#the destructor

[coolcomicbookcovers]

[chernobog13]

A smattering of superheroes offered by Atlas Comics (aka Atlas/Seaboard). This was the comic book company founded in June, 1974 by former Marvel Comics owner/publisher Martin Goodman.

Atlas tried to be a third powerhouse in a field that was almost completely dominated at the time by Marvel and DC Comics. However, despite attracting some major talent with its attractive pay rates and creator rights, Atlas just looked and read like a Marvel-wannabe.

That perception by the readers; problems with distribution which kept Atlas out of some areas/markets; changes in creative teams and/or the main characters and/or direction of the books (sometimes all three*) by the third issue; and the fact that none of Atlas' titles lasted more than four issues, lead to the company going kaput before the end of 1975.

(* The Protector above is a good example of this. Originally he was a hero called Phoenix, who stole from evil aliens a special suit that gave him super-powers. He then spent a few issues as superhero fighting said aliens. In the fourth issue (produced by a completely new creative team) a different group of aliens gives him a completely different suit, with different super-powers, and he changes his name to The Protector. Then the book was cancelled.)

[smbhax]

The Destructor #2, April 1975. Larry Lieber cover pencils, Frank Giacoia inks, Gaspar Saladino letters.

Info from Grand Comics Database

[tomoleary]

The Destructor, covers by Larry Lieber (inks by Wally Wood on 1, Frank Giacoia 2-4), interior Art by Steve Ditko

[pulpsandcomics2]

The Destructor     #1 - #4       1975

[all-action-all-picture]

The Destructor No. 1, dated February 1975. Cover by Larry Lieber and Wally Wood. The Destructor was the Atlas Comics equivalent to Spider-Man and Daredevil.

[the-spinner-rack]

My Dear (by Steve Ditko & Wally Wood from The Destructor #2, 1975)

[thebestcomicbookpanels]

The Destructor #2 by Steve Ditko and Wally Wood