The Golem was a legendary creature of Jewish mythology, a creature that arose from clay to protect the Jewish people. In 1942, the Golem again arose to protect the Jews of Poland's Warsaw Ghetto. This time, the Golem lived thru the idealistic Jacob Goldstein.
Goldstein was the younger brother of Johann Goldstein, alias Professor John Gold, who had battled the Invaders as the Blue Bullet. After being defeated by the Invaders, Johann confessed to the Human Torch that he had been working for the Allies, when the Nazis contacted him and told him that, unless he secretly worked for them, they would kill his brother Jacob in Poland. Reluctantly, Johann agreed to turn against the Allies. However, Johann vowed to the Torch that if the Invaders could rescue Jacob from Poland, he would again work for the Allies. To this end, the Invaders set off for the Warsaw Ghetto in order to retrieve Jacob Goldstein. Unfortunately, Jacob refused to leave his people--not even for the sake of his brother. Before the Invaders could argue with him, a patrol of Nazi Panzer tanks rolled into the ghetto and attacked the Invaders. During the ensuing skirmish, one of the tanks closed in on a group of helpless Jews...including Jacob Goldstein. Ordered to surrender if they wanted the Jews spared, the Invaders ceased fighting and turned themselves over to the Nazis. Shocked that the Invaders were captured on his behalf, Jacob realized he could no longer be passive in the resistance against Hitler.
Jacob began constructing a golem out of clay, writing the Hebrew word 'emeth' on it's forehead. 'Emeth' meant 'truth,' and it was this word which would bring the golem to life. Jacob then doused it with a stolen Nazi chemical known only as 'heavy water.' Following a prayer to God, the lifeless golem was struck by lightning. The combination of electricity, clay, and 'heavy water' was enough to bring the mythical Golem to life--channeled through Jacob Goldstein. As the Golem, Goldstein went to the fortress of the Nazi Colonel Eisen, also known throughout Poland as the Face. Eisen was torturing the Invaders there when the Golem came crashing through the walls. As Jacob freed the Invaders, Eisen fled to the top of his castle fortress. Aware that Eisen had killed many Jews, the Golem followed him. Although Eisen begged for his life, the Golem could not be dissauded from his mission. He knocked the Face off the top of the castle to his death.
The Golem then rubbed his clay forehead, changing the word 'emeth' to 'emet,' the Hebrew word for death. This transformed the Golem back into Jacob Goldstein. Jacob was now even more adamant about staying in Poland, so that he could again become the Golem to defend the Jewish people. Realizing he was right, the Invaders left him in peace.
It was a few years later when the tables were turned on Jacob. The evil Nazi scientist known as Dr. Death, leader of the Battle-Axis, took Johann Goldstein prisoner. They forced him to work for them, and told Jacob that, unless he again became the Golem and worked for them, they would kill Johann. Reluctantly, Jacob agreed for the sake of his brother's life. The Golem helped the Battle-Axis defeat the Invaders, and unwillingly fought alongside them until Johann revolted. Deciding he no longer wanted to aid the Nazis under any circumstances, Johann fled. On Dr. Death's orders, Johann was gunned down by Battle-Axis member Sky Shark in front of Jacob. In a rage, the Golem killed Sky Shark. Jacob then attempted to kill Dr. Death, but he was killed instead by the traitorous Battle-Axis member Volton. Grieving over the loss of his beloved brother, Jacob returned to Poland. What became of him after this, and whether or not he ever again became the Golem, is unknown.
INSIDE STORY: Earlier versions of the Golem, a real Jewish legend, appeared in Marvel comics several years before the Jacob Goldstein version. Chronologically, however, Jacob came first. An interesting character (especially now that his brother is dead), the Golem will hopefully turn up again someday.
By the way, there was a silent film in 1920 called The Golem. I've never seen this movie, although I do have a still from it I may put on the site. You can find out more about it in The Videohound Horror Movie Guide, available at most bookstores. Sorry about that plug, but it's worth checking out if you're interested in the Golem legend.
First Appearance: (as Jacob Goldstein) INVADERS #12; (as the Golem) INVADERS #13 (1977)
Other Appearances: INVADERS (Limited Series) #3-4 (1993)
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