Image of Chessman

Chessman

Karno the Chessman is an insane criminal mastermind who shrinks people to use as chessboard pieces. His kidnapping of heiress Irene Jonson brought him in conflict with Dr Fung. While Fung was successful in the rescue of Jonson, Karno escaped. Karno was aided by the Moths, who wore completely bulletproof suits with wing-like flight devices and were armed with rayguns, all his invention. He was a highly intelligent mastermind who owned a cavernous underground lair. However, he was never seen out of his wheelchair, raising the possibility he might have had, at the very least, difficulty walking (or an elevator, which were not unheard of in 1940).
Alias Chessman
Real Names/Alt Names Karno
Characteristics Villain, Criminal Mastermind, Scientist, Fox Feature Universe, Game-themed, Size Manipulator, World War II Era
Creators/Key Contributors Bob Powell
First Appearance Wonderworld Comics #9 (May 1940)
First Publisher Fox Feature Syndicate [CB+] [DCM] [GCD]
Appearance List Wonderworld Comics #9-10 
Sample Read Wonderworld Comics [DCM] [CB+]
Description Karno the Chessman is an insane criminal mastermind who shrinks people to use as chessboard pieces. His kidnapping of heiress Irene Jonson brought him in conflict with Dr Fung. While Fung was successful in the rescue of Jonson, Karno escaped. Karno was aided by the Moths, who wore completely bulletproof suits with wing-like flight devices and were armed with rayguns, all his invention. He was a highly intelligent mastermind who owned a cavernous underground lair. However, he was never seen out of his wheelchair, raising the possibility he might have had, at the very least, difficulty walking (or an elevator, which were not unheard of in 1940).
Source Chessman – Public Domain Super Heroes Wiki
Wonderworld Comics #9 (May 1940) (pg 31, 32) | Bob Powell
Wonderworld Comics #9 (May 1940) (pg 31, 32) | Bob Powell