Smash Comics # 47 (October 1943)
The story opens with a trio of criminals discussing how no one has claimed the $1 million bounty on Midnight's head when one, Brain Baroni, announces that he intends to claim the reward.
His compatriots are--understandably skeptical--until Baroni explains that his plan is to get to Midnight, "through his friends."
On that ominous note, we leave this issue's bad guys and drop in on said "friends' having a most un-friendly debate about relative levels of crime-fighting competence.
This latter-day Lincoln-Douglas debate is briefly interrupted by Doc Wackey demanding quiet so that he can complete his latest invention. (Gee...I wonder if this mystery invention will wind up resolving some conflict in the story?)
The Wackey interlude completed, we return to Sniffer scolding Dave for his ingratitude. Sniffer asserts that he's taken proactive steps to preserve his sparring partner's life. When Dave inquires as to the precise nature of this salvific boon, Sniffer announces that he's created "an exact double" to decoy would-be Midnight murderers.
On that ominous note, we leave this issue's bad guys and drop in on said "friends' having a most un-friendly debate about relative levels of crime-fighting competence.
 |
| You know, you don't have to let Sniffer stick around, Dave-o. |
This latter-day Lincoln-Douglas debate is briefly interrupted by Doc Wackey demanding quiet so that he can complete his latest invention. (Gee...I wonder if this mystery invention will wind up resolving some conflict in the story?)
The Wackey interlude completed, we return to Sniffer scolding Dave for his ingratitude. Sniffer asserts that he's taken proactive steps to preserve his sparring partner's life. When Dave inquires as to the precise nature of this salvific boon, Sniffer announces that he's created "an exact double" to decoy would-be Midnight murderers.
While our protagonists resume their debate, outside the Dave Clark house Brains Baroni and entourage are plotting to bum rush the radio announcer (whom they've pegged as a "friend" of Midnight) and compel him to lead them to Midnight. They're delighted, however, when it seems their quarry has dropped right into their hands.
When the smoke clears, the thugs are certain they've cut "Midnight" clean in half with their gunfire. Brains and Stiletto are already busy planning how they'll spend the $1,000,000 bounty when the terrified Bruisesr announces: "MMM-M...M-M-M-Midnight! H-He's alive!" At this news all three of the would-be assassins take off in a wild sprint, bursting through a picket fence in the process. This makes the immediately following panel all the more curious:
 |
| Presumably the three knew what Dave Clark looked like (since they were planning to kidnap him.) Dave is clearly not in his costume. So why would these hardened criminals see Dave and assume he's Midnight? |
No comments:
Post a Comment