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Caleb Ketchum

Caleb Ketchum was Bob the Black Terror Benton’s chemistry professor in college, who left his job because “a teacher doesn’t get rich!” Instead, he became an exterminator who developed a gas which, as he proudly advertised, could stun human beings. It used a rare chemical called cacobane. This didn’t work out either, and he became desperate to avoid another failure. Gangster Dapper Dan Halney approached Ketchum to use his gas in service to his crimes. Ketchum agreed, at first reluctantly, but was then excited to be making more money than he had ever seen in his life. He also started experimenting on the gas in his spare time, discovering that without the cacobane it would cause termites to become gigantic. After a while, Ketchum started running out of cacobane and needed to went to Bob Benton. Black Terror realized the connection between Ketchum and Dapper Dan. He tracked Ketchum by giving him powder that would glow under a black light. The Terror Twins burst into Dapper Dan’s headquarters, but the gangsters captured them using the gas. They imprisoned the Terror Twins in a tank full of giant termites. But the Terror Twins burst free of the tank and sent Dapper Dan and Ketchum to jail.
Alias Caleb Ketchum
Real Names/Alt Names Caleb Ketchum
Characteristics Villain, Teacher, Standard Universe, Atomic Age
Creators/Key Contributors Unknown
First Appearance America’s Best Comics #26 (1948)
First Publisher Better / Nedor / Standard / Pines [CB+] [DCM] [GCD]
Appearance List America’s Best Comics #26
Sample Read America’s Best Comics [DCM] [CB+]
Description Caleb Ketchum was Bob the Black Terror Benton’s chemistry professor in college, who left his job because “a teacher doesn’t get rich!” Instead, he became an exterminator who developed a gas which, as he proudly advertised, could stun human beings. It used a rare chemical called cacobane. This didn’t work out either, and he became desperate to avoid another failure. Gangster Dapper Dan Halney approached Ketchum to use his gas in service to his crimes. Ketchum agreed, at first reluctantly, but was then excited to be making more money than he had ever seen in his life. He also started experimenting on the gas in his spare time, discovering that without the cacobane it would cause termites to become gigantic. After a while, Ketchum started running out of cacobane and needed to went to Bob Benton. Black Terror realized the connection between Ketchum and Dapper Dan. He tracked Ketchum by giving him powder that would glow under a black light. The Terror Twins burst into Dapper Dan’s headquarters, but the gangsters captured them using the gas. They imprisoned the Terror Twins in a tank full of giant termites. But the Terror Twins burst free of the tank and sent Dapper Dan and Ketchum to jail.
Source Caleb Ketchum – Public Domain Super Heroes Wiki
America's Best Comics #26 (1948) | Ken Battefield ?
America’s Best Comics #26 (1948) | Ken Battefield ?