Challenger (comics)

Challenger
Cover detail, Daring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941) Cover artist unconfirmed
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Daring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941)
Created by	Ray Gill(?), George Klein(?)
In-story information
Alter ego	William "Bill" Waring
Species	Human
Team affiliations	The Initiative Freedom Force
Abilities	Master martial artist, chemist, swordsman and weapons Skilled marksman, boxer and pilot Immunity to pain

The Challenger is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character appeared beginning with the company's 1940s iteration as Timely Comics during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books.

The Challenger first appeared in Daring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941) from Marvel Comics predecessor Timely Comics, debuting in both a two-page text story, "The Valley of Time", by writer Ray Gill, and in the 12-page comics story "Meet the Challenger", by an unknown writer and artist George Klein, under the pseudonym "Nick Karlton". The character went on to appear in Mystic Comics #6-10 (Oct. 1941 - Aug. 1942), in eight- to nine-page stories by artists including Al Bare and Mike Sekowsky, and in at least one instance written by Stan Lee ("Horror Mansion", Mystic Comics #9, May 1942).

The Challenger did not reappear for decades before making a brief appearance in Marvel Premiere #29 (April 1976), in a World War II period story featuring the homefront superhero team the Liberty Legion. The Challenger first appears in a modern-day story in She-Hulk #11 (March 2005), having "bounced forward" in time.

Former law student William "Bill" Waring, having traveled around the world to learn skills needed to avenge his father's murder for turning state's evidence over to the district attorney, dons a green costume with a full face mask to become the World War II superhero the Challenger.