Father's Day Special: Dads in Comics

It is Father's Day so here is a personal chronological list of Dads in comics:

Jor-El

First appearance in Action Comics #1, June 1938

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Jor-El

Probably the most important Dad in comics history as he decided to send his son, Kal-El, to Earth where he became the first super-hero.  Without Jor-El there would be no Superman and I wouldn't be writing this blog 74 years later.

Jonathan Kent

First appearance in Superman #1, Summer 1939

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Martha and Jonathan Kent with Clark

The most important adoptive Dad in comics history as he and his wife Martha taught the young Clark the values of truth, justice and the American way that made Superman the hero he has been throughout his career.

Thomas Wayne

First appearance in Detective Comics #33, November 1939

Created by Bill Finger, Gardner Fox and Bob Kane

Death of Thomas Wayne

The most important death of a Dad in comics history as his death alongside his wife inspired their son, Bruce, to devote his life to fighting crime and becoming the Batman.  The inherited wealth did not hurt either.

Zor-El

First appearance in Action Comics #252, May 1959

Created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino

Zor-El and Kara

This Dad followed his brother's example and sent his daughter, Kara, to Earth where under the guidance of her cousin she became Supergirl.

Thunderbolt Ross

First appearance in Incredible Hulk #1, May 1962

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Betty Ross and her Father, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross

This Dad became obsessed with destroying the Hulk.  Unfortunately his daughter, Betty, was in love with the Hulk's alter ego, Bruce Banner.  Thunderbolt is the ultimate overprotective father, he loves is daughter but her happiness does not rank high in his priorities.

Ben Parker

First appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15, August 1962

Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Ben, May and Peter Parker

Ben is not Peter's Dad, he is his uncle, but he does bring him up as his son and gives Peter the immortal advice that "with great power comes great responsibility".  Ben Parker's death is the catalyst for Spider-man's entire crime fighting career.

Odin

First appearance in Journey Into Mystery #86, November 1962

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Odin

Odin is Thor's Dad and decided to teach his son lessons in humility by casting him out of Asgard and placing him on Earth in the in the body of a lame medical student, Donald Blake.  Blake has no memories of his life as Thor and once Odin has decided that Thor has learnt his lessons Blake finds a wooden staff which allows him to become Thor again. Odin is also the adoptive father of Loki. 

Jack Murdock

First appearance in Daredevil #1, April 1964

Created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett

Jack and Matt Murdock

This Dad valued education very highly which inspired Matt Murdock to study hard and become a lawyer.  Jack Murdock would not have approved of Matt using his fists to fight as Daredevil but he would have appreciated his social conscience.

 Reed Richards

First appearance as a father in Fantastic Four Annual #6, November 1968

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Reed, Sue and Franklin Richards

Reed was a father figure to Johnny Storm and to a lesser extent Ben Grimm before his wife Sue gave birth to their son, Franklin.  Reed is a classic example of a distracted father, he loves his family but there is always one more experiment to be completed.

Darkseid and Izaya, The Highfather

First appeared in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134, December 1970 (Darkseid)

The New Gods, #1 February - March 1971 (Izaya)

Created by Jack Kirby

Izaya, the Highfather with the swap of sons illustrated in the background

Darkseid, not showing his love for his adopted son, Scott Free

Darkseid and Izaya are prime examples of  politically motivated Dads.  They decide to cement a truce between Apokolips and New Genesis by swapping sons.  Scott Free, the future Mister Miracle, leaves New Genesis to be raised by Darseid and Orion leaves Apokolips to be raised by Izaya.

Retroactively revealed Dads:

R J Brande

The death of R J Brande illustrates the fact that he is a Durlan, earlier he was retroactively revealed as Chameleon Boy's Dad

Revealed as Chameleon Boy's Dad in Secrets of the Legion of Super-Heroes #3, March 1981 by E. Nelson Bridewell, Paul Kupperberg and Jim Janes

Magneto

Magneto fails to inform Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch that he is their father

Revealed as Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch's Dad in Vision and the Scarlet Witch Vol 1, #4, February 1983 by Bill Mantlo and Rick Leonardi

Alan Scott

Green Lantern is unaware that he is the father of Jade and Obsidian.  Perhaps this is because in current continuity Alan Scott is gay?

Revealed as Jade and Obsidian's Dad in Infinity, Inc. #4, July 1984 by the king of retroactive continuity Roy Thomas, co-written with his wife Dann Thomas and drawn by Jerry Ordway

Finally, the most important Dad in comics history is my Father who bought me my first comics, thanks Dad and Happy Father's Day!