#psycho-pirate

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[newearth2]

Today in JSA History: First Appearance of Charles Halstead the Original Psycho-Pirate

Charles Halstead, the original Psycho-Pirate, made his first appearance in All-Star Comics #23, published on June 7, 1944. He was created by Gardner Fox and Joe Gallagher.

Halstead was a bitter and jealous linotyper for the Daily Courier newspaper. Resentful of his successful publisher, Rex Morgan, he turned to crime under the alias Psycho-Pirate, orchestrating a series of emotionally-driven heists. His goal was to manipulate powerful emotions like despair to destroy Morgan, and others to challenge the Justice Society of America.

It was The Atom (Al Pratt) who ultimately uncovered Halstead’s identity. While in prison he passed on all his knowledge of human emotion—and details about the mystical Medusa Masks discovered by archaeologists Kent and Inza Nelson (Doctor Fate)—to his cellmate Roger Hayden.

Hayden eventually stole the Medusa Masks and became the second Psycho-Pirate, using their power to manipulate emotions on a massive scale. He was eventually defeated by Doctor Fate and Hourman (Rex Tyler).

It’s unclear exactly how or when Charley Halstead died, but it seems as though he passed away in prison after mentoring Hayden. Interestingly, the emotion-themed masks shown on the cover of All-Star Comics #32 evoke imagery that feels visually similar to the emotional spectrum later introduced in the Green Lantern mythos. It’s easy to imagine a modern reinterpretation tying these early concepts into that larger lore.

Interior art above is from JSA: Classified #4 written by Geoff Johns, pencils by Amanda Conner, and inks by Jimmy Palmiotti.

[gotham-at-nightfall]

The Psycho-Pirate in Titans #20

[comicsiswild]

Animal Man (1988) #22

[danthepest]

More villains as seen in the DC Animated Universe. In order:

The Khund - First appearance in Adventure Comics v1 #346 (1966).

De'cine - First appearance in The Adventures of Superman Annual #3 (1991).

Karkull - First appearance in More Fun Comics #69 (1941).

Roulette - First appearance in JSA Secret Files & Origins #2 (2001).

Plastique - First appearance in Firestorm v2 #7 (1982).

Psycho-Pirate - First appearance in Showcase #56 (1965).

Orm - First appearance in Aquaman v1 #29 (1966).

Queen Bee - First appearance in Justice League of America v1 #23 (1963).

Major Disaster - First appearance in Green Lantern v2 #43 (1966).

Morgaine Le Fey & Mordred - First appearance in Batman v1 #36 (1946) & Superman #38 (1946).

[bringbackwendellvaughn]

[ae-spam]

Christopher Nakano in Shadows of the Bat: The Tower

Detective Comics #1047-#1058

Satisfying arc of Chris making more stupid mistakes for the sake of his wife, getting mind-controlled by psycho-pirate to be even more stupid, and realising his mistakes and finally making a good choice for once

[batwomanandmotherpanic]

DETECTIVE COMICS #1051

Written by MARIKO TAMAKI

Art by MAX RAYNOR

Backup written by  MATTHEW ROSENBERG

Backup art by FERNANDO BLANCO

Cover by IRVIN RODRIGUEZ

Variant by LEE BERMEJO

1:25 variant by JORGE FORNÉS

$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (Card stock)

ON SALE 2/1/22

Psycho-Pirate! Qu’est-ce que ç’est? The mind manipulations of one of the DCU’s most calamitous villains are revealed at the heart of Arkham Tower…but who’s really calling the shots? As Batwoman’s undercover operation takes a disastrous turn, Huntress finds her own mission inside the Tower growing more perilous by the moment! All is revealed in this explosive first chapter in act two of the “Shadows of the Bat” weekly event!

Then, in “House of Gotham” part five, the Boy emerges from his Scarecrow caper with a new perspective on the world…but what’s scarier: Dr. Crane’s fear toxins, or Batman’s control of Gotham’s militarized youth?