Challenger (comics)

Challenger
Cover detail, Daring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941) Cover artist unconfirmed
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Daring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941)
Created by	Ray Gill(?), George Klein(?)
In-story information
Alter ego	William "Bill" Waring
Species	Human
Team affiliations	The Initiative Freedom Force
Abilities	Master of several martial arts, master of virtually all known weapons

The Challenger is a fictional superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics, beginning with the company's 1940s iteration as Timely Comics during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books.

Publication history

The Challenger first appeared in Daring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941) from Marvel Comics predecessor Timely Comics, debuting in both a two-page text story, "The Valley of Time", by writer Ray Gill, and in the 12-page comics story "Meet the Challenger", by an unknown writer and artist George Klein, under the pseudonym "Nick Karlton".^[1]. The character went on to appear in Mystic Comics #6-10 (Oct. 1941 - Aug. 1942), in eight- to nine-page stories by artists including Al Bare and Mike Sekowsky, and in at least one instance written by Stan Lee ("Horror Mansion", Mystic Comics #9, May 1942).

The Challenger did not reappear for decades before making a brief appearance in Marvel Premiere #29 (April 1976), in a World War II period story featuring the homefront superhero team the Liberty Legion. The Challenger first appears in a modern-day story in She-Hulk #11 (March 2005), having "bounced forward" in time.

Fictional character biography

Former law student William "Bill" Waring, having traveled around the world to learn skills needed to avenge his father's murder for turning state's evidence over to the district attorney, dons a green costume with a full face mask to became the World War II superhero the Challenger.

Through unexplained circumstances, the Challenger "bounced forward" in time to the present day, finding himself without assets, having been presumed dead, and inquiring of the law firm Goodman, Lieber, Kurtzberg & Holliway about reversing his will. The firm puts him in contact with the superhero Captain America, who had found himself in a future era due to suspended animation for advice and assistance.^[2] He later becomes part of the federal government's Fifty State Initiative of superhero teams, joining the Montana group, Freedom Force.^[3][4]. He appears also in the crossover Avengers/Invaders alongside many Timely Comics heroes.^{[volume & issue needed]}

Powers and abilities

Challenger is a master of weapons, jiu-jitsu, chemistry, and swordsmanship. He is also a skilled marksman, boxer, and pilot.

References

1. ^ Grand Comics Database: Daring Mystery Comics #7
2. ^ She-Hulk #11 (March 2005)
3. ^ Avengers: The Initiative #12 (June 2008)
4. ^ The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Hardcover #2

External links

• Grand Comics Database
• All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z #2 (2006)