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.
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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 |
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Captain Cook of Scotland Yard |
#1–13 (Aug. 1939–Aug. 1940) |
Previously in Feature Comics #13, 18–22. |
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"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. |
|
#1-41 (Aug. 1939–March 1943) |
By George Brenner using pen name "Wayne Reid." |
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"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." |
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Philpot Veep, detective |
#1–13 (Aug. 1939–Aug. 1940) |
By John Devlin. |
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Simple Simon |
#1 (Aug. 1939) |
By Ed Cronin. |
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Wings Wendall of the Military Intelligence, aviator |
#1–37 (Aug. 1939–November 1942) |
By Vernon Henkel. Briefly costumed in #24-25 (1941) |
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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. |
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Flash Fulton, newsreel camera man |
#4–12 (November 1939–July 1940) |
By Paul Gustavson. |
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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. | ||
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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— |
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#22-85 (May 1941–Oct. 1949) |
By Paul Gustavson. |
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Rookie Rankin |
#25–70 (Aug. 1941–April 1947 ) |
By Arthur F. Peddy using the pen name "Kenneth Julian" |
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Wildfire (Carol Vance Martin) |
#25-37 (Aug. 1941–November 1942) |
By Jim Mooney and Robert Turner |
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#33–58 (May 1942– April 1945) |
By various. |
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Daffy |
#41–85 (March 1943–Oct. 1949) |
By Gill Fox. |
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#42-90 (April 1943–Aug. 1950) |
Reprints from the Sunday Spirit Section. |
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| 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 |