Perhaps not peoples first idea of a superhero, but surely one of the most mind boggling?
No superpowers, just prodigeous good fortune, convenience, money and all pervading 'American Way'.
Clark 'Doc' Savage: heir to a vast fortune, industrial magnate, master of sixty forms of oriental combat, deductive abilities of Sherlock Holmes, muscular abilities of Tarzan, Craig Kennedy's scientific knowledge and Abraham Lincoln's Christliness, restless adventurer and all round good bloke. First saw light of day in Street and Smith's 'Ideal' comic in 1933 and maintained his own title right through to 1949, with some 181 issues, both as Doc Savage and Shadow.
These were accreditted to Kenneth Robeson. Actually, most of the novels were written by Lester Dent, with some being contributed by Norman Danberg, Alan Hathway, and William Bogart.
From there he has had short tenures with: Gold Key (1956), Marvel (72-77), DC (87-89), Millenium (91-92) and Dark Horse (95). Plus a radio series, and four eye poppingly bad films. Obviously indulging his batchelor wander-lust more than most of us!
One source actually goes as far as to suggest that he may have been a model for Superman. Though I say this is unlikely. Whereas Superman had a dark streak at the beggining, Doc didn't.
He was also minus the spandex suit, preferring a good safari jacket instead.
All of the stories were improbably daring, incredibly action packed. Yet our hero always knew exactly what to do. Whether it was rediscovering Doyles 'Lost World' or combating the dastardly Doctor Nikola, he always managed to face it with incredible aplomb. Whilst his five incredibly daring, loyal but dim, friends: Ham Brooks, Monk Mayfair, Renny Renwick, Johnny Littlejohn, and Long Tom Roberts, who went along to get into trouble and watch with awe.
Not content with borrowing the Lost World, he also managed to be a cousin of Tarzan (which perhaps explains why he is not very American like) and if not directly involved with King Kong, then the major funder of the ill fated expedition. (Perhaps they should have taken him. Then Kong would never have escaped with Fae?)
The stories have always been fun, even under the hood of Marvel and DC during their depressing years. All jolly good and inspirational stuff.
Resources:
http://www.pjfarmer.com/woldnewton/Savage.htm
http://eagles.usit.net/doc/inspire.html
http://members.aol.com/the86floor/comics/ This includes three full copies of Marvel's attempts at doing the Doc
To discus the 1975 film, try here
