Star-Spangled Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 1942.
Synopsis for Star-Spangled Kid: "The Menace of Moonglow"
A team of professors from the University are very eager meet Sylvester Pemberton in the Dean's office. The young prodigy allows them to ask him trivia questions that would puzzle other great minds. He manages to answer each one with ease. Through the door walks Professor Egbert Whipple, late to join the group and nervous as usual. The meek professor asks Sylvester his question. The boy's answer, along with his perceived boasting, makes Whipple run away with an overwhelming anxiety. Whipple rushes back to his cottage near the campus, where he throws himself on the bed and cries himself to sleep, wishing he could have the nerve to stand up for himself and show off his brilliance. Hours later, the light of the moon wakes him. It inspires an idea in him. If he could find a way to concentrate the moonlight into the human brain, creating a super-brain, he could revolutionize the world!
After weeks of night long laboring in his home lab, Professor Whipple holds his invention in his hands: a globular helmet that absorbs the moon's rays. He places the device on his head and rushes out into the night to test it. A moment later he feels the effects. His stature straightens. No longer is he the meek man once looked down on! Now with his brilliant invention being talked about in the newspapers, magazines, and radio, Whipple finds his self confidence has been bolstered. He also becomes more irritable, and finds himself having violent impulses. When he absorbed the moonlight, it must have contained something evil within. Whipple smashes the moon helmet in response to this discovery. Feeling the calmness return, he retires for the night. But the light of the full moon reaches through his bedroom window while he sleeps. His head begins to glow and awakens him. When the professor looks at himself in the bathroom mirror, he is shocked to find his whole head engulfed in bright moonlight! It glows brighter, and his personality starts to undergo a change. A criminal thought occurs. Why shouldn't he use his brilliant mind to take what he wants?
Taking the name 'Moonglow', he goes out into the city to rob an armored truck by melting the rear of the vehicle with his newly designed heatray gun! He escapes into the night. The next morning, though, Egbert Whipple wakes up with deep regret. He vows not to become Moonglow again. But the next night, his head glows once more, and his mind turns to criminal thoughts. He enters the hideout of mob boss "Chips" McGurk and kills him, taking over his gang. A week later, the gang brings in more loot under Moonglow's command than they ever did with Chips. After committing another robbery, the gangsters' getaway car is picked up into the air by a crane controlled by the flying Star-Rocket Racer! The Star-Spangled Kid first tries pumping them for information with his fists, but in the small space of the car, he is subdued. Stripesy puts the Racer on auto-pilot so he can leap down to rescue his pal. He stuns the gang momentarily, long enough so that he and the Kid can climb back up the claw to their trusty vehicle. Sylvester then allows Stripesy to take them on a loopty-loop joyride, piloting the racer while the getaway car is towed helplessly below. The crooks give in and shout the address of the hideout.
Moonglow receives a surprise visit from Sylvester and Stripesy as the Rocket Racer crashes through the wall of their hideout at the top of a towering skyscraper! Stripesy launches himself at the glowing criminal, but Moonglow weaves around and catches him by the foot. He tosses Stripesy back toward the boy crimefighter, while his henchman creep up behind them and whack the duo on their heads. They are thrown out the window! The fresh air revives Stripesy, who quickly makes a death-defying grab for a ledge with one hand, and catching Sylvester with the other. Gunfire from above, the duo drop into a river for cover. They couldn't catch Moonglow tonight, but as they head for home on the Star Rocket Racer, Sylvester trusts the next night will be different.
Professor Whipple panics in his home at the thought of becoming Moonglow once again. He decides to call the boy genius, Sylvester Pemberton, and ask for advice on what to do. But before he can confess to Sylvester, the moonlight shines through his window. He transforms into Moonglow again, and rips the phone from the wall! He returns to his gang, and tonight they pull off several criminal acts that rake in millions of dollars! Later on that night, Sylvester drives to Professor Whipple's cabin when his curiosity about the phone call got the better of him. He spots Moonglow, and assumes the crook is trying to break in! The boy makes a leaping tackle, but Moonglow tosses him aside. Sylvester is dragged over to a well, about to be thrown in, when suddenly a blanket of clouds covers the moon. Moonglow becomes Whipple, who is horrified at what he was about to do. Murder! He has lost his nerve to tell Sylvester about his alter-ego, so instead he passes the phone call off as a prank and sends the boy on his way home. Of course, as soon as he is alone, the clouds drift away and the moon is exposed, meaning Moonglow returns!
