Speed Saunders

Cyril "Speed" Saunders is a DC Comics character who first appeared in Detective Comics #1 (1937). Cyril started out as a G-Man, working in the FBI's River Patrol Division. In addition to being a G-Man, he also seemed to be both an adventurer and detective depending on the needs of the story. Eventually, it was revealed that he was a private investigator and later a member of the OSS. He is, according to later retcons, the grandfather of the current Hawkgirl, and first cousin to the original Hawkgirl, Shiera Saunders Hall.

Publication history

Cyril "Speed" Saunders first appeared in Detective Comics #1 (1937). In 1999 James Robinson and David S. Goyer used the character in JSA Secret Files #1.

Fictional character biography

Cyril "Speed" Saunders is an adventurer and detective during the 1930s and 1940s. During this time he meets Wesley Dodds and the two become lifelong friends. (JSA Secret Files #1, 1999)

In 1938 Saunders becomes involved in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), participating in counterespionage operations throughout World War II. (JSA Secret Files #1, 1999)

In the modern era, Cyril finds his orphaned granddaughter, Kendra Saunders; he takes her in and begins training her in hand-to-hand combat and other skills. He knows that she has a great destiny as the next Hawkgirl.

Cyril joined his friend Wesley Dodds on a trip into China and Tibet and the Himalayas. It is on Mt. Kailash that the two meet with the Gray Man. The two men receive the location of three babies, one of which is to receive the essence of Dr. Fate and so become the newest incarnation of that hero. Saunders leaves Wesley on that Mount so as to take the information to Alan Scott and the JSA, as well as to Sanderson Hawkins. (JSA Secret Files #1, 1999)

Once in China proper, Cyril also contacts his granddaughter Kendra and gives her information on one of the babies. He tells her to go to Vancouver, British Columbia and to protect that baby. (JSA #2, 1999)