The story of Nyctalope and his creator are the definition of that line from The Dark Knight: You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
lucha libre heroes in general would make a good video. but el santo is kinda overdone while movie luchadors like hurricane Ramirez and neutron are ripe for covering. also cool is wwe hall of famer mil mascaras was given the backstory of doc savage before he made his ring debut
I'm glad you mentioned Melies. He even inspired Walt Disney. The WWI pulp era is very underrated. I first learned about the Nyctelope from you. He is a fascinating character. I think we need to see a pulp teamup.
If you're looking for a Pulp crossover check out the comic "Masks" that Is a team up of different Pulp Heroes. Also i have in mind an idea for a Pulp crossover. Is set in modern day and Is all about the nephews of the Pulp Heroes of the 30s continue their grandfathers legacy. I call It "Pulp: The Next Generation" and would be cool to tell the Story in a Pulp Novel. Like how they do in the 30s.
Already been done in the pages of "The Tales of the Shadowmen" from Black Coat Press, which is also putting out translations of the original stories along with new.
Man the Nyctalope and other french Pulp Heroes team up in "La Brigade Chimerique" Who came out in 2019 in France I think 🤔 The Nyctalope is one of the main character in the first story arc, and when the comics reach WWII, the story explain why the Nyctalope disappeared from memory. Awesome comics and story (and art)
I remember first seeing the Nyctalope in the Alan Moore league of extraordinary gentleman where he's part of the French equivalent of the group led by Baron Zenith wielding the black blade stormbringer (which of course means he's an incarnation of Elric.
This is because of how Michael Moorcock has linked in Zenith, who was a foe of Sexton Blake, into his mythology, even creating his own take on Sexton Blake.
Ah, so that's why the name rings a bell. Moore has utilized quite a few of old pulp heroes in his works. One of my favourote was his quick take on Stardust the Super Wizard.
I love the early pulp super heroes. Miss Fury, and the Domino Lady are particular favourites. The story of it's creator well illustrates that the creator of a hero is not necessarily as heroic as their creation. The life of the Nyctalope's creator shows how easily patriotism can be twisted into something darker.
@@rayvenkman2087 Superman's first comics were published by a Mafia-owned publisher/printer. Herge, the creator of Tintin was tried as a collaborator in Belgium after the war, because he worked for a right-wing propaganda magazine. He was acquitted because his artwork contained NO political content, AND he had a few influential friends. Had it NOT been for the influential friends, the subject matter of his cartoons would have been irrelevant to the courts. Having skeletons in ones closet is no guarantee of eventual obscurity.
@@rayvenkman2087 Uh, the guy fell from memory because he is a FRENCH character who never appeared in the US, and do to de La Hire working for Vichy, he was persona non grata and his works were no longer reprinted. Its only thanks to Black Coat Press reprinting translations of the originals and several folks creating NEW stories in "Tales of the Shadowmen" that we know of him.
The Nyctalope is more of a pulp hero, like the Shadow and Doc Savage. Or perhaps more accurately, he's like one of the science-fiction pulp heroes, like Adam Link (a sentient robot) or Captain Future (a scientist/space adventurer), who are much more obscure characters.
@@striderhiryu2 I had to Google the animated series. It looks like it has been popular, although I wasn't familiar with it. It's kind of weird that Japanese animators in the late 1970s decided to bring back a 1930s/1940s pulp hero, but I will have to find a few episodes and watch it.
Please consider doing a video of The Scarlet Pimpernel. A hero so old his adventures take place during the time of the French Revolution. He is probably the first hero to introduce the concept of a secret identity.
Your illustrators are excellent. I love the Jules Verne/ steampunk technology. This needs a movie...keeping the same look as the art. Respects from one illustrator to another.
This is super interesting. I can't believe you made all those images yourself. I took a few screenshots. You really present a full picture by mentioning the terrible and horrible decisions of the generals. War is hell and those generals were devils.
Another great video. I love the incorporation of real world history along with the comic history. I hope there will be more FizzFop in 2023 than there was in 2022. I think a vid on Fletcher Hanks, his creations, and his life would be interesting. He was a villain who wrote abt heroes for a living lol
Your DAZ renders are pretty good; well lit, and well composed; also very dynamic; it amuses me, because I have a lot of the same stuff in my library, or recognize it from browsing the store; I think they raise the production value of your already fun and interesting videos...👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Your videos are always fascinating and informative, but this one really stands out. I'd heard the name "Nyctalope" but had no idea. Like you, I can understand the writer's bitterness, considering his experiences.
Thanks for this great summary ! I have a few of the novels translated into English but I would love to read the French originals. Thank you also for going beyond the familiar English language pulps and exploring the history of lesser-known characters.
It’s always such a joy seeing a new video. I never knew how to pronounce this character’s name. I knew of him from the Wold Newton chronology. Also, where did you get those amazing images?
Hey superby1...I had to make most of the images because there are so few out there from the original run. I learned how to pronounce his name from a French fan film...at the beginning of it, he gets a radio message.
