Who was the first flying superhero in comic books? Superman made his debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938. Unfortunately, Superman did not actually fly in his first comic book appearances. From 1938 until about 1943, Superman could only leap buildings in a single bound. So, who was really the first flying superhero in comic books?
Technically, the first flying superhero in comic books was Namor, the Sub-Mariner. It is not a personal opinion or a feeling; it is a matter of fact. Namor had the power of flight and invulnerability in his first comic book appearance.
It would take Superman another five or six years before he would develop the power of sustainable flight in the comic books. Most comic book experts and historians can’t even agree on which comic book is where Superman first started flying. In fact, Superman began flying in the classic Fleischer cartoons long before he did in the comic books.
Let’s analyze the timeline of canonical appearances to determine who was the first flying superhero in comic books.
Namor, The First Flying Superhero?
Namor made his first appearance in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 in April 1939. The comic was going to be a giveaway in film theaters of the era, but the plan fell through. The comic was repackaged as Marvel Comics #1 in October 1939 through publisher Timely Comics. Timely was the precursor name for Marvel Comics.
Namor had the powers of super strength, invulnerability, and flight since his first appearance until today. Superman’s power of sustained flight would not happen for years after Action Comics #1. In fact, a second superhero with the power of sustainable flight would appear before Superman could fly.
Namor: Last King of Atlantis is a 264-page paperback. It is written by fan-favorite Jason Aaron. It collects all eight issues of the 2024 series. Buy it now on Amazon for $27.25.
Captain Marvel (Shazam!)
Shazam! was known as Captain Marvel from 1940 until 1972. Captain Marvel made his debut in Whiz Comics #2 in 1940. Captain Marvel is technically also one of the first flying superhero characters in comics, probably the second one after Namor. In Whiz Comics #5 In 1940, Captain Marvel would start using the power of sustainable flight.
Since he was part of the Marvel Family back then, even Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel were flying long before Superman. As we follow the historical evidence on the trail of the first flying superhero in comic books, we must now turn to cartoons.
The Fleischer Superman Cartoons
Brothers Max and Dave Fleischer launched Fleischer Studios in 1941. The Brothers would produce the first Superman cartoons. In fact, Superman began flying in the 1941 cartoon “The Mad Scientist.” Animating Superman flying instead of leaping tall heights was more economically feasible.
So, when did Superman start flying in the comic books? It might have begun in 1941, perhaps.
Superman #10, Action Comics #65, and Superman #30
Even if you want to believe Superman was the first flying superhero, no one can agree on which comic it started in. It certainly did not start in Action Comics #1. In Superman #10 from 1941, artist Leo Nowack drew Superman as though he were flying. However, some experts believe it was a brilliant aesthetic choice by Nowack, not an editorial directive.
Even if it was an editorial directive, Superman would not be seen aesthetically flying again until Action Comics #65 in 1943. Continuous flight would not become a permanent superpower for Superman until Superman #30 in June 1944.
This comic also features the first appearance of interdimensional imp Mr. Mxyztplk. The cover of this comic shows Superman clearly flying in the clouds above Metropolis.
So, this means that Superman cannot be the first flying Superhero. Superman #30 saw publication almost six years after Action Comics #1 in 1938.
Still, there is a publication that may have shown Superman with the power of flight in 1939.
New Triumph Magazine #772
New Triumph Magazine #772 was a U.K. magazine that published the first appearances of Superman in the U.K. The cover of the magazine shows Superman flying in space. The cover date is August 5, 1939. However, this is a non-canonical artistic choice. Superman does not fly in the story; the character flying on the cover is a pure aesthetic choice with no connection to the story.
Also, Namor would appear in the April 1939 promo giveaway Motion Pictures Funnies Weekly #1 five months earlier.
Namor, The First Flying Superhero
Superman analogue characters like Sentry, Omni-Man, Hyperion, Apollo, The Plutonian, Homelander, and many more, are always called out as being ripoffs of Superman. However, is it fair to say that all of these characters, even Superman, get their inspiration from Namor?
This is not to take away from the popularity or historical importance of Superman. Superman is and always has been more popular and better known than Namor. Still, the evidence is clear – Namor was the first flying superhero, not Superman.
Superman is the first superhero in the medium of comic books. However, Namor deserves recognition for being the first superhero to fly.
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