DAVID PAILLEDAVID PAILLE
Real Name: David Paille
Identity/Class: Human;
active circa World
War II (and likely at least 30-50 years before that)
Occupation: Scientist; weapons-manufacturer
Group Membership: None known
Affiliations: Blue Blade (Roy Chambers)
Enemies: Sandai and his
men
Known Relatives: Alexandra "Nita" Paille (daughter)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Unrevealed;
at least formerly the Pacific Coast of the United
States of America (California, Oregon or Washington)
First Appearance: USA Comics#5/5 (Summer, 1942)
Powers/Abilities: Professor David Paille created an
Atom Smasher, a cannon-like energy weapon, that could fire a beam able
to blow up a ship or a lighthouse
His machine could be held and operated
by a single person, although it was large and heavy enough that it was
best used by balancing/perching it on an object.
History:
(USA Comics#5/5) - At his laboratory (apparently
in his home), Professor David Paille announced to Nita that his atom
smashing machine had been perfected and that it would make the Allies
armies invincible (he said invulnerable, but as it was a weapon, rather
than a shield, that doesn't seem correct).
(USA Comics#5/5 - BTS) - Overhearing
this, a Japanese spy reported this to his master, Sandai, who felt that
with this weapon, they could make the allies sue for peace in a month's
time.
(USA Comics#5/5) - Sendai and two of his men subsequently
confronted David and Alexandra in his laboratory at gunpoint, but Nita's
cry for help was heard by the heroic Blue Blade, who was riding nearby
on his steed, Grimaud. Blue Blade soon dove through the window, but
while he was fighting Sendai's men, Sendai forced David to bring him to
his laboratory, and via threatening Nita, he forced both David and Nita
to come to his boat, bringing the atom smasher with them.
While Sendai intended to bring them to Japan and --maintaining Nita as their hostage -- force David to make more such weapons, he first insisted David demonstrate the machine to make sure he was not being deceptive. Presumably with David's instruction, Sendai used the Atom Smasher to blow up a lighthouse. However, the blast revealed their location to Blue Blade, who was atop a cliff but somehow reached the high-speed boat before it departed, and he quickly punched out Sendai and forced his surrender.
After they had gotten a safe distance from the Japanese ship, at Blue Blade's instruction, David used the Atom Smasher to destroy the ship.
(USA Comics#5/5 - BTS) - Sendai and
his men were taken into custody.
Comments: Created by unidentified
writer and artist.
In his extended online notes, Michael J.
Vassallo comments that "The art is
unknown but wild speculation is that this could be an early appearance
of Carmine Infantino and/or even Gil Kane."
As a story written
in the middle of World War II, the story and art portray the Japanese
spy Sandai and his men in a very unflattering manor, making them almost
monstrous in appearance. I was actually going to profile Sandai, but
then I didn't feel like posting pictures of him from the story.
Obviously it was somewhat propaganda, and All-Winners Squad: Band of
Heroes notes how the comics printed by Timely certainly took a lot of
license and used anti-Japanese, Italian and German propaganda to make
the people of the Axis nations look foolish or monstrous.
Regardless, just keep in mind the spirit of the time
when the stories were written. Don't try to erase the past, but instead
learn from it.
In USA Comics#5/5, he was just called professor in the story. The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update#5: Blue Blade profile identified him as David Paille. His daughter was called "Nita" in that story, but "Alexandra" in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe 2010 Update#5. Perhaps Alexandra is her real name, and Nita is a nickname...or perhaps Nita is short for her middle name, which could be Anita, Juanita, etc.
To the best of my
knowledge, neither Professor Paille, nor Nita, nor the Atom Smasher were
ever seen again. They were referenced in Blue Blade's OHotMU entry.
This profile was
completed 12/12/2025, but
its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25th
anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
David Paille should be distinguished from:
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z Update#5 (2010) - Jeff Christiansen & Mike O'Sullivan (head writers/coordinators), Stuart Vandal, Markus Raymond & Mike Fichera (assistant coordinators), Michael Hoskin, Sean McQuaid, Madison Carter, Rob London, Kevin Garcia, Ronald Byrd, Gabe Schecter, David Wiltfong, Chris Biggs, Jeph York & Matt Forbeck (writers), Gus Vasquez & Tom Chu (select character artwork), Theodore W. Kutt (copy editor), James Emmett & Joe Hochstein (editorial assistants), Alex Starbuck & Nelson Ribeiro (assistant editors), Jennifer Grunwald & Mark D. Beazley (editors, special projects), Jeff Youngquist (editor)
First posted: 09/05/2026
Last updated: 12/12/2025
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 www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!