Sensation Comics #4
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeSensation Comics #4 (April 1942) is a pivotal early chapter in Wonder Woman's Golden Age mythos for two intertwined reasons: it marks the debut of Baroness Paula von Gunther, broadly recognized as Wonder Woman's first recurring adversary, and it is the story in which Marston formally codifies one of Diana's most distinctive vulnerabilities — that her superhuman strength is nullified when her bracelets are chained together by a man. That vulnerability would remain a defining (and symbolically loaded) element of the character for decades. Beyond Wonder Woman, the issue also introduces Wildcat's long-running sidekick Stretch Skinner, a character who persisted in the series through issue #90, making this a rare single issue with multiple durable debuts across DC's Golden Age roster.
In "School for Spies," Mr. Terrific takes a bold new approach to justice when a powerful criminal, Dapper Joe, slips through the cracks of the system thanks to his influence. With a clever plan involving specially marked "bribe money" passed through underground channels, Mr. Terrific turns the tables on the mob with a high-stakes game of deception. Written by Charles Reizenstein and illustrated by Hal Sharp, with a cover by Harry Peter, this 1942 classic blends wartime intrigue with early superhero sleuthing in a story that’s as sharp as it is suspenseful.
In "School for Spies," Wonder Woman infiltrates a hidden network when she takes on the case of Enid Harper’s death and Carla Swanson’s disappearance, uncovering a sinister scheme orchestrated by Baroness von Gunther to turn young girls into unwitting spies through brainwashing.
In "The Man in the Iron Mask," a treacherous plot unfolds as Count Valdez conspires with Don Carlos, the King's son, to seize the throne by imprisoning the monarch. When a clever jester exposes the scheme, The Black Pirate arrives to rescue the King, turn the tide against the conspirators, and restore order.
In "Dapper Joe's Comeuppance," Mr. Terrific devises a clever plan to bring down the elusive Dapper Joe, whose influence keeps him out of jail despite being arrested by Buster Anderson. Using specially marked "bribe money" passed through underground channels, he sets a trap to expose the mobster’s reach—without ever stepping into the spotlight.
When a newly certified detective named Stretch Skinner crosses paths with Ted during his morning run, the encounter seems harmless—until Ted starts piecing together a suspicious pattern: the same firm that granted Stretch his badge happens to be linked to a string of recent jewel heists.
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The issue carries a cover date of April 1942 and an on-sale date of February 3, 1942, published by J. R. Publishing Co. (DC's operating imprint at the time) under the managing editorship of M. C. Gaines, with Sheldon Mayer serving as assistant editor. The Wonder Woman lead story, titled 'School for Spies' in reprints, was written by psychologist William Moulton Marston under his pen name Charles Moulton and illustrated by Harry G. Peter, the same creative pairing responsible for establishing virtually every corner of Wonder Woman's early mythology. The anthology's supporting stories featured an unusually deep creative roster for the era, including scripts by Bill Finger and Gardner F. Fox and art by Sheldon Moldoff, Hal Sharp, Howard Purcell, and Irwin Hasen.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: April 1942; on-sale date: February 3, 1942; published by J. R. Publishing Co. (DC).
- First appearance of Baroness Paula von Gunther — introduced as a Nazi spymaster who brainwashes American government workers — established as Wonder Woman's first recurring adversary; she would eventually reform and become an Amazon ally and scientist.
- First story to establish that Wonder Woman loses her superhuman strength when her bracelets are chained together by a man — a core vulnerability Marston built into the character's mythology.
- Notably, Wonder Woman does not yet possess the Lasso of Truth at this point in continuity; she would acquire it two issues later in Sensation Comics #6.
- First appearance of Hiram 'Stretch' Skinner, Wildcat's lanky sidekick, who remained a supporting character in the series through Sensation Comics #90.
- Wonder Woman lead story ('School for Spies') written by William Moulton Marston (as 'Charles Moulton') with art by Harry G. Peter; Black Pirate story by Sheldon Moldoff; Wildcat story scripted by Bill Finger with art by Irwin Hasen; Gay Ghost story by Gardner F. Fox with art by Howard Purcell.
- The Wonder Woman story 'School for Spies' has been reprinted in Wonder Woman Archives Vol. 1; the Mr. Terrific and Wildcat stories were collected in The JSA All-Stars Archives Vol. 1.
- Paula von Gunther went on to appear in multiple media adaptations, including the 1970s Wonder Woman television series (played by Christine Belford) and the Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series (voiced by Eliza Schneider).
Full credits
Reprints
Reprinted in 100-Page Super Spectacular #DC-14 (1973), Action Comics #443 (1975), Wonder Woman Archives #1 (1998), The JSA All Stars Archives #1 (2007), The Wonder Woman Chronicles #1 (2010), Wonder Woman: The War Years 1941-1945 #[nn] (2015), Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 (2016), Wonder Woman: The Golden Age #1 (2018)
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