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Fox Feature Syndicate's Samson Series 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.

Published Mon, 04 Sep 2023 18:47:10 -0500

by Mark Seifert

Last updated Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:07:55 -0500

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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 debuted 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 are copies of five of the six-issue Samson series up for auction in the 2022 May 29-30 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122222 at Heritage Auctions.

Samson #1 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1940) — #1 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1940)

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 are copies of five of the six-issue Samson series up for auction in the 2022 May 29-30 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122222 at Heritage Auctions.