Happy new year fizz, pop and thanks for this history lesson of this French hero. I am so glad that the French gave us years later a magazine called Metal Hurlant. It is a true treat of science fiction and imagination just like this video. Thanks once again see you next time.
@@FizzFop1 yes, it lasted two seasons the first season captured more of the original Spirit of the magazine although I will have to watch it again since some time has passed since I first saw it
I love the 3d art you made for this episode! do you have a deviantart? also I been trying to tell you alot of your older videos have developed audio issues where I can't hear your voice anymore but can hear the music. your green lama, phantom lady, spacehawk, and the heap videos to be specific
Yes, I have to fix those audio issues. I didn't know what I was doing when I mixed the audio...I did it in two channel stereo which sounded awesome on my home computer...but most people don't have those settings on the device they are watching on...so in your case, you're only hearing one channel of audio.
Fascinating one. Great work in shedding light on such an obscure(now, at least) character and author and on the dark turn that author's real story took.
I vaguely recall reading at one of Jess Nevins' Wold Newton websites that the in-story reason for Nyctalope's disappearance was being shanghaied into the future by a time-traveling enemy! For further clarification, you could try either Jess Nevins, himself, or his French counterpart/consultant, Jean-Marc Lofficier.
As a Frenchman well versed with Melies and Vernes' works, this is fascinating. I literally never heard of this character! Great job on the video as a whole, this was well researched and the custom visuals help a lot. If you want more French pulp icons, I suggest you look into Vidocq, a real criminal turned cop who became a major inspiration to numerous fictional detectives (including a fair share of romanticed adventures of Vidocq himself) and IRL forensic science.
Mon ami, les super-héros français des pulps de l'époque sont rempli de personnage aujourd'hui oublier mais génialement visionnaire pour leurs temps. Il y a d'ailleurs une excellente expositions sur les super-héros français de cette époque au Futuroscope !
did it say in the novel that he was trained in savate? its the french style of kickboxing popular around the time the novels were written. interesting to me because this would make leo one of two pulp heroes proficient in savate, the other being the masked detective
Hi armoredvisitor2197. Thanks for watching. From what I read, it only mentioned kickboxing...but...that was an English to French translation. I imagine the original French version would mention savate as his style. Also, I believe the author would have done some savate training while he was in the French Army.
the collaboration may not have been voluntary, pretty much every well-known french creative that was within reach was subject to threats against their families and friends if they didn't either continue writing standard stories not mentioning the occupation but embodying its tenants or propaganda in its favour. A great number of writers and artists were subject to this, including Tintin creator Hergé who was almost assassinated by the french resistance for it, having the guy built up as the next Verne under their thumb would be a major victory, so I doubt it voluntary especially for a french patriot. If you're on a french hero kick may I suggest the Fantomas or Doctor Omega? the great anti-hero that appeared in stories battling pretty much anyone and the guy who may have inspired Doctor Who
Funny coincidence. Just last night I was driving home from work, thinking about how my night vision is getting worse and worse the older I get, and I wish I could see in the dark, like The Nyctalope. Good video, as always.
How about Sonoman, the argentinian superhero of the 60's? Created for the children's magazine "Anteojito" by the great comic artist Osvaldo Walter Viola, or Oswal (my comic art teacher, by the way) Sonoman had the musical power, even turning himself into music to defeat bizarre and fun villains
I enjoyed your video review of the Nyctalope. I thought your 3D model illustrations were very good. They made me interested in finding out the stories behind them. I’m sure if they were on book covers, or comics, they’d sell. The characters appearance has varied a bit over the years, but your visualisation is the best I’ve seen. There have been new stories continuing the characters’ adventures in the Tales of the Shadowmen anthologies. Where this one time hero has to confront the fact that his collaboration during the Nazi controlled Vichy government has permanently stained his reputation. The Nyctalope doesn’t seem to be getting any older as time passes, and, as just having artificial organs can’t really account for this, perhaps there is an untold story about how he achieved immortality? Anyway, I hope your video inspires more interest in this fascinating and flawed character.
Hi GleeChan! Thanks for watching! I did some research on cyborg fiction and there were a couple of characters that were part machine before him...but many sci-fi websites did consider him the first cyborg.
Great video. Like the 3D animation. Got into the French pulps some years back and have become e a huge fan. Glad to see them getting some love and attention. The Nyctalope is a great character, equal parts Doc Savage and Steve Austin. Highly recommend the Blackout Press reprints and their 'Tales of the Shadowmen' anthologies feature some great team ups. I've written a couple stories for them and gotten to include the Nyctalope (subtle plug)
Black Coat Press. I got their latest Nyctalope book for Christmas and will be reviewing it soon on my blog. I've read all their Tales of the Shadowmen volumes and finished up v19 a few days ago. So I've read your stuff. Currently reading the new Harry Dickson collection they did.
@@MichaelRBrown-lh6kn I haven't read any Dickson stuff yet. Have read a couple of the Nyctalope novels. Really fun, crazy, pulpy stuff. Big fan of Doctor Omega and the arch-villain Fantomas. also love any of the novels that are obviously trying to cash in on Verne's popularity.
