A muderous, psychopathic hero before muderous, psychopathic heroes were cool

Pep Comics #1 (January, 1940) is probably best remembered for introducing the Shield, a flag-themed superhero who beat Captain America into print by more than a year, but comic book historians would probably direct your attention to the character who got third billing.

The Comet was one of the first characters created by the legendary Jack Cole. Two of Cole's recurring (though strangely contradictory) themes were disturbing violence and inspiring redemption. Even in an era when Batman was packing heat, the Comet's eagerness to vaporize evil-doers was a bit on the unusual side.