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November 29, 2010

The Green Lama

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It may be I have found the before of Dr. Strange. The Green Lama was a '40s pulp superhero, the sort of character most familiar these days from their resurrection in Alan Moore's Watchmen.

Although appearing in a detective fiction magazine, the Green Lama tales can be considered science fiction or supernatural fantasy in that the Green Lama and other characters are possessed of superhuman powers and super-science weapons. The Green Lama is an alias of Jethro Dumont, a rich resident of New York City. Born July 25th, 1913, to millionaire John Pierre Dumont and Janet Lansing. He received his A.B. from Harvard University, M.A. from Oxford, Ph.D. from the Sorbonne, also attended Drepung College in Tibet. Inherited his father’s fortune, estimated at ten million dollars, when his father and mother were both killed in an accident while he was still at Harvard. Spent ten years in Tibet studying to be a lama (a Buddhist Spiritual Teacher) and learning many mystical secrets in the process. He returned to America intending to spread the basic doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism (Remove ignorance and relieve suffering), but realized that he could accomplish more by fighting crime.

Much the same career trajectory as the Flea!

After his comic run ended, CBS produced eleven Green Lama episodes for radio from 5 June 1949 to 20 August 1949. Thanks to the interwebs, you can listen to "The Man Who Never Existed". Camp fun.

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Posted by Ghost of a flea at November 29, 2010 08:33 AM