Wednesday, December 2, 2015

THE FACELESS VIGILANTE - THE QUESTION VS. THE BANSHEE !!!


Based in Hub City, Vic Sage made his mark as a highly outspoken and aggressive investigative journalist. Not long after starting his TV appearances, he began to investigate Dr. Barby Twain.

Sage was approached by Aristotle Rodor, his former professor, currently a scientist. Rodor told Sage about an artificial skin he had co-developed with Dr. Twain called Pseudoderm. The artificial substance was intended to work as an applied skin-like bandage, with the help of a bonding gas, but it had an unforeseen toxicity which was sometimes fatal when applied to open wounds. Rodor and Twain agreed to abandon the project and parted ways, but Professor Rodor discovered that Dr. Twain had decided to proceed with an illegal sale of the invention to Third World nations, regardless of the risk to human health.


Vic resolved to stop him but had no way of going after Dr. Twain without exposing himself. Rodor suggested that Sage use a mask made of Pseudoderm to cover his famous features. Armed with information, and more importantly a disguise, as The Question, Sage eventually caught up with Dr. Twain, stopping the transaction and extracting a confession, then leaving Twain bound in Pseudoderm. On television, Sage reported Dr. Twain's illegal activities.


Sage decided that this new identity, The Question, would be useful for future investigations, and partnered with Professor Rodor, who supplied the Pseudoderm and eventually modified the bonding gas to change the color of Sage's hair and clothing. The two men became good friends, with Sage affectionately referring to Rodor as "Tot".








Blue Beetle #2 
"The Question vs. The Banshee"
After designing a cape that enabled the ability to fly, a circus performer named the Flying Dundo, was slain by his pupil Max Bine. Bine becomes the Banshee, terrorizing towns he crossed. 

Script (as D.C. Glanzman) & art by Steve Ditko.


Action Heroes Archives Volume 2
"The Question vs. The Banshee"
After designing a cape that enabled the ability to fly, a circus performer named the Flying Dundo, was slain by his pupil Max Bine. Bine becomes the Banshee, terrorizing towns he crossed.  
Script (as D.C. Glanzman) & art by Steve Ditko.
Question figure on the cover is taken from page 1 of the Question story, from Blue Beetle #1.



The Question also appeared in the short lived Americomics Special #1 featuring the Charlton Action Heroes. 
 

One of the few photos of Steve Ditko.
 

Most importantly, The Question sets the stage for Ditko's most outspoken hero, Mr. A.

John Cassaday art.
 
Live Large My Friends!

Thank You! 

Phil Hewster art.
Matt Wagner art.



 


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