So after reading more Flatcher Hanks, I've realised that one of his characters get's short shrift. Although Hanks is more famous for the twisted adventures of Stardust the Super-Wizard, it's his jungle heroine, Fantomah, who is far more disturbing.
Both Fantomah and Stardust's adventures follow the same pattern. The villain does something evil and the hero doles out a sadistic punishment. The difference is that Stardust actualy tries to rescue people. His villains usually rack up a high body-count but this is justified because Stardust doesn't live on Earth and takes a while getting here. On the other hand, Fantomah, who can best be described as Ghost Rider in drag, tends to stand around and watch the villain's commit their crimes. She shows up and warns them not to commit their horrible crimes but she never actually stops them. Yes, I know the bad guys get what they deserve in the end, but the time for action was before they started using biological weapons! (Especailly when said weapon is called a GREEN DEATH INJECTOR!)
I mean, the villains are actualy are offten more likable than Fantomah. In one story, she turns a pair of criminals into what can be best be described as celery people with no apparent genitals. Their reaction to the horrifying loss of their humanity is as follows---
CROOK 1: Crime sure doesn't seem to pay.
CROOK 2: You're right!
If thats not good sportsmanship, I don't know what is.
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