@@FizzFop1 Superhuman leaping and breathing fire? Sounds like super powers to me. Granted, done via gadgets, but that's arguably true for Nyctalope too, albeit his are implanted in him.
This is what I love about this channel, you can always learn something new. I'd never heard of The Nyctolope before, in fact I didn't even know what a nyctolope was. It sounded like some kind of nocturnal deer. I agree regarding the author, you can never condone collaboration with Nazis, but you can understand his reasoning. No doubt his distrust of his government played a part but, in addition, I'd think a man who'd seen death and destruction on an industrial scale might settle for peace at any price. Maybe he thought that under The Vichy Government France was effectively out of the fighting, that maybe if his countrymen could settle under the German occupation, they could live in peace. It's just my opinion but I have that feeling about him. That French kick boxing style sounds a bit like Savate, a genuine French martial art. They also had a fighting system they called "du canne" which was basically using a walking cane but also used batons, a bit like Dare Devil. Anyway, loved this video, I'm going to hunt for The Nyctolope and do some reading. Merci beaucoup!
Interesting video as always. You will talk about the Superfolks book by Robert Meyer in the future ? Is a satire of superheroes that inspired Watchmen that i was reading a while ago. Is a really good book. Also where i can found online Pulp Heroes stories ? I really want to try one of It.
I haven't thought about a Robert Meyer video...maybe I should? To find pulp stories...pick a character and start doing some search engine checks...they are all over the internet. Several of them have published volumes of their stories available in print. You can find used copies pretty cheap on Amazon.
Good episode, and a great presentation of a lost early superhero. I know you're not a Francophone, so just for the record: the pronunciation of the author's name is actually close to "zhawn duh la heer." Otherwise, a really good job of researching the history of the character's creator -- something that needs to be done a lot more often. Happy new year!
Thanks nairbvel. There's always a problem with this. I typed the name into a couple of online English/French translators and it never came out that way. When I'm working with non-English, I should try to find someone who speaks the language. Currently, I'm working on a Japanese superhero...your comment tells me I need to find a Japanese speaker before posting the video.
There were few who could rival the great science fiction writers of the UK and France at the turn of the 20th century. I've got to admit, I've never heard of either Jean de la Hire, nor the Nyctalope character. According to Wikipedia, de la Hire was only the pen name of Adolphe d'Espi and the first first story of the shark man was about the Nyctalope's father, not the future hero. Thank you for mentioning the great Georges Melies. His early movies were wonderful explorations of fantasy, continuing the French love for science fiction. Best, his groundbreaking films inspired science fiction movies and animators for decades afterwards. I'm curious about your depictions of the Nyctalope. Did you pull from existing images of the character or create your own version of what he may have looked like? Your images are amazingly similar to the android villain in the sadly underrated Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow movie, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I know that film borrowed heavily from the science fiction and pulp stories of the 1920s and 30s, particularly the giant robots drawn from one of the Fleischer Superman cartoons. It makes sense that the Nyctalope could have been the model for Professor Todtenkopf's android enforcer as well. As always, thanks FizzFop, for another highly entertaining video.
Hi Sp33gan...I like Wikipedia...I use Wikipedia...I don't necessarily trust Wikipedia. Continuity was not a high priority of De La Hire in the Nyctalope series. Some of the other websites I read mentioned that Nyctalope's father in the first book wouldn't fit the time line in the over all series. I think that first appearance was sort of a one-off. It doesn't fit. As for the look, I initially took the character from the covers of the English translation books. Then, I saw a French fan film...and I took the steampunk look. I only found one image of the character from the 1940s, and that steampunk look was it. With his story line images, most are my version of actual stories...one image I made up was the zombie duel. I did look at a lot of pulp covers for ideas on how to portray the character. Thanks for asking.
@@FizzFop1 True that Wikipedia has that reputation for occasional 'fuzziness' over facts. I guess when a site has the ability to be added to by the general public, hazy memories or bad research can sometimes interfere with facts. I do love your images. Since you've based them on what already was, it's possible Sky Captain also borrowed from the Nyctalope. Since so much of that movie was homage to old pulp and science fiction stories, it makes sense. Very cool. Thanks, as always!
@FizzFop 1 Excellent video my good man! I know that there is some debate as to if ''The Nyctalope'' was the first Superhero? But he definitely set the template for what the current definition of a Superhero is. Oh, and since you mentioned it in the video! I actually studied 'Savate' (French pronunciation: [Savat]), for three years.
@@ExodusCore The Golden Bat debuted in 1930 whereas The Nyctalope first appeared in 1911. But as djugedead mentioned, The Scarlett Pimpernel was first published in 1905 or 1903 if you count the play which came before it.
10:34 so these books are translations of the original stories and not just new stories with the character? That was something I have been confused about for quite some time due to the covers not being classic covers you know It's really cool to finally know that those are translated because I've been wanting to get into this character for quite some time and just haven't been able to do to confusion and mystery around this first generation mystery man Especially since I've been able to start work again on my goldaverse project And I've been really bonding to develop these early years a bit more
The volumes containing the longer de La Hire works are just the straight translations. A few of the volumes contain shorter de La Hire novellas or stories, so those also have brand new Nyctalope tales by others as well. If you go into Black Coat Press' catalog, they'll tell you what you're getting in each book.
