Ah, the Golden Age of comics. The decade that brought us heroes like Black Canary, The Flash, Human Torch, and even Captain America. But while you may know all about those iconic superheroes, how much do you know about The Whizzer?

The original Whizzer, Robert Frank, made his debut in USA Comics #1 in 1941, published by Timely Comics (later Marvel Comics). Penciller Al Avison is credited with creating Whizzer alongside an unnamed writer. Over the years, many have speculated that Stan Lee was the writer, but those claims were never backed up. Throughout the first half of the 1940s, Timely published solo adventures of the Whizzer. Then, in 1946, the character joined the superhero team the All-Winners Squad in the final issues of All Winners Comics.

Robert L. Frank was born in St. Louis, Missouri. The origin of the Golden Age character begins with Frank on a trip to Africa with his father, Dr. Emil Frank. After being bitten by a cobra, Dr. Frank saves Frank through a transfusion of mongoose blood - which grants his son super-speed.

In addition to superhuman speed and reflexes, Frank was also trained in hand-to-hand combatant. Frank decided to use his abilities to fight crime and took up the name, the Whizzer. Eventually, Whizzer accepted an offer from Invaders member Bucky, to join the Liberty Legion. This superhero team was tasked with rescuing the other Invaders, who were brainwashed by Red Skull.

Later on, after both the Liberty Legion and Invaders were disbanded, Whizzer joined the newly formed All-Winners Squad. Afterward, Whizzer fell on hard times and struggled through alcoholism and depression. The character was also homeless in the Bowery section of Manhattan, for a period.

The Whizzer was briefly reintroduced in 1974 and 1976, before making his animated debut on both Spider-Man and Ultimate Spider-Man.