Publication history
Streamline was co-created by Denis Gifford and Bob Monkhouse, first appearing in ''Streamline Comics'' #1 (1947) published by Cardal Publishing. The comic ran for four issues, black and white throughout inside, with Streamline the main feature. The ''Streamline'' strip was drawn in #1 by Denis Gifford, and in #2-4 by science-fiction writer Bryan Berry. In Streamline's debut appearance, ''The Adventure of the Flaming Fiends'', scientist Keenan King is suspicious when he witnesses a fire at the 21st National Bank, returning to his laboratory to experiment on himself with the mysterious Elixir X. Obtaining a suitable costume, he encounters another bank on fire and discovers robbers in asbestos suits but is beaten back by the heat and forced to leave in order to a rescue the bank security guard. By the time of the next bank fire, he has formulated a liquid that dissolves asbestos. Splashing it over the robbers who are then vulnerable to the heat and flames, and hits them out of the bank to the awaiting police. ''Streamline Comics'' #4 promised more adventures of "Britain's Superman" in ''Streamline Comics'' #5 but this was never published. A reimagined Streamline made a guest appearance in the ''2000 AD'' strip ''Zenith'', along with other vintage British superheroes, debuting in ''2000 AD'' Prog 629 (cover date 3 June 1989). The ''Zenith'' strip was written byPowers and abilities
Having injected himself with the experimental formula Elixir X, scientist Keenan King becomes "the fastest fighter in the world", gaining super speed, and can rapidly regenerate from even serious, life-threatening injuries. As a character in ''Zenith'', ''Streamline'' also had a protective force field.Costume
Streamline's costume in the original 1940s run was yellow with a lightning-bolt 'S' in the middle of the chest, and included a yellow mask, with blue boots, gloves, belt and cape. When he was revived in Zenith, his costume no longer included a cape, and the 'S' was in a circle and had moved to the left breast, while the boots and gloves were flush with the rest of the costume. The Zenith run was printed in black and white.Appearances
* ''Streamline''; ''Streamline Comics''; #1: ''The Adventure of the Flaming Fiends'' (1947) * ''Streamline''; ''Streamline Comics''; #2 (1947) * ''Streamline''; ''Streamline Comics''; #3 (1947) * ''Streamline''; ''Streamline Comics''; #4 (1947) * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 3: ''A Separate Reality''; ''2000AD''; Prog 629 (3 June 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 4: ''Facts and Figures''; ''2000AD''; Prog 630 (10 June 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 6: ''Letters from the Underworld''; ''2000AD''; Prog 631 (17 June 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 7: ''Born Again''; ''2000AD''; Prog 632 (23 June 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 8: ''Marching as to War''; ''2000AD''; Prog 633 (30 June 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 14: ''Fire and Brimstone''; ''2000AD''; Prog 655 (2 December 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 15: ''Seeing the Light''; ''2000AD''; Prog 656 (9 December 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 16: ''Judgment Day''; ''2000AD''; Prog 657 (16 December 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 17: ''News from Nowhere''; ''2000AD''; Prog 658 (23 December 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 18: ''Wolf in the Fold''; ''2000AD''; Prog 659 (30 December 1989). * ''Zenith'' Phase 3; Chapter 19: ''Shaming the Devil''; ''2000AD''; Prog 660 (6 January 1990). * ''Black Tower Comics Group Adventures''; various issues (1990s). * ''Black Tower British Gold Collection 1'' (reprints ''Streamline Comics'' #1-4) * ''Black Tower Gold: The Ultimate British Comics Gold Collection'' (reprints ''Streamline Comics'' #1-4)Streamline Publications
Gifford and Monkhouse, the co-creators of Streamline, went on to found the publishing company Streamline Publications circa 1949, which reprinted titles from US publishers such asReferences
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