TNT (character)

This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. It should be expanded to provide more balanced coverage that includes real-world context. Please edit the article to focus on discussing the work rather than merely reiterating the plot. (April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

Comics character

TNT

Publication information
Publisher| DC Comics
First appearance| Star-Spangled Comics #7 (April 1942)
Created by| Mort Weisinger
In-story information
Alter ego| Thomas N. "Tex" Thomas
Team affiliations| All-Star Squadron
Seven Soldiers of Victory
Partnerships| Dan the Dyna-Mite
Abilities| After coming in contact with Dan the Dyna-Mite:
Enhanced strength, speed and resistance to injury
Heat generation

TNT is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. TNT and his sidekick Dan the Dyna-Mite were created by Mort Weisinger for DC Comics, and made their debut in Star Spangled Comics #7 (April 1942).[1]

The "human hand grenades" had a short lived career during the Golden Age of Comic Books, reappearing occasionally in reprint form during the 1970s, returning in Super Friends #12, and appearing from time to time in All-Star Squadron and its Post-Crisis sequel, Young All-Stars.

## Fictional character biography[edit]

### Pre-Crisis[edit]

TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite are the secret identities of chemistry teacher and track coach Thomas N. "Tex" Thomas and his student Daniel Dunbar.[2] While working together with some "radioactive salts", they discover they are charged with atomic energy.[3] Thomas is charged with positive energy, while Dunbar is charged with negative energy. Thomas makes a pair of rings which keeps the energy dormant until they are touched together, at which point the pair gains enhanced strength, speed, and resistance to injury, and the ability to generate different forms of energy. Thomas generates heat, while Dan can generate short bursts of electricity.[4] The series ran through Star-Spangled Comics #23 (August 1943).

### Post-Crisis[edit]

TNT was revived as part of Roy Thomas's All-Star Squadron, and its spin-off, The Young All-Stars. After TNT and Dyna-Mite had been active for a few months, they are summoned by the All-Star Squadron to participate in their first general meeting. Their participation seems to have been limited to attending meetings and little else until April 1942, when Liberty Belle, as chairperson of the All-Stars, asks TNT and Dyna-Mite to look into Axis espionage activity in Colorado. Here, they meet future All-Star member Iron Munro, but TNT is killed by Gudra the Valkyrie, a supernatural agent of Adolf Hitler.[5] TNT is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, leaving Dyna-Mite to work with Munro and other members of the Young All-Stars. Keeping Thomas' ring, Dan finds he can activate his powers by slamming both rings together.

In 2010's DCU: Legacies #2, TNT and Dyna-Mite are revealed to have been founding members of the Seven Soldiers of Victory.[6][7][8] How this retcon affects their histories, such as the previously established death of TNT and Dyna-Mite's Young All-Stars stint, has not yet been revealed.

### Current version[edit]

The latest version of the character is featured in Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers project. Calling himself Dyno-Mite Dan, Harris D. Ledbetter makes an online purchase of what he believes are TNT and Dan The Dyna-Mite's rings, and joins five other heroes in Seven Soldiers #0. Later, he is killed with the rest of his team. His rings are actually working fakes made by Cassandra Craft.

### DC Universe[edit]

During the Dark Nights: Death Metal storyline, TNT is among the superheroes that were revived by Batman using a Black Lantern ring.[9]

## Powers and abilities[edit]

When his powers are unleashed, TNT possesses super-strength, enhanced speed, and resistance to injuries. He can also do energy blasts.

### Equipment[edit]

TNT possesses a special ring that helps contain his powers when in his civilian form. When his ring touches Dan the Dyna-Mite's ring, their powers are unleashed.

## Enemies[edit]

TNT had his own rogues gallery:[10]

* "Brainy" Beggs - a criminal leader.[11]
* Aces Keenan - a gambler and criminal.[12]
* Blast - a saboteur.[13]
* Bruiser Blane - a criminal who was looking for gold in Placer Gulch.[14]
* Clumsy Charlie - the leader of a gang who are bad at committing crimes.[15]
* Crime Clown - a clown that led a criminal gang.[16]
* Dwarf - a tiny crime lord.[4]
* Ebenezer Oglum - a miserly old man who fell in with some gangsters.[17]
* Herr Streicher - a Nazi.[18]
* Judson Cross - a criminal who stole money for a charity dedicated to helping blind children.[19]
* Mother Goose - George Ready is the leader of the Mother Goose Mob.[20]
* Mr. Heyler - a Nazi who manipulated Clumsy Charlie and his gang.[15]
* Parrot - Harry Hicks is a masked criminal who uses a parrot that has poison on its claws.[21]
* Phineas Smythe - an art dealer.[22]
* Posey - a bandit leader who was nicknamed the "Blooming Bandit".[23]
* Sparkler Rattigan - a criminal who used a special static electricity machine to keep Thomas and Daniel from transforming into TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite.[24]
* Test Tube Gang - a criminal gang that uses new types of acids and explosives for their crimes.[25]

