As most people who have ever submitted a college essay would know, Plagiarism isn't typically looked on fondly. Usually, plagiarism can be seen in either writing or visual media... but what happens when some total stranger steals your superhero identity?

Jerry Steele was just your average WWII soldier-turned Patriotic Hero (seriously, there are so many America-themed heroes clad in the red white and blue, and a couple themed around the Confederate Flag because this is the 40s). As V-Man, he punched up the Nazis real good with the help of his super costume which increased his strength and mental capabilities. Also helping him was a group of youngsters called "The V-Boys" (which sounds slightly derogatory).

Move to 1944... a new person came into town, dressed in the same costume and calling himself "Captain V". You may think that this is just Jerry Steele trying out a new name... but no. Captain V was the secret identity of a Puppeteer named Alan Dale, who seemingly had no connection to V-Man, but had the same costume and power set - well, actually, he had one new power: the "V-beam".

Now, this case of plagiarism isn't one that'd result in any legal consequences irl, mainly because these were both characters by Fox Features Syndicate (the owner of other Golden Age superheroes like Dynamite Thor and the Blue Beetle)... but that only makes it more confusing. Why did they do this? Did they just forget what V-Man's name was or something? If you want a headcanon, you could say that Captain V was one of the V-Boys, but the timeline doesn't match up, it's only been 2 years!

Even more confusing is the third name change. For some fucking reason, Alan decided that Captain V just wasn't cutting it as a superhero name, so he changed it to The Puppeteer. Because that's what his day job is. Jesus Christ Alan, what's wrong with you? You dress up in stars and stripes, have a V-themed costume, and you decide to call yourself The Puppeteer!?! That'd be like if instead of "Superman", Clark Kent just decided he was going to fly around the city as "The Reporter"!

Some people hide very bizarre secrets from others. For me, it's the writing I've done for BBV, but that's definitely not on the same level as the secret Rocky Ford hides from his girlfriend, Judy Allen.

By day, he and his girlfriend are private investigators, but, when the clock strikes midnight, he dons the costume of the Scarlet Nemesis (his stance on Communism is unclear)! But he doesn't do it alone, he does it with another superhero named Black Orchid - another woman! Or is she...

For you see, Jude Allen is also hiding a secret. By day, she and her boyfriend are - well, I've already said it, but when the clock strikes midnight, she dons the costume of the Black Orchid! Neither of them are aware of eachother's superhero status, making them both equally a bit dumb.

Now, normally I'd stretch this out for 2 weeks, with one Chost about Nemesis and one about Orchid, but they don't really exist individually - they're inseparable! Also, they both only appear in 1 comic and are never seen or heard from again, so there's not much to talk about.

A couple of days ago, I put out this short story on both my Ko-Fi and Itch page.

"An article from the Daily Oculus website detailing the confounding and mysterious case of a burnt body found in Rendlesham Forest in the 70s. Theories are discussed ranging from occult involvement to a possible connection with the Caper known as Lady Satan."

Lady Satan being one of the many Golden Age Superheroes that has ended up in the public domain for the common folk to toy with.

The story is loosely connected to my series "The Journal of Dr. Daniel Garret", but that series isn't required reading.

Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/s/559604d68e

Itch: https://moppington.itch.io/the-rendlesham-forest-woman

Not everyone has family histories they can brag about. According to my mum, my great-uncle is someone who was involved with the Great Train Robbery in some way... not quite sure if I believe that, honestly. Dumas Poe has some serious bragging rights however since his ancestor (a Tibetan Monk named Kattak Po) invented guns.

Unfortunately, like Frankenstein, Kattak grew to regret his invention. How could he know that inventing guns would cause a sharp spike in people using guns to harm people? Because of this, all of his descendants are tasked with using their supernatural gun skills to end gun violence once and for all.

Now, I'll be honest... I don't think personally attacking people who do gun violence on an individual level is going to end gun violence. However, the alternative is a very dry, very boring comic series about Dumas trying to change gun laws which likely wouldn't sell many issues.

[As a brief note, I'm open to suggestions! If anyone has any public domain superheroes you want me to talk about, please leave a comment below and I'll at the very least consider them]