Invisible Hood
Encyclopedia
The Invisible Hood is a fictional superhero
in the DC Comics Universe
. He was originally owned by Quality Comics
, but was later acquired by DC Comics, along with other Quality characters. He first appeared in Smash Comics
#1 (August 1939), and was created by Art Pinajian
, Pinajian illustrated the story under the pseudonym "Art Gordon".
, a retroactive fictional history was developed (see notes below in Character History).
Hours before the attack on Pearl Harbor
, Thurston was recruited by Uncle Sam
to join the Freedom Fighters
in defending the base. The entire team, except for Uncle Sam, seemed to get killed. It was later revealed that all of the team except for Magno
had lived (Secret Origins #26).
The Invisible Hood survived until 1974, when he was apparently murdered by Icicle
and the Mist
(Starman (vol. 2)
#2). Tyson Gilford (Blindside) from the superhero team Relative Heroes
believes that Kent Thurston is his grandfather.
. In issue #6, it is revealed that he is Ken Thurston, the great grandson of the original Invisible Hood and that he's using the same hood that the original Golden Age Hood used. He is killed by the traitorous Ray (Stan Silver), just as he is about to leave the superhero profession.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the DC Comics Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
. He was originally owned by Quality Comics
Quality Comics
Quality Comics was an American comic book publishing company that operated from 1939 to 1956 and was an influential creative force in what historians and fans call the Golden Age of comic books....
, but was later acquired by DC Comics, along with other Quality characters. He first appeared in Smash Comics
Smash Comics
Smash Comics is the title of an American Golden Age comic book anthology series, published by Quality Comics for 85 issues between 1939 and 1949...
#1 (August 1939), and was created by Art Pinajian
Art pinajian
Art Pinajian was an American artist and comic book creator active from the late 1930s throughout the 1950s, during the Golden Age of Comic Books. He was a member of the Eisner-Iger Studio in 1938-39 and of Funnies, Inc. in 1939-42...
, Pinajian illustrated the story under the pseudonym "Art Gordon".
Publication history
The character first appeared in Smash Comics #1 in 1939, as published by Quality Comics in a story titled "Hooded Justice". Years after the character was acquired by DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
, a retroactive fictional history was developed (see notes below in Character History).
Kent Thurston
Little is known about Kent Thurston's origins or the origins of the cloak and chemical he used. What is known is that he began fighting crime in Smash Comics #1 as the Invisible Hood. He later changed his name to Invisible Justice. He was featured in Smash Comics #1-32.Hours before the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, Thurston was recruited by Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam (comics)
Uncle Sam is a fictional character, a DC Comics superhero based on national personification of the United States, Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam first appeared in National Comics #1 and was created by Will Eisner.-Quality Comics:...
to join the Freedom Fighters
Freedom Fighters (comics)
Freedom Fighters is a DC Comics comic book superhero team made up of characters acquired from the defunct company Quality Comics. Although the characters were created by Quality, they never were gathered in a group before acquired by DC...
in defending the base. The entire team, except for Uncle Sam, seemed to get killed. It was later revealed that all of the team except for Magno
Magno (Golden Age)
Magno is a fictional superhero originally published by Quality Comics. He was created by Paul Gustavson. His first appearance was in Smash Comics #13 . He was one of the characters that were purchased by DC Comics when Quality Comics sold their assets. However, the copyright on these comics...
had lived (Secret Origins #26).
The Invisible Hood survived until 1974, when he was apparently murdered by Icicle
Icicle (comics)
Icicle is the name of two fictional DC Comics supervillains.-Dr. Joar Mahkent:When noted European physicist Dr. Joar Mahkent arrived in America with his latest scientific discovery, spectators at dockside were astonished to witness the luxury liner upon which Mahkent was traveling suddenly frozen...
and the Mist
Mist (comics)
The Mist is the name of two DC Comics supervillains, archenemies of the original and 1990s Starman. For the DC Comics superhero, see The Omega Men.-Mist :...
(Starman (vol. 2)
Starman (Jack Knight)
Starman is fictional character, a comic book superhero in the , and a member of the Justice Society of America. He is the son of the original Starman, Ted Knight...
#2). Tyson Gilford (Blindside) from the superhero team Relative Heroes
Relative Heroes
Relative Heroes was a limited comic book series published by DC Comics in six issues, from March 2000 through October 2000. It revolved around a family of orphaned children who become superheroes. The team first appears in Relative Heroes #1 , by Devin K. Grayson and Yvel Guichet.- History :After...
believes that Kent Thurston is his grandfather.
Ken Thurston
A modern version of the Invisible Hood debuts in Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters #5. He assists the group in escaping from S.H.A.D.E., an evil governmental organization with control of the White HouseWhite House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. In issue #6, it is revealed that he is Ken Thurston, the great grandson of the original Invisible Hood and that he's using the same hood that the original Golden Age Hood used. He is killed by the traitorous Ray (Stan Silver), just as he is about to leave the superhero profession.