Religion: indeterminate
Name: George Tirrell
Other Names: Gallen Tirrell
Classification:
supporting character
Publisher(s): 
First Appearance: Superman (vol. 1) #6 (Sep.-Oct. 1940): "Racketeer Terror in Gateston"
Creators: Jerry Siegel, Paul Cassidy
Number of Appearances: 1
Enemy of: "Brute" Bashby, Morton Twist
Gender: male
Note: brother of murdered newspaper publisher James Tirrell
In panel 6 on page 6 of the story retroactively titled "Racketeer Terror in Gateston," published in Superman #6 (Sep.-Oct. 1940), a man arrives at the Gateston Gazette newspaper offices, where Clark Kent and Lois Lane have been helping out. (Clark and Lois are helping because the newspaper's publisher, James Tirrell, was murdered by the evil racketeer "Brute" Bashby.) The man orders, "I said clear out of here!"
In panel 1 on page 7, Clark Kent asks the man, "Get out? What authority have . . . ?"
Lois Lane asks, "And who are you?"
The man, who is wearing a solid blue suit and a green fedora, answers, "I'm George Tirrell, James' brother. I've just arrived in town, and what do I find? Two complete strangers running this outfit like they own it! Get out!"
But is this mean really the brother of the late James Tirrell? In the next panel, Lois and Clark are shown driving away. Lois says, "Well, I guess that's our cue to exit. It's been exciting while it lasted!"
Clark responds, "If James' brother orders us out of the newspapers office, I guess there's nothing we can do but obey!"
But to himself, Clark thinks, "But is he James' brother? My photographic memory recalls a newspaper photo that appeared long ago. George was named Gallen and being sent to prison!"
James Tirrell's brother appeared again in panel 7 on page 13 of this story. In this panel, Superman turns "Brute" Bashby and his boss Morton Twist over to the local police chief. "You're both under arrest -- for rmurder!" the chief tells the men while taking them away to jail. James Tirrell's brother, the same man who earlier chased Lois Lane and Clark Kent away from his late brother's newspaper, angrily tells the killers, "You killed my brother, you--!"
The next panel (the last panel of the entire story) clears up the mystery of just who this man is. The narrative caption introduces the panel: "Later - when Clark enters the building."
Lois Lane says, "I've already wired the story to the Planet, Clark! And we've received congratulations!"
Clark Kent tells the grieving brother, "And to think I suspected you! I thought you resembled a criminal named Gallen!"
George Tirrell explains, "I took the name Gallen when I entered prison, framed by Bashby. When I came to run my murdered brothers' paper, I fired you because I thought you might be members of Bashby's gang. Now, I've only thanks to offer you!"
Superman (vol. 1) #6 (Sep.-Oct. 1940): "Racketeer Terror in Gateston" (4-panel cameo)
Suggested links for further research about this character:
- https://www.comics.org/issue/988/
- http://comicbookdb.com/issue.php?ID=44201