan. 2023)
In-story: Stargirl: The Lost Children #3 (Mar. 2023)
Salem the Witch Girl
Salem Rula Nader is the daughter of an Armenian American immigrant and a woman who fled the fabled city of witches and warlocks, Limbo Town. In 1936, Salem’s parents abandoned their six-year-old daughter to save themselves from the “Limbo Town Curse” and retreated to an unknown dimension. This curse was put upon any female who deserted Limbo Town and in fleeing, Salem's mother transferred it onto her daughter.
The curse caused “bad fates” to befall anyone near the cursed girl. Anyone whom Salem might care for would quickly experience the negative effects of that affiliation. The repercussions ranged from the relatively harmless to fatal.
For most of her young life, Salem lived on the streets of Boston, until the ten-year-old encountered Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson) in June 1940. Fate protected Salem from the villainous Wotan, who wanted to sacrifice the girl and acquire her power. Together they learned that Doctor Fate was immune to her curse and Kent became her only friend, and mentor. She soon became known as the "Witch Girl," the salty sidekick to Doctor Fate.
As the years went on, Salem grew more disillusioned as repeatedly she and Fate were unable to free her from the curse. After Kent’s girlfriend, Inza Cramer, was almost killed by it, Salem disappeared. He suspected that she was abducted by agents from Limbo town but even with the help of the Justice Society Dark, Fate was never able to locate her. (The New Golden Age #1)
In truth, she was abducted by the Childminder and held captive on an island outside of time. Many decades later, the young hero Stargirl discovered the island and all its lost children. (Stargirl: The Lost Children #3) She led them to escape and win their freedom against their jailer, the adult Corky Baxter (a former member of the Time Masters). (#6)
Stargirl helped reintroduce Salem and the others to the world. She took up residence with the JSA and along with her fellow castaway, Quiz Kid, joined the Justice Society. Salem demanded to see Kent Nelson, but his successor Khalid Nassour (with whom she was thoroughly unimpressed) could offer no help there. (Justice Society of America vol. 4 #6)
When the JSA tried to "recruit" Solomon Grundy, the monster went into a rage. Salem impulsively cast a spell that burnt him to bits. (The Society wasn't too concerned; they knew he would rise again in two days.) Khalid tried to help her return to Limbo Town but Salem refused out of fear and attacked him. He managed to show restraint and sent her back to the JSA. (#7)
Salem helped the JSA for a short time and after a dust-up with the Legion of Super-Heroes, Salem found the courage to finally confront her destiny in Limbo Town. (#11)
Inspiration
Salem is clearly inspired by Grant Morrison’s version of Klarion the Witch Boy, from 2005's Seven Soldiers. Klarion's people, of Limbo Town, have blue skin so Salem’s green skin might be the result of her half-human parentage.
The fictional Who's Who-style entry that introduces Salem cites her "first appearance" as More Fun Comics #56 (June 1940). That issue was only the second appearance of Doctor Fate. The profile says that Fate saved her from Wotan, who does appear in issue #56.
Powers
Salem is a witch with great mystical knowledge and power, owing to her heritage from Limbo Town, her tutelage under Doctor Fate and the secrets she has unlocked within Fate’s tower. Although the Witch Girl’s skills are vast she often overextends herself and disaster occurs.
Her mother transferred the curse of “bad fates” on to her, which causes bad things to befall anyone who gets too close to her — with the exception of Doctor Fate.
Salem had a loyal familiar named Midnight who took the form of a black cat (and on occasion a mystical panther of terror) and uses an enchanted and fussy broomstick known as Sweep.