[K1ngcat]

Hello again, fellow comic fans!

This week I'm offering something slightly different - an all-you-can-read buffet of hypnotic hi-jinks from the pen of Frank Thomas. The Mighty Yoc has thoughtfully created an Archive of his artwork, so we can plunge in at Amazing Man Comics #14 for the first of seven adventures with the unusual Dr. Hypno, brain specialist, psychologist, criminologist and former federal investigator!

I leave it up to you how many of these tales you can stomach - they are all, of course, brain-rotting rubbish of the first order, but I find them still charming ( perhaps a sign of how rotted my brain has become! ) and I hope you'll find them, and the good doctor, of some amusement or interest.

Please feel to comment on as many, or as few, of his adventures as you like, I look forward to your comments. Here's the link:

https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=67670

[The Australian Panther]

Well not having been a complete Golden Age aficionado, I only became aware of Frank Thomas through CB+.
So I'm going to enjoy this.
But I want to go out of my way to thank Yoc for including with the archive , a contents and credits pager and several articles on the creator. And I'm going to have just as much satisfaction reading those.
I thank all those who go to the trouble of creating these archives, but too often there is no reference material like this included. So you have to do your own research or guess.
So Yoc, thanks again!
         

[Yoc]

Hi Gang,
I'm happy to see Frank Thomas being given some love here.  The good doctor was not his strongest work for Centaur but it was a novel idea.  'The Eye Sees' has more drama to my eye.

Thanks for the kind words about the extras in the collection.  I've always felt something more should be shared in a collection whenever it's possible.  The extras in the FT Archives were a real pleasure to create, especially when we were able to contact Frank's daughter how was still with us and able to provide some wonderful background on her father for us as you will see if you read her piece 'My Father, Frank Thomas'.

It's a little odd, I just noticed there are two copies of each of the file.  One of each could be removed by anyone on staff here.

-Yoc
(with a 'c')

[Robb_K]

Good choice!  I like Frank Thomas' work very much.  I know him only from his Funny Animal work on those few Animal Comics bugs stories, and his "Billy and Bonnie Bee" stories in "New Funnies" and the early "Raggedy Ann and Andy" Dell series.  But I can see just by glancing at the artwork, that I will like his "Chuck Hardy in The Land Beneath The Sea" very much.  Upon first glance, Dr. Hypno doesn't look like it will be my cup of tea, but, I'll give it a try.

It was great to get to hear first hand about Thomas from his daughter.  And the other intro articles in the compilation were excellent, too.

[K1ngcat]

Hi Gang,
I'm happy to see Frank Thomas being given some love here.  The good doctor was not his strongest work for Centaur but it was a novel idea.  'The Eye Sees' has more drama to my eye.

Thanks for the kind words about the extras in the collection.  I've always felt something more should be shared in a collection whenever it's possible.  The extras in the FT Archives were a real pleasure to create, especially when we were able to contact Frank's daughter how was still with us and able to provide some wonderful background on her father for us as you will see if you read her piece 'My Father, Frank Thomas'.

It's a little odd, I just noticed there are two copies of each of the file.  One of each could be removed by anyone on staff here.

-Yoc
(with a 'c')

Thanks for commenting, Yoc, and of course for all your work on the Frank Thomas Archive which has made my job here so easy.

Both The Eye and The Owl are perhaps more striking works than Dr Hypno, but I suspect better known to the denizens of CB+.  I wanted to pick something that everyone here just might not have read before.  The next couple of weeks will tell how successful that idea was!   

And thanks to Robb_K for being game enough to give Dr. H a chance. Look forward to your input.
All the best
K1ngcat

[Yoc]

Hi guys,
Sure, I can understand wanting to look into something less known of the Frank Thomas characters.  When we started these archives I was only aware of The Owl and The Eye.  Dr Hypno vaguely reminds me of a more serious version of 'Doctor Dolittle' (1968).  You could say 'Aquaman' owes him some thanks as well.

It's especially nice to hear people are enjoying the extras that we put into the Frank Thomas and the Rangerhouse 'Lost City' collections.  My co-creators and I all felt strongly about bringing more to the table than just collecting the stories for each archive.  Thinking back on this collection brings me fond memories.