I would love to see The Nyctalope have it's rights obtain by DC, Marvel, or Dynamite (this publisher would be most appreciate! I would definitely be reading it!
He's kind of a early cyborg type character. A great ,great,great,great Grandfather of sorts to the six million dollar man,Dethlok and Dc's Cyborg. Is this character public domain?
Thanks for an excellent video which covers a topic very much deserving of attention. For future reference, the name Jean de la Hire would be pronounced approximately "Zhawn day law Heer".
Haha!!! A weapon that harnesses radio waves!! So good!!! I always imagine time traveling back to the early 1900’s and show them out now smart phones to See their heads pop off in disbelief!! I mean, in 1900 electrical systems weren’t barely even a thing !! Nowadays it’s everywhere and taken for granted.
This needs to be a comic book or movie/tv series! I'd love to see this character revived! It could even be used to undo his associatetion with German colab. You could have a story where nyctalope joins the resistance, contrary to what actually happened.
huh. half-man half-machine? I bet Ranxerox's eye's are something of an homage to this character. I never even suspected. It's honestly hard to believe I've never even heard of this guy. well done :-)
The story of Nyctalope and his creator are the definition of that line from The Dark Knight: You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
You know who could make a good episode? El santo, a Mexican wrestler who starred as himself in over 50 movies in the 50s, 60s, and 70s!
I don't want to spoil anything but...a Santos video is in the works.
Mexico was the China of the time when it came top copyright, they didn't give a crap, he teamed up with and/or fought against half of pop culture!
@@FizzFop1 are you a wrestling fan?
@@FizzFop1 Awesome!
lucha libre heroes in general would make a good video. but el santo is kinda overdone while movie luchadors like hurricane Ramirez and neutron are ripe for covering. also cool is wwe hall of famer mil mascaras was given the backstory of doc savage before he made his ring debut
I'm glad you mentioned Melies. He even inspired Walt Disney. The WWI pulp era is very underrated. I first learned about the Nyctelope from you. He is a fascinating character. I think we need to see a pulp teamup.
If you're looking for a Pulp crossover check out the comic "Masks" that Is a team up of different Pulp Heroes.
Also i have in mind an idea for a Pulp crossover. Is set in modern day and Is all about the nephews of the Pulp Heroes of the 30s continue their grandfathers legacy. I call It "Pulp: The Next Generation" and would be cool to tell the Story in a Pulp Novel. Like how they do in the 30s.
I loved Masks. It was one of the first Dynamite books i got.
Already been done in the pages of "The Tales of the Shadowmen" from Black Coat Press, which is also putting out translations of the original stories along with new.
Man the Nyctalope and other french Pulp Heroes team up in "La Brigade Chimerique" Who came out in 2019 in France I think 🤔 The Nyctalope is one of the main character in the first story arc, and when the comics reach WWII, the story explain why the Nyctalope disappeared from memory. Awesome comics and story (and art)
I remember first seeing the Nyctalope in the Alan Moore league of extraordinary gentleman where he's part of the French equivalent of the group led by Baron Zenith wielding the black blade stormbringer (which of course means he's an incarnation of Elric.
This is because of how Michael Moorcock has linked in Zenith, who was a foe of Sexton Blake, into his mythology, even creating his own take on Sexton Blake.
Ah, so that's why the name rings a bell. Moore has utilized quite a few of old pulp heroes in his works. One of my favourote was his quick take on Stardust the Super Wizard.
"Les Hommes Mystérieux!"
really didnt know he was in it?
@@joshuagraham2843 all of one panel I think
wow this was an obscure one. Id never heard of this character before. Thanks for the new years treat fizz!
I love the early pulp super heroes.
Miss Fury, and the Domino Lady are particular favourites.
The story of it's creator well illustrates that the creator of a hero is not necessarily as heroic as their creation.
The life of the Nyctalope's creator shows how easily patriotism can be twisted into something darker.
Likely why this guy has fallen from memory and why I never even heard of him til now.
@@rayvenkman2087 Superman's first comics were published by a Mafia-owned publisher/printer.
Herge, the creator of Tintin was tried as a collaborator in Belgium after the war, because he worked for a right-wing propaganda magazine. He was acquitted because his artwork contained NO political content, AND he had a few influential friends. Had it NOT been for the influential friends, the subject matter of his cartoons would have been irrelevant to the courts.
Having skeletons in ones closet is no guarantee of eventual obscurity.
@@rayvenkman2087 Uh, the guy fell from memory because he is a FRENCH character who never appeared in the US, and do to de La Hire working for Vichy, he was persona non grata and his works were no longer reprinted.
Its only thanks to Black Coat Press reprinting translations of the originals and several folks creating NEW stories in "Tales of the Shadowmen" that we know of him.
All great points mentioned here.
Miss Fury is AWESOME :=)
Thanks!
