The Chesler superheroes operated in a world of waking nightmare. They first appeared in Yankee Comics 1, with a cover date of September 1941. The adventures of these heroes were issued by Harry A Chesler, the head of his own art shop and a fledgling publisher. He was one of the last publishers to enter the pre-War rush to tell the stories of super-heroes. Early Dynamic titles were Yankee Comics, Dynamic Comics, Scoop Comics and Punch Comics.

A weird current definitely flowed through the Chesler Universe. Quirky heroes fought creeping evil in a manner that often resembled a late night horror show. The names of the Chesler superheroes reflected this essential oddness: the Black Dwarf was a hero who was merely short, the Echo a ventriloquist turned hero with a brother nicknamed Dr. Doom for no clear reason. Mr. “E” worshiped at the idol of King Kolah and was aided by gremlin-like creatures called the Messengers of Kolah. He was aided by a woman known only as “the strange Miss Terry.” The Dynamic Man’s arch foe was the Yellow Spot. Strange business, indeed!

Yet there were also echoes of more familiar figures: an aquatic hero (Barry Kuda), a pair of flying heroes (Rocketman and Rocketgirl), a mage (Hale the Magician), and several patriots (Major Victory and Yankee Doodle Jones).

Adolescent heroes were fairly well represented in the Dynamic Universe but hardly dominated it. Yankee Boy and Johnny Rebel were the only major independent teen-aged heroes. But Yankee Doodle Jones had his Dandy. Together, these three patriotic young men formed the Guardians of Freedom, or so three interconnected text features in Yankee Comics 3 revealed. There were two also Dynamic Boys, one a partner of Dynamic Man, the other his own agent. Black Cobra’s youthful assistant was the Cobra Kid.

Women also played an active role in the world of Chesler superheroes, though often in a supportive role. Mr. “E” was aided by Miss Terry, the Echo by his sister Cora, the Black Dwarf by a female operative named Arsenic. Rocketman’s constant crime-fighting companion was Rocketgirl. But Lady Satan, Mother Hubbard, and Yankee Girl all acted independently.

Ethnic minorities were markedly underrepresented. Prince Dawambo was an educated African royal with continent-wide ambitions (opposed by Kit Kelly, jungle adventurer). Johnny Rebel, a confederate hero, had a black butler named Rufus. Eightball was a member of the Young Americans. That was about it.

The Dynamic roster of publications were suspended in 1942, at the very same time as those of Victor Fox. It may be that Chesler, like Fox, lost access to his distributor. Late to the publishing game, he may also have lacked a wartime paper quota. Some material apparently prepared in advance for Chesler appeared in two Harvey titles in 1943: All-New Short Story Comics and Hello, Pal! Comics. Dynamic titles published by Chesler didn’t reappear on the newsstands until 1944. His major titles became a revived Dynamic and Punch Comics, and Red Seal Comics. Unlike most 1940s publishers, Chesler reprinted quite a few of his early 1940s stories during this later period. All Chesler titles were cancelled for good in 1946.

Chesler titles and featured superheroes were taken over by Superior Publications, a Canadian firm, in 1947, though they don’t survive much longer in any case.  Robert Farrell was a central figure in this new effort. Certain Dynamic heroes began to appear in already printed adventures, but featuring new names. Black Cobra would be the only Dynamic hero to enjoy a brief revival in a Farrell title under his own name in the fifties.

         

BARRY KUDA

Original Name: Barry Kuda

Origin: While sailing on the Pacific, a typhoon overturns their craft and Barry and his friend Algie sink into the underwater city of the lovely Queen Merma.

Abilities: Kuda and Algie are able to breathe underwater because of “strange coral (which) gives off oxide,that takes the place of air.” Kuda appears to be a better fighter than Merma’s green scaled minions.

Attire: Kuda fights in an orange scaled, scoop necked tunic, belt, and trunks—the same attire he was wearing while sailing.

Modus Operandi: Barry Kuda and his good friend Algie help defend the underwater realm of Queen Merma against external threats.

Friends and Allies:

Algie. Kuda’s best friend from the surface world. Similarly attired to Kuda, just in plain  blue or red fabric without the scales. Algie is anxious to return to surface life.

