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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 15:25:37 GMT -5
Number 34 - The Atom Alter Ego - Albert "Al" Pratt Team Affiliations - Justice Society of America, All-Star Squardon Created by - Ben Flinton Illustrated by - Bill O'Conner Abilities Atomic strength and agility, superb athlete, great boxing skills, Immunity to Radiation Brilliant scientist. Interesting Fact - During World War II, Pratt served as a tank driver in the United States Army. Reason for Rank: The character of the Atom (Al Pratt) would seem to be influenced heavily by the life story of Joe Greenstein, a Coney Island Polish strongman known professionally as "the Mighty Atom". Both the real-life Greenstein (at 5' 4" and 140 pounds) and the fictional Al Pratt were unusually short and had self-trained at boxing and bodybuilding to overcome poor health during childhood; this alone makes Al Pratt a favorite of mine because he has to overcome many hardships to become a man/superhero of his own rights. And having said that he's a true champion based on his merits alone.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 15:43:04 GMT -5
Number 33 - Hourman Alter Ego - Rex Tyler Team Affiliations - Justice Society of America, All-Star Squardon, Freedom Fighters, and Justice League of America. Created by - Ken Fitch Illustrated by - Bernard Baily Abilities Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability (derived from use of Miraclo Pill) Interesting Fact - Scientist Rex Tyler, raised in upstate New York, developed an affinity for chemistry, particularly biochemistry. Working his way through college, he landed a job researching vitamins and hormone supplements at Bannermain Chemical. A series of discoveries and accidents led him to the "miraculous vitamin" Miraclo. Reason for Rank: One of the most efficient Superhero of the Justice Society of America and All-Star Squadron. Why? ... Because he has one hour to do the job and the job alone must be finished before the hour is up. Having said that he's has to use his sharp intellect, planning, and know how to mop thing up. He has two emergency 10 minutes vitamins in case he gets in the jam and most of his adventures - he rarely uses them. That's why he's ranked number 33 in my book.
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Post by Hoosier X on Oct 2, 2014 15:43:47 GMT -5
LoL! Now, now.....that wasn't totally true at the time. There were African or African-American super beings without the word "black" as part of their code-names such as Vixen, Bumblebee, Nubia, Tyroc, and Invisible Kid. I think the worst example of what you're saying goes to John Stewart who was regularly called "Black Lantern" during the early years of his debut. He had the same amount of black on his costume that Hal Jordan did so I think it's pretty obvious that the "black" in his this referral was due to his skin color. Well, when Black Lightning was introduced in the late 1970s, Vixen wasn't around yet and the Invisible Kid was still a white guy who was one of the honored dead of the Legion. The trouble with Nubia has been pointed out. Tyroc, yeah, you shouldn't use Tyroc to emphasize your point ever. (Unless you're trying to make fun of the way Bronze Age comics handled race relations.)
I'll concede Bumblebee. I had totally forgotten about her. But there was also Black Racer, Black Vulcan, Black Goliath and Black Panther. And probably some others.
And Red Wolf! And the Yellow Claw!
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Post by Hoosier X on Oct 2, 2014 15:55:22 GMT -5
I find Golden Age Atom to be very interesting far beyond what you can actually see in any of the 1940s stories I've seen. I wonder what his solo stories in All-American Comics were like. He was a college student and he was short and he had one of the worst costumes of the Golden Age.
I can see a lot of potential for a modern-day Atom series set in the 1940s. There could be some cultural and social commentary on the times, with some noir stories, some weird mad scientist stories, gangsters, saboteurs, Bundists. (And his service in World War II could lead to some cool material.
But I can't imagine his Golden Age series was very interesting. I imagine: Al Pratt is at the homecoming game, getting a Coke and some hot dogs, and he overhears gangsters talking about how they're prepared to shoot the quarterback if they have to because their boss has a bet on the game! Or he's taking a book to the library as a favor to his girlfriend and he hears some saboteurs about to break into the physics building because of some research on plutonium being done at the school! And whatever it is, he changes into the Atom, manages not to get shot and beats the bad guys down with his fists and then he disappears into the night.
And when he gets back to his girlfriend, she says: Did you hear about the Atom stopping those (gangsters, saboteurs, rapey fray boys)? Why can't you be more like him, Al?
If I'm wrong about the Atom's 1940s series, somebody set me straight.
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Post by Hoosier X on Oct 2, 2014 16:08:46 GMT -5
I'll concede Bumblebee. I had totally forgotten about her. Wait. Am I thinking of the right character? She was in the Teen Titans? I barely remember her. I'm not sure I ever read a story with her in it because I didn't read Teen Titans much in the 1970s. Was she really called Bumblebee? And wasn't there a black hero with a magic horn or a trumpet in Titans at the same time? And he was called Gabriel, not Black Gabriel. I think. |
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Post by Dr. Poison on Oct 2, 2014 16:18:32 GMT -5
I'll concede Bumblebee. I had totally forgotten about her. Wait. Am I thinking of the right character? She was in the Teen Titans? I barely remember her. I'm not sure I ever read a story with her in it because I didn't read Teen Titans much in the 1970s. Was she really called Bumblebee? And wasn't there a black hero with a magic horn or a trumpet in Titans at the same time? And he was called Gabriel, not Black Gabriel. I think. You are correct, Bumblebee is from the 70s Teen Titans. She was the girlfriend(and later the wife) of Mal Duncan who has gone by a variety of code-names such as Hornblower(yes, really!), Herald, Guardian, and Vox. I never had much love for Mal until he became Vox but I did like Bumblebee quite a bit, especially on the Young Justice cartoon. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Oct 2, 2014 16:29:56 GMT -5
I remember Mal Duncan. So he was never code-named Gabriel?
