Skywald's Forgotten Superheroes: Hell-Rider and Butterfly

These 1970s comic book characters were ahead of their time, but fell into the public domain.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:19am

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A striking abstract composition of stark black and red geometric shapes, evoking the bold, minimalist style of 1970s graphic design to conceptually represent the rebellious spirit of the forgotten superheroes Hell-Rider and Butterfly.The forgotten superheroes of Skywald Publishing embodied the rebellious, drug-fueled ethos of the 1970s, but their public domain status has relegated them to comic book obscurity.Los Angeles Today

In the 1970s, independent comic book publisher Skywald tried to make a mark with adult-oriented black-and-white titles, including the adventures of two superheroes - the biker anti-hero Hell-Rider and the pioneering black female superhero Butterfly. While their stories featured topical themes like drug use, sexuality, and racism, Skywald's failure to properly secure the copyrights meant these characters fell into the public domain.

Why it matters

Hell-Rider and Butterfly represented an attempt to bring more mature, socially-conscious storytelling to the superhero genre during a turbulent era. Their forgotten status highlights how independent publishers often struggled to compete with the major comics houses and protect their intellectual property.

The details

Created by writer Gary Friedrich, Hell-Rider was a Harvard-educated lawyer who joined a biker gang, was drafted into the Vietnam War, and gained superpowers from an experimental drug. Butterfly, the first black female superhero, had the ability to fly, cling to surfaces, and blind her enemies with bursts of light. The two heroes teamed up to battle villains like the Claw, a heroin-pushing fascist, and the Ripper, a Jekyll-and-Hyde killer. However, Skywald's copyright blunders meant these characters entered the public domain, limiting their potential for future development.

  • Hell-Rider and Butterfly first appeared in August 1971 in Skywald's Hell-Rider #1.
  • A planned fourth story pitting Hell-Rider against a Zodiac-style cult was never published, as the series was canceled before it could be released.

The players

Gary Friedrich

The writer who created Hell-Rider and later co-created Ghost Rider for Marvel Comics.

Brick Reese

The secret identity of the superhero Hell-Rider, a Harvard-educated lawyer who joined a biker gang.

Marian Michaels

The secret identity of the superhero Butterfly, an up-and-coming singer in Las Vegas.

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What’s next

While Hell-Rider and Butterfly remain in the public domain, their obscure status means they are unlikely to see any major revivals or adaptations in the near future. However, their pioneering representation of mature themes and diverse characters could inspire new generations of creators to push the boundaries of the superhero genre.

The takeaway

Skywald's failed attempt to create adult-oriented superheroes in the 1970s highlights the challenges independent publishers face in an industry dominated by Marvel and DC. Though Hell-Rider and Butterfly were ahead of their time, their public domain status has relegated them to comic book obscurity, a fate that could befall other innovative characters if creators don't properly protect their intellectual property.