Challengers of the Unknown

The Challengers of the Unknown is a group of fictional characters created by Jack Kirby for DC Comics. This quartet of adventurers explored science fictional and apparent paranormal occurrences and faced fantastic menaces.

Related Topics:
Fictional character - Jack Kirby - DC Comics - Science fictional - Paranormal

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The group debuted in Showcase #6 (February 1957) as acquaintances who miraculously survived a plane crash unscathed and concluded that since they were "living on borrowed time" that they would band together for hazardous adventures. The four ? Kyle "Ace" Morgan, Red Ryan, Rocky Davis, and Professor Walter Mark Haley ? created the Challengers, devised an hourglass logo and established the hollowed-out Challengers Mountain as headquarters.

Related Topics:
Showcase - 1957 - Hourglass - Logo

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The series continued in Showcase for three more appearances then moved to its own title, considered among Kirby's most notable in that period. After 12 issues, Kirby moved on, and while the title continued through issue #75 (Aug.-Sept. 1970, followed by intermitted reprint issues from 1973-78), the series never achieved the same level of acclaim.

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The most noted influence of this creation was Kirby's next major continuing series, The Fantastic Four which was essentially the Challengers in a superhero format, complete with a similar origin.

Related Topics:
The Fantastic Four - Superhero

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DC has reprinted Challengers stories as part of the comapny's hardcover Archive series.

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• Challengers of the Unknown Archive #1, Showcase #6,7,11,12, Challengers #1,2, ISBN 1563899973
• Challengers of the Unknown Archive #2, issues #3-8, ISBN 1401201539
 
Challengers of the Unknown: External links ►