For the FT Archives, Chris Beneke, Josh Petrie and I put a lot of work into the extras.  Learning about FT's daughter Nancy Thomas-Bardeen via Ancestry.com and a Google search for her whereabouts was a stroke of good luck.  Finding her willing to talk with some complete strangers about her late father years since he passing was beyond exciting!  Chris got to know Nancy via email exchanges.  She was a very sharp lady and creative in her own right.  It was her idea to contribute a page of memories to the collection and she was able to share many personal mementoes towards our archives!  Nancy was a classy lady and a pleasure to work with.

While working on it we talked with Michael T. Gilbert (Mr Monster fame) who has a regular feature in Two Morrows amazing 'Alter-Ego' magazine.  He was able to talk the Two Morrows into doing a cover feature on Frank Thomas in Alter-Ego #151 which came out Feb. 2018.  I was pleasantly surprised to see I was included in the issue with some cover suggestions that were not used. 

Creating these FT Archives was perhaps the hardest work I've done on any collection (the Phantom Lady Archives would be a close second) but also one of the most rewarding.  Thanks to everyone for giving them a second look.

Enjoy the excellent work that FT did during his life!

[Morgus]

Yoc this is one heck of a labor of love. I knew beans about the artist, so this was a great learning curve and a wonderful way to pass a couple of afternoons. I can only hope that when my time comes my own kids can remember me as fondly as Franks' daughter did.

Your right, Kingcat. This is brain rot, but prime grade "A" brain rot. One of the delights of golden age comics is super imposing what eventually the comic heroes became...contrasting later versions of Bat Man or Superman. In this case you have to wonder what Doc H would have been like if he had made it into the 60's. Sometimes I can almost see it...and yeah, the extras made it. The kind of stuff Dark Horse would promote the hell out if they were doing it.

[K1ngcat]

Your right, Kingcat. This is brain rot, but prime grade "A" brain rot. One of the delights of golden age comics is super imposing what eventually the comic heroes became...contrasting later versions of Bat Man or Superman. In this case you have to wonder what Doc H would have been like if he had made it into the 60's. Sometimes I can almost see it...and yeah, the extras made it. The kind of stuff Dark Horse would promote the hell out if they were doing it.

Glad you enjoyed it, Morgus. CGI is so good with talking animals these days, I'd love to imagine Dr. Hypno as a modern movie, but I can't think of an actor who combines a build like a pro wrestler with the suave snootiness of George Sanders or Basil Rathbone. Anyone got any suggestions?
All the best
K1ngcat

[Robb_K]

Your right, Kingcat. This is brain rot, but prime grade "A" brain rot. One of the delights of golden age comics is super imposing what eventually the comic heroes became...contrasting later versions of Bat Man or Superman. In this case you have to wonder what Doc H would have been like if he had made it into the 60's. Sometimes I can almost see it...and yeah, the extras made it. The kind of stuff Dark Horse would promote the hell out if they were doing it.

Glad you enjoyed it, Morgus. CGI is so good with talking animals these days, I'd love to imagine Dr. Hypno as a modern movie, but I can't think of an actor who combines a build like a pro wrestler with the suave snootiness of George Sanders or Basil Rathbone. Anyone got any suggestions?
All the best
K1ngcat

I can't think of ANY past or present actor that has the body of a wrestler and combines suavity with snootiness.  All the tough, villainous actors who were big, strong and heavy played villains who were on the weak side of average when it came to brains, and they didn't need to act snooty, as everyone feared them because they used force.  The clever, villains who were also snooty, were usually dark thin, mustachioed, sneaky. (Hard to be sneaky and hidden in the fog or shadows when you are fat or huge, and clumsy because you'd be much more easily seen(due to big size), or heard (due to crashing into things because of your clumsiness).  Of course this is all casting from cliches. 

Both Rathbone and Sanders played parts that required them to fight villains physically (moreso Sanders).  Most of Rathbone's fight scenes had him in the villain's part (and then, they were mostly sword fights).  A super-strong musclebound superhero wouldn't need to be snooty.  A snooty hero wouldn't be a candidate to be a protagonist.  The readers would HATE him or her.  Rathbone was a little bit snooty as Sherlock Holmes.  But, i can't think of any other heroes who are snooty. It's tough to like someone who acts like they are in a class above most people.

