Samson (Fox Feature comics)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Samson | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
||||||
Samson was a fictional superhero that appeared in comic books published by Fox Feature Syndicate. He first appeared in Fantastic Comics #1 (December, 1939). The writer was uncredited, but is believed to be Will Eisner; the artist was Alex Blum, using the pseudonym "Alex Boon".[1]
Contents |
[edit] Background
Samson (he had no secret identity) was a direct descendant of the biblical figure. Like his ancestor, Samson had immense strength and endurance, but could lose his powers when his hair was cut. Samson only learned about his heritage when he was a grown man, after his mother revealed his ancestry.
While in college, his friend Professor Dunn showed him a new invention, an "iconoscope", which allowed the viewer to watch remote scenes without a transmitter. The iconoscope picked up the image of an eastern holy man, who was praying for a higher power to sent someone to battle evil. Samson used his superpowers to visit the holy man, and agreed to be that champion.
In issue #10 of Fantastic Comics, Samson gained a young side-kick named David. David has no superpowers, and his role mainly consisted of being rescued by Samson after being captured by criminals.
[edit] Publication history
After appearing in Fantastic Comics in 1939, Samson was given his own title in the fall of 1940. He simultaneously appeared in Big 3 comics, along with the Flame and the Blue Beetle. Samson's origin story was revealed in Samson comics #1.
Fantastic Comcis ceased publication in November 1941. After six issues, Samson comics changed its name to Captain Aero (September, 1941). Finally, he was replaced in Big 3 comics in issue #7 (January, 1942; this issue proved to be last) by the little known hero V-Man.
A short lived revival appeared in 1955.
[edit] Powers and abilities
Samson, due to his relation to the Biblical character, had super strength, invulnerability, and super-speed. He would lose these powers if his hair was cut. These powers would be restored once his hair regrew. Fortunately, Samson's hair grew at an accelerated rate.
