| The Target | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Niles Reed |
|
First Appearance |
Target Comics vol. 1 #10 (Nov. 1940) |
|
Original Publisher |
Novelty Press |
|
Created by |
Dick Briefer |
Origin[]
The Target is Niles Reed, a metallurgist who doubles as a spy for the U.S. Army. Niles’ brother James is killed by gangsters, so the enraged Niles decides to go after them. He designs a special suit for himself, avenges his brother’s death, and then begins helping the military on the home-front. He is partnered with the Targeteers. Tina, their secretary, knew the team's secret identities, and would help them or be rescued by them frequently.
The Target has no powers, but he wears an “indestructible metallic fibre suit” which renders him bullet- and grenade-proof. He uses special darts which he can hurl with incredible speed and accuracy.
During World War II, Niles, Dave and Tom are drafted into the Army, Navy and Marines, respectively. They fought in the Pacific theater, changing into costumes when needed. Because they served in different branches of the military, they seldom met together, so the stories tended to focus on one Targeteer at the time.
Later in the war, they K-9 Corps, where worked with a German Shepard named Rex. After Japan surrendered and they were discharged, they formed their own private investigation firm known as The Troubleshooter Agency.
Public Domain Appearances[]
- Target Comics vol. 1 #10-12
- vol. 2 #1-12
- vol. 3 #1-12
- vol. 4 #1-12
- vol. 5 #1-8
- vol. 6 #1-10
- vol. 7 #1-12
- vol. 8 #1-12
- vol. 9 #1-5, 8
- vol. 10 #1
- vol. 9 #1-5, 8
- vol. 8 #1-12
- vol. 7 #1-12
- vol. 6 #1-10
- vol. 5 #1-8
- vol. 4 #1-12
- vol. 3 #1-12
- vol. 2 #1-12
- 4 Most Comics vol. 1 #1-2
- vol. 5 #1
Notes[]
- In Target Comics vol. 2 #1, Uncle Sam summoned Target to a meeting that involved all major characters appearing in Target Comics at the time. Each character was assigned a different mission with Target and the Targeteers ordered to root out criminals working for hostile foreign powers. This issue also saw Target encounter Chameleon on the pages of their own feature. The Chameleon provided covert assistance and, in return, Niles Reed put in a good word for him with the FBI. The Target story in Target Comics vol. 2 #4 contains a passing reference to Dick Cole. The next issue's Target story contains a reference to a Kit Carter story that appeared in the same issue.