Super Rabbit

Super Rabbit is a fictional, funny-animal superhero in comic books published by Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics, during the 1930s and 1940s period fans and historians call the Golden Age of comic books. Created by cartoonist Ernie Hart, he first appeared in Comedy Comics #14 (cover-dated Mar. 1943).[1]

This article is about the Timely Comics character. For the Bugs Bunny cartoon, see Super-Rabbit.
Super Rabbit
Super Rabbit Comics #6 (Spring 1946). Cover artist unknown
Publication information
PublisherTimely Comics
First appearanceComedy Comics #14 (Mar. 1943)
Created byErnie Hart
In-story information
Alter egoWaffles Bunny
Notable aliasesThe Marvel of the Age
AbilitiesSuper strength
Flight
Invulnerability except for a single spot at top of head

The character appeared after Fawcett Comics' funny-animal superhero Hoppy the Marvel Bunny (debut: Fawcett's Funny Animals #1, cover-dated Dec. 1942), and before the Bugs Bunny theatrical cartoon short "Super-Rabbit" (released in April 1943).

Publication history

Following his debut as the cover star of Comedy Comics #14 (March 1943), the funny-animal superhero Super Rabbit remained the lead feature through #33 (Sept. 1946). A star of Timely Comics' humor division — produced by what the company called its "animator bullpen", edited by Vincent Fago and largely separate from the superhero group producing comics featuring Captain America and other such characters[2] — Super Rabbit also appeared 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 anthology series.[3]

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).[3]

While a series of authorized reprints of Super Rabbit's adventures was published in Canada by Bell Features,[4] 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¢.[3]

Aside from creator Ernie Hart, other artists who contributed to his adventures included Mike Sekowsky, Al Jaffee, and inker Violet Barclay.[3]

In 1977, Marvel announced a reboot of the character in a solo series with Marv Wolfman as writer, but apparently this project did not come to fruition.[5]

Fictional character biography

Meek little Waffles Bunny, variously depicted as a reporter or a shoeshine boy, rubs a magic ring to gain mass and height and become the flying, super-strong Super Rabbit.[6] He is virtually invulnerable except for a small spot on the very top of his head, where something as light as a falling feather could knock him out. He protects the innocent, captures robbers, and even fights such World War II menaces as Super Nazi, a pig with a Hitler mustache.[7] His self-proclaimed "number-one fan" and unasked-for publicist Wilbur Woodpecker occasionally accompanies Super Rabbit, much to his consternation.[8]

Generally tall and lanky, the blue-clad, red-caped and orange-gloved and booted "Marvel of the Age" sometimes takes on a more buff and bulky form. His original costume featured the initial "S" on his chest, which he later replaced with the words "SUPER RABBIT".

References
  1. Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 192. ISBN 978-1605490892.
  2. Vassallo, Michael J. "Vincent Fago and the Timely Funny Animal Dept". Comicartville.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2009.
  3. Super Rabbit (character) at the Grand Comics Database
  4. Bell, John (2006). Invaders from the North: How Canada Conquered the Comic Book Universe. Toronto: Dundurn Press. ISBN 978-1-55002-659-7.
  5. Letters page of Marvel Two-In-One #30, August 1977
  6. Becattini, Alberto (2019). "Super-Animals". American Funny Animal Comics in the 20th Century: Volume Two. Theme Park Press. ISBN 978-1683902218.
  7. Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 262. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
  8. Super Rabbit at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011.
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