[Robb_K]

I've read several episodes of "Chuck Hardy in The Land Beneath The Sea", and liked it a lot.  It is an interesting long serialised adventure story, with a decent amount of action, interesting alien forms of life, interesting background scenery, and plot typical of the "lost World fantasy serialised films or books of that time.  I don't like Thomas' artwork in his human-figured comic book stories, as his semi-realistic work is not anywhere near the quality of the top-tier comic book human-figure artists of his day.  His cartoony/funny animal artwork is of a much higher quality.  But the story is very much an interesting adventure, and the backgrounds are nice.  The science is fairly weak, of course, but is typical of the fantasy comics of the day.  So, that doesn't bother me.

On the other hand, the premise of Dr. Hypno is just too unbelievable and silly to take seriously, and really makes it too hard for me to enjoy.  In addition, it gets old VERY fast, with every test he makes, using a different animal's body as a disguise that he uses so that he can capture the criminal.  They are basically ALL the same story, over and over again.  It gets boring very quickly (after 2 stories, and CERTAINLY after the 3rd).  Now, IF his living brain were transplanted into the body of a bat or badger, or whichever type of animal, and he couldn't continue switching back and forth between animal bodies and his human body, it might be easier to stomach.  But then, he'd be hampered in his abilities to capture the criminals.  He'd just be a 'spy" for the police, who would have to work hard to work some kind of machine that would provide him the dexterity to write messages to the police, or use a "talking machine" loaded with human speech sound components to form words as currently used by human stroke victims, or people whose voice boxes have been destroyed.

[K1ngcat]

Both Rathbone and Sanders played parts that required them to fight villains physically (moreso Sanders).  Most of Rathbone's fight scenes had him in the villain's part (and then, they were mostly sword fights).  A super-strong musclebound superhero wouldn't need to be snooty.  A snooty hero wouldn't be a candidate to be a protagonist.  The readers would HATE him or her.  Rathbone was a little bit snooty as Sherlock Holmes.  But, i can't think of any other heroes who are snooty. It's tough to like someone who acts like they are in a class above most people.

And yet I find I really like Doc H.  I particularly like the way Frank Thomas manages to convey his natural sense of superiority with a few well-placed lines. And why wouldn't he feel superior, considering he's quite well off, highly educated, and powerfully built. Given all his talents and qualifications he has that sense of what we now call "entitlement" that comes from being better than your average geezer.

When he first succeeds in transferring his mind to the parrot, Wun asks him "please no do again" to which he replies "Nonsense! I will do it many times!" with all the self-confidence of a man who's not used to being argued with. Even by his trusted ethnic minority servant.

But he's not without his human frailties. In Amazing Man #20, he admits "I never have any luck with women" as he hasn't figured out that his natural sense of superiority isn't necessarily attractive. And he seems comfortable enough with Wun's company to confide that to him, so perhaps there's more to the relationship than simply master and servant.

In AM #21 he admits he's attracted to Miss Glammer ( which in 1930's style, she takes as a compliment - don't try this in the 21st Century, kids! ) and gets involved in some banter with her suggesting a sense of humour and a softening of attitude, but sadly that's the last time he appears,  so we never see any further development of personality.

But, anyway, yes Dr Hypno's unbelievable and silly, not to mention snooty, and yet I still find him interesting and appealing. Go figure!

Robb, I'm glad at least that you found some solace in FT's other strips, and thanks for giving the whole thing your time and attention. Appreciate your input
All the best
K1ngcat

[Captain Audio]

I can't think of ANY past or present actor that has the body of a wrestler and combines suavity with snootiness.  All the tough, villainous actors who were big, strong and heavy played villains who were on the weak side of average when it came to brains, and they didn't need to act snooty, as everyone feared them because they used force.  The clever, villains who were also snooty, were usually dark thin, mustachioed, sneaky. (Hard to be sneaky and hidden in the fog or shadows when you are fat or huge, and clumsy because you'd be much more easily seen(due to big size), or heard (due to crashing into things because of your clumsiness).  Of course this is all casting from cliches. 

Both Rathbone and Sanders played parts that required them to fight villains physically (moreso Sanders).  Most of Rathbone's fight scenes had him in the villain's part (and then, they were mostly sword fights).  A super-strong musclebound superhero wouldn't need to be snooty.  A snooty hero wouldn't be a candidate to be a protagonist.  The readers would HATE him or her.  Rathbone was a little bit snooty as Sherlock Holmes.  But, i can't think of any other heroes who are snooty. It's tough to like someone who acts like they are in a class above most people.

