Created in 1942

1942 was the year the Golden Age dug in its heels. With America fully at war, comics shifted hard into patriotic heroes, gritty street-level vigilantes, and energetic teenage casts. DC tightened its world with new allies and memorable rogues, MLJ expanded its soon-to-be-iconic teen dynasty, and Fawcett and Quality added major players who would survive long after their publishers were gone. This page lists the 1942 creations entering the U.S. public domain in 2038 — and any already there.

Entering the Public Domain in 2038 (Created in 1942)

Wildcat
Wildcat (Ted Grant), created by Bill Finger and Irwin Hansen, debuted in Sensation Comics #1 in January 1942. Wildcat will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Mr. Terrific
Mr. Terrific (Terry Sloane), created by Charles Reizenstein and artist Everett E. Hibbard (AKA Hal Sharp), debuted in Sensation Comics #1 in January of 1942. The Terry Sloane version of Mr. Terrific will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Liberty Belle
Liberty Belle (Libby Lawrence), created by Don Cameron and Chuck Winter, debuted in Boy Commandos #1 in Winter, 1942. Liberty Belle will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

The Guardian
The Guardian (Jim Harper), created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, debuted in Star-Spangled Comics #7 in April 1942. The Guardian will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

The Newsboy Legion
The Newsboy Legion (Tommy Thompkins, Big Words, Gabby, and Scrapper), created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, debuted in Star-Spangled Comics #7 in April 1942. The Newsboy Legion will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Etta Candy
Etta Candy, created by William Moulton Marston and H.G. Peter, debuted in Sensation Comics #2 in February 1942. Etta Candy will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

The Holliday Girls
The Holliday Girls, created by William Moulton Marston, debuted in Sensation Comics #2 in February 1942. Holliday Girls will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Two-Face
Two-Face (Harvey Dent), created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, debuted in Detective Comcics #66 in August 1942. Two-Face will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

The Shade
The Shade (Richard Swift), created by Gardner Fox and Harold Wilson Sharp, debuted in Flash Comics #33 in September 1942. The Shade will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Rag Doll
Rag Doll (Peter Merkel Sr.), created by Gardner Fox and Lou Ferstadt, debuted in Flash Comics #36 in December 1942. Rag Doll will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Prankster
Prankster (Oswald Hubert Loomis), created by Jerry Siegel and John Sikela, debuted in Action Comics #51 in August 1942. Prankster will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

The Puzzler
The Puzzler (real name unknown), created by Jerry Siegel and John Sikela, debuted in Action Comics #49 in June 1942. The Puzzler will enter the public domain on January 1, 2038.

Veronica Lodge
Veronica Lodge, created by Bob Montana and John L. Goldwater, debuted in Pep Comics @6 in April 1942. Veronica Lodge will enter the public domain on January 1, 2030.

Reggie Mantle
Reggie Mantle, created by Bob Montana and John L. Goldwater, debuted in Jackpot Comics #5 in the Spring of 1942. Reggie Mantle will enter the public domain on January 1, 2030.

Already in the Public Domain (Created in 1942)

Mary Marvel
Mary Marvel (Mary Batson/Bromfield), created by Otto Binder and Marc Swayze, debuted in Captain Marvel Adventures #18 in December 1942. Mary Marvel is in the public domain.

Ibac
Ibac (Stanley Printwhistle), created by Otto Binder and C.C. Beck, debuted in Captain Marvel Adventures #8 in March 1942. Ibac is in the public domain.

Airboy
Airboy (David 'Davy' Nelson), created by Charles Biro, Dick Wood and Al Camy, debuted in Air Fighters Comics #2 in November 1942. Airboy is in the public domain.

Valkyrie
Valkyrie, created by Fred Kida and an unknown writer (possibly Warren Kuhn or Ed Cronin), debute in Air Fighters Comics #2 in November 1942. Valkyrie is in the public domain.

Woozy Winks
Woozy Winks, created by Jack Cole, debuted in Police Comics #13 in November 1942. Woozy Winks is in the public domain.

Nyoka the Jungle Girl
Nyoka the Jungle Girl, based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs character, debuted in the Serial "Jungle Girl" in 1941 and in Jungle Girl #1 in November 1942. Nyoka is in the public domain.

1942: Context & Fun Facts

• DC Goes Ground-Level and Weird in the Same Breath.
  Wildcat, Mr. Terrific, The Guardian, and the Newsboy Legion anchored DC’s push into “street hero” territory. In the very same year, DC also debuted Two-Face, Rag Doll, The Prankster, The Puzzler, and The Shade — marking 1942 as the moment DC fully embraced both pulp grit and oddball villains.
• The Golden Age of Side Teams Begins.
  With the introduction of Etta Candy and the Holliday Girls, plus the Newsboy Legion under Jim Harper’s watch, DC discovered the power of ensemble casts — a storytelling trick that would echo into future groups like the Teen Titans and Doom Patrol.
• MLJ Expands Its Teen Juggernaut.
  Archie was only one year old, but 1942 locked the formula in place by adding Veronica Lodge and Reggie Mantle. In a year stuffed with superheroes, MLJ doubled down on teen comedy — and accidentally created one of the most enduring franchises in American pop culture.
• Fawcett Goes All-In on Magic Family Expansion.
  Mary Marvel and Ibac hit in 1942, rounding out Fawcett’s magical lineup. The Marvel Family suddenly felt like a complete mythology rather than a single hero with spinoffs.
• Quality & Hillman Keep the Air War Hot.
  Woozy Winks’ comedic debut gave Plastic Man his iconic foil, while Hillman’s Airboy launched a high-adventure aviation hero who would later become one of the most revived Golden Age creations in indie comics.