Top Ten Comic Book Doctors: #10 - Tom Brent

July 21st, 2005

Filed under: Comics, Medicine

Counting down the top ten doctors in comic books who actually practice medicine. There’s an awful lot of doctors, but few are ever seen using their medical skills. This is a countdown of those doctors who truly aspire to the profession.

#10 - Tom Brent

cover, Dr. Tom Brent, Young Intern #5Dr. Tom Brent, Young Intern was the star of the Charleston comic book of the same name. The book lasted for five issues, from February to October 1963. As the title suggests, the series followed the trials and tribulations of a young physician, fresh out of medical school. It was published when such stories were popular, both on TV and in comics (Dr. Kildare and Ben Casey were both TV shows and comic books, for example).

You have to wonder about the title. Is that how he introduced himself to patients: “Hi, I’m Doctor Tom Brent, Young Intern.” That can’t fill them with much confidence. Personally, I always tried to suggest experience when I introduced myself to patients. I’d use the term “doctor” and skip the “intern” part entirely. No patient wants to hear that.

And what about now? Is he Dr. Tom Brent, Over-the-Hill Doctor?

This series is not to be confused with Young Dr. Masters, a similar title published by Archie. Masters doesn’t rate the top ten as his comic only lasted 2 issues and nobody remembers him anymore.

7 Responses to “ Top Ten Comic Book Doctors: #10 - Tom Brent ”

  1. H
    July 21st, 2005 at 6:08 pm

    Hey! Who you calling nobody? I read that Young Dr. Masters comic you linked to a million
    times when I was a kid. My grandmother had a box of comics my aunt had left behind that
    included the Soupy Sales comic Archie published and a slew of Archie titles.

    Now, if you want to ask me to tell you a characteristic about Young Dr. Masters or what
    happened in any of the stories in that issue, then I’m afraid you’ve got me.

    So, uh, what was your point?

  2. Linkmeister
    July 21st, 2005 at 7:19 pm

    Do you remember Bill Cosby’s comedy routine? Addressing an intern, he said “Hey! You! Almost a Doctor!”

  3. N
    July 21st, 2005 at 7:58 pm

    If Crime Doctor doesn’t get on the list, the fix is in!

  4. Scott
    July 21st, 2005 at 8:10 pm
    Official Comment

    H,
    I noticed how Young Doctor Masters inspired you enough to not become a doctor. If only you had read Dr. Kildare or Young Doctors instead of Mr. District Attorney

    N,
    Patients. Patience.

    A-G, I-L, O-Z,
    These letters are still open. Get yours now!

  5. David Oakes
    July 21st, 2005 at 9:37 pm

    I am pretty sure O-Z is taken…

    (For doctors, I got nothing. One vivisected turtle, and I was Evolutionary Genetics all the way.)

  6. Reuben Reuben
    August 20th, 2007 at 7:12 pm

    How do I find the other nine of the top ten? I’m still trying figure out your website.

  7. Scott
    August 20th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
    Official Comment

    The easiest way is to go to the posts from July 2005, and scroll down. All ten are there starting with the 21st and running until the end of the month.

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