STARDUST: FLETCHER HANKS BIZARRO CREATION LIVES ON.
In the kaleidoscopic tapestry of the Golden Age of Comics, one figure stands out like a cosmic beacon – Stardust the Super Wizard. Crafted by the eccentric genius Fletcher Hanks, Stardust burst onto the scene in the pages of Fantastic Comics #1 (December 1939), published by Fox Feature Syndicate.
Hanks, a maestro of the bizarre and an unsung hero of the Golden Age, brought to life a hero with unparalleled abilities. Standing anywhere between 7'3" to 9'9" with a clean-cut appearance, Stardust was a master of space and planetary forces, armed with a vast knowledge of interplanetary science. His stories, written and illustrated by Hanks, unfolded across 16 issues of Fantastic Comics and Big 3 #2, captivating readers from December 1939 to March 1941.
What sets Stardust apart is not just his towering physicality but the extraordinary array of powers encapsulated in his star-metal suit and radiation belt. These enigmatic accouterments endowed him with abilities ranging from superhuman strength to extrasensory perception. Stardust’s arsenal of beams, rays, and arcs, detailed in the original text, reads like a fantastical inventory, making him an unparalleled force against foes like the Brain-Men of Mars, the Super Fiend, and Skullface Kurd.
The tales of Stardust followed a predictable yet oddly charming formula. He would eavesdrop on criminals’ plots, pontificate on the villain’s evil plans, and then unleash a series of increasingly bizarre and violent acts of revenge. The citizens, left in a state of bewilderment, often found themselves unable to express gratitude to their cosmic savior who had already retreated to his secret headquarters in the stars.
STARDUSTS POWERS AND EQUIPMENT:
Stardust the Super Wizard, a mysterious and powerful figure from the Golden Age of Comic Books, emerged as an unparalleled force in the world of crime-busting. With his extensive knowledge of interplanetary science, Stardust patrolled the entire occupied Solar System during his Golden Age adventures, focusing predominantly on Earth. Despite his remarkable abilities, little is known about Stardust’s past, shrouding his origins in mystery.
Stardust’s stories adhered to a formula where he used his omniscient powers to eavesdrop on criminals, allowing them to unfold their nefarious plans. The Super Wizard, although vocal in condemning villainous schemes, rarely intervened to prevent them. Instead, Stardust would unleash a series of bizarre and often violent retaliatory actions against wrongdoers, leaving citizens in awe but unable to express their gratitude.
Stardust demonstrated mastery of space and planetary forces, coupled with exceptional knowledge of interplanetary science. While lacking formal combat training, his imposing physical stature endowed him with formidable brawling capabilities.
Physicality:
Appearing as a clean-cut, blond-haired, blue-eyed, and unusually tall human male, Stardust’s genealogy remained undisclosed. His size ranged between 7'3" and 9'9", raising questions about his Earthly origin.
Superhuman Abilities:
Stardust exhibited an array of unexplained powers, including superhuman strength, speed, endurance, durability, and extrasensory perception. These abilities hinted at potential alien physiognomy, cybernetic augmentation, genetic modification, or tetralogical manipulation.
Star-metal Suit:
Clad in a sky-blue star-metal unitard, controlled by distant sun rays, Stardust gained invulnerability to chemicals and resistance to electrical or violent force.
Radiation Belt:
A gold radiation belt adorned with a starburst motif empowered Stardust with various beams, rays, and arcs. Each ray, represented by a red stud, provided diverse effects, from disintegration to invisibility.
Thought-Recording Collar:
Sporting a gold collar, Stardust used thought-recording rays to establish telepathic communication. The collar reproduced his internal monologue for this purpose.
Tubular Spacial:
A luminous forcefield facilitated Stardust’s interplanetary travels at incredible speeds, with the ability to control direction, speed, and protection from external forces.
Stardust Flash:
His trademark flash enabled teleportation between fixed points, varying in size and capable of affecting momentum and vector. It allowed precise transfers of individuals, objects, and groups.
Stardust’s Astral Observatory:
Situated on a private star with a breathable atmosphere, Stardust’s headquarters featured advanced crime-detecting equipment, including:
- Crime detection devices like a crime detector and scopes.
- - Criminal investigation tools such as a long-range televisional finder and panoramic concentration unit.
- - Remote observation instruments, including dictaphonic view plates, televisional crime-detecting units, and interplanetary television sets.
- - Mobile technology like an anti-cosmic relayer, concentrator, panoramic television unit, simplified television unit, and super radiophonic sets.
Stardust’s enigmatic presence, coupled with his extraordinary powers and advanced equipment, made him a captivating and unconventional superhero in the realm of comic book history.
FLETCHER HANKS: STARDUSTS TROUBLED CREATOR
Fletcher Hanks, the mysterious creator behind Stardust, led a life as peculiar as his characters. Born on December 1, 1889, in Paterson, New Jersey, Hanks embarked on a journey into the comic book realm in 1939, inspired by the success of superheroes like Superman. Operating under various pseudonyms, including Hank Christy and Barclay Flagg, Hanks produced stories for publishers like Fiction House and Fox Features Syndicate.
