Creation

Pat Dugan was created by Superman creator, Jerry Siegel, and artist Hal Sherman for Action Comics #40, September 1941. He was created as a adult sidekick to the Star Spangled Kid. He was one of many patriotic themed superheroes of the time.

In the comic, Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #1 he went under the identity of S.T.R.I.P.E. with his stepdaughter, Courtney Whitmore, she became Stargirl.

History

Wealthy brat Sylvester Pemberton and garage mechanic Pat Dugan formed a unique bond when they had the opportunity to fight off some Nazi agents, who had interrupted a patriotic film and were inciting the audience to riot. They beat the agents soundly. Later, the two overhear a conversation while people discuss the incident at the theatre. Someone says that they wished the American flag would come to life and retaliate against those that insult it. Inspired by this discussion and their earlier success at the theatre, they each separately decide to become Mystery Men. Sylvester and Pat designed “Mystery Men” costumes for themselves, each based on a part of the American flag. Sylvester’s costume was based on Star's part of the flag, and he became the Star-Spangled Kid. Pat took the stripes for his costume and became Stripes. The two operate independently for a while and then end up as partners.

They had no superpowers whatsoever, but manifested the ordinary American’s fighting spirit, and took on villains like Dr. Weerd and the Needle. Developing a partnership, Sylvester persuaded his father to hire Pat as an in-house mechanic and chauffeur, so they could more easily work together.

The two became part of the superhero team the Seven Soldiers of Victory and the All-Star Squadron. The Seven Soldiers of Victory battled the Nebula Man sometime after the war. The resulting explosion destroyed the villain but stranded the Seven Soldiers in different time periods. The Seven were rescued by the Justice League of America and Justice Society of America and returned to the present day. Upon his return, Dugan married a woman named Maggie, who later left him to raise their son Michael on his own. Sylvester Pemberton's black sheep relative Arthur had stolen Dugan's patents during their disappearance. Upon hearing about this, Sylvester returned the patents to Pat, and the two reconciled. Dugan was later involved with Infinity, Inc. and their battle against the Injustice Society. The group's first victim is Sylvester Pemberton. The villains Harlequin, the Dummy and Hazard focus their attention on Dugan, just days later. Their plan was to kill him at Stellar Studios, the headquarters of Infinity, Inc. When Pat's son became involved, Hazard exeperienced a change of heart and uses her powers to save their lives. Dummy uses the two as bait but Hazard further throws the battle and the group is defeated. Hazard willingly gives herself up to the police.

S.T.R.I.P.E

Dugan had gotten married again and settled in Blue Valley. His stepdaughter, Courtney Whitmore didn't like him one bit, became the second Star-Spangled Kid Cosmic Converter Belt after finding out he was Stripesy, partly in order to annoy him. This led Dugan to develop a robotic suit of power armor and assume the identity of S.T.R.I.P.E. so as to accompany and protect her. She would later gain Starman Jack Knight's cosmic rod and become Stargirl.

Dugan also has gone on missions without Courtney. During the Day of Judgement incident, he travels into space with Captain Marvel and Starfire. Their goal was to retrieve the Spear of Destiny to use against the fallen angel Asmodel, who had led a demonic invasion of Earth. The trio of heroes battle reanimated corpses of abandoned Russian cosmonauts and the corrupting influence of the Spear itself. Dugan is forced to subdue Starfire and the Spear is brought back to Earth and successfully used.

Dugan and his family moved to Metropolis, where he has assisted Steel. Since then, they have moved back to Blue Valley.

Due to Klarion the Witch Boy Dugan would become younger, aged to pre-adolescence with many other heroes. He joins in on at least one battle while without his armor because it was too big, tackling a mystically created monster with his bare hands. Pat, along with most everyone affected, turns back to normal when Klarion is blackmailed into reversing the effects.

Pat has also worked with the Justice Society of America for a time, mostly in a support role. He retooled one of Ted Knight's old designs and created the 'Steel Eagle', a new aircraft for the team.

Recently Pat has completely re-engineered S.T.R.I.P.E., changing its appearance. Occasionally his son,

Mike Dugan has been known to operate the S.T.R.I.P.E. suit.

New 52

Pat Dugan was sent in Courtney Whitmore's flashback while searching For The Martian Manhunter in the Firestorm Matrix.

Weapons, Skills and Such

In the 1940's Pat Dugan invented the Star-Rocket Racer. A 40's style automobile with retractable helicopter blades and wings. The vehicle was capable of vertical and horizontal flight. Several versions have appeared over the years. The number of times Pat Dugan has restored or rebuilt a new Star Rocket Racer is unknown. On one such mission, the Nebula Man drained its power core and the strain caused the vehicle to explode. The latest was given to his Step daughter (Courtney Whitmore-Stargirl) as an early birthday present.

The S.T.R.I.P.E. armor can fly and is equipped with lasers, missiles, enhanced senses, armor, and many other defensive devices. Besides these essentials, the armor also contains numerous fun items such as a fridge and a satellite television. Pat is also a genius inventor as well as a skilled had-to-hand fighter. He is allergic to pineapple.

Other Media

Justice League Unlimited

Both Pat and Courtney appeared on the show. In the episode, Patriot Act, both he and Stargirl are part of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. However, Pat is still in his S.T.R.I.P.E. identity with Stargirl taking the place of the Star-Spangled Kid. He was voiced by Phil LaMarr.

Smallville

Pat was mentioned a few times on the show by Stargirl.

CW Arrowverse

On the CWs Crisis on Infinite Earths Arrowverse crossover television series: Supergirl, Batwoman, The Flash, Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. Stargirl and S.T.R.IP.E. were introduced on new Earth 2 at the end of the event episode.

Stargirl

Pat Dugan appears in the streaming/tv series. He is portrayed by Luke Wilson.

The first season aired on DC Universe, a proprietary subscription service that offered digital comics and original programming. The original programming was abandoned early on, with Stargirl moving to The CW where it lasted for 2 more seasons. Unfortunately, it was cancelled in 2022 at the end of its 3rd season when Warner Brothers was bought by Discovery and The CW was sold off and rebranded away from tween/teen programming.