MR. MARVEL

Real Name: Unrevealed

Class: Extraterrestrial technology-user

Occupation: Explorer, vigilante

Group Affiliation: None

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Gotham City

First Appearance: Batman I #137 (February, 1961)

Powers: Mr. Marvel used a ray-gun that could cocoon a target, create forcefields, reverse gravity or act as a disintegrator ray. He used a spaceship as transportation.

History: (Batman I #137) - An alien was exploring space when he tuned into Earth and witnessed the exploits of Batman and Robin. His co-pilot bet him that he couldn't break up the crimefighting friends, and, accepting the bet he landed on Earth and created the superhero persona of Mr. Marvel. Batman and Robin were prepared to bust up a cargo plane robbery when the new crimefighter Mr. Marvel appeared and apprehended the criminals with his futuristic ray-gun. He talked to the press about his fabulous inventions, and how he considered Batman's fisticuffs an outmoded way of crimefighting. As Mr. Marvel continued to clean up crime Robin expressed an unexpected desire to leave Batman, and become his sidekick, saying Mr. Marvel could teach him more. Batman was heartbroken, and his heart was no longer in crimefighting. He followed Batman and Mr. Marvel to a train robbery, and Robin turned against his mentor, knocking him out with a punch. Batman helped Robin clear out the crooks, and Robin explained that Mr. Marvel had threatened to kill Batman if he didn't become his partner. Mr. Marvel was unmasked as an alien, and he explained his petty wager. Batman chided him for causing such emotional turmoil over a lousy bet, and the alien flew off-planet.

Comments: Created by Bill Finger & Sheldon Moldoff.