The Avenger: Difference between revisions

* Fergus "Mac" MacMurdie: Gifted pharmacist and chemist from Scotland whose wife and child were killed by a racketeer's bomb when he refused to bow to a protection racket.

* Algernon Heathcote "Smitty" Smith: A giant of a man at 6 feet 9 inches, he looks kind of stupid, but is actually an electronics genius. Smitty was convicted of a crime he did not commit, and in the first story has been reduced to working as a chauffeur for the one man who will believe him.

* Josh and Rosabel Newton: An African-American couple whose employers are killed by criminals, and join Justice, Inc. to avenge them. Despite having to often go undercover as menials, the Newtons are actually both Tuskegee Institute graduates (and Rosabel is an excellent shot.) Notably for the time period, their depiction is refreshingly non-stereotyped. Later in the series, they have children.

* Cole Wilson: A latecomer who (temporarily) cures Benson of his facial paralysis accidentally by exposing him to electrical shock (they were opponents at the time). Wilson is not very distinctive, being a handsome, light-hearted young man.

* [[Death in the Clouds]]: The murder of Benson's wife and daughter.

* [[Depending on the Writer]]: Paul Ernst wrote the Avenger as "a non-lethal crimefighter". Emile C. Tepperman wrote the character as "a violent slayer of criminals".

* [[Embarrassing Middle Name]]: Smitty doesn't like either his first or his middle name.

* [[Executive Meddling]]: The early stories feature the Avenger about 35-years-old, having a lengthy career as an adventurer. His hair was white and his facial muscles paralyzed. Later editorial decisions had Benson de-aged to be about 25-years-old, restored his black hair and cured his paralysis. The changes all taking place in "Murder on Wheels" (1940), the 13th story of the series.