Nukla

Nukla is one of the slew of nuclear-powered super-heroes to appear in the mid-sixties to the mid-seventies. Nukla was Matthew Gibbs, a U-2 pilot, who was atomized by an atomic blast. Instead of killing him, however, the blast transformed him, giving him the ability to turn into Nukla, the Nuclear Man. Still, a job’s a job, and Gibbs uses his new abilities in the service of his government. He’s still a pilot, but when he transforms into Nukla he gains invisibility, super-strength, nuclear blasts, and the ability to become immaterial. Best yet, any damage done to Gibbs is healed during his transformations.

Nukla is called on to fight cold-war enemies, such as Baron Von Zee (your basic megalomaniacal would-be dictator). The series encompassed a variety of different genres, including super-hero, hard science fiction, undercover government espionage and cold-war adventure. Though highly entertaining, it lasted just four issues in 1966.

Jump to issue:

#1

Oct 1965

Cover: $0.12

W: Joe Gill · A: Sal Trapani

1st Appearance of Nukla; Origin of Nukla

3 copies from $17.00
#2

Mar 1966

Cover: $0.12

W: Joe Gill · A: Dick Giordano

4 copies from $31.00
#3

Jun 1966

Cover: $0.15

W: Joe Gill · A: Dick Giordano

3 copies from $30.00
#4

Sep 1966

Cover: $0.12

W: Joe Gill · A: Steve Ditko

Final issue

3 copies from $15.00