| Lightning | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Robert Morgan |
|
First Appearance |
Sure-Fire Comics vol. 1 #1 (June 1940) |
|
Original Publisher |
Ace Periodicals |
|
Created by |
Jim Mooney & Bob Turner |
Origin[]
Robert Morgan was the American student of an ancient Egyptian mystic called The Old Man of the Pyramids. (How they met is unknown, possibly the Old man raised him after his parents died.) He schooled Morgan in "all the ancient and modern sciences" and gave him the "Amulet of Annihilation, the weapon of the forces of right" which he tied around his right arm.
Later, Lash meets Navy brat Isobel Blake while unraveling The Teacher's schemes and is impressed by her courage. When the Teacher straps him to a device that will kill him by amplifying his own electricity, he only barely survives. He gives his powers to Isobel by charging her with thousands of volts of electricity, allowing her to help save the day. She then dons her own costume and becomes his partner, Lightning Girl. They are able to track each other via their “lightning impulses.”
Powers and Abilities[]
The Amulet grants him powers including super-strength, super-speed, flight, the ability to generate electricity and radiate “lightning heat,” and a measure of invulnerability (e.g., he can contain the explosion of a grenade with his bare hands). His powers can be recharged by electricity. He was given the condition that his powers would work only for good.
Public Domain Appearances[]
- Sure-Fire Comics vol. 1 #1-3
- Lighting Comics vol. 1 #4-6
- vol. #2 #1-6
- vol. 3 #1
- vol. #2 #1-6
- Four Favorites #1-22
Notes[]
- Originally, his stories were called "Flash" Lightning but, this name was changed because of DC Comics having a character with a similar name.
- Regardless, "Flash" and "Lash" were only ever used in the titles! Within the stories, his code-name was always simply "Lightning!"
- This character was often featured in the Ace Periodicals Four Favorites series. Although pictured with others on the cover, the book did not feature the characters as part of a team in the book. Cover characters also included Captain Courageous, Davey, Magno, and Unknown Soldier.