ZAD COMPTONZAD COMPTON
Real Name: Zad Compton
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (race unrevealed, but had a colony on Pluto; see comments);
Active circa 1956, at least (presumably somewhat before and after that, but we don't know for sure)
Occupation: President of Pluto's Explorers Club
Group Membership: Pluto's Explorers Club;
possibly Earth's Explorers' Club
Affiliations: Unidentified president of Earth's Explorers' Club
Enemies: None identified
Known Relatives: None identified
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Unspecified location on Pluto;
active on Earth for an unspecified period of time
First Appearance: Strange Tales I#47/6 "The New Member" (June, 1956)
Powers/Abilities: Zad Compton had the appearance of a Caucasian ("white"/pink-skinned) human (see comments). He did not demonstrate any superhuman abilities.
Though experienced in travel throughout Earth's solar system, at least, he was somewhat naive to Earth's technology and customs.
Compton piloted a car/ship able to drive on Earth's surface, fly though Earth's atmosphere, and through the vacuum of space.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 6'2")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 210 lbs.)
Eyes: Unrevealed (possibly brown; possibly heterochromic; more likely just not shown clearly)
Hair: Blond
History:
(Strange Tales I#47 (fb) - BTS) - President of the planet Pluto's Explorers Club, Zad Compton sought to become a member of Earth's Explorers Club as well, hoping to experience Earth's locations and fauna.
(Strange Tales I#47 (fb) - BTS)
- Flying to Earth in his car, Compton traveled to the local Explorers'
Club and sought membership.
(Strange Tales I#47) - The president of the local Explorers' Club told Compton that they indeed welcomed new members, if he could meet their standards.
After the president detailed some
of his exploits, he asked Compton which he believed was the most
dangerous beast, lion or rhino. After Compton noted that he had never
hunted either creature, the president expressed that lacking such
adventure was most unusual for an explorer, but he nonetheless invited
Compton to accompany him to see the new Arctic film in a theater across
the street.
En route, Compton unwittingly crossed the street against a red light and was nearly hit by a car (having to be pulled back by a police officer), further causing the president to question him. Within the club theater, as the president explained how a sea plane delivered supplies, Compton panicked, not realizing it was just an image on the screen and exclaimed that it was going to strike them.
The president suggested they go outside and get some air, noting that perhaps Compton was just nervous, although he considered that he would never do as a member of the Explorers' Club, as he was "as nervous as a schoolgirl!" When Compton offered to take the president home in his car, the president accepted, although he secretly considered Compton's car to be "crazy," figuring the time would give him a chance to gently turn down Compton's membership request.
As Compton noted that he realized the president
must be disappointed with him as he had explored in the manner of the
club's members, the president became uncomfortable with Compton's speed
and asked if he had to go so quickly. Noting that the speed was quite
necessary to continue, Compton explained that the lion hunt and arctic
expedition were unfortunately denied him. When the president asked what
made him think he could qualify, Compton explained that he had done
quite a bit of exploring although -- as he suddenly flew the car into
space -- they did not have lions of ice fields up there. Showing the
president his own card as president of Pluto's Explorers Club, he noted
that the different experiences on Earth were why he was interested in
becoming a member of Earth's Explorers' Club.
Comments: Created by Vic Carrabotta (artist, at least).
There are numerous stories of
numerous alien races on the various planets in Earth's solar system;
most of these are believed to have colonized those worlds, although
there are apparently a few such natives races, such as the Uranians.
It's also possible that he was from a human colony on Pluto...either
from the future or part of some untold story.
There is nothing to hint that this is not his true form, however, it is also not confirmed.
After being discovered in
1930, Pluto was declared to be the ninth planet in Earth's solar
system. However, by the 1990s, its status was questioned, and on August
24, 2006, Pluto was demoted from planet to dwarf planet. You can
Google the reasons if you like. Obviously at the time of this story, it
was considered a full planet.
Profile by Snood.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Zad Compton should be distinguished from:
 |
Zad Compton used this craft to fly from Pluto to Earth and presumably
to explore space. It looked something life a futuristic version of a
1950s car, with the fins, etc., although it apparently only had had
three wheels, one in the front and two in the back. Its interior seemed car-like, with a steering wheel and a simple gauge, presumably a speedometer. It had a windshield, but no roof (although perhaps it was a convertable), although a normal human could breathe, not freeze, and not be harmed by the vacuum of space...nor even drift out of the vehicle, as they weren't wearing any kind of seat belt. It could drive on Earth's surface, fly though Earth's atmosphere, and fly through the vacuum of space. --Strange Tales I#47/6 "The New Member" Note: See also the image in the main profile. |  |
Zad Compton was the president of the Explorers Club Planet Pluto, and, as such, was entitled to all the inherent rights, privileges, and responsibilities. No other members were shown or mentioned, but they presumably explored space via ships/cars similar to Compton's --Strange Tales I#47/6 "The New Member" |  |
Strange Tales I#47/6, pg. 1, panel 1 (upper body: ribs-up);
pg. 2, panel 4 (face, profile);
pg. 3, panel 1 (car, rear view);
panel 3 (face, shows eyes better);
panel 5 (car, lateral oblique, driving);
panel 6 (car, opposite lateral oblique, flying);
panel 7 (Pluto Explorers Club president's card)
Appearances:
Strange Tales I#47/6 "The New Member" (June, 1956) - Vic Carrabotta (artist, at least)
First posted: 11/16/2020
Last updated: 11/28/2020
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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