What follows is a list of Native American Heroes, supporting characters and villains in 1940s comic books. I make a distinction between contemporary Native American heroes, that is heroes set in the present, and Native American heroes set in the Old West. For me, I feel the contemporary characters are more meaningful as they tend to require a more original conceptualization and reflect a less often seen character than the more stock figure of the Indian of the Old West. That said, given some of the stereotypes in play, any positive portrayal of a heroic Native American in popular media is to be celebrated.

CONTEMPORARY NATIVE AMERICAN HEROES

The BALD EAGLE

Jeff Gatling, head flight instructor and chief troubleshooter for the U.S. Marines. The Eagle is part Indian. Gatling “lost his hair diving his plane through a fire in a rescue mission.” Gatling is described as “the best stunt flier in the country.” Gatling’s plane is his own invention, nicknamed the Iron Coffin. He wears conventional flight gear with a jaunty scarf. Air Fighters Comics 2-17 HILLMAN (1942-44).

The BIRD MAN

Contemporary Native American hero who is the ancestor of an ancient indigenous deity. The Bird Man has the power to fly and also possesses the keen senses of a bird. He faces elemental foes, such as a stone man or giant lizards, or allies himself with animals in need, such as a bear. Weird Comics 1-4 FOX (active 1940).

Blue Eagle of “the Ghost Squadron”

The Ghost Squadron, also entitled the Ghost Patrol, is an anthology of aviation stories that involve ghosts. There are no recurring heroes. One pilot of note, however, is Blue Eagle, a Pueblo Indian. Blue Eagle no longer believes in the traditional ways, and scoffs when his girl friend gives him a miniature totem pole to remind him that “the spirits of our tribe are ever ready to go to you in times of danger.” But when Blue Eagle is captured by the Japanese, the spirit of a departed Pueblo chief spurs him on to find a way to escape with his fellow prisoners. Wings Comics 110 (active 1949).

BUCKSKIN

AKA Robert Blake, high school principal. Part Native American, he is trained by his grandfather, a former Indian scout. Blake adopts a blue buckskin uniform, recalling the attire of America’s first heroes, to inspire his students. He is assisted by Talon, his pet eagle. Super-Mystery Comics v2/1-4, v2/6-3/1 ACE (active 1941-43).

Eagle of “the Tough Kid Squad”

This gang of adolescent heroes consists of two brothers named the Danger Boys (Tom and Wally Danger, to be precise), an overweight fellow named Butch, the rough and tumble Derrick Dawes, and a Native American youth named Eagle. Tom and Wally were separated at birth, one receiving a serum that enhanced his intellect and the other that enhanced his physical abilities. They also experienced dramatically different growings up. Tough Kid Squad 1 (active 1942).

John Red Hawk of the “Sky Rangers”

During World War II known as the Rangers of Freedom or the U.S. Rangers. Captain Morgan leads a team comprised of John Red Hawk, Peter Rogers and various other unnamed men. In a devastating battle with Koto and his Golden Dragon Squadron in Rangers 19, Morgan loses twenty of those men. He is only able to destroy the Japanese squadron with the aide of a female agent, Ming-Ho. After the war, in Rangers 30 (1946), this team of military men take to the sky as the Sky Rangers. Throughout their career, in wartime or after, they often face dangerous femme fatales.

JOHNNY FOX

Fox is a private detective nicknamed “the Indian Ace.” Fox’s dying grandfather, a medicine man, bequeaths to him the secret of his recently developed sun-shot pellets, which have the power to turn a person invisible. “With the aid of powerful sun-shot pellets, Johnny Fox—Seminole Indian brave—can become invisible at will.” He is also an excellent archer. Fox is a sharp dresser. He does not wear a uniform, but in his early adventures would often do battle with his enemies shirtless, in conventional trousers, carrying a bow. A college educated young man in “superb physical condition,” Fox uses his wits and his power of invisibility to help deserving individuals in need in Florida. When he loses the formula for these pellets in Champion 9, Fox decides to move to New York City and become a private detective. Then, in Champ 12, the ghost of his grandfather communicates the lost formula to Johnny through the psychic abilities of Mama Three Bears Mama Three Bears. Fox takes on Axis saboteurs in later stories. Champion Comics 6-10; Champ Comics 11-17 HARVEY (1940-42).

