Operator No. 5

Steeger's idea, which he had been mulling over for while, was for a hero who would "single-handedly, or almost, save the nation from complete destruction regularly every month".

[4] The lead novels featured Operator #5, whose real name was Jimmy Christopher of the Secret Service.

The novels were written by Frederick C. Davis until November 1935, then by Emile C. Tepperman until March 1938, and then Wayne Rogers for the remainder of the run; all three used the house name "Curtis Steele" on all their work for Operator #5.

Both Tepperman and Rogers embedded their novels in longer story arcs that went on for many issues, involving the invasion of America.

The short stories that accompanied the lead novel were often spy stories, and included series with repeating characters such as Red Finger and John Vedders, Secret Service Agents whose adventures were chronicled by Arthur Leo Zagat and Frank Gruber, respectively.