MARK MATHEWS

Real Name: Mark Mathews

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

Occupation: Prison warden

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Daniel Phelps

Enemies: Red Dunley

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: A prison in an unidentified location in the USA

First Appearance: Caught I#1 (August, 1956)

Powers/Abilities: Warden Mathews was a strong-willed man who believed in the inner goodness and decency of other men. He employed non-violent methods to reason with convicts.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 145 lbs.)
Eyes: Black
Hair: Black with white streaks

History:
(Caught I#1/5) - Warden Mathews believed that the convicts under his charge were human beings and were to be treated as such. He disagreed sharply with Commissioner Daniel Phelps, who accused Mathews of coddling criminals. One day in their office, the two men argued over their differing beliefs as Phelps stated Mathews could never gain their respect or cooperation. Phelps believed convicts would only behave when they think other conduct will bring them punishment. Mathews countered that if he treated convicts like animals then when they had finished serving their time, they would behave like animals in society. Mathews believed the prison should help convicts learn the difference between right and wrong, break down their criminal code and teach them the meaning of civilization's code of conduct. Phelps denounced Mathews as an idealist and informed Mathews that he would make him do things his way for the good of society, otherwise he'd have Mathews fired.

    After Commissioner Phelps stormed out of his office, Warden Mathews wondered whether he was correct in his way of thinking. Noting that Commissioner Phelps had served in the field of correctional facilities longer than he, Mathews wasn't certain whether he was making the right decision. News of the two men's loud disagreement spread around the prison and soon, the convicts heard about it. Fearing they'd lose the privileges they enjoyed under Warden Mathews' stewardship, the prisoners started to plan a riot.

    When Commissioner Phelps heard about the murmurs in the prison, he confronted Warden Mathews again and insisted he would have the National Guard stand by ready to shoot in case something started. However, Warden Mathews remained determined to find a fair solution to the problem. The convicts, aware of Commissioner Phelps' visit, had timed their protest riot to begin once Phelps left the warden's office. The moment Phelps exited Warden Mathews' office, Red Dunley initiated the riot and, with a mob of men, they quickly overpowered the guards and took Commissioner Phelps as their hostage.

    Warden Mathews went down to the mess hall, where the convicts had sealed themselves in with Commissioner Phelps. Mathews told Red Dunley that he wanted to enter the mess hall and talk to him. Phelps insisted that Mathews was being a fool and would only be taken hostage as well. Phelps insisted Mathews should call on the militia but Mathews ignored him and entered the mess hall. Facing Red Dunley in the mess hall, Mathews insisted there was no need for the militia and that he and Red could reach a solution man-to-man. Mathews asked Red what was troubling them and Red recounted their fears that Mathews would knuckle under to Phelps and make the prison into his kind of facility. Mathews, unafraid of Red, noted he had treated Red and the others fairly up until then and he had no intention of ever running the prison differently. Mathews gave Red his word not to make Phelps' changes and asked Red to break up the riot and return everyone to their cells. Red and the other convicts not only agreed to this but also volunteered to clean up the mess hall before returning to their cells.

    Warden Mathews escorted Commissioner Phelps away from the mess hall. Phelps admitted he had been wrong about the convicts, having seen how they respected him. Phelps declared from then on he'd be on Mathews' side. Mathews replied the incident had proved something to him too- to have faith in yourself in what you believe.

Comments: Created by an unidentified writer and Joe Maneely.

    This profile was completed 09/11/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Mark Mathews should not be confused with:

Red Dunley

Red Dunley was a hardened criminal and said to be possessing no conscience or any regard for the laws laid down by society. After hearing about the disagreement between Warden Mathews and Commissioner Phelps, Red feared Mathews would knuckle under to Phelps and revoke all the privileges they'd enjoyed. When Phelps returned to the prison to again meet with Mathews, Dunley led the other convicts in a protest riot, timed to begin the moment Phelps left Mathews' office. Once Phelps left the office, Dunley and the other prisoners attacked all at once, overwhelming the guards and taking Phelps as their hostage. Dunley reminded the other convicts that they were rioting, not staging a breakout, then directed them to close off the cell block and assemble everyone in the mess hall. When Warden Mathews came to the mess hall, Red wanted to meet with him and permitted his entry. Red explained to Mathews how he was afraid he'd knuckle under to Phelps' demands but Mathews told him he'd continue to run the prison the same way he always had and gave his word to Red. Mathews asked Red and the other convicts to stand down from the riot. Red not only agreed to this but also volunteered to clean up the mess hall before returning to his cell.




--Caught I#1/5

Daniel Phelps

Daniel Phelps was the prison commissioner. Phelps believed convicts should be punished and accused Warden Mathews of coddling them. Phelps believed Mathews was an idealist and demanded he modify his treatment of the prisoners "for the good of society... yes, and the convicts themselves" or else he'd have Mathews fired. When news of their disagreement spread around the prison, the convicts started to plan a riot. Hearing of these murmurs, Phelps demanded Mathews have the National Guard stand by and be ready to shoot the convicts but Mathews refused to do it. As Phelps left Mathews' office, prisoners led by Red Dunley initiated the riot, having timed it to begin as Phelps left the office so they could capture him as their hostage. When Warden Mathews came to the mess hall, Phelps tried to order him to summon the militia to bring the convicts down by force but Mathews refused. Instead, Mathews spoke to the convicts with respect and told them he'd never implement Phelps' ways to the prison. The prisoners stood down, releasing Phelps and even cleaning up the mess hall before returning to their cells. As Warden Mathews escorted him out of the prison, Commissioner Phelps admitted he'd been wrong before and from then on he'd support Warden Mathews and his principles.





--Caught I#1/5

images: (without ads)
Caught I#1/5, page 5, panel 6 (Mathews, main)
Caught I#1/5, page 5, panel 1 (Mathews, face)
Caught I#1/5, page 3, panel 1 (Red)
Caught I#1/5, page 3, panel 3 (Phelps)

Appearances:
Caught I#1/5 (August, 1956) - unidentified writer, Joe Maneely (artist), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 09/16/2026
Last updated: 09/11/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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