Most of the characters that appeared in comics from the United Features publisher were “funny paper” characters they owned the rights to. However, they did get in on the superhero bandwagon during the late 1930s and early 1940s with at least two costumed hero strips that appeared only in their comics.

One of these characters was introduced in Sparkler Comics # 1 (July 1940). He was classical violinist Omar Kavak who, on finding that he sometimes built up a charge while using his bow, experimented to see just how far he might be able to push this phenomenon.

In the end, Omar invented a pair of odd-looking gloves that let him supercharge himself with static electricity.

Devising a costume and the secret identity of “The Spark Man,” he then went out to fight crime.

After a little over a year as The Spark Man, America entered World War II and Omar took a tack that some of the superheroes of the day did: he left his costume behind and joined the army to fight as a common, if not ordinary solider. He was still called The Spark Man, but he generally stopped using his powers, although they kept showing him in costume on the cover.

The series continued on with him as a solider, and then back in costume after the war. He appeared in 57 issues of Sparkler Comics (through July 1946) and in one issue if his own title in 1945.

In this issue: Captain Omar “Spark Man” Kavak and Sergeant T-Bone are under sealed orders to make a mysterious call on a Mr. Mona who owns a curio shop in a Moroccan city (pp. 7-16).

“The Spark Man” (Sparkler Comics 23, July 1943, p. 8)
by Fred Methot and Reg Greenwood (1899-1943)
13 x 20 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

“The Spark Man” (Sparkler Comics 23, July 1943, p. 12)
by Fred Methot and Reg Greenwood (1899-1943)
13 x 20 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

“The Spark Man” (Sparkler Comics 23, July 1943, p. 13)
by Fred Methot and Reg Greenwood (1899-1943)
13 x 20 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

“The Spark Man” (Sparkler Comics 23, July 1943, p. 15)
by Fred Methot and Reg Greenwood (1899-1943)
13 x 20 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection

“The Spark Man” (Sparkler Comics 23, July 1943, p. 16)
by Fred Methot and Reg Greenwood (1899-1943)
13 x 20 in., ink on paper
Coppola Collection