Merlin the Magician

Golden Age Origin
In 1940, while unhappily contemplating his waning fortunes, playboy Jock Kellog is contacted by a messenger who tells him his eccentric, wealthy uncle is ill and might be dying. Kellog races to the scene in rural England, hoping his financial troubles will be ameliorated by a great inheritance. Instead of the palatial residence he expected, Jock arrives at a modest cottage. Upon entering, he discovers it is filled with numerous antiques of Arthurian vintage. Kellog's uncle is indeed dying, and he tells the young playboy that he is the last of a line of men who can trace their descent directly from Merlin. Before dying, the old man gives Kellog a green, hooded cloak and tells him that, while wearing it, he will inherit all the powers of Merlin himself.

At first, Kellog disbelieves his uncle's story. However, while wearing the cloak, Kellog instinctively uses magic to save a woman falling from a building, and comes to accept his uncle's story as true. He thereafter resolves to use his newfound abilities to aid mankind. Kellog assumes the name of his magical ancestor, Merlin, and goes about roaming Europe, fighting Nazis wherever he encounters them.

Merlin possessed somewhat ill-defined but reputedly powerful magical abilities. He was shown able to produce virtually any effect that he could conceive. He could battle minor gods single-handedly, instantaneously teleport anywhere in the world, or summon mythological creatures to do his bidding.

Golden Age Appearances

 * National Comics #1-45 (1940-1945)
 * All-Star Squadron #31-32 (1984)
 * All-Star Comics v. 2, #1 (1999)