From the Database: The Astounding Doc Stalwart #1

The Astounding Doc Stalwart Issue 1 (January, 1937)
Introducing: Doc Stalwart!

Summary: Doc Stalwart appears just in time to foil a bank robbery of the First National Bank's gold reserves. Reporter Jessica Darrin arrives to interview him, but he leaves quickly because “crime never rests, so neither can I.” She remarks how "dreamy" he is, but is interrupted by Professor Finro, who asks if she wants to interview him about his new ‘laser cannon’. She declines, following Doc. Finro also follows Doc to his next encounter, where he is stopping a train robbery. Finro attacks suddenly with his ‘laser cannon’, but is defeated by Doc after a short battle where Doc lifts a train car overhead, creating an iconic image of Doc. The story ends with Jessica going out to dinner with Doc (“well, maybe even heroes can take a night off once in a while!”) while Finro sits in prison, plotting revenge.

First Appearances: Doc Stalwart, Jessica Darin, Professor Finro

Historical Notes: The backup stories included an Action Kinkaid short ("Action Kinkaid against the Azteks") and a futuristic short ("Life on Mars – the Aliens Attack!"). The response to the Doc Stalwart feature was overwhelming, prompting the publisher to shift largely to superhero stories hereafter. While Professor Finro would be the recurring villain of this original series, he is largely ignored from the Silver Age onward. He has appeared a handful of times, but is never presented as the arch-enemy of Doc Stalwart as he is during the Golden Age.