Monday, September 11, 2017

Comics: Joye Hummel, Wonder Woman Ghostwriter


Joye Evelyn Hummel was born in 1924 in New York state according to census records. According to the Florida Resident Database, the month and day are April 4. Part of her childhood was spent on Long Island, New York. Her activities and school days were reported in two local newspapers from 1937 to 1947.

Nassau Daily Review-Star
(Freeport, New York)
July 21, 1937

Personal Mention
Miss Joye Hummel of Cypress road, Inwood, has returned from a month's vacation in the Catskills.

Nassau Daily Review-Star

June 29, 1938
Play Is Feature at School Event
An original play, “On Trial,” written by two members of the class, Edward Doyle and Nicholas Cipollina, featured the thirteenth annual commencement exercises of the Freeport junior high school, last night….The list of graduates follows: …Joye Hummel

The 1939 Voyageur
Freeport High School
Sophomore Class
High Honor: Joye Hummel and 20 students

1940 United States Federal Census
Home: 138 South Grove, Hempstead, Nassau County, New York
Residence in 1935: Inwood Park, Nassau, New York
Name /Age / Occupation
Quenten Hummel, 37, manager, retail food store
Mavis Hummel, 37, blank
Joye Hummel, 16, blank

Nassau Daily Review-Star
February 15, 1940

Sweet Sixteen Party
Miss Ruth Kormendy of Moody avenue, Freeport, was hostess at a sweet sixteen party at her home on the occasion of her birthday. Her guests included the Misses Joye Hummel,…[and 15 guests]

Nassau Daily Review-Star
December 14, 1940

Freeport Pupils Give Annual Play
Pupils Outspell Parents
Students outspelled the parents in a spelling bee at the Freeport High school, Thursday night, a feature of the meeting of the Freeport Junior-Senior Parent-Teacher association. Margaret Kranz and Norma Lane were the winning students.
Other student contestants were Eugenie Unger, Ruth Kormendy, Joye Hummel, Joan Smith and Willard DaSilva….

Nassau Daily Review-Star
January 7, 1941

P.-T. A. Panel
Parent And Two Pupils In Freepert Round Table Parley
A round table discussion on “The Responsibility of the Teacher and the Classroom in Eduction” will feature a meeting of the Freeport Junior-Senior High schnol Parent-Teacher association, Thursday night at 8:15 o'clock, in the teachers’ cafeteria at the school. Participating will be a parent. Colonel Waiter G. Sheard, and two students, Joye Hummel and Joseph Crasson. Mrs. Douglas Mathewson. president, will preside and refreshments will be served under the supervision of Mrs. Dora Brandt….

Nassau Daily Review-Star
January 11, 1941

Plans Fund Drive to Aid Students
To Solicit Contributions from Organizations in Freeport
A round table discussion on “The Responsibility of the Teacher end the Classroom Education,” brought out the fact that the teacher has a great influence in shaping the future lives of students, at a meeting of the association, Thursday night. Mrs. Fred C. Hewlitt led the discussion, with Colonel Sheard representing the parent and Joye Hummel and Joseph Crasson the students.

Nassau Daily Review-Star
April 10, 1941

Freeport Has Two Valedictorians
...This year’s graduating class has 12 honor students who have maintained Averages of 90 per cent or better throughout their courses, as compared with 16 last year. This years outstanding students are: …Joye Hummel…

The Leader
(Freeport, New York)
June 5, 1941

Stadium Is Solemn Scene of Memorial Day Exercises
…There was a Bible reading by Eugene Unger, followed by a prayer by Joye Hummel….

The 1941 Voyageur
Freeport High School
Senior Class Scholastic Honors
The following students have maintained an average of 90% or better over a period of 3.5 years: Joye Hummel and 24 students

Senior Photograph



















Nassau Daily Review-Star
September 17, 1941

Mrs. Joseph Gallo and Mrs. Quentin Hummel of Freeport returned from a motor trip to Middlebury, Vt., Monday night. Miss Joy [sic] Hummel motored up with her mother and Mrs. Gallo and entered Middlebury college. She was graduated in June from Freeport High school.
All Star Comics #8, October 1941
first appearance of Wonder Woman who was created by Dr. William M. Marston and drawn by Harry G. Peter

Sensation Comics #1, January 1942
Wonder Woman is the lead feature

The Leader
February 19, 1942

Joye Hummel Joins in Middlebury Fete
Miss Joye Hummel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Hummel, of 132 South Grove st., a freshman at Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vt., is among those who have been selected to participate in the 11th annual winter carnival and Interscholastic Ski Union meet which will get under way there tonight….

