Fin (comics)

The Fin is the name of two fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Golden Age Fin has elements of both the swashbuckling pirate and superhero genres.

For the British comic strip character, see Finn (comics).

Publication history

The first Fin first appeared in Daring Mystery Comics #7-8, (April 1941, Jan.1942), and was created by Bill Everett.[1] Decades later, a simulacrum of the Fin briefly appeared, along with simulacra of the Blazing Skull, the Patriot, and the Golden Age Angel and Vision, to aid the superhero team the Avengers in The Avengers #97 (March 1972). In 2004, the Fin was revived by Marvel Comics and appeared as an ally of the Invaders in that team's series The New Invaders #2-3 (Nov.-Dec. 2004), #6 (March 2005), and #8-9 (May–June 2005). He was in the (unfinished) miniseries All-Winners Squad: Band of Heroes as a member of the Crazy Sues, a unit of Allied men with special abilities during World War II. The Fin received an entry in The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Golden Age (2004).

Fictional character biography

The Fin (Peter Noble)
The Fin
The Fin makes his first appearance (upper left). From Daring Mystery Comics #7
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceDaring Mystery Comics #7 (April 1941)
Created byBill Everett (writer / artist)
In-story information
Alter egoPeter Noble
Team affiliationsUnited States Navy
Invaders
Initiative
PartnershipsNamor
Namora
Namorita
AbilitiesSuperhuman strength and speed
Underwater adaptation
Wields magical cutlass that can cut through nearly anything and stops aging process

Peter Noble was a Navy officer who was caught in a sinking submarine and was shocked to find that the immense pressure and lack of air did not kill him.[2] He discovered an undersea civilization called Neptunia, and after several adventures on and under the sea he was made the Neptunians' ruler.[3]

At some unknown point he met, fell in love with and married Nia Noble, who became his Queen and co-ruler. Half a century later, he was called back to America and recalled to active duty as an admiral in command of a new vessel, the Infiltrator.[4] This ship was no ordinary battleship; it had been designed by Bruce Dickson, the Thin Man, using technology from an incredibly advanced civilization. Infiltrator was capable of taking shortcuts through space, in theory making it undetectable and uncatchable. Noble and his wife came aboard and ran the ship's day-to-day operations, with the vessel acting as a base for the New Invaders team of superhuman operatives in their battle against the evil Neo-Nazi group called Axis Mundi. In the end, the vessel was destroyed and the Invaders members went their separate ways. Admiral Noble (ret.) once again returned to Neptunia with his bride to take up his duties as ruler.

Wild Pack version

The second Fin is a character originally from the 1990s series Silver Sable and the Wild Pack.[5] Although he initially disputed the name Fin when pressed to reveal his real identity by fellow Intruder Sandman, he begrudgingly accepted the moniker others had given him.[6]

He is later seen as a member of the Garrison,[7] the Vermont Fifty State Initiative superhero team, joined by fellow Intruders and Wild Pack alumni Man-Eater. They were assigned to apprehend Thunderbolts member Penance only to be defeated by him.[8]

Powers and abilities

The first Fin has twenty times normal human strength and is able to survive the crushing pressures of the ocean's depths. He can breathe air or water, and can swim as fast as a torpedo. However, if not immersed in water, his strength gradually weakens. The Fin is armed with a magical cutlass, able to cut through nearly anything. The cutlass's magic also prevents him from aging.

The second Fin has uncharted superhuman strength as well as the ability to send out a signal toward any object one hundred times a second, possibly a form of sonar, used for echolocation. He is also a physics expert, whether or not this is merely a personal interest of Fin's or he possesses formal training, is as yet unrevealed. Fin has kept his scientific expertise somewhat quiet in an attempt to prevent being exploited for his knowledge.[9]

Other versions

In the Ultimate Marvel reality, Fin is an amphibious villain and a member of the Serpent Skulls. When he and Arnie tried to rob Ganke in Hell's Kitchen, they were defeated by Cloak and Dagger.[10]

References
  1. Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 160. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  2. Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
  3. Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  4. Invaders (vol. 3) #2. Marvel Comics.
  5. Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #11 (April 1993). Marvel Comics.
  6. Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #20 (January 1994). Marvel Comics.
  7. The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z hardcover Volume #5 (October 2008). Marvel Comics.
  8. Penance: Relentless #3 (November 2007). Marvel Comics.
  9. Silver Sable and the Wild Pack #20 (January 1994). Marvel Comics.
  10. All-New Ultimates #1. Marvel Comics.
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