As Sylvester sleeps, Pat Dugan is woken up by the brightness of the moon. As he looks towards Sylvester's bedroom window, he sees Moonglow climbing up and inside. Hurriedly, Dugan blows on the whistle to signal danger. The young Pemberton wakes up just in time. He rushes at Moonglow, tumbling out the window with the glowing goon. Pat arrives fast in his Stripesy attire and wrestles with Moonglow. Sylvester assists with a high kick to the villain's head! Moonglow escapes into the woods nearby, and after a quick change into the Star Spangled Kid, Sylvester and Stripesy give chase. But what they find, due to another passing cloud, is a confused Professor Whipple. Stripesy becomes suspicious. It was too coincidental finding him here. But before Sylvester can come to the Professor's defense, the cloud moves along and the moon shines again. Before their very eyes, Professor Whipple's head begins to shine bright, and his personality becomes that of the sinister Moonglow! He attacks the Kid, Stripesy steps in and throws a haymaker punch right to Moonglow's jaw. They escort the criminal to the police, showing them Moonglow's real identity by closing the curtains. Professor Whipple explains about his experimental helmet, how he wanted to harness the moon rays into the brain. He says he never meant for it to twist his mind towards evil. The Star Spangled Kid and Stripesy leave for home, knowing another exciting adventure awaits them soon.
Appearing in Star-Spangled Kid: "The Menace of Moonglow"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Moonglow (First appearance)
- "Chips" McGurk (Single appearance; dies)
- Charlie (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Perkins (Single appearance)
Locations:
- New York City Area
- Pemberton Estate
- Southeast University
Items:
- Heatray Gun
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Star-Spangled Kid: "The Master Plan of Dr. Weerd"
The Pemberton clan are out for a drive in the family limousine, driven by their chauffeur Pat Dugan. As they cross a suspension bridge, Sylvester notices a series of small flares up above, then suddenly the bridge starts to collapse! Thanks to Pat's excellent driving skills (as well as the fact that the limo is also the Star-Rocket Racer) the Pembertons make it to the other side before the bridge falls. Later at their mansion, Sylvester's parents are speaking with an investigator. The bridge appeared to be made from steel of inferior quality, and worse yet it was manufactured in John Pemberton's mill. John insists his mills only produce the finest quality steel, but he has no answer for the bridge collapse. If this isn't solved soon it'll cause a scandal.
Sylvester is visited that evening by Professor Stanton. He voices his concerns to Stanton about his father being investigated, and mentions the suspicious flare lights near the bridge before it collapsed. The Professor brushes off Sylvester's concern as he leaves, tells him that a boy of his intellect should focus on more important things. Outside, Stanton rushes into the cover of the bushes and drinks a vial of serum. His features transform into that of the hideous Dr. Weerd. "The Pemberton brat" has been getting too close to his operation; Weerd orders his thugs to eliminate the boy.
Sylvester takes a drive with Pat in the limo so they can talk privately about what's going on. Another vehicle starts riding up behind them. As they get closer, flares start firing, narrowly missing the Pemberton car. One of the flares hits a guardrail, causing it to disintegrate. Pat drives the car around a sharp curve, hiding them from view. Seconds later, the trailing auto is met with a sudden head-on collision from the Star Rocket Racer, driven by the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy! They pull a dying thug out of the wreckage and question him. In his last breath he gives out a name: Dr. Weerd!
The Star Rocket flies towards the city, where a skyscraper is being hit by flares fired from a plane. The building disintegrates and crumbles! Sylvester and Stripesy must stop Weerd before he does any more damage! They chase him in his plane, zig zagging above the city. Attempting a distraction, Dr. Weerd fires more flares at an observation tower, endangering the sightseers within. Stripesy fires a steelite cable from the Racer and flies with it around the building, wrapping the tower tight so it won't fall. Then the chase continues until Dr. Weerd arrives at Mr. Pemberton's largest steel mill. He lands his plane after destroying one of the factories. The Rocket Racer gets caught in the rubble, but with a press of a button, a drill extends from the front and it bores its way out. The Star Spangled Kid and Stripesy destroy Weerd's plane, sending the doctor fleeing into the manufacturing plant. With the duo closing in on him, Dr. Weerd shoots his flares at a pot of molten metal! Sylvester and Stripesy narrowly avoid the liquid heat. The menace reaches a crane control room and swings the heavy duty hook towards the Kid. Sylvester manages to leap aboard, however. A swinging kick later, and Dr. Weerd is knocked out.
