Who was the FIRST superhero to fly? If you answered Superman then you need to read this because he’s not even the 2nd.

Aaaahhhhh the ability to fly - One of the most common superheroes’ attributes, probably second to superhuman strength. In fact, even when it comes to producing new characters, the go-to power comic writers would almost always go with is at least the ability to fly.

Why?

Because it’s convenient. Comic book writers could easily move the character from outer space to downtown Manhattan in one page. It also allows the character to broaden their horizon and battle spectrum since they’re not limited to just battling Earth-dwelling villains. They can battle in the sky or with advanced alien race in outer space or in a different part of the planet without having to suit up in suits that allows them to fly or jetpacks or you know, jets.

Shazam (Captain Marvel) vs Superman

Before flight was a thing, in the early 1930s till 1940s, superheroes were depicted to be able to leap over huge distance and for a while, this was the standard way of moving from one place to another for them.

And for the Hulk, it stayed that way

The dispute between Superman and Shazam was one the most interesting argument when it comes to ‘Who did it first?’. The argument was actually a thing because DC Comics sued Fawcett Comics because they felt that Captain Marvel was infringing upon their copyrighted characters, Superman due to a somewhat similar looks and superpowers.

So who did it first?

To put this question to bed, Shazam (or Captain Marvel, whichever you want to call him) was the earlier one to exhibit the ability to fly and that came way back in Whiz Comics #5, well before Superman did. It wasn’t until 3 Years later that Superman decided to take up the ability as well.

So there you have it, Shazam won this argument. But does that mean Shazam was the first character to fly?

The answer is a resounding NO.

That’s right! The first character to take flight was actually a sea-dweller! As you may have guessed, it’s none other than the ridiculously powerful Namor, The Sub-Mariner! He’s the Marvel version of Aquaman but more powerful and the ability to fly probably came from the fact that he has urm, cute wings on each side of his ankles and underarms. In his very first appearance in mid-1939 in Marvel Comics #1 (which was actually his SECOND appearance, as he appeared earlier in the year in a giveaway comic that never was given away), you can clearly see him already exhibiting the ability to fly.

Way before Superman and Shazam soared with the birds, Namor was already doing it, going from deep sea to sky high. Namor is a very interesting character because he is one of the earliest comic book character ever created and he became one of the member of the Illuminati – not that illuminati but the Marvel version of the Illuminati.

The Illuminati is a legion of Marvel most powerful and brilliant superheroes/leaders which comprises brilliant minds like Professor Charles Xavier of the X-Men, Tony Stark (Iron Man), Reed Richards (Mr Fantastic) and Dr Strange and also some ridiculously overpowered characters like Blackbolt (Leader of the Inhumans) and the king of Atlantis himself, Namor the Sub-Mariner.

Hopefully I can make a future post about the Illuminati but if you learnt something from this post, go ahead and absolutely murder the vote button and share this with your friends.

Thank you for reading.

#teammalaysia