## Reception[edit]

American Comic Book Chronicles says that the TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite series "had potential, but consistently fell flat, limited space and unimaginative writing its chief problems".[3]

## Other versions[edit]

TNT is mentioned in the 1993 four issue mini-series The Golden Age, written by James Robinson and drawn by Paul Smith. This series is set during the period of McCarthyism and, much as he did in The Young All-Stars, TNT is said to have died during World War II.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 184\. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
2. ^ Markstein, Don. "TNT and Dan the Dyna-Mite". Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
3. ^ a b Mitchell, Kurt; Thomas, Roy (2019). American Comic Book Chronicles: 1940-1944. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 150\. ISBN 978-1605490892.
4. ^ a b Star-Spangled Comics #7. DC Comics.
5. ^ The Young All-Stars #1
6. ^ "Continue to explore the history of the DCU with LEGACIES #2". 15 June 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
7. ^ "Dueling Review: DC Universe: Legacies #2 | Major Spoilers - Comic Book Reviews and News". Archived from the original on 2010-06-25. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
8. ^ "Newest Seven Soldiers in DC Legacies #2 (Spoilers) - The Comic Bloc Forums". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
9. ^ Dark Nights: Death Metal #5. DC Comics.
10. ^ Nevins, Jess (2013). Encyclopedia of Golden Age Superheroes. High Rock Press. p. 273\. ISBN 978-1-61318-023-5.
11. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #15. DC Comics.
12. ^ Star-Spangler Comics #22. DC Comics.
13. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #13. DC Comics.
14. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #20. DC Comics.
15. ^ a b Star-Spangled Comics #23. DC Comics.
16. ^ World's Finest #5. DC Comics.
17. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #10. DC Comics.
18. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #19. DC Comics.
19. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #11. DC Comics.
20. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #9. DC Comics.
21. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #8. DC Comics.
22. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #18. DC Comics.
23. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #14. DC Comics.
24. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #21. DC Comics.
25. ^ Star-Spangled Comics #17. DC Comics.

## External links[edit]

* TNT at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe

* v
* t
* e

All-Star Squadron

* Roy Thomas
* Rich Buckler
* Jerry Ordway

Members|

* Air Wave
* Amazing-Man
* Aquaman
* Blackhawk
* Blue Beetle
* Captain Triumph
* Commander Steel
* Doctor Occult
* Firebrand
* Freedom Fighters
* Black Condor
* Doll Man
* Human Bomb
* Invisible Hood
* Jester
* Midnight
* Miss America
* Neon the Unknown
* Phantom Lady
* Plastic Man
* Ray
* Red Bee
* Red Torpedo
* Uncle Sam
* Guardian
* Hawkgirl
* Johnny Quick
* Judomaster
* Justice Society of America
* Atom
* Batman
* Doctor Fate
* Flash
* Green Lantern
* Hawkman
* Hourman
* Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt
* Mister Terrific
* Robin
* Sandman
* Spectre
* Starman
* Superman
* Wildcat
* Wonder Woman
* Wonder Woman II
* King Standish
* Liberty Belle
* Manhunter
* Merlin the Magician
* Mister America
* Quicksilver
* Red Tornado
* Robotman
* Sandy the Golden Boy
* Sargon the Sorcerer
* Seven Soldiers of Victory
* Alias the Spider
* Crimson Avenger
* Green Arrow
* Shining Knight
* Speedy
* Star-Spangled Kid
* Stripesy
* Stuff the Chinatown Kid
* Vigilante
* Speed Saunders
* Squadron of Justice
* Bulletman and Bulletgirl
* Ibis the Invincible
* Minute-Man
* Mr. Scarlet
* Phantom Eagle
* Pinky the Whiz Kid
* Spy Smasher
* Tarantula
* TNT
* Whip
* Young All-Stars
* Fury
* Iron Munro
* Tigress
* Zatara