Later that night, Sylvester is back at home listening to his father berate him because he could never be as heroic as the Star Spangled Kid.
Appearing in Star-Spangled Kid: "The Master Plan of Dr. Weerd"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Locations:
- New York City Area
- Pemberton Estate
- Pemberton Steel Mill
Items:
- Weerd Formula
Vehicles:
- Star-Rocket Racer
- Dr. Weerd's Sky-Vessel (Destroyed)
Synopsis for Armstrong of the Army: "Vacation"
Lieutenant Armstrong is on leave just off the Florida Coast, simply enjoying a relaxing day of fishing. It's all interrupted by a case of mistaken identity, where an enemy sub misreads the name on the the small boat "Seasprite" as "SeaSpray", which is the enemy sub's contact. The crew take Armstrong and the Seasprite's Captain as prisoners, to prevent them alerting the coast guard. But Armstrong manages to send a message out on the radio: "Follow the Seaspray." The captain of the Seasprite tries fighting back, but he gets shot and killed. All Lieutenant Armstrong can do now is sit, and wait for the sub to make contact with the Seaspray. Hopefully, the Coast Guard received his message.
They arrive, and emerge from the water. Captain Angobar of the Seaspray, a charter boat, waits for them. Lieutenant Armstrong makes his escape, leaping from the submarine to the SeaSpray's deck! He grabs Angobar on his way, and runs into the wheel house, just as some U.S. Navy bombers fly in and drop their loads on the enemy sub. Nothing is left but floating wreckage. Angobar escapes to the lower cabin. Armstrong follows him to see the captain burning papers and stops him. The documents are charred but still legible. Angobar was selling records of U.S. Navy routes. He is held by the Lieutenant until Naval authorities come to arrest him.
Appearing in Armstrong of the Army: "Vacation"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Captain Angobar (Single appearance)
- Nazis
Other Characters:
- Seasprite Captain (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
Vehicles:
- The "Seasprite" (Small fishing boat) (Destroyed)
- Enemy Submarine (Destroyed)
- The "Seaspray"
- U.S. Navy Bombers
Synopsis for Tarantula: "Warlord of Crime"
A new crime boss, who wears a demonic mask and calls himself Siva the Destroyer gathers the criminal underworld together to join in an organized crimewave.
Meanwhile, John Law sits in his office at home typing up another crime novel. On his way to drop it off at his publisher, he comes across a bank robbery in progress. Although he helps in capturing one of the robbers, a sudden whirlwind appears and carries off the armored truck full of cash! The police take the robber that was left behind into custody. John Law returns to his home where, as his housekeeper Olga protests, he changes into the crime-fighting Tarantula!
The Tarantula scales the wall of the police precinct, hoping to listen in on the interrogation of the arrested crook for any type of lead. But a man dressed in an elephant costume, representing the deity Ganesha, has climbed down from the roof off the precinct and made it to the window before Tarantula. He shoots the crook inside, silencing him forever. The Tarantula chases the Ganesha up to the roof, but only manages to knock his elephant head off before the killer escapes in swirling vortex, just like the one the truck had vanished in.
The next day, there is another armored truck robbery. John visits with one of the witnesses of the day before, Miss Winston. She tells him she recognized the infamous crime boss, Mike Delaney, in the bank before the robbery. John now knows where he must go. After becoming the Tarantula once more, he heads to Delaney's hideout. There, Mike Delaney is briefing his boys on the next job, at the U.S. Sub Treasury. All they have to do until then is keep people out of the way, while Siva activates the "blue ray".
Tarantula suddenly leaps down from the air duct. He fights a good fight, but is taken down and tied up by Delaney's men. Left on his own in a storage room, Tarantula easily finds something to cut through his ropes, and with his Webgun he trusses up the two goons that have been left to guard him. He now hurries to meet the rest of the thugs at the heist mark.
