In the 1930's, Phil Sheldon was a young journalist photographer who was shocked and amazed of the 'first' appearance of superheroes ('Marvels' as Sheldon dubs them). Sheldon was infatuated with his fiancée Doris Jacquet, but when more costumed heroes appear and the battle between the Human Torch (Jim Hammond) and Namor the Submariner, Sheldon decided that it would be irresponsible for him to raise children in a world where these Marvels run rampant, and thus he breaks his engagement with Doris. However, when Captain America was unveiled to the world, Sheldon became less pensive about the Marvels. When World War II begins, and Namor and the Human Torch join Captain America and the Allied Forces as seen from a news reel that Sheldon, Doris, and many others see, in which all of their fears are eased. After rekindling his romance with Doris, Sheldon hears that the Human Torch and Namor are fighting again, but the battle this time damages New York City's landmarks such as from the flooding. During the fight, they approach but don't catch Sheldon, and he is knocked out by a small chunk of masonry and permanently loses the ability to see out of his left eye. Still, he has lost all fears of the Marvels and goes on to married Doris. Later, Sheldon participate in World War II in Europe where, as a war correspondent, reports on the Allied Forces and the Marvels as they go against the Nazis.

By the mid 1960s, Sheldon is a husband and father of two; Beth and Jennie, and is preparing to write a book called "Marvels". At this point, New York now has two superhero teams, the Fantastic Four and The Avengers. With recent news of the return of Captain America a hero from his youth, he is excited. But not all is pleasant with the growing fear over the knowledge of the mutants, human beings with superpowers and the so-called "next stage of human evolution", more importantly the mutant team known as The X-Men. He joins a mob and comes face to face with the original incarnation of the X-Men, who the team's leader, Cyclops, says "they're not worth it" toward a rageful Iceman as they escape. Not knowing what he meant, the words stay on Sheldon's mind. On the bright side; the Marvels are treated as celebrities, as seen by Sheldon at the gala opening of Alicia Masters' sculptures, in which some are of Marvels, and gossip spreads over the upcoming marriage between Reed Richards and Susan Storm. However, Sheldon runs home hearing an anti-mutant mob in the area and finds that his daughters are hiding their friend: a mutant girl with an alien skull for a head. Sheldon sees the importance of hiding this girl, but is worried for the sake of his family. Following the wedding of Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, Sentinels are unleashed during a television debate with Professor Xavier but instead malfunction and begin rampaging throughout the city. A mob forms, attacking and destroying everything in sight, with only Sheldon helping the injured. The newly-repaired Sentinels stop the mob, but Sheldon runs home to find that the mutant girl is gone. Though Sheldon does not know if she will be alright, he prays for her safety.

As the 60's continue, Sheldon was preoccupied with his work, to the detriment of his family. But after the news from the Avengers being declared as "menaces", the law going after Tony Stark, Spider-Man sightings, and possible comings of Judgement Day; the Silver Surfer appeared to the world, and defeats the Fantastic Four. This leads to the appearance of a greater threat of Galactus, who plans to consume Earth. With the city in panic, Sheldon believes in his heart that Earth will end and goes home, to spend time with his family. Suddenly, news comes that the Fantastic Four have managed to defeat Galactus, thus saving the Earth. In the wake of the Fantastic Four's victory, Sheldon promises that he will spend more time with his family. However, he is later disgusted by the way the public has turned on their heroes, with a Daily Bugle newspaper , written by J. Jonah Jameson (Sheldon's old friend and colleague), claiming that the Galactus threat was a hoax.

By the 1970's Sheldon releases his book "Marvels", in which became an instant best-seller. But, Sheldon is still dismayed at the public's reaction to the Marvels, and is particularly disgusted by J. Jonah Jameson laying into Spider-Man, who has been framed for the death of NYPD Captain George Stacy. He resolves to investigate the murder, and clear Spider-Man's name. Whilst talking to a witness with Luke Cage, he learns that not only do the police not suspect Spider-Man for Stacy's death, but that they suspect Doctor Octopus. It is revealed that Spider-Man is being blamed due to Jameson, who reveals the true reason why people hate the Marvels: a mixture of jealousy and insecurity, the belief that humans cannot compete with the selfless heroism and nobility of the Marvels. It is also by befriending Gwen Stacy, Captain Stacy's daughter, that he learns from her, during a brief Atlantean invasion of Manhattan led by Namor, that the Marvels exist to help the innocent, beyond petty human jealousies and spite. This revelation leads to Spider-Man being cleared, but not soon after Gwen is kidnapped by the Green Goblin. Sheldon immediately chase after the Goblin and his hostage, and during the chase that leads to the Brooklyn Bridge, where the fight between Spider-Man and the Goblin leads to the death of Gwen, despite (or because) of Spider-Man's attempt to save her. Sheldon's faith in the Marvels has been irreparably shattered, as Sheldon cannot reconcile Spider-Man's failure to save Gwen with what he sees as the hero's purpose in life. In the end, he decides that he has had enough, and plans to retire. Before he can hang up his camera, a final photo is taken of Phil, his wife, and a "nice, normal boy". Unbeknown to Sheldon, the boy is Danny Ketch, who will soon become the hero Ghost Rider.

Powers and AbilitiesEdit

Powers

Phil has no natural powers of his own. He is a homo sapien. He does, however, have a knack for being in the right place at the right time to take good photos, even when it is dangerous moment. He is an award winning photographer, and has a keen eye, and sharp wit. He also has a strong sense of compassion and family.

Power Grid ^[1]

TriviaEdit

Phil Sheldon makes a cameo appearance in DC Comics' Kingdom Come, which was also illustrated by Alex Ross. Sheldon appeared at the superhero press conference held at the UN building in Kingdom Come #2 and in the last page of the epilogue in the Kingdom Come trade paperback, sitting next to the Spectre in his civilian guise of Jim Corrigan and Norman McCay.