DOCTOR SATURN

Real Name: Doctor Saturn (presumably; first name unrevealed)

Identity/Class: Human technology user (Old West era)

Occupation: Criminal, mad scientist

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: His gang of owlhoots

Enemies: Ringo Kid

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: His laboratory in Vista Conquistador castle, near the town of Powderhorn

First Appearance: Ringo Kid Western#8/2 (October, 1955)

Powers/Abilities: Doctor Saturn was an inventive genius who created technology that was decades ahead of its time, including the "Black Sunset" device.

History: (Ringo Kid Western#8/2 (fb) - BTS) - The past of Doctor Saturn is unknown, but he claimed to have once been acquainted with British scientist Michael Faraday, whom he accused of taking his theories ("HE experimented...I created!"). Because the world scoffed at his theories and belittled him, Doctor Saturn created the "Black Sunset" device, set up a base near the town of Powderhorn, and organized a criminal gang for his plans to conquer the American West.

(Ringo Kid Western#8/2 (fb) - BTS) - Doctor Saturn sent his gang to steal a shipment of gold dust. They used the "Black Sunset" on the two men carrying the gold and blinded them.

(Ringo Kid Western#8/2) - The Ringo Kid rode up on the two men wandering across the plains, and they explained to him how they had been blinded by a bright flash of light and robbed. After giving them water and food, the Ringo Kid led them back to the edge of Powderhorn (being wanted by the law, he could go no farther). The men were examined by the town's doctor, who assured them that their blindness was only temporary.

  The following night, Doctor Saturn's gang rode to the town bank and blinded two bank employees with the "Black Sunset," then rode off with the loot they stole. The Ringo Kid trailed the gang to their hideout in Vista Conquistador castle, then met with his father, who gave him an Indian potion that would counteract the blinding light by dilating the pupils of his eyes.

  As he went into the castle, a gang member flashed the "Black Sunset" at the Ringo Kid (who then feigned blindness), and he was taken to Doctor Saturn's lab. The power-mad scientist told the Ringo Kid of his plans -- he sought to become a force which would rule the West and the country; at that point, the Ringo Kid drew his gun on the scientist, but Doctor Saturn lunged for a switch and pulled it, which caused his lab to erupt in flames. The Ringo Kid grabbed the madman, carried him out of the castle, and left him to face justice from the authorities as the castle was consumed by fire.

Comments: Created by an unknown writer and John Severin.

Doctor Saturn -- The man who almost conquered the world...with a flashlight.

Michael Faraday, whom Doctor Saturn claimed to know, was a real scientist and an early pioneer in the fields of chemistry and electricity; you can learn more about him HERE.

This story was reprinted in Ringo Kid#9 (May, 1971) and Ringo Kid#28 (July, 1976).

Profile by John Kaminski

CLARIFICATIONS:
Doctor Saturn has no known connections to:

• Kronans, aka. Stone Men from Saturn @ Journey Into Mystery I#83
• Saturnian Houndhawks, 31st Century of Earth-691 @ Marvel Super-Heroes II#18
• Saturnians of the year 2075 @ Speed Carter#1
• Saturnine, Guardian of the Road of Lost Souls @ Ghost Rider II#76
• Saturnyne, Omniversal Majestrix @ Marvel Super-Heroes#380 (UK)
• any other characters with similar names

Doctor Saturn's gang

Including Tyson and at least four others, they rode on horseback and wore protective goggles over their eyes when they used the "Black Sunset" device to commit their crimes.

--Ringo Kid Western#8/2

"Black Sunset"

A portable light projector created by Doctor Saturn, it could deliver a brilliant flash of light which would cause the pupils of people's eyes to contract and temporarily blind them.

  The Ringo Kid was able to counteract the blinding effect by taking an Indian potion that kept his pupils dilated.

--Ringo Kid Western#8/2

Doctor Saturn's lab

Located inside the abandoned Vista Conquistador castle near the town of Powderhorn, it was Doctor Saturn's workshop and housed technology that was decades ahead of its time.

--Ringo Kid Western#8/2

images:
Ringo Kid Western#8/2, p5, pan5 (main image)