In this issue: T-Bolt rethinks his life choices. Something ape.
Thunderbolt #52
Charlton Comics Group (June, 1966)
“Gore, The Man Ape”
CREATOR/WRITER/ARTIST: PAM
Scientists have gone missing and Peter Cannon…couldn’t care less. That is until his boat is caught in a storm and brought to an island run by Eric Gore. Gore was a scientist until an accident forced him to graft an ape’s hand in place of his own, turning him evil. He’s the one who kidnapped the scientists, to force them to help complete a biological weapon he needs in his plans to conquer the world. Tabu snuck Peter’s costume into his gear, so it’s Thunderbolt who fights in the ape arena for the freedom of himself and the scientists. While the apes agree to let them go, Gore tries to attack our hero, so the ape leader rescues Thunderbolt as Gore is killed in the exploding lab.
What they got right: The art is pretty good, making for a decent fight scene.
What they got wrong: So replacing your destroyed hand with an ape’s turned you evil and insane? Okay. Also, seeing the alleged hero having to be forced into it every story is going to get old. Tabu seems the better choice to be the hero because he actually thinks the world needs one.
What I think overall: This is not a great hero. DC can no longer use him for rights issues (actually they never could but wasn’t aware of it) and right about now it seems like no big loss. Then again, we got stuck with Peacemaker, who lacks Thunderbolt’s potential.
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