Frank Z. Temerson

Biography Temerson was born in Warsaw, Poland, the third child of Jacob (a dry goods merchant) and Mindel Temerson. In 1892, when Frank was two years old, his family moved to the United States, settling in Birmingham, Alabama. Frank's parents subsequently had four additional children, including Frank's younger sisters Esther, Goldie, and Ethel. The family were members of Birmingham's Temple Emanu-El synagogue, whose founding president was businessman, poet, and humanitarian Samuel Ullman. Financial difficulties forced Ultem to sell some of its properties, including The Clock, to Everett M. "Busy" Arnold's Quality Comics. By January 1938, Ultem was bought out by Centaur Publications.

Beginning in 1939, Temerson went solo, publishing comics during the period 1939–1941 under the names Tem Publishing, Nita Publishing, and, most prominently, Helnit Publishing. Temerson also published with Isaac W. Ullman, under the name Brookwood Publications, known for the only title under the collaboration, Speed Comics, before being sold to Leo Greenwald, then eventually turned to Harvey Comics. Helnit published six issues of Green Hornet Comics, with the writing attributed to Fran Striker, starting in December 1940. Assets from Helnit — including the superhero series Cat-Man Comics and the war comics series Captain Aero Comics — were acquired by Holyoke Publishing in late 1941, with comics cover-dated January 1942 and February 1942. Temerson's staff, including artist Charles Quinlan, continued to produce both series.

In 1943, the two titles acquired from Heinit reverted to Temerson's new company Et-Es-Go Magazines (likely named after Temerson's younger sisters Ethel, Esther, and Goldie), Other titles published by Temerson in the period 1943–1946 were Suspense Comics and Terrific Comics.

Some sources indicate Temerson was behind Continental Publications in 1950.

Temerson died in 1963 at age 73.

Comic book titles published Captain Aero Comics [Helnit, Et-Es-Go, Continental Magazines] (14 issues, Dec. 1941–Aug. 1946) — published by Holyoke Publishing in 1942–1943 Captain Fearless Comics [Helnit] (2 issues, Aug.–Sept. 1941) Cat-Man Comics [Helnit, Et-Es-Go, Continental Magazines] (21 issues, May 1941–Aug. 1946) — published by Holyoke Publishing in 1942–1943 Crash Comics Adventures [Tem] (5 issues, May–Nov. 1940) Foodini [Continental Publications] (4 issues, March–Aug. 1950) Funny Pages [Ultem] (5 issues, Sept. 1937–Jan. 1938) — taken over from Comics Magazine Company; continued by Centaur Publications Funny Picture Stories [Ultem] (5 issues, Sept. 1937–Jan. 1938) — taken over from Comics Magazine Company; continued by Centaur Publications Green Hornet Comics [Helnit] (6 issues, Dec. 1940–Aug. 1941) — continued by Harvey Comics Speed Comics [Brookwood] (11 issues, Oct. 1939–Aug. 1940) — continued by Greenwald Publications (later known as Harvey Comics) Star Comics [Ultem] (3 issues, Oct./Nov. 1937–Jan. 1938) — taken over from Chesler/Dynamic; continued by Centaur Publications Star Ranger [Ultem] (3 issues, Oct./Nov. 1937–Jan. 1938) — taken over from Chesler/Dynamic; continued by Centaur Publications Suspense Comics [Et-Es-Go Magazines, Continental Magazines] (12 issues, Dec. 1943–Sept. 1946) Terrific Comics [Et-Es-Go Magazines, Continental Magazines] (6 issues, Jan–Nov., 1944) Whirlwind Comics [Nita] (3 issues, June–Sept. 1940)

Comic book characters published by Temerson companies Alias X Captain Aero Captain Fearless Cat-Man Kitten Commandos of the Devil Dogs Deacon Flagman The Hood (unrelated to Marvel Comics' Hood) Miss Victory Pied Piper (published by Helnit and Holoyoke only) Ragman (unrelated to DC Comics' Ragman) Solar (last published by Holyoke before Temerson reclaimed characters)