Molly Mayne
Molly Mayne is a female comic character who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Pre-Crisis
Molly Mayne
One day, Mayne approached program director Alan Scott at radio station WXYZ. She came to inform him that their boss was pitched an idea for a show by the big sponsor J. Q. Lentil. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Infatuated with Green Lantern, she had hoped that the hero would become romantically involved with her. However, she was told that the superhero had no time for romance as he instead devoted his time to catching criminals. This led to Molly contemplating a life of crime so that Green Lantern would pursue her instead as a form of courtship between the pair. Taking inspiration for an advertisement poster, she decided to become a costumed criminal called the Harlequin. She started her crime spree by hitting the gang of the Killem Kid after their boss had been sent to jail where she decided to take over their operation. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Mayne developed a crush on Scott and, donning a colorful costume (which included horn-rimmed glasses, a birthday hat, and a mandolin), started a life of crime to attract his attention. Her crimes tended to be harmless and mostly for show, although the two clashed on several occasions in the late 1940s.
She briefly joined the Injustice Society until she turned on them by aiding the Justice Society of America. She had a deep running altruistic streak which occasionally led her to join forces with her enemy/would-be love interest. Despite being attracted to Harlequin, Scott never entered into a relationship with her and she eventually gave up in despair. She made a deal with the government in which she went on intelligence missions in return for amnesty for her past crimes and then quietly retired. On one occasion, she assisted Green Lantern, Superman and Lois Lane in capturing another foe of her love, the Sportsmaster.
Post-Crisis
Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Years later, after the death of his first wife Rose/Thorn, Alan Scott realized that he had loved Molly all this time and they were married. As the years passed a problem developed for the two; the Starheart (which gave Scott his powers) had reversed his aging processes, so he was physically a young man while Molly had since aged into an old woman. In despair over the rift this had caused between them Molly sold her soul to the demon Neron in return for youth. Her body became that of a young woman (who had the power to create nightmares) but her soul remained in the underworld. Scott fought his way through Hell to obtain it and with the help of the young Green Lantern Kyle Rayner returned it to the Harlequin's body, re-aging her but making her whole once again. Some time thereafter, Scott himself was returned to his true physical age, as well.
Overview
Personality and attributes
In an effort to get Green Lantern's attention, Mayne decided to adopt the guise of the Harlequin after seeing a poster for one. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Molly could never find a man to date her as she was deemed too athletic with no person able to beat her in sports. As a result, she had to hide her talents and behave as a 'mousy' secretary. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
She was enamoured with the original Green Lantern upon meeting him as he found him to be wonderful. Mayne had hoped that maybe the hero would like her after she became the Harlequin. In the hero, she felt that she had found her match but believed that Green Lantern had no time for others as his focus was on fighting crime. Molly thus believed that if she became a criminal than Green Lantern would devote time to her instead. Though a costumed villain, she had no desire to kill or injure Green Lantern as she only wanted him captured. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Powers and abilities
She was noted to be quite athletic to the point that she could often beat men at sports. However, she tried to hide this talent as men tended to be intimidated by her. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
As the Harlequin, she was a costumed criminal who made use of various gadgets and gimmicks for her crimes. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Her mask covered her eyes with these actually being spectacles with a unique ability. Those that looked into them were hit by weird rays caused those affected to fall under the Harlequin's mind control. She could cause them to be stunned or force others to obey her commands. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Her primary tool was her glasses which projected realistic three-dimensional holograms, later explained as a gift from the Manhunters as one of their agents.
Another item in her possession was a mandolin that had trick gimmicks in it. This included the top that could be extended allowing Harlequin to wield it as a club to hit a target. (All-American Comics v1 #89)
Notes
- Molly Mayne was created by Robert Kanigher and Irwin Hasen where she made her first appearance in All-American Comics v1 #89 (September, 1947).
Alternate Versions
Appearances
- All-American Comics v1: (1947)
External Links
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