Revision [456]
This is an old revision of AvengerThe made by RtlVkb on 2007-06-29 09:19:55.
The Avenger
After the dread loss of his wife and child, millionaire adventurer Richard Henry Benson undergoes a terrible shock that paralyzes his face, turns his hair white and sets him on a mission to punish criminals the law cannot touch.
Background
The AvengerPublisher: StreetandSmith Street and Smith
Publication range: September 1939-September 1942
The initial novel, Justice, Inc. ranks as one of the best pulp origins ever developed, and, despite ErnstPaul Ernstís comments to the contrary, was far better written than the majority of material appearing at the time. It is in fact much more a mainstream novel with solid characterizations and motivations rarely found in pulp fiction. It was probably one of the most progressive as well, as evidenced by the inclusion of black husband and wife team members Josh and Rosabel Newton.
The first novel sets the tone for the series, and features the inclusion of The Avenger's first two aides, Scot pessimist Fergus MacMurdie and engineer Algernon Heathcote Smith (Smitty). The second novel adds the diminutive Nellie Gray; the third, Josh and Rosable Newton. The team is solidified until the 13th adventure, when Cole Wilson joins the band.
The Avenger is identified not only by his immobile face and white hair, but by the many trappings included in the series: his three buildings thrown into one headquarters on Bleek Street, myriad gadgets, death-defying escapes and the turn-about technique he used to vanquish his adversaries, his weapons Mike
