CHERUB
Real Name: Dr. Franz Neumensch
Identity/Class: Normal human (Austrian citizen
- see comments) (World
War II era)
Occupation: Retired researcher, criminal;
formerly professor
Group Membership: None;
formerly academia at the University of Wien (Vienna), Austria
Affiliations: Rudy (last name unrevealed)
Enemies: Miss America (Madeline Joyce),
police, his wealthy victims
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Unrevealed city in USA;
formerly Vienna, Austria
First Appearance: Miss America Magazine I#5/11
(February, 1945)
Powers/Abilities: Dr. Franz Neumensch was a
well-educated bilingual scientific researcher and educator in anatomy and
physiology. He was
an expert chemist in the aging process in humans, but was obsessed in
the pursuit of research beyond retirement, undertaking serious crime to
maintain funding, while also seeking to regain and sustain his own
youthful
vigor. He kept a well-stocked private laboratory.
Height: 5'9"
(by approximation)
Weight: 155 lbs. (by
approximation)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown (transformed) /
bald & white (aged)
History:
(Miss America Magazine I#5/11 (fb) - BTS) - Dr. Franz
Neumensch was a professor at the University of Wien (Vienna), Austria,
teaching anatomy and physiology. He retired and traveled to the USA to
continue personal research on human rejuvenation. After years of
research, he developed a quickly concocted serum that restored youth
and vigor for a few
hours. He used this serum on himself to create a dual identity to
distract police; as the youthful Cherub, he committed murderous
robberies to cover research expenses. He was aided by his simple
thuggish chauffeur Rudy. However, he also liked to conduct his private
lab research in his youthful form.
(Miss America Magazine I#5/11) - The Cherub robbed a
banker in his home, following the pattern of murdering the victim and
then leaving his own portrait before phoning the police and attempting
to flee. However, the police arrived quickly, followed by Miss America, but the Cherub had reverted to the
aged Dr. Neumensch. He gave a false alibi and left with his chauffeur.
The Cherub later called the police, claiming he had also killed
Neumensch (to stop any connection being drawn). Suspicious, Miss America chanced across Rudy and followed
him to the Cherub's old house and hidden lab, where she confronted the
scientist, but she was instead captured and tied up. The Cherub whipped
up a modified serum that would quickly age Miss America 80 years, but
she broke free and used Rudy as a shield when the Cherub shot at her.
Enraged, the Cherub threw flammable chemicals at Miss America and she
flew out through the skylight, barely escaping the exploding lab that
destroyed the serum and apparently killed the Cherub.
Comments: Created by Bill Finger, Sid Greene, Ken Bald & Dan Barry.
Neumensch had left Austria years before it was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. He spoke fluent English and there is no hint of any Nazi connection.
"Neu Mensch" translates roughly to "new human".
This profile was completed 11/01/2020, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.
Profile by Grendel Prime.
CLARIFICATIONS
:
Cherub has no known connections to:
images:
(without ads)
Miss America Magazine I#5/11, p13, pan4 (main image)
p5, pan2 (headshot)
Appearances:
Miss America Magazine I#5/11
(February, 1945) - Bill Finger (writer), Sid Greene (pencils), Ken Bald
& Dan Barry (inks), Bessie H. Little
(editor)
First posted: 09/01/2021
Last updated:
11/01/2020
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!