Using Archeology To Defeat Villains

 

cover art by Murphy Anderson

By golly, archeology is dangerous. Anyone who has seen an Indiana Jones movie or played Tomb Raider knows that. It's gotta be the most dangerous profession in the history of the world. 

In Hawkman #8 (June-July 1965), for instance, we see a prime example of the dangers of the profession. World renowned explorer Paul Colby just wants to show off his new find--a large mask discovered on Mount Olympus--to museum curator Carter Hall. But then the mask, supposedly made by Vulcan himself, takes on a life of its own. It attaches itself to Colby, possesses him and soon has him flying off to Greece to find something else.

Hawkman and Hawkgirl quickly pursue. They catch up to Mask-Colby at Mount Olympus, where he displays various powers and is able to keep the Hawks at bay.

The battle uncovers a large statue. The Mask releases its hold on Colby and attaches itself to this statue, which then comes to life and starts rampaging through a nearby town.

It turns out that the Vulcan who made the mask and the statue was a highly-skilled blacksmith, but not the actual god. He somehow gave sentience to his creation, but was later able to subdue it. In present time, the Hawks are unable to either defeat the statue or figure out a way to get the mask off. But Vulcan did just that thousands of years ago. How did he manage it?

So far, Gardner Fox's script and Murphy Anderson's art have combined to give us a fast-paced and fun story. Here, though, is where we get the real highpoint. Unable to beat the statue on their own, the Hawks and the now-back-to-normal Colby examine the cave in which the mask was found. It's Hawkgirl who makes the required deductive leap--figuring out that the case in which the mask was kept must somehow nullify its powers. 

I really like this. The story does not lose track of the fact that its heroes are scientists as well as superheroes and they use their knowledge and intelligence to figure out a way to stop the rampaging statue.

They are indeed able to get the mask back into its case and thus save the day. I guess the story has a small plot hole here. How did Vulcan--a normal human being--get the mask into that case during the statue's original rampage? He presumably didn't have wings with which to reach the mask. Unless he borrowed wings some from Daedalus, perhaps? Gee whiz, now I want to know more!

Actually, it's too much of a stretch to call that a plot hole and what we have is an entertaining tale in which the heroes have to be smart as well as powerful to save the day.

Next week, we'll visit with the Avengers. In this case, I mean Mr. Steed and Mrs. Peel. Not Cap, Iron Man and Thor.