Rathbone was a champion fencer. When he fought Errol Flynn in Robin Hood Flynn alwatys taunted him that while Rathbone was the better swordsman he would always win because he was the star.
Cornel Wilde was another master swordsman, taught by the best.

Surprisingly Vincent Price despite the lanky build and closely tailored period costumes he often wore which made him look slender had a great physique. In an early film where he was shown shirtless he had more muscles than most of the actors who played Tarzan.

In their day physical fitness was a big thing but letting your muscles show in public was usually considered vulgar.

[Robb_K]

I can't think of ANY past or present actor that has the body of a wrestler and combines suavity with snootiness.  All the tough, villainous actors who were big, strong and heavy played villains who were on the weak side of average when it came to brains, and they didn't need to act snooty, as everyone feared them because they used force.  The clever, villains who were also snooty, were usually dark thin, mustachioed, sneaky. (Hard to be sneaky and hidden in the fog or shadows when you are fat or huge, and clumsy because you'd be much more easily seen(due to big size), or heard (due to crashing into things because of your clumsiness).  Of course this is all casting from cliches. 

Both Rathbone and Sanders played parts that required them to fight villains physically (moreso Sanders).  Most of Rathbone's fight scenes had him in the villain's part (and then, they were mostly sword fights).  A super-strong musclebound superhero wouldn't need to be snooty.  A snooty hero wouldn't be a candidate to be a protagonist.  The readers would HATE him or her.  Rathbone was a little bit snooty as Sherlock Holmes.  But, i can't think of any other heroes who are snooty. It's tough to like someone who acts like they are in a class above most people.

Rathbone was a champion fencer. When he fought Errol Flynn in Robin Hood Flynn alwatys taunted him that while Rathbone was the better swordsman he would always win because he was the star.
Cornel Wilde was another master swordsman, taught by the best.

Surprisingly Vincent Price despite the lanky build and closely tailored period costumes he often wore which made him look slender had a great physique. In an early film where he was shown shirtless he had more muscles than most of the actors who played Tarzan.

In their day physical fitness was a big thing but letting your muscles show in public was usually considered vulgar.

I had a feeling that both Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone were expert fencers, because the camera was on their entire bodies in most of their sword dueling scenes, rather than cutting away to just seeing arms hands and swords, as is done when the lead actors aren't good at fencing, and experts are doing most of it, with most of their bodies offscreen.

[crashryan]

had a feeling that both Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone were expert fencers, because the camera was on their entire bodies in most of their sword dueling scenes, rather than cutting away to just seeing arms hands and swords

I remember how during the Kung Fu movie craze you could tell which actors actually practiced martial arts by the way their scenes were directed. The Chuck Norrises would be filmed full-length from the side so we could watch their moves. The John Saxons were filmed close-up and mostly just kicked at the camera.

[Robb_K]

had a feeling that both Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone were expert fencers, because the camera was on their entire bodies in most of their sword dueling scenes, rather than cutting away to just seeing arms hands and swords

I remember how during the Kung Fu movie craze you could tell which actors actually practiced martial arts by the way their scenes were directed. The Chuck Norrises would be filmed full-length from the side so we could watch their moves. The John Saxons were filmed close-up and mostly just kicked at the camera.

When the lead actors can't perform correctly, they show a few close ups of them, with longer shots of a stunt man double taking their part.  It was very unusual to have almost every shot of the Flynn-Rathbone sword duels have full shots of both of them.  The viewer could see they weren't using doubles or stunt men, even for the athletic ducking and leaping moves.  Rathbone was 46 years old when he dueled with Errol Flynn in Robin Hood in 1938.  So, he was in great shape for his age.  He had been the #1 Champion fencing master in The British Army, and taught Errol Flynn and Tyrone power how to fence adequately enough that they didn't need stunt men doubles for their dueling scenes.  He was also a master violinist, which is why the camera was on his whole body when he played the violin in his scenes as Sherlock Holmes.  He was a director's dream.  A great villain, and a great hero detective.  What I didn't know until now was that he was born and raised as a youngster in Johannesburg, and moved to England in 1903, at the age of 11, when his father packed up his family and ran away after he was accused of having been a spy for The British Army against The Boers of The Orange Free State and Nataal.  I wonder if my great uncles were among his accusers?