The FBI has set a trap for the robbers this time. An armored truck with a squad of men hiding inside, ready to be "taken" so they can ambush the gang. When the vortex appears and picks up the truck, the Tarantula, unaware of the FBI's plan, manages to hitch a ride as well. To his surprise, the truck is lifted into an invisible flying spherical ship. His wonderment would have to be saved for later, Delaney's guys have spotted him on top of the truck! He quickly starts firing his web, sticking crooks in place. While in the pilot's chamber, the Ganesha dressed leader, unaware of what was happening below deck, has the pilot land the sphere ship on a plot of farm land. Ganesha finally notices his men all being beaten downstairs and climbs up top of the truck to face down his enemy. Outside, a large machine wielding a hammer rolls down a track towards them. The armored truck is guided out in front of the hammer. Tarantula tackles Ganesha off the truck, and the two engage in a one-on-one fight. Behind them, the hammer cracks down on top of the armored vehicle, forcing its door open. But the crooks are caught off guard by the FBI squad charging out, and are quickly subdued.
During this interruption, one of the feds takes over the hammer's controls and sets it on the sphere ship, destroying it! The Tarantula punches Ganesha, knocking him backwards, and then rushes into the control room for his turn at the hammer... BAM! The costumed Ganesha's legs are crushed and he is pinned under the weight of the hammer. The elephant head falls off, and Ganesha is revealed to be none other than Mike Delaney himself. The boss breathes out his last words, informing the Tarantula that it was actually Siva, the new guy, who gave them all the new tech and guided them on what to do with it. Delaney points towards a shack before dying. Tarantula goes over to look, but all he finds are bags of stolen money and a calling card from Siva.
Appearing in Tarantula: "Warlord of Crime"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Siva the Destroyer (Single appearance)
- Mike Delany (Single appearance; dies)
- Delany's Gang
- Louie (Single appearance; dies)
- Butch (Single appearance)
- "Chopper" (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- Siva's Anti-Gravity Airship (Destroyed)
Synopsis for Captain X: "The Amphibian Weapons"
During a return flight back to base, Captain X notices a lone tank rumbling across the terrain below. He thinks nothing of it, as a single lost tank can't pose much threat, and moves along. What he doesn't see is what happens when the tank reaches the river; buoyant rims pop out on each side, a rudder with a propeller appear in the back. It has become a boat. Inside it, the Nazis celebrate the successful test run of their new water-tank. They intend to build enough of these new war vehicles to be able to invade all of England.
Months later, at the Tribune offices in London, Buck Dare happens upon a broadcast over the radio from Egypt requesting military assistance against a small armada of tank-boats attacking the Suez defenses. He can't ignore a story like this, so he drives out to his secret hangar. Donning his Captain X outfit, and taking with him an acetylene torch, Buck hops into his special stealth plane, Jenny, and flies out towards trouble!
Over the Suez canal, past a destroyed fort, Buck notices a column of tank-boats travelling through the water. He guides the plane to a stop, just over one of the tanks. and swings down on a rope with the acetylene torch in hand. The Nazis inside are helpless to watch as Captain X seals the sighting vents shut with the torch, as he stands in the blind spot of their gunners. In moments, all the vents are sealed, and the Nazis are trapped inside.
Buck moves on to the next tank in line. However there are still several more to go. Another option reveals itself, when one of the Nazi Lieutenants climbs out of his tank and tries to fire on Captain X. The Captain charges and tackles the lieutenant, which sends both of them back into the tank. The startled Nazis stand no chance against their foe in such close quarters. Captain X notices that the tank is armed with torpedoes. He loads one up and fires on the other tanks. He loads another, fires again. And again. Soon there is only one tank-boat left, it tries to flee. With its load of torpedoes, even one tank can cause massive damage to the Canal. Captain X leaps for the rope hanging off his plane and swings to the fleeing tank. He burns through the locks of the hatch, throws it open and jumps inside. The Nazis have already activated the firing of the torpedo, but Captain X quickly pushes the pilot aside and jerks the steering control, sending the torpedo off its course. It harmlessly expends itself in the water and floats to the surface.
An allied Cutter ship skims across the water to help, so Buck leaves it to them to take the remaining Nazis into custody. Buck Dare returns to London to type up his story, until the next time he is needed as Captain X.
Appearing in Captain X: "The Amphibian Weapons"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Stuffy
Antagonists:
Locations:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Star-Spangled Kid: "The Return of the Needle"
One night in the county prison, the Needle cleverly escapes from his cell using a potato he fashioned to look like a gun. He makes it out to a getaway car. As luck has it, Sylvester and his chauffeur and friend, Pat roll up in time to see the excitement. They drive the family limo into an alley and change into the crime-fighting duo, Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy, giving chase in their newly transformed Star-Rocket Racer. The getaway car speeds away. The Needle notices he is being followed and throws the driver out as a distraction. Stripesy presses a button and a propeller comes out, allowing the racer to fly above. the Star-Spangled Kid tosses down a steelite lasso which catches the fallen driver. They continue after the car only to find it has crashed into a tree. But now there is no sign of the Needle.
