These days, we know Doctor Nemesis as the pharmacological genius behind the Krakoan-era miracle drugs. But not only did he not debut as a mutant, he didn’t even debut in a Marvel Comic! Your Major Spoilers Retro Review of Lightning Comics #6 awaits!

LIGHTNING COMICS #6

Writer: Uncredited
Penciler: Harry Anderson
Inker: Harry Anderson
Colorist: Uncredited
Letterer: Uncredited
Editor: Aaron A. Wyn
Publisher: Ace Magazines
Cover Price: 10 Cents
Release Date: February 1, 1941

Previously in Lightning Comics: One of dozens of minor publishers of the Golden Age of comics, Ace Magazines is probably best remembered for the adventures of Magno, the Magnetic Man, or the ever-changing eponyms of Lighting/Lash Lightning/Flash Lightning. Flash/Lash is actually the reason that this book is called Lightning Comics, but seventy years later, Doctor Nemesis is one of the only reasons that I ever discuss Ace Magazine’s output.

It all begins with a train wreck.

Despite his superior’s orders to help those already recovered, young crusading doc Jim Bradley dives into the sunken wreckage to try and save more lives. One of the victims begins assisting him, and together, they save all the other passengers, but Bradley recognizes him as Mack Keller, a man on his way to the electric chair, accused of murder. Fortunately for Mack, the Doc is the creator of a powerful truth serum, and he juuuust happens to have some in his bag.

Having seen Keller to be a good man at heart, Dr. James Bradley sets off to prove his innocence but realizes that he can’t just start digging into the life of a stranger. I mean, it’s the year 1941! If you’re gonna get involved, you need to have a badge.

In a pinch, though, a mask will do.

One thing that’s not clear is whether or not this first appearance is actually Dr. Nemesis’ first mission. Even though he worries about putting on a mask, he has what looks like pre-printed cards to give to Keller to let him know he’s on the case. The white-surgical-cap-and-mask look really works, though, especially since it looks like he threw a trench coat and fedora over his scrubs and lab coat. He’s also unexpectedly good at hand-to-hand combat, which serves him well as he tracks down the man who gave false testimony that implicated young Master Keller.

This issue’s art is credited to Harry Anderson, who was prolific in the forties, working for Fawcett Comics and other companies, but doesn’t have any high-profile creations to his name, and it’s… fine? It’s good strong drafting in a Golden Age vein and looks as good as any of the other artists in this issue. Much like Ace Magazines itself, it’s not outstanding, but it gets the job done. As for the story, Nemesis follows the trail to a gambler named Bumps Burke. Amazingly, he enlists a cop off the street to accompany him to the pool hall, then immediately grabs Burke and shatters all of his civil rights.

Having gotten the confession that will free Mack Keller, Dr. Bradley returns to work, eventually making eleven appearances in various Ace publications before rolling off the end of the pier. Some fifty years later, while writing an Invaders limited series, creator Roy Thomas wasn’t allowed to use Golden Age Marvel heroes as Nazi sympathizers, leading him to revive public domain characters, including Dr. Nemesis instead. That’s how James Bradley became a mutant, an immortal, a cyborg, and a crazy pharmaceutical enthusiast in the pages of the X-book. As for his first appearance as Doctor Nemesis, Lighting Comics #6 is a perfectly serviceable comic that makes for a good introduction to the character, earning 2.5 out of 5 stars overall. If you were a kid in 1941, you’d have been perfectly satisfied with what you got for your dime.

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