Public Domain Super Heroes
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Jack O' the Plains
Jackotheplains

Real Name

Jack Shelby

First Appearance

Wide Awake Library (May 1886)

Original Publisher

Frank Tousey

Created by

Paul Braddon

Origin[]

Jack Shelby was a Texas Ranger in the 1880s given the moniker, Jack O' the Plains, for his great familiarity with the wilds of Texas. As he and other Texas Rangers are traveling the plains, they talk about the sightings of a chalk-white horse carrying a headless Mazeppa on his back. A young man named Roman Carson shows up searching for his long-lost brother, Hubert Carson, who had left home when Roman was too young to have a substantial recollection of his older brother. Roman had been seen by his aged parents to discover the fate of Hubert.

Jack knew Hubert and knew also that the Mazeppa was the headless body on the back of the white horse. He informed Roman of this, and Roman decided he must hunt down the mysterious horse and its headless rider. Jack agrees to go with Roman to discover the facts of the case.

Public Domain Appearances[]

  • Wide Awake Library (May 1886)
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