Destroyer (Timely Comics)

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For other uses, see Destroyer (comics).
The Destroyer

Mystic Comics #8 (March 1942). Cover art by Al Gabriele
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Mystic Comics #6 (Oct. 1941)
Created by Stan Lee
In story information
Alter ego Kevin "Keen" Marlow
Abilities Peak human physical condition,
Skilled fighter and marksmen

The Destroyer (Kevin "Keen" Marlow) is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Comics universe, who first appeared in the 1940s during what historians and fans call the Golden Age of comic books. He is significant as being one of the earliest creations of industry legend Stan Lee. As comics historian and former Marvel editor-in-chief Roy Thomas notes: "Stan's most popular superhero creation before the Fantastic Four was the Destroyer, debuting in Mystic Comics #6 (Oct. 1941).[1] The artist co-creator is unknown; the story penciler-inker was Jack Binder, the cover-artist Alex Schomburg.[2]

One of the World War II-era heroes of Marvel's Golden Age predecessor, Timely Comics, the Destroyer was less popular than the company's stars, the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America. Yet the Destroyer's sleekly dark costume with a skull motif, his skintight blue mask that made him appear inhuman, and his occasional cover appearances together worked to make the character more memorable than many others of his era. He was the company's most-published character outside of its three stars and the Angel.

Contents

[edit] Publication history

The Destroyer appeared as the cover feature on the last half of the 10-issue run of the anthology Mystic Comics. He went to star in issues of nearly every Timely superhero anthology, although only one Golden Age story has been reprinted in modern times.

Artists associated with the feature include pencilers Al Gabriele and Mike Sekowsky, and inkers Vince Alascia and Allen Bellman. Comic-book giant Jack Kirby, inked by either Syd Shores or Joe Simon (sources differ), contributed the Destroyer cover of Mystic Comics #7 (Dec. 1941).[3]

[edit] Fictional character biography

[edit] Golden Age

The character's origin, highly similar to that of Captain America, posits American journalist Keen Marlow being captured for spying while reporting behind-the-lines in Nazi Germany. While imprisoned in a concentration camp — that specific phrase being used, though before its association with the Holocaust — Marlow is given a super-soldier serum by fellow prisoner Professor Eric Schmitt, an anti-Nazi German scientist. Responding to the chemical (minus the "Vita-Rays" also used on Cap), Marlow becomes a prime human specimen who escapes, dons a costume, and adopts a fearsome identity with which he fights the Nazis on their own turf. He was occasionally abetted by an Allied agent with the, in retrospect, rather unfortunate name of Florence von Banger. Antagonists included the Scar, Herr Sin and Von Maus.

[edit] Modern-day

In 1970s retcon appearances, the same origin is recounted except for the reporter's identity. Now he is Brian Falsworth, brother of Spitfire (a member of the World War II superhero group The Invaders) and son of James Montgomery Falsworth, Lord Falsworth, who had been the World War I hero Union Jack. "Keen Marlow" was explained as simply a fictitious name. Brian Falsworth gave up the Destroyer identity in order to become the new Union Jack, while his friend Roger Aubrey (initially introduced as Dyna-Mite and member of Crusaders[4]) became the new Destroyer.

This Destroyer has made present-day guest appearances in such titles as Thunderbolts and Citizen V & the V-Battalion, where he was the leader of the titular V-Battalion before eventually stepping down in favour of the original Human Torch. After the Torch's death, Aubrey reassumed command of the V-Battalion.

[edit] In other media

In the 1990s television program Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Keen Marlow was introduced as the Destroyer, an old colleague of Captain America, now past his prime with his powers fading. He appeared as one of the "Six Forgotten Warriors" in the story arc of the same name. He was also a friend of Peter (Spider-Man) Parker's Uncle Ben.

[edit] Bibliography of appearances

[edit] Golden Age

  • Mystic Comics #6-10 (Oct. 1941 - Aug. 1942)
  • All Winners Comics #2-12 (Fall 1941 - Winter 1944)
  • USA Comics #6, 8-14, #16-17 (Dec. 1942, May 1943 - Fall 1944, Summer-Fall 1945)
  • Amazing Comics #1 (Fall 1944), becomes Complete Comics #2 (Winter 1944)
  • Mystic Comics Vol. 2 #1-4 (Oct. 1944 - March 1945)
  • Daring Comics Vol. 2 #11-12 (Summer-Fall 1945)
  • Kid Komics #4-6, 9-10 (Spring-Fall 1944, Spring-Summer 1946)
  • All Select Comics #6, 10 (March 1945, Summer 1946)

[edit] Modern-day

  • The Invaders #18-19, 26, 34
  • Midnight Sons Unlimited #5
  • Thunderbolts #40, 41, 45-51
  • Citizen V & the V-Battalion Vol. 1 #1-3, Vol. 2 #1-4.

[edit] Golden Age reprints

  • "The Beachhead Blitz" (from All Winners Comics #12)
Marvel Super-Heroes #12 (Dec. 1967) [and]
The Golden Age of Marvel Comics (1997) ISBN 0-7851-0564-6

 Note: Marvel Super-Heroes lists Don Rico as artist; The Golden Age of Marvel Comics lists Mike Sekowsky

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ The Golden Age of Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1997; ISBN 0-7851-0564-6) Introduction, p. 3
  2. ^ Grand Comics Database: Mystic Comics #6
  3. ^ Grand Comics Database: Mystic Comics #7 Jack Kirby Museum: Destroyer cover, Mystic Comics #7
  4. ^ Invaders #14

[edit] References