Breaking Down the Hall of Justice Mural in Superman, Part 17: Bulletman / James “Jim” Barr & Bulletgirl / Susan Kent-Barr
Created by Bill Parker and Jon Smalle for Fawcett Comics, Bulletman’s story begins with Jim Barr, a young man whose life was shaped by tragedy—his father, a police officer, was murdered in the line of duty. Determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, Jim applied to the police academy but was rejected for physical reasons. Undeterred, he took a job in the ballistics department and began experimenting with ways to enhance human capabilities.
Drawing from Hourman’s Miraclo Pill, Jim developed his own “Crime Cure” formula, boosting his strength and reflexes. He also invented a bullet-shaped Gravity Regulator Helmet, incorporating Hawkman’s Nth Metal, which allowed him to fly and deflect bullets. On his first mission he captured a notorious gangster, and soon he decided to share the adventure by making a second helmet for his girlfriend, Susan Kent—the daughter of Sergeant Kent of the police force. Taking the name Bulletgirl, she became his equal partner in heroics.
The pair became staples of the All-Star Squadron during World War II, also forming the “Bullet Family” with sidekick Bulletboy and even a canine ally, Bulletdog. After years of heroics, Jim and Susan married and had a daughter, Deanna Barr, who briefly operated as the heroine Windshear. In later years, the mantle of Bulletgirl would also be taken up by Alix Harrower (the Bulleteer) and, briefly, by Darla Dudley of the Shazam Family.
Group Affiliations: Crime Crusaders Club, Shazam’s Squadron of Justice, All-Star Squadron
Speculation: With strong ties to the All-Star Squadron, the Shazam Family, Hawkman, and Hourman, Bulletman and Bulletgirl have built-in potential for stories that blend science-heroics, magic, and Golden Age legacy. Susan’s maiden name, “Kent,” has never been explored—but if the Silent Knight can be part of Clark Kent’s family history, there’s no reason Susan couldn’t be as well.
First Appearance: Nickel Comics (1940) #1
Recommended Reading:
Nickel Comics (1940) #1–8 – Origin stories.
Master Comics (1940) #7–106 – Core Golden Age run.
America’s Greatest Comics (1941) #1–8 – Fawcett hero team-ups.
Bulletman (1941) – Solo title.
Justice League of America (1960) #135–137 – JLA/JSA crossover.
The Power of Shazam! (1995) #8, 11–12, 32, 34–36, 41, 43, 47 – Modern Shazam connections.
Starman (1994) #39–40 – Starman / Shazam crossover featuring Bulletman
Seven Soldiers: Bulleteer (2006) – Reimagining for the 2000s.
Shazam (2023) #6 – Darla Dudley briefly becomes Bulletgirl
Next up would be Max Mercury, but since we already covered him as Whip Whirlwind, we’re skipping ahead to Part 18: TNT / Thomas “Tex” N. Thomas & Dyna-Mite / Daniel Dunbar.
