BULLETMAN
Real Name: James Barr
Class: Human mutate / technology-user
Occupation: Ballistics expert, superhero
Group Affiliation: formerly Crime Crusaders Club, Shazam's Squadron of Justice
Known Relatives: Deanna Barr (Windshear, daughter), Pat Barr (father, deceased), Sgt. Kent (father-in-law), Susan Kent-Barr (Bulletgirl, wife)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Fawcett City, California, 1940s era to present
First Appearance: Nickel Comics #1 (Fawcett) (May, 1940)
Powers: Bulletman possessed superhuman strength, durability, and intellect. His gravity regulator helmet allowed him to fly and generate an electromagnetic field that repelled obstacles in his path.History: James Barr's father was a police officer who died in the line of duty, and James devoted his life to wiping out crime. He invented an anti-crime serum, and took a dose to test it, granting him a superhuman physique and mind. He invented a gravity helmet that let him fly, and used his newfound powers to become the hero Bulletman.
(Master Comics (Fawcett) #21) - Hitler introduced his generals to his latest weapon in his war against the Allies, the superman Captain Nazi. Hitler showed him a poster of America’s greatest heroes, including Bulletman, and Captain Marvel and told him to go stateside and destroy them. Nazi went on a rampage in NYC, gleefully murdering civilians and challenging Captain Marvel and Bulletman to stop him. Marvel and Bullet-Man teamed up, with Marvel watching for Nazi on the west side and Bulletman keeping an eye out on the east side. Captain Nazi ripped up a subway railing, intent on killing the passengers of an oncoming subway car, but Captain Marvel got in front of the car and causing it to grind to a halt. Nazi escaped as Marvel repaired the rails. Nazi attacked a fairgrounds, toppling a Ferris wheel, and Bulletman showed up grabbing the Ferris wheel and bringing it down safely. When confronted Captain Nazi tossed a small child off a cliff, allowing him to escape while Bullet-Man flew to the boy’s rescue. Captain /Marvel kept Nazi from blowing up the Brooklyn Navy Yard, but he again escaped by tossing dynamite at Marvel. Bulletman and Bulletgirl arrived on the scene, happy to see that Marvel was unharmed, but Captain Nazi had left him a note saying he’d be coming after Captain Marvel again soon.
(Master Comics (Fawcett) #22) - Dr. Eternity went on a killing spree, preserving the corpses of his victims in wax and displaying them in his wax museum. He sent a letter to Sir Henry Eliot warning him that he was his next victim. Sergeant Kent, Susan and Jim Barr went to Eliot’s house to protect him, but Eternity’s men cut the lights to Eliot’s home and abducted him. Jim changed into Bulletman to go after Eternity’s goons. Susan wanted to go into action as Bulletgirl, but he asked her to stay with Lady Eliot. Bulletman stopped Eternity’s men from kidnapping Sir Henry Welch, and Eternity called in his ally Captain Nazi, who he praised for his war efforts on Germany’s behalf. In response Captain Marvel sent captain Marvel, Jr. To help Bulletman. They located Dr. Eternity’s wax museum where he had his victims on display, and made short work of him and Nazi. They managed to bring Eternity into custody, but Captain Nazi escaped to fight another day.
(Power of Shazam II #8 (fb)) - <June, 1945> Germany surrendered to the U.S. after Hitler’s suicide, but Captain Nazi staid loyal to his cause, and started operations in the U.S. He kidnapped Spy Smasher and tortured him for information about La Paloma, a freighter from South America containing items for Nazi’s mission. Smasher was rescued by Bulletman and Minute Man., but Nazi ordered his men to sacrifice themselves by blowing up their hq in an attempt to kill the heroes while Nazi made his escape. Nazi flew to sea, wrecked a liner to distract the heroes, who’d survived and were on his tail, and located La Paloma.
(Power of Shazam II #12 (fb, BTS)) - <1955> Blaze unleashed the Seven Deadly Sins on Fawcett. Shazam combated them with his heroes Spy Smasher, Minute Man, Mr. Scarlet, Bulletman and Bulletgirl. Shazam used a spell of containment to trap the Sins inside ridiculous statues, and he kept them for safekeeping at the Rock of Eternity.
(Power of Shazam II #8) -Billy was at WHIZ when the station conducted an interview with retired WWII heroes Minute Man, Bulletman and Spy Smasher. They related a story about how they battled Captain Nazi after the war, he was after the cargo of La Paloma, a freighter from South America, and although they busted up his Nazi ring, he made off with a cryogenic chamber. Nazi was in the news because he’d emerged from suspended animation. Barr had never left Fawcett after the war, and when his old colleagues were puzzled by the fact that he seemed decades younger than them, he just told them that it was something in Fawcett’s water. Jim “Bulletman” Barr met Billy, told him he had a deep respect for his father, and left him his number if he ever wanted to hear some stories.
(Power of Shazam II #11, 12) - The Seven Deadly Sins attacked Fawcett City, and were confronted by Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, and the newly resurrected Ibis the Invincible.. They knew they’d need help to reimprison the sins, and Ibis summoned Captain Marvel, Jr. and his old ally Bulletman. Bulletman was overjoyed at seeing his old mystery man pal, and at the chance to come out of retirement.. After an intense battle they returned the Sins to their prisons, and the heroes asked for Ibis’ help in freeing Shazam from Blaze. Just then the Rock of Eternity shook, as Blaze was trying to free Shazam’s old enemy the Three Faces of Evil. Ibis, already tiring of being awake, made a plan to end Blaze’s villainy. He sent Captain Marvel and Mary to Hades to free Shazam, and sent Cap Jr. and Bulletman outside the Rock of Eternity to delay her from freeing the Three Faces. Blaze and Black Adam defeated Cap Jr. and Bulletman. Dudley and Tawny joined the fight, but were soon overwhelmed. Mary found Sarah Primm in Hades, and freed her with the help of Satanus, sending her to Heaven. Black Adam no longer had a reason to be loyal to Blaze, and told Mary he owed her one. The freed Shazam and Ibis cleaved the Rock, freeing the Three Faces, and at Shazam’s command Black Adam battled it. The Marvel Family forced the Rock back together, trapping Blaze alongside the Three Faces and Adam. Ibis took pity on Adam, and sent him to a distant star.
Comments: Created by Bill Parker & John Smalle.
Bulletman was originally published by Fawcett Comics, which DC obtained the rights to in 1972.
In the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths DCU Bulletman lived on Earth-S.
Bulletman's appearance in Master Comics (Fawcett) #21, 22 was reprinted in Shazam! Archives #4.
All characters mentioned or pictured are ™ and © DC Comics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please visit The Official DC Comics Site at: http://www.batman.com