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| In 1941, the Whizzer first appears in ''USA Comics'' #1, published by ] (August of that year) and was created by ] and ]. Timely published solo adventures of the Whizzer throughout the first half of the 1940s, and in 1946 Timely placed the character alongside mainstream characters such as ] and ] in a team-centered feature in ''All Winners Comics'' just prior to the title's cancellation. | In 1941, the Whizzer first appears in ''USA Comics'' #1, published by ] (August of that year) and was created by ] and ]. Timely published solo adventures of the Whizzer throughout the first half of the 1940s, and in 1946 Timely placed the character alongside mainstream characters such as ] and ] in a team-centered feature in ''All Winners Comics'' just prior to the title's cancellation. | ||
| By 1969, Timely Comics was now Marvel Comics, and '']'' writer ] and penciller ] created a team of villainous characters called the ] - all loosely based on four characters featuring in the title ], published by ].<ref>"Interview with Roy Thomas and Jerry Bails", ''The Justice League Companion'' (2003) pp.72 – 73</ref> One of these characters was called the Whizzer. | By 1969, Timely Comics was now Marvel Comics, and '']'' writer ] and penciller ] created a team of villainous characters called the ] - all loosely based on four characters featuring in the title ], published by ]. <ref>"Interview with Roy Thomas and Jerry Bails", ''The Justice League Companion'' (2003) pp.72 – 73</ref> One of these characters was called the Whizzer. | ||
| In 1971, Thomas and ] revisited the idea by creating a team of heroes with the same names from a parallel Earth, called the ]. This caused confusion in Marvel's production department as the covers of ] vol. 1, #85 and #141 promote the Squadron Sinister, when in fact it is the Squadron Supreme that appear in both issues. | In 1971, Thomas and ] revisited the idea by creating a team of heroes with the same names from a parallel Earth, called the ]. This caused confusion in Marvel's production department as the covers of ] vol. 1, #85 and #141 promote the Squadron Sinister, when in fact it is the Squadron Supreme that appear in both issues. | ||
| In 1976, Thomas and ] revamped the Golden Age Whizzer's origins and history. Thomas expanded on the Whizzer's World War II career, and the character retroactively had membership in the superhero teams the ] and the ] <ref>''Invaders'' vol. 1, #5 - 6 + ''Marvel Premiere'' #29 - 30</ref> even though the teams had not existed in the original Timely comics. | In 1976, Thomas and ] revamped the Golden Age Whizzer's origins and history. Thomas expanded on the Whizzer's World War II career, and the character retroactively had membership in the superhero teams the ] and the ] <ref>''Invaders'' vol. 1, #5 - 6 + ''Marvel Premiere'' #29 - 30 (1976)</ref> even though the teams had not existed in the original Timely comics. | ||
| In 1985, writer ] created a limited series that featured the exploits of the alternate universe version of the Whizzer and his teammates in the Squadron Supreme. | In 1985, writer ] created a limited series that featured the exploits of the alternate universe version of the Whizzer and his teammates in the Squadron Supreme. | ||
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| ==Fictional character biographies== | ==Fictional character biographies== | ||
| === Golden Age Whizzer (Robert Frank) === | === Golden Age Whizzer (Robert Frank) === | ||
| While on a trip in ], Robert Frank is bitten by a ]. Frank is saved by a transfusion of ] blood, and soon discovers that he has developed superspeed. This is later changed in the modern age and it is stated that the mongoose blood simply acts as a catalyst for his ] physiology. <ref>''Avengers'' Annual #6 (1976)</ref> Frank then decides to fight crime and eventually accepts the offer of Invaders member ], who forms the superhero team the Liberty Legion to rescue the other Invaders, who have been brainwashed by the villain the ]. <ref>''Invaders'' vol. 1, #5 - 6 |
While on a trip in ], Robert Frank is bitten by a ]. Frank is saved by a transfusion of ] blood, and soon discovers that he has developed superspeed. This is later changed in the modern age and it is stated that the mongoose blood simply acts as a catalyst for his ] physiology. <ref>See ''Avengers'' Annual #6 (1976)</ref> Frank then decides to fight crime and eventually accepts the offer of Invaders member ], who forms the superhero team the Liberty Legion to rescue the other Invaders, who have been brainwashed by the villain the ]. <ref>This happens '''after''' the Golden Age Whizzer's historical adventures. Writer Roy Thomas performs a retcon in ''Invaders'' vol. 1, #5 - 6 + ''Marvel Premiere'' #29 - 30 in 1976</ref> When the Liberty Legion and Invaders eventually disband after World War II, the Whizzer joins the newly-formed ]. <ref>''All Winners Comics'' #19 & 21 (Fall & Winter 1946)</ref> | ||
