Black Owl

The identity originated in Prize Publications' anthology Prize Comics: the character debuted as 'K the Unknown' and was renamed the Black Owl in Prize Comics #2 (April 1940). The first man to assume the mantle in the stories was Doug Danville, a wealthy playboy who became a costumed crimefighter out of boredom. During World War II narrative developments, Doug Danville joined the army and passed the Black Owl costume and identity to Walt Walters (the handover is recorded in Prize Comics issues; the mantle transfer is noted in Prize Comics #34, September 1943). Walt Walters later operated as the Black Owl, became the father of the costumed duo Yank & Doodle, and was wounded by a bullet in 1947 (issue references indicate his sidelining by a gunshot by Prize Comics #64, June 1947).

Early depiction of the Black Owl (Doug Danville) shows him in a tuxedo with an owl mask; he soon adopted a conventional superhero costume described as blue and red. No avian morphology or supernatural aspects are described—he is a masked, costumed human vigilante. Later portrayals of the identity under Walt Walters continue the masked-costume convention without supernatural alteration.

Sources describe both Black Owls as capable, resourceful hand-to-hand fighters but attribute no superhuman powers. The character confronts ordinary criminals, Axis agents, and a rogues' gallery that includes the Whistler, Madame Mystery, the Reaper, Chief Skullface, the Laughing Head, and the Terrible Midge. The Black Owl also appears in crossover team-ups with other pulp heroes (for example, teaming with the Green Lama and Yank & Doodle against threats such as Frankenstein's monster).