The Nyctalope is more of a pulp hero, like the Shadow and Doc Savage. Or perhaps more accurately, he's like one of the science-fiction pulp heroes, like Adam Link (a sentient robot) or Captain Future (a scientist/space adventurer), who are much more obscure characters.
captain future got a classic anime series.
@@striderhiryu2 I had to Google the animated series. It looks like it has been popular, although I wasn't familiar with it. It's kind of weird that Japanese animators in the late 1970s decided to bring back a 1930s/1940s pulp hero, but I will have to find a few episodes and watch it.
He took the name as Darkfire instead.
The Nyctelope, I never even heard of this hero. What an in depth story. Great job, Darrin!
Thank you for teaching me about Nyctalope, but more importantly thank you for teaching me that Joan of Arc was STACKED!
Sounds about right.
Please consider doing a video of The Scarlet Pimpernel. A hero so old his adventures take place during the time of the French Revolution. He is probably the first hero to introduce the concept of a secret identity.
Not gonna like, this hero sounds like prototype batman and even his name would fit as alternate verison of batman
Excellent video. Never heard of this character. Hope to see more videos.
Your illustrators are excellent. I love the Jules Verne/ steampunk technology. This needs a movie...keeping the same look as the art. Respects from one illustrator to another.
This is super interesting. I can't believe you made all those images yourself. I took a few screenshots. You really present a full picture by mentioning the terrible and horrible decisions of the generals. War is hell and those generals were devils.
Another great video. I love the incorporation of real world history along with the comic history. I hope there will be more FizzFop in 2023 than there was in 2022.
I think a vid on Fletcher Hanks, his creations, and his life would be interesting. He was a villain who wrote abt heroes for a living lol
You're not the only one asking for the Fletcher Hanks video...I should get moving on that one.
Honestly - I love Fizzfop videos but I imagine the research takes forever and I approve of this.
@@FizzFop1 El Santo -Truth, Justice, and the Lucha Libre Way!
Great video - love the 3-D characters.
Your DAZ renders are pretty good; well lit, and well composed; also very dynamic; it amuses me, because I have a lot of the same stuff in my library, or recognize it from browsing the store; I think they raise the production value of your already fun and interesting videos...👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Happy new year guys. Also this is one of those channels that randomly show up in my feed and now I am subscribe
Your videos are always fascinating and informative, but this one really stands out. I'd heard the name "Nyctalope" but had no idea. Like you, I can understand the writer's bitterness, considering his experiences.
Another great video with plenty of history and good visuals. Happy New Year.
Thanks for this great summary ! I have a few of the novels translated into English but I would love to read the French originals. Thank you also for going beyond the familiar English language pulps and exploring the history of lesser-known characters.
I always look forward to seeing your uploads, WHATEVER you cover. Reliably watchable, insightful, fascinating, etc..
I love learning about these old characters I've never heard of before.
I never heard of this before. Amazing work. I love it!
It’s always such a joy seeing a new video. I never knew how to pronounce this character’s name. I knew of him from the Wold Newton chronology.
Also, where did you get those amazing images?
Hey superby1...I had to make most of the images because there are so few out there from the original run. I learned how to pronounce his name from a French fan film...at the beginning of it, he gets a radio message.
Happy new year fizz, pop and thanks for this history lesson of this French hero. I am so glad that the French gave us years later a magazine called Metal Hurlant. It is a true treat of science fiction and imagination just like this video. Thanks once again see you next time.
Hi windtonblakely3846! Thanks for watching! Isn't there also a TV called Metal Hurlant? I think I watched a few episodes.
@@FizzFop1 yes, it lasted two seasons the first season captured more of the original Spirit of the magazine although I will have to watch it again since some time has passed since I first saw it
I love the 3d art you made for this episode! do you have a deviantart?
also I been trying to tell you alot of your older videos have developed audio issues where I can't hear your voice anymore but can hear the music. your green lama, phantom lady, spacehawk, and the heap videos to be specific
Yes, I have to fix those audio issues. I didn't know what I was doing when I mixed the audio...I did it in two channel stereo which sounded awesome on my home computer...but most people don't have those settings on the device they are watching on...so in your case, you're only hearing one channel of audio.
Reject Modernity. Embrace Pulp Heroism. - Razorfist.
He's correct.
Based.
Fascinating one. Great work in shedding light on such an obscure(now, at least) character and author and on the dark turn that author's real story took.
This character has potential to return
I'd be cool with a pulpy adventure film along the lines of The Rocketeer.
This is really cool and the 3D Art was indicative of the character and helps with the overall aesthetic
*subscribed*
I vaguely recall reading at one of Jess Nevins' Wold Newton websites that the in-story reason for Nyctalope's disappearance was being shanghaied into the future by a time-traveling enemy! For further clarification, you could try either Jess Nevins, himself, or his French counterpart/consultant, Jean-Marc Lofficier.
As a Frenchman well versed with Melies and Vernes' works, this is fascinating. I literally never heard of this character! Great job on the video as a whole, this was well researched and the custom visuals help a lot.
