ROY RANGER

Real Name: Roy Ranger

Identity/Class: Human (Post-World War II Era)

Occupation: Actor

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Clarence Culpepper, Hedy De Vine, Cecil Trumpetski

Enemies: None

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

First Appearance: Hedy De Vine Comics I#35/7 (October, 1949)

Powers/Abilities: Roy Ranger was a very short actor; he wore special boots and a padded shirt to increase his height and make him appear muscular. He was a poor horse rider who could barely handle an old horse at a walking pace.

Height: Unrevealed (approximately 4'5"; 6'3" in his costume)
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 75 lbs.)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black (wore red wig in his costume)

History:

(Hedy De Vine Comics I#35/7 (fb)) - Roy Ranger was a popular cowboy film star who appeared in movies directed by Cecil Trupetski. Although he was short, bald and afraid of horses, he used custom costuming and filmmaking magic to make himself appear like a great cowboy hero on film.

(Hedy De Vine Comics I#35/7) - For his next movie, 'Romance on the Range,' Roy was assigned as his co-star Hedy De Vine, who wanted to be the leading lady of a strong, romantic cowboy. When Hedy arrived on the set, Roy had yet to don his costume and she ignored his attempt to introduce himself to her. Spotting Clarence Culpepper, the make-up man, Hedy mistook him for Roy and introduced herself to him, until Clarence revealed his identity.

Roy approached Hedy again to tell her that her scene with Roy Ranger was ready to begin. When Hedy asked where Roy was, Roy replied, "Prepare yourself for a shock! I'm Roy Ranger!" Hedy fainted. When she revived, Roy summoned his costumer and donned his outfit and wig, becoming the tall, muscular figure Hedy recognized from his film.

Roy summoned the animal handler to bring his horse; the horse was a broken-down old nag but all the same, Roy was afraid of horses. The horse was similarly costumed up to appear more healthy and the crew used a winch to lower Roy into the saddle. When Hedy asked director Cecil Trumpetski to explain what she'd be doing in the film, Cecil said in the first scene she'd be thrown over a cliff by a wild horse, then saved by a band of rustlers who tie her to a railroad track, while Roy Ranger would shoot a flaming piece of dynamite out of her hand. When Hedy asked about her love scene, Cecil replied, "Love scenes! In a western? Are you mad, woman?" As he started to explain there would be a scene where the horse would kiss her, Hedy walked off the set. As she passed Roy, he asked her to help him off his horse. Hedy shoved him off and he chided her for being so rough.

Comments: Created by Stan Lee and Ed Winiarski.

    Hedy De Vine was a pretty clear rip-off of Archie's Katy Keene; her director, Cecil Trumpetski, was practically traced off of Bill Woggon's Katy Keene cast member Jumpin' Joe Pasterneck.

   

    This profile was completed on 02/11/2026 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Roy Ranger should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
Hedy De Vine Comics I#35/7, page 4, panel 6 (main)
Hedy De Vine Comics I#35/7, page 6, panel 1 (in costume)

Appearances:
Hedy De Vine Comics I#35/7 (October, 1949) - Stan Lee (writer, editor), Ed Winiarski (artist)

First posted: 09/22/2026
Last updated: 04/30/2026

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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