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JIMMY ROGERS

Real Name: Jimmy Rogers

Identity/Class: Human (1950s era), probable mutant (see comments)

Occupation: Cartoon editor

Group Membership: Beauty Magazine staff

Affiliations: Whitney Hammond, Hero, Venus

Enemies: "Weirdies"

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, USA

First Appearance: Venus I#17/2 (December, 1951)

Powers/Abilities: Jimmy Rogers is an accomplished cartoon artist. He developed the ability to bring his cartoon images, drawn from his imagination, to three-dimensional life and near-human size using ink, but his focus on horror creatures meant they stayed with him in the confines of his home.

Height: 5'9" (by approximation)
Weight: 160 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

History:

(Venus I#17/2 (fb) - BTS) - Jimmy Rogers was a skilled cartoon illustrator who drew a horror comic strip while keeping a job as cartoon editor at Beauty Magazine. However, he developed the power when using ink to bring his monstrous creatures to three-dimensional life. Staying in his house, these would torment him and prevent him from sleeping.

(Venus I#17/2) - Rogers continued in his role as cartoon editor, but in his agitated state from loss of sleep, he became unreasonable and abusive to staff. Boss Whitney Hammond and editor Venus were concerned, so Venus went to Rogers' home when he didn't show for work one morning. She was shocked to find the gruesome "Weirdies" harrowing Rogers, even as he tried to overdose on sleeping pills. Rogers explained what had happened and Venus suggested the solution to draw a hero to fight the frightful foes. While Rogers changed from pajamas, Venus sketched a hero to no avail. The "Weirdies" mocked her until Rogers started to ink the image of the Hero, who leapt from the page and ripped apart the "Weirdies." Shocked that Hero would stay real, Rogers followed Venus' advice to draw the happy Hero diving into the inkwell and Hero vanished. Relieved, Rogers swore to never draw another horror comic strip again.

Comments: Created by Bill Everett.

It's not revealed how Rogers gained his ability. Given he'd been drawing the comic for years but the "Weirdies" were a recent phenomenon, it could be special ink, but the "Weirdies" insisted that it had to be Rogers to give them form. It might have been a curse placed on him linked with that inkpot's ink, but no mention of something like this was made, so some form of mutancy seems to be the answer.

Hm. So Rogers swore to never draw another horror comic strip again? How about new clothes, money, a new car instead?

This story was later reprinted in Weird Wonder Tales#18/2 (October, 1976), where Hero was given clothes beyond just simple briefs.

Profile by Grendel Prime.

CLARIFICATIONS :
Jimmy Rogers has no known connections to:

images: (without ads)
Venus I#17/2, p5, pan6 (main image)
   p2, pan5 (headshot)
   p5, pan1 (with "Hero")

Appearances:
Venus I#17/2 (December, 1951) - Bill Everett (writer, pencils, inks), Stan Lee (editor)

First posted: 08/29/2021
Last updated: 08/29/2021

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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