Samson

Origin

One day, an angel of God appears to Manoah's wife (Samson's mother) promising that she will bear a son. But this comes with a warning: She cannot contaminate her body with any alcohol, because her child will be a nazirite-dedicated to God from birth. She also learns that her son will save the Israelites from the Philistines.

After years, Samson was tested by God to show what he was made to do. As a first obstacle, Samson killed a lion with his bare hands. As a second act, due to his hatred of the Philistines, he killed a 1000 of them with a jawbone of a donkey. Also, he was known to attract many women. Three being Philistine women.

One day on a journey, he spotted women near a fountain getting water. He fell in love with one of the women named Delilah. They met and talked, and soon after got married. The Philistines heard the news of Samson getting married and started to make a plot to kill him, using Delilah. The five leaders of the Philistine nation went to Delilah, and demanded that she find out from Samson what made him so strong, so they could subdue him. In return, she would get a thousand pieces of silver. She accepted this offer, feeling no love of Samson due to the greed of money. Three times she begs to know the secret of his strength, and three times Samson lies to her. Finally, after Delilah nags persistently, he confesses: "A razor has never come to my head; for I have been a nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If my head were shaved, then my strength would leave me". Sure enough, Delilah takes advantage of this new information, lulling Samson to sleep and shaving off his hair. He immediately weakens, and God's power leaves him. Delilah hands Samson over to the Philistines, who gouge out his eyes, and force him to grind at a mill in prison.

The Philistines bring Samson down to Gaza and bind him to two pillars in their temple as a display for the amusement of the Philistine worshipers. Here Samson prays to God, asking for his strength to return to him one more time. God responds by sending Samson a final burst of strength, and Samson pushes against the pillars and brings the entire temple down, killing himself and all those in the temple with him.

Fox

Just like the Biblical Samson the Fox Comic Book Samson has the same powers and weaknesses from birth just like biblical ancestor. He also used his powers to sense that an Eastern holy man were praying to the Gods for a champion to battle evil. Samson visited the man and claimed the mantle of that champion, becoming even more empowered than he previously had been. He used his powers to fight weirdly named racketeers and saboteurs during World War II.

Samson also becomes one of the Big 3 in Fox Comics. He the Original Blue Beetle and the Flame even had their own comic for a very short time called The Big 3. This is not unlike Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman in the DC Universe only to a much lesser extent.

Samson also had a sidekick named David. David was the only survivor of a plane crash and was raised as Samson's ward Trained in the same techniques which granted Samson at least some of his superpowers.

Dynamite Entertainment

In Dynamite Entertainment's Project Superheroes Samson and his ward David and captured in the Urn of Pandora by the misguided Fighting Yank. They sit in limbo with all the other Superheroes and Villains of the world for sixty years including his comrades the Blue Beetle and the Flame. It is not until the fighting Yank realizes his mistake and smashes the Urn. When Samson reemerges he look very different from the man who went in and so does his friends. The Blue Beetle goes by the name scarab and Samson himself wears a blind fold over his eyes much like his ancestor wore after his eyes were cut out. Samson seems to have a new power however. It is some sort of sense that allows him to move as if he had sight instead of being totally blinded.

Other Media

In 1949 a movie was made about the biblical Samson. It was called Samson and Delilah. Starring Victor Mature as Samson and Hedy Lamarr and directed by Cecil B. DeMille. It won two Oscars for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration/Color and Best Costume Design/Color. It was also nominated for three more Oscars in Best Cinematography/Color, Best Effects/Special Effects and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture. The Golden Globes nominated it for

Best Cinematography/Color.