Here is the latest in our year-long look at one cool comic (whether it be a self-contained work, an ongoing comic or a run on a long-running title that featured multiple creative teams on it over the years) a day (in no particular order whatsoever)! Here's the archive of the moments posted so far!

Today we continue a multi-part look at the various notable recurring features in Strange Adventures over the years - today we spotlight Animal Man in Strange Adventures!

Enjoy!

Dave Wood introduced Buddy Baker in Strange Adventures #180, with art by Carmine Infantino and George Roussos.

In a similar fashion to the first appearance of Hank Pym, Buddy does not become a superhero after gaining his animal powers (in fact, he does not have them at the end of the issue).

Instead, he's just a fellow who isn't brave enough to ask his girlfriend to marry him...

He then uses his new powers to help...

but when an alien shows up causing problems, Buddy's powers run out...

here's Buddy's plan...

Great ending to the first appearance of Buddy Baker.

He returned a few issues later to stop another alien threat (this time drawn by Gil Kane). His powers came back and at the end of the issue he makes a vow...

That vows comes into action a few issues later (back to Infantino for the art), as he becomes A-Man!

Even back then, Buddy was an odd superhero - his powers worked funny and his identity was not particularly secret.

Jack Sparling came aboard to draw the last two appearances of "A-Man" in Strange Adventures #195 and #201...

Deadman took over in #205, and Buddy was a "forgotten hero" for years before he was, well, a "Forgotten Hero"!

And then Morrison stepped in, and that's what Buddy is most known for today.

Those original stories, though, were well-told and well-drawn.