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HUTSU

Real Name: Hutsu (full name unrevealed)

Identity/Class: Normal human (Japanese citizen) (World War II era)

Occupation: Spy, cult leader

Group Membership: Leader of a sleepwalking cult

Affiliations: His henchmen (names unrevealed), drugged sleepwalkers (pawns; names unrevealed)

Enemies: Angel (Tom Halloway), U.S. military (Captain Corbin, Colonel Gardner, others), Dorothy Ray, taxi driver (name unrevealed)

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: House of Evil Dreams, New York City, USA;
   formerly Japan

First Appearance: Sub-Mariner Comics I#5/4 (spring, 1942)

Powers/Abilities: Hutsu is a clever but sadistic man trained in espionage. He utilizes a distinctly perfumed drug that forces victims to reveal truths and can brainwash them into performing even brutal tasks. He is armed with a sleep gas handgun and backed by strong henchmen armed with scimitars. He requires spectacles for clear vision and is eloquently bilingual in Japanese and English.

Height: 5'1"
Weight: 110 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Bald

History:

(Sub-Mariner Comics I#5/4 (fb) - BTS) - Hutsu was sent as a spy by Imperial Japan to gather military intelligence from enemy U.S. during WWII. He set up the House of Evil Dreams in New York City with a giant statue of the (Roman) "god of sleep" Morpheus, using a distinctly perfumed drug that forced kidnapped victims to reveal truths, as well brainwash them into performing tasks as sleepwalkers that they would otherwise never do. The drugged sleepwalkers remained in Hutsu's base, joining him in worshiping the sleep god Morpheus while dressed in togas. Captain Corbin and U.S. agent Dorothy Ray were amongst those kidnapped. Corbin was arrested and court-martialed, but, having been brainwashed, had no recollection. Hutsu further brainwashed him into jumping off a skyscraper ledge.

(Sub-Mariner Comics I#5/4) - Coincidentally passing nearby, the heroic Angel was too late to save sleepwalking Corbin. Investigating, he passed Hutsu in formal attire as he left Corbin's building, noting his distinctive fragrance. Further examination led the Angel to the House of Evil Dreams where he tried to rescue Dorothy Ray just as she was being forced to inhale the perfumed drug. However, Hutsu and his henchmen rushed in and the two were eventually overwhelmed, falling to Hutsu's sleep gas gun. Hutsu bound the Angel and used the perfumed gas to brainwash the hero into believing he was a Japanese officer ordered to kill Colonel Gardner, the Chief of Military Intelligence. Hutsu voyeuristically watched the sleepwalker Angel attempt this task, but ran away when Gardner found out and woke up the Angel with a bucket of cold water. A car chase ensued wherein Hutsu murdered the taxi driver so he could take control of the car and he fired his sleep gas gun at the pursuing U.S. military, causing those chasing to crash. Hutsu went back to his base and joined his followers in worshiping Morpheus. Meanwhile, the Angel and Gardner were able to locate the House of Evil Dreams and sent a military raid. The Angel chased Hutsu up the Morpheus statue and captured him, while the henchmen surrendered to U.S. soldiers. Hutsu quickly confessed and was led off to jail.

Comments: Created by uncredited writer & Al Gabriele.

He's referred to once as Hutsu the Japanese Sandman, but I don't consider this an alias.

Main image cleaned up by Ron Fredricks.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Hutsu no known connections to:


Dorothy Ray

Miss Dorothy Ray was a counter-espionage agent for the U.S. Government. She was captured by Hutsu, who used his perfumed drug to force her to reveal state secrets. The Angel tried to rescue her but the duo were overwhelmed by Hutsu and his henchmen. Ray was drugged again and joined his sleepwalker cult in Hutsu's House of Evil Dreams. She ran off in drugged fright when the U.S. military later raided Hutsu's base, but she soon recovered to full consciousness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--Sub-Mariner Comics I#5/4


images: (without ads)
Sub-Mariner Comics I#5/4, p9, pan4 (main image)
   p11, pan5 (headshot)
   p8, pan4 (Dorothy Ray)


Appearances:
Sub-Mariner Comics I#5/4 (spring, 1942) -  uncredited writer, Al Gabriele (pencils & inks), Stan Lee (editor)


First posted: 08/29/2023
Last updated: 08/29/2023

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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