Captain Strong
 Captain Strong as depicted in Harley Quinn Vol 2 #18 (September 2015). Art by Chad Hardin and Jed Dougherty. | |
| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Action Comics #421 (February 1973) |
| Created by | Cary Bates |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Horatio Strong |
| Abilities | Superhuman strength |
Captain Strong is a fictional character in DC Comics, introduced in Action Comics #421 (1973) as a parody of Popeye.[1] Created by writer Cary Bates, Strong gains superhuman strength by consuming "sauncha," a special seaweed with drug-like effects that enhance his power but cause addiction and erratic behavior. Initially using his abilities to help others, he becomes friends with Superman, unaware of his dual identity as Clark Kent. In The New 52 series, Strong reappears with Harley Quinn’s team, once again struggling with the seaweed’s effects. Later, he aids Harley’s gang in battle using his skills as a former sniper.
Publishing history
[edit]First appearing in Action Comics #421 (February 1973), Captain Horatio Strong was created by writer Cary Bates, who wondered what would happen if Superman and Popeye met.[2] In the first story, Bates presented a darker side of the famous sailor; the green vegetable that gave him his strength was a drug, making him powerful yet irrational.
The character was designed to be more realistic than Popeye, but similar to him in appearance and speech. Other characters who appeared in his stories included Carnox (the DC Comics version of Lummox), his girlfriend Olivia Tallow (a takeoff of Olive Oyl), whom he later married, and his idle rich friend J. Wellington Jones (a knockoff of J. Wellington Wimpy). In one story, Strong reunites with his long-lost father, Pappy Strong (a takeoff of Poopdeck Pappy).[3]
Captain Strong appeared in five stories from 1973 to 1985, and reappeared in The New 52 volume of Harley Quinn's solo title.
Fictional biography
[edit]Horatio Strong is the captain of The Fantasia who discovers an alien seaweed-like plant called sauncha that gives him superhuman strength. The plant affects his mind, leading him to battle Superman before he is forced to stop taking it.
In The New 52 continuity reboot, Strong battles Harley Quinn before being defeated and becoming her ally.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-0-345-50108-0.
- ^ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 97–98. ISBN 9781893905610.
- ^ Grandinetti, Fred (2004). Popeye: An Illustrated Cultural History (2 ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 23. ISBN 9780786416059.
- ^ Harley Quinn (vol. 2) #18-19
External links
[edit]- Action Comics #421 at OddballComics.com[dead link]
- Captain Strong at the Superman Homepage
- Superman and Cap'n Strong at the Quarter Bin
- Captain Strong at The Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- Review: Harley Quinn #17 at The Batman Universe site
- Review: Harley Quinn #18 at The Batman Universe site
- Review: Harley Quinn #19 at The Batman Universe site