Allies|

* Arak
* Black Pirate
* Infinity, Inc.
* Brainwave Jr.
* Jade
* Northwind
* Nuklon
* Obsidian
* Silver Scarab
* Marvel Family
* Captain Marvel
* Captain Marvel Jr.
* Mary Marvel
* Newsboy Legion
* Silent Knight
* Super-Chief
* Trigger Twins

Antagonists|

* Baron Blitzkrieg
* Black Dragon Society
* Catwoman
* Crime Syndicate of America
* Johnny Quick
* Owlman
* Power Ring
* Superwoman
* Ultraman
* Cyclotron
* Deathbolt
* Hath-Set
* Ian Karkull
* Joker
* Alexei Luthor
* Monster Society of Evil
* Dummy
* Mister Mind
* Per Degaton
* Secret Society of Super Villains
* Brainwave
* Mist
* Psycho-Pirate
* Rag Doll
* Ultra-Humanite
* Solomon Grundy
* Wotan

* v
* t
* e

Golden Age of Comic Books

Ace Comics|

* Captain Courageous
* Doctor Nemesis
* The Flag
* Lash Lightning
* The Raven
* Unknown Soldier
* Vulcan

All-American
Publications|

* The Atom
* Al Pratt
* Black Canary
* Dinah Drake
* Doctor Mid-Nite
* Charles McNider
* Doiby Dickles
* The Flash
* Jay Garrick
* The Gay Ghost
* Green Lantern
* Alan Scott
* Hawkgirl
* Shiera Sanders Hall
* Hawkman
* Carter Hall
* Hop Harrigan
* Johnny Thunder
* Justice Society of America
* The King
* Mister Terrific
* Terry Sloane
* Neptune Perkins
* Red Tornado
* Sargon the Sorcerer
* The Terrific Whatzit
* Thunderbolt
* Ultra-Man
* The Whip
* Wildcat
* Ted Grant
* Wonder Woman
* Diana Prince

Centaur Comics|

* Airman
* Amazing-Man
* The Arrow
* The Clock
* The Eye
* Fantom of the Fair
* Magician from Mars
* The Masked Marvel
* Minimidget

Charlton Comics|

* Atomic Mouse
* Captain Atom
* Nightshade
* Mr. Muscles
* Nature Boy
* Space Adventures
* Yellowjacket

Dell Comics|

* Doctor Hormone
* Flash Gordon
* The Owl
* Supermind's Son
* Zorro

Fawcett Comics|

* Bulletgirl
* Bulletman
* Captain Marvel
* Captain Marvel Jr.
* Captain Midnight
* Dan Dare
* Hoppy the Marvel Bunny
* Ibis the Invincible
* Lieutenant Marvels
* Marvel Family
* Mary Marvel
* Master Man
* Minute-Man
* Mr. Scarlet
* Nyoka the Jungle Girl
* Phantom Eagle
* Pinky the Whiz Kid
* Scoop Smith
* Spy Smasher
* Squadron of Justice
* Uncle Marvel

Fox Comics|

* Black Fury
* Blue Beetle
* Dan Garret
* The Bouncer
* Bronze Man
* Dynamo
* The Flame
* Green Mask
* The Moth
* Samson
* Stardust the Super Wizard
* U.S. Jones
* Wonder Man

Harvey Comics|

* Black Cat
* Captain 3-D
* Captain Freedom
* Green Hornet
* Invisible Scarlet O'Neil
* Kato
* Shock Gibson
* Spirit of '76

Lev Gleason
Publications|

* Captain Battle
* Claw
* Crimebuster
* Daredevil
* Little Wise Guys
* Silver Streak

MLJ Comics|

* The Black Hood
* Bob Phantom
* Captain Flag
* The Comet
* The Firefly
* The Fox
* The Hangman
* The Shield
* Super Duck
* The Web
* The Wizard