| In the modern age the Whizzer reappears as an aging hero who had married fellow superhero ]. The Whizzer briefly serves with the ] <ref>Giant-Size Avengers #1</ref> who aid him in controlling his son ]. <ref>''Avengers'' Annual #6 (1976)</ref> At the end of this adventure, the Whizzer erroneously believes himself to be the father of the mutant twins ] and the ]. After a humbling defeat at the hands of the supervillain ] <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #165</ref> the Whizzer decides to retire <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #173</ref>, but later returns to fight a final battle against an old war-time foe called ]. The Whizzer dies fighting Isbisa, but his sacrifice enables his son Nuklo to begin a normal life. <ref>''The Vision and the Scarlet Witch'' vol. 1, #2 (1982)</ref> | In the modern age the Whizzer reappears as an aging hero who had married fellow superhero ]. The Whizzer briefly serves in an unofficial capacity with the ] <ref>Giant-Size Avengers #1</ref> who aid him in controlling his son ]. <ref>''Avengers'' Annual #6 (1976)</ref> At the end of this adventure, the Whizzer erroneously believes himself to be the father of the mutant twins ] and the ]. After a humbling defeat at the hands of the supervillain ] <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #165</ref> the Whizzer decides to retire <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #173</ref>, but later returns to fight a final battle against an old war-time foe called ]. The Whizzer dies fighting Isbisa, but his sacrifice enables his son Nuklo to begin a normal life. <ref>''The Vision and the Scarlet Witch'' vol. 1, #2 (1982)</ref> | ||
| === Whizzer - Supervillain (James Sanders) === | === Whizzer - Supervillain (James Sanders) === | ||
| {{main|Speed Demon}} | {{main|Speed Demon}} | ||
| The villainous version of the Whizzer first appears as a member of the Squadron Sinister, a group of supervillains assembled by the cosmic entity the ] to battle the champions of the time-traveling ] - the superhero team the ]. It was revealed years later <ref>''Squadron Supreme'' #8 (of 12) (1986)</ref> that the Grandmaster created the Squadron Sinister based on the ''already existing'' Squadron Supreme. The Avengers simply met the "copies" first. <ref> |
The villainous version of the Whizzer first appears as a member of the Squadron Sinister, a group of supervillains assembled by the cosmic entity the ] to battle the champions of the time-traveling ] - the superhero team the ]. It was revealed years later <ref>''Squadron Supreme'' #8 (of 12) (1986)</ref> that the Grandmaster created the Squadron Sinister based on the ''already existing'' Squadron Supreme. The Avengers simply met the "copies" first. <ref>See ]</ref> The Whizzer battles the Avenger ] until their fight is interrupted by the adventurer the ]. The villainous Whizzer later assists the original members of the Squadron Sinister, who together with the alien ] attempt to flood the Earth, but are stopped by the superhero team the ]. <ref>''Defenders'' vol. 1, #13 - 14</ref> After this defeat the Squadron Sinister are teleported off world by Nebulon, but are later returned to Earth. Having acquired an energy-draining weapon, the Squadron Sinister plan to threaten the Earth once more but are defeated by the Defenders and the Avenger ]. <ref>''Giant-Size Defenders'' #4 (1974)</ref> | ||
| The Whizzer later has another brief encounter with several members of the Avengers, who at the time were seeking out a way to separate the Power Prism of ] from fellow Avenger the ]. <ref>''Avengers'' Annual #8 (1978)</ref> The entire Squadron Sinister then disappear into obscurity for many years, although the Whizzer eventually decides to return to crime. Wishing to cut ties with his old team, the Whizzer first adopts a new costume and the alias ]. | The Whizzer later has another brief encounter with several members of the Avengers, who at the time were seeking out a way to separate the Power Prism of ] from fellow Avenger the ]. <ref>''Avengers'' Annual #8 (1978)</ref> The entire Squadron Sinister then disappear into obscurity for many years, although the Whizzer eventually decides to return to crime. Wishing to cut ties with his old team, the Whizzer first adopts a new costume and the alias ]. | ||