If you want more French pulp icons, I suggest you look into Vidocq, a real criminal turned cop who became a major inspiration to numerous fictional detectives (including a fair share of romanticed adventures of Vidocq himself) and IRL forensic science.
Mon ami, les super-héros français des pulps de l'époque sont rempli de personnage aujourd'hui oublier mais génialement visionnaire pour leurs temps. Il y a d'ailleurs une excellente expositions sur les super-héros français de cette époque au Futuroscope !
Awesome job, great presentation, art and pacing. This is a fantastic gem of pulp information. Merci
Such a interesting video and history! Very enjoyable! Thank you for your hard work!
did it say in the novel that he was trained in savate? its the french style of kickboxing popular around the time the novels were written. interesting to me because this would make leo one of two pulp heroes proficient in savate, the other being the masked detective
Hi armoredvisitor2197. Thanks for watching. From what I read, it only mentioned kickboxing...but...that was an English to French translation. I imagine the original French version would mention savate as his style. Also, I believe the author would have done some savate training while he was in the French Army.
This guy keeps getting cooler.
the collaboration may not have been voluntary, pretty much every well-known french creative that was within reach was subject to threats against their families and friends if they didn't either continue writing standard stories not mentioning the occupation but embodying its tenants or propaganda in its favour. A great number of writers and artists were subject to this, including Tintin creator Hergé who was almost assassinated by the french resistance for it, having the guy built up as the next Verne under their thumb would be a major victory, so I doubt it voluntary especially for a french patriot. If you're on a french hero kick may I suggest the Fantomas or Doctor Omega? the great anti-hero that appeared in stories battling pretty much anyone and the guy who may have inspired Doctor Who
Doctor Omega would be great to see.
@@rayvenkman2087 the character's been appearing a lot more recently
I read up on Doctor Omega and Fantomas. Both would make great videos.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing this bit of superhero fiction.
Great docum! In homage to your hard work we'll include this charachter in our superheroes board game. Thanks!
Funny coincidence. Just last night I was driving home from work, thinking about how my night vision is getting worse and worse the older I get, and I wish I could see in the dark, like The Nyctalope. Good video, as always.
You and me both. My night vision is dropping noticeably. Isn't growing old great!
How about Sonoman, the argentinian superhero of the 60's? Created for the children's magazine "Anteojito" by the great comic artist Osvaldo Walter Viola, or Oswal (my comic art teacher, by the way) Sonoman had the musical power, even turning himself into music to defeat bizarre and fun villains
This guy honestly sounds awesome!
Thanks for this. I must confess that I'd never heard of him before so this made for very informative/entertaining viewing. :)
Very interesting i should look into this more myself ,
I enjoyed your video review of the Nyctalope. I thought your 3D model illustrations were very good. They made me interested in finding out the stories behind them. I’m sure if they were on book covers, or comics, they’d sell. The characters appearance has varied a bit over the years, but your visualisation is the best I’ve seen. There have been new stories continuing the characters’ adventures in the Tales of the Shadowmen anthologies. Where this one time hero has to confront the fact that his collaboration during the Nazi controlled Vichy government has permanently stained his reputation. The Nyctalope doesn’t seem to be getting any older as time passes, and, as just having artificial organs can’t really account for this, perhaps there is an untold story about how he achieved immortality? Anyway, I hope your video inspires more interest in this fascinating and flawed character.
Shoot, he might even be one of the first cyborgs on top of that! 1909? There can't be very many of those before then.
Hi GleeChan! Thanks for watching! I did some research on cyborg fiction and there were a couple of characters that were part machine before him...but many sci-fi websites did consider him the first cyborg.
I'm so glad to be subscribed to this channel. Your content is very unique
"Unique?" I hope that's a good thing. lol
Merci, monsieur! The Nyctalope is also featured in "La Brigade Chimérique", which is a story with post 1914-1918 super-heroes.
Great video. Like the 3D animation.
Got into the French pulps some years back and have become e a huge fan.
Glad to see them getting some love and attention.
The Nyctalope is a great character, equal parts Doc Savage and Steve Austin.
Highly recommend the Blackout Press reprints and their 'Tales of the Shadowmen' anthologies feature some great team ups.
I've written a couple stories for them and gotten to include the Nyctalope (subtle plug)
Black Coat Press.
I got their latest Nyctalope book for Christmas and will be reviewing it soon on my blog. I've read all their Tales of the Shadowmen volumes and finished up v19 a few days ago. So I've read your stuff.
Currently reading the new Harry Dickson collection they did.
A lot of people are telling me that "Tales of the Shadowmen" is great. I need to look into it.
@@FizzFop1 I'm biased, as they got me published, but I love the series.
It's steampunk, crossovers and really clever uses of pulp history.
@@FizzFop1 It is. You can read my reviews at my blog, and on Amazon
@@MichaelRBrown-lh6kn I haven't read any Dickson stuff yet.
Have read a couple of the Nyctalope novels. Really fun, crazy, pulpy stuff.
Big fan of Doctor Omega and the arch-villain Fantomas.
also love any of the novels that are obviously trying to cash in on Verne's popularity.