Merma. Queen of an underwater realm, Merma inexplicably has white skin and long black hair while all of the people of her kingdom have green scaly skin. Kuda’s mix of attraction and devotion keeps him in her service.

Notable Adversaries:

Belzan. Two-legged creature with a fish’s head and pincers for hands. Rival for the throne of Queen Merma, Belzan is supplanted by a more powerful claimant named Octo in his second appearance. Yankee Comics 1-2 (1941-42).

The Midget Kingdom. All New 2

Sightings: Yankee Comics 2-4 reprinted in Spotlight Comics 1-3; All New Short Story Comics 2; Red Seal Comics 16

Active: 1941-43, 1946.

The BLACK DWARF

Secret Identity: Shorty Wilson, former All-American gridiron star and “society sportsman” who frequents the City Athletic Club.

Origin: Wilson retires from football to devote his energies to fighting crime.

Abilities: Agile and strong, despite his short stature. An excellent fighter and a good shot (he carries a revolver). Uses his exceptional connections in the underworld to good advantage.

Attire: Blue-black robes and broad-brimmed hat.

Modus Operandi: Uses his circle of former criminals in setting up the bad guys he hopes to apprehend. While shorter than the average man, this mystery man is by no means an actual dwarf.

Friends and Allies:

Fly, short for “human fly.” A former second-story man, adept at scaling buildings.

Nitro. Reformed safecracker, an expert with explosives.

Arsenic Gaynes, a seductive, slinky brunette. One time “queen of the blackmail racket.”

Dippy. Skilled pickpocket. As an operative, less often utilized than the others.

Notable Adversaries:

“Creepy” Greg. Devious head of a criminal gang, Creepy ferrets out the secret identity of the Black Dwarf. A worthy opponent, he also has colorfully named assistants, including the Kid, Snowbird and a shapely, blonde named Babe. The reason for Creepy’s own nickname isn’t apparent from the narrative. Red Seal 17 (1946).

Sightings: Spotlight Comics 1-3; Red Seal Comics 14-18, 20-22

Active: 1944-46

DYNAMIC MAN

Secret Identity: Bert McQuade, high school athletics coach.

Origin: Dr. Moore, Dynamic Man’s creator, is a “great researcher and authority on ancient black magic.” He creates, in an unnamed fashion, “a mighty human to combat” the evil posed by the Yellow Spot (see below). The Spot mortally wounds Moore with a knife to the chest, but the occultist manages to release “the life giving switch” before he dies. A violent explosion rocks the laboratory, and the already costumed Dynamic Man comes to life. However, by 1944, it is explained that a series of “complex treatments” by a more traditional scientist, “old Doc Stahl,” allows both Dynamic Man and newcomer Dynamic Boy to defy gravity.

Abilities: Moore boasts that his creation will possess “the power of steel, the speed of an eagle and the wisdom of the sages.” As such, Dynamic Man possesses the power of flight and superior strength. It seems clear there is a magical element to his abilities, as Dynamic Man observes, “No bonds forged out of evil can hold me!”

Appearance: Dynamic Man wears a green tunic, sleeves and trunks, with red cape, gloves and boots and yellow shoulder guards and belt.

Modus Operandi: Aided in his fight against crime by his younger brother, Dynamic Boy.

Friends and Allies:

Dynamic Boy (2). Ricky McQuade, Bert’s younger brother, a high school student. (See also the first Dynamic Boy under “Other Dynamic Heroes” below.) Dynamic Comics 11-24 (1944-48).

Notable Adversaries:

Dr. Anton Gore. This bald, bespectacled refugee from Europe invents “the Tangerine Terror,” a citrus-scented poison gas that leaves no trace. When the U.S. government rejects the toxic substance as too dangerous, the embittered biochemist conspires with a rebel chieftain named Jose Muerte of the island nation of Santo Martinez. Together, they intend to use the gas to kill government troops. Dynamic 16 (1945).

Jake and Lil. Circus aerialists who use their act to give future victims a special rubber ball to take home. Once in the wealthy victim’s house, the ball emits a poisonous gas that kills the family and makes for easy pickings by the evil pair. Dynamic 24 (1948).

