Mickey Walker

Patsy Walker's kid brother, Mickey, was a recurring character in comic books. As a running gag, Mickey would extort money in exchange for giving Patsy privacy with her boyfriend, Buzz Bazter. Different renditions of Mickey appear on the covers of Miss America #71 (Aug. 1955) and Patsy and Hedy #78 (Oct. 1961).

Metamorpho: The Standby Superhero

If DC Comics had launched a non-team like the Defenders, Metamorpho would have been a strong candidate. Radiation from a meteorite transformed soldier-of-fortune Rex Mason into Metamorpho, the Element Man. Dismayed by his altered appearance, the reluctant hero turned down an invitation to join the Justice League of America but agreed to assist in emergencies (JLA #42).

When Joker, Penguin, and the Riddler conspired to change Batman into the lumbering Bat-Hulk, the caped crusader sought out Metamorpho—hoping his chemical powers might reverse the effects. Instead, a bolt of lightning did the trick (Brave and the Bold #68). Unlike Bruce Banner, whose clothing ripped when he became Hulk, Bruce Wayne's bat-costume stayed intact as Bat-Hulk.

Before Metamorpho declined membership in Justice League of America #42 (Feb. 1966), Green Arrow (#4), Atom (#14), and Hawkman (#31) had said yes. Metamorpho faced Bat-Hulk in The Brave and the Bold #68 (Oct.-Nov. 1966).

Grown Names

Some time ago, I posted about episodes of Justice League Unlimited that depicted Hawkgirl and several other DC characters as indirect counterparts to the Defenders. I found the animated version of Hawkgirl surprising, however, since the comic book character had changed her name to Hawkwoman by this point. In World's Finest #272 (Oct. 1981), she told Hawkman that she didn't like the connotation of the term girl and started correcting those who called her that by mistake. I prefer the way Hawkwoman sounds and wish her name had stayed that way.

Comic books have plenty of other examples of heroic peers with codenames that suggest different levels of maturity. The original X-Men notably included Marvel Girl and Iceman (the youngest member of the group). The Legion of Super-Heroes sidestepped the man/girl imbalance as both male and female heroes of the 30th century had youthful codenames. Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #235 (Jan. 1978) revealed that people of the future used the terms boy and kid well into their twenties because scientific breakthroughs had vastly extended their life spans.

Giving Up the Glasses

The Incredible Hulk's original series cancelled after six issues and the green goliath began appearing instead in Tales to Astonish. The cover of #72 was a milestone of sorts by picturing Bruce Banner without his glasses. It wasn't long before Dr. Banner stopped wearing glasses altogether in comics. Habitually replacing the lenses may have become inconvenient and presumably he could still see well enough without any eyewear.

Sub-Mariner and Hulk appeared in separate stories in Tales to Astonish #72 (Oct. 1965).

Lost and Found Lenses

Illustrator Jack Kirby diligently kept track of Bruce Banner's glasses during the original run of The Incredible Hulk. Panels of Banner transforming into the Hulk consistently pictured the character removing his glasses. During these early issues, sidekick Rick Jones routinely took it upon himself to retrieve Dr. Banner's glasses for him. Even if Banner kept the same pair of glasses, the disheveled scientist certainly went through a lot of shirts changing to and from the Hulk.

This image of Rick Jones handing Bruce Banner his glasses comes from The Incredible Hulk #2 (July 1962).