Bruh your channel is outstanding!!
wow! Grat video on the Nyctalope! I just love an obscure hero!
BTW, what did you use to crate these images?
Very interesting character from a very troubled man. Thanks, Fizz! 😊
I always thought Spring Heeled Jack was first. Never new about this character.
Spring-Heeled Jack is earlier...but I did have a lot of people claim he wasn't a superhero because he didn't have super powers.
@@FizzFop1 Superhuman leaping and breathing fire? Sounds like super powers to me. Granted, done via gadgets, but that's arguably true for Nyctalope too, albeit his are implanted in him.
Man this is an interesting one! Absolutely love your videos every time
Been waiting for this one!
Awesome video man I have never heard of this character he's pretty cool I'll definitely look him up now.
This is what I love about this channel, you can always learn something new. I'd never heard of The Nyctolope before, in fact I didn't even know what a nyctolope was. It sounded like some kind of nocturnal deer.
I agree regarding the author, you can never condone collaboration with Nazis, but you can understand his reasoning. No doubt his distrust of his government played a part but, in addition, I'd think a man who'd seen death and destruction on an industrial scale might settle for peace at any price. Maybe he thought that under The Vichy Government France was effectively out of the fighting, that maybe if his countrymen could settle under the German occupation, they could live in peace. It's just my opinion but I have that feeling about him.
That French kick boxing style sounds a bit like Savate, a genuine French martial art. They also had a fighting system they called "du canne" which was basically using a walking cane but also used batons, a bit like Dare Devil.
Anyway, loved this video, I'm going to hunt for The Nyctolope and do some reading. Merci beaucoup!
Great video.. I’m interested in this kind of stuff hope u post more in the new year hope you have a great night boss
This was very informative and entertaining great video!
Wow ,I never heard of this character . Great video .
Interesting video as always.
You will talk about the Superfolks book by Robert Meyer in the future ? Is a satire of superheroes that inspired Watchmen that i was reading a while ago. Is a really good book.
Also where i can found online Pulp Heroes stories ? I really want to try one of It.
I haven't thought about a Robert Meyer video...maybe I should? To find pulp stories...pick a character and start doing some search engine checks...they are all over the internet. Several of them have published volumes of their stories available in print. You can find used copies pretty cheap on Amazon.
I hope they find all his works. i'd like to read them. the character sounds interesting
Thank you for this!!!
Good episode, and a great presentation of a lost early superhero. I know you're not a Francophone, so just for the record: the pronunciation of the author's name is actually close to "zhawn duh la heer." Otherwise, a really good job of researching the history of the character's creator -- something that needs to be done a lot more often. Happy new year!
Thanks nairbvel. There's always a problem with this. I typed the name into a couple of online English/French translators and it never came out that way. When I'm working with non-English, I should try to find someone who speaks the language. Currently, I'm working on a Japanese superhero...your comment tells me I need to find a Japanese speaker before posting the video.
@@FizzFop1
What is a “Japanese hero”?
Could it be Golden Bat?
For further reading on French Pulp heroes, look up Shadowmen: Heroes and Villains of French Pulp Fiction. A lot of interesting history to read about!
Pretty cool works for sure. I hope ro see more of this character and author.
There were few who could rival the great science fiction writers of the UK and France at the turn of the 20th century. I've got to admit, I've never heard of either Jean de la Hire, nor the Nyctalope character. According to Wikipedia, de la Hire was only the pen name of Adolphe d'Espi and the first first story of the shark man was about the Nyctalope's father, not the future hero.
Thank you for mentioning the great Georges Melies. His early movies were wonderful explorations of fantasy, continuing the French love for science fiction. Best, his groundbreaking films inspired science fiction movies and animators for decades afterwards.
I'm curious about your depictions of the Nyctalope. Did you pull from existing images of the character or create your own version of what he may have looked like? Your images are amazingly similar to the android villain in the sadly underrated Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow movie, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I know that film borrowed heavily from the science fiction and pulp stories of the 1920s and 30s, particularly the giant robots drawn from one of the Fleischer Superman cartoons. It makes sense that the Nyctalope could have been the model for Professor Todtenkopf's android enforcer as well.
As always, thanks FizzFop, for another highly entertaining video.
Hi Sp33gan...I like Wikipedia...I use Wikipedia...I don't necessarily trust Wikipedia. Continuity was not a high priority of De La Hire in the Nyctalope series. Some of the other websites I read mentioned that Nyctalope's father in the first book wouldn't fit the time line in the over all series. I think that first appearance was sort of a one-off. It doesn't fit. As for the look, I initially took the character from the covers of the English translation books. Then, I saw a French fan film...and I took the steampunk look. I only found one image of the character from the 1940s, and that steampunk look was it. With his story line images, most are my version of actual stories...one image I made up was the zombie duel. I did look at a lot of pulp covers for ideas on how to portray the character. Thanks for asking.
@@FizzFop1 True that Wikipedia has that reputation for occasional 'fuzziness' over facts. I guess when a site has the ability to be added to by the general public, hazy memories or bad research can sometimes interfere with facts.