The Sleep King. The Sleep King, has invented a sleep-ray projector capable of making an entire metropolis fall asleep, thus allowing his gang to plunder the city at will. The Sleep King appears to have unruly white beard and hair and long, narrow nose but this is actually a mask. He is secretly Peabody Simms, a bespectacled scholar who suffers from insomnia. Dynamic 10 (1944).

The Yellow Spot. The Spot, perpetuating the twisted beliefs of a coven of witches, kidnaps scientists through hypnotism with the ultimate intent of destroying their rational brainpower. Notes Dr. Moore, an intended victim: “Knowledge destroyed their following and so they vowed someday to wipe out all learned men.” The Yellow Spot is a large nosed, vampire-like villain capable of transforming himself into a bat. Dynamic 1 (1941).

Sightings: Dynamic Comics 1-3, 8-24

Original Chronicler: Charles Sultan (Mr. E, Major Victory)

Active: 1941-42, 1944-48

The ECHO

Secret Identity: Jim Carson, ventriloquist.

Origin: Twenty years before, the Carson’s home was invaded by criminals. Jim’s father, a surgeon was called on to save the life of the gang leader, surgically altering his face in the process. In the aftermath, the gangsters killed Dr. Carson and shot and seriously wounded his elder son in the leg. The younger son, then just an infant, was raised by another family for his own safety. Only upon graduating from college is Jim told he has an older brother and sister. After meeting them, the skeletal ghost of his father appears to Jim, declaring his murderer deserving of justice but cautioning Jim not to base his life on revenge.

Abilities: Carson was a star athlete and student in college, studying ventriloquism between classes. The Echo uses this ability to distract or trick his enemies. By pressing his belt buckle, the Echo is also able to render himself invisible. His “radioactive” ring, also given to him by his scientist brother, can emit either a blinding light or a paralyzing vibration.
Attire: Carson, as the Echo, dresses in a light blue suit, ascot or bowtie and hat.

Modus Operandi: Echo’s devotion to fighting crime is a family affair, with his long lost sister and brother now constant companions. 

Friends and Allies:

Cora Carson. “Sad but steadfast,” Cora is Echo’s older sister, a lovely brunette, “living only to see justice done on her parent’s evil destroyer.”

“Dr. Doom.” Carson’s brother, a chemist and inventor, is an odd older man of smaller stature, unsteady gait and erratic disposition. These attributes are clearly the result of his childhood assault, though he loyal and loving towards his younger siblings. How he came to call himself Dr. Doom is never revealed, nor whether he has an actual doctoral degree.

Notable Adversary:

Brother Rath. Unscrupulous leader of the Faith Cult, Rath is willing to poison select members of his own group to suggest the consequences of lack of faith. Dynamic 16 (1945).

Dr. Mosely. This demented physician cross-bred vampire bats to develop a particularly deadly strain. Dynamic 12 (1945), reprinted in Dynamic 19.

Gat Carrgio. The gang leader who had Echo’s father killed uses his new face to build a new life as a corrupt politician named George van Carr, who is running for mayor of a major American city. Yankee 1 (1941).

George Tusk. Posing as chemist Dr. Chadwick Greymoor, Tusk uses his creation, an odorless anesthetic, to kidnap the entire Carson Family. Tusk, a famous stage performer, then uses his powers of ventriloquism to frame Echo for his acts of theft and murder. Dynamic 18 (1946).

Mrs. Witherbee. Having the appearance of an old woman, Witherbee is actually the leader of a band of vampires. Utterly without familial loyalty, she is willing to suck the blood of her own daughter, the lovely Miranda. Yankee 3 (1942), reprinted in Dynamic 14.

Sightings: Yankee Comics 1-4; Dynamic Comics 8-23; All New Short Story Comics 1

Active: 1941-47

LADY SATAN

Original identity: Never revealed

Origin: While on a cruise with her fiancé, German pilots attack and sink their ship, resulting in the death of the boyfriend. The soon-to-be Lady Satan vows to fight the Nazis in Europe and does so in a red evening dress and domino mask!

Powers: Lady Satan uses a chlorine gun to knock out her enemies, but if necessary is willing to strangle them with a garrote or stab them in the back with a knife. She can also fly a plane. By 1946, she wonders out loud if she is the “only person in the world today who is a master of the art of Black Magic.” This new Lady Satan can fly and her serpentine ring emits an eerie mist that allows her to divine hidden truths. Or she can consult the silent “people of darkness,” shadows from the Shadow World, who lead her where she needs to go.

