Inspector Kent of Scotland Yard
Adventure Comics
These best stories of the comic books are preceded by their issue number.
Introducing the Raven (1939). Writer: George Newman. Art: George Newman. (Title supplied by Grand Comics Database.) Inspector Kent of Scotland Yard is asked to serve as a spy, tracking down the master criminal the Raven, who has stolen valuable plans for a new plane. This seems to be the only story about Inspector Kent. Although he is a Scotland Yard inspector, who in real life mainly fight domestic crime, here he works as a counter-spy. The plans for the plane could uposet the balance of power in Europe, in time honored spy-tale fashion.
The Raven and his men are dressed in elaborate military uniforms. The Raven's is full of dangling chains and a cloak, and his face is masked by flyer's goggles. These uniforms are pretty good. They have a bit of a comic opera feel.
Like many early comic book detective heroes, Inspector Kent goes undercover here in a new role. As is typical of 1930's comics heroes, he adopts a new profession. Here Kent dresses as a sailor, in a turtleneck sweater, bell-bottom trousers, cap and blue pea coat. He looks terrific.
The bad guys here use television to communicate with each other. Such TV communication had been featured in Fritz Lang's film Metropolis (1926) and in the American sf serial Phantom Empire (1935). Such use of TV is fairly rare in early comic books.
The story has a vivid dockside setting. Golden Age comic book stories loved water settings.