The LONE EAGLE

The Lone Eagle is a handsome, brown-haired aviator ace who first joins the R.A.F. in England in order to get an early start at fighting Nazis. The Lone Eagle is drawn in the forties as a white man, but portrayed as Native American in a recent retrospective portrayal of the character. This seems unlikely as, upon encountering some Venezuelan Indians on a mission, the Lone Eagle quips: “Off the reservation, eh?” In his final adventure, he is known as Captain Eagle. Thrilling Comics 3-20, 22-31, 33-35,  40-45,47-49, 51-55, 61, 63; America’s Best Comics 5 ABC (active 1940-47).

MANTOKA, Maker of Indian Magic

Mantoka received his powers from his elderly father, Great Bird, a powerful medicine man. As Great Bird prepared to die, he handed Mantoka a jar with a snake inside it. “Permit the snake of knowledge to bite deeply,” his father advised. After being bitten by the snake, Mantoka had the power to change his own shape and the shape of anything else. He could transform into stone, mist, an eagle, or sprout wide white wings all his own: essentially anything he wanted. He could also turn a villain’s hand into fire or a gang of white of white men into rats, the only bodies “fit to hold your evil souls.” Mantoka can also shrink or enlarge in size and in one adventure discovers a strange sub-microscopic civilization. He also can shoot bursts of mystical energy from his hands. Mantoka lives with his small tribe, one of the few to live entirely in traditional ways, on a reservation in the West near Goat Mountain. He is shirtless, wearing only a headband, buckskin pants and moccasins. Funny Pages 34, 36-37 CENTAUR (active 1940).

POW-WOW SMITH

Smith is a Sioux police officer operating in the modern West. As a youth, he earned his original name of Ohiyesa or “Winner.” Later, his settling a conflict with words rather than fists led a group of white loggers to give him the affectionate nickname of Pow-Wow Smith. As he grew into adulthood, Ohiyesa’s association with a white youth named Jimmy led to his interest in attending college with his friend. At the college, Ohiyesa excels at both sports and academics. Both youth obtain degrees in criminology and become police officers. “Pow-Wow” divides his time between the world of white people and the more traditional realm of his people. Ohiyesa is an expert detective. By the early fifties, his exploits have captured the attention of Hollywood and the burgeoning television industry. With 1954, narratives of the contemporary Smith are supplanted by stories of a 19^th century Indian deputy by the same name. These stories of the Old West begin in Western Comics 43 and continue for several years thereafter. Detective Comics 151-202 (active 1949-53).

Red Blaze

Blaze is a handsome All-American athlete who is rumored by some to be an Indian, but may have just been raised as one. He also may have powers over flame. More information is needed. Amazing Adventure Funnies 2–NO CENTAUR (active 1940).

RED HAWK

Red Hawk is apparently the hero’s given name. He is also known as “the American Indian Ace.” Red Hawk’s precise tribal origins are not revealed, nor how he came to be a heroic pilot. .Red Hawk often flies shirtless, wearing animal skin trousers and a lone yellow feather protruding from the back of his head band. He wears his hair in two traditional braids.

Besides being a great pilot, Red Hawk has unique deductive abilities. As one military officer exclaimed upon Red Hawk’s approach: “Bless that Indian! If anybody can figure out the mystery of the Jap bomber, he can!” Red Hawk speaks Japanese well enough to successfully impersonate a Japanese officer.Red Hawk is sent on special missions to wherever his special skills can best be utilized. Operating in the Pacific theatre, Red Hawk has developed a hatred for the Japanese, exclaiming on one occasion, “One more good Jap. One more dead Jap.”

Blazing Comics 1-5 (1944-45).

Snowman

An Eskimo statue of a snowman stands lifeless in the Arctic until the invasion of the land brings the idol to life, “a figure of action and revenge… It is the birth of Snowman!” The hero appears to be a gumby-like snow figure with a little blue cap, blue buttons and blue boots. While Snowman appears a comical, fanciful figure, he is actually a serious hero whose weapon of choice is a hatchet that he is skilled at throwing. Snowman’s chroniclers were John Giunta and a young Frank Frazetta. Tally-Ho Comics nn (active 1944).

Wakanda

Wakanda is a white Indian and possessor of the “mystic white bear claws.” Each of the seven claws on the necklace grant a different power: super-speed, exceptional strength, communication with birds and beasts, the ability to summon the Great Spirit, and three others unspecified in that first adventure. The Texan 6, others? (retold 1949- ).

