The Moth is the name of two

American comic-book An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of ''Action Comics'', ...

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

characters. The first was created by artist

Jim Mooney James Noel Mooney (August 13, 1919 – March 30, 2008) was an American comics artist best known for his long tenure at DC Comics and as the signature artist of Supergirl, as well as a Marvel Comics inker and Spider-Man artist, both during wh ...

and an unknown writer for

Fox Feature Syndicate Fox Feature Syndicate (also known as Fox Comics, Fox Publications, and Bruns Publications, Inc.) was a comic book publisher from early in the period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. Founded by entrepreneur Victor S. ...

in 1940, during the period fans and historians call the

Golden Age of Comic Books The Golden Age of Comic Books describes an era of American comic books from 1938 to 1956. During this time, modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity. The superhero archetype was created and many well-known char ...

. The second was created by writer-artist Steve Rude in 1998 for Dark Horse Comics.

Fox Feature Syndicate

One of the first comic-book superheroes, the Moth was created by artist

and an unknown writer using the joint pseudonym "Norton Kingsley", which at least once was rendered as "Norman Kingsley". The character — a superhero whose sole apparent superpower, flight, was never explained as either natural or as an ability built into his costume — debuted in comic-book publisher

's ''Mystery Men Comics'' #9 ( cover-dated April 1940), during the period fans and historians call the

. According to ''Jess Nevins' Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes'', "he fights a life-draining mad scientist, the Weather Kings (who use weather control machines in an attempt to take over the United States), a

Dr. Frankenstein Victor Frankenstein is a fictional character and the main protagonist and title character in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, ''Frankenstein, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus''.. He is an Italians, Italian-Swiss scientist (born in Naples, Italy ...

-like grave-robbing mad scientist, and others". The Moth starred in four stories, drawn either all by Mooney or with the second drawn by Greg Chapian,''Mystery Men Comics''
at the Grand Comics Database. both using the Kingsley pseudonym. The feature ended with ''Mystery Men Comics'' #12 (July 1940).

Dark Horse Comics

Publication history

The Moth (real name Jack Mahoney) is a fictional superhero published by Dark Horse Comics. Created by Steve Rude, The Moth first appeared in ''

Dark Horse Presents ''Dark Horse Presents'' was a comic book published by American company Dark Horse Comics from 1986. Their first published series, it was their flagship title until its September 2000 cancellation. The second incarnation was published on MySpace, r ...

'' #138, followed by an appearance in ''Madman Comics'' #13 by Dark Horse Comics, and then the 56-page ''The Moth - Special'' (March 2004).

Fictional character biography

The Moth is a circus performer named Jack Mahoney. Mahoney developed the Moth costume for his high-wire act, and he also uses it catch wanted criminals in exchange for bounties. During his four-issue solo series, the Moth encounters a biker gang whose leader has had a bounty offered for his capture. The Moth turns him over to the authorities. He also encounters a supernatural lion-man who is on a killing spree. His victims include the Moth's mentor Victor, the ringmaster of the circus where the Moth performed, and a member of the biker gang. The Moth inherits the circus and enlists the help of the biker gang he clashed with earlier to help him track down the creature and exact revenge. In the next story, the Moth turns rival mob families against each other in order to collect bounties offered for the leaders of both groups.

References

Golden Age superheroes 2004 comics debuts Dark Horse Comics titles Dark Horse Comics superheroes Vigilante characters in comics {{DarkHorse-Comics-stub