Wonder Woman #1, Summer 1942

1943 Platen
Joye Evelyn Hummel
Katharine Gibbs School, New York, New York


















The Leader
March 23, 1944

Joye Himmel [sic] at School
Miss Joye Hummel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Hummel, of 132 South Grove st., has entered the Katherine [sic] Gibbs School in New York. She is a graduate of Freeport High School and attended Middlebury College in Vermont.

The Leader
March 30, 1944

Graduated
Miss Joye Hummel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Hummel, of 132 South Grove st., has been graduated from the Katherine Gibs [sic] School in New York. She is a graduate of Freeport High School and attended Middlebury College in Vermont.[After graduating, Dr. Marston invited Hummel to assist him on writing Wonder Woman.]

Nassau Daily Review-Star
April 13, 1944

Graduate
Miss Hummel has completed a course at the Katharine Gibbs secretarial school in New York city. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quinten Hummel of South Grove street, Freeport, she is a Freeport High school graduate and attended Middlebury college, Middlebury, Vt.

Nassau Daily Review-Star
April 24, 1947

Miss Joye Hummel Engaged
Script Writer Will Be Bride of D.W. Murchison
Mrs. Mavis Hummel of Shipherd avenue, Lynbrook, has announced the engagement of her daughter, Miss Joye Evelyn Hummel, to David Wood Murchison, son of Mr. M. David Murchison of Glen Cove.

The bride-elect, daughter of Quinten Hummel of Freeport, is a graduate of Freeport High school; attended Mlddlebury college, Middlebury, Vt. and was graduated from the Katharine Gibbs school, New York city. She is employed as a script writer for the comic strip “Wonder Woman.”

Mr. Murchison, a graduate of Friends academy, Locust Valley, attended Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam. He served three years in the army and was stationed in China and India. He is now associated with the firm of Aitkenhead and Murchison, building contractors, Glen Cove.

The Leader
May 1, 1947

Miss Joye E. Hummel to Wed Glen Cove Man
The engagement of Miss Joye Evelyn Hummel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Quenten Hummel, to David Wood Murchison, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. David Murchison, Chestnut st., Glen Cove, was recently announced by Mrs. Marvis [sic] Hummel of Shipherd ave., Lynbrook, mother of the bride-elect.

Miss Hummel is a graduate of Freeport High School, attended Middlebury College and was graduated from the Katherine Gibbs School, Manhattan. She is employed as a script writer for the comic strip “Wonder Woman.”

Mr. Murchison, a graduate of Friends Academy, Locust Valley, at tended Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, Pa. He served three years in the Army and was stationed in China and India. He is now associated with Aitkenhead and Murchison, building contractors, Glen Cove.

William Moulton Marston, creator of Wonder Woman, passed away May 2, 1947.

Nassau Daily Review-Star
August 1, 1947

Joye Hummel Plans Wedding
Miss Joye Hummel, daughter of Mrs. Quinten Hummel of Shipherd avenue, Lynbrook has chosen August 17 as the date for her marriage to David Wood Murchison, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. David Murchison of Glen Cove.

The ceremony will be performed at 4 p. m. at the Rockville Centre Presbyterian church. The Rev. J. Milton Thompson will officiate and a reception will follow for the immediate family at the Elks clubhouse, Freeport.

Mrs. Kenneth Murchison of Glen Cove will be matron of honor and Mrs. James O. Wroten of North Bergen, N. J. and Miss Olive Ann Marston of Rye will be bridesmaids. Kenneth Murchison will be best man for his brother and the ushers will be Dr. William Martin of Glen Cove and Arthur Crowder of Sea Cliff.

