King Standish
| King Standish | |
|---|---|
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Flash Comics #3 (March 1940) |
| Created by | Gardner Fox (writer) William Smith (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Team affiliations | Office of Strategic Services |
| Notable aliases | The King |
| Abilities | Master of disguise Master illusionist Skilled hand to hand combatant Occasional use of guns |
King Standish is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe. King Standish first appeared in Flash Comics (vol. 1) #3 (March 1940), and was created by Gardner Fox and William Smith.
Fictional character biography
King Standish was young, rich master of disguise who vowed to stop crime. He was considered a criminal by the police and the underworld, while he was truly a crimefighter. Through time this bad reputation died, but not fully. Being such a skillful master of disguise, King could even fool his friends; however, he remained in disguise, allowing no one to know what he looked like. His actual face and his full name are never revealed throughout his appearances. He sported a tuxedo with an opera cape, a top hat and a domino mask, whenever making an appearance not in disguise.
His most frequent adversary was the Witch, who rivaled in ability for disguise. He never turned her over to the police, since there was a mutual attraction. Although being on opposite sides, they both developed strong feelings towards each other, despite the fact they never saw the actual face of the other. King attempted many times to bring her over to the side of the law and be a crime fighter, but failed.
During World War II, he was contacted by Control and became a member of the Office of Strategic Services. The King remained a member of the OSS until the war was over. Later, he helped the Justice Society of America when Jacob Tolzmann became a supernatural threat. With Sandman and the Star Spangled Kid knocked out, King teamed up with their sidekicks, Sandy and Stripesy. The King disguised himself as Tolzmann's father to distract him, allowing the sidekicks to defeat him.
In Justice Society of America #29 (vol. 3), a new recruit to the team, King Chimera, reveals a little bit about himself, saying his father was "King" Standish and that he met with a member of a secret order on a distant island to perfect the art of illusion, training himself to be a master illusionist. King Chimera mentioned his mother had a thing for older men, hinting The King and King Chimera's mother had an age difference, with The King being much older.[1]
King Standish's current activities and whereabouts have not been recorded, last appearing in Starman #66 (June 2000).[citation needed]
Powers and abilities
King Standish was a master of disguise, so good he could even fool his friends. He used hand-to-hand combat and occasionally guns. His son King Chimera revealed he perfected the art of illusion, training himself to be a master illusionist.
References
Who's Who 12 Feb 1986 The Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe
- ↑ Justice Society of America #29 (vol. 3) (July 2009)
