Captain Wonder

Real Name: Professor Jeff Jordan

Identity/Class: Human mutate

Occupation: Chemistry teacher

Affiliations: Tim Mulrooney (sidekick)

Enemies: Axis forces

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: U.S.A.

First Appearance: Kid Komics #1 (Timely Comics, February 1943)

Powers/Abilities: As strong as "twelve men" (which using the Marvel Universe Handbooks probably means "able to lift about 960 lbs)

History: (Kid Komics #1-2, ga) When chemistry teacher Jeff Jordan discovered a wonder fluid the first person he told about his discovery was student Tim Mulrooney. However as he handed Tim a vial containing a sample to look at, the container was fumbled and dropped to the ground. Smashing on the floor, the fluid within exploded on exposure to air, releasing a cloud of potent gas. The fumes caused Jeff to pass out, but Tim managed to hang on long enough to open a window, possibly saving both their lives.

Awakening, Jeff discovered he had gained superhuman strength. Naturally enough, given the era and the war, this new found power inspired him to adopt a colourful costumed persona, that of Captain Wonder, with Tim as his faithful sidekick.

Captain Wonder took part in the Allied invasion of occupied Europe, but alongside other heroes was captured by the Germans and placed in suspended animation. He has recently been revived.

Comments: Okay, it's hardly surprising to learn that I don't own a copy of this guy's Golden Age appearances, so background information has come from a variety of sources. Unfortunately, none of them seem to agree on the fine details. Some say no first name was ever given for Professor Jordan, but others call him Jeff. Some say he was a chemistry teacher, others a scientist (non-teaching variety). Some say Tim dropped the vial, others say the Professor did. Some say Tim was in detention, others say he was visiting his friend. Some say the liquid exploded when dropped, and Tim heard the explosion, and got into the lab in time to drag his friend out, but all the notes on making the fluid burned up; others say the vial released a gas and Tim got a window open; others simply say a gas was released and both of them passed out. And the jury's also out on whether or not Tim got powers too. For a guy who only had two appearances, there's a lot of conflicting information.

Captain Wonder is due to be revived soon as part of the new Marvel mini-series "The Twelve" by J. Michael Straczynski.

Thanks to Jess Nevins for allowing me to use information from his excellent Golden Age Heroes Directory and his Guide to Golden Age Marvel Characters. Thanks also to Richard Boucher & Darrin Wiltshire @ PR-Publications for permission to use information from their equally brilliant collection of Golden Age Sites, PR Publications. Their knowledge of Golden Age characters far outstrips my own.

 

 

Tim

Real Name: Tim Mulrooney

Identity/Class: Normal human or human mutate (see comments)

Occupation: School boy

Affiliations: Captain Wonder

Enemies: Axis agents

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: U.S.A.

First Appearance: Kid Komics #1 (Timely Comics, February 1943)

Powers/Abilities: Tim might have possessed superhuman strength. Or he might not.

History: Tim Mulrooney was a friend of chemistry teacher Jeff Jordan. He was present when Jeff discovered a wonder fluid which could enhance human strength, and subsequently saved the scientist's life when the vial containing the fluid was dropped and released noxious fumes. Professor Jordan gained superhuman strength and decided to become a costumed hero, Captain Wonder, and Tim became his sidekick...called Tim.

Comments: There is a degree of uncertainty whether or not Tim got superhuman strength in the same accident that gave it to Captain Wonder. Thanks also to Copper for letting me use his Micro Hero version of Tim.

CLARIFICATIONS: Captain Wonder should not be confused with

Tim should not be confused with

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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