Space Ranger
Encyclopedia
Space Ranger is a science fiction hero who was published by DC Comics
in several of their 1950s and 1960s anthology titles. He first appeared in Showcase
#15 (July 1958), and was created by writers Edmond Hamilton
and Gardner Fox
, and artist Bob Brown
. The character has notable similarities to a preceding character named David Starr, the Space Ranger, created by novelist Isaac Asimov
on his 1952 novel David Starr, Space Ranger
.
Space Ranger and Cryll have visited the 20th century on occasion, working with contemporary heroes such as Green Lantern
Hal Jordan
and the Justice League of America.
#55 (1999), in which Space Ranger, along with Ultra the Multi-Alien
is riding in Space Cabbie
's cab to find Starman IV's cosmic staff for the Space Museum. Each regales the other with different interpretations of Jack and Mikaal rescuing Starfire
from a space pirate. Space Ranger also recently appeared in the background on Hardcore Station
in Mystery in Space (second series) #6 (April, 2007).
, the weekly series published by DC from 2008-2009. In an alternate reality created by the absence of Superman
, Batman
, and Wonder Woman
, Space Ranger was a member of the League
--a group of vigilantes, hunted by Earth's registered superhumans. When the League went public during a crisis, the Space Ranger revealed himself to be J'Onn J'Onzz, the Martian Manhunter
, in disguise.
#15 in 1958. After appearing in #16, he was given a cover series in Tales of the Unexpected
, starting with issue #40 and lasting until #82 (1959-64). At that point, he moved over to Mystery in Space
for issues #92-99, 101, 103 (1964-65).
DC 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...
in several of their 1950s and 1960s anthology titles. He first appeared in Showcase
Showcase (comics)
Showcase has been the title of several comic anthology series published by DC Comics. The general theme of these series has been to feature new and minor characters as a way to gauge reader interest in them, without the difficulty and risk of featuring "untested" characters in their own ongoing...
#15 (July 1958), and was created by writers Edmond Hamilton
Edmond Hamilton
Edmond Moore Hamilton was an American author of science fiction stories and novels during the mid-twentieth century. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he was raised there and in nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania...
and Gardner Fox
Gardner Fox
Gardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer best known for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic-book historians estimate that he wrote over 4,000 comics stories....
, and artist Bob Brown
Bob Brown (comics)
William Robert "Bob" Brown was an American comic book artist with an extensive career from the early 1940s through the 1970s. With writers Edmond Hamilton and Gardner Fox, Brown created the DC Comics hero Space Ranger, drawing the character's complete run from his debut in the try-out comic...
. The character has notable similarities to a preceding character named David Starr, the Space Ranger, created by novelist Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
on his 1952 novel David Starr, Space Ranger
David Starr, Space Ranger
David Starr, Space Ranger is the first novel in the Lucky Starr series, six juvenile science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov that originally appeared under the pseudonym Paul French. The novel was written between 10 June and 29 July 1951 and first published by Doubleday & Company in January 1952...
.
Fictional character biography
Set in the 22nd century, Space Ranger was really corporate executive Rick Starr of Allied Solar Enterprises, who took up the identity of Space Ranger to protect the galaxy from hostile forces. He was assisted by his shape-shifting alien sidekick Cryll and his girlfriend Myra Mason. He hid his identity with a clear blue helmet and operated out of an asteroid base.Space Ranger and Cryll have visited the 20th century on occasion, working with contemporary heroes such as Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
and the Justice League of America.
Starman
A recent appearance was in StarmanStarman (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...
#55 (1999), in which Space Ranger, along with Ultra the Multi-Alien
Ultra the Multi-Alien
Ultra the Multi-Alien was a science fiction superhero featured in comics published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Mystery in Space #103 , pushing out Adam Strange and Space Ranger from that title...
is riding in Space Cabbie
Space Cabbie
Space Cabbie is a science fiction character that first appeared in the comic book Mystery in Space #21 . He was series created by Otto Binder and Howard Sherman.-Fictional character biography:...
's cab to find Starman IV's cosmic staff for the Space Museum. Each regales the other with different interpretations of Jack and Mikaal rescuing Starfire
Starfire (comics)
Starfire is the name of several fictional comic book characters published by DC Comics. The most prominent Starfire is Koriand'r, the fourth character to use that name...
from a space pirate. Space Ranger also recently appeared in the background on Hardcore Station
Hardcore Station
Hardcore Station is a location in the DC Comics Universe, a corrupt commercial satellite station with a population of several million in a free space zone between a number of trading civilisations....
in Mystery in Space (second series) #6 (April, 2007).
Trinity
Space Ranger has made regular appearances in TrinityTrinity (comic book)
Trinity is the title of an American weekly comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted during the first week of June, 2008. It ran for 52 issues.-Conception and production:...
, the weekly series published by DC from 2008-2009. In an alternate reality created by the absence of Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, Space Ranger was a member of the League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
--a group of vigilantes, hunted by Earth's registered superhumans. When the League went public during a crisis, the Space Ranger revealed himself to be J'Onn J'Onzz, the Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
, in disguise.
Other versions
A version of Space Ranger appeared in the 1990 mini-series Twilight.Brief bibliography
Space Ranger first appeared in ShowcaseShowcase (comics)
Showcase has been the title of several comic anthology series published by DC Comics. The general theme of these series has been to feature new and minor characters as a way to gauge reader interest in them, without the difficulty and risk of featuring "untested" characters in their own ongoing...
#15 in 1958. After appearing in #16, he was given a cover series in Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected (comics)
Tales of the Unexpected was a science fiction comic book published by DC Comics from 1956 to 1968 for 104 issues. It was later renamed The Unexpected although the numbering continued and it ended at issue 222, in 1982...
, starting with issue #40 and lasting until #82 (1959-64). At that point, he moved over to Mystery in Space
Mystery in Space
Mystery in Space is the name of two science fiction comic book series published in the United States by DC Comics, then known as National Comics. The first series ran for 110 issues from 1951 - 1966, with a further 7 issues continuing the numbering during a 1980s revival of the title...
for issues #92-99, 101, 103 (1964-65).
In other media
- During a segment on Conan, Conan O'BrienConan O'BrienConan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer. Since November 2010 he has hosted Conan, a late-night talk show that airs on the American cable television station TBS....
discussed with Peter Girardi (Creative Director of Warner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. AnimationWarner Bros. Animation is the animation division of Warner Bros., a subsidiary of Time Warner. The studio is closely associated with the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies characters, among others. The studio is the successor to Warner Bros...
) characters from DC Comics that sucked. One of the characters discussed was Space Ranger.