FLETCHER HANKS:
Fletcher Hanks, Sr. (December 1, 1889 – January 22, 1976) was a distinctive figure in the American cartooning scene during the Golden Age of Comic Books. Born in Paterson, New Jersey, and raised in Oxford, Maryland, Hanks was the son of William Hanks, a Methodist minister, and Alice Fletcher Hanks, a daughter of English immigrants. Little is known about his early life, but in 1910, his mother sponsored his enrollment in the W. L. Evans correspondence course in cartooning. By 1911, Hanks identified himself as a cartoonist, earning the nickname “Christy” in homage to the renowned baseball pitcher Christy Mathewson.
In 1912, Fletcher Hanks married Margaret, and over the years, the couple had four children: William, Fletcher Jr. (also known as “Christy”), Alma, and Douglas. However, family accounts paint a troubled picture, describing Fletcher Sr. as an abusive father and spouse, as well as an alcoholic, indulged by an over-lenient mother.
Hanks’s artistic journey unfolded against the backdrop of the burgeoning comic book industry. Inspired by the success of Action Comics and Superman, he entered the field in 1939, producing stories that featured all-powerful, supernatural heroes and their elaborate punishments of wrongdoers. Hanks adopted various pen names, including Hank Christy, Charles Netcher, C. C. Starr, and Barclay Flagg, revealing his versatility in the creative realm.
Working for Eisner & Iger, a comic book packaging company, Hanks stood out as a punctual artist, known for his distinct style. His contributions to the industry included collaborations with primary publishers such as Fiction House and Fox Features Syndicate. Among his creations were Stardust the Super Wizard, Tabu the Wizard of the Jungle, Big Red McLane, and Fantomah – one of the earliest female superheroes, predating Wonder Woman.
Fletcher Hanks crafted a total of 51 stories, displaying a range of artistic styles that evolved from a crosshatch-heavy technique to a cleaner, thick-lined approach. Despite the acclaim for his work, Hanks abruptly exited the comic book scene in 1941, leaving behind a mysterious void. The reasons for his departure remain unknown.
Post-comics, Hanks returned to Oxford, Maryland, where he assumed the role of the president of the town commission from 1958 to 1960. His son, Fletcher Jr., became a key source of biographical information on his father, shedding light on the tumultuous family dynamics and Hanks’s struggles with alcoholism.
The later years of Fletcher Hanks were marked by tragedy. His body was discovered on a Manhattan park bench in 1976, having succumbed to the harsh elements. Penniless and frozen to death, Hanks’s demise encapsulated the challenges and shadows that accompanied his unique artistic journey – a tale of creative brilliance, personal turmoil, and an enigmatic exit from the world he once illuminated with his vivid imagination.
2020’s onwards:
Even now FLETCHER HANK’S cosmic creation lives on in modern projects, some even involving descendants of Hanks himself
Stardust’s legacy refuses to be confined to the pages of vintage comics. A cult following has developed around Hanks’ work, leading to reprints and anthologies that showcased his surreal storytelling. Fantagraphics Books, through volumes like “I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets!” (2007) and “You Shall Die by Your Own Evil Creation!” (2009), preserved the bizarre charm of Hanks’ creations, leading the way to newer ventures.
As the years rolled on, Stardust’s cosmic aura continued to shine. In 2015, EAGLE EYE PRIME launched the world’s first Stardust the Super Wizard toy, a meticulously crafted homage in Japanese soft vinyl.
NUELOW Games released role-playing games in 2016, immersing a new generation in the peculiar world of Stardust.
The year 2023 witnessed a resurgence in Stardust’s influence, with James Coats leading a Kickstarter campaign for a SUPER WIZARD designer toy. The project sought to capture the essence of Stardust’s otherworldly presence through a meticulously designed collectible.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/galaxygods/super-wizard-designer-toy
STARDUST by VAN JENSEN:
Additionally, a hardcover anthology emerged in 2023, beautifully reviving Stardust the Super Wizard. Spearheaded by writer and Stardust enthusiast Van Jensen, the anthology featured contributions from renowned creators like Mike Allred, Francesco Francavilla, and others. Ian Hanks, the grandson of Fletcher Hanks, contributed the debut short story, ensuring that Stardust’s legacy passed down through generations.
The book also includes the debut short story from Ian Hanks, the grandson of Stardust creator, Fletcher Hanks ensuring Hanks Snr’s creation lives on.
Stardust the Super Wizard, with his cosmic exploits and bizarre powers, remains an indelible icon of the Golden Age. Fletcher Hanks, the enigmatic creator, may have faded into obscurity, but the cosmic superhero he birthed continues to dazzle and captivate, leaving an everlasting mark on the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture.
