QUALITY COMICS

Smash Comics

85 issues • Aug. 1939–Oct. 1949 • Became Lady Luck #86–90 (Dec. 1949–Aug. 1950)

Smash Comics was Quality's second title. It continued the formula of Feature Comics, containing a mix of syndicated material and new features. It was Quality's first title to hit the stands with (a couple) superheroes on parade: Bozo the Iron Man and the Invisible Hood. In early 1940, when Quality bought out it's partner, the McNaught Syndicate, freelancers and Will Eisner's studio filled the gaps with a plethora of new superheroes: the Ray, Magno, Midnight, and the Jester. Smash Comics stayed with hero and adventure strips a bit longer than other titles. In fact, even towards its end, Midnight, Lady Luck, and the Jester were all loaded towards the front of the book.

Character

Appeared in Issues…

Notes

Abdul the Arab

#1–24 (#1 Aug. 1939–July 1941)

By Vernon Henkel. Later by Bob Powell using pen name "Powell Roberts."

Archie O'Toole

#1–81 (Aug. 1939–Feb. 1949)

By Geroge Tuska (E&I) using pen name "Bud Thomas." Also in Feature #21–??

Chic Carter, reporter

#1–24 (Aug. 1939–July 1941)

By Vernon Henkel. Moved to Police and National Comics.

Clip Chance, athlete

#1–15 (Aug. 1939–Oct. 1940)

By George Brenner using pen name "Scott Sheridan." Also in Feature #7–16

Captain Cook of Scotland Yard

#1–13 (Aug. 1939–Aug. 1940)

Previously in Feature Comics #13, 18–22.

"Espionage," starring Black X aka Black Ace

#1–85 (Aug. 1939–Oct. 1949)

By Will Eisner, signed "Will Erwin." A non-costumed (but monocled) spy in a suit. Previously in Feature Comics. called "Black Ace" in Smash #1-5.

Hugh Hazard and Bozo the Iron Man

#1-41 (Aug. 1939–March 1943)

By George Brenner using pen name "Wayne Reid."

"Hooded Justice"/"Invisible Justice" starring the Invisible Hood

#1-32 (Aug. 1939–March 1942)

By Art Pinajian (E&I) using the pen name "Art Gordon."

Philpot Veep, detective

#1–13 (Aug. 1939–Aug. 1940)

By John Devlin.

Simple Simon

#1 (Aug. 1939)

By Ed Cronin.

Wings Wendall of the Military Intelligence, aviator

#1–37 (Aug. 1939–November 1942)

By Vernon Henkel. Briefly costumed in #24-25 (1941)

John Law, Scientective

#3–12 (Oct. 1939–July 1940)

By Harry Francis Campell. This is different than the character of the same name created by Will Eisner (a Spirit clone) in 1948.

Flash Fulton, newsreel camera man

#4–12 (November 1939–July 1940)

By Paul Gustavson.

Wun Cloo

#6–70 (Jan. 1940–April 1947)

By Gill Fox #6–19; by Jack Cole #20–70.

Early 1940: End of Quality's Partnership with McNaught and Beginning of Arnold's partnership with Eisner—More Heroes, fewer Syndicated strips.

The Purple Trio

#13–37 (Aug. 1940–November 1942)

By ?? ("S. M. Regi") A trio of Vaudevillians—Tiny Todd the midget, Rocky Hill the acrobat and Warren the magician—

Magno the Miracle Man

#13-21 (Aug. 1940–April 1941)

By Paul Gustavson.

The Ray (Happy Terrill)

#14-40 (Sept. 1940–Feb. 1943)

By Will Eisner and Lou Fine ("E. Lectron")

The Scarlet Seal (Barry Moore)

#16-24 (November 1940–July 1941)

By Manning DeV. Lee (#16).

Midnight (Dave Clark)

#18-85 (Jan. 1941–Oct. 1949)

By Jack Cole.

The Jester (Charles "Chuck" Lane)

#22-85 (May 1941–Oct. 1949)

 By Paul Gustavson.

Rookie Rankin

#25–70 (Aug. 1941–April 1947 )

By Arthur F. Peddy using the pen name "Kenneth Julian"

Wildfire (Carol Vance Martin)

#25-37 (Aug. 1941–November 1942)

By Jim Mooney and Robert Turner

The Marksman

#33–58 (May 1942– April 1945)

 By various.

Daffy

#41–85 (March 1943–Oct. 1949)

By Gill Fox.

Lady Luck

#42-90 (April 1943–Aug. 1950)

Reprints from the Sunday Spirit Section.

Spunky #59-74 (June 1945-Dec. 1947) By Sid Lazarus. Boy cartoon.
Batch Bachelor #71-81 (June 1947-Feb. 1949) A bachelor who tries to avoid proposing to his girlfriend, Bunny.
Citronella Rumpus #75-81 (Feb. 1948-Feb. 1949) Girl hillbilly.
Becomes Lady Luck #86-90 (Dec. 1949–Aug. 1950)
The Count, Raoul DiChange #86-90 (Dec. 1949-Aug. 1950) By Klaus Nordling. A spinoff character from "Lady Luck."
Sir Roger #89-90 (June 1950-Aug. 1950) A hifalutin hobo. Also in Hit #48-53