Under the Hood

Mason's books. Under the Hood pictured left.

Under the Hood is an autobiography by Hollis Mason, the first Nite Owl. Published in 1962, the book provides a firsthand account of Mason’s experiences as a costumed vigilante, detailing the rise of the Minutemen and offering insights into the world of masked crimefighters.

History

Origins

Hollis Mason, a former New York City police officer, adopted the identity of Nite Owl in the late 1930s after being inspired by comic book heroes and a desire to fight crime beyond the limits of the law. His book Under the Hood is a retrospective of his career, recounting the thrilling and disillusioning aspects of being a costumed vigilante. He wrote it after retiring in 1962 when costumed crimefighters were beginning to fade from public favor.

Content

Under the Hood explores Hollis Mason’s early years in Montana and his family's move to New York City, where he developed a deep admiration for heroism through comic books and real-life role models. Inspired by these figures, he pursued a career as a police officer with the New York City Police Department, but he soon realized that true justice often required actions beyond the constraints of the law. This realization led him to adopt the identity of Nite Owl in the late 1930s, marking the beginning of his costumed vigilante career. The book recounts his experiences in forming the Minutemen in 1939, painting a vivid picture of their first triumphs and camaraderie while exposing the dysfunction that lurked beneath the surface.

Mason doesn’t shy away from addressing the darker aspects of the costumed adventurer community. He candidly discusses the corruption, scandals, and personal conflicts among his peers, most notably the attempted rape of Sally Jupiter by the Comedian, which shattered the idealistic image of the Minutemen. Over time, as the golden age of crimefighting faded, Mason reflected on the shifting cultural landscape that led to the decline of masked vigilantes, ultimately prompting his retirement in 1962.

Although Under the Hood is largely a nostalgic reflection on his time as a hero, its candid honesty made it controversial among his former colleagues, many of whom resented his willingness to reveal uncomfortable truths. Despite this, the book serves as a valuable historical document, offering insight into both the personal sacrifices and the ethical dilemmas faced by costumed crimefighters. Mason’s reflections also foreshadow the rise of a darker, more morally ambiguous era of masked vigilantes, such as Rorschach, and the emergence of government-controlled superhumans like Doctor Manhattan.

Alternate Timelines

Under the Hood in the Snyder film

Legacy

Even decades after its publication, Under the Hood remains a widely read among costumed adventurer enthusiasts and law enforcement officials, including Dale Petey and Judd Crawford. As of 2019, discussions surrounding the history of the Minutemen—particularly the mysterious disappearance of Hooded Justice—continue to spark intrigue and debate.

The book also served as an unreliable source for American Hero Story: Minutemen and influenced the lyrical content of the show's accompanying soundtrack.

Known Chapters

Chapter I

The first chapter details his friend Denise and his speculation of his father's actions. And in an attempt to explain the "saddest thing" he can remember, he reiterates his time in Moe Vernon's auto repair shop and the "Ride of the Valkyries".

Chapter II

Mason ponders his career choice as a New York City policeman by sourcing it to his time with his grandfather who taught him moral values, thus his instant disgust toward the people of New York. While expressing his excitement toward the release of comic books he reveals his early desire to become a super-hero of sorts himself. The true trigger of his entry into night-time crime fighting is an article about the first live super-hero, Hooded Justice.

Chapter III

He decides upon the name 'Nite Owl' and details the rigorous task of creating a costume. He then gives brief information and opinion about each of the other masked adventurers who came about around the same time as him. Afterward he reflects about who they were as people, and what people thought of them.

Chapter IV

In the shortest chapter he sums up the beginning and the end of the Minutemen. Starting with Captain Metropolis mailing Silk Spectre to the Comedian's dismissal (and a lot of Hollis' distaste for him), to the deaths of the Silhouette and Dollar Bill.

Chapter V

In his largest chapter he discusses the relentless dilemmas of the '50s, due to Sally's child, Hooded Justice's disappearance and the lack of costumed villains. Then the '60s opened with the arrival of Doctor Manhattan and the true super hero. Marking his retirement and the rise of Ozymandias, he looks to the future of his auto repair shop and the new Nite Owl.

Behind the Scenes

• The first five chapters of the autobiography are printed along with the first three chapters of the Watchmen series to coincide with Alan Moore's depiction of the alternate reality he has created.

Trivia

• A reference is made to the book in the DC comic Kingdom Come on page 17 of chapter 1- Strange Visitor. Under the Hood is on sale in the shop window.
• The name is a pun. Under the hood in this case can mean both the Costumed Adventurer hood Hollis wore as Nite Owl and under 'the hood' of a car, as Hollis runs an auto repair shop.

Gallery

Under the Hood from the 2009 film

Under the Hood from the HBO series

Back cover of Under the Hood from the HBO series

Front cover of Under the Hood from Watchmen: Chapter I