Attire: Lady Satan wears the same red evening dress she wore when her boyfriend was killed, only adding a red domino mask. As a mystic, she occasionally dons a red hooded cape as well.

Modus operandi: After only two appearances, in 1942 the merciless agent of justice disappears. Years later, a more powerful Lady Satan reemerges. Over the years, Lady Satan has obtained numerous mystical artifacts that aid her in her efforts.

Friends and Allies: None noted.

Notable Adversaries:

The Master Werewolf. This unscrupulous changeling lures children into his car with candy and then turns them into youthful werewolves he can easily control. The bearded “master” keeps the children in prison cells while he and they are in human form. After Lady Satan rescues and cures the children, she advises them to “never trust strangers again!” Red Seal 17 (1946).

Sightings: Dynamic Comics 2-3; Bulls Eye 11 (reprint); Red Seal Comics 17-18, 20-21 Active: 1941-42, 1946-47.

MAJOR VICTORY

Original identity: Never revealed.

Origin: A soldier guarding an American army post dies saving the camp from a saboteur’s bomb. Two ghostly figures with wings bring him to a mystical patriarch named Father Patriot. The red, white and blue clad spirit saves him from death and gives him a red, white and blue costume to fight the enemies of the United States, so that those who “have given their lives so America shall live on,” shall not have died in vain.

Powers: Major Victory is strong enough to hear a machine gun from the socket of an enemy plane. He is an excellent pilot and good with his fists.

Costume: Major Victory wears yellow form-fitting leggings and loose-shirt. His belt is red with a blue V insignia with yellow wings. His cape has red and white stripes on the outside and is lined with blue on the inside. He also has a stylized blue collar with white stars.

Modus operandi: Father Patriot rings the Liberty Bell whenever Major Victory is needed. He also supplies Victory with a mountain hideout, complete with a wireless shack and airplane hangar.

Friends and Allies:

Father Patriot. “A spirit born in 1776,” Father Patriot is the living embodiment of American patriotism. He is a somewhat portly figure with wild, white hair, beard and eyebrows. He wears red baggy trousers, pointed blue slippers and a billowy blue shirt adorned with white stars.

Notable Adversaries:

Baron Von Krumm. Known for his “ruthlessness and daring,” Baron von Krumm is a Nazi officer dedicated to acts of sabotage in the United States. He sports a monocle and sinister goatee. Dynamic 1 (1941).

The Yellow Hood. This yellow-hooded villain cuts off and shrinks the heads of American leaders, delivering the skulls to meetings as a way of bringing America to the point of despair. The Hood turns out to be a traitorous politician who had faked his own death. Dynamic 2 (1941).

Sightings: Dynamic Comics 1-3; reprinted in Major Victory 1-3

Original Chronicler: Charles Sultan

Active: 1941-42

The MASTER KEY

Secret Identity: Ray Cardell, wealthy scientist who specializes in the study of radio waves. The narrative notes that “this not so playful playboy represents the iron fist of justice!”

Origin: While experimenting with “crossing” radio wavelengths, an energy blast nearly blinds him. Instead it ends up granting him a “radio eye” capable of x-ray vision.

Abilities: The Master Key possesses x-ray vision and the ability to project energy or heat from a “third eye” on his forehead, which becomes visible when he is using this ability.
Attire: While fighting crime, Cardell wears a blue tuxedo and a red-lined cape.

Modus Operandi: Cardell uses his x-ray vision to unlock mysteries, hence his name. He uses the other, more aggressive aspects of his power to resolve the ensuing conflict.

Friends and Allies:

Gale Kent. Attractive younger assistant to Cardell.

Chris Cross. Older, pipe-smoking associate of Cardell’s.

Notable Adversaries:

Baroness Nohart. “Sworn enemy of the Master Key,” the Baroness is a beautiful, dark-haired Nazi spy who is fond of red evening dresses and deadly schemes. All New 1 (1943).

“Frog” Fowler. A frog-faced thug near death’s door, Frog is only kept alive by a criminal scientist’s injections. In return, Frog commits crimes to further the evil Dr. Stengil’s devious ends. Punch 18 (1946).

