Reconstructing Otho

From CAPTAIN FUTURE: WIZARD OF SCIENCE (Summer, 1940)

As far as I know, the character of “Otho” from the “Captain Future” series was created by Edmond Hamilton. Most of the stories were written by Hamilton anyway. The series was published during the 1940’s and early 1950’s, initially in the CAPTAIN FUTURE pulp magazine and later in STARTLING STORIES. Otho was one of the “Futuremen,” a quartet of characters led by science hero, Curt Newton—Captain Future.

Otho is a synthetic man, an android. He’s certainly one of the first representations of such in science fiction. Otho’s arms and legs have a rubbery look and his skin is dead white. He has no hair on his body whatsoever. He wears a belt-like harness in which he carries ray pistols, a specialty make-up pouch, and other belongings. He has jade-green eyes that can see in the dark and generally has an alien look.

CAPTAIN FUTURE: WIZARD OF SCIENCE (Winter, 1940) painting by George Rozen on the left. CAPTAIN FUTURE: MAN OF TOMORROW (Fall, 1941) painting by Earle Bergey on the right.

Otho is a super-human. His body is streamlined for efficiency with bones that are much stronger than human bones and that can be bent double without breaking. His artificial muscle tissues are super-strong. He can run faster, jump higher, and move more quickly in an emergency than any other creature in the solar system. Although he must breathe, his lungs can process air toxic to the average human.

His most famous skill is the power of disguise. By softening and re-setting his synthetic flesh, and by changing the stature and posture of his flexible body, he can make himself look like anyone in the System, no matter what their race. (In Captain Future’s universe each planet in the Sol System has its own species of demi-humans.)

Two illustrations from “Captain Future” stories. On the left from “Earthmen No More,” STARTLING STORIES (March, 1951). On the right from “The Lost World of Time,” CAPTAIN FUTURE: MAN OF TOMORROW (Fall, 1941). Otho is seen on the far left of the drawing on the left, and in the foreground of the drawing on the right.

Otho is loyal, has an impatient and mercurial temperament, and is always on the hunt for adventure. In the stories he plays counterpoint to the robot, “Grag.” Grag is stalwart, steady and smart but somewhat dull.

Originally Otho was drawn or painted by George Rozen, Earle K. Bergey, Orban, and others. Over the decades his character design has been changed, mostly notably in the Japanese anime from the late 1970’s. I understand why Otho was re-designed for the anime but I have always preferred the original character design.

From the Captain Future anime from left to right: Otho, Captain Future, Grag.

I was curious to see how well I’d do drawing Otho myself using the original character design. I’m still in the pencil rough stage but it’s coming along. I’ll show off the final pen & ink when it’s finished.

My preliminary drawing of Otho using the original character design. I still have no idea what those things are on his back, whether they’re part of his clothing or attached directly to his back. Either way, they’re pretty cool.

This is the Rocketeer signing off for today.