Amazing-Man The Golden Age Hero of Centaur Publications

Amazing-Man (John Aman) is a comic book superhero whose adventures were published by Centaur Publications during the 1930s to 1940s, marking a significant era in the Golden Age of Comic Books. Historians credit his creation to writer-artist Bill Everett, possibly in collaboration with Centaur art director Lloyd Jacquet.

Development and Origins

The character was created as a direct response to the rise of the National Periodical character Superman. According to a letter from Everett's wife, Grace, the creators sought to find an unusual character based on old folk tales and foreign stories to build a modern superhero story in competition with the syndicated Superman.

Fictional Character Biography

Centaur Comics Era

John Aman is an orphan from the West who was chosen for his "superb physical structure" to be raised by benevolent monks in Tibet. For 25 years, he was trained by The Council of Seven, a group of monks who pushed him to the physical and mental limits of superhuman ability. Through a chemical solution, he was granted the ability to disappear into a cloud of green mist, earning him the title The Green Mist.

His powers include super-strength, invulnerability, speed, healing, and telekinesis. After completing his final tests, Aman was sent into the world to do good, often facing his nemesis, the Great Question, a disgruntled member of the Council of Seven. He was often aided by his sidekick, Tommy the Amazing Kid, and investigator Zona Henderson.

Malibu Comics Era

In the 1990s, Malibu Comics utilized the Centaur properties, including Amazing-Man, as part of the roster for their superhero team, the Protectors. In this version, the character remained essentially identical to the original Golden Age version, aside from his costume.

Marvel Comics Integration

Amazing-Man was integrated into the Marvel Universe, where he was revealed to be the Prince of Orphans. He was sent by the Seven Heavenly Cities to assassinate Orson Randall, a previous Iron Fist. However, after discovering that the masters of the Seven Heavenly Cities had lied to him, he vowed to make them pay and eventually assisted the next Iron Fist in a revolution.

Aman later appeared in Secret Avengers, assisting against the Shadow Council and it was revealed he met Captain America during World War II. He later helped rescue efforts in Washington D.C. during the "Fear Itself" storyline and appeared as an antagonist in an alternate timeline in Matt Fraction's Defenders. Ultimately, the character met his end in Deadly Hands of K'un-Lun, where he was killed while defending the Seven Heavenly Cities from the forces of Lin Feng.