Superman No. 343
January 1980
Cover: Superman and Moximus //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Last Days of Metropolis” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#260; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #173)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #260; next appears in ACTION COMICS #503), Lois Lane, Perry White
(last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #260; both next appear
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #199), Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #99; next appears in issue #362)
Cameo appearance: Batman
Villain: Moximus (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
try to induct Black Lightning and fight the Regulator in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #173-174, then teams with Firestorm to battle Killer Frost in
DC COMICS PRESENTS #17.
Synopsis: A sorceror from ancient Pompeii is revived in modern times,
thinks Superman is a menace, and magically imprisons him within a missile
set to destroy Metropolis.
Action Comics No. 502
January 1980
Cover: Superman trying to pull Lana Lang out of rainbow //Ross Andru
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “A Save In Time” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#17; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #199)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #342;
next appears in issue #504), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #343;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #199), Josh Coyle (last appearance in issue
#497; next appears in SUPERMAN #344)
Intro: Kolzer (dies in this story), Chet, Toby, Null-O (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Two bank robbers (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A powerful entity from the future comes back to Superman’s
time with a warning: correct a fluctuation in the time-stream he has caused,
or see the universe perish.
Superman Family No. 199
January-February 1980
Cover: Supergirl and exploding oil truck; Lois Lane in catsuit; Jimmy
Olsen on motorcycle; Clark Kent getting mugged; Superman and Lois Lane
of Earth-2 and Suzie Tompkins (five vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Man With the Golden Smile” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #503; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #18)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #343)
Intro: Pappy Dolan, Nate Oberlin (only appearance for both)
Villain: The Smiler (first and only appearance; not to be confused
with Smiler from DETECTIVE COMICS #327)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Zatanna and
Zatara to fight Caligro in DC COMICS PRESENTS #18.
Synopsis: A Metropolis cop sets up Clark Kent, with his consent, as
bait for a subway mugger.
Story: “Mystery of the Mind-Twisters” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #343 / 344)
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Jamie Gillis (next appears in issue #221), Ted Layton, Mathilda
Kratch, Gunderson (only appearance for all)
Villains: Cyrus Canton and his gang (Edwards named in this story; first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane investigates a school in which the normally-delinquent
students have become placid and happy, and finds the condition mysteriously
spreading.
Story: “The Blackmailed By-Line” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #502;
next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #20)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #346)
Intro: Edward “Pops” Hathaway (only appearance), an unnamed victim
(dies in this story; in flashback)
Villains: Mr. Numala and his gang (including Hugo; first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: A gangster attempts to blackmail an old reporter over an
accidental death he caused decades ago, but Jimmy Olsen steps in to set
things right.
Superman No. 344
February 1980
Cover: Superman vs. Dracula and Frankenstein monster //Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
(signed)
Story: “The Monsters Among Us” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: Len Wein
Scripter: Paul Levitz
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#18)
GA: The Phantom Stranger (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #145;
next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #21)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#199; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #20), Josh Coyle (between ACTION
COMICS #502 / 504), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #501;
next appears in issue #346), Cassandra Craft (last appearance in PHANTOM
STRANGER #41; last appearance)
Intro: Roland Randall (a ghost; dies before this story opens), Mr.
Lawre, Mr. Greenway, Ms. MacArdle
Villains: Frankenstein Monster (last appearance in PHANTOM STRANGER
#30; last appearance), Dracula (last appearance in BEOWULF #4; last appearance)
Synopsis: A seance attended by Clark Kent opens a dimensional portal
and lets Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster loose on Earth, with the
vampire lusting for Superman’s blood.
Action Comics No. 504
February 1980
Cover: Superman vs. Mystery Marauder //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Power and the Choice” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #344; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #261)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle (between SUPERMAN #344 / 345), Lana
Lang (?; last appearance in issue #502; next appears in SUPERMAN #346)
Intro: Mr. Williams (in flashback; dies in this story), Tobias Williams
(only appearance)
Villain: The Mystery Marauder (Shirley Adams; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to fight
Terra-Man and the Penguin in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #261, then teams with
Batgirl to fight Dr. Horus in DC COMICS PRESENTS #19.
Synopsis: An evil woman hypnotizes Tobias Williams into infusing her
with his prana-powers so that she can run rampant as the Mystery Marauder,
and Williams appeals to Superman for help.
Superman No. 345
March 1980
Cover: Superman flying backward //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “When Time Ran Backward” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#19; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #175)