National Allied
Publications|

* Ace the Bat-Hound
* Air Wave
* Aquaman
* Batman
* Batwoman
* Black Pirate
* Boy Commandos
* Captain Comet
* Chris KL-99
* Congo Bill
* Crimson Avenger
* Lee Travis
* Dan the Dyna-Mite
* Dark Ranger
* Detective Chimp
* Doctor Fate
* Kent Nelson
* Doctor Occult
* Genius Jones
* Gimmick Girl
* Green Arrow
* Guardian
* Hourman
* Rex Tyler
* Johnny Quick
* Johnny Chambers
* King Faraday
* The Knight
* Krypto
* Liberty Belle
* Manhunter
* Paul Kirk
* Martian Manhunter
* Miss X
* Mr. America
* Newsboy Legion
* Phantom Stranger
* Rex the Wonder Dog
* Robin
* Dick Grayson
* Robotman
* Rose Psychic
* Sandman
* Wesley Dodds
* Sandy the Golden Boy
* Seven Soldiers of Victory
* Shining Knight
* Sir Justin
* Slam Bradley
* The Spectre
* Jim Corrigan
* Speedy
* Roy Harper
* Squire
* Star-Spangled Kid
* Sylvester Pemberton
* Starman
* Ted Knight
* Stripesy
* Stuff the Chinatown Kid
* Superboy
* Kal-El
* Superman
* Superwoman
* Lois Lane
* Tarantula
* TNT
* Tommy Tomorrow
* Vigilante
* Greg Saunders
* Wing
* Wonder Woman
* Zatara

Nedor Comics|

* American Crusader
* American Eagle
* Black Terror
* Captain Future
* Doc Strange
* Fighting Yank
* The Ghost
* Grim Reaper
* Judy of the Jungle
* Kara the Jungle Princess
* Lance Lewis, Space Detective
* Liberator
* The Magnet
* Miss Masque
* Princess Pantha
* Pyroman
* The Scarab
* The Woman in Red

Novelty Press|

* Blue Bolt
* Dick Cole
* The Target
* The Targeteers
* The Twister

Prize
Publications|

* Atomic-Man
* Black Owl
* Fighting American
* Green Lama
* Yank & Doodle

Quality Comics|

* #711
* The Black Condor
* Blackhawk
* Blue Tracer
* Bozo the Iron Man
* Captain Triumph
* Doll Girl
* Doll Man
* Firebrand
* The Human Bomb
* Invisible Hood
* The Jester
* Kid Eternity
* Lady Luck
* Madame Fatal
* Magno
* Manhunter
* Merlin the Magician
* Midnight
* Miss America
* Miss Fear
* Mouthpiece
* Neon the Unknown
* Phantom Lady
* Plastic Man
* Quicksilver
* The Ray
* Red Bee
* Red Torpedo
* The Spider
* Spider Widow
* Uncle Sam
* Wildfire
* Wonder Boy
* Woozy Winks

Timely Comics|

* All-Winners Squad
* American Ace
* The Angel
* Black Marvel
* Black Widow
* Claire Voyant
* Blazing Skull
* Blonde Phantom
* Blue Blade
* Blue Diamond
* Breeze Barton
* Bucky
* Bucky Barnes
* Captain America
* Captain Wonder
* The Challenger
* Citizen V
* The Destroyer
* Dynamic Man
* Father Time
* The Ferret
* Fiery Mask
* The Fin
* Golden Girl
* The Human Torch
* Jack Frost
* Laughing Mask
* Marvel Boy
* Mercury
* Miss America
* Miss Fury
* Mister E
* Namor
* Namora
* The Patriot
* Phantom Reporter
* Red Raven
* Rockman
* Silver Scorpion
* Sun Girl
* Super Rabbit
* Thin Man
* Thunderer
* Tim Mulrooney
* Toro
* Venus
* The Vision
* The Whizzer
* Robert Frank
* The Witness
* Young Allies

Misc.|

* American Comics Group
* Superkatt
* Anglo-American Publishing
* Commander Steel
* Atlas Publications
* Captain Atom
* Bell Features
* The Brain
* Johnny Canuck
* Nelvana of the Northern Lights
* Cardal Publishing
* Streamline
* Columbia Comics
* The Face
* Skyman
* David McKay Publications
* Mandrake the Magician
* The Phantom
* DC Thomson
* The Amazing Mr X
* Jack Flash
* Dynamic Publications
* Dynamic Man
* Yankee Girl
* Eastern Color Printing
* Buck Rogers
* Hydroman
* Phantom Magician
* EC Comics
* Moon Girl
* Superduperman
* Elliot Publishing Company
* Kismet, Man of Fate
* Fiction House
* Fantomah
* Hillman Periodicals
* Airboy
* The Heap
* Holyoke Publishing
* Cat-Man
* Kitten
* Miss Victory
* L. Miller & Son, Ltd.
* Kid Marvelman
* Marvelman
* Young Marvelman
* Magazine Enterprises
* Funnyman
* Maple Leaf Publishing
* Brok Windsor
* Iron Man
* Rural Home Publications
* Green Turtle
* Street & Smith
* The Avenger
* Doc Savage
* The Shadow
* Supersnipe

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template