the DCU's essential

More Fun Comics 73 introduces Aquaman and Green Arrow

Aside from the obvious allusions to Robin Hood, Mort Weisinger was inspired by a movie serial, The Green Archer (based on the novel by Edgar Wallace). Weisinger retooled the concept into a superhero archer with obvious Batman influences. These included his kid sidekick Speedy, his use of an Arrowcar and Arrowplane, his use of an Arrowcave as headquarters, his alter ego as an billionaire playboy, the use of an Arrow-signal to summon him, and even a clown-like arch foe named Bull’s Eye (similar to Batman’s arch-foe, the Joker).   

Green Arrows origin Story wouldn’t be told till a bit later.

Geek Factoids to Note:

• As noted in the Wonder Woman post the Atlantean countries of Poseidonis and Tritonis were ruled by a queen, Clea, enemy of wonder woman. also its inhabitants display surface dweller features and no capacity for underwater survival, as the Atlantis continent had been raised).

• Earth-Two  Aquaman was not a true denizen of Atlantis

•  Green Arrow was an archer who invented trick arrows with various special functions, such as a glue arrow, a net arrow, explosive arrow, time bomb arrow, grappling arrow, fire extinguishing arrow, flash arrow, tear gas arrow, cryonic arrow, a boxing-glove arrow, and even a kryptonite arrow.

• Because of the Success of Superman, Batman and other heroes in Tights, The more pulp-like heroes like Sandman and Crimson Avenger were redesigned. The reason for their costume changes wasn’t explained. The crimson Avanger also got a costume for

The Atom also got a new Outfit.

The second Team

Following the success of the JSA. Another superhero-crossover publication begun, this time featuring. Green Arrow and Speedy alongside other Heroes. The comic as you might see was not… exceptional. and you might skip it if you wish.

The group was called The Seven Soldiers of Victory.

• the Crimson Avenger’s sidekick Wing also took part in the team’s adventures, and was in every other way an "eighth Soldier", but was never considered an "official" member of the team.
• Despite being a group where sidekicks were full members, (Speedy and Stripesey ) Stuff the Chinatown Kid ( Vigilantes Sidekick) wasn’t part of the team and did not join them in their adventures.

  

• The team also had the only member to be a teenager, Star Spangled kid, was famous for being the only Super hero duo where the child (young Millionaire Sylvester Pemberton) was the hero and the adult (Mechanic,  Pat Dugan) was the sidekick. However what was it that made the kid the hero and pat the sidekick is unclear… except one was rich and the other poor.

   

• The Starrry duo later got a third companion MERRY, GIRL OF 1,000 GIMMICKS

   

What makes this Fun

• Aquaman’s Monologue about his origin, in the middle of an action packed sequence always cracks me up.
• Watch Green arrow and speedy, take a shower together or so it seems, in their origins story.
• Also nice to see them play dirty and throw coal on fire to their enemies faces. Or crush the with Giant statues.