12/28/2020 Update: Some of the facts on this blog post, through new research, have come to
light as incorrect. Lady Luck is ⓒ by the Eisner Estate. This blog post also does not reflect my
current writing abilities. For the sake of transparency, I will leave the rest of this blog post unedited.
Hello my Star Tugs, I hope you’re all doing well. (And if that reference confuses you,
don’t worry, I’ll explain it in a future blog). I apologize for the lack of blog posts, I’ve been
super busy as of late. And facing computer problems.
don’t worry, I’ll explain it in a future blog). I apologize for the lack of blog posts, I’ve been
super busy as of late. And facing computer problems.
Unfortunately my laptop battery is dying, so I might be using it even less in the future.
I’m not sure if I’m taking a risk using it now, it IS plugged in, but the battery refuses to charge.
It’s at 6% and keeps jumping up and down from 9%.
No matter, I’ll survive until I buy a new battery.
Well, with that out of the way, let’s get onto the history of Lady Luck, and why I’m writing about her.
Bare in mind this might be similar to a Mr. Rogues video, so Mr. Rogues, if you see this (hello!) and
sorry if I seem to be ripping you off, that’s not my intention. I’ll leave a link below if you want
to check out his channel here.
Origin
Origin
Lady Luck was created by Will Eisner with art done by Chuck Mazoujian, according to
FuryComics.com. She first appeared in 1940, according to Comic Vine, in The Spirit #1, published by
Quality Comics, a now defunct company. I’m currently reading The Spirit #1 on ComicBookPlus.com,
and if you’re curious I’ll link the story here.
FuryComics.com. She first appeared in 1940, according to Comic Vine, in The Spirit #1, published by
Quality Comics, a now defunct company. I’m currently reading The Spirit #1 on ComicBookPlus.com,
and if you’re curious I’ll link the story here.
Here’s Lady Luck’s personal run, which I’ll discuss in a moment.
Regarding her origin story, it’s bog standard for the era, except she’s a woman. Brenda Banks, aka
Lady Luck, is tired of being wooed by men after her money, so dresses up as a superhero to fight crime.
Lady Luck would be published in a newspaper strip until 1946, during which she went through several
different artists and writers. Dick French and Charles Mazoujian were early writers, and Nick Cardy and
Klaus Nordling would also later draw Lady Luck.
different artists and writers. Dick French and Charles Mazoujian were early writers, and Nick Cardy and
Klaus Nordling would also later draw Lady Luck.
Lady Luck was dropped from the newspapers in 1946, and Quality Comics published her stories in the
title Smash Comics, according to Comic Vine. Lady Luck would eventually have the book named after
her, until 1950 when the title was cancelled, having five issues named after her, from Lady Luck #86
to #90.
Nicholas Viscardi, as Nick Cardy was also known, added Peecolo, Lady Luck’s Italian Chauffeur and
sidekick. Peecolo was written with a clichė Italian accent, which can be seen in...well, any of the
comics he appears in.
I personally have only read the comics on FuryComics.com, Lady Luck #86 to #90. However, I
have done a little bit of research. Here’s some fun facts:
- Lady Luck was one of the earliest female superheroes, coming out in the same era as
Wonder Woman. - Lady Luck appeared in 125 issues.
- Lady Luck was voted #84 in the Comics Buyer's Guide Presents: 100 Sexiest Women in Comics
- Lady Luck’s gloves in some variants have 4-leaf clovers on them.
Also, Lady Luck’s creators impressively didn’t show off her body. I mean, given it was the 1940’s
this was pretty...
this was pretty...
Oh good lord.
I mean, admittedly, this didn’t, as far I can tell this didn’t happen a lot, but… ugh. This’ one thing
I hope doesn’t continue.
So since I haven’t read a lot of Lady Luck stories (I don’t even know what issue the panel above
comes from, which shows my ignorance) I might have to update this. I can say that I think there’s
few recurring characters, I know there’s her father Mr. Banks, Peecolo, Hardy Moore,
a Police Chief/love interest, though he didn’t appear in her last issues, and… The Count.
I hate The Count. He’s an annoying comedic relief character who also got a spinoff title in
Lady Luck’s later book. Why? I don’t know. I guess even in the 1940’s/50’s writers made
the mistake of taking a comedic character and trying to give them their own series. You can
see this in Lady Luck #86, which admittedly while it is kind of funny, I was more interested in
the action. So, after 1950, what happened to Lady Luck? You might ask. Well…
I hope doesn’t continue.
