Fly Girl, aka Kim Brand, first appeared in Adventures of the Fly #13-#30. From there she went on to co-star in Fly Man #33-#39 (with some cameos in-between) & The Mighty Crusaders #1-#7 (origin story in #7) and then into the eighties in Blue Ribbon Comics #13 (primarily starring Thunder Bunny), The Fly #1-#3 (only cameo appearances in the rest of the series), and Might Crusaders #1-#7 in the sixties and the eighties. Oddly enough, she also showed up in few issues of Archie's Laugh Comics (#136, #139 & #143.)
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| Splash page from The Fly #5! |
After the Fly rescued Kim Brand, when she fell out of a hotel window, she fell in love with her savior. Then an enemy of the Fly sought to defeat the hero by arranging two simultaneous crimes, judging that the hero could not be in two places at once, so Turan, emissary of the Fly People appeared to Kim and offered to grant her a Fly Ring too, thus transforming her into Fly Girl (in Adventures of the Fly #13 & 14.)
Adventures of the Fly #13
"The Lady and the Monster"
After actress Kim Brand notes that the aliens in her debut picture are imaginary, the Fly takes her to see a real inhabitant of Saturn. Professor Jahke's robot has all the powers and characteristics of a Saturnian. The brute falls in love with Kim and abducts her, but dies of a broken heart.
Written by Robert Bernstein with John Rosenberger art (Fly Girl creators.)
Adventures of the Fly #14
"Menace of the Metal Monster"
Origin of Fly Girl.
Written by Robert Bernstein with John Rosenberger art.
Adventures of the Fly #30
"One Minute to Doom"
While Kim Brand is waiting for Tommy Troy in his office, a gang of crooks break in. They hold Kim hostage while they wait for Troy to show up in order to kill him. Kim must get a message to Tommy without the crooks knowing it and without changing to Fly Girl.
Written by Robert Bernstein with John (NoMan) Guinta art.
Fly Man #34
""Fly Man's Treasonous Team-Mates"
While on vacation in Africa, Fly-Man and his teammates route an elephant rampage and get taken prisoner by the Destructor. As the Detructor loots a city, Fly Girl tries to stop him. Then, the Hangman shows up to lend Fly Girl a hand.
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
Fly Man #35
"Phantasmon the Terrible"
After the alien Phantasmon captures Fly-Man and Fly Girl, he and his three henchmen Sorro, Disastro and the Crumbler attempt to conquer the earth!
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
Fly Man #39
"Beware the Blockbuster"
Fly-Man battles Blockbuster, who is intent on destroying property and knows that Fly-Man is really Thomas Troy.
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
The Mighty Crusaders #1
"The Mighty Crusaders Vs. The Brain Emperor"
During the official formation of the Mighty Crusaders, the heroes are attacked by five aliens and their leader, The Brain Emperor.
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman & Frank Giacoia art.
The Mighty Crusaders #2
"Mighty Crusaders Battle Inferno, the Destroyer"
The Crusaders learn that a giant space drill is headed for earth, but are unable to stop it. At the last second, the drill is destroyed by the villainous Inferno.
Written by Jerry Siegel with Mike Sekowsky & Paul Reinman art.
The Mighty Crusaders #7
"The Origin of Fly Girl"
Written by Jerry Siegel with Paul Reinman art.
The Fly #1
"Return of the Sinister Spider"
After years of retirement, the magic finally returns to Thomas' ring and he assumes the identity of the Fly again. Kim, though is reluctant to take on her powers again. Fly tracks the Spider down, but he is shot by the Spider.
Written by Rich Buckler & Jack C. Harris (plot) with Jim (Legion of Super Heroes) Sherman art.
Stunning Jim Steranko cover!
The Fly #2
"A Woman's Place"
Fly Girl contemplates whether or not to join Thomas in becoming superheroes again. Later, she saves her producer from a mafia boss as Fly-Girl and decides to relaunch her crime-fighting career.
Written by Rich Buckler & Stan Timmons with Adrian Gonzales & Ricardo Villagran art.
Even sweeter Jim Steranko cover!
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| Back cover to issue #3! |
"Who is the Monster?"
Kim Brand is working on a movie about Pascal, an old foe of the Fly's. But the movie is being sabotaged by someone. In addition, a wife of one of the stuntmen on the set is being abused by her husband.
Written by Jack C. Harris with Steve Ditko art inked by Bill (Spyman) Draut & Rich (Demon Hunter) Buckler.
"Faithfully Yours"
Kim Brand is hunted by a jealous stalker after he sees Kim dating Thomas.
Written by Rich Buckler & Stan Timmons with Steve Ditko & Alan Kupperberg art.
Fantastic Rudy Nebres cover.
The Fly #5
"The Fly"
As two crooked scientists try to claim the invention, moneys and recognition of a third scientist, they leave a trail of death behind them. When Tom Troy starts investigating too closely, they frame him for jury tampering.
After announcing she's fallen in love with someone else, Kim Brand gets an amicable send-off in two pages. \
Script/art by Steve Ditko with dialogue by Robin Snyder.
Great Ditko & Nebres cover.
Mighty Crusaders #1
"Prologue"
As the Brain Emperor begins a plan to eliminate Earth's heroes, the 2nd Shield, the Fly, Fly Girl and Jaguar cross paths, thanks to General Ranse Smith. The original Shield stops a jewel heist, and the Black Hood rides his bike to a spot designated by the Comet.
Written by Rich Bucker with art by Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia.
Mighty Crusaders #2
"Atlantis Rising"
As the Web, Jaguar, the Fly, Fly Girl, and the Shield defeat Eterno's gigantic androids, the Black Hood, the original Shield and the Comet take the battle to the Brain Emperor's satellite. The Mighty Crusaders are attacked and defeated by the Malevolent Legion of Juggernauts.
Parts 2 & 3 continued from issue #1.
Written by Rich Bucker with art by Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia
Mighty Crusaders #5
"Sacrifice Play"
As the Brain Emperor begins a plan to eliminate Earth's heroes, the 2nd Shield, the Fly, Fly Girl and Jaguar cross paths, thanks to General Ranse Smith. The original Shield stops a jewel heist, and the Black Hood rides his bike to a spot designated by the Comet.
Written by Cary Burkett with Adrain Gonzales, Rich Buckler & Tony deZuniga art.
Throughout the years, these comics have been great high camp and full of super hero action. I trust you've enjoyed them as much as I have.
Live Large My Friends!
Thank You!
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| Illo from Steve Butler! |
I love the Fly/Fly-Man! One of my favorite super heroes in any incarnation. Even the !mpact Comics Fly was pretty good. While it's great that Joe Simon got him back, it's a shame nothing is done with him and Archie has to make do just with Fly Girl now.
ReplyDeleteHow about covering The Adventures of the Jaguar next? I only have a few issues of that and am dying to track down more for reasonable prices.