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CHERUB

Real Name: Dr. Franz Neumensch

Identity/Class: Normal human (Austrian citizen - see comments) (World War II era)

Occupation: Retired researcher, criminal;
   formerly professor

Group Membership: None;
   formerly academia at the University of Wien (Vienna), Austria

Affiliations: Rudy (last name unrevealed)

Enemies: Miss America (Madeline Joyce), police, his wealthy victims

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Unrevealed city in USA;
   formerly Vienna, Austria

First Appearance: Miss America Magazine I#5/11 (February, 1945)

Powers/Abilities: Dr. Franz Neumensch was a well-educated bilingual scientific researcher and educator in anatomy and physiology. He was an expert chemist in the aging process in humans, but was obsessed in the pursuit of research beyond retirement, undertaking serious crime to maintain funding, while also seeking to regain and sustain his own youthful vigor. He kept a well-stocked private laboratory.

Height: 5'9" (by approximation)
Weight: 155 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Brown (transformed) / bald & white (aged)

History:

(Miss America Magazine I#5/11 (fb) - BTS) - Dr. Franz Neumensch was a professor at the University of Wien (Vienna), Austria, teaching anatomy and physiology. He retired and traveled to the USA to continue personal research on human rejuvenation. After years of research, he developed a quickly concocted serum that restored youth and vigor for a few hours. He used this serum on himself to create a dual identity to distract police; as the youthful Cherub, he committed murderous robberies to cover research expenses. He was aided by his simple thuggish chauffeur Rudy. However, he also liked to conduct his private lab research in his youthful form.

(Miss America Magazine I#5/11) - The Cherub robbed a banker in his home, following the pattern of murdering the victim and then leaving his own portrait before phoning the police and attempting to flee. However, the police arrived quickly, followed by Miss America, but the Cherub had reverted to the aged Dr. Neumensch. He gave a false alibi and left with his chauffeur. The Cherub later called the police, claiming he had also killed Neumensch (to stop any connection being drawn). Suspicious, Miss America chanced across Rudy and followed him to the Cherub's old house and hidden lab, where she confronted the scientist, but she was instead captured and tied up. The Cherub whipped up a modified serum that would quickly age Miss America 80 years, but she broke free and used Rudy as a shield when the Cherub shot at her. Enraged, the Cherub threw flammable chemicals at Miss America and she flew out through the skylight, barely escaping the exploding lab that destroyed the serum and apparently killed the Cherub.

 

Comments: Created by Bill Finger, Sid Greene, Ken Bald & Dan Barry.

    Neumensch had left Austria years before it was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. He spoke fluent English and there is no hint of any Nazi connection.

    "Neu Mensch" translates roughly to "new human". 

    This profile was completed 11/01/2020, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 20th anniversary 's celebratory event.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Cherub has no known connections to:


images: (without ads)
Miss America Magazine I#5/11, p13, pan4 (main image)
   p5, pan2 (headshot)


Appearances:
Miss America Magazine I#5/11 (February, 1945) - Bill Finger (writer), Sid Greene (pencils), Ken Bald & Dan Barry (inks), Bessie H. Little (editor)


First posted: 09/01/2021
Last updated: 11/01/2020

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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