I only remember having one issue of Teen Titans in the 1970s. It had Two-Face on the cover, and I think it was where the Joker's Daughter was revealed to be Two-Face's daughter. (I bought it because I had seen the Joker's Daughter in Batman Family and I wanted to know what happened to her.)
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Post by Dr. Poison on Oct 2, 2014 16:36:51 GMT -5
I remember Mal Duncan. So he was never code-named Gabriel? I only remember having one issue of Teen Titans in the 1970s. It had Two-Face on the cover, and I think it was where the Joker's Daughter was revealed to be Two-Face's daughter. (I bought it because I had seen the Joker's Daughter in Batman Family and I wanted to know what happened to her.) I don't believe that Mal was ever referred to as "Gabriel" but the horn he used was known as Gabriel's Horn so maybe that's what you're thinking of? I liked the Joker's Daughter quite a bit. She and Bumblebee are both in my top 10 Titans members of all time. |
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Post by Action Ace on Oct 2, 2014 16:43:23 GMT -5
another six pack of comments
#38 BLACK LIGHTNING
Would he make my Top 50? He's up there. He'd probably rate as my #1 African-American superhero. I love the school teacher angle as well.
#37 MR. TERRIFIC (TERRY SLOANE)
Would he make my Top 50? He's OK, but I like the Michael Holt version of the character much more. Lots of JSA members on this list so far, that's good.
#36 MAX MERCURY
Would he make my Top 50? No, but I liked him in the various Flash comics in the 1990s.
#35 RED TORNADO
Would he make my Top 50? No, he'd be in the middle of the pack in my satellite era JLA enjoyment. I like the Vision more than him as well, he'd rate as my #2 Avenger behind only Captain America.
#34 ATOM (AL PRATT)
Would he make my Top 50? No. I liked him a little more after he got the atomic punch. My favorite Al Pratt moment is the mighty mite saving FDR in the Untold JSA Origin Special.
#33 HOURMAN (REX TYLER)
Would he make the Top 50? Yes, he's among my favorite members of my second favorite super hero team, the JSA.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Oct 2, 2014 17:30:06 GMT -5
I don't know Doc, you got The Spectre in the 40s and lots mediocre charcters ahead of him. I guess thats what makes these lists interesting to follow
The Al Pratt Atom-never read a Golden Age story of his that was any better than average. As for his revival, he had his moments once every few years. Thats not saying alot. I wouldn't put him in my top 50. I can think of at lrast 3 animal heroes more interesting. But you confirmed your anti-animal view
Hourman-Again the Golden Age hero was no great shakes once you get tired of the 1 hr countdown. The focus on his addiction in All Star Squadron was handled well. I tried reading the 90s android version but bailed out at some point
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Post by Rob Allen on Oct 2, 2014 17:43:38 GMT -5
If your super-powers wear off in an hour, wouldn't you try to keep that a secret instead of advertising it by calling yourself Hourman?
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Post by Dr. Poison on Oct 2, 2014 18:18:24 GMT -5
If your super-powers wear off in an hour, wouldn't you try to keep that a secret instead of advertising it by calling yourself Hourman? Haha! Good point! |
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Post by Slam_Bradley on Oct 2, 2014 18:57:15 GMT -5
He should have called himself 45-minute Man to confuse them.
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Post by Phil Maurice on Oct 2, 2014 20:13:42 GMT -5
If your super-powers wear off in an hour, wouldn't you try to keep that a secret instead of advertising it by calling yourself Hourman? I hate to be that guy, but Hourman derives from the idea of the "Minute Man," a soldier who was ready in a "minute" to deal with whatever menace presented itself.
Rex Tyler, on the other hand, could be ready IN an HOUR, and even then, just FOR an hour, after which he preferred to be a guard at the Zoo, keeping undesirables out! 
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 20:33:34 GMT -5
I don't know Doc, you got The Spectre in the 40s and lots mediocre charcters ahead of him. I guess thats what makes these lists interesting to follow The Al Pratt Atom-never read a Golden Age story of his that was any better than average. As for his revival, he had his moments once every few years. Thats not saying alot. I wouldn't put him in my top 50. I can think of at lrast 3 animal heroes more interesting. But you confirmed your anti-animal view Hourman-Again the Golden Age hero was no great shakes once you get tired of the 1 hr countdown. The focus on his addiction in All Star Squadron was handled well. I tried reading the 90s android version but bailed out at some point I don't have an anti-animal view but remember there are literally hundreds and hundreds of characters to choose from and I was exposed to a lot of JLA, JSA, All-Star Squadron, Freedom Fighters, and other minor titles as well. I just wanted to clarify that and I was unable to cover as much grounds that I liked. So, therefore I just wasn't exposed to them at all and I did not know them until later on in life. That's my stand on so called "anti-animal" point that you made earlier and I just don't care for the Hourman in the 90's at all. |
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