SHORTY

Real Name: Unrevealed

Identity/Class: Human (post-World War II era)

Occupation: Soldier

Group Membership: U.S. Army

Affiliations: Diz, Murph

Enemies: Chinese military, North Korean military

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Mobile in Korea during the Korean War

First Appearance: War Combat I#1 (March, 1952)

Powers/Abilities: Shorty was an average soldier. He normally carried a rifle and combat knife in battle.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'7")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 150 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Light brown

History:
(War Combat I#1/4) - Shorty was a soldier who served in Korea during the Korean War. His closest friends were Diz and Murph. On Christmas Eve, Diz noticed a light in the sky and told Shorty it was the Christmas star but Shorty believed it was an enemy bomb. Sure enough, the enemy soon attacked their position and Shorty, Diz and Murph found themselves in combat. The enemy forces included tanks and the battle proved to be full of bloodshed and many died on both sides. When the battle was over, Shorty found Diz and Murph were still alive. Diz took a look around the battlefield and saw that no more enemies were advancing. Murph observed that as the three of them had survived the night and it was now Christmas morning, they had each been given "the biggest gift of all" -- they were all still alive. Shorty agreed and wished his friends Merry Christmas. When Diz pointed out the Christmas star in the sky again, this time Shorty agreed with him.

Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Mac L. Pakula.

    Shorty's story was probably set on Christmas Eve of 1951, based on the date of publication.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Shorty should not be confused with:

Diz

Diz was a solider in the Korean War who was friends with Shorty and Murph. Diz noticed a star in the sky on Christmas Eve and believed it was the Christmas star, although Shorty disagreed. When the enemy attacked them that night, Diz and his friends survived the assault and on Christmas morning they celebrated being alive. When Diz pointed out the Christmas star a second time, Shorty finally agreed with him.




--War Combat I#1/4

Murph

Murph was a soldier in the Korean War who was friends with Shorty and Diz. On Christmas Eve, Murph was reading Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol when their position was attacked by the enemy. Murph and his friends survived the assault and, as it was now Christmas morning, he opined that they'd been granted "the biggest gift of all" by being alive to celebrate Christmas. Murph and his friends wished each other a Merry Christmas.





--War Combat I#1/4

images: (without ads)
War Combat I#1/4, page 3, panel 1 (Shorty, main)
War Combat I#1/4, page 1, panel 1 (Shorty, face)
War Combat I#1/4, page 1, panel 1 (Diz)
War Combat I#1/4, page 1, panel 1 (Murph)

Appearances:
War Combat I#1/4 (March, 1952) - unidentified writer, Mac L. Pakula (artist), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 12/25/2025
Last updated: 12/25/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to http://www.g-mart.com/ for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters