Gunhawk

Real Name: Preston Hardwick

Identity/Class: Normal human

Occupation: Cowboy

Affiliations: Blaze (his horse), Doc Morgan (family friend)

Enemies: Zombies, others unknown

Known Relatives: James Hardiwick (father, deceased)

Aliases: Red Larabee

Base of Operations: Wild West, c.1870s

First Appearance: Wild Western #15 (Atlas, April 1951)

Powers/Abilities: As well as being an excellent shot (trained by his father), the Gunhawk also has a few other advantages over the average cowboy hero - he knows judo, and wears a bulletproof vest hidden under his shirt.

History: (Wild Western #15-22, ga) When well-liked mine owner James Hardwick was shot in the back, everyone in Duro County was shocked. Preston, James' son, who had been out East the last few years finishing his education, raced home on hearing the news. Wishing to see the killer's brought to justice, but remembering a promise he had made to his parent never to "let gunpowder besmirch the family name", Preston realised his appearance had changed so much while he had been gone that even family friends didn't recognise him. He took on an alias, Red Larabee, and tracked the murderers down. He continued to wander the West, gaining a reputation as "the Gunhawk", lending help to those in need, and facing a bizarre variety of opponents, ranging from a lost tribe of Aztecs to zombies.

Comments: 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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