First Appearance: Daring Mystery Comics #6 (September 1940).
Golden Age Appearances: Daring Mystery Comics #6.
Modern Appearances: None.
Years Active: 1940-?

Hercules, the hero of Egypt (don't ask), dies and ascends to Valhalla (don't ask). He's happy there, but one day becomes concerned about the rise to power of the Nazi party in Germany, and so asks Jupiter (the ruler of Valhalla, see) (don't ask) to allow him to return to Earth to fight against that evil. Jupiter grants his wish, and Hercules returns to Earth, reincarnated, in the form of Martin Burns. Burns is born with superstrength, but hasn't done anything with it by the time he reaches adolescence. At that time a package containing a costume--Marvel Boy (I)'s costume--is delivered to the Burns home, and that night a Shadow (not Lamont Cranston, but just a Shadow) visits Martin, informing him that he is the reincarnation of Hercules, that there is evil to be fought, and that the weed of crime bears a bitter fruit. Martin goes on to fight crime.

Marvel Boy (I) has superstrength.

Note: Rich Bellacera's Micro of Marvel Boy, on the left, is actually a combo. The first character, in blue, is Marvel Boy (I). The second character, in yellow, is Marvel Boy (II). I couldn't find an illustration of (I), so I'm using, with Rich's kind permission, his Micro. For more information on Marvel Boy (II), and what relationship he might have with (I), go to (II)'s entry.