Melvin Keene got his start publishing All-Star Comics for National Comics during World War II, gaining explicit licensing from the Justice Society. Later, during the 1950s, Keene began publishing serious crime, science fiction and horror comics. These proved controversial, and before long, Keene was put before the House of Unamerican Activities Commission and accused of being a Communist.
His only magazine that survived was a humor magazine called Nuts!. He saw success with this. He was forced to fire one of his artists, known for 'the ugliest people in the world', when he began inserting lizard people into everything he drew, claiming Satan was using them to take over the world. Said cartoonist later turned to peddling self published books telling his so called truth.
Sometime around this time, Keene moves into a new suburb called Leavitzville. During this time, he encounters the Martian Manhunter and the lizard people who had secretly been attempting to take over the world.
Following this encounter, its revealed when the Manhunter encounters Dr. Midnite that Keene's recurring injoke with the Society, "ZOPRBETIE", as well as many other clues throughout the story including Keene's beet flavored candy Beto E-Z Rip, the sign above his door ("Poetrie B E Z Kommedie B Hard") and the phrase Prize-to-be all give clues to the lizard people's base: Puerto Iberez, Cuba.
Inspiration
Melvin Keene is a clear analogue for Bill Gaines. His father, Max Gaines, had been publisher of National Comics, which later became DC Comics. This included All-Star Comics. The serious comics mentioned are clear references to the output of EC Comics and its downfall.
The fired cartoonist known for "the ugliest people in the world" seems to be a nod to Basil Wolverton, complete with his zealous Christianity.
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