Hop Harrigan


Hop Harrigan is a fictional character
published by All-American Publications appearing in American comic books, radio serials and film serials created by Jon Blummer that was a popular hero originally through the 1940s during the events of World War II.

Publication history

The character first appeared in the anthology comic book series All American Comics #1 by the All-American Publications publishing company, as one of the early aviation heroes in comic history. He was a recurring character by the publishing company appearing in many magazines including anthology magazines like All-Flash, All-Star Comics, Green Lantern, Mutt & Jeff, Wonder Woman, Comic Cavalcade, Sensation Comics and Flash Comics.
For a brief period in 1941, Blummer considered turning Hop Harrigan into a superhero, as many other strips were converting to follow the new trend. Harrigan appeared in costume from March to July, and then Blummer dropped the idea.

Fictional summary

Hop Harrigan had been orphaned by his father, a legendary pilot, who disappeared on a flight to South America to see his wife. Hop's story begins with him being raised by his neighbor, the cruel farmer Silas Crane, who gets legal guardianship of him in order to obtain Hop's inheritance.
When Hop Harrigan is a teenager, Crane tries to destroy a biplane that had once been in the possession of Hop's father. Seeing this, Hop angrily knocks the old man to the ground and escapes in the biplane, not planning to return. He arrives at an airport where he saves the life of mechanic Tank Tinker, who became his friend and companion. Tank gives Harrigan his nickname when he said, "Some hop, Harrigan."
Later, Hop, Tank and Prop Wash, along with help from an heiress, set up the All-American Aviation Company, and they have a variety of exciting adventures. Hop briefly takes on the costumed identity of the Guardian Angel.
By the time World War II comes, as with most other comics of the time, the Hop Harrigan comic has World War II themed adventures as Hop, Tank and Prop join the US Army Air Corps in service of the war effort.
Shortly after the war, the character appears for a while under the alias the Black Lamp.

Media adaptations

On radio, Hop Harrigan was broadcast on ABC from August 31, 1942, until August 2, 1946, and on Mutual from October 2, 1946, until February 6, 1948. Charles Stratton appeared in the title role with Ken Lynch as Tank. Lynch was later replaced by Jackson Beck, voice actor for Bluto, King Leonardo and Perry White. Mitzi Gould played Hop's girlfriend, Gail Nolan. One of the writers for this series was noir novelist David Goodis.
The Hop Harrigan 15-chapter movie serial was produced by Columbia Pictures with William Bakewell as Hop and Sumner Getchell as Tank. This was Hop's first and only screen appearance.