The Challenger
Choose Your Weapons


    In early 1941 a young man's father is slain in a gangland killing. The son makes a vow to avenge his father's unnecessary death. Travelling around the world studying every weapon known to or used by man, he becomes an expert in the use of these weapons. He takes on the name of the Challenger, for he "challenges" his foes in a duel with whatever weapon they so choose and defeats them with their weapon of choice. He turns these talents against the mobsters and criminals who prey upon innocent victims like his father. His true name is never revealed but the Challenger is a force to be reckoned with in his brief career.

Comments

    This hero made three appearances in Daring Mystery and Mystic Comics. One story was scripted by Stan Lee and had art by the Silver Age JLA artist, Mike Sekowsky. The Challenger is a “gimmick” hero. In dueling, it was customary for the challenger to give his enemy the opportunity to choose the weapons. So this Challenger became “the master of a thousand weapons.” His strange-looking costume even resembled a fencing master’s. But gimmick heroes tend to pale once the character’s novelty wears off. In addition to weapons mastery, he knows many other skills derived from his travels.

    His villains included the Lizard, an archer and the League of Crime. He has not appeared since the Silver Age, but has been mentioned as part of current Marvel continuity.


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Last Known Legal Copyright Holder:
Timely Comics 1942
Sightings:
Daring Mystery Comics (1st series) # 7
Mystic Comics (1st series) #'s 6 through 10

First Appearance
:
04/41
Last Appearance: 08/42


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