ANT MAN: He was in reality Henry Pym, a scientific chemical genius; who discovered a way to shrink down to ant-size and communicate with the insects. His female partner was the ‘Wasp.’ Together, they fought crime in Marvel Comics.
The BLACK WIDOW: She was really Miss Linda Masters. As the Black Widow, she set out to avenge the death of her husband. Her only disguise was à mask. Though she wore clothes. She first appeared in CATMAN COMICS No. 1. (In 1941, she was drawn by Allen Ulmer.)
The BLUE BEETLE: In reality, he was Dan Garrett. His uniform was blue, skin-tight, chainmail armor – with a blue mask. He used a magic blue lamp or lantern as a weapon. He first appeared in Mystery Men Comics and then got his own comic book later on. Many comics used him as a guest star, along with their regular superheroes. The artist that drew him was Charles Nicholas.
The FIREFLY: He wore a costume something like Air-Wave’s uniform. One of his special gifts was the artificial power to glow in the dark, in order to surprise criminals. Like many in the 1940’s, he fought Nazi agents.
The FLY-MAN: Was really Clip Foster, a prizefighter. His father, who was an inventor, created a serum that could shrink humans to the size of a fly. He was never able to regain his normal size. (He was in ‘Family Comics.’)
The FLY: He was no relation to ‘Fly Man’ In the beginning, he fought alone; but later on he adopted a female partner who came to be known only as Fly Girl. Together, they fought internal and international wrong-doers.
The GREEN HORNET: In reality, he’s Britt Reid; young publisher of the newspaper known as the ‘Daily Sentinel.’ He chose the name and emblem of the Green Hornet, because this type of insect is the angriest when aroused.
The HOODED WASP: The Hooded Wasp first appeared in SHADOW COMICS in the year 1942. He had a young teenage partner known as ‘The Wasplet’, who was in reality Jim Martin. They fought crime and Nazi agents.
The MOTH: He made his first appearance in MYS* TERY MEN Comics in 1940. Not much is known of him…though he probably beat up plenty of bad guys.
The RED BEE: In reality, he was Rick Raliegh; and was in Hit Comics. Another man-of-mystery, known but to God and the 3 people in the world who must have read him.
The SCARAB: He was named after the mystical, sacred Scarab; an insect considered holy in ancient Egypt. He wore the magic Scarab medallion around his neck at all times, for protection. He used mind and magic to fight crime.
The SILVER SCORPION: She was really Betty Barston, and she made her first appearance in Daring Mystery Comics in 1941 as a guest star.
The SPIDER: Like the Shadow, he was a rich playboy on the side. His black costume was like the Shadow’s except that it was lined with webs. His partner was an East Indian named Ram Singh. As a team, they fought Nazis n criminals.
SPIDER MAN: Peter Parker was bitten by a spider crawling with atomic radiation, and became Spider Man; with all of the powers of a spider. His greatest nemesis was the editor of the newspaper he worked for. (Marvel Comics.)
The SPIDER WIDOW: She began her crime-fighting career in Feature Comics No. 57. In reality, she was really Dianne Grayton; she had no particular powers. She used spiders to frighten her enemies. (As early as 1942 – drawn by Frank Borth.)
SPIDER WOMAN: She was really Helen Goddard, and she made her first appearance in Major Victory Comics No. 1 in 1944. She also fought Nazis n’ Japs.
The TARANTULA: was really John Law and first appeared in 1941, in DC’s Star Spangled Comics.
The WASP: She was the female assistant of Ant Man. With the scientific help of Henry Pym (Ant Man), she could be reduced to the size of a wasp; — wings n all. The Wasp first made her appearance in Marvel Comics in 1965.
The WASP: (Not the Marvel version), was really Burton Slade; and made his first appearance in 1939 in Silver Streak Comics. Drawn by J. Fletcher.
YELLOW-JACKET: Here was an unusually colorful comic book superhero. His costume was modeled after a giant bumble bee. It was mostly composed of black and yellow stripes, from head to toe; with an eye mask attached to it.
Jimmy Thornton