[K1ngcat]

had a feeling that both Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone were expert fencers, because the camera was on their entire bodies in most of their sword dueling scenes, rather than cutting away to just seeing arms hands and swords

I remember how during the Kung Fu movie craze you could tell which actors actually practiced martial arts by the way their scenes were directed. The Chuck Norrises would be filmed full-length from the side so we could watch their moves. The John Saxons were filmed close-up and mostly just kicked at the camera.

Rathbone was 46 years old when he dueled with Errol Flynn in Robin Hood in 1938.  So, he was in great shape for his age.  He had been the #1 Champion fencing master in The British Army, and taught Errol Flynn and Tyrone power how to fence adequately enough that they didn't need stunt men doubles for their dueling scenes.  He was also a master violinist, which is why the camera was on his whole body when he played the violin in his scenes as Sherlock Holmes.  He was a director's dream.  A great villain, and a great hero detective.

Okay guys, I'm sold on this one.
Can we bring back Basil Rathbone for the Dr. Hypno movie? 
Maybe we can get Chris Hemsworth's trainer to bulk him up a bit? 
Oh well, a man can dream...
Thanks for all the great info
All the best
K1ngcat

[Captain Audio]

Okay guys, I'm sold on this one.
Can we bring back Basil Rathbone for the Dr. Hypno movie? 
Maybe we can get Chris Hemsworth's trainer to bulk him up a bit? 
Oh well, a man can dream...
Thanks for all the great info
All the best
K1ngcat

Just saw a photo of Chris Hemsworth with his hair looking sun bleached and slicked back. First thing I thought was that is a fairly close Doc Savage look.
Not many actors with the size and build to fit Doc Savage's torn shirt these days.

[K1ngcat]

Just saw a photo of Chris Hemsworth with his hair looking sun bleached and slicked back. First thing I thought was that is a fairly close Doc Savage look.
Not many actors with the size and build to fit Doc Savage's torn shirt these days.

Now that's another thing...
I have in my mind a recollection that I saw a Doc Savage movie on TV many years ago that had Bruce Boxleitner in the starring role, yet the internet refuses to believe it exists.
Anyone know of such a film, or has my fevered I imagination invented it for me? 
All information gratefully accepted
Thanks in anticipation
K1ngcat

[K1ngcat]

I remember how during the Kung Fu movie craze you could tell which actors actually practiced martial arts by the way their scenes were directed. The Chuck Norrises would be filmed full-length from the side so we could watch their moves. The John Saxons were filmed close-up and mostly just kicked at the camera.

Yes, yes, crash...but what about Dr. Hypno?

[Captain Audio]

Just saw a photo of Chris Hemsworth with his hair looking sun bleached and slicked back. First thing I thought was that is a fairly close Doc Savage look.
Not many actors with the size and build to fit Doc Savage's torn shirt these days.

Now that's another thing...
I have in my mind a recollection that I saw a Doc Savage movie on TV many years ago that had Bruce Boxleitner in the starring role, yet the internet refuses to believe it exists.
Anyone know of such a film, or has my fevered I imagination invented it for me? 
All information gratefully accepted
Thanks in anticipation
K1ngcat

You may be thinking of Ron Ely.

[crashryan]

Yeah, the only Doc Savage movie was the 1975 one with Ron Ely. I was a big Doc Savage fan back then and was appalled by the movie. To quote an IMDB commentator, "the adventure wasn't exciting and the camp wasn't funny." A sad way for producer George Pal to finish his career.

IMDB claims there is / was a TV series in development. However this entry is not dated and details are paywalled so I've no idea if this is a current project or if it refers to the projected series of the early 1970s. With luck heaven will protect us from a television Doc Savage.

Looking back one must admit that the only successful pastiche of pulp adventures was Raiders of the Lost Ark. One could argue Star Wars was another, but I see that as more of a Saturday serial pastiche than a pulp adventure.

[K1ngcat]

Yeah, the only Doc Savage movie was the 1975 one with Ron Ely. I was a big Doc Savage fan back then and was appalled by the movie. To quote an IMDB commentator, "the adventure wasn't exciting and the camp wasn't funny." A sad way for producer George Pal to finish his career.

Okay, so I am certifiable. It's a comfort to know.
But seriously, crash, what about Dr. Hypno?? 
All the best
K1ngcat 

[The Australian Panther]

IMDB claims there is / was a TV series in development.

