Dr. Von Thorp

Golden Age Origin
Dr. Von Thorp, a mad scientist, builds a mighty robot to help him with his criminal deeds. The Dr. sends the iron monster on a crime spree and the police are unable to stop it. After several failed attempts to capture the robot,Hugh Hazzard a playboy detective is sent by the police commissioner to stop the mad scientist's creation. Hazzard sees the robot break into a jewelry store and crawls inside and deactivates him momentarily. Von Thorp summons his creation back to him and is surprised by Hazzard when he emerges from inside its body. Dr. Von Thorp is arrested and the police decide to dump the robot into the sea with other confiscated weapons,Bozo is saved from this fate by Hazzard. Twelve months after being arrested the Dr. escapes from prison with the help of his aid runty who he kills. Resuming his old ways Von Thorp creates another radio controller for Bozo,who has been in possesion of Hugh Hazzard and starts his crime spree up again,activating it without Hazzard being able to stop him. Hazzard tries to gain control of the robot with his radio controller until he finally does briefly. He uses the robot to find the Dr but is caught unaware at Von Thorp's secret hideout and is knocked unconscious. When he awakens he is in a windowless room and the Dr. tells him he will fill the room with water until he drowns. Using his pipe as a makeshift snorkel Hazzard keeps from drowning and defeats Van Thorp when he comes to check on his corpse. Later while talking to the police commissioner Hazzard finds out Dr. Van Thorp was shot and killed trying to escape from court.

Golden Age Appearances

 * Smash Comics #1
 * Smash Comics #18