The Black Terror: A Golden Age Hero

The Black Terror first appeared in Exciting Comics #9, published in January 1941. While lesser known today, he was once one of the most popular superheroes of the Golden Age. Created by RIchard Hughes & Don Gabrielson for Nedor Comics.

Behind the mask was Bob Benton, a mild-mannered pharmacist who developed a chemical formula that granted him superhuman abilities. With his young sidekick, Tim Roland, who also gained powers from the same concoction, they formed a dynamic crime-fighting duo known as the “Terror Twins.”

Rise to Popularity

By the mid-1940s, the Black Terror was headlining not only Exciting Comics but also America’s Best Comics. His adventures appeared regularly until 1949, during which time he became a staple of the superhero genre.

A Legacy Reborn

Though his original run ended with the post-war decline of superhero comics, the Black Terror entered the public domain, allowing for numerous revivals. He was reimagined in the 1980s and again in the 2000s, with modern publishers putting their own spin on the classic character while retaining his iconic look and backstory.