That 'rumor' has been around for a long time. And sometimes it can take decades for Hollywood to get around to finally getting a project on air. Personally, a post 'Woke' Doc Savage is not something I am keen to see. I'm not holding my breath. Pat would be the main character, - not that there is anything wrong with that - A spin-off series about Pat could be quite interesting in itself. I think there is a comic mini-series or special somewhere to that effect.
Chris Hemsworth? He tends currently to be mocking KIrby's vision for Thor in his portrayals. The internet gossip has it that in his latest movie he implies that Thor is gay. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he hasn't already been approached to play Doc Savage or Tarzan. I shudder. I have no problem with a character who is created out of whole cloth from the beginning as Gay, just retconning characters who were not, as portrayed by their creators and known by their audiences.
I have just been rereading Wildstorm's run of Stormwatch and the Authority with Apollo and Midnighter and quite enjoying it.             

[The Australian Panther]

OK My Review.
https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=67670
But first,
A little about the 'The Owl'
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-owl/4005-46596/
Batman debuted in 1939, the Owl in 1940? So how much was Thomas influenced by Batman? There are quite a few similarities.
For mine this was a good idea which, after Thomas, never lived up to its potential. 
The Gold Key 2 issues were not one of their better efforts.
Then Marvel stole the name for a second-rate Daredevil villain who they could never make up their minds what his powers were and how villainous he was. Also wasted potential.
Then Gardner Fox created Owlman as the anti-Batman in his Earth 3 story for Justice League. This character is probably still my favorite. The best iteration is in the animated earth 3 movie where he was voiced by the wonderful James Woods. If you haven't seen it, you should.
James Woods as Owlman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T97DKNag2UE
Latterly DC has created the Owls as a secret society in Gotham. 
Back to the Owl.
Neither AC or Dynamite have done much with the character. I see that possibly the character was used In Savage Dragon at least once. That would be worth finding. 
So does all this come out of Frank Thomas' original vision?
I like to think it does.

[The Australian Panther]

OK! now my review!
https://comicbookplus.com/?dlid=67670
Page 1 Chuck Hardy.
the Marquesas Islands? They do exist, and here they are.
https://www.worldatlas.com/islands/marquesas-islands.html
Dr Hypno.
Thomas is not just interested in telling an adventure, so this in this first story he is working out how Dr Hypno's abilities work.
I don't know why his body would die, if his consciousness didn't come back - he should just live on as some kind of mindless zombie. But I guess that creates tension.in the stories.
Story 2. Why Mandrake doesn't have the hypnotic ability to make people tell the truth, I don't know. Thinking about it, Mandrake's thing about casting illusions is very visual and helps to fill the comic pages with action.
This story has a very dull ending. Feels like Thomas is still working out the possibilities.
'This is a regular Murders in the Ru Morgue' That story is a good story of detection but fatally marred by the use of a Gorilla. Gorillas are plant-eating and are just not normally murderous. They are usually very gentle. They would be afraid of people and would need to be very frightened or agitated to act like that. So unrealistic and unfair to Gorillas.
A logical mess of a story.     
Story 3. What kind of patients does Dr Hypno see? We don't know.
once again the guts of the story are concerned with Dr Hypno having to find an animal. Getting back to his body doesn't seem to be an issue here. And once again, after the message has been sent, the story ends in 2 short panels. No action, no more suspense.
Story #4. Note the names on the bill. Gov. Graft. Sen. Filchit.
This story is much more interesting. And visual.
Story # 5. Monkeying around! By now Thomas is getting into his stride, and really having some fun.
Story # 6. And now we have an elephant, and as soon as we spot the elephant we know what's going to happen. Even more action and sarcastic dialogue from the good Doctor. And the Doctor is a brain surgeon we find. A pity that's as far as the stories went, there were quite a number of directions the story-line could have grown into.
The feeling I get here is that Thomas came to the conclusion that the character was limited and bound to run out of plot ideas quickly. The fact that in the dialogue he twice has the DR speak of plots as 'the usual' is a give-away for me. Certainly, correct me if I'm wrong, Dr Hypno was a true original.     
And why has this character not been used by those who use PD characters?
Characters influenced by Dr Hypno would be 3 from DC.
Animal Man, Beast Boy and Congorilla. Any others you can think of?
I always thought, when Congo Bill changes into Congorilla, there also ought to be story-line about the Ape adjusting to the human body. Same thing with Dr Hypno.
Thanks Yoc and Kingcat, when I get the time I will come back to these archives and enjoy them.
Cheers!