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BLACK CLAW

Real Name: Fritz Sternberg

Identity/Class: Normal human (World War II era)

Occupation: Captain (German Navy (Kriegsmarine))

Group Membership: Kriegsmarine, Nazi Party

Affiliations: The crew of his ship

Enemies: Captain Terror (Dan Kane), U.S. Navy (Admiral Leeds, others), U.S. merchant ships

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Mobile in the Atlantic Ocean; also Germany

First Appearance: USA Comics#2/1 (November, 1941)

Powers/Abilities: Black Claw is a feared captain of the German Navy, ruthless in his determination to destroy enemy ships and has a clever strategic mind. His right hand has been replaced with a sharp hook, which he uses to rip at enemies in brawls. He is left-handed, and ably uses a handgun and rifle.

Height: 5'10" (by approximation)
Weight: 185 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Dark brown
Hair: Black

History:

(USA Comics#2/1 (fb) - BTS) - Kriegsmarine Captain Black Claw fought U.S. adventurer Captain Terror during the Spanish Civil War, each with enmity for the other. However, Captain Terror retired after the Spanish Civil War while Black Claw continued his career, captaining a stealthy raider targeting American merchant shipping.

(USA Comics#2/1) - Using a stolen map showing American shipping convoy and patrol routes, Black Claw's stealthy raider torpedoed American warships and merchant vessels. Playboy Dan Kane, secretly Captain Terror, donned his costume once more and used his private speed boat to find the Nazi raider. Overpowering sailors, Captain Terror signaled a nearby U.S. warship before fleeing. The sailors informed Black Claw, who shot one of the failures in anger. Captain Terror returned to the raider to help undermine the raider's battle with the U.S. destroyer and was caught in a duel with Black Claw. The raider received a decisive hit and Captain Terror escaped with Black Claw as prisoner, but Black Claw knocked him out and returned to shore. He devised a new plan to use magnetic mines from a fishing vessel to destroy American ships. Capturing Captain Terror, Black Claw gloated on his plan, showing off his first kill. Instead, Captain Terror broke free, battered Black Claw in a fierce brawl in front of sailors, then threw himself and the Black Claw overboard where Captain Terror drowned the Nazi. The ship was destroyed by Captain Terror's fuse-lit mines and the hero made it back to shore.

Comments: Created by uncredited writer & Mike Suchorsky (see comments).

Black Claw's ship is described as a battleship in one panel, but it's too small for that.

The Kriegsmarine was involved in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) immediately prior to World War II hostilities (1939-1945).

Art credit as per Grand Comics Database.

This profile was completed 09/09/2021, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary's celebratory event.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Black Claw has no known connections to:

images: (without ads)
USA Comics#2/1, p16, pan7 (main image)
   p12, pan2 (headshot)
   p9, pan4 (wrestling with hook at Captain Terror's neck)

Appearances:
USA Comics#2/1 (November, 1941) - uncredited writer, Mike Suchorsky (pencils & inks), Joe Simon (editor)

First posted: 09/09/2021
Last updated: 09/09/2021

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com.

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix!

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