Created in 1940
1940 wasn’t just a big year — it was a detonation. The Golden Age went from exciting to mythic, unleashing a tidal wave of heroes, villains, sorcerers, sidekicks, reporters, masked avengers, supernatural terrors, and entire families of characters. DC, Fawcett, Quality, Lev Gleason, Fiction House, Timely, and newspaper syndicates were all firing at once — birthing icons that STILL define the genre today. This page lists the 1940 creations entering the U.S. public domain in 2036 — and any already there.
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Entering the Public Domain in 2036 (Created in 1940)
Green Lantern
Green Lantern (Alan Scott) was created by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger. He debuted in All-American Comics #16 in July of 1940. This version of Green Lantern will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
The Flash
The Flash (Jay Garrick) was created by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert, debuting in Flash Comics #1 in January, 1940. This version of the Flash will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Hawkman
Hawkman, created by Garnder Fox and Dennis Neville, debuted in January, 1940 in Flash Comics #1. The Carter Hall/Prince Khufu version of Hawkman will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
The Spectre
The Spectre (Jim Corrigan), created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily, debuted in More Fun Comics #52 in February, 1940. The Spectre will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Doctor Fate
Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson), created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman, debuted in More Fun Comics #55. Doctor Fate will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Hourman
Hourman (Rex Tyler), created by Ken Fitch and Bernard Baily, debuted in Adventure Comics #48 in March, 1940. Hourman will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Atom
Atom (Al Pratt), created by Bill O'Connor and Ben Flinton, debuted in All-American Comics #19 in October, 1940. The non-superpowered version of Atom will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Robin
Robin, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, debuted in April, 1940 in Detective Comics #38. Robin will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen was likely the unnamed office boy seen in Action Comics #1 back in 1938, but he was first named on the radio in 1940 and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Perry White
Perry White debuted in Superman #7, in November, 1940 and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Joan Garrick
Joan Garrick debuted in Flash Comics #1 in January, 1940, and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Inspector Henderson
Inspector Bill Henderson debuted on the Superman radio show in 1940 and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
The Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America was created by Gardner Fox and editor Sheldon Mayer and debuted in All Star Comics #3 in November, 1940. The Justice Society of America will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, debuted in Action Comics #23, April, 1940. Lex Luthor will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Joker
Joker, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, debuted in Batman #1 in April of 1940. Joker will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Catwoman
Catwoman, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, debuted in Batman #1 in April, 1940. Catowman will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Wotan
Wotan, created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman debuted in More Fun Comics #55 and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Clayface
Clayface, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, debuted in Detective Comics #40 in June, 1940. Clayface will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Hugo Strange
Hugo Strange, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, debuted in Detective Comics #36, February, 1940. Hugo Strange will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Hath-Set
Hath-Set, created by Gardner Fox and Dennis Neville, debuted in Flash Comics #1 in January, 1940. Hath-Set will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Tony Zucco
Tony Zucco debuted in Detective Comics #38 in April, 1940 and will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
The Vision
The Vision (Aarkus) is an alien policeman from "Smoke World" and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, debuting in Marvel Mystery Comics #13, November 1940. The Aarkus version of The Vision will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Captain America
Captain America (Steve Rogers), created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, debuted in Captain America Comics #1, December 1940. Captain America is often cited as entering the public domain on January 1, 2037, but the important date isn't the cover date of the book but the actual date the book was published, in this case December, 1940. Captain America will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Bucky Barnes
Bucky Barnes, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, debuted in Captain America Comics #1, December 1940. Bucky Barnes will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Red Skull
Red Skull, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, debuted in Captain America Comics #1, December 1940. Red Skull will enter the public domain on January 1, 2036.
Already in the Public Domain (Created in 1940)
Spy Smasher™
Spy Smasher, created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, debuted in Whiz Comics #2, February, 1940. Spy Smasher is in the public domain.
Dr. Satan
Dr. Satan debuted in the serial, Mysterious Dr. Satan, in 1940. Dr. Satan is in the public domain.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel, created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck (the Billy Batson version), debuted in February, 1940's Whiz Comics #2. The Fawcett version of Captain Marvel is in the public domain.
The Wizard Shazam
The Wizard Shazam, created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, debuted in Whiz Comics #2. The Wizard Shazam is in the public domain.
Daredevil
The Bart Hill version of Daredevil, famous for his bifurcated red and blue costume, was created by Jack Binder. Daredevil debuted in September of 1940 in Lev Gleason Publications' Silver Streak Comics #6. This version of Daredevil is in the public domain.
The Spirit
The Spirit, created by Will Eisner, debuted in June of 1940 in an insert in the Register and Tribune newspapers. The Spirit is in the public domain.
