Who's Handbook - The Grim Reaper

Original art from the "Standard Comics Encyclopedia" published as a 12-part maxi-series in the mid 1980s. This page, by Mitch Ballard, illustrates the character's World War II origin and history, as well as his present-day operations, continuing his mission of "terrorizing the terrorists".

Real Name: William 'Bill' Norris
Origin: Bill Norris was studying at the Sorbonne, the famed university in Paris, France when the Nazis occupied the city. Intervening in a Nazi harassment of a citizen, Norris was arrested and sent to a concentration camp. He helped an old man, who eventually confided to Norris that he was the leader of the French Underground and knew the location of an important French General, who had to be safely brought to Africa to continue the battle. Fashioning an all black Grim Reaper outfit, Norris, with help from the French citizenry, rescued the General.

Bill Norris took it upon himself to fight the Nazi menace in Europe, donning a mask and cape and calling himself the Grim Reaper. With no superpowers, he relies on his hand-to-hand combat skills, a rope with a hangman's noose, his handgun, and his trusty knife to thwart criminals.

He was, at one point, number one on the Gestapo's wanted list. The Grim Reaper was often shown working behind enemy lines in the German underground. While getting a machine that broadcasts electrical sparks that short circuit any motor within range, including planes, out of Germany, the Reaper made his way to England.

In one adventure, the Reaper brings a special Nazi zeppelin to England and wants nothing more than to go back to the continent. "The only reward I want is a chance to fight the Nazi beasts again and again ... to spread terror among the foulest terrorists the world has ever known! Tremble, you Nazis! The Grim Reaper is coming back!"

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Actually, it's fake, but it is by Mitch Ballard. Part of the "Standard Comics" world I'm trying to develop. I gave Mitch some (very) rough sketches and he went above and beyond to deliver this great Who's Who/OHOTMU type drawing. Hope to have more to come.

Character redesign (C) Roy Johnson 2011