Sub-Zero

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Blue Bolt Comics

These best stories of the comic books are preceded by their issue number.

Sub-Zero

Sub-Zero, the Man of Ice, is a man from Venus, who has the ability to emit blasts of cold from his fingertips, as well as freeze his own body and other objects. He looks like any typical Earthman, even though he is from another planet, and his adventures take place in the modern day United States. Sub-Zero wears a costume, but no mask, and he does not seem to have a secret identity. He looks much younger than Superman or most other super-heroes; he is in fact quite boyish looking. While Superman was from another planet, Krypton, most Golden Age super-heroes seem to be Earthmen; Sub-Zero is an exception.

Sub-Zero appeared in Blue Bolt Comics #1 (June 1940) through #39 (September-October 1943), appearing in most issues except #38.

Murder at the Torpedo Factory (1941). Writer: ? Art: John Daly. (Title made up by me, for this titleless story.) US Naval Intelligence asks Sub-Zero investigate strange doings at a torpedo factory. This story is unusual in that the mysterious events eventually erupt into labor-management disputes. The story stays largely neutral on pro- or anti- union issues, but it can be read as a plea for labor-management cooperation. This sort of story was fairly common in movies of the era: see Frank Borzage's Stranded (1935), or Tay Garnett's The Valley of Decision (1945). All of these works also express an anxiety that labor unrest might get out of hand. So the ideas here are none too original. It is not the last world on union issues of its day. Still, it offers an interesting close-up look at union events. Especially noteworthy is the discussion of free speech within the union. This is quite committed and detailed.

"Murder at the Torpedo Factory" includes radio technology, the high tech favorite of Golden Age comic book writers.

Sub-Zero makes ingenious use of his powers in the finale. They turn out to be more versatile than one might guess at first thought.

John Daly's naval uniforms in this tale are good. First there is an overcoat, with epaulettes and a huge collar. Then there are naval white uniforms. The police uniform, with jutting nightstick, is also well done.

Scourge of the Knights of the Blue Flame 23 (Vol. 2, #11) (April 1942). Writer: ? Art: John Daly. (Title from Grand Comics Database.) Sub-Zero goes up against a Ku Klux Klan-like organization, which is extorting money from businesses through terror tactics. Jerry Siegel, whose political tales were so influential on Golden Age comics, had previously written a Spy tale attacking the Klan: "The Hooded Hordes" (Detective Comics #17, July 1938).

There is an interesting mystery sub-plot: who is the secret leader of the Knights of the Blue Flame, under their hooded robes? The story offers a logical clue to this. This sub-plot and its clue also offer additional political commentary.