Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach, and Frank Mandelīuck Rogers in the 25th Century A.D adapted from the story "Armageddon 2419 A.D." ( Amazing Stories, August, 1928). "The Curse of Capistrano" All Weekly Storyġ920s Notable non-superhero characters that influenced the superhero genre Character / Team "The Adventures of Jimmie Dale" 1917 book version of 19 stories in People's Magazine Cold, distant, and easily distracted, he was instrumental in Ozymandias ' prevention of nuclear war, and altered the timeline of Prime Earth as part of his experiments. Varick Vanardy ( Frederick Van Rensselaer Dey) Doctor Manhattan (real name Jonathan 'Jon' Osterman) was a nuclear physicist transformed into a godlike being by a radioactive particle test. Often cited as perhaps the earliest superhero akin to those to become popularized through American comic books. 4.5 Notable non-superhero characters that influenced the superhero genreġ900s Newspaper comics Character / Team / Seriesĭespite its short run, it is seen as the earliest superhero fiction comic.3.1 Notable non-superhero characters that influenced the superhero genre.