Angel

The Angel (Thomas Halloway, often shortened to Tom Halloway) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist Paul Gustavson and an unconfirmed writer during the Golden Age of Comic Books, the Angel first appeared in Marvel Comics #1 (Oct. 1939), the first publication of Marvel Comics' predecessor, Timely Comics. The Angel is a non-superpowered detective who nonetheless wore a superhero costume. Publication history Created by artist Paul Gustavson and written either by him or by Ray Gill or another writer, the Angel debuted in Timely Comics' Marvel Comics #1 (Oct. 1939). The Angel was among the more popular Timely characters after the "big three" of the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America. The Angel had over 100 Golden Age appearances — starting in that initial Marvel title (which changed its name to Marvel Mystery Comics with issue #2), up through #79 (Dec. 1946); as the sole backup feature in Sub-Mariner Comics #1-21 (Spring 1941-Fall 1946); and in occasional appearances in All Winners Comics #1 (Summer 1941), The Human Torch #5 (Summer 1941), Mystic Comics vol. 2 #1-3, (Oct.-Winter 1944), Daring Comics #10 (Winter 1944-45). In Superhero Comics of the Golden Age, Mike Benton writes: "The Angel, like some of the other features that Gustavson drew and wrote, owed a heavy debt to the pulp magazine heroes and detectives. Like the Shadow and the Spider, the Angel had few compunctions about operating outside the law and using severe measures -- especially if it meant scaring the hell out of criminals."