Publisher DC Comics Creator Gardner Fox | Notable aliases The King Fictional universe DC Universe | |
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Created by Gardner Fox (writer)
William Smith (artist) Team affiliations Office of Strategic Services Abilities Master of disguise
Master illusionist
Skilled hand to hand combatant
Occasional use of guns First appearance Flash Comics #3 (March 1940) Affiliation Office of Strategic Services Similar Samson, Firefly, Grim Reaper, The Face, Breeze Barton | ||
King Standish is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe. King Standish first appeared in Flash Comics (vol. 1) #3 (March 1940), and was created by Gardner Fox and William Smith.
Contents
Fictional character biography
King Standish was a young, rich master of disguise who vowed to stop crime. He was considered a criminal by both the police and the underworld, when in fact he was truly a crime-fighter. Over time his reputation improved, but not fully. King Standish always remained in disguise, allowing no one to know what he looked like, including his friends. His actual face and name are never revealed throughout his appearances. He wore a tuxedo with an opera cape, a top hat and a domino mask, whenever making an appearance not in disguise.
His most frequent adversary was the Witch, who rivaled him in his ability to disguise himself. Although being on opposite sides of the law, they both developed strong feelings towards each other, despite the fact they never saw the actual face of one another. King attempted many times to bring her over to the side of the law and be a crime fighter, but failed.
During World War II, he was contacted by Control and became a member of the Office of Strategic Services. King Standish remained a member of the OSS until the war was over. Later, he helped the Justice Society of America when Jacob Tolzmann became a supernatural threat. With Sandman and the Star Spangled Kid knocked out, King teamed up with their sidekicks, Sandy and Stripesy. The King disguised himself as Tolzmann's father to distract him, allowing the sidekicks to defeat him.
In Justice Society of America #29 (vol. 3), a new recruit to the team, King Chimera, reveals a little bit about himself, saying his father was "King" Standish and that he met with a member of a secret order on a distant island to perfect the art of illusion, training himself to be a master illusionist. King Chimera mentioned his mother had a thing for older men, hinting The King and King Chimera's mother had an age difference, with The King being much older.
King Standish's current activities and whereabouts have not been recorded, last appearing in Starman #66 (June 2000).
Powers and abilities
King Standish was a master of disguise, so good he could even fool his friends. He used hand-to-hand combat and occasionally guns. His son, King Chimera, revealed he perfected the art of illusion, training himself to be a master illusionist.