Four 1950s Comic Book Characters Due for a Comeback

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Via WikiMedia Commons

The 1950s were an interesting time for comic book fans. While the comics that emerged from this decade were a direct reflection of the times, many of the unique characters would be interesting to explore today. Here are some of our favorites.

The Phantom Stranger

While this character is not as well known as others like Superman or Batman, the Phantom Stranger is quite interesting. He first appeared in 1952, and while his character actually does still appear in comic pages today, we think his mysterious and supernatural origins would be great to dive deeper into in 2022.

Adam Strange

Adam Strange perfectly captures the 1950s fascination with space exploration. As the Space Race was in full swing, readers followed the adventures of Adam complete with his jet pack and futuristic suit. With all the new Star Trek series streaming and Sci-Fi movies coming out, we think it’s time audiences explore space with Adam Strange again. Sadly, HBO/Max scrapped plans for “Strange Adventures,” a series partially featuring Adam Strange.

The Rawhide Kid

Johnny Bart, AKA the Rawhide Kid, was the most popular character to come out of the Western genre that became popular in the 1950s. This heroic gunslinger captured readers’ minds throughout the ’50s and beyond. Westerns have not been as popular in recent years, but it’s been long enough that it’s time for a comeback.

SGT. Rock

SGT. Rock was an iconic 1950s comic book character. Unlike Superman or Captain America, he was less of a character focused on extraordinary powers and more on real-life heroics and conflict. A World War II veteran, Sgt. Rock became the most popular character in war comics. While it’s not as timely as it was in the 1950s, this character could certainly entertain audiences today.


These 1950s comic book characters were certainly iconic at the time. Some have lived on in the pages of modern comics even though they may not be as big as superman or the avengers. Each of these characters, however, has been very influential in the comic world. For more nostalgia like this, be sure to follow The Greatest Generation on Facebook and Twitter.

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