Merlin the Magician (character)
| Merlin | |
|---|---|
| File:Merlin the Magician No 20.jpg Panel from National Comics #20 (1942). Merlin the Magician speaks backwards to transform himself into a cannon shell to be fitted into Allied howitzers. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Quality Comics |
| First appearance | National Comics #1 (July 1940) |
| Created by | artist Don Zolnerowich, and possibly an additional, unknown writer |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Jock Kellog |
| Team affiliations | All-Star Squadron |
| Abilities | Can use magic, often by speaking the desired effect backwards. |
Merlin the Magician was a fictional character and superhero in the publications of Quality Comics in the 1940s, and, eventually in DC Comics (briefly) in the 1990s. Merlin was probably created by artist Don Zolnerowich, and possibly an additional, unknown writer, and the character concept was refined by Fred Guardineer. Merlin first appeared in National Comics #1 (July 1940). He was a direct descendant of the Arthurian wizard Merlin, and spent most of his time fighting Nazis, using, as his title page frequently read: "occult powers to aid democracies in their fight against oppression."
Fictional character biography
In 1940, while unhappily contemplating his waning fortunes, playboy Jock Kellog is contacted by a messenger who tells him his eccentric, wealthy uncle is ill and might be dying. Kellog races to the scene in rural England, hoping his financial troubles will be ameliorated by a great inheritance. Instead of the palatial residence he expected, Jock arrives at a modest cottage. Upon entering, he discovers it is filled with numerous antiques of Arthurian vintage. Kellog's uncle is indeed dying, and he tells the young playboy that he is the last of a line of men who can trace their descent directly from Merlin. Before dying, the old man gives Kellog a green, hooded cloak and tells him that, while wearing it, he will inherit all the powers of Merlin himself.
At first, Kellog disbelieves his uncle's story. However, while wearing the cloak, Kellog instinctively uses magic to save a woman falling from a building, and comes to accept his uncle's story as true. He thereafter resolves to use his newfound abilities to aid mankind. Kellog assumes the name of his magical ancestor, Merlin, and goes about roaming Europe, fighting Nazis wherever he encounters them.
In 1945, Merlin the Magician was one of several magic and occult heroes who were contacted by Hourman to help defeat an entity known as "Stalker". Although the heroes were victorious, Merlin was killed in the battle. The disposition of his cloak remains unknown.
Powers and abilities
Merlin possessed somewhat ill-defined but reputedly powerful magical abilities. He was shown to be able to produce virtually any effect he could conceive of. He could battle minor gods single-handedly, instantaneously teleport anywhere in the world, summon mythological creatures to do his bidding, &c.
Similarity to other occult heroes
Like numerous other magical heroes of the era, Merlin the Magician shares some similarities with Lee Falk's popular Mandrake the Magician strip, particularly in his appearance, which was a stereotypical prewar "stage magician" look, with a suit, mustache and cape. Like Zatara, who was similarly descended from a famous predecessor (Leonardo Da Vinci), Merlin the Magician frequently invoked his magical effects by speaking them backwards (this attribute was given to him in National Comics #12 by writer-artist Fred Guardineer, who had himself previously created the backwards-talking Zatara for Action Comics).
Appearances
Merlin the Magician's final Quality Comics appearance was in National Comics #45, and thereafter followed an almost fifty-year hiatus for Merlin during which Quality Comics (or a large part of its stable of characters) was essentially folded into DC Comics. He recently made an appearance in All Star Comics v.2 #1 (May 1999), as a part of the Justice Society Returns storyline. In that two-part arc, it was revealed that Merlin the Magician had actually died in battle with the supernatural entity known as "Stalker" in 1945.
In 1985, Blackthorne Publishing released some black and white reprints of early issues of National Comics, including Merlin the Magician's appearances.
Partial bibliography
- National Comics #1-45 (1940-1945)
- All-Star Squadron #31-32
- All-Star Comics v. 2, #1 (1999)