Top 5 Public Domain Superheroes

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By 2034, Superman and various DC Comics characters will officially become part of the public domain. This means that they are no longer protected by copyright and can be used freely by anyone without requiring permission or payment. Characters in the public domain, such as the original versions of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle and Frankenstein’s Monster by Mary Shelley, have been utilized extensively by numerous companies to develop new stories. Following the release of Action Comics #1, which introduced Superman in 1938 and garnered widespread popularity, many attempted to create their own superheroes. However, after World War II, most of these characters saw declining sales, and their respective companies did not renew their copyrights. While losing copyright protection was a drawback for the creators, it enabled all these heroes to be accessible for public use as they please.

During the 1940s, numerous superheroes emerged into prominence, although some of these heroes, now overlooked, were groundbreaking figures in their day. Here are some remarkable superheroes from that era who are free for public use and not affiliated with any specific comic book corporation.

5) Fantomah

Prior to the debut of Wonder Woman in 1941, there existed Fantomah: the enigmatic Jungle Woman, making her appearance a year earlier in 1940. Often recognized as the first female superhero, she is a mystical, deity-like figure safeguarding the African jungles. At first sight, she seems like an ordinary woman with golden hair; however, when provoked, she metamorphoses into a luminescent, blue-skinned skeleton. Her extraordinary abilities allow her to annihilate any wrongdoers, bandits, or oppressors who endanger her territory. Some of her most remarkable feats include transporting a criminal to a dinosaur-ridden asteroid, transforming a duo of thieves into insectoid creatures, and even causing a rainstorm of lions upon a fleet of bomber aircraft. With her unique supernatural prowess, Fantomah served as a significant precursor for the numerous female superheroes that emerged afterwards.

4) Captain Midnight

In 1941, Jim Albright, a brilliant inventor and aviator, donned the persona of Captain Midnight, soaring into the skies. Initially, Captain Midnight was a skilled fighter pilot who commanded a group known as the Secret Squadron during World War II, joining forces with the Allied Forces. Post-war, this character underwent a transformation, morphing into a superhero. Equipped with a flight suit capable of extensive gliding and aerial attacks on criminals, Captain Midnight garnered immense popularity and starred in a radio show that spanned nine years. He even had his own movie, “Captain Midnight,” which was released a year after his comic book introduction. Despite the character’s diminished fame today, in 2023, Dark Horse Comics launched a 25-issue series detailing the adventures of this hero from the Golden Age.

3) Miss Fury

Although bearing a resemblance to Catwoman, Marla Drake, more famously known as Miss Fury, paved the way for female superheroes by starring in one of the earliest solo comic series, debuted in 1942. Interestingly, this character was created by June Tarpé Mills, making her the first woman to bring a superheroine to life. Initially a socialite, Miss Fury took up vigilante work after thwarting an attempted escape of a murderer. Over time, various writers and companies have reimagined her origins and abilities, granting her superhuman strength and agility. These powers could stem from either a chemical mishap or a magical elixir, but what truly sets Miss Fury apart is her pioneering role as a heroine that influenced many future characters such as Marvel’s Hellcat.

2) Black Terror

Introduced in 1940, Robert Benton, better known as Black Terror, can be seen as a blend of characters from Batman and Superman. He possesses the physical prowess of Superman and wears a dark costume similar to Batman. Pharmacists by profession, Benton and his colleague Tim Roland unintentionally inhaled chemicals that granted them extraordinary strength and invincibility. Adopting the identity of Black Terror, with Tim as Kid Terror, they embarked on a crusade against evil. They battled local thugs and global adversaries such as the Nazis during World War II. Over the years, Black Terror has been reimagined and revamped by numerous comic book publishers, including Dynamite Entertainment, AC Comics, and Image Comics.

1) Daredevil

Bart Hill, also known as Daredevil, is one of the most recognizable public domain superheroes due to his frequent appearances in Image Comics and Dynamite Entertainment. Originally introduced in 1940, Bart’s parents were killed while the family was vacationing in Australia. Raised by Aboriginal tribesmen in the Outback, he learned to be a formidable combatant with boomerangs as his weapon of choice. Upon returning to America, he transformed into the hero Daredevil and was joined by a team of young assistants known as the Young Wise Guys. Today, you can still find Daredevil battling crime in numerous comic book series, even making appearances as a supporting character in Image Comics’ Savage Dragon series. Unlike many other public domain superheroes that have faded into obscurity, Bart persists as the daring Daredevil.

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2025-07-13 20:40