Black Cat (Harvey Comics) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black Cat
Black Cat Comics #1 (1946)
Publication information
Publisher	Harvey Comics (1941–1951)
First appearance	Pocket Comics #1 (August 1941)
Created by	Al Gabriele
In-story information
Alter ego	Linda Turner
Partnerships	Black Kitten (Kit Weston)
Abilities	Adept horse/motorcycle rider Skilled martial artist Great leaping Use of lasso and rope
Black Cat Comics
Series publication information
Publisher	Harvey Comics
Schedule	Bi-monthly
Format	Ongoing series
Genre	Superhero, Horror
Publication date	June/July 1946 – April 1963
Number of issues	65
Main character(s)	Black Cat
Creative team
Writer(s)	Bob Haney
Artist(s)	Al Gabriele, Pierce Rice, Arturo Caseneuve, Bob Powell, Jill Elgin, Barbara Fiske Calhoun Joe Kubert
Penciller(s)	Lee Elias
Inker(s)	John Belfi

The Black Cat is a cool superhero from old comic books! She was created by Harvey Comics and appeared in their comics from 1941 to 1951. Harvey Comics also printed her adventures again in the 1950s and 1960s. The Black Cat first showed up in Pocket Comics #1 in August 1941. Artist Al Gabriele drew her first stories.

Who is the Black Cat?

Linda Turner is the Black Cat's secret identity. She is the daughter of Tim Turner, a famous silent film actor. Linda herself used to be a stunt woman in Hollywood movies. Later, she became a lead actress.

Her First Adventure

While filming a movie, Linda suspected her director, Garboil, was working with enemy agents. To find out more, she put on a disguise. She wore a blue top, red shorts, blue gloves, red boots, and a blue mask. She called herself the Black Cat!

While following Garboil, Black Cat met Rick Horne. He was a reporter trying to find out about the same enemy group. At first, they didn't like each other. But they had to work together. They found out Garboil was hiding secret messages in his movies.

Black Cat used her knowledge of the film studio. She snuck into the editing room. She changed the movie so the secret messages became useless. When they were caught, Black Cat and Rick fought the bad guys. They turned them in to the police. Garboil got away, so Linda decided to stay the Black Cat. She wanted to keep an eye on him.

What She Fights

The Black Cat mostly fought regular criminals and enemy agents during World War II. But she also faced some unique villains. These included a female mad scientist, a group of criminal brothers, and even a vampire! After the war, she sometimes fought Russian agents.

Her Costume Changes

In 1944, the Black Cat's costume changed a little. It became a one-piece blue swimsuit. She kept her blue buccaneer boots, flared gloves, and opera mask. She also added a red belt. This look stayed with her for the rest of her comic book adventures.

Meet the Characters

Linda Turner

Linda Turner grew up around movies. Her dad, Tim Turner, was a silent film cowboy star. Her mom was a stunt woman. Linda started acting in small parts as a child. As a teenager, she became a professional stunt woman. She was very good at it!

Her natural beauty helped her get screen tests. Soon, she was starring in movies. She acted in many types of films, from dramas to action movies. Her stunt training helped her do many of her own stunts.

Linda's stunt skills and growing up on her dad's ranch made her very strong. She is great at riding horses and motorcycles. She can do stunts on vehicles too. She is skilled with a lasso and rope. Linda also has a black belt in judo. Her stunt training lets her make amazing leaps safely.

Rick Horne

Rick Horne is a reporter and Linda Turner's friend. He first worked for the Los Angeles Globe newspaper. Later, he wrote a column for a Hollywood newspaper. Near the end of the series, he even had his own radio show. He would share news and interview celebrities.

Rick is brave and often uses his fists to fight criminals. The Black Cat is a better fighter, but Rick often helps her. At first, Rick didn't trust Black Cat. But as they worked together, he was impressed by her skills. He started to see her as a hero.

Rick also became friends with Linda Turner. He didn't know she was the Black Cat! Their friendship grew, and they started dating. But Rick seemed more interested in the mysterious Black Cat than in glamorous Linda. Linda wanted him to commit to her, not just her superhero side.

Toby

Toby is Linda Turner's pet cat. Toby was usually a black Siamese cat. Most stories showed Toby as a male cat, but one story said Toby was female. Maybe Linda had two cats named Toby!

In his first appearances, Toby really disliked Garboil, Linda's director. In one story, Toby was drawn as a white Angora cat. Linda put a black cat-skin costume over Toby. Then, Toby helped Black Cat track down a villain!

Garboil

Garboil was the movie director Linda first worked with. He spoke with a German accent. Linda suspected him of being a spy, and she was right! He was cold and acted superior to others. He also disliked Linda's cat. Garboil was the only villain who appeared more than once in Black Cat's stories. He disappeared after a few appearances.

Tim Turner

Linda's father, Tim Turner, was introduced in 1946. He was a famous cowboy hero in silent movies. Tim retired after Linda's mother, a stunt woman, passed away. He lives on his ranch outside Los Angeles.

Tim and Linda have a loving relationship. He knows she is the Black Cat and sometimes gives her advice. Tim taught Linda how to ride and use a rope. These skills helped her with her stunt work. He worries about her safety but supports her work as the Black Cat. Tim also tried being a private detective after his film career. He taught Linda some of his detective skills.

Jonesie

Jonesie is Linda Turner's personal secretary. She is a slim blonde woman who wears large black glasses. Jonesie handles Linda's fan mail and schedule. She also helps Linda connect with the movie studio. Sometimes, she listens to Linda talk about her confusing relationship with Rick Horne.

Kit Weston (Black Kitten)

Kit Weston was a 13-year-old boy introduced in Black Cat #28. He was a circus aerialist, part of "The Flying Westons." During a show, a villain called The Fire Bug set the tent on fire. The Black Cat saved Kit when he was trapped. Sadly, Kit's parents died in the fire.

Linda Turner offered Kit a place to stay until his relatives could be found. To cheer him up, Linda appeared to him as Black Cat. She took him with her to track The Fire Bug. Black Cat and Kit caught the villain at a museum. The Fire Bug turned out to be Orson Arson, a former special effects expert.

Kit later stopped a burglar at the Turner home using his aerialist skills. Linda was impressed and told him her secret identity. Kit was given a blue bodysuit with red trunks and a blue cowl with cat ears. He helped Black Cat in her last two adventures as "Black Kitten."