More Fun Comics #56
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeMore Fun Comics #56 is a double-barreled debut issue in the heart of DC's Golden Age: it marks the very first appearance of Congo Bill (later to evolve into Congorilla), a pulp jungle adventurer who would run continuously in DC titles for nearly two decades, and it delivers Doctor Fate's inaugural cover showcase — just one issue after the sorcerer's own debut — cementing the character's visual identity and launching what became one of the Golden Age's most distinctive mystical heroes. The issue also continued Doctor Fate's origin-and-Wotan storyline at a moment when the anthology format of More Fun Comics was functioning as DC's primary incubator for new characters, several of whom — Doctor Fate and the Spectre among them — would become founding members of the Justice Society of America. As a single package, the issue represents the anthology model at its most productive: two enduring characters defined or elevated within the same 68 pages.
"Terror at Lytell's" is a chilling mystery from More Fun Comics #56 (1940), featuring art and inks by Joe Shuster, best known for co-creating Superman. This early tale delivers gothic suspense with a classic pulp edge, set in a remote estate that hides more than just secrets. The cover, by Howard Sherman, captures the story’s eerie tone with a striking, atmospheric image.
In "Terror at Lytell's," the Ghostly Guardian steps in when Bentley of Bentley Wholesalers uses intimidation to control local business, uncovering a web of fear that demands a hero’s intervention. Written by an unknown author and illustrated by an unknown artist, this 1940 tale sees the masked vigilante confronting corporate bullying with quiet resolve.
In the shadowed reaches of the Styx, Dr. Fate journeys with Inza to uncover the fate of the elusive Wotan—only to learn the ancient sorcerer still lives, and his power now threatens to unravel the world.
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The issue was published by Detective Comics, Inc. (the imprint that would become DC Comics) with a cover date of June 1940 and an on-sale date of approximately May 1940, under the editorship of Whitney Ellsworth. Ellsworth also wrote the Congo Bill debut himself, with George Papp as the strip's artist — though some sources note the writer credit is inferred from editorial style rather than a signed byline. The Doctor Fate installment, 'The Search for Wotan,' was written by Gardner Fox and illustrated by Howard Sherman, who together had launched the character only the previous month; Sherman also painted the cover, giving Doctor Fate his first cover appearance. The Spectre's entry in this issue was scripted by Jerry Siegel — co-creator of Superman — with art by Bernard Baily.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Congo Bill (William 'Congo Bill' Glenmorgan), created by writer Whitney Ellsworth and artist George Papp; in his debut story he escorts an archaeologist to a lost African city and encounters the villain known as the Skull.
- Doctor Fate's first-ever cover appearance, rendered by Howard Sherman; this is only the character's second appearance overall, following his debut in More Fun Comics #55 (May 1940).
- The Doctor Fate story, 'The Search for Wotan,' was written by Gardner Fox with art by Howard Sherman, and was later reprinted in Immortal Doctor Fate #1 (1985) and collected in The Golden Age Doctor Fate Archives Vol. 1.
- The Spectre story ('Terror at Lytell's') was scripted by Jerry Siegel (co-creator of Superman) with art by Bernard Baily, featuring Jim Corrigan battling extortionist Bentley.
- Sandy Kean and Captain John Henry Toth appear as featured/supporting characters in the ongoing Radio Squad strip, written by Robert Hirsch with art by Russ Lehman.
- Superman and Clark Kent appear in the issue in the context of promotional/house-ad material (including an advertisement for the Adventures of Superman radio show and Superman No. 5), not as characters in a narrative story strip.
- Congo Bill ran in More Fun Comics through issue #67 before transferring to Action Comics starting with issue #37 (June 1941), where the strip continued for years; a Columbia Pictures film serial based on the character was produced in 1948.
- The issue was published by Detective Comics, Inc., ran 68 pages, and carried a cover price of ten cents; Whitney Ellsworth served as editor.
Cast · 3 characters
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Reprints
Reprinted in The Golden Age of Comic Books #[nn] (1977), The Immortal Doctor Fate #1 (1985), Névrose #5 (1985), The Golden Age Spectre Archives #1 (2003), Golden Age Doctor Fate Archives #1 (2007), Alter Ego #111 (2012)
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