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Issue: Mystic Comics #4
Publication Date: July 1940
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Disclose Detail
Issues: #4 of 10 Issues
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagMarvel
Brand: none
Indicia Publisher: Timely Publications
On Sale Date: (not set)
Volume: 1
Pages: 68
ISBN: none
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $0.10 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 15 (9 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Martin Goodman
Disclose Notes: Most copies of this issue have "JULY" somewhat blacked out but still readable on the cover with "AUGUST" displayed clearly right under the issue number. This has led to inconsistent reporting of the date of this issue. The indicia lists July.

MYSTIC COMICS published monthly by Timely Publications at Meriden, Conn. Entered as second class matter at Post Office at Meriden, Conn., under Act of March 3, 1879. Yearly subscription in U. S. $1.00. Vol. 1, No 4, July 1940. Entire contents copyright 1940 by Timely Publications, 330 W. 42nd St., N. Y., N. Y. Printed in U. S. A.
For advertising write Marvel Group, 330 W. 42nd St., N. Y. C.

With this issue, the Chesler connection vanishes, with even familiar features being drawn mostly by Funnies, Inc. which had been packaging Marvel Mystery Comics from the start. Some stories are of less clear origin as noted below.

Art spotting as noted in the Masterworks credits unless otherwise noted.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Golden Age U.S.
Paper Stock: glossy cover; newsprint interior
Binding: saddle-stitched
Publishing Format: was ongoing
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In15
Disclose Reprinted From0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted from anywhere.
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets0
 
spacer
Disclose Content Items (15 total)
Disclose Issue Images
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Alex Schomburg
Inker(s): Alex Schomburg
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Hercules
Character(s): Hercules David; President Franklin D. Roosevelt
First Line: The onrushing train was bent on destruction - could Hercules be in time?
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagWomen of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades Magazine #1 [Cover A by Alan Davis] published June 2010
as Mystic Comics #4 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]recolored
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as Mystic Comics #4 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose
Become a Stamp Collector

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Frasek Company Stamps
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside front cover.
Disclose
The Trustees of Hate

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Harry Douglas [as Harry / Douglas] (signed)
Penciller(s): Harry Douglas [as Harry / Douglas] (signed)
Inker(s): Harry Douglas [as Harry / Douglas] (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Blue Blaze
Character(s): The Blue Blaze [Spencer Keen]; Senator Coyne (orator of Borsia); Lor (villain, hangman of Horror Hall, death); "The Trustees of Hate" [Dr. Vortex (death); Weasel (death); Lara] (villains, many un-named)
Synopsis: The Blue Blaze, who is now described as returning to the grave between adventures, takes on an organization that's using a hate ray to goad two neighboring countries to war.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as The Trustees of Hate [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 10
Disclose Notes: Contrary to various other published theories including Who's Who and the Masterworks, "Harry / Douglas" was an editor/artist named Harry Douglas, as confirmed upon interviewing Harry Douglas, Jr.

Probably Chesler Shop material, as Who's Who lists a "Harry Douglas" as possibly a member of that shop c. 1939-40, independent of its other theories about the "Harry / Douglas" signature.

There is a teaser for a story in which the Blue Blaze fights the Vampire of Doom next issue, but that story never appeared.
Disclose
Earthquake

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Malcolm Kildale
Inker(s): Malcolm Kildale
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Hercules
Character(s): Hercules David; un-named friend of Hercules; Lemo (villain, inventor, death)
Synopsis: Hercules fights a mad scientist who wants to rule the world or smash it to bits with his monster earth-shaking machine. The scientist captures Hercules and tries to mentally enslave him, but Hercules is too strong.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as Earthquake [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 7
Disclose Notes: Funnies, Inc. material.
Disclose
Origin of the Thin Man

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Klaus Nordling [as K. Nordling] (signed)
Inker(s): Klaus Nordling [as K. Nordling] (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Thin Man
Character(s): Thin Man [Bruce Dickson] (introduction, origin); Council of Elders; Olalla (daughter of the Elder's Chief); un-named Police Commissioner; Clip Walton (villain)
Synopsis: Bruce Dickson stumbles on a utopia in the Himalayas and its people welcome him, granting him the power they all have to become exceedingly thin through surgery with their electric rays. He is shown their science and their peaceful communication with the Martians, but convinces them to let him return to the outside world to fight crime. The Elder's daughter, Olalla, goes with him and on their first adventure they put a stop to a protection racket.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as Origin of the Thin Man [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Disclose Notes: This story probably came from the Iger shop. Unlike other artists and writers seen in this issue, Klaus Nordling had no known connection to Funnies, Inc. Note that the Fletcher Hanks-drawn stories in Daring Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1940 series) around this same time also suggest an Iger shop connection.
Disclose
The Teutonian Agents

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Ben Flinton [as FOS] (signed)
Penciller(s): Bill O'Connor [as FOS] (signed)
Inker(s): Leonard Sansone [as FOS] (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Flexo the Rubber Man
Character(s): Flexo; Joel Williams; Joshua Williams; Professor Winston; un-named agent of Teutonia (villain); un-named Dictator of Teutonia (villain, death?); un-named Secretary of Teutonia (villain)
Synopsis: The Williams brothers take Flexo to Teutonia to retrieve a stolen explosives formula.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as The Teutonian Agents [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: There is a teaser for another Flexo story in the next issue but it never appeared.

