The first comics character of this name was the robot hero Electro, who possessed superhuman strength and could run at 100 mph, a backup-feature star in Marvel Mystery Comics]], flagship title of Marvel's Golden Age of comic books|Golden Age]] predecessor, Timely Comics]]. Created by writer-artist Steve Dahlman]], Electro appeared in Marvel Mystery #4—19 (Feb. 1940 — May 1941). His origin story described his invention by Professor Philo Zog, one of a group of twelve known as the Secret Operatives.