Whiz Comics (1940) 93

Finishing out National Hobo Week is Captain Marvel, aka Shazam, in Whiz Comics 93.

Protagonist Hunky returns to his life on the rails after fearing his wife and child are lost in a house fire. Captain Marvel sets out to find the missing husband after said wife and child are found safe and sound in the basement of the burnt house.

This is pure 1940s hayseed. Hunky is initially seen bolting from the burning house setting up the story by screaming his family has perished and he has nothing to live for.

In the meantime, as stated, both are found in the basement and saved by Captain Marvel. They, in turn, ask the Big Red Cheese to find the missing man of the house.

Seeking the aid of other hobos, he is first being rebuffed as an outsider. Captain Marvel returns dressed in tattered clothing and is accepted and set on the path to find Hunky the hobo. The man in question evades the hero for the bulk of the story, but eventually is found sleeping behind a road sign and given the good news.

Hobo-dom is not as romantic as many writings may make the lifestyle. A hobo is a traveling worker, not a tramp or bum who only work when needed or don’t work at all.

The term hobo was originally recognized in 1890. Various explanations are given for how hobo originated. Some believe it was derived by “hoe-boy” or farm hand. It may also have come from “Ho, boy,” as a greeting. It is also believed to have been a shortened form of “homeward bound.”

Life as a hobo was transient and violent at times. Some lost limbs while attempting to hop trains, while others lost their lives. Railroad security would roust hobos with any means necessary. There was the fear of being crushed between train cars, freezing to death and starvation.

National Hobo Week is highlighted by the town of Britt, Iowa, who host the perennial National Hobo Convention the second weekend of August.