Showdown with Blackmask (Nickel Comics #3)

Once more, Jim "Bullet" Barr is keeping a keen eye on potential or realized crimes... rather on the dashing damsel that seems to habitually hover around him. It seems both he and his arch-enemy read the same paper, since they each draw the same conclusion that each other will be present for a diamond shipment, Blackmask to steal it and Bulletman to stop him. But since the former is really Steven Doone, publisher of that's paper, there is no reason for him to pursue such ill-gotten gains as he would be wealthy as is. See, Blackmask is all about power and gaining it through his underworld activities. But Bulletman wouldn't know that, or would he? He would become known as the Flying Detective eventually, so he could piece it together. But not quite yet as he is a social crusade at this point.

Throughout this tale, Blackmask's goal is to eliminate the mystery man who twice crushed his crooked capers. To that end, Bulletman is led through a series of tests to his endurance and will. First, at the locale of the diamond shipment, our flying friend sees a seemingly lifeless body dresses as a guard outside. In fact, it is a dummy that lures him close enough to breath in knockout gas which knocks him out. Awaking to new shoes on his feet, made of concrete, he is hurled over the side of a ship into the ocean. Yet with a combination of his miraculous Gravitu Regulating Helmet and his sturdy physique, he is able to propel himself out of the drink and onto the autogyro that his adversary's hoods are piloting. Grabbing a radio receiver from one of them, he locates Blackmask's lair.

However, Blackmask had planned for this contingency, and has poison gas flood the room they are in, which temporarily effects Bulletman while the arch criminal escapes. Seeing that this likewise has no lasting effect of the hero, the mastermind removed his hood and as Mr. Doone tricky Sergamt Kent and his daughter to join Jim for a car ride, kidnapping them.

Again, using the radio antennae he grabbed from that henchman, Bulletman followed Blackmask to another site also laid with snares for the superhero. First hydrochloride acid. The electrical shocks transmitted from a hanging device. When neither of these stopped the Avenging Artillary, Blackmask used a tank! That's okay, Bulletman trumped him with a tower of cars he stacked on top of it. Finally capturing and unmasking Blackmask, the world  now knew of Doone's criminal enterprises. Although maybe not if they got their news from his paper, the Trumpet. Whatever Doone's endgame was, it was never revealed to the reader.

Bullet Buddies: To focused on his crime fighting careers, both inside a lab coat and inside spandex, Jim is to oblivious to notice the two forces that pull him towards and away from self-confidence. On one hand, is her pop her mercilessly heckles the young man for his... well... lack of manliness? Wondering how Kent treats the rest of his officers?

Rocketing Romance: And on the other hand, there is a perpetually adoring Susan who seems to center her life on hovering around the police lab, Really, doesn't she have anywhere else to be? Or a personal life of any sort? Soon, she will.

Bedeviling Bulletman: For his third and final felonious foray, Blackmask goes all out this episode. With a poison gas, an autogyro, hydrochloride acid, electrical stun projectors, our villain really tries three times to risk himself of his foe. Alas for our antagonist, not only are his schemes squashed but his civilian identity is revealed. 

Powerful Projectile: The germ destroying serum is amping up Bulletman's strength big time! Despite being fitted with concrete goloshes that sink him into the sea, he is able to lift them aloft partially due to his helmet. Still, the stress that would out on normal legs would've torn them clean in two, hence some significant bone and muscle mass is evident. And the stack of cars he lays in a pyramid is a testament to his treatment. The Gravity Regulator on his helmet apparently is controlled by a control panel on the front plating. This would change over time, and would his strength (or lack thereof) to fit the story. 

Fawcett Facts: We are only months away from Bullet meeting some of his contemporaries. Surprisingly, this occasion will be the first time he is seen alongside his future sidekick/partner, before she even dons her own super-suit.