Bulletman
Bulletman, created by Bill Parker and John Smalle, debuted in Nickel Comics #1 in 1940. Bulletman is in the public domain.
Bulletman & Buletgirl
Bulletgirl, created by Bill Parker and John Smalle, debuted in Nickel Comics #1 in 1940. Bulletgirl is in the public domain.
Copperhead
Copperhead debuted in the serial, Mysterious Dr. Satan in 1940. Copperhead in the public domain.
Black Condor
Black Condor (Richard Grey Jr.), created by Will Eisner and Lou Fine, debuted in Crack Comics #1, May, 1940. Black Condor is in the public domain.
Dr. Sivana
Dr. Sivana, created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, first menaced Captain Marvel in Whiz Comics #2 in 1940. Dr. Sivana is in the public domain.
Ibis the Invincible
Ibis the Invincible (Amemtep) was created by Bob Kingett and first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 in 1940. Ibis the Invincible is in the public domain.
The Shield
The Shield, created by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick, debuted in Pep Comics #1 from MLJ (Later Archie Comics) in January, 1940. The Shield is in the public domain.
The Comet
The Comet, created by Jack Cole, debuted in Pep Comics @1 in January, 1940. The Comet is in the public domain.
The Black Hood
The Black Hood, created by Harry Shorten and Al Carny, debuted in Top-Notch Comics #9 in October, 1940. The Black Hood is in the public domain.
Steel Sterling
Steel Sterling, created by Abner Sundell and Charles Biro, used the monicker "Man of Steel" before it became attached to Superman. Steel Sterling debuted in Zip Comics #1 in February, 1940. Steel Sterling is in the public domain.
The Fox
The Fox, created by Joe Blair and Irwin Hasen, debuted in Blue Ribbon Comics #4 in June, 1940. The Fox is in the public domain.
Firefly
Firefly (Harley Hudson), created by Harry Shorten and Bob Wood for MLJ (later Archie Comics), debuted in Top-Notch Comics #8 in September, 1940. The MLJ version of Firefly is in the public domain.
Zambini
Zambini, created by Joe Blair and Ed Wexler, debuted in Zip Comics #1 in February, 1940. Zambini is in the public domain.
The Scarlet Avenger
The Scarlet Avenger, created by Harry Shorten and Irv Novick, debuted in Zip Comics #1, February, 1940. The Scarlet Avenger is in the public domain.
Mr. Satan
Mr. Satan, created by Abner Sundell and Edd Ashe, debuted in Zip Comics #1 in February, 1940. Mr. Satan is in the public domain.
Captain Valor
Captain Valor (Dan Fairchile), created by Abner Sundell and Mort Meskin, debuted in Zip Comics #1, February, 1940. Captain Valor is in the public domain.
Kaanga
Kaanga, Jungle Lord, created by Alex Blum, debuted in Jungle Comics #1, January, 1940. Kaanga is in the public domain.
1940: Context & Fun Facts
- DC built a literal pantheon — seven immortals in one year.
Green Lantern (Alan Scott), the Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman, Doctor Fate, the Spectre, Hourman, AND the Atom all debuted in 1940. No other year in comics history has produced so many enduring heavy hitters in one burst. - The Justice Society of America became the first superhero team — period.
Long before the Justice League or Avengers, the JSA formalized the idea of a shared universe. This is the moment “crossover storytelling” stopped being an accident and became a blueprint. - Batman’s world AND Superman’s world both solidified this year.
Batman got:- The Joker
- Catwoman
- Hugo Strange
- Clayface
- Tony Zucco
- Lex Luthor
- Jimmy Olsen
- Perry White
- Inspector Henderson
- Fawcett Comics entered the arena swinging harder than anyone expected.
1940 delivered:- Captain Marvel (Billy Batson)
- The Wizard Shazam
- Dr. Sivana
- Ibis the Invincible
- Spy Smasher™
- Bulletman
- 1940 also birthed the weird, the pulp, the supernatural, and the experimental.
Sandman brought gas-mask noir.
This year gave us:- The Vision (Aarkus), Timely’s first surreal cosmic being
Daredevil (Bart Hill), star of Lev Gleason’s explosive crime line
- The Spirit and The Octopus, Eisner’s noir revolution
- Kaänga, pulpy king of the jungle comics
- Dr. Satan™, serial villain with one foot in horror and one in sci-fi
- Black Condor, proto–flying superhero with a wild origin
Hot off their 1939 debuts of Bob Phantom and The Wizard, MLJ unleashed a barrage of colorful, pulpy headliners — The Shield, The Comet, The Black Hood, Steel Sterling, and Zambini — forming one of the earliest true superhero stables outside of DC, Fawcett and Timely.