VREEDL

Real Name: Vreedl (first name unrevealed)

Class: Human magic-user

Occupation: Archaeologist, criminal

Group Affiliation: None

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: India

First Appearance: Challengers of the Unknown I #5 (December, 1958-January, 1959)

Powers: Vreedl possessed the Star-Stone, which, when fitted with the proper gems under the proper alignment of the stars, gave him the powers of generating flames or electricity, flight, breathing underwater, invulnerability and superhuman strength.

History: (Challengers of the Unknown I #5) - June Robbins was on an archaeological dig in Chandowa, India under Prof. Brandon. They discovered the Star-Stone, whose mystic powers worked by placing gems in the stone's niches. A fire opal sleeping from a sleeping volcano, an emerald a stone giant, and the Royal Bengal Diamond of Djiizari would all grant the user powers, and a pearl from the Bay of Sharks would make them permanent. Their assistant Vreedl stole the Star-Stone and retrieved an opal to gain fire-based powers, and used them to rob a railcar carrying money. June called in the Challengers of the Unknown to pursue him, although they failed to keep him from stealing an emerald ring from a temple's stone idol. The Challs went to Djiizari and warned the rajah, who decided there'd be no safer place for the diamond than in his turban. The emerald gave Vreedl flying powers, and the locals mistook him for the legendary Birdman of Djiizari, gasping in awe as he made off with the rajah's diamond. The Challs pursued him, but the locals were upset that they attacked the Birdman and after restraining them, sent them to prison. June had staid back, distracted the guards with a supposed sighting of the Birdman, and freed her friends. Vreedl gained aquatic abilities and easily outmaneuvered the Challs while diving for the pearl in the Bay of Sharks. His now permanent powers included superhuman strength and invulnerability, and he easily handled the Challs. Ace told him he was the first person to best them, but planted doubts about his power by saying someone else would surely find the Sun-Stone and use it to gain the same powers as him. He destroyed the Star-Stone so no one else could use it, but it's destruction made him lose his powers, and the Challengers apprehended him.

Comments: Created by Jack Kirby.