Funnies, Inc. material.
Disclose
Introducing the Black Widow

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): George Kapitan (signed)
Penciller(s): Harry Sahle (signed)
Inker(s): Harry Sahle (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Black Widow
Character(s): The Black Widow [Claire Voyant] (anti-hero, introduction, origin); James Wagler (death); Mrs. Wagler (death); Pat Wagler (death); Satan (villain)
Synopsis: Spirit medium Claire Voyant, momentarily influenced by Satan, curses a family after they doubt her skills. When the mother and daughter of the family die, the son blames Claire and kills her. Satan claims her soul and transforms her into the Black Widow. After giving her a tour of Hell, he allows her to go back to earth and avenge herself by killing her own murderer. Satan then tells the Black Widow that her role will be to collect the souls of evil men on earth at his direction.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagWomen of Marvel: Celebrating Seven Decades Magazine #1 [Cover A by Alan Davis] published June 2010
as Introducing the Black Widow [Story on Interior Page(s)]
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as Introducing the Black Widow [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 7
Disclose Notes: Funnies, Inc. material.

The Black Widow (anti-hero) is the first known super-powered woman in comics, predating Owlgirl, Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman, which all appeared in 1941.
Disclose
Suicide Mystery

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): George Harrison [as Geo. Harrison] [as G. H.] (signed)
Inker(s): George Harrison [as Geo. Harrison] [as G. H.] (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): The Invisible Man Known As Dr. Gade
Character(s): Invisible Man [Dr. Gade]; Janet Wayne (actress, death); Mary; Fatty (villain, death); Slade (villain, death)
Synopsis: The Invisible Man discovers a murder behind an apparent suicide.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as Suicide Mystery [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 6
Disclose Notes: Strip now titled "The Invisible Man". Several of Dr. Gade's speech balloons start with parenthetical notes like "(Thinking)" or "(Loudly)". There is a teaser for another Dr. Gade story in the next issue, but it never appeared. Next appearance in All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes (Marvel, 2011 series) #1.
Funnies, Inc. material.
Disclose
Devil-God

Text Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): Andrew McWhiney (signed)
Penciller(s): Bill Everett (signed)
Inker(s): Bill Everett (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Character(s): Dr. Karl Strang (naturalist); Tom Barron (big game hunter/explorer); Mannlicher (villain, a dinosaur, death)
Synopsis: Karl and Tom are on a journey in deepest Africa to find the natives' devil-god, and discover that a colossal dinosaur is the devil-god which has the natives living in fear.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as Devil-God [Text Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 2
Disclose Notes: Funnies, Inc. material.
Disclose
The Train Wreck

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Russ Lanford (signed)
Inker(s): Russ Lanford (signed)
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: occult, superhero
Feature(s): Merzah the Mystic
Character(s): Merzah (introduction); Diana (introduction); Jose (introduction); Ivan (villain); Agent Nasaki (villain); Togo (villain); Matsu (villain, international spy, death)
Synopsis: After a train is wrecked by sabotage, Merzah, his assistant Diana and his driver Jose take down the spy/sabotage organization which is trying to steal plans for an unsinkable lifeboat.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as The Train Wreck [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 8
Disclose Notes: The last panel shows a telegram to Merzah giving his address as "Mystic Comics, New York City NY".
Next appearance in All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes (Marvel, 2011 series) #1.
Russ Lanford is not known to be associated with any of the studios that supplied material to Mystic Comics. This may have been freelance work, or we may just be missing the connection as this is his only known comics work.
Disclose
The Jewelry Store Robbers

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Dynamic Man
Character(s): Dynamic Man [Curt Cowan]; Chief Hopkins; Professor Monte (villain, death); Prentiss (villain, death)
Synopsis: Dynamic Man investigates jewelry store robberies in which only gold was stolen. He discovers a scientist who is using a "magnet" that affects only gold to commit crimes. The scientist uses his new dirigible with this magnet to steal more gold, and Dynamic Man must chase him across the Atlantic Ocean.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as The Jewelry Store Robbers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 9
Disclose Notes: The source of this story is unclear. Last golden age appearance. Next appearance in The Twelve (Marvel, 2008 series) #1
Disclose
What Six Things Are Wrong with This Picture?

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Character(s): Johnny; Dan
Synopsis: Single panel has six boys in different positions in the scene, and each scene has something wrong with it that the reader is invited to discover.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as What Six Things Are Wrong with This Picture? [Activity on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Upper half of the page. The source (shop or freelance) of this artwork is unknown. The artist is probably not the same as the lower half of the page.
Disclose
[untitled]

Activity  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Colorist(s): ?
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
First Line: The boy is wrong!
Synopsis: Readers are invited to see if they can spot the seven hidden profiles of Indians in an art panel.
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as [untitled] [Activity on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 0.5
Disclose Notes: Lower half of the page. The source (shop or freelance) of this activity is unknown. The artist is probably not the same as the upper half of the page.
Disclose
Make Your Own Records at Home

Advertisement  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): ?
Inker(s): ?
Letterer(s): typeset
Subject Matter
Feature(s): Home Recording Co. Home Recording Unit
Reprinting
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Inside back cover.
Disclose
The Leading Comic Magazine Now at Your Newsdealer!

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Writer(s): ?
Penciller(s): Alex Schomburg
Inker(s): Alex Schomburg
Letterer(s): ?
Subject Matter
Genres: superhero
Feature(s): Marvel Mystery Comics #8
Character(s): The Angel [Thomas Halloway]; The Human Torch [Jim Hammond]; Sub-Mariner [Prince Namor]
Reprinting
In Content Item: FlagMarvel Masterworks: Golden Age Mystic Comics #1 [Regular Edition] published February 2011
as The Leading Comic Magazine Now at Your Newsdealer! [Promotional Material (from Publisher) on Interior Page(s)]
Reprint Notes:  
Miscellaneous
Pages: 1
Disclose Notes: Back cover. Contains a nearly full-size non-colored reprint of the cover to Marvel Mystery Comics (Marvel, 1939 series) #8.

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