Hydroman
Hydroman | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Eastern Color Printing |
First appearance | Reg'lar Fellers Heroic Comics #1 (Aug. 1940) |
Created by | Bill Everett |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Bob Blake |
Team affiliations | The Superpowers |
Partnerships | Rainbow Boy |
Notable aliases | Hydro |
Abilities | Shapeshifting Ability to transform any part of his body into water |
Hydroman is a fictional superhero character who first appeared in comic books from Eastern Color Printing in 1940.
Created by Bill Everett, Hydroman first appeared in the premiere issue of Reg'lar Fellers Heroic Comics (August 1940).[1]
History
In Superhero Comics of the Golden Age, Mike Benton wrote:
Everett recalled that when a boyhood friend suggested the idea of Hydroman to him, I thought it was utterly preposterous. It was so ridiculous that I couldn't do anything with it. And he said, 'Why, sure! He could change himself into water, he can run through the sewers of New York and water mains. You could turn on the tap in the kitchen, and out comes Hydroman!" Steve Douglas, the editor of Heroic, liked the idea, and Everett came up with the first Hydroman story. I used the name Bob Blake for Hydroman's alter ego, because the guy that created the idea, his name was Bob. It was one way I could give him credit for giving me the story without having to pay him. His hero's last name, Blake, was taken from Everett's middle name".[2]
Issue #14 (Sept. 1942) introduced Rainbow Boy, who would be Hydroman's sidekick. Hydroman's last appearance in this title was in issue #29 (March 1945).[3]
In 2008, Hydroman appeared in the Dynamite Entertainment miniseries Project Superpowers; here he was referred to by the nickname "Hydro", possibly to avoid any conflicts with Marvel Comics who by now had a supervillain character called Hydro-Man.
Fictional biography
In 1940, a young chemical engineer named Harry Thurston accidentally created a compound that could convert human flesh into water, and he spilled some on his hand. He called out to his friend Bob Blake, who was then accidentally doused with a large amount of the substance and turned completely into "living water". Harry found an antidote and poured it into Bob. Restored to human form, Bob soon discovered that he could now transform any part of his body into water and control its form and movement. Deciding to put his new abilities to good use, Bob became a costumed crimefighter and called himself Hydroman.[4] Originally his outfit was shirtless, but later he wore a see-through shirt.
According to Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes, "Hydroman defeats spies, an alien invasion led by the Great One, Yellow Perils, fifth columnists, the Phantom, the Alchemist, and the Native American murderer Black Bird".[5]
Later, Hydroman gained a partner in the form of Jay Watson, a young employee of the Wizard Kid Radio Program. When exposed to sunlight, Jay could fly at the speed of light, leaving a rainbow-like trail in his wake which he could shape and control (much like Green Lantern's ring power). In his costumed identity of "Rainbow Boy", Jay worked with Hydroman and also went on solo adventures.
Project Superpowers
At some point after World War II, Hydroman and Rainbow Boy were each trapped and imprisoned in the mystical Urn of Pandora (along with scores of other heroes) by the misguided Fighting Yank. Decades later, the Urn was broken and the heroes freed. Hydroman found himself allied with a group of heroes called The Superpowers, who were determined to counteract the totalitarian actions and agenda of the current rulers of the world. Rainbow Boy, on the other hand, joined a group of kid heroes and sidekicks called The Inheritors, who are at odds with the adult heroes.
Powers and abilities
After being doused with a chemical compound, Hydroman can transform any part of his body into water, and control its form and movement.
References
- ^ Markstein, Don. "Hydroman". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. pp. 111–112. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
- ^ Mougin, Lou (2020). Secondary Superheroes of Golden Age Comics. McFarland & Co. pp. 396–397. ISBN 9781476638607.
- ^ Yoe, Craig (2016). Super Weird Heroes:Outrageous But Real!. Yoe Books/IDW. p. 170. ISBN 978-1631407451.
- ^ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
External links
- Hydroman at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on February 5, 2016.
- Hydroman at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Rainbow Boy at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
- Hydroman at International Catalogue of Superheroes
- Rainbow Boy at International Catalogue of Superheroes
- v
- t
- e
- Captain Courageous
- Doctor Nemesis
- The Flag
- Lash Lightning
- The Raven
- Unknown Soldier
- Vulcan
Publications
- The Atom
- Al Pratt
- Black Canary
- Dinah Drake
- Doctor Mid-Nite
- Doiby Dickles
- The Flash
- Jay Garrick
- The Gay Ghost
- Green Lantern
- Hawkgirl
- Hawkman
- Carter Hall
- Hop Harrigan
- Johnny Thunder
- Justice Society of America
- The King
- Mister Terrific
- Terry Sloane
- Neptune Perkins
- Red Tornado
- Sargon the Sorcerer
- The Terrific Whatzit
- Thunderbolt
- Ultra-Man
- The Whip
- Wildcat
- Ted Grant
- Wonder Woman
- Airman
- Amazing-Man
- The Arrow
- The Clock
- The Eye
- Fantom of the Fair
- Magician from Mars
- The Masked Marvel
- Minimidget
- Atomic Mouse
- Captain Atom
- Nightshade
- Mr. Muscles
- Nature Boy
- Space Adventures
- Yellowjacket
- Bulletgirl
- Bulletman
- Captain Marvel
- Captain Marvel Jr.