Rige. Rige is the master of a spy ring that operates out of a tattoo parlor. Members of the group have an invisible tattoo that only a special glass can reveal. The password into the tattoo parlor is “America bleeds.” Rige is a powerfully-built man with a receding hairline. He goes about shirtless, the better to show his tattoos, one of which is a reversed image of an American flag. Rige turns out to be Admiral Snide, an American military man gone bad. Scoop 2 (1942) reprinted in Punch 9 (1944).

Sightings: Scoop Comics 1-3; Dynamic Comics 8-9; All New Short Story Comics 1; Punch Comics 9-21

Active: 1941-47

MR. “E”

Civilian Identity: Unknown

Origin: Also unknown. Presumable Mr. “E” was some sort of archeologist or researcher who discovered the ancient King Kolah idol and subsequently fell under its influence.

Powers and weapons: Guided by the King Kolah idol, that comes to life when evil threatens, Mr. “E” has no unique abilities. He does carry a gun.
Attire: Dressed in conventional (if bright red) pants and shirt with buttons to either side, Mr. E wears no mask.

Modus Operandi: “Assisted by the strange god King Kolah, remnant of an extinct civilization whose teachings proclaim the violent destruction of evil and injustice, Mr. “E” and his messengers of Kohl wage a never ending battle to carry out the wishes of the tribal god.”

Friends and Allies:

The messengers of Kolah. Small, gremlin-like beings that can turn themselves into blackbirds.

“The strange Miss Terry.” An attractive brunette who is the romantic interest of Mr. “E.” Why she is considered strange or seemingly lacks a first name is not clear.

Notable Adversaries: None

Sightings: Punch Comics 1-2; Dynamic Comics 9-23

Active: 1942-47

ROCKETMAN

Secret Identity: Cal Martin, scientist.

Origin: When Martin’s fiancée is kidnapped, he uses his new invention, a rocket-propelled flight uniform to rescue her as Rocketman. It happens that his fiancée had her uniform under her clothes when she was kidnapped, so she’s able to make her debut as Rocketgirl as soon as she’s freed from her bonds.

Powers: Rocket-propelled flight, though in the first story the rocket is inexplicably called a helicopter.

Costume: Both wear yellow and orange costumes and masks, with rockets attached to their backs.

Modus Operandi: Despite their scifi-sounding names, Rocketman and Rocketgirl devoted themselves to undoing the schemes of earthbound criminals and madmen.

Friends and Allies:

Rocketgirl. Secretly Doris Dalton, Martin’s fiancée, also a scientist and Martin’s inseparable companion and teammate.

Rocketboy. AKA Billy Woods. Rocketman and Rocketgirl send Billy a jetpack and costume through the mail to assist the boy in a local struggle against a gangster named Black Pete. Thereafter, Billy is seen on his own, sporting a distinctive uniform that still conforms to the red and orange color scheme of his benefactors. Scoop Comics 2-3; Major Victory 3; Punch Comics 12 (active 1942, 1944-45).

Notable Adversaries:

Bucktooth Benson. Benson is a machine gun toting gangster with two protruding front teeth, hence his nickname. His right eye is also in a permanent squint. Bucktooth is a womanizer, despite his appearance. He and Doris Dalton share a rare blood type, making his capture essential for an injured Rocketgirl to survive a life-threatening injury. Hello Pal 1 (1943).

Doc Watson. This deranged head of a sanitarium actually has green skin and a skull-like visage as do his followers. He has developed a serum that can drive men insane. Scoop 2 (1942).

Dr. Martin Keats. Another deranged physician whose experiments with radioactive isotopes has lead to him and his gang of assistants having a bald, cadaverous appearance.

The Purple Peril. The Peril wears a form-fitting white hood that follows the contours of his head. Actually a business executive named Phil Draper, the Peril injects a colorless dye into his rivals’ shaving lotion to turn their face and hands purple upon their deaths. Punch 18 (1946).

Scarbo. Hunchbacked dwarf and former circus freak specializes in murders for hire that leave no fingerprints or clues. A former circus freak, it emerges that Scarbo uses a trained python to strangle the life out of his victims.

