Super Rabbit is a
fictionalA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
, funny-animal
superheroA superhero is "a fictional character of unprecedented powers dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest"...
in comic books published by
Timely ComicsTimely Comics is the 1940s comic book publishing company that would evolve into first Atlas Comics, and then Marvel Comics. During this era, called the Golden Age of comic books, "Timely" was the umbrella name for the comics division of pulp magazine publisher Martin Goodman, whose business...
, a predecessor of
Marvel ComicsMarvel Publishing, Inc., a company doing business as Marvel Comics, produces American comic books and related media. It forms a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc....
, during the 1930s and '40s period fans and historians call the
Golden Age of comic booksThe Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s...
. Created by
cartoonistA cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. Traditionally much of this work was, and still is, humorous, and is intended primarily for entertainment purposes...
Ernie Hart-Early life and career:Ernie Hart was part of the Timely Comics "animator" bullpen — separate from the superhero group producing comics featuring the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America — along with others including Vincent Fago, Jim Mooney, Mike Sekowsky, and future MAD Magazine...
, he first appeared in
Comedy Comics #14 (Feb. 1943).
The character appeared after
Fawcett ComicsFawcett Comics, a subsidiary of Fawcett Publications, was one of several successful comics publishers during the Golden Age of Comic Books in the 1940s...
' funny-animal superhero
Hoppy the Marvel BunnyHoppy the Marvel Bunny is a fictional comic book superhero and funny animal originally published by Fawcett Comics as a spin-off of Captain Marvel. He was created by Chad Grothkopf, and debuted in Fawcett's Funny Animals #1...
(debut:
Fawcett's Funny Animals #1, Dec. 1942), and before the
Bugs BunnyBugs Bunny is a fictional character who appears in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated films produced by Leon Schlesinger Productions, which became Warner Bros. Cartoons in 1945. In 2002, he was named by TV Guide as the greatest cartoon character of all time, an honor he shares...
theatrical
cartoonThe word cartoon has various meanings, based on several very different forms of visual art and illustration. The term has evolved over time....
short "
Super-RabbitSuper-Rabbit is a Merrie Melodies cartoon starring Bugs Bunny who is parodying the popular character Superman. It was released to theaters on April 3, .-Plot:...
" (April 1943)
Following his debut as the cover star of
Comedy Comics #14 (March 1943), Super Rabbit remained the lead feature through at least #33 (Sept.
Super Rabbit is a
fictionalA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
, funny-animal
superheroA superhero is "a fictional character of unprecedented powers dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest"...
in comic books published by
Timely ComicsTimely Comics is the 1940s comic book publishing company that would evolve into first Atlas Comics, and then Marvel Comics. During this era, called the Golden Age of comic books, "Timely" was the umbrella name for the comics division of pulp magazine publisher Martin Goodman, whose business...
, a predecessor of
Marvel ComicsMarvel Publishing, Inc., a company doing business as Marvel Comics, produces American comic books and related media. It forms a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc....
, during the 1930s and '40s period fans and historians call the
Golden Age of comic booksThe Golden Age of Comic Books was a period in the history of American comic books, generally thought of as lasting from the late 1930s until the late 1940s...
. Created by
cartoonistA cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. Traditionally much of this work was, and still is, humorous, and is intended primarily for entertainment purposes...
Ernie Hart-Early life and career:Ernie Hart was part of the Timely Comics "animator" bullpen — separate from the superhero group producing comics featuring the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America — along with others including Vincent Fago, Jim Mooney, Mike Sekowsky, and future MAD Magazine...
, he first appeared in
Comedy Comics #14 (Feb. 1943).
The character appeared after
Fawcett ComicsFawcett Comics, a subsidiary of Fawcett Publications, was one of several successful comics publishers during the Golden Age of Comic Books in the 1940s...
' funny-animal superhero
Hoppy the Marvel BunnyHoppy the Marvel Bunny is a fictional comic book superhero and funny animal originally published by Fawcett Comics as a spin-off of Captain Marvel. He was created by Chad Grothkopf, and debuted in Fawcett's Funny Animals #1...
(debut:
Fawcett's Funny Animals #1, Dec. 1942), and before the
Bugs BunnyBugs Bunny is a fictional character who appears in the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated films produced by Leon Schlesinger Productions, which became Warner Bros. Cartoons in 1945. In 2002, he was named by TV Guide as the greatest cartoon character of all time, an honor he shares...
theatrical
cartoonThe word cartoon has various meanings, based on several very different forms of visual art and illustration. The term has evolved over time....
short "
Super-RabbitSuper-Rabbit is a Merrie Melodies cartoon starring Bugs Bunny who is parodying the popular character Superman. It was released to theaters on April 3, .-Plot:...
" (April 1943)
Publication history
Following his debut as the cover star of
Comedy Comics #14 (March 1943), Super Rabbit remained the lead feature through at least #33 (Sept. 1946). A star of Timely Comics' humor division — produced by what the company called its "animator bullpen", edited by
Vincent FagoVincenzo Francisco Gennaro Di Fago was an American comic-book artist and writer who served as interim editor of Timely Comics, the Golden Age predecessor of Marvel Comics, while editor Stan Lee did his World War II service.Fago headed the Timely "animator bullpen" — largely separate from the...
and largely separate from the
superheroA superhero is "a fictional character of unprecedented powers dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest"...
group producing comics featuring
Captain AmericaCaptain America is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
and other such characters — Super Rabbit was also featured in
Krazy Comics,
Comic Capers,
Funny Tunes (a.k.a.
Animated Funny Comic-Tunes),
All Surprise Comics (as the cover star of #1-11, Fall 1943 - Fall 1946) and other
anthologyAn anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
series.
He additionally starred in his own
Super Rabbit Comics, which ran 14 issues (Fall 1944 - Nov. 1948). His final story appeared in
It's a Duck's Life #11 (Feb. 1952).
Three known unauthorized reprint issues appeared, from Israel Waldman's I.W. Publishing, beginning in 1958, with issues #1-2 released that year. A third issue, labeled #7 and costing 10¢, later appeared, and was reissued in 1963 as #10 and costing 12¢.
Aside from creator Ernie Hart, other artists who contributed to his adventures included
Mike SekowskyMike Sekowsky was a Jewish American comic book artist best known as the exclusive penciler for DC Comics' Justice League of America during most of the 1960s, and as the regular writer and artist on Wonder Woman during the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Early life and career:Mike Sekowsky began...
,
Al JaffeeAl Jaffee is an award-winning American cartoonist. He is best known for his work in Mad, including his trademark feature, the Mad Fold-in, which has appeared in almost every issue since 1964...
, and inker
Violet BarclayViolet Barclay , who also worked under the name Valerie Barclay and the married name Valerie Smith, is an American illustrator best known as one of the pioneering female comic-book artists, having started in the field during the 1930s and '40s period historians and fans call the Golden Age of Comic...
.
Fictional character biography
The meek little Waffles, variously depicted as a reporter or a shoeshine rabbit, rubs a magic ring to gain mass and height and become the flying, super-strong Super Rabbit. He protects the innocent, captures robbers, and even fights such
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
menaces as Super Nazi, a pig with a Hitler mustache. His self-proclaimed "number-one fan" and unasked-for publicist, Wilbur Woodpecker, occasionally accompanies Super Rabbit, much to his consternation.
Generally tall and lanky, he sometimes takes on a bulky form. His original costume featured the initial "S" on his chest, which he later replaced with the words "Super Rabbit".
External links