Created in 1939

1939 was an explosion — the single most important year in the Golden Age boom. Masked detectives, super-powered titans, patriotic icons, pulp mystics, androids, aviators, and full-costume crimefighters all arrived at once. This is the year the superhero industry stopped experimenting… and committed. This page lists the 1939 creations entering the U.S. public domain in 2035 — and any already there.

Entering the Public Domain in 2035 (Created in 1939)

Batman
Batman, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, debuted in Detective Comics #27, which was released to newsstands on March 30, 1939 (with a cover date of May 1939). Batman will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Ma Hunkel
Ma Hunkel, created by Sheldon Mayerwill, the original Red Tornado, debuted in All-American Comics #3 (June 1939). Ma Hunkel will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Ultra-Humanite
Ultra-Humanite, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, debuted in Action Comics #13 (June 1939). Widely considered the first DC Comics super-villain, Ultra Humanite will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Dr. Death
Dr. Death (Dr. Karl Hellfern), created by Gardner Fox and Bob Kane, debuted in Detective Comics #29 (July 1939). Batman's first recurring super-villain will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Sandman
Sandman (Wesley Dodds) was created by Gardner Fox and Bert Christman. Debuting in 1939, he first appeared in April 1939 in New York World's Fair Comics #1. A few weeks later, he returned in Adventure Comics #40. Sandman will enter the public domain January 1, 2035.

Ma & Pa Kent
Ma & Pa Kent, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, debuted in Superman #1 in June, 1939. Ma & Pa Kent will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Commissioner Jim Gordon
Commissioner Jim Gordon debuted in Detective Comics #27 and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Sub-Mariner
Sub-Mariner (Prince Namor), created by Bill Everett, is known as Marvel Comic's first mutant and debuted in the uncirculated Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 in April 1939, but his official public introduction was in Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939). Sub-Mariner will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Human Torch
Human Torch, an android named Jim Hammond, was created by Carl Burgos and debuted in Marvel Comics #1 in October, 1939. The Human Torch will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

The Angel
The Angel (Thomas Halloway) was created by Paul Gustavson and debuted in Marvel Comics #1 in October, 1939. The Angel will enter the public domain on January 1, 2035.

Already in the Public Domain (Created in 1939)

Hop Harrigan
Hop Harrigan, created by Jon L. Blummer, debuted in All-American Comics #1 in 1939. Thanks to the original material not having its copyright properly renewed, Hop Harrigan is in the public domain.

The Flame
The Flame, created by Will Eisner and Lou Fine, debuted in Wonderful Comics #3 in July, 1939. The Flame is in the public domain.

Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle (Dan Garret - with one 't'), created by Charles Wojtkoski (also known as Charles Nicholas), debuted in Fox Comics' Mystery Men Comics #1 in 1939. This version used Vitamin 2X to gain temporary superhuman strength and stamina and wore a bulletproof costume. Blue Beetle is in the public domain.

The Masked Marvel
The Masked Marvel, created by Ben Thompson, debuted in Centaur Publications' Keen Detective Funnies #7 in July of 1939. The Masked Marvel is in the public domain.

Dollman
Dollman, created by Will Eisner, debuted in Feature Comics #27 from Quality Comics in 1939. Dollman is in the public domain.

The Wizard
The Wizard, created by Will Harr and Edd Ashe Jr., debuted in Top-Notch Comics #1 (MLJ) in December 1939. The Wizard (the Blane Whitney MLJ version) is in the public domain.

Bob Phantom
Bob Phantom, created by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick, debuted in MLJ's Blue Ribbon Comics #2 in 1939. Bob Phantom is in the public domain.

1939: Context & Fun Facts

• Batman’s debut signaled the shift from pulp noir to full-costumed heroics.
  Detective Comics #27 redefined the genre. Batman fused The Shadow’s mood with superhero visuals, setting a template copied for decades.
• Marvel (then Timely) launched its first three major superheroes in the same year.
  The Sub-Mariner (Namor), the Human Torch android, and the Angel all appeared in 1939 — the opening volley of what would become the Marvel Universe.
• 1939 is the year side characters began forming comic ecosystems.
  Ma & Pa Kent, Commissioner Gordon, and even Ma Hunkel debuted — establishing the supporting-cast model that modern comics still use.
• DC's first true super-villain also arrived this year: the Ultra-Humanite.
  Long before Lex Luthor became a staple, the Ultra-Humanite introduced the idea of a recurring, strategic, science-driven mastermind antagonist.
• This is the year pulp experimentation hit critical mass.
  Sandman brought gas-mask noir.
  Blue Beetle brought the radio-serial hero.
  Doll Man brought size-changing sci-fi.
  Hop Harrigan brought aviation adventure.
  The Flame brought occult magic.
  The Masked Marvel brought early proto-super-team potential.
  1939 wasn’t about one genre — it was about all of them.