Guardian (DC Comics)

Guardian
The Jim Harper incarnation of Guardian as depicted in Secret Origins #19 (October 1987). Art by Jack Kirby.
Publication information
Publisher	DC
First appearance	Star-Spangled Comics #7 (April 1942)
Created by	Joe Simon (writer, artist, inks) Jack Kirby (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	James Jacob "Jim" Harper Clone of Jim Harper Mal Duncan
Species	Human
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	Science Police Project Cadmus All-Star Squadron Newsboy Legion Justice League
Notable aliases	Golden Guardian
Abilities	(Original) Master martial artist, athlete, and gymnast Skilled strategist and tactician Utilizes golden armor and shield Use of customized motorcycle and a set of video-cameras (Clone) Enhanced strength, speed, stamina, and reflexes Accelerated healing factor Access to the Whiz Wagon

Guardian (James Jacob "Jim" Harper and Mal Duncan) are DC Comics superheroes introduced in April 1942 by writer/artist Joe Simon and artist Jack Kirby.

Guardian resembles the earlier Kirby and Simon character Captain America (first published 13 months earlier by Marvel Comics), as he had no super powers and carried an indestructible shield. When Kirby returned to DC in 1970, he eventually re-established the character as a supporting one in the Superman franchise: as a clone of Jim Harper who was head of security for Project Cadmus.

In the Arrowverse series Supergirl, James Olsen, portrayed by Mehcad Brooks, became the superhero Guardian. Additionally, James Harper appeared in the first season as a marine colonel portrayed by Eddie McClintock. In the sixth season, Olsen’s sister Kelly Olsen (portrayed by Azie Tesfai) became known as the Golden Guardian.