 

NATIVE AMERICAN HEROES of the OLD WEST

Durango Kid

Durango Kid 1-41, various other titles (retold 1949-  ).

Injun Jones

Blazing West 1-20; Hooded Horseman 21-   ACG (retold 1948-5 ).

Long Bow, Indian Boy

Youthful Indian hero.

Jumbo Comics 131 or 141-59; Firehair 9; Long Bow Indian Boy 1-9 (1950-53)

Tonto

Red Man of the Rockies

“A lone Indian, last of an ancient tribe, with secret powers which his ancestors handed down through the long generations. His home is the great open. His purpose is to use his powers for the good of mankind.” The Red Man operates in the Old West, a bare-chested Indian brave dressed in traditional leggings. The Red Man can conjure up rain (on behalf of his white friends) or create visions to haunt evil doers with his secret fire powers. He is also adept with a rope and a tomahawk. Star Ranger Funnies v2/5; Funny Pages 38 CENTAUR (retold 1939-40).  

Young Falcon

Real Western Heroes 70-75; Western Hero 76-     ; Gabby Hayes Western 9-  FAWCETT (retold 1948-  ).

 

NATIVE AMERICAN ASSOCIATES

Bill-Bill

Superstitious “eskimo” aide to Corporal Andy Flint of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Super Mystery v1/1-3 ACE (active 1940).

Freezum.

An Eskimo boy, Sub-Zero’s sidekick. Freezum speaks in broken English, such as when he is impressed by an especially large vessal: “Me likeum to board big ship!” 
 (first appears?) Blue Bolt Comics 1-37, 39, 44, 106-09 (rep) NOVELTY (1940-44).

Ike

Dr. Benjamin Bright’s Eskimo servant and, as such, occasional companion to “Shock” Gibson. . Electrical scientist whose laboratory is located in Alaska. Introduced in Speed Comics 28 HARVEY (1943-  ).

Little Beaver

An Indian boy and friend of Red Ryder.

Palo

Associate of Jeffrey Quick, the Keymaster. Quick collects keys and sometimes recounts adventures attached to them. He notes, “Since I am the possessor of the Key, I have no need for masks, costumes, or superhuman powers.” Quick throws said key at bad guys. The silken cord attached to it wraps around their ankles and trips them up. The Key has vague mystical attributes and was given to him by Palo’s tribe, who accompanies him in many of his adventures. Palo explains, “The Key belonged to my tribe until we bestowed it upon Jeffery Quick. Only to him would we give it.” Palo, a real partner in Quick’s early adventures, wears a yellow and red plaid shirt and braids his hair in traditional Native American fashion. Key Comics 1, others. CONSOLIDATED (active 1944-46).

Firehair’s Friends

Red- haired Western heroine, “the Dakota’s tribe’s adopted daughter.” Her friends include Chief Tehama, the maiden Grey Dove, the youthful warrior Little Ax, a shaman named Brave Bear and a white scout named…Scout. Firehair’s horse is named Devil-Eye. Rangers Comics 21-65; Firehair 1-11 (retold 1945-52).

Mike

Business partner of Rick Masters. Masters is an aviator for hire, described as a “two-timing hotshot.” Mike shares his adventures. Green Lama.

Tecan

Last chief of the Aztecs, an ally of Dean Denton, Scientific Detective. “Dean, America’s foremost ventriloquist, has left screen, stage, and radio to help others solve their problems through science.” He only occasionally uses his stage abilities in these efforts. He is aided by Tecan, an Arab valet named Absolom, and Carol, his pretty assistant.  Keen Detective Funnies v1/11, v2/2-3/1, 18-24; Super Spy 2; Detective Eye 1; Masked Marvel 3; Super Spy 2; Detective Eye 1 CENTAUR (active 1938-40).

