Magneto

Hunk, with your strength, you don't NEED brains!!

History: Hunk Larken was an unusually large man who found himself working as a strong-man at a carnival freak show, where the gentle, simple-minded giant was the target of scorn and ridicule. He volunteered for an experimental space flight. His rocket was launched into space where it flew into a cosmic mist of radioactive anti-matter. When the capsule returned to Earth, Larken had the power to control magnetism. Remembering how he was treated as an outcast, Larken went on a city-wide rampage. Newspapers dubbed the magnetized giant “Magneto”. On the run, “Magneto” fought off attacks by the armed forces, then his powers began to fade. Larken returned to the missle base where he originally launched from and climbed aboard another rocket ship. The scientists had taken pity on Larken's plight and had built another rocket ship especially for him, stocked with food and supplies, to travel to another Earth-like planet so the tragic misfit could find peace.

Height: 8 ft.

Demonstrated Powers: Exposure to radioactivity caused a mutagenic change in Larken which gave him the ability to control magnetic fields. From his left arm, he could emit an attracting force, and from his right arm, he could emit a repelling force. He had used these powers to topple a building, lift a tug boat out of the water, and repel bullets.

Prior to his exposure to radioactivity, Larken already had incredible strength. He was shown physically lifting an automobile; this, coupled with his unusual size, suggests that perhaps Larken was already a mutant who was further mutated by the radioactive cloud (Speculation: Could Larken have any connection to Hercules David (from Mystic Comics #'s 3 & 4), who was also unusually large and strong?).

Larken had below-average intelligence and was physically slow and clumsy.

Comment: The name change from “Magneto” to “Magnetor” was to avoid confusion with the X-Men's enemy, Magneto.

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MAGNETO,S prototype,the FANTASTIC FOURS prototype,maybe even a HULK prototype if you think about it…..and no one ,no one has commented on it!!!,as a person who has always been judged over similar things,i found this a truly touching story,even though i can see some GAPING plot holes,the only reason i dont think MAGNETOR,MIDNIGHT MONSTER and FARNSWORTH,have been revived is because they would simply be seen as embarrasingly obvious hero/villain prototypes,and weak,given the connotations that MAGNETO,HULK,PROFESSOR X/MASTERMIND/SWARM,have taken on over the years,they just couldnt compete,so let larken find his peace!!!

In Suspense#18(1952) a character called the Human Torch,a convicted criminal who thanks to a Magnetic Serum grows to 8 feet tall,gains Heightened strenght and electrical powers after being shocked in the electric chair;apparently obliterated by a thunderstorm (go to www.comixfan.com——-type “golden age heroes”—click Mikel Midnight Golden Age Directory—-click the golden age timely/king features villian's list).Ask Mikel if he has any images of this character.

In CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS#9,Gangster Nick Pinto ,also survived the electric chair,he also resembles larken in this story,only uglier and shorter,either way,mikel better have proof of that story,that ''Human Torch'' sounds like he'd make a great addition for the YELLOW CLAW's group of villains the 50s AVENGERS fought(now the 50s AVENGERS are called the''G-MEN'')or for the Headmen(just kidding,they dont deserve any characters that interesting,except maybe the BRAIN from ADVENTURES INTO TERRORs ongoing series or TEDs'HEAD from UNCANNY TALES#20),whatever this is very interesting………..

John H.,I thought that Mikel made that up,but ATLAS TALES has recently provided a scan of the splash pages of the stories in SUSPENSE #18,and yes,the “Human Torch” was indeed “real”,this would make Johnny Storm the 3rd Torch,the picture doesn't have very good resolution,and this web site is always hard to download,but the wait is worthwhile.

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