DALE OF THE FBI

Real Name: Dale Sturm

Identity/Class: Human (World War 2 Era)

Occupation: FBI agent

Group Membership: FBI

Affiliations: George Dean, Helen Dean, J. Edgar Hoover, Frank Strong

Enemies: Joe Burns, Red Corker (Timothy Hersberger), Whitey

Place of Birth: Palm Beach, Florida

Known Relatives: None

Education: College graduate, FBI Academy training

Aliases: Ace Investigator, "G-Man"

Base of Operations: FBI headquarters, Washington D.C., USA

First Appearance: Daring Mystery Comics I#3 (April, 1940)

Powers/Abilities: Dale was well versed in criminal and civil law and enforcement operations, specializing in subversion and espionage. He was an expert pilot and marksman who carried a .38 Harrington and Richardson caliber pistol. He was also an excellent hand-to-hand combatant.

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 225 lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

History:

(Daring Mystery Comics I#3) - When the gangster Red Corker escaped prison and went on a crime spree robbing banks in San Francisco, the FBI's chief J. Edgar Hoover ordered Dale to San Francisco to deal with the matter. Dale flew a plane to San Francisco but was spotted at the airport by Joe Burns and Whitey, two of Red Corker's men, who trailed him from the airport as he started his investigation. When Dale stopped his car, Burns drew a gun on him and they commandeered his vehicle. As they were driving along the ocean, Dale tricked them into thinking another car was following behind them, then punched both men unconscious and jumped from the car as it went over the cliff and into the ocean. Burns and Whitey apparently drowned.

When Dale's car was found he was believed dead. Contacting Hoover for instructions, Dale was advised to play dead until Red Corker took another action. Next, Red Corker's men kidnapped Helen Dean, daughter of oil magnate George Dean, and demanded a $500,00 ransom. George Dean went to the FBI district office in San Francisco and told Dale about the kidnapping. Dale enlisted the crack mail pilot Frank Strong to fly around the countryside with Dale so he could scout the area in the hopes of spotting Red Corker from the air. Sure enough, when they flew over Dream Island, Dale spotted Red Corker and Helen Dean. Frank Strong flew the plane low the ground while Dale climbed out on the wing and scooped Helen into his arms. Holding Helen in one arm, Dale fired his gun at Red Corker, striking him in the heart. Red Corker's death caused the rest of his men to flee. Dale sent FBI men to Dream Island to round up the gang as they tried to escape.

Back in Washington D.C., Hoover congratulated Dale as they had captured Red Corker's entire gang.

Comments: Created by Phil Sturm and Gus Ricca.

Dale received an OHOTMU entry in the Marvel Mystery Handbook, which is also where his last name was revealed.

Dale was a pretty exceptional marksman, shooting Red Corker in the heart while holding Helen Dean in his left arm and crouching on the wing of an airplane, using his left knee to keep from falling off the wing. I wouldn't say it's unbelievable, though; they wouldn't put something unbelievable in a comic book, after all!

This profile was completed on 11/24/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Dale Sturm should not be confused with:

images: (without ads)
Marvel Mystery Handbook, Dale entry (main)
Daring Mystery Comics I#3, page 8, panel 6 (face)

Appearances:
Daring Mystery Comics I#3 (April, 1940) - Phil Sturm (writer), Gus Ricca (artist), unidentified editor

First posted: 09/16/2026
Last updated: 11/24/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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