The next day at the Pemberton mansion, Sylvester's father is getting ready for a charity fundraiser lawn fete that he is holding on his property. A priceless gem, the Star of Delhi, provided on loan by the owner, Emil Vanderhopf, is to be displayed at one of the booths. Mr. Pemberton is reassured that security around the jewel will be tight. meanwhile at his home, Mr. Vanderhopf is getting dressed in his best suit for the gala, when the phone rings in the other room. There, standing by the table, is a man that looks exactly like him! Satisfied that his disguise works, the Needle knocks Mr. Vanderhopf out and takes his place.
Many guests have shown up for the fete. Some are playing the many games set up, but most have crowded around the booth with the Star of Delhi on display. The phony Emil Vanderhopf arrives on the scene. The Ladies Committee greets him enthusiastically. The Needle notices Sylvester, remembering how the kid played a part in sending him to prison. He would deal with the kid first. "Vanderhopf" asks Mrs. Pemberton if it was alright for the Pemberton boy to give him a tour of their mansion. Sylvester, groaning at being used as an errand boy, leads the imposter into the house. The Needle waits until they are alone, and when Syl's back is turned, he knocks him over the head! The boy's unconscious body is dropped in the bathtub with the water running. The Needle locks the door behind him, leaving the boy to drown.
The Star of Delhi is a wondrous gemstone, cut into a star shape. The Needle is able to easily hold it in his hands while disguised as the man who owns it. With some sleight of hand, he replaces the star with a fake that he had been hiding in his jacket.
Up in the mansion's bathroom, the tub fills until Sylvester is completely submerged. Fortunately, the cold water revives him, he sits up and sputters. What happened? Why would Emil Vanderhopf want to kill him? There was only one answer; that it wasn't Emil Vanderhopf. He changes into his Star-Spangled Kid outfit and leaps out the window. Bouncing off the tent, he lands a surprise flying punch on the fake Vamderhopf! The Star of Delhi falls from the Needle's pocket, proving he's a phony! He ditches the disguise and flees through the crowd. Pat Dugan has changed to Stripesy in all the confusion, and lends his pal Sylvester a hand. The boy hero grabs some balls from a throwing game booth, and chucks them at the escaping crook. Stripesy finishes up with an uppercut to the jaw. The Needle is caught, but then someone in the crowd gathered slips him a gun. He starts to get away again, but a detective manages to tackle him from behind. That does it for the Needle, but who was his accomplice that gave him the weapon? On closer inspection, the Star-Spangled Kid makes an interesting discovery. The Star of Delhi the Needle stole, as well as the replica he had swapped it with, were both fakes! It was the museum curator, Mr. Legetta, who had access to the gem at all times. He denies it at first, but once he pulls out a pistol, his guilt is confirmed. Sylvester acts fast, tossing one of the phony Stars at Legetta's hand, knocking the gun to the ground! Stripesy follows up with a knockout punch. Legetta is taken into custody alongside the Needle. Sylvester and Stripesy rush off the scene to return to their civilian identities.
Worried for their son's life, the Pembertons rush upstairs to their bathroom. Sylvester lazily comes out wearing his robe. He tells them he woke up before the water submerged him completely. Since he was already in the bathtub, he simply decided to take a bath. His parents groan at their son's attitude.
Appearing in Star-Spangled Kid: "The Return of the Needle"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Needle
- Phillipe Cardoza (Single appearance)
- Pierre Legetta (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Emil Vanderhopf (Single appearance)
- Mr. Haggerty (Single appearance)
Locations:
- New York City Area
- Pemberton Estate
Items:
- Star of Delhi
Vehicles:
Notes
- The Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy both get head-konked unconscious in the 1st story. The Kid gets knocked out again in the 5th story.
- It's revealed in this issue that the Star-Rocket Racer can withstand almost any oncoming force including bullets, ray blasts, and collisions.
- Tarantula: The end of the story suggests another encounter with Siva the Destroyer, but this villain makes no further appearances.
See Also