Masked Marvel (Centaur Publications)
The Masked Marvel is a fictional superhero originally published by Centaur Publications. He debuted in July 1939, on the pages of Keen Detective Funnies #7. The character continued to appear as the feature in Keen Detective Funnies until the 24th issue, as well as in his own title, which lasted three issues.
| The Masked Marvel (Nightmask I) | |
|---|---|
Cover art for The Masked Marvel #2. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Centaur Publications |
| First appearance | Keen Detective Funnies Vol. 2 #7 (July 1939) |
| Created by | Ben Thompson |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | (Centaur Publications) Unknown (Malibu Comics) Philip Reinhart |
| Team affiliations | ZL, ZR, and ZY; (Malibu Comics) The Protectors |
| Partnerships | (Malibu Comics) Richard Reinhart (son) |
| Notable aliases | Philip Reinhart |
| Abilities | Skilled fighter, inventor and user of gadgets. |
When Centaur Comics went out of business in 1942, he became dormant, until he was revived by Malibu Comics, where he acted as director of the government-run superhero team known as Protectors. His son, who took up his father's identity, became part of the team. Fearing the lawsuit by Marvel Comics, the writers changed Masked Marvel's name to Nightmask (apparently unaware of the irony that Marvel had already created a superhero by that name, as part of their New Universe imprint, six years earlier). Both Nightmasks remained prominent parts of the cast until the title's cancellation. A short time later, Malibu Comics was acquired by Marvel. Since then, Masked Marvel has not appeared aside from occasional appearances in crowd scenes in AC Comics' Femforce.