Solomon Grundy is among the scariest Golden Age villains ever. He's at once gruesome, grim, and ludicrous, but somehow compelling. The pale-skinned super-villain has been played in a number of ways by writers, a malicious crime lord as well as a brutish Hulk wannabe. His name is derived from a 19th century nursery rhyme:
Solomon Grundy -
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Sick on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
That was the end of Solomon Grundy!
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Sick on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
That was the end of Solomon Grundy!
I was able to read this origin story in the pages of Wanted The World's Most Dangerous Villains, a short-run reprint title from the early 70's/ Underneath a handsome Nick Cardy cover we have the story from the pages of All-American Comics #61.
Grundy goes on to become a villain who can stand up the collected heroes of the Justice Society of America in the pages of All-Star Comics.
I first encountered the shambling brute in Justice League of America where he was a key part of a wacky two-part story which showcased both the JLA and the JSA as they tried to return an alien boy and his dog to their homes without causing galactic destruction. It's an offbeat but compelling little story by Mike Friedrich and Dick Dillin with Joe Giella.
Grundy made quite the impression, and it was far far from his end. You can't keep a good villain buried.
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