Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: fox features syndicate, golden age, Samson
Fox Feature Syndicate's Samson in His Series Debut, Up for Auction
Fox Feature's Samson was a superhero based on the biblical figure of the same name, and like his namesake, his hair was the key to his power.
Article Summary
- Fox Feature Syndicate's Samson, based on the biblical figure, debuted in Fantastic Comics and later got his own series.
- Samson's super-strength and invulnerability are derived from his hair, echoing the biblical narrative.
- Samson faced dictators and super-scientists, and had an orphan sidekick named David, in his adventures.
- The Samson series is highly regarded and collectible, with Samson #5 being particularly sought after.
Samson, based on the biblical figure of the same name, was a super-strong and durable superhero who first appeared in Fox Feature's iconic Fantastic Comics title. He later got his own series which ran for six issues. Said to be a direct descendant of the biblical figure in his origin in the debut issue of his own series, Samson inherited great strength and invulnerability from the biblical figure, but like his namesake, his hair was key to his power. If his hair was cut, his strength would diminish dramatically. However, his hair always grew back quickly. An early rival of sorts to Superman, possibly created by Will Eisner with artist Alex Blum, there's a Samson #1 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1940) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white to white pages copy up for auction at the 2025 December 11 Golden Age Comics Century Showcase Auction IV #40315.

Samson was one of Fox Feature's most popular heroes during this period, and appeared in the entire Fantastic Comics #1-23 series, Samson #1-6 and Big 3 #1-6. Like many superheroes of this era, the character faced a variety of fictional dictators bent on world domination, and the super-scientists they often employed. Also in keeping with the custom of the times, Samson eventually gained an orphan sidekick named David, who had no superpowers. As was customary for Fox characters who were spun out into their own titles, Samson received the origin story described above in the debut issue of his own series. In this case, it appears that the story was created for a proposed newspaper strip.
One of the most important of the Fox heroes, the Samson series is highly regarded by Fox collectors. Like most of Fox Feature's output of this period, none of the series is particularly easy to get, and Samson #5 is particularly sought after. A historically important part of the Golden Age, there's a Samson #1 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1940) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white to white pages copy up for auction at the 2025 December 11 Golden Age Comics Century Showcase Auction IV #40315.















