The Arrow | |
---|---|
Publication information | |
Publisher | Centaur Publications |
First appearance | Funny Pages #21 (September 1938) |
Created by | Paul Gustavson |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | Ralph Payne (Centaur Comics) Rick Parker (Malibu Comics) |
Team affiliations | The Protectors (Malibu Comics) |
Abilities | Highly skilled archer |
The Arrow is a fictional superhero created during the Golden Age of Comic Books. He was the first superhero published by Centaur Publications.[1]
The character first appeared in 1938 in Funny Pages #21 (numbered vol. 2, #10; dated September 1938).[2] He continued in the comic until issue #42 (Oct 1940), and then had his own series, The Arrow, which lasted for three issues from Oct 1940 to Oct 1941.[3]
The Arrow is actually Ralph Payne, a military intelligence agent who uses his archery skills to fight crime. He delivers messages via arrow, both to criminals and the police, and uses his bow to kill the evildoers.[4] Today, the Arrow is mostly remembered for being the first American superhero to rely on archery as a primary gimmick.[5]