Protector (Marvel Comics) Protector (Marvel Comics) Protector is a fictional superhero in the Marvel Universe. Protector first appeared in "Fantastic Four" #205–206 (April–May 1979), and was created by Marv Wolfman, Keith Pollard, and Joe Sinnott. The character subsequently appears in "Fantastic Four" #208 (July 1979), and "ROM" #24 (November 1981). Protector appeared as part of the "Champions of Xandar" entry in the "Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition" #16. Thoral Rul was the Prime Thoran of Xandar, whose duty was to protect the Xandarian's Living Computers (aka Worldmind). To defend them against the Skrulls, he effected a mind-meld with the Worldmind,
Superhero comics World War II and the end of the Great Depression. In comics format, superpowered and costumed heroes like Popeye and The Phantom had appeared in newspaper comic strips for several years prior to Superman. The masked detective The Clock first appeared in the comic book Funny Pages #6 (Nov. 1936). In the Great Depression and World War II era the first Superhero Comics appeared, the most popular being Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman and Captain America. After World War II superhero comic books gradually declined in popularity, their sales hindered in part by the publication of "Seduction of the