| ==Alternate versions== | ==Alternate versions== | ||
| ⚫ | === Whizzer - Superhero (Stanley Stewart) === | ||
| {{main|Squadron Supreme}} | |||
| ⚫ | ]'' #4 ( |
||
| This version the character lives in an ] from the mainstream ] known as ]. This version of the Whizzer gains his powers after running through a luminescent fog, and discovers over the course of several weeks he can run fast enough to penetrate the ]. | |||
| ⚫ | === Whizzer - Superhero (Stanley Stewart - Earth 712) === | ||
| He is part of a superhero team the ], the "good" counterpart to the ] who battled the mainstream superhero team the ] in ''The Avengers'' vol. 1, #69-71 (Oct.-Dec. 1969). The Avengers encounter this version of the Whizzer when they visited his parallel universe in ''The Avengers'' vol. 1, #85-86 (Feb.-March 1971) and again in #141-144, 147-149 (Nov. 1975 - Feb. 1976, May-July 1976). The Whizzer went on to appear with the Squadron Supreme in several further adventures. | |||
| ⚫ | ] | ||
| ''Note that while the character the ] is also called Stanley Stewart and possesses superspeed, he is from the Earth-31916 universe and a different character.'' | |||
| This version of the Whizzer gains his powers after running through a luminescent fog, and discovers over the course of several weeks he can run fast enough to penetrate the ]. The Whizzer and the other members of the Squadron Supreme are first encountered by four Avengers, who accidentally cross into the Earth-712 universe. The Avengers first battle then assist the Squadron Supreme against a global threat before returning to their own universe. <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #85 - 86</ref> The Whizzer and the Squadron Supreme later battle the Avengers once again, who help to free the Squadron's Earth from the influence of the artifact the ]. <ref>''Avengers'' vol. 1, #141 - 144 + 147 - 149</ref> | |||
| He is unrelated to the character the ] of the alternate-universe ] imprint is also named Stanley Stewart and possesses super speed. | |||
| <!--The below belong in the Squadron Supreme article, not the Whizzer article: | |||
| The Whizzer supports team-mate ] when the Squadron Supreme |
The Whizzer supports team-mate ] when the Squadron Supreme decide to take over their Earth and fashion it into a ], but after a deadly battle with several dissenting team members learns the error of their ways. <ref>''Squadron Supreme'' #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)</ref> He and the surviving members of the Squadron Supreme later cross over into the Earth-616 universe and assist the Avengers against the villain the Nth Man, although after this mission the team find themselves unable to return to the Earth-712 universe. <ref>''Squadron Supreme:Death of a Universe'' (1989)</ref> | ||
| The Whizzer and the Squadron Supreme reside at the government facility ] for a time, before assisting the Avengers against the villain Imus Champion and then finding the means to return to their universe. <ref>''Quasar'' #13 - 16 + 19 and ''Avengers'' vol. 3, #5 - 6 + Annual 1998</ref> The team disband on returning home, and are then reunited by Hyperion. <ref>''Squadron Supreme: New World Order'' (1998)</ref> The Whizzer and the team then briefly aid the team the ]. <ref>''Exiles'' #77 - 78</ref> | |||
| ==In other media== | ==In other media== | ||
Revision as of 08:02, 29 April 2007
Comics character| Whizzer | |
|---|---|
 The Whizzer (Robert Frank) features in USA Comics #1 (1941). Art by Al Avison & Al Gabriele. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Timely Comics, Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | (Robert Frank) USA Comics #1 (August 1941) (James Sanders) Avengers vol. 1, #70 (November 1969) (Stanley Stewart) Avengers vol. 1, #85 (March 1971) |
| Created by | (Frank) Al Avison Al Gabriele (Sanders & Stewart) Roy Thomas and John Buscema |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Robert Frank James Sanders Stanley Stewart |
| Team affiliations | (Frank) Liberty Legion Invaders All-Winners Squad Avengers (Sanders) Squadron Sinister (Stewart) Squadron Supreme |
| Abilities | Superhuman speed |
The Whizzer is the name of three different fictional comic-book characters in the Marvel Comics multiverse. The original is a superhero who first appears in the 1940s period referred to as the Golden Age of Comic Books. The second is a supervillain associated with the team Squadron Sinister, while the third is a superhero associated with the team the Squadron Supreme, who originate in an alternate universe.
