Forgotten Comics Character: Diamond Jack

I recently learned of a magic-ring wearing comic book character called "Diamond Jack," who debuted in comics the same year as another magic ring wearing superhero, the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. Both appeared in 1940. I've been reading comics for decades, so I was surprised to learn of "Diamond Jack" who had a limited run in comics. Today's blog focuses on Diamond Jack. 

(Image: Fawcett's Slam-Bang comics #1 cover from March 1940. Character was created by Gus Ricca)  

The Green Lantern first appeared in All-American Comics #16 in 1940. That character was created by writer Bill Finger (who worked on Batman, too) and artist Martin Nodell. Alan Scott was a magical hero whose powers came from a mystical green lantern and ring.

Diamond Jack is the heroic alias of Jack Lansing, a 1940s comic book character from Fawcett Comics who gained superpowers, such as super strength and the ability to create constructs, from a magical black diamond. He was created by Gus Ricca and first appeared in Slam-Bang Comics #1 in March 1940 and appeared in Slam-Bang Comics #1-7, and Wow Comics #1 before disappearing. 

 When DC Comics bought Fawcett Comics, they apparently acquired the rights to the character, so they created a database entry for him.  This is the entry:

History  Source: https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Jack_Lansing_(Earth-S)

Some time in or before 1940, "Diamond Jack" Lansing was given a magic gem, by an old magician, and thus became mentally and physically strong beyond mortal limits. With this gem in hand, Lansing could turn flying bullets into harmless bouquets of flowers, and guns into candy canes, and he could heal a bullet wound, instantly and completely. He could conjure a sword into existence by shouting "KZAT!" or produce a parachute by shouting "KZAR!" He could transform his own shape, or the shape of anything else.^[1] Lansing's Gem can transform one life form into another, for example a rampaging Vulture-man into a saguaro cactus. The gem can cast mirages, flash blinding light, or conjure a flaming sword out of mid-air.^[2]

Lansing seemingly had unlimited free time and amused himself by busting violent criminals, and he didn't mind killing some of them either. He once drowned several dozen formerly-human Vulture-men, along with their creator.^[2]

Origin and Powers Magical Diamond: Jack Lansing received the diamond from an old magician, which granted him superhuman strength and mental acuity.

Construct Creation: The diamond also allowed him to create objects and constructs from nothing, similar to DC Comics' Green Lantern, limited only by his imagination.

Other Abilities: He could also heal, fly, and possessed enhanced senses and invulnerability, though his powers were dependent on his concentration and force of will.

Early Abilities: In his initial adventures, Lansing could also cast spells by shouting magic words.

Fights and Villains - Diamond Jack faced a variety of foes, including ordinary criminals, witches, vampires, the ancient evil god Khor, and other magical entities.

Legacy -Diamond Jack was a significant early Fawcett Comics hero who predated the first appearance of Green Lantern.

FOR A MORE IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE CHARACTER, Check this blog: https://gone-and-forgotten.blogspot.com/2021/09/truly-gone-forgotten-diamond-jack.html