| Dr. Van Thorp | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Real Name |
Dr. Van Thorp |
|
First Appearance |
Smash Comics #1 (1939) |
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Original Publisher |
Quality |
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Created by |
George Brenner |
Origin[]
Dr. Von Thorp was a mad scientist who built a mighty robot to help him with his criminal deeds. The doctor sent 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 adventurer, was sent by the police commissioner to stop the mad scientist's creation. When the robot broke into a jewelry store, Hazzard was able to crawl inside it and momentarily deactivate it. Von Thorp summoned his creation back to him and was surprised when Hazzard emerged from inside its body. He apprehended Dr. Von Thorp and turned him over to the police.
Twelve months after being arrested, the mad doctor escaped from prison with the the aid of Runty, a new prisoner. The doctor killed Runty and created another radio controller for Bozo. He was able to override Hazzard's own controller and use it to start another crime spree.
After several failed attempts, Hazzard managed to regain control of Bozo long enough to find Von Thorp's secret hideout. But before he could catch the mad scientist, he was caught unaware and knocked unconscious.
Hazzard awoke in a windowless room, only to hear the doctor tell him he will fill the room with water until he drowned. Using his pipe as a makeshift snorkel, Hazzard waited for Van Thorp to return,when he came back to check on his corpse, the adventurer captured the doctor and returned him to police custody.
Later, while talking to the police commissioner, Hazzard learned that Dr. Van Thorp was shot and killed trying to escape from court.
Public Domain Appearances[]
- Smash Comics #1, 18