Funnyman



"So basically, Funnyman's modus operandi consisted of annoying his enemies until they laid down on the floor and died."

- Cracked

Meet the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit of Golden Age comics.

Funnyman was the star of a self-titled comics series created in 1948 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, famous as the fathers of that other guy. The character was little more than an attempt to make lightning strike twice after DC Comics had bought out their iconic creation for the measly sum of $130--needless to say, it didn't work, and Funnyman has passed into obscurity.

Funnyman himself was Larry Davis, a comedian talked into performing a Superhero-themed publicity stunt by his manager, June Farrell. As it happened, Larry accidentally foiled a real robbery—and found that fighting crime was his true calling. He went on to perform genuine heroic deeds with the help of June and Sergeant Harrington, but readers were not amused, and Funnyman hung up his novelty rubber nose after no more than six issues.

Then again, as the second son of Superman's creators, the guy had some really big shoes to fill.

...Geddit? Big Shoes? Because he wears big clown shoes! Har har har!

This comic contains examples of:

 * The Adjectival Superhero - Larry must surely have the most Egregious example: the Intrepid Imbecile!
 * Clark Kenting - As Funnyman, Larry hid his identity behind a novelty rubber nose.
 * No Celebrities Were Harmed - Larry's mannerisms were based on those of comedian Danny Kaye.