< previous character
< previous character (alphabetically)
< previous manifestly non-religious character
Religion: manifestly non-religious 
Name: Louie
Classification:
villain
Publisher(s): 
First Appearance: Superman (vol. 1) #4 (Spring 1940): "The Economic Enemy"
Creators: Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster, Paul Cassidy
Number of Appearances: 1
Enemy of: Superman
Occupation: gangster
Worked for: Barney Calhoun, J. E. Curtis
Gender: male
Louie was a criminal who was a member of the Barney Calhoun gang. While investigating the murder of prominent sociologist Paul Dorgan, Superman went to Dorgan's home. He found a "tough-looking stranger" there, searching the room. Superman calmly stepped into view and asked, "Looking for something?"
"Who in--?" Louie blurted out. It seems clear that the criminal did not recognize Superman, but he had no intention of being apprehended. Louie said, "A snooping dick, eh? I'll --!" (Louie apparently thought Superman was some sort of detective.) Then Louie pulled out a pistol and shot Superman at point-blank range. Louie was quite willing to murder the stranger in order to avoid being arrested or prevented from finishing his mission.
Superman, of course, was unhurt. He grabbed the criminal and demanded, "What were you looking for, and who sent you here?"
Louie perhaps had some small bit of bravery and briefly tried to avoid becoming a snitch. He feigned ignorance and claimed, "Nobody! I'm just an ordinary burglar looking for a few bucks!"
From nearby two of Louie's fellow gang members were watching through binoculars. Worried that Louie would squeal, they called the police to report a burglary at the Paul Dorgan home.
Meanwhile, Superman escalated his threats against Louie, demonstrating his strength by throwing objects through the wall. Superman threatened to kill Louie with his next toss. Louie, properly motivated, agreed to talk and was about to tell Superman who he works for when the police showed up.
Superman fled the scene, not wanting to be questioned or arrested by the police. (This was before he had a good working relationship with government authorities.) The police arrested Louie and were escorting him outside the Dorgan home en route to a squad car when the two fellow gang members who called in the tip gunned down Louie and fled.
The assassins "succeed in eluding the police, but not Superman, who grimly follows, overhead." Superman caught stopped their car and interrogated them. The hero learned that Louie and the other gang members all belonged to the Barney Calhoun gang.
Superman (vol. 1) #4 (Spring 1940): "The Economic Enemy" (7-panel cameo)
Suggested links for further research about this character and the character's religious affiliation:
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=44196
- https://www.comics.org/issue/727/