When introduced in Action Comics 23, April 1940, the Black Pirate was a pseudo Prince Valiant strip, told completely in captions.  Justin Valor was a swashbuckling adventurer in the Douglas Fairbanks mode.

From Action 26, written and drawn by Sheldon Moldoff.
 
 
 

 
By Sensation #9, Jon Valor had adopted a special costumed identity, married and raised a son, Justin  to age 12.  Justin joined him in his crusades against injustice. 

Story by Gardner Fox. Art by Sheldon Moldoff.