More Fun Comics #58
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeMore Fun Comics #58 (August 1940) is a snapshot of DC's anthology machine at full Golden Age throttle, packing two of the company's newest supernatural headliners — Doctor Fate and The Spectre — into the same issue, just months after each had debuted in prior issues of this very title. Both the Doctor Fate story (featuring the mythic Book of Thoth) and the Spectre story were later deemed significant enough to be reprinted in DC's archival hardcover collections, confirming their standing in the Golden Age canon. The issue also preserves a late chapter of the Radio Squad serial, one of the earliest recurring strips that Jerry Siegel — Superman's co-creator — wrote for the company, illustrating how deeply Siegel's fingerprints were woven into More Fun's fabric before and after Superman's rise. As a piece of 1940 periodical history, the issue captures DC in the act of transforming a humor-and-adventure anthology into a dedicated superhero vehicle.
In "The Arsonist," a mysterious firebug strikes a quiet town, leaving behind only smoke and unanswered questions. Joe Shuster’s sharp, expressive art brings the suspense to life, capturing the tension of a community on edge. The cover by Bernard Baily perfectly frames the drama, with bold, dynamic lines that hint at the danger lurking in the shadows. A 10-cent comic from 1940, this issue offers a gripping mystery rooted in the early days of superhero storytelling.
In "The Arsonist," the Spectre investigates the attempted murder of a warehouse owner, uncovering a web of deceit when he learns the victim's partner has been embezzling funds and is setting fire to evidence—literally and figuratively—to cover his tracks.
In the desert heat of ancient Egypt, Dr. Fate ventures into the depths of the River Koptos in search of the legendary Book of Thoth—only to discover it has already been stolen. With Inza caught in the crossfire, Fate must confront a ruthless wizard whose dark ambitions threaten to unravel the book’s power.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
More Fun Comics was the direct descendant of New Fun Comics, the very first publication of National Allied Publications — the company that would become DC Comics — and had been running since 1935. By mid-1940, editor Whitney Ellsworth was shepherding the book through its transition from pulp-flavored adventure strips to cape-and-cowl superhero anthology. Jerry Siegel, who had been contributing to the title since its earliest issues, scripted both the Spectre and Radio Squad features in this period, while artist Bernard Baily handled the Spectre's visuals and Howard Sherman drew Doctor Fate. The cover itself was produced by Ellsworth, who wore multiple hats at the still-young company.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date August 1940; published by Detective Comics, Inc. (precursor to DC Comics); cover by Whitney Ellsworth.
- The Spectre story ('The Arsonist') is written by Jerry Siegel — co-creator of Superman — with art by Bernard Baily, who also co-created the character; the story was later reprinted in Golden Age Spectre Archives Vol. 1.
- The Doctor Fate story ('The Theft of the Book of Thoth') features Kent Nelson battling a rogue mage over the mythic Book of Thoth, and was later reprinted in The Golden Age Doctor Fate Archives Vol. 1.
- The Radio Squad strip, starring Sandy Kean and partner Larry Trent as New York City police officers, was scripted by Jerry Siegel — it was one of the fourth series Siegel and Shuster created for DC, debuting back in More Fun Comics #11 (1936) as 'Calling All Cars.'
- Hourman (Rex Tyler) is indexed as appearing in this issue; Rex Tyler was created by writer Ken Fitch and artist Bernard Baily, first debuting in Adventure Comics #48 (March 1940), just months before this issue.
- The issue reportedly carried an advertisement for Batman #1 on its inside front cover, connecting it to another landmark 1940 DC publication.
- The anthology lineup in this era also included Congo Bill, Captain Desmo, Lt. Bob Neal of Sub 662, Biff Bronson, and Sergeant O'Malley of the Red Coat Patrol — reflecting the title's broad pre-superhero adventure roots still running alongside the new costumed heroes.
- More Fun Comics as a series introduced Doctor Fate (issue #55) and The Spectre (issue #52) only a few months before this issue, meaning #58 was among the earliest 'full cast' superhero anthology issues DC ever produced.
Cast · 5 characters
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Reprints
Reprinted in The Golden Age Spectre Archives #1 (2003), Golden Age Doctor Fate Archives #1 (2007)
Key issues in More Fun Comics
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