When danger and disaster threaten the innocent, Solar leaps into action as The Man of the Atom!
Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom was published by Gold Key Comics. Created by prolific writer Paul S. Newman and editor/artist Matt Murphy. Gold Key finished the series with issues #23-#27. They were written by Dick (Jet Dream) Wood with art by Ernie (Arak) Colon on issues #23-#26) & Jose (Yellow Submarine) Delbo on the final issue (#27), before cancellation. The Gold Key series supplied painted covers.
Written by Roger McKenzie with artwork by Jose Delbo on issue #28 & Dan (Space Family Robinson) Spiegle on issues #29-#31. The Whitman series supplied line art covers.
Doctor Solar was a physicist named Dr. Raymond Solar, assisting fellow worker Dr. Bently to avert an imminent meltdown of the nuclear power plant where they worked, sabotaged by Dr. Rasp, agent of an evil mastermind named Nuro.
 |
| Doctor Solar #25! |
Bently lost his life trying to prevent the meltdown while Solar absorbed a massive amount of radiation in the process. He survived, discovering he gained the ability to convert his body into any kind of nuclear energy. Using his new powers, Solar began searching for Nuro, who would become Solar' nemesis. Nuro used a robot double of himself called Orun and later transferred his mind into it, calling himself King Cybernoid.
Doctor Solar did not gain a superhero costume until the fifth issue of his comic, becoming "The Man of the Atom". Doctor Solar manipulates matter at the atomic level, flies and blasts bolts of energy. In addition, his skin turns green whenever he uses his powers.
Doctor Solar #23 Part Man! Part Robot! King Cybernoid Strikes an Atomic Blow at his Arch Enemy -- Solar!
"King Cybernoid Strikes"
"The World of Fun"
Prof. Harbinger feature.
Doctor Solar #24 Solar Pits his Power Against Monstrous Masters of Land, Sea and Air!
"The Deadly Trio"
"Caterpillar Cut-Ups"
Prof. Harbinger feature.
"The Breathless World"
Prof. Harbinger feature.
Doctor Solar #26 ATOMIC ESCAPE -- From the Lost Dimension!
"When Dimensions Collide"
"Dangerous Aliens"
Prof. Harbinger feature.
Doctor Solar #27 Alien Energy Against Solar's Atomic Force -- a Struggle that Saps a Great City's power sources!
"The Ladder to Mars"
"The Magnet We Live On"
Prof. Harbinger feature
Doctor Solar #28 The Awesome King Cybernoid Challenges Solar to Save the Greatest Minds of our Time!
"The Dome of Mystery"
Told in two parts.
"A Day at the Man of the Atom Secret Training Grounds"
Whitman Comics picks up Doctor Solar for 4 issues after roughly 12 years.
"Li'Rae"
"The Steel-Smashing Return of Magnus, Robot Fighter"
Magnus, Robot Fighter feature begins.
"Inferno!"
"Where Angels Fear..."
Magnus, Robot Fighter feature.
"When Strikes the Sentinel"
"Deathtrap"
Magnus, Robot Fighter feature.
Last issue of Doctor Solar.
The Occult Files of Dr. Spekter #14
Doctor Solar crossover in Dr. Spekter.
Written by Donald Glut with art by Jesse Santos.
I found out recently The Owl had a crossover with Dr. Spekter, but had no idea Doctor Solar had one as. Doctor Solar also appears briefly in two other Dr. Spekter issues (#18-cameo, #23-cameo & includes a profile of Solar.) Always fun to find out those kind of tidbits.
These issues of Doctor Solar are included in Dark Horse Archives Vol. 4 hardback, sporting the dynamic cover to Doctor Solar #24. These are the editions you cannot miss, they are fantastic. In addition, I have seen the first three volumes on Kindle as well.
It's great to relive the excitement of the Gold Key comic. Monday I plan on covering the Gold Key comic book series of Magnus, Robot Fighter. Russ Manning's artwork is simply outstanding!
Live Large My Friends!
Thank You!
I still have those Whitman issues bought at a grocery store or off a convenience store spinner rack long ago. I just remember the novelty of the character as I think it may have been my first superhero comics...previously I had lots of funny animal comics from Whitman or whoever was doing Uncle Scrooge and Huey, Dewey, and Louie at the time. For the longest time I had those four issues and no idea there we're many more from years earlier. I still have a soft spot for Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom. These days I have a large set of the original comics, missing only a few, as well as the complete archives. Still one of my favorites along with Magnus, Turok, The Owl, Tiger Girl, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, Dracula, Werewolf, Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, and all those other sort of second-tier superheroes from Gold Key, Dell, Charlton, Tower, and whomever. But Man of the Atom ranks well above the others for me.
ReplyDelete