Merlin

Both of the magicians, Merlin and Tor, were at one point written and drawn by Fred Guardineer (who had previously created the magician Zatara for DC’s groundbreaking Action Comics #1 in 1938). Guardineer stayed at DC only into 1940 (Action #29, Oct. 1940 was his last on Zatara). At Quality, he created Tor (Crack #1, Feb. 1941) and soon after took over “Merlin” as well, with National #12 (June 1941). According to Alter Ego #21, Dan Zolnerowich worked for the Iger shop at this time, but Guardineer did not. (Both signed the strip “Lance Blackwood.”) Guardineer also created a fourth magician that ran simultaneous to Zatara, Marvelo, in Columbia’s Big Shot Comics #1–10 (May 1940–Feb. 1941).

Guardineer’s artwork was spectacular, but he spent little effort in distinguishing the magicians from one another—or from his other works. Like Zatara, both Merlin and Tor sported moustaches, plus capes over their tuxedos (Merlin added a hood). But most significantly, under Guardineer both Quality magicians began speaking their spells backwards at the same time (but not at their inceptions). Merlin only began speaking reverse spells when Guardineer took over (National #12). And although Guardineer worked on Tor from its debut, that hero only began speaking in reverse around the same time (Crack #14, July 1941). Both series also ended at the same time, but Guardineer's work continued appear at Quality through 1944.

When English playboy Jock Kellogg learned that his uncle was dying, he couldn’t wait to inherit the fortune. Instead, he received a different kind of inheritance. His uncle’s money was gone, but he told Jock that he was descended from Merlin, the ancient wizard of Camelot. Jock received Merlin’s cloak, which was imbued with considerable magical powers. Kellogg was incredulous, but he soon found value in its powers, and went straight to work helping to fight the war. As Merlin, his first super-adversary was Mars, the very god of war, who had chained the goddess of peace. Merlin defeated Mars’ minions, Hunger and Poverty, then wrestled the war-god himself. Upon Merlin’s victory, peace was declared on the ground as well. (National #1) He continued his travels to the river Styx, where he saved a wayward damsel from a dead prince. (#2)

His first super-powered nemesis was the hideous Dr. Morbidd, who brought the dead back to life. From him, Merlin rescued a woman named Elaine. (#5)

Once at a museum, Merlin summoned the spirit of the Greek Oracle of Delphi. She empowered him to return to his era and send Axis tyrants (Ribbo, Gasolini and Molo) back to ancient Greece. After forcing them to call off their troops, the dictators were left as prey for ancient monsters. When he returned to the 20th century, he witnessed a return to peace in Europe! (#8) 

Jock’s identity quickly became inseparable from Merlin; his absence was noticed by the Kellogg family gardner named Angus, who assumed that Jock was dead. Angus’ master was Jock’s Scottish relative, Jepson Kellogg, who was staying in Tahiti. Angus took over Jepson’s mansion and helped a gang of men kidnap a girl named Daphne. Merlin caught wind of this and brought his family portraits to life—Ronnie Kellogg, a pugilist from 1890, and three swordsmen. His ancestors helped him purge the mansion of the racketeers. (#10)

The great gods returned—Ares and Wotan no less—and Merlin inexplicably traveled back to the time of the Druids to save a young man and woman from being sacrificed to their gods. He brought them back to the 20th century where they ostensibly served for the gods as convoluted examples for peace. (#11)

Merlin began speaking his spells backwards without explanation, but ironically his adventures became somewhat less fantastical under Guardineer. He went into the Himalayas in hopes of claiming a legendary diamond to bolster Britain’s war relief funds. When the priests of the temple foolishly tried to stop him, he conjured the great spider god, Agor. He reached the diamond, turned its defenders into bats, and impaled the high priestess, Nang Tu, with a spear. Not satisfied with killing nearly everyone in the temple, Merlin destroyed it completely before returning to the U.K. where he presented the gem to the Prime Minister himself. (#13)

He then began contributing to the mundane war effort and was commissioned to fly General Sir Reginald Foxx over Southeastern Asia. They were brought down in New Guinea by Killer Ernst, an Australian Fifth Columnist. Merlin’s magical mastery made quick work of him (with a cannon, then a crocodile). (#14)

Thus began an odyssey of sorts among the lands under Axis occupation. He helped the Chinese by resurrecting ancient dead Chinese soldiers. (#15) Then in Greenland, he boosted the native people’s campaign against Nazi thieves with a giant walrus. (#16) In Greece he invoked Zeus to drive off the Nazis and save a girl named Helena. Zeus gave Merlin the use of the winged horse, Pegasus, and they left for the safety of Egypt, where Helena was entrusted to the British. (#17)

The story in National #19 was an interesting herald for times to come. In Iraq, European nations vied to control its oil fields. Merlin employed the ancient beheaded figure of Goliath, Noah’s ark, and the Tower of Babel against the Nazis. (#19)

An acquaintance, the mad scientist Professor Mordecai Twitch, turned up dead at the hands of his assistant, Fang, who was a Japanese spy. Fang used the Prof’s formula to create giant killer spiders. Merlin fooled him by transforming himself into Emperoro Hirohito. (#25)

In his last adventure, Merlin finally made his way to the United States where, naturally, Nazis were poised to strike. (#26)

Merlin seemed unable to make up his mind whether to help or squash the natives where he traveled. His motives seemed to arbitrarily fluctuate between downright disdain and genuine empathy.

Merlin’s feature in National Comics was replaced by G-2. Fred Guardineer, moved onto “Quicksilver” after this. 

DC

Merlin might have been a member of the wartime group called the All-Star Squadron. His only appearance in a DC comic was as part of the “Justice Society Returns” event. In February 1945, Merlin threw in with a group of mystics against a villain called Stalker. He died that day. (All-Star Comics, v.2 #1)