Xingu

Indian mentor of Hale the Magician. Hale and his father are originally part of the Spanish invasion of the New World, and the wise Maoni Indians in particular. Rejecting the cruel customs of the conquistadors, Hale’s father dies with spear in hand, fighting alongside the Indians. His son is then asked to pass a number of deadly tests, ultimately proving worthy of the Maoni secrets of science and magic. The elderly Chief Xingu proceeds to imbue the spear point of Hale’s father with the whole of that power. Even Hale’s subsequent murder by a renegade Indian doesn’t thwart the dying Xingu’s dream for his protégé. “”I have put an immortal soul in the youth… Hale will live.” A later narrative summarizes what happens next: “Buried for many centuries with the mystery of magic in his charmed spearhead, Hale, the Magician, returns to life to battle the injustices of the present day world.” Dynamic Comics 1 (1941).

 

NATIVE AMERICAN VILLAINS

This list is of Native American villains who have unique qualities that separate them from the endless rotation of Indian bad guys who threatened white cowboys in the Old West. Many of these generic Indian villains were portrayed as rogues who fought the incursion of White settlers for nefarious reasons as opposed to the equally generic Indians who wanted peace with Whites. These acquiescent “good” Indians allowed the reader of such stories to accept a romanticized past in which White people never betrayed promises to their Indian neighbors.

The Chief

Otherwise unnamed, the Chief explains his own plan to conquer the United States to Mason: “This bird that you followed is but one of a hundred giant condors that I have reared through many years of selective breeding. Now I train these little pets to bomb cities and kill white men.” This demented Native American leader wears a full-feathered headdress and is willing to whip condors that don’t behave as trained. Bill Barnes v1/3 (1941).

The Indian Monsters

These cannibalistic, amazingly strong Indian warriors easily fall under the sway of a Nazi agent named Dr. Finkle, who inspires them to battle Magno by fueling their hatred of the white man. Four Favorites 2 ACE (1941).

Peter Pokane

“A cruel, young renegade halfbreed,” Pokane fatally injures Johhny Fox’s grandfather after overhearing him talk about his invisibility pellets. He then uses them (for criminal purposes) before Fox learns about them. Still later, Pokane returns and succeeds in stealing the formula from Fox, only to lose his life (and the secret) in the swamps when he is devoured by alligators. Champion 6, 9 HARVEY (1940).

Spitting Snake

Indian chief who seeks to kill Kit West, Pioneer Queen, for the death of his son at her hands. Cow Puncher 1 (1947).

Strong Oak

Opponent of the Phantom Rider, Strong Oak is an Indian chief on the warpath. Star 2/4, others CENTAUR (1939).

Yellow Horse

Arch enemy of Bart Stewart, AKA Buckskin. Bartholemew Stewart’s parents were killed by Yellow Horse, the leader of a band of renegade Indians. His father advised Bart to return to Philadelphia with his dying breath. There, Stewart saw Yellow Horse visiting his wealthy uncle, Adam West. While Stewart was able to kill Yellow Horse, it would take subsequent adventures for him to prove his uncle’s complicity in their murder—an inheritance scheme predicated on Bart’s death. A strapping young man, Stewart’s been described as “wild and a fighter.” Crown Comics 9 MCCOMBS.

 

HOSTILITY TOWARDS INDIANS

I have included these two references to characters who, while not Native Americans, had a notable hatred or cruelty towards Indians. As such, they may be useful for considering the treatment of Native Americans in comic books from this period.

Dr. Cruelo

Evil scientist who tricked Indians into thinking they were traveling to Inca paradise. In actuality, Cruelo would shrink them to microscopic size, embed them in germs and then send them parcel post to feudal plantations deep in the jungle to serve as slaves. As Dr. Tom Tom concluded, “What a slimy racket! And thank goodness we were able to break it up.” Gold Medal nn (1945).

The Ermine

The Ermine is a frontiersman who wears ermine-skin clothes and cap. He was raised by a young woman whose one-time lover was killed by Indians. The woman rescues the future hero as an infant from an Indian who took him during a raid on white settlers. The infant wore an ermine fur cap. As he grew, the foundling showed an affinity to the company of animals. When his foster mother finally told him the details of his origin, he asked her to make him clothes made of ermine skins. He would call himself the Ermine, so that if his real parents were still alive they might remember their lost child. Brown on the outside, the Emine’s shirt boasts white ermine fur on the inside so that if it is turned inside out he’s invisible against a snowy background. He share’s his foster mother’s animosity towards Indians. For her part, the foster mother became a witch with a fondness for cobras. George Filchock is the chronicler of this intriguing hero. Star Ranger 15, v2/1, 3-5; Fantoman 2 (origin) CENTUAR (1938-40).