Fiery Mask

Real Name: Jack Castle

Identity/Class: Human mutate

Occupation: Doctor

Affiliations: None

Enemies: Doctor (mad scientist with a zombie-ray and giant buzzards), Dork (another mad scientist with a giant ape); Legion of Doom (demons); Zombie Master (giant scientist)

Known Relatives: William (brother)

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unspecified U.S. city

First Appearance: Daring Mystery Comics #1  (Timely Comics, October 1939)

Powers/Abilities: Superhuman strength. Able to leap huge distances. Super-breath. Can generate intense heat, able to turn that heat into protective forcefields which can be extended to cover others he is touching.

History: (Daring Mystery Comics #1) When local tramps begin to be kidnapped by "zombies", the police ask noted young doctor Jack Castle for his assistance on the case. Trying to investigate, Jack was kidnapped himself, and taken to the "Zombie Master", who proved to be a 20' tall scientist employing a hypnotic ray to make an army of zombie homeless people to commit robberies for him. Having done his duty as a criminal mastermind by explaining his plans to his captive enemy, the Zombie Master then tried to hypnotise Jack. Jack's own knowledge of hypnosis allowed him to resist, so the Zombie Master turned up the power. The equipment overloaded and exploded, killing the Zombie Master but irradiating Jack, giving him superhuman powers. Jack decided to use these powers as a superhero, and designed the costumed identity of the Fiery Mask.

(Human Torch Comics #2) The Fiery Mask battled the Doctor, another scientist who liked turning people into his zombie slaves, but who also had a sideline in giant buzzards.

(Daring Mystery Comics #5) The Fiery Mask battled Dork, another scientist, though this one rejected zombies and buzzards, and instead employed a giant ape.

(Daring Mystery Comics #6) The Fiery Mask travelled to Hell, where he fought the demonic Legion of Doom.

(The Twelve #1-12) Fiery Mask 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: Fiery Mask 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.

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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