Challengers of the Unknown
| Challengers of the Unknown | |
|---|---|
Challengers of the Unknown #1 (1958).
Cover art by Jack Kirby. |
|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Showcase #6 (Feb. 1957) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby (writer - artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Challengers Mountain |
| Member(s) |
Kyle "Ace" Morgan Matthew "Red" Ryan Leslie "Rocky" Davis Walter Mark "Prof" Haley June Robbins |
The Challengers of the Unknown is a group of fictional characters in comic books published by DC Comics. The quartet of adventurers explored science fictional and apparent paranormal occurrences while facing several fantastic menaces.
The characters' provenance is uncertain. Various sources credit the group as the sole creation of artist and storyteller Jack Kirby, a co-creation with writer Dave Wood or a co-creation with Kirby's former partner Joe Simon. Following the end of the Challengers comic, DC has revived the characters in different incarnations over the years.
The adventuring quartet the Challengers of the Unknown debuted in Showcase #6 (Feb. 1957), in an uncredited story attributed to Jack Kirby for art and to Kirby and Dick Wood for script, under editor Jack Schiff.
The series continued in the bimonthly Showcase for three more appearances (#7, 11-12, April 1957, Dec. 1957 - Feb. 1958) then moved to its own title, starting with issue #1 (May 1958). Kirby moved on after issue #8 (July 1959), with Bob Brown succeeding him as artist. The title continued through issue #75 (Sept. 1970), followed by two reprint issues. The series was canceled with issue #77 in 1971 (Jan. 1971). In 1973, three reprint issues were published (#78–80).
In a short-lived 1977 revival, the Challengers were again a four-man, one-woman team in Super-Team Family #8-10. The group then received its own title back with issue #81. During this period, they were joined by Deadman and Swamp Thing, and June Robbins got a uniform and official status. No explanation was given for Corinna Stark's departure, nor June's joining the team. The revived series was canceled with issue #87 in 1978. Adventure Comics Digest #493-497 (1982) featured an expanded version of the team's origin.
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