The 7 Best Original Superheroes of 1939 (& No, Batman Isn’t #1)

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Currently, the superhero genre stands as one of the most lucrative sectors in global pop culture, raking in billions yearly from films, TV series, video games, merchandise, and yes, even comic books. But let’s not forget that these superhero comics started off quite modestly during the late 1930s. Back then, pulp fiction magazines and newspaper comic strips were all the rage, offering quick anthology tales about adventurers and detectives. Some innovative minds spun yarns of masked crusaders in tights, like the Phantom, amidst this popular culture landscape.

Initially, costumed crimefighters were primarily limited to comic strips and didn’t enjoy widespread fame. However, with the onset of the Golden Age of Superheroes (1938-1956), these characters began to gain popularity. Drawing inspiration from heroes of ancient mythology, the concept of superheroes with extraordinary abilities and compelling origin stories quickly captured the public’s imagination. Unlike brief stories, these costumed characters were the focus of entire magazines or “comic books.” Right from the start, DC and Marvel played pivotal roles in shaping the comic book industry and the superhero genre. Starting off modestly, they have grown to become influential entities, shaping almost a century’s worth of heroic tales.

7) Angel (Thomas Halloway)

Originally, Marvel’s Angel wasn’t a part of the X-Men team or a mutant, but rather a man named Thomas Halloway. Born in the 1870s, he was raised in prison by his father, who was the warden. An unfortunate electrical accident caused Thomas to age at a significantly slower rate, making him appear as a young adult in the 1930s. Inspired by the heroes from his childhood tales, Thomas transformed into the vigilante known as Angel. However, unlike traditional angels, he became more of a harbinger of death, using a pair of pistols to take down wrongdoers. Later on, an eternal Greek woman gifted him the Mystic Cape of Mercury, bestowing upon him the ability to fly. With this newfound power, Angel terrorized the skies, battling against crime lords and Nazis alike.

6) Blue Beetle (Dan Garrett)

The mantle of the Blue Beetle has been carried by various individuals over multiple generations, starting with Dan Garrett. Originally a police officer, Dan’s father was brutally killed by a crime boss, leading him to take up the role of the superhero Blue Beetle in pursuit of justice against organized crime. Initially lacking any superpowers, Dan later received a special vitamin from scientist Dr. Franz, which granted him increased strength and stamina. The Blue Beetle character was initially published by Fox Comics but was acquired by DC Comics in 1983. Sadly, Dan sacrificed his life heroically to save the world from an onslaught of destructive robots. However, his legacy continues through his apprentice, Ted Kord, who now carries the mantle as the new Blue Beetle.

5) Sandman

Wesley Dodds, also known as The Sandman, is a detective superhero in DC Comics who joined the initial group of superheroes, the Justice Society of America. Throughout his life, he had vivid dreams of violent crimes and killings, which were not mere figments but rather prophetic glimpses into actual illegal activities. These disturbing dreams motivated him to catch the criminals haunting his sleep, thereby ensuring a safer city for himself and New York’s residents. To combat the dark corners of New York City, he wore a gas mask and carried a sleeping gas gun capable of incapacitating numerous enemies at once. With his remarkable deductive abilities and eerie ambiance, The Sandman became a living terror for the criminal underworld.

4) Human Torch (Jim Hammond)

Contrary to Johnny Storm of the Fantastic Four, the initial superhero produced by Marvel Comics was called the Human Torch, but he wasn’t Johnny – instead, he was an android named Jim Hammond. Crafted from a unique material, this android could ignite into flames and launch fireballs. Driven to understand human nature, Jim chose to work as a police officer in New York City, all while maintaining his secret identity as the Human Torch. During World War II, when America entered the conflict, Jim teamed up with other heroes of that era, such as Captain America and Namor, to battle the Axis Powers. Although Johnny Storm’s fame may overshadow Jim Hammond’s, he played a significant part in Marvel Comics’ rise to comic dominance.

3) Namor the Sub-Mariner

One might not guess that the first superhero with the ability to fly would be none other than Namor the Sub-Mariner. Often seen as the initial anti-hero in comic book history, Namor is the hot-tempered king of Atlantis. He possesses immense strength, can breathe underwater, and communicates with marine life. What sets him apart is his ankle wings that enable flight. Born to a human sea captain and an Atlantean princess, Namor was brought up as underwater nobility, which instilled in him great pride and arrogance. His convictions about the superiority of his people and his violent behavior have earned him a mixed reputation as both a hero and a villain among surface dwellers. However, he remains steadfast in his duty to protect Atlantis’ citizens.

2) Batman

In 1939, the lawbreakers of Gotham City began to quiver at the thought of nightfall: the arrival of the Batman. With one of the most renowned character designs in all storytelling, this enigmatic figure quickly became a symbol. Blending the atmospheres of superhero tales and film noir, Batman is a unique blend of fantastical escapades and hard-boiled detective narratives. After witnessing the tragic murder of his parents as a young boy, billionaire Bruce Wayne vowed to bring justice to their killers. Through rigorous physical and mental training, Bruce transformed himself into a paragon of human perfection, donning the mask and cape to instill fear in the hearts of wrongdoers. With his expertise in various martial arts, his uncanny detective abilities, and an array of ingenious gadgets at his disposal, Batman embodies the essence of the powerless superhero.

1) Superman

I’m a staunch advocate for the enduring influence of Superman in American culture. Born on the distant planet Krypton, I was found as an infant by Jonathan and Martha Kent after my spaceship crash-landed in Kansas. They gave me the name Clark Kent, but it wasn’t until I began to showcase extraordinary abilities from my alien heritage that I truly became Superman.

Though my first appearance was in Action Comics #1, published in 1938, it was actually a solo-superhero comic book featuring me as the protagonist that came out the following year, marking a milestone in comic book history. My powers, costume, and commitment to justice served as the blueprint for the superhero genre, and I remain an emblem of heroism and human decency even today, symbolizing the strength of moral character.

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2025-07-19 21:40