Introducing Doiby Dickles

When Irene is attacked while carrying plans for an improved radio transmitter, derby-wearing cabbie Doiby Dickles defends her from the assault. Later, when she is kidnapped, he has a Green Lantern costume made up so he can attempt to rescue her (as he believes that the real Green Lantern has been killed). GL is impressed by Dickles's bravery, and offers to work with Doiby henceforth:

The narration there is pretty explicit: they wanted some comic relief, and Doiby is going to be it.