"Again With the Comics" has an article about a hobo superhero named "The Vagabond," who debuted in U.S.A. Comics #1 in 1941.
Like many handsome millionaire playboys/crusading district attorneys/ frustrated beat cops of comics' Golden Age, Murphy decided to fight crime anonymously by taking on the dramatic secret life of a costumed crime fighter. Unlike those others, a mere domino mask and opera cape would not be sufficient. Apparently, to fight crime in Middleton, one must become more retarded than crime.
"I need a disguise that will strike terror into criminal hearts! I shall become a creature of the night! I shall become…a comical, roly-poly cartoon hobo!!"
Thus was born the Vagabond, a.k.a. Chauncey Throttlebottom III, the first bumfighter. With a fake gut, rosy-red nose and clown lips, smoking a cigar, this utter fucking lunatic took on the city's crime wave.
Marvel has an anthology of U.S.A Comics, which includes the Vagabond, along with other Golden Age characters including The Defender, Major Liberty, Rockman, Rusty, the Young Avenger, the Whizzer, and Jack Frost.
