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| Phantom Reporter | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Daring Mystery Comics #3 (April 1940) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Richard Jones |
| Team affiliations | The Twelve Daily Bugle |
| Notable aliases | Van Engen |
| Abilities |
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ThePhantom Reporter (Richard "Dick"Jones) is a fictional character appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. He had no known superpowers until he inherited the powers of the hero known asFiery Mask.
For several decades, the character's only appearance was inDaring Mystery Comics #3, published byTimely Comics, the forerunner to Marvel Comics, during the period known to fans and historians as theGolden Age of Comic Books.[1]
He appears inThe Twelve.[2][3] His one Golden Age story has been reprinted inThe Twelve #0.
His origin was told inDaring Mystery 70th Anniversary Special, and his Golden Age story was again reprinted.
Dick Jones was ex-All Americanfullback, ex-collegiate boxing, wrestling and fencing champ. He actually has three identities: Dick Jones, reporter; Van Engen, millionaire; and Phantom Reporter, costumed crime fighter.[4] He put on a mask so he could redress the wrongs he couldn't as a reporter.[5]
Jones and eleven other heroes, such asBlue Blade, the first Electro and theBlack Widow, are in Berlin during the last days of World War 2. The story starts from his perspective. Purely by chance they assemble and investigate the headquarters of the S.S. As part of a plot to reinvigorate the Nazis, they are captured and placed in suspended animation. The scientists responsible are killed in various incidents and the twelve are not found until 2008.
To reduce the culture shock, the government agency recreates life from decades ago. Jones notices oddities, such as a female nurse having earring holes and wearing bizarre stockings. This snaps the illusion for the group.[6]
Jones also deals with his growing attraction to the Black Widow.
Soon, he is offered a job with theDaily Bugle. For the editors at theBugle, the Phantom Reporter's first-hand experience of America's past — specifically all the good and ill that was present — will be invaluable to their readers. He accepts the job, writing his first article on the sacrifice and patriotism of his generation of heroes.[7] Dying, Fiery Mask transmits his power to him.[8]