Nassau Daily Review-Star
August 19, 1947

Joye Hummel Is Married At Church
Middlebury Alumna Becomes Bride Of David Murchison
Miss Joye Hummel, daughter of Mrs. Quintan Hummel of Shipherd avenue, Lynbrook, was married Sunday to David Wood Murchison, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. David Murchison of Glen Cove.

The ceremony took place at the Rockville Centre Presbyterian church at 4 p. m. with the Rev. J. Milton Thompson officiating. A reception for the immediate family followed at the Elks clubhouse, Freeport.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, Quinten Hummel of Freeport, wore a white silk ninon gown with a bertha of lace, long sleeves and a long train. Her fingertip veil was secured by a crown of seed pearls and aha carried white roses and white orchids.

Mrs. Kenneth Murchison of Glen Cove was the matron of honor and Mrs. James O. Wroten of North Bergen, N. J., and Miss Olive Ann Martson of Rye were bridesmaids. [Mrs. James O. Wroten and her husband did the lettering on Wonder Woman. Olive Ann Marston was the daughter of Wonder Woman creator, Dr. William M Marston.]

Kenneth Murchison was best man for his brother and ushers included Dr. William Martin of Glen Cove and Arthur Crowder of Sea Cliff. Following a wedding trip the couple will reside in Glen Cove where Mr. Murchison is associated with Aikenhead and Murchison, building contractors.

Mrs. Murchison is a graduate of Freeport High school, and attended Middlebury. college, Middlebury, Vt, and Katharine Gibbs school, New York city. Mr. Murchison attended Friends academy, Locust Valley, and Clarkson college of technology, Potsdam. He served in the army three years and was stationed in China and India.

Murchison’s first wife passed away June 15, 1946. Murchison passed away July 13, 2000. David W. Murchison, Jr. passed away October 1, 2015.


1950 United States Federal Census
Home: 102 Maple, Glen Cove, Nassau, New York
Name / Age / Occupation
David Murchison, 33, 
Joye Murchison, 26, housewife
Sally [illegible] Murchison, 7, blank
David Wood J Murchison, 1, blank


Florida Department of Health
Name: Joye Hummel Murchison
Spouse: Jack A Kelly
Marriage Date: November 3, 2001
Marriage Place: Polk, Florida


Joye Hummel Murchison Kelly passed away on April 5, 2021, in Winter Haven, Florida. An obituary appeared in The New York Times, April 16, 2021 and The Ledger, April 20, 2021. 


Further Reading


Rocket’s Blast-Comicollector
#88, 1972
Howard P. Siegel’s column “Comic Collector’s Comments”
Excerpts from Hummel’s letter to Jerry Bails


































The New Yorker
Wonder Woman Returns by Jill Lepore

Smithsonian Magazine

The Surprising Origin Story of Wonder Woman by Jill Lepore

Lambiek Comiclopedia
The name of Hummel’s first husband is incorrect. Robert Prosper Murchison should be David Wood Murchison.

Smithsonian Institution

Joye Murchison Kelly Papers Relating to the Wonder Woman Comic Book Series1944–1948
Papers produced and collected by Joye Murchison Kelly relating to her work with William Moulton Marston on the Wonder Woman comic book series published by All-American Publications (later DC Comics). The collection includes a typed letter signed by Marston (1 page) dated 3 March 1944 to Miss Joye Hummel; a mechanically-reproduced typescript psychology examination (2 pages on 2 sheets) given by Marston to his students at the Katharine Gibbs School in New York City on 25 January 1944; 2 account books listing work done by Kelly for Marston with the amounts she had been paid for various expenses between January 1945 and August 1947; and hand-annotated carbon copies of several typescript stories for the Wonder Woman Sensation comics series written by Marston and/or Kelly: 17A, 18A, 18C, 20 A, 20B, 21B, 21C, 27B, 28A, 28B, 28C, 29A, 29C, 30A, and Sensation scripts (from the Comic cavalcade series) 29, 82, and 83.
Grand Comics Database


Related Posts

Harry G. Peter, Illustrator and First Wonder Woman Artist
Marjorie Wilkes Huntley


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The Nassau Daily Review-Star, August 19, 1947, said Hummel and her mother lived in Lynbrook, while her father resided in Freeport. This suggested that Hummel’s parents were separated or divorced. The following article reported that a divorce was pending.


