Hugo Danner is a character from the novel Gladiator, published in 1930 (eight years before Superman) by American Novelist Phillip Gordon Wylie.

Hugo Danner received his powers (due to his father injecting his wife's womb) by a powerful super serum his father created. He grew up with a strong moral upbringing by his parents never using his powers for evil. During World War I he joins the French Foreign Legion. After the war he eventually travels back to America and has many odd jobs. Eventually he roams the world without any purpose.

Powers and Abilities

Hugo possesses superhuman strength, speed, durability, and a healing factor. His only weakness seems to be lightning.

Comics

Marvel

The novel was partially adapted in in Marvel Preview #9 (published in winter of 1976), written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Tony DeZuniga.

DC

Roy Thomas returned to work with the character, making him the first metahuman in the DC Universe and father of the hero Iron Munro.

Wildstorm

In 2005, Wildstorm (already a DC imprint) published a four-issue miniseries called Legend, written by Howard Chaykin with art by Russ Heath, the miniseries exchanges the First World War for the Vietnam War.

Film

The novel was adapted into a film released in 1938, however, there are many differences from the book, Hugo's surname is Kipp and he receives a formula from Professor Danner, who is not his father, the film is a comedy and shows Hugo becoming an athlete in high school and facing a professional wrestler and the formula has a temporary effect.