- Captain Midnight
- Dan Dare
- Hoppy the Marvel Bunny
- Ibis the Invincible
- Lieutenant Marvels
- Marvel Family
- Mary Marvel
- Master Man
- Minute-Man
- Mr. Scarlet
- Nyoka the Jungle Girl
- Phantom Eagle
- Pinky the Whiz Kid
- Scoop Smith
- Spy Smasher
- Squadron of Justice
- Uncle Marvel
- Black Fury
- Blue Beetle
- Dan Garret
- The Bouncer
- Bronze Man
- Dynamo
- The Flame
- Green Mask
- The Moth
- Samson
- Stardust the Super Wizard
- U.S. Jones
- Wonder Man
- Black Cat
- Captain 3-D
- Captain Freedom
- Green Hornet
- Invisible Scarlet O'Neil
- Kato
- Shock Gibson
- Spirit of '76
Publications
- Captain Battle
- Claw
- Crimebuster
- Daredevil
- Little Wise Guys
- Silver Streak
- The Black Hood
- Bob Phantom
- Captain Flag
- The Comet
- The Firefly
- The Fox
- The Hangman
- Rang-a-Tang the Wonder Dog
- The Shield
- Super Duck
- The Web
- The Wizard
Publications
- Ace the Bat-Hound
- Air Wave
- Aquaman
- Batman
- Batwoman
- Black Pirate
- Boy Commandos
- Captain Comet
- Chris KL-99
- Congo Bill
- Crimson Avenger
- Lee Travis
- Dan the Dyna-Mite
- Dark Ranger
- Detective Chimp
- Doctor Fate
- Kent Nelson
- Doctor Occult
- Genius Jones
- Gimmick Girl
- Green Arrow
- Guardian
- Hourman
- Rex Tyler
- Johnny Chambers
- King Faraday
- The Knight
- Krypto
- Liberty Belle
- Manhunter
- Paul Kirk
- Martian Manhunter
- Miss X
- Mr. America
- Newsboy Legion
- Phantom Stranger
- Rex the Wonder Dog
- Robin
- Dick Grayson
- Robotman
- Rose Psychic
- Sandman
- Wesley Dodds
- Sandy the Golden Boy
- Seven Soldiers of Victory
- Shining Knight
- Sir Justin
- Slam Bradley
- The Spectre
- Speedy
- Roy Harper
- Squire
- Star-Spangled Kid
- Starman
- Ted Knight
- Stripesy
- Stuff the Chinatown Kid
- Superboy
- Kal-El
- Superman
- Superwoman
- Tarantula
- TNT
- Tommy Tomorrow
- Vigilante
- Wonder Woman
- Zatara
- American Crusader
- American Eagle
- Black Terror
- Captain Future
- Doc Strange
- Fighting Yank
- The Ghost
- Grim Reaper
- Judy of the Jungle
- Kara the Jungle Princess
- Lance Lewis, Space Detective
- Liberator
- The Magnet
- Miss Masque
- Princess Pantha
- Pyroman
- The Scarab
- The Woman in Red
- Blue Bolt
- Dick Cole
- The Target
- The Targeteers
- The Twister
Publications
- #711
- The Black Condor
- Blackhawk
- Blue Tracer
- Bozo the Iron Man
- Captain Triumph
- Doll Girl
- Doll Man
- Firebrand
- The Human Bomb
- Invisible Hood
- The Jester
- Kid Eternity
- Lady Luck
- Madame Fatal
- Magno
- Manhunter
- Merlin the Magician
- Midnight
- Miss America
- Miss Fear
- Mouthpiece
- Neon the Unknown
- Phantom Lady
- Plastic Man
- Quicksilver
- The Ray
- Red Bee
- Red Torpedo
- The Spider
- Spider Widow
- Uncle Sam
- Wildfire
- Wonder Boy
- Woozy Winks
- All-Winners Squad
- American Ace
- The Angel
- Black Marvel
- Black Widow
- Claire Voyant
- Blazing Skull
- Blonde Phantom
- Blue Blade
- Blue Diamond
- Breeze Barton
- Bucky
- Captain America
- Captain Wonder
- The Challenger
- Citizen V
- The Destroyer
- Dynamic Man
- Father Time
- The Ferret
- Fiery Mask
- The Fin
- Golden Girl
- The Human Torch
- Jack Frost
- Laughing Mask
- Marvel Boy
- Mercury
- Miss America
- Miss Fury
- Mister E
- Namor
- Namora
- The Patriot
- Phantom Reporter
- Red Raven
- Rockman
- Silver Scorpion
- Sun Girl
- Super Rabbit
- Thin Man
- Thunderer
- Tim Mulrooney
- Toro
- Venus
- The Vision
- The Whizzer
- Robert Frank
- The Witness
- Young Allies
- American Comics Group
- Anglo-American Publishing
- Commander Steel
- Atlas Publications
- Captain Atom
- Bell Features
- The Brain
- Johnny Canuck
- Nelvana of the Northern Lights
- Cardal Publishing
- Streamline
- Columbia Comics
- The Face
- Skyman
- David McKay Publications
- Mandrake the Magician
- The Phantom
- DC Thomson
- The Amazing Mr X
- Jack Flash
- Dynamic Publications
- Dynamic Man
- Yankee Girl
- Eastern Color Printing
- Buck Rogers
- Hydroman
- Phantom Magician
- EC Comics
- Moon Girl
- Superduperman
- Elliot Publishing Company
- Fiction House
- Hillman Periodicals
- Airboy
- The Heap
- Holyoke Publishing
- L. Miller & Son, Ltd.
- Magazine Enterprises
- Funnyman
- Maple Leaf Publishing
- Brok Windsor
- Iron Man
- Rural Home Publications
- Green Turtle
- Street & Smith
- The Avenger
- Doc Savage
- The Shadow
- Supersnipe