History: (Leading Comics #2) - The Black Star contacted notorious criminals Captain Bigg, Brain, Falseface, Hopper and Rattler, only communicating through pre-recorded movie reels, and provided them with a flawless plan to rob a bank. They posed as city workers, and broke a water main. The hydraulic pressure wrecked the bank's wall, and they robbed it, affording their escape by changing clothes and impersonating police officers. They collected another set of movie reels, and Black Star told them he was splitting them up for their crime wave. He assured them that if they followed his instructions to the letter they'd succeed, but if they failed he would track them down and have his vengeance. The hardened criminals all agreed that they were glad they didn't have to meet Black Star face to face, because he gave them the willies. The Seven Soldiers of Victory became interested in the case, and discovered the film detailing Black Star's plans. Hopper and his gang were sent to Pleasure City, and set up a carnival booth that gave away free prizes to attract a specific target, the wealthy Mr. Coburn. Coburn stopped by the booth and won a teddy bear. Thatr night Hopper broke into his apartment, and Coburn was already dead from poison gas released from the bear. Hopper raided the apartment and found only cash, and he realized his gang had given the bear to the wrong Mr. Coburn. The goons claimed they were distracted by a homeless man, and Hopper went into a rage and attacked them, telling them the seeming bum was the Coburn he was looking for. Coburn was an eccentric who dressed in rags, and had a fortune in art treasures on his person, in addition to a gigantic stash of art that he kept hidden. Hopper and his boys spotted Coburn again the next day, and snatched him. Green Arrow and Speedy were on the case, and rescued Coburn, taking him on a roller coaster to get away from Hopper. Unfortunately the eccentric was also a paranoid, and pushed the heroes from the coaster before being caught again by Hopper. Hopper made him reveal the location of his treasure as the carnival attraction Castle of Fear, and once inside Hopper had his men stand guard while he tortured Coburn for the exact location. Arrow and Speedy followed, with Arrow taking lead and his sidekick as backup. Arrow trapped Hopper's gang, but Hopper got the drop on him with a gun and made no bones about it that he'd loose no sleep over killing the hero. At that moment Speedy started exploring the castle, and fell through a trap door, landing right on top of Hopper. Black Star had planned for his henchmen to fail all along, and was pleased at Hopper's lack of success.

Comments: Created by Mort Weisinger & Mort Meskin.

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