T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents
Entry updated 29 September 2025. Tagged: Comics, Publication.
US Comic (1965-1969). Tower Comics. 20 issues. Artists include Dan Adkins, Reed Crandall, Steve Ditko, John Giunta, Ralph Reese, Mike Sekowsky and Wally Wood. Script writers include Dan Adkins, Len Brown, Steve Skeates and Wally Wood (Jerry Siegel also wrote at least one script). #1-#16 had 68 pages, #17-#2 52; usually with five long strips and a short text story each issue. #20 consists of strips reprinted from early issues.
The Supervillain the Warlord is out to steal every scientific advance he can, but his latest attempt is partially foiled by the UN special forces team T.H.U.N.D.E.R. (The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves), who manage to recover some of murdered Scientist Professor Jennings's Inventions. They work out what some of them do (though not how they do so) and train three of their staff to use them.
Leonard Brown is given a costume and the "Thunder Belt", an "electron molecular intensifier" described in #3 as "operating on the principle of atomic fusion, adding extra sub-atomic particles to the molecules of the body" (see Physics), which turns the wearer's body to "the consistency of steel", so becoming the Superhero Dynamo. However he can only use the belt for short periods, as it drains his energy, potentially fatally. Aged genius Doctor Dunn, who had previously worked with Jennings, agrees to have his mind "etched" into the brains of mass-produced Androids (described as synthetic humans): his physical body dies, but his consciousness can now move between the android bodies; now potentially Immortal, he admits he is no longer human, calling himself NoMan; he also has an Invisibility cloak. Mr Janus is a double agent for the Warlord: when given Jennings's "cybernetic helmet" it amplifies his brain power – resulting in Psi Powers such as Telekinesis, Telepathy and mind reading: he becomes Menthor. However, his better sub-conscious self takes over when wearing the helmet, and he has no memory of what he has done after removing it. Sadly this interesting aspect is dropped in #2 when he changes sides, then in #7 he sacrifices himself for his friends. There is also the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Squad, a team of specialists: leader Guy; "weapons man" Dynamite; "technical device expert" Kitten; locksmith Weed; and "super-brilliant strategist" Egghead. Later, Guy becomes Lightning, wearing a suit that enables him to move at super speed – but shortens the wearer's life-span (this does not seem to bother him). In #8 Craig Lawson, though not a T.H.U.N.D.E.R. agent but chosen for his air-borne adaptability, is given artificial wings (see Flying) and becomes Raven; he initially thinks of selling the device to the Warlords, but is won over by the other agents: "they're the greatest".
In #2, after stealing an atomic bomb with the intention of starting World War Three and managing a temporary Identity Transfer with NoMan, Warlord dies; in #3 he is revealed to have been a member of a subterranean race (see Underground) called the Warlords who are preparing an Invasion of the surface. Warlord's lieutenants included The Iron Lady, who – along with her henchmen – wears what might be Powered Armour. Warlord also has Zombie troops, the Robot Dynavac and a "counter-Evolution machine" whose properties are not explained, but which creates an "elemental being of unimaginable strength" named Id (see Psychology).
The Warlords make further attempts to invade the surface, building Robot golems, controlling Gravity and devising solar mirrors to burn up cities from a Spaceship. Other enemies also appear: aside from several communists (including the Red Llama) and unrepentant Nazis (see World War Two), these include Doctor Sparta "master of Evolution", who creates Dinosaurs and Teleports them into cities; Mastermind, who replaces senior people – including T.H.U.N.D.E.R. agents – with androids; the Iron Lady reappears, her crush on Dynamo meaning she tries to lead him astray (see Women in SF); Warp Wizard, a Mad Scientist who can cause "space warps" (essentially, portals); Mayvern and her exploding robot dolls; Electrobot and Electrobot II; Professor Reverse, who builds a Weapon that turns present day creatures into what comic-book science dictates is their ancestor, with a lizard becoming a tyrannosaur and a domestic Cat a sabre-toothed tiger (see Devolution; Scientific Errors). There is also an enclave of the Roman Empire surviving underground (see Lost Races), whilst in the latter half of the comic's run, S.P.I.D.E.R (the Secret People's International Directorate for Extra-legal Revenue, "the world government of crime") takes the place of the Warlords as the main antagonists (though a surviving Warlord still causes trouble). There are assorted super-weapons on display, such as sonic cannons and atomic guns, plus a mysterious black box from outer space: "Let us not dwell on the possibility of there being other black boxes." In #15 NoMan's consciousness is hijacked whilst transiting between bodies by Aliens located at the "farthest star", who wish to interview an inhabitant of the world on which they are about to test their long-distance planet-destroying weapon. Our heroes are impersonated using various methods with surprising frequency. To provide variety (68 pages was unusually long for the era) some stories feature Humour: a man bitten by a radioactive mole gains mole powers and becomes The Mole.
Doubtless influenced by Marvel Comics' success in doing so, some attempt is made to have more complex characterization: Noman suffers a crisis about his new existence and wants to be human again; he sometimes feels uncomfortable when attracted to young women, aware that mentally he is an old man. Dynamo, who has a poor working relationship with his boss, also gets combat fatigue. As mentioned, Menthor looked as if he could be an interesting character, with a split personality (as implied by his surname), but nothing comes of this. Given the artists employed – Wood also played a large role in the comic's production – it is no surprise that T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents looks good, though the stories mostly lean towards the competent rather than the memorable. [SP]
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