Johnny Bates

Johnny Bates is an ordinary boy who can transform into the superpowered Young Marvelman by speaking a magic word, making him the youthful sidekick to the hero Marvelman in the classic British adventure series.

Few characters in British comics carry as much weight across as many decades as Johnny Bates, who first stepped onto the page in Marvelman #102 back in 1955, brought to life by the legendary Mick Anglo and the artistically gifted Don Lawrence. Emerging in the mid-1950s and enduring across a remarkable 68-year span — from the twilight of the Golden Age all the way to 2023 — Johnny has kept extraordinary company throughout, sharing adventures with the likes of Mike Moran, Dicky Dauntless, and the figures who would eventually be known as Miracleman and Kid Miracleman. His appearances across Warrior and Miracleman mark him as a figure whose presence threads through some of the most celebrated and discussed comics of both the British and American scenes. With 37 catalog appearances and a story that stretches across generations of readers, Johnny Bates is one of those characters whose longevity quietly speaks volumes — a genuine piece of comics history well worth seeking out.