Sightings: Scoop Comics 1-3; Hello, Pal Comics 1; Punch Comics 9-11 (reprints), 13-22

Active: 1941-47

YANKEE BOY

Secret Identity: Victor or Phil Martin, junior high school student

Origin: Phil simply decides he wants to help out in the fight against crime and foreign saboteurs.

Abilities: A better than average fighter.

Attire: Yankee Boy’s costume consists of blue tights with a red stripe down the sides, red gloves and a long-sleeved blue shirt with white stars. He doesn’t wear a mask.

Modus Operandi: Phil helps out Inspector Foley as Yankee Boy, while Foley (oblivious to his secret identity) remains skeptical about Phil’s merits.

Friends and Allies:

Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Phil’s parents.

Inspector Foley.               .

Johnny Rebel and Dandy. Together they form the adolescent Guardians of Freedom, as revealed in a text feature.

Notable Adversaries:

The Reefer King. “A sinister salesman of cigarettes that shrivel the smoker’s soul.” In what are otherwise rather pedestrian adventures, Jake King—“the Reefer King”—invades the Martins’ quiet community, trying to influence young people into using marijuana. He is assisted Murray Kreeper, a violent gentleman who grows and harvests the sinister crop. Dynamic 16.

Voodoo. Using his stage act as “world’s greatest mind,” Voodoo uses his genuine telepathic powers to ferret out the secrets of American agents and military officers. Voodoo sports a goatee and wears a turban. Yankee 2 (1941).

Sightings: Yankee Comics 2-4; Dynamic Comics 8-12, 16-22

Active: 1941-42, 1944-47

YANKEE DOODLE JONES

Original Identities: Jones is actually the composite of three crippled veterans “of different faiths” from World War I willing to give up their individual lives to create a super soldier. One of the soldiers is blind, another crippled and the third has a disfigured face.              .

Origin: An unnamed “eminent surgeon” spends hours transplanting various organs to create a single, fully functioning man now named Yankee Doodle Jones. He proceeds to give Jones “the invincibility injection,” a fluid that holds within it the strength of an army. Immediately after the injection, the surgeon is killed by saboteurs. The surgeon’s adolescent son, who witnesses his father’s death, immediately injects himself with whatever remains of the serum in the syringe.

Abilities: Jones possesses the strength of dozens of men and now is “the greatest living thing the world has ever seen.”

Appearance: Jones wears a long-sleeved blue shirt adorned with white stars and red and white striped tights. His prematurely white hair makes him resemble a younger, beardless Uncle Sam.

Modus Operandi: Yankee Doodle Jones and Dandy vow to honor the sacrifice of the boy’s father. Jones is prone to whistling “Yankee Doodle.”

Friends and Allies:

Dandy. A loyal son, Dandy vows to avenge his father’s death and is subsequently taken under the wing of Jones, a man without one true family. Dandy has exceptional strength as well, though is not as strong as his mentor. Dandy wears a yellow shirt with blue tights adorned with stars. No mask.

Uncle Sam. Living personification of American patriotism, Sam appears regularly to encourage, inform or commend the pair’s actions. Dandy’s father told the pair that “Uncle Sam will honor your deeds” with his dying breath.

Noteworthy Adversaries:

Bogardus. This caped villain also wears an eye-mask and an over-sized hat. Bogardus seemingly possesses the ancient snake-haired head of Medusa, but actually wields a replica that emits a spray that can turn people into stone. Yankee 3, reprinted in Bulls-Eye 11 (1942).

The Fear. A Nazi agent with a black eye mask, the Fear utilizes the power of his witchlike “pet,” the Hag, to create an atmosphere of terror. Yankee 1 (1941).

The Hag. “Last witch of the dark ages,” the Hag can use a lock of hair to magically cause the strangulation of her enemies. She is a servant of the Fear. Yankee 1 (1941).

Skull Face. Green skinned lead physician at a sanitarium with a skull like face and paradoxically a healthy head of white hair. Skull Face (Dandy’s nickname for him) wears a white lab coat and slacks. His visage turns out to be a fright mask. Yankee 2 (1942).

Sightings: Yankee Comics 1-4; Dynamic Comics 8; Hello Pal Comics 1; Bulls-Eye 11 (reprint)

Active: 1941-43

Mark Carlson-Ghost