Truly Gone&Forgotten : Solarman
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| Here, in Quino’s gated community… |
Solarman
Created by Frank S.Thomas
Appears in Wham Comics #2 (December 1940)
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| ‘Scuse me, coming through … |
Quino -- an avuncular, yoda-like figure who is also Saturn’s most accomplished scientist -- states the case to his assistant, Solarman. “There are many unhappy earthlings,” he posits correctly, vaguely addressing his many scientific wonders and adding “We must help them, you and I.”
It’s at this point that Quino’s kindly affect takes a sudden and dire turn: “The planet Earth contains much crime -- much evil,” Quino claims in the shadow of a massive gun, before drifting into a solem reverie. “At times I have been tempted to burn Earth to a crisp with one blast from our Dyno-Ray Gun,” he claims, and then seems to trail off as he reminds himself “But I must not, for there is also much on Earth that is good -- Much!’
At this moment in the story, we know absolutely nothing about Solarman -- who he truly is, what his mighty powers might be and where he acquired them, and so on. But what we can say we know for certain is the stakes. Obviously either the planet Earth is saved by Solarman, or we wait with bated breath for the day Quino has had enough of our shit.
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| Oh, so it’s like that. |
What little we are told about Solarman includes that Solarman’s mission is to “wipe all evil from the Earth,” and that his powers are the product of Saturn’s “advanced knowledge of science.” Solarman prepares to leave Saturn for Earth by way of the Master Vacuum-Ray Projector, a massive cannon which can land Solarman on Earth within five minutes. To reach the mouth of the cannon, Solarman is hoisted by a plank of wood attached to a rope and a mechanical winch.
Saturn’s science might be a little less advanced than advertised.
GODSPEED YOU -- SOLARMAN!!!
Arriving on Earth a scant four-and-a-half minutes later, Solarman turns to his mission -- to capture and bring to justice the gangster Ravoni! But time is not on Solarman’s side. While he perches on the Empire State Building and ponders his next step, he notes that Ravoni is preparing to flee the country, using a false passport! Why this is of any concern to a superhero from space is anyone’s guess. Apparently, Saturn has limited jurisdiction. “We gotta get him before he makes it into New Jersey -- then he’s Mars’ problem!”
Solarman finally has an opportunity to display his amazing powers, revealing -- not much to speak of. Lacking flight, he relies on hopping between rooftops and, devoid of super-senses, he must rely on shaking down Ravoni’s old gang for information on their boss’ whereabouts. Saturnian super-science seems capable of granting Solarman fantastic strength and toughness, but little else -- although that’s enough for Solarman to survive a barrage of bullets and to use an unconscious guard as a club.
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| “EE-EEE-EGH!!” |
Solarman returns to Saturn after what might be considered a successful mission, if only to judge by the fact that Quinto didn’t blow the Earth to atoms.
Thomas was a prolific creator for Centaur’s catalog of bizarre superheroes. His creations included Dr.Hypno and -- more famously -- The Eye, a floating eye amidst a blaze of flame and smoke which was seemingly all-powerful and would occasionally direct human agents to go stop crimes. While Solarman wasn’t quite that weird, he was the superior master of branding -- the word “Solarman” appears twenty-one times in the thirty-seven separate panels which constitute the story. It’s not a name you’ll easily forget!
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| I love how they color the Empire State Building in old comics. |
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