Real Name: Unknown - presumably Marko something or something Marko

Identity/Class: Normal human, used high technology

Occupation: Master criminal

Affiliations: None known

Enemies: Dixon Hawke

Known Relatives: None known

Aliases: None known

Base of Operations: Unknown

First Appearance: "Marko the Miracle Man," Dixon Hawke Library #116 (10 December 1923)

Powers/Abilities: Exceptionally strong, he had also invented boots and a belt that allowed him to generate "anti-gravity" and levitate, and created "Y-ray glasses" that could see through objects (so he could see inside safes).

History: The most memorable enemy of Dixon Hawke, Marko was a "rather amazing type of criminal," a scientist/inventor/adventurer who had turned to crime with great enthusiasm. He'd invented boots and a belt that allowed him to generate "anti-gravity" and levitate, and created "Y-ray spectacles."  Between those, his zeal and bloodthirst, and his experience running a gang, he was almost a match for Hawke, nearly assassinating him on a number of occasions, as well as almost killing him closer in several times over, whether with knife, harpoon, garrote, or his bare hands. In his solo stories Marko carries out a long string of crimes, none of which are particularly forgivable, and in general has a long and successful career as a bad guy. He died in 1947 while fleeing from Hawke, as he leapt off the side of a tall building only for his anti-gravity device to malfunction; Marko plummeted to his death.

Comments: Marko was created by Edwy Searles Brooks, the creator of Dixon Hawke. Created in 1923, he continued to plague Hawke and other law enforcers for fourteen years. After his debut in Dixon Hawke Library #116, Marko returned in the following stories:

• Dixon Hawke Library #119 (21st January 1924) The Glendale Lodge Mystery

• Dixon Hawke Library #130 (23rd June 1924) Marko’s Amazing Bid

• Dixon Hawke Library #132 (27th July 1924) Marko at Wembley

• Dixon Hawke Library #153 (11th May 1925) Marko’s Double

• Dixon Hawke Library #165 (28th October 1925) Marko’s Lucky Dip

• Dixon Hawke Library #182 (21st June 1927) Marko, the Bluffer

• Dixon Hawke Library #199 (30th July 1927) Marko - You’re a Wonder

• Dixon Hawke Library #224 (30th June 1928) Marko’s Day of Thrills

• Dixon Hawke Library #241 (23rd February 1929) The Trail of the Mandarins Double

• Dixon Hawke Library #268 (8th March 1930) Marko’s Surprise Item from 2LO

• Dixon Hawke Library #385 (1st September 1934) The Miracle Man’s Lucky Day

• Dixon Hawke Library #397 (16th February 1935) Marko’s Hanging Witness

• Dixon Hawke Library #412 (14th September 1935) The Amazing Marko

• Dixon Hawke Library #466 (9th October 1937) The Return of Marko, the Miracle Man

Marko continued to bedevil Dixon Hawke in the pages of the story paper Adventure, until his demise in Adventure #1200.

He is probably a rewritten version of Brooks' Waldo the Wonder Man, and in turn was rewritten as Norman Conquest.

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

• Miracle Man, a foe of the Fantastic Four

• Miracle Man, a.k.a. Superhombre

• The Miracle Man, Archie Comics

• Miracleman, a.k.a. Marvelman

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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