I do love your images. Since you've based them on what already was, it's possible Sky Captain also borrowed from the Nyctalope. Since so much of that movie was homage to old pulp and science fiction stories, it makes sense. Very cool.
Thanks, as always!
@FizzFop 1 Excellent video my good man! I know that there is some debate as to if ''The Nyctalope'' was the first Superhero? But he definitely set the template for what the current definition of a Superhero is. Oh, and since you mentioned it in the video! I actually studied 'Savate' (French pronunciation: [Savat]), for three years.
Your images/pictures are good 👍🏾
I always thought Zorro was the first superhero. He had the dual identity, the secret cave HQ, etc. This is the first I'm hearing of this guy...
Golden Bat was earlier than both Zorro and Nyctalope.
Don't forget the Scarlett Pimprenel, older than Zorro from 4 years
@@ExodusCore The Golden Bat debuted in 1930 whereas The Nyctalope first appeared in 1911. But as djugedead mentioned, The Scarlett Pimpernel was first published in 1905 or 1903 if you count the play which came before it.
Happy new year to you Fizz!
Happy New Year to you shadowthreat8715.
He directly influenced The Shadow who influenced Batman…his influence lives on even if he is mostly forgotten
Saw some of the novels on Kindle in English. I will be checking them out
You're right. I tried to whisper his name and I bit the hell out of my tongue!
Interesting . I knew nothing about the author nor his creation. Thanks.
Thanks for doing the research on the character and his creator. I"ve been a comics reader since the late '50s and I'd never heard of either.
This was a very interesting video and I love the 3 D art you made for it.
the 3-d renders are great. you could do a picture show with renders and narration!
This was quite interesting! I learned a lot from this!
Thanks!
I figured you used a chatgpt type of program to have illustrations done. It’s amazing if you did it with your skill. Very informative video.
Your artwork looks awesome I love 3D artwork.
I had never heard of the Nyctalope, thanks, learned something
Mr. Fop, or can I call you Fizzy....Love your videos. I can't get enuff. How is this the first I am hearing of The Nyctalope? He sounds awsome.
Thanks marksanford8237! You can call me anything you want...except late for dinner. lol
@@FizzFop1 🤣🤣
This is one of the most strangest characters I've ever seen and heard about, This character is both a hero and a villain all at the same time.
10:34 so these books are translations of the original stories and not just new stories with the character?
That was something I have been confused about for quite some time due to the covers not being classic covers you know
It's really cool to finally know that those are translated because I've been wanting to get into this character for quite some time and just haven't been able to do to confusion and mystery around this first generation mystery man
Especially since I've been able to start work again on my goldaverse project And I've been really bonding to develop these early years a bit more
From what I understand, the Black Coat Press English translation are direct translation from the originals.
The volumes containing the longer de La Hire works are just the straight translations. A few of the volumes contain shorter de La Hire novellas or stories, so those also have brand new Nyctalope tales by others as well. If you go into Black Coat Press' catalog, they'll tell you what you're getting in each book.
@@FizzFop1 thanks for the info m8
@@danieldickholtz6405 thank you a tone, this will be tremendous help
19 minutes for me to see this after being posted. I wish he'd post more.
I would love to see The Nyctalope have it's rights obtain by DC, Marvel, or Dynamite (this publisher would be most appreciate! I would definitely be reading it!
The Nyctalope is in Public Domain. Anyone can make new stories.
He's kind of a early cyborg type character.
A great ,great,great,great Grandfather of sorts to the six million dollar man,Dethlok and Dc's Cyborg.
Is this character public domain?
Yes.
Black Coat Press published reprints of the originals and many new stories of the character.
I believe this character is in public domain. It's a good character to work with.
I'm going to have to remember this the next time I have an argument about the first cyberpunk stories.
@FizzFop1 One of the earliest perhaps... but "Golden Bat" was much MUCH earlier. You should make a video about that character too.
I love the comment about Captain Future and Doc Savage!
Fascinating
Thanks for an excellent video which covers a topic very much deserving of attention.
For future reference, the name Jean de la Hire would be pronounced approximately "Zhawn day law Heer".
Thanks, a few of my French speaking viewers have made similar comments.
Maybe down the road do a video on the Japanese kamishibai/manga/anime/live action film character Golden Bat...
Haha!!!
A weapon that harnesses radio waves!!
So good!!!
I always imagine time traveling back to the early 1900’s and show them out now smart phones to
See their heads pop off in disbelief!!
I mean, in 1900 electrical systems weren’t barely even a thing !!
Nowadays it’s everywhere and taken for granted.
This needs to be a comic book or movie/tv series! I'd love to see this character revived! It could even be used to undo his associatetion with German colab. You could have a story where nyctalope joins the resistance, contrary to what actually happened.
man this was a brilliant video
huh. half-man half-machine? I bet Ranxerox's eye's are something of an homage to this character. I never even suspected. It's honestly hard to believe I've never even heard of this guy. well done :-)
Jeanne D'Arc is how French wrote Joan of Arc.
I recognize that 3d animation system far more than I would enjoy mentioning.