So since I haven’t read a lot of Lady Luck stories (I don’t even know what issue the panel above
comes from, which shows my ignorance) I might have to update this. I can say that I think there’s
few recurring characters, I know there’s her father Mr. Banks, Peecolo, Hardy Moore,
a Police Chief/love interest, though he didn’t appear in her last issues, and… The Count.
I hate The Count. He’s an annoying comedic relief character who also got a spinoff title in
Lady Luck’s later book. Why? I don’t know. I guess even in the 1940’s/50’s writers made
the mistake of taking a comedic character and trying to give them their own series. You can
see this in Lady Luck #86, which admittedly while it is kind of funny, I was more interested in
the action. So, after 1950, what happened to Lady Luck? You might ask. Well…
Free to Use by ANYONE
Because Quality Comics went under, the copyright on Lady Luck wasn’t renewed, so
Because Quality Comics went under, the copyright on Lady Luck wasn’t renewed, so
ANYONE can use her. That’s the really cool thing: unlike say Batman, Superman, or Captain America,
she’s not stuck with a status quo of a company, she can be changed in any way.
(Update: She might technically be owned by DC).
You could set her in the Modern Day, in the future with Star Wars-esque weapons, or stick to the
time and make a gritty, noir story.
she’s not stuck with a status quo of a company, she can be changed in any way.
(Update: She might technically be owned by DC).
You could set her in the Modern Day, in the future with Star Wars-esque weapons, or stick to the
time and make a gritty, noir story.
I discovered Lady Luck while scrolling through the Public Domain Superhero Wikipedia, and saw her
as a recommended subject. I added her to my 60+ page document of characters to use (including their
photo and a few notes) then moved on. But Lady Luck stuck with me. I’m not what exactly it was, but I
fell in love with the character (not in the romantic way, you sickos, I mean I think she’s cool, 😜), and
eventually found the comics.
Though the sad part is, because she’s Public Domain, Lady Luck and hundreds of other characters
have been forgotten. And I hope, by writing about her, to give her some well needed spotlight. I
encourage my fellow writers to consider looking at Lady Luck, as I did.
encourage my fellow writers to consider looking at Lady Luck, as I did.
When I learned that Red Cents, a yearly published book on my campus, was calling for submissions, I
submitted a short story I wrote of Lady Luck. I thought “This’ll be the first Lady Luck story published
in 60+ years,” and began to imagine using that for a chapbook introduction, well….
submitted a short story I wrote of Lady Luck. I thought “This’ll be the first Lady Luck story published
in 60+ years,” and began to imagine using that for a chapbook introduction, well….
DC Run
So it turns out in that DC, for their New 52 continuity, brought back the character, which legally they
can do since she’s Public Domain. I believe it was announced in 2012, and she first appeared in
The Phantom Stranger #6. (Update: As stated earlier, DC might technically own Lady Luck, her
ownership is unclear. 3/2/2020).
can do since she’s Public Domain. I believe it was announced in 2012, and she first appeared in
The Phantom Stranger #6. (Update: As stated earlier, DC might technically own Lady Luck, her
ownership is unclear. 3/2/2020).
When I found this out I was initially scared and feared it would be similar to my idea. However, they
seem to have pulled a bit from Fantomah, another early Golden Age superhero, by giving her the ability
to change her facial appearance…. and have a skull face (the skull face is from Fantomah btw).
seem to have pulled a bit from Fantomah, another early Golden Age superhero, by giving her the ability
to change her facial appearance…. and have a skull face (the skull face is from Fantomah btw).
Personally… this doesn’t sound like the Lady Luck I know and love. BUT, if it reminds more people
that Lady Luck exists, then I’m all for it. Also, can’t judge what you haven’t read, right? I would like to
read The Phantom Stranger #6, unfortunately I’m a poor college student and can’t afford it.
Maybe in the future.
that Lady Luck exists, then I’m all for it. Also, can’t judge what you haven’t read, right? I would like to
read The Phantom Stranger #6, unfortunately I’m a poor college student and can’t afford it.
Maybe in the future.
Conclusion
Well, that’s about it for Lady Luck, and my time on my laptop for now.
The battery’s dying and I think I better log off. Or I'll just ignore it because homework calls.
Thanks for reading, see you on the Tramway!
The battery’s dying and I think I better log off. Or I'll just ignore it because homework calls.
Thanks for reading, see you on the Tramway!
Sources:
"Lady Luck." Comic Vine. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/lady-luck/4005-35407/
"Lady Luck." Fury Comics. http://furycomics.com/viewer/4/Lady_Luck/
"Lady Luck." Comic Vine. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/lady-luck/4005-35407/
"Lady Luck." Fury Comics. http://furycomics.com/viewer/4/Lady_Luck/
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