BLACK-LIGHT MEN
Classification: Extraterrestrial
Location/Base of Operations: The Planet of Black Light, Reality-5464
Known Members: None identified
Affiliations: None (possibly the Martians of Reality-5464)
Enemies: Interplanetary Secret Service (Whirlwind Carter, Brenda Hale)
First Appearance: Daring Mystery Comics I#5 (June, 1940)
Powers/Abilities: The Black-Light Men have unusually thick skin, an adaptation to survive the extreme cold temperatures on their planet. This thick skin also grants them superhuman resistance to physical injury. They have small red horns that grow out of their chins and nose ridges. The Black-Light Men are extremely susceptible to heat and have an abiding fear of open flame.
Traits: The Black-Light Men have a sophisticated understanding of technology. Using a powerful Planet Rocket they granted propulsion to their world and could enter other star systems. Their Anti-Solar System Ray Machine could deprive an entire planet of sunlight, quickly freezing it. Their Magnet Guns could shift other planets from their orbit. In infantry combat, the Black Light-Men wielded frigid-ray guns that projected streams of ice. The Black-Light Men have strong capitalist motivations.
Type: Humanoid
Eyes: Two (on head; compound, black color demonstrated)
Fingers: Five (including opposing thumb)
Toes: Three
Skin color: Orange
Average height: 6'5"
History:
(Daring Mystery Comics I#5/6) - The Black-Light Men dwelled upon the Planet of Black Light, said to be the coldest planet in space. Through use of a Planet Rocket, they could move their entire planet into other star systems.
Seeking to make a profit, the Black-Light Men entered the Solar System and schemed to use their Anti-Solar Ray Machine on the Earth to freeze its life, then use Magnet Guns to shift the planet's orbit. They intended to sell the frozen, lifeless remains of the Earth to the people of the planet Mars.
Unknown to the Black-Light, the meeting in which they discussed their plans for the Earth was eavesdropped on by Whirlwind Carter of the Interplanetary Secret Service, who had been using his Thought-Detector to listen in. Carter summoned a fleet from Venus and notified his ally Brenda Hale on Earth to do likewise.
The Black-Light Men projected their Anti-Solar Ray Machine and Magnet Guns on the Earth, causing earthquakes and starting to freeze the planet. However, the fleets from Earth and Venus launched an assault upon the Planet of Black Light, firing High-Tension Fusing Guns and Demagnetizers at the planet. The assault not only switched off the Anti-Solar Ray Machine and Magnet Runs but also caused the Black-Light Men to lose control over the Planet Rocket, causing their world to spin out of control. With the guns switched off, the Earth returned to its normal orbit, although millions of people had been killed or injured.
When the Planet of Black Light stopped moving, Carter and Hale led the forces from their ships to land on the surface and begin a ground assault. The Black-Light Men armed themselves with Frigid-Ray Guns and attacked the humans but the Fusing Rays from the humans' guns destroyed the Frigid-Ray Guns and engaged them in hand-to-hand combat. However, thanks to their thick skins, the Black-Light Men proved able to resist the humans' attack.
Meanwhile, Brenda Hale had built a fire in an ice cavern on the planet and began making fiery torches then hurling them at the Black-Light Men. Terrified of fire, the Black-Light Men were afraid of her attack and one of them snuck up behind Brenda to take her prisoner. However, Whirlwind Carter came to Brenda's rescue and freed her. Now that the humans knew the Black-Light Men were afraid of fire, they all armed themselves with torches and chased the Black-Light Men. The Black Light-Men stampeded over the edge of an ice cliff and fell to their deaths.
Comments: Created by Fletcher Hanks.
This story nearly goes for the "He's got a board with a nail in it!" climax.
This profile was completed on 03/10/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
The Black-Light Men should not be confused with:
images: (without ads)
Daring Mystery Comics I#5/6, page 2, panel 6 (main)
Daring Mystery Comics I#5/6, page 6, panel 5 (Frigid-Ray Guns)
Daring Mystery Comics I#5/6, page 5, panel 4 (Planet of Black Light)
Appearances:
Daring Mystery Comics I#5/6 (June, 1940) - Fletcher Hanks (writer,
artist), Martin Goodman (editor)
First Posted: 09/05/2026
Last updated: 03/10/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
Non-Marvel
Copyright info
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