Undercover Archie

ZIP COMICS #1

(On Newsstands in January 1940)

Zip Comics #1 hit the stands in January 1940, introducing another new MLJ Superhero, STEEL STERLING, which was basically ANOTHER Superman, but slightly different. Really, aren't they all? Charles Biro hits another home run with this outstanding cover.

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Charles Biro)

You may have noticed on the cover and on the splash page, that Mr. Sterling is referred to as the ‘Man of Steel’ “Man of Steel’ was first used in Superman 1 1/2 years earlier in Action Comics #6 as part of a newspaper headline (‘Mystery Man of Steel re-appears). (Special thanks to the CGC Golden Age forum for this info!).. They would continue to refer to Sterling as the ‘Man of Steel’ up through issue #27 when it mysteriously stopped. Did DC try to bring legal action against MLJ?

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Charles Biro)

Let me get this straight - John Sterling creates a special formula he pours into molten steel and then, with the odds he’ll either DIE or become a superhero… he jumps right in thinking it'll give him super powers…? Hey, it's no less plausible than arriving from a dying planet in a space ship!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Charles Biro)

Steel Sterling, a man of the people!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Charles Biro)

Also making his first appearance this issue, was the Scarlet Avenger, created by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick, 

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Irv Novick)

Scarlet Avenger came up with video chat long before the iPhone...

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Irv Novick)

Nevada Jones, Cattle Detective - Never one to mince words with a client. Even a pretty one!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Frank Volp)

Uh oh, Nevada Jones isn't going to like this... with some authentic Mexican dialogue!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Frank Volp)

Nevada Jones, Cattle Detective - Never one to mince words with a bad guy!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Frank Volp)

Not a description you'd get of any of today's comic hero's, and to further add to the fun, his opponents in this issue are Arab slave traders!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, story by Harry Shorten and artwork by Lin Streeter)

No those aren't children, they're pygmies! And tossing them around is Mr. Satan, International Detective and Soldier of Fortune, who is, of course, wealthy young Playboy Dudley Bradshaw. These wealthy playboy's sure had some issues to work out...

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Edd Ashe)

Superhero's back in the day didn't mess around - bad guys were bad, and they were gonna get it... even wrong side of the law pygmies! With some authentic pygmy dialogue!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Edd Ashe)

And these were some real wrong side of the law pygmies!

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Edd Ashe)

Now that's quick thinking!

The introduction of the Miracle Man, Zambini the Magician with some quality Golden Age art from Elmer Wexler, creator of Quality's Miss America in 1941 (later DC's) and who would later work on Nedor's Fighting Yank.

(from Zip Comics #1 - January 1940, artwork by Elmer Wexler)

Books published by MLJ Publishing (Archie Comics) and on the stands in January of 1940

PEP COMICS #2

TOP NOTCH COMICS #3

ZIP COMICS #1
ZIP COMICS #2