MAD DOG MURDOCK
Real Name: Murdock (first name unrevealed)
Identity/Class: Human (Old West era)
Occupation: Outlaw
Group Membership: Leader of his own gang
Affiliations: His gang
Enemies: Jake Austin, Black Rider (Matthew Masters), Sam Dorn, Bobby Lathrop
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Devil's Springs, Texas, USA
First Appearance: Wild Western I#37 (October, 1954)
Powers/Abilities: Mad Dog Murdock carried two six-guns. He was an able horse rider. After being exposured to minerals at Devil's Springs, his body assumed a phosphorescent glow at night. He carried explosive bombs.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 155 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
History:
(Wild Western I#37/4) - Mad Dog Murdock led his gang in a gunfight
against the Black Rider in Leadville. The Black Rider bested the gang
and shot Murdock. The Black Rider told the last two of Murdock's men to
take their leader away in a buckboard wagon, noting that if he died
from his gunshot wounds, he'd need a burial. The Black Rider offered to
bring Murdock to Leadville's doctor but Murdock refused and vowed to
have revenge on Leadville even if he had to return from Hades.
Murdock's men decided to abandon Murdock rather than find another doctor. Journeying to Devil's Springs, they abandoned Murdock near the springs. Murdock didn't die from his wounds but exposure to the minerals in the spring gave his body a phosphorescent glow. A passing Indian repaired his wounds and Murdock soon set back to Leadville to have his revenge. Riding by cowboys Jake Austin and Sam Dorn, his glowing body frightened their cattle and caused a stampede that killed both men. Murdock was also seen by Bobby Lathrop, who was frightened, thinking he'd seen a ghost.
Murdock journeyed to an abandoned mine where his two former associates were hiding out. He confronted them and revealed what had happened to him after they abandoned him at Devil's Springs. He ordered the two men to return to his employ and aid him in driving out the ranchers around Leadville.
However, the Black Rider had followed Murdock to the mine and confronted the three men. Opening fire at them, he quickly killed both of Murdock's men. Murdock hurled a bomb at the Black Rider but missed him. Murdock attempted to flee further into the mine but the mine contained dangerous gases. Reacting to the bomb he had thrown, the gases exploded all around Murdock, killing him and collapsing the mine.
Comments: Created by an unidentified writer, Al Hartley and Christopher Rule.
There are plenty of western characters who have used a phosphorescent glow to appear to be a ghost - Ghost Rider being the most famous. In Murdock's case, though, it wasn't something he deliberately set out to do.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Mad Dog Murdock should not be confused with:
Jake Austin was a cowboy who was tending to his herd alongside Sam Dorn when Mad Dog Murdock appeared, glowing in the night. Murdock's appearance caused the cattle to stampede. Attempting to flee the stampede, Jake's horse tripped and threw him off; Jake was trampled to death by the cattle.
--Wild Western I#37/4
Sam Dorn was a cowboy who was tending to his herd alongside Jake Austin when Mad Dog Murdock appeared, glowing in the night. Murdock's appearance caused the cattle to stampede. Attempting to flee the stampede, Sam fell from his horse and was trampled by the cattle. He was brought to Dr. Matthew Masters in Leadville for treatment but died in Dr. Masters' office after describing a "flaming ghost."
--Wild Western I#37/4
images: (without ads)
Wild Western I#37/4, page 3, panel 6 (Murdock, main)
Wild Western I#37/4, page 2, panel 7 (Murdock, unmasked)
Wild Western I#37/4, page 5, panel 6 (Murdock close-up)
Wild Western I#37/4, page 3, panel 3 (Austin)
Wild Western I#37/4, page 3, panel 7 (Dorn)
Appearances:
Wild Western I#37/4 (October, 1954) - unidentified writer, Al Hartley (penciler), Christopher Rule (inker), Stan Lee (editor)
First posted: 09/15/2025
Last updated:
09/15/2025
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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