Speed Saunders

2025-08-27T07:01:57Z

2601:249:9302:44FA:2CF1:230E:6960:E93B: /* Further reading */ Removed dead links.

{{Infobox comics character 
|image= Speed_Saunders_DC_Comics.jpg
|caption= Speed Saunders, ''[[Hawkman]]'' (vol. 4) #1. Artwork by [[Rags Morales]].
|character_name= Speed Saunders
|full_name=Cyril "Speed" Saunders
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|debut= ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #1 (March 1937)
|creators=[[E.C. Stoner]]
|alliances=[[All-Star Squadron]]
|aliases=
|powers= Good detective skills, good brawler
}}
'''Cyril "Speed" Saunders''' is a [[DC Comics]] character, first appearing in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' as the first featured character in the anthology series around the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]] created by [[E.C. Stoner]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=355}}</ref> He is depicted as an adventurer and detective during the 1930s and 1940s. He would then later be revived in a supporting character role as the retconned grandfather of the current [[Hawkgirl (Kendra Saunders)|Kendra Saunders]], and first cousin to the original Hawkgirl, [[Shiera Sanders Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |title=Speed Saunders, Ace Investigator |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/speedsau.htm |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |accessdate=23 April 2020}}</ref>

==Publication history==
Speed Saunders is the first featured character in the longest running series [[anthology]] [[American comic book]] series of [[DC Comics]] named ''[[Detective Comics]]'' in the first issue of the series starting in March 1937. He was regularly featured in the anthology series for about 50 issues.<ref name="Syfy">{{cite web |last1=Funk |first1=Matthew |title=Before Batman: looking back at Detective Comics #1 80 years later |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/detective-comics-issue-1-retrospective |website=SYFY WIRE |accessdate=25 April 2019 |language=en |date=2 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="Tech times">{{cite web |last1=McCool |first1=Ben |title=Exploring The Forgotten Back-Up Stories In Batman, Superman And Spider-Man's First Appearances |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/77838/20150819/exploring-the-forgotten-back-up-stories-in-batman-superman-and-spider-mans-first-appearances.htm |website=Tech Times |accessdate=25 April 2019 |language=en |date=19 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="Times">{{cite web |last1=January 16 |first1=Chad A. Burdette on |last2=PM |first2=Chad A. Burdette on |title=Detective Comics – A Countdown to #1000 : The Golden Age |url=https://blog.timesunion.com/comicbooks/detective-comics-a-countdown-to-1000-the-golden-age/14807/ |website=Times Union |accessdate=25 April 2019 |date=16 January 2019}}</ref> In 1999 [[James Robinson (comics)|James Robinson]] and [[David S. Goyer]] used the character in ''JSA Secret Files'' #1.

==Fictional character biography==
Cyril started as a G-Man, working in the FBI's River Patrol Division.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #1</ref> In addition to being a G-Man, he also seemed to be both an adventurer and detective depending on the needs of the story. He investigated murder cases, and also once fought with a mad scientist who'd transplanted a human brain into an ape.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nevins |first1=Jess |title=Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes |date=2013 |publisher=High Rock Press |isbn=978-1-61318-023-5 |page=232}}</ref>

Eventually, it was revealed that he was a private investigator and later a member of the [[Office of Strategic Services|OSS]]. During that time he meets [[Sandman (Wesley Dodds)|Wesley Dodds]] and the two become lifelong friends (''JSA Secret Files'' #1 1999).

In 1938 Saunders became involved in the [[Office of Strategic Services]] (OSS), participating in counterespionage operations throughout [[World War II]](''JSA Secret Files'' #1 1999).

In the modern era, Cyril finds his orphaned granddaughter, Kendra Saunders; he takes her in and begins training her in hand-to-hand combat and other skills. He knows that she has a great destiny as the next [[Hawkgirl]].

Cyril joined his friend Wesley Dodds on a trip to [[China]], [[Tibet]], and the [[Himalayas]]. It is on Mt. Kailash that the two meet with the Gray Man. The two men receive the location of three babies, one of which is to receive the essence of [[Doctor Fate|Dr. Fate]] and so become the newest incarnation of that hero. Saunders leaves Wesley on that Mount to take the information to [[Alan Scott]] and the [[Justice Society of America|JSA]], as well as to [[Sanderson Hawkins]] (''JSA Secret Files'' #1 1999).

Once in China proper, Cyril also contacts his granddaughter Kendra and gives her information on one of the babies. He tells her to go to [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]] and to protect that baby (''JSA'' #2 1999).

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/speedsau.htm Speed Saunders] on Don Markstein's Toonopedia

{{Hawkman}}
{{All-Star Squadron}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saunders, Speed}}
[[Category:DC Comics male superheroes]]
[[Category:Fictional private investigators]]
[[Category:Golden Age superheroes]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1937]]
[[Category:Characters created by Gardner Fox]]

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Speed Saunders