Publication history
In 1941, the Whizzer first appears in USA Comics #1, published by Timely Comics (August of that year) and was created by Al Avison and Al Gabriele. Timely published solo adventures of the Whizzer throughout the first half of the 1940s, and in 1946 Timely placed the character alongside mainstream characters such as Captain America and Namor in a team-centered feature in All Winners Comics just prior to the title's cancellation.
By 1969, Timely Comics was now Marvel Comics, and Avengers writer Roy Thomas and penciller Sal Buscema created a team of villainous characters called the Squadron Sinister - all loosely based on four characters featuring in the title Justice League of America, published by DC Comics. One of these characters was called the Whizzer.
In 1971, Thomas and John Buscema revisited the idea by creating a team of heroes with the same names from a parallel Earth, called the Squadron Supreme. This caused confusion in Marvel's production department as the covers of Avengers vol. 1, #85 and #141 promote the Squadron Sinister, when in fact it is the Squadron Supreme that appear in both issues.
In 1976, Thomas and Gerry Conway revamped the Golden Age Whizzer's origins and history. Thomas expanded on the Whizzer's World War II career, and the character retroactively had membership in the superhero teams the Invaders and the Liberty Legion even though the teams had not existed in the original Timely comics.
In 1985, writer Mark Gruenwald created a limited series that featured the exploits of the alternate universe version of the Whizzer and his teammates in the Squadron Supreme.
In 1989, Gruenwald also wrote a follow-up graphic novel that left the Squadron Supreme stranded in the mainstream Marvel universe.
Fictional character biographies
Golden Age Whizzer (Robert Frank)
While on a trip in Africa, Robert Frank is bitten by a cobra. Frank is saved by a transfusion of mongoose blood, and soon discovers that he has developed superspeed. This is later changed in the modern age and it is stated that the mongoose blood simply acts as a catalyst for his mutant physiology. Frank then decides to fight crime and eventually accepts the offer of Invaders member Bucky, who forms the superhero team the Liberty Legion to rescue the other Invaders, who have been brainwashed by the villain the Red Skull. When the Liberty Legion and Invaders eventually disband after World War II, the Whizzer joins the newly-formed All-Winners Squad.
In the modern age the Whizzer reappears as an aging hero who had married fellow superhero Miss America. The Whizzer briefly serves in an unofficial capacity with the Avengers who aid him in controlling his son Nuklo. At the end of this adventure, the Whizzer erroneously believes himself to be the father of the mutant twins Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. After a humbling defeat at the hands of the supervillain Count Nefaria the Whizzer decides to retire , but later returns to fight a final battle against an old war-time foe called Isbisa. The Whizzer dies fighting Isbisa, but his sacrifice enables his son Nuklo to begin a normal life.