Nassau Daily Review-Star
April 20, 1945

More Evidence Asked by Court
…Six other matrimonial cases were considered by Justice Stoddart.
Decision was reserved on the petition for divorce of Mavis Hummel of 269 Vincent avenue, Lynbrook, from Quinten Hummel, aged 40, of Freeport. They were married in 1940. There are no children. Witnesses told of an alleged meeting of the defendant and another woman at a Freeport hotel. The court wished further evidence.
The date of the marriage, 1940, appears to be incorrect since Joye had the family name, Hummel, in a newspaper article dated July 21, 1937. But the most interesting statement was that the couple had no children. This suggested that Hummel’s mother had a previous marriage.

Hummel and her mother were found in the 1930 census by searching their first names, Joye and Mavis, in New York state.

1930 United States Federal Census
Home: 1345 Gipson Street, Queens, New York
Name / Age / Occupation
Mavis Meyer (divorced), 27, secretary
Joye E Meyer, 6, blank

Hummel’s birth surname was Meyer. Her mother’s marriage was recorded in the New York, New York, Marriage Index at Ancestry.com.

Names: Mavis Zicree and Nathan Meyer
Marriage Date: December 22, 1921
Marriage Place: Queens, New York

There was doubt about the groom’s surname when the following newspaper article was found.

The Wave
(Rockaway Beach, New York)
December 29, 1921

Myers-Zicree
Miss Mavis C. Zicree, of 539 Beach 65th street, daughter of H. Z. [sic] Zicree, was married on Thursday of last week, to Nathan Myers, son of the Rev. Hyman Myers, of Arverne. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. Corcos, of Manhattan.
Mr. and Mrs. Myers are now spending a short time at Atlantic City. Upon their return they will make their home on the Beach.

A search of the groom’s father, “Rev. Hyman Myers”, produced no relevant results. When the surname was changed to “Meyer”, he was found in the 1918 book, History of the Rockaways from the year 1685 to 1917, and mentioned over 300 times in New York newspapers. The Wave published the wrong surname for the groom.


Mavis Zicree and her family were found in the 1920 census.

1920 United States Federal Census
Home: 108 East 121 Street, Manhattan, New York
Name / Age / Occupation
Harry Zicree, 40, factory hand at candy company
Marcella Zicree, 39, blank
Gertrude Zicree, 20, telephone operator
Mavis Zicree, 18, stenographer at candy company
Montegue Zicree, 13, blank
Estelle Zicree, 11, blank
Dorothy Zicree, 9, blank
Gladys Zicree, 8, blank
Esther Zicree, 6, blank
Ruby Zicree, 4, blank

Mavis Zicree’s passport application was found at Ancestry.com.

Name: Mavis Zicree
Birth Place: Manchester, England
Residence Place: 108 East 121 Street, New York City, New York
Passport Application Date: April 2, 1920
Passport Issue Date: April 17, 1920
Father: Harry Prosper Zicree, emigrated in August 1904 aboard the steamship Baltic from Liverpool; naturalized November 16, 1916
Occupation: Telephone Operator
Destination: France
Reason: Visiting

A death notice for one of Mavis’s sisters appeared in the Star-Journal (Long Island City, New York), February 24, 1953.

McGuire—Gladys, on Feb. 22, 1953; beloved wife of James T.; Loving mother of Marie Stokes, Barbara and Muriel, daughter of Harry and Marcella Zicree, sister of Monte Zicree, Mavis Kerpen, Estelle Vainio, Dorothy Lober and Esther Young, also survived by 2 grandchildren….
Mavis remarried to Frank Kerpen, a florist, whose obituary was published in the Long Island News and The Owl (Rockville Centre, New York), June 30, 1972. He passed away June 25. The Social Security Death Index did not have the day of his death.

Quinten Hummel passed away in 1974. Mavis Kerpen passed away in January 1990.



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(Updated January 13, 2023; next post on Monday: Joe and Sam Rosen, Letterers)


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