The Fin

Real Name: Peter Noble

Identity/Class: Human mutant or mutate

Occupation: Ruler of Neptunia, former U.S. Reserves Naval Engineer

Affiliations: member of the U.S.Navy

Enemies: Barracuda (German U-Boat commander), Ikor

Known Relatives: Silver Age None

Aliases: Super-Shark, Sharpshooter of the Sub-Sea

Base of Operations: Neptunia

First Appearance: Daring Mystery Comics #7 (Timely Comics, April 1941)

Powers/Abilities: The Fin can survive underwater without mechanical assistance. He can both breathe while submerged and is resistant to the incredible pressures of the extreme depths. He has superhuman strength (that of "twenty men"), is a good fighter, and a superhumanly fast swimmer. If he does not submerge himself on a regular basis, his strength lessens, until he is terribly weakened. He is armed with an enchanted cutlass which can cut through most substances, including other metals. The cutlass has also served to slow down his aging, so that he remains fit and healthy in spite of the years since he began adventuring.

History: (Daring Mystery Comics #7, ga) Peter Noble was a U.S. Naval officer whose submarine suffered a terrible accident which consigned it to the depths of the ocean. Trapped in the sinking vessel, he grabbed an oxygen tank and tried to swim to safety, knowing full well that the pressure this far down should kill him. However he is shocked to realise that it doesn't affect him. Wishing to avenge his dead shipmates, he made his home in an undersea cave and swore a vow to battle any and all evils on or above the oceans, adopting the identity of the Fun.

(Daring Mystery Comics #8, ga) The Fin discovered that he could breathe underwater unaided too. Exploring, he discovers an underwater kingdom, Neptunia, inhabited by a race of aquatic people. After adventuring with them for a while, he becomes their ruler.

(Comedy Comics #9, ga) The Fin encounters a Nazi submarine commanded by the Barracuda, and battles this evil intruder in his realm. Later he uncovers a shipwreck from the previous century, and onboard he finds a cutlass undamaged by its long submersion. Discovering that it can cut through steel, he decides it must be enchanted. He visits Manhattan, where he battles Nazi spies, then captures a Nazi spy ship, and hands it over to the Coast Guard.

Comments: Created by Bill Everett.

The Fin only recently returned to the mainstream Marvel Universe, although his existence in the post-Golden Age universe has been confirmed a number of times. In Invaders I #5, his picture is seen in a newspaper article, telling of his capture of some Nazi spies. In Marvel Premiere #39 he is seen in a photograph alongside other Golden Age heroes. And in Avengers I #97 (which in the real world is actually the first of his "modern" appearances), Rick Jones conjured a copy of him up alongside several other heroes of the war era. Now he has returned properly as an ally of the modern-day incarnation of the Invaders.

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: None

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

Back to US Independents Page

Home

All images and characters depicted on this site are copyright their respective holders, and are used for informational purposes only. No infringement is intended and copyrights remain at source.