Whizzer - Supervillain (James Sanders)
Main article: Speed DemonThe villainous version of the Whizzer first appears as a member of the Squadron Sinister, a group of supervillains assembled by the cosmic entity the Grandmaster to battle the champions of the time-traveling Kang - the superhero team the Avengers. It was revealed years later that the Grandmaster created the Squadron Sinister based on the already existing Squadron Supreme. The Avengers simply met the "copies" first. The Whizzer battles the Avenger Goliath until their fight is interrupted by the adventurer the Black Knight. The villainous Whizzer later assists the original members of the Squadron Sinister, who together with the alien Nebulon attempt to flood the Earth, but are stopped by the superhero team the Defenders. After this defeat the Squadron Sinister are teleported off world by Nebulon, but are later returned to Earth. Having acquired an energy-draining weapon, the Squadron Sinister plan to threaten the Earth once more but are defeated by the Defenders and the Avenger Yellowjacket.
The Whizzer later has another brief encounter with several members of the Avengers, who at the time were seeking out a way to separate the Power Prism of Dr. Spectrum from fellow Avenger the Wasp. The entire Squadron Sinister then disappear into obscurity for many years, although the Whizzer eventually decides to return to crime. Wishing to cut ties with his old team, the Whizzer first adopts a new costume and the alias Speed Demon.
Alternate versions
Whizzer - Superhero (Stanley Stewart - Earth 712)
Note that while the character the Blur is also called Stanley Stewart and possesses superspeed, he is from the Earth-31916 universe and a different character.
This version of the Whizzer gains his powers after running through a luminescent fog, and discovers over the course of several weeks he can run fast enough to penetrate the sound barrier. The Whizzer and the other members of the Squadron Supreme are first encountered by four Avengers, who accidentally cross into the Earth-712 universe. The Avengers first battle then assist the Squadron Supreme against a global threat before returning to their own universe. The Whizzer and the Squadron Supreme later battle the Avengers once again, who help to free the Squadron's Earth from the influence of the artifact the Serpent Crown.
The Whizzer supports team-mate Hyperion when the Squadron Supreme decide to take over their Earth and fashion it into a utopia, but after a deadly battle with several dissenting team members learns the error of their ways. He and the surviving members of the Squadron Supreme later cross over into the Earth-616 universe and assist the Avengers against the villain the Nth Man, although after this mission the team find themselves unable to return to the Earth-712 universe.
The Whizzer and the Squadron Supreme reside at the government facility Project Pegasus for a time, before assisting the Avengers against the villain Imus Champion and then finding the means to return to their universe. The team disband on returning home, and are then reunited by Hyperion. The Whizzer and the team then briefly aid the team the Exiles.
In other media
The Whizzer was featured in an episode of the Spider-Man: The Animated Series. In this version, the Whizzer's powers are the result of an attempt at recreating the process that empowered Captain America.
References
- Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: Alternate Worlds 2005
- "Interview with Roy Thomas and Jerry Bails", The Justice League Companion (2003) pp.72 – 73
- Invaders vol. 1, #5 - 6 + Marvel Premiere #29 - 30 (1976)
- See Avengers Annual #6 (1976)
- This happens after the Golden Age Whizzer's historical adventures. Writer Roy Thomas performs a retcon in Invaders vol. 1, #5 - 6 + Marvel Premiere #29 - 30 in 1976
- All Winners Comics #19 & 21 (Fall & Winter 1946)
- Giant-Size Avengers #1
- Avengers Annual #6 (1976)
- Avengers vol. 1, #165
- Avengers vol. 1, #173
- The Vision and the Scarlet Witch vol. 1, #2 (1982)
- Squadron Supreme #8 (of 12) (1986)
- See Squadron Sinister
- Defenders vol. 1, #13 - 14
- Giant-Size Defenders #4 (1974)
- Avengers Annual #8 (1978)
- Avengers vol. 1, #85 - 86
- Avengers vol. 1, #141 - 144 + 147 - 149
- Squadron Supreme #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)
- Squadron Supreme:Death of a Universe (1989)
- Quasar #13 - 16 + 19 and Avengers vol. 3, #5 - 6 + Annual 1998
- Squadron Supreme: New World Order (1998)
- Exiles #77 - 78