Bring on the Bad Guys: Sonar

Real name: Bito Wladon

First appearance: Green Lantern II#14 1/2 (July 1962)

Abilities: Inventor 

Worst act: Attempted murder

Quote: "Since my country is about to become world-famous, I must be dressed when I appear in America! This outfit looks rather regal--just what I want--in keeping with the future status of Modora!" 

Created by: John Broome (script), Gil Kane (pencils), Joe Giella (inks)

As this is the 22nd, today is the day we take a look back at a favorite member of the hero's rogues. In the steps of Two-Face, Lex Luthor, the Cheetah, Sportsmaster/Solomon Grundy, the Shade, the Mad Mod, and Captain Boomerang, we welcome a member of the Silver Age Green Lantern's rogues-the master of nuclear sonics-Sonar!

So, what is Sonar's deal? It seems he started as a simple watchmaker's apprentice and a patriot. Living in the tiny European backwater of Modora, Bito's heart swelled with pride at his nation. Much to his anger, however, is the fact that the rest of the world refuses to see his land's greatness. 

So naturally he masters (and possibly creates) the field of nucleo-sonics. All his has to do is steal the materials and soon the whole world will be forced to see his genius!

So Green Lantern is on the hunt for a stamp. Yeah, Thomas is a keen stamp collector and what he pines for more than anything else, is a Modoran stamp. Well, that's all Hal needs to hear so he suits up and pops over to the tiny nation, but wouldn't you know, Modora doesn't uses stamps. 

Why would they? Everyone knows where everyone lives. Why should they write a letter? During the quest for a stamp, Hal learns of Sonar's plans and soon stops him. 

I love this guy. For appearances, he showed up here and a few more times next year but then he wouldn't appear again until 1976. He made a few more appearances in the 1970's then he vanished again until 1985.

As far as his visual, there is something about the vaguely military uniform that helps make him stand out, plus he is rocking a cape. Few people can pull that off. 

But what of his motivation? He wants his country to be respected, so he picks a fight with Hal Jordan. Understandable and at the end of his first issue he's even happy that he lost. Why not? People know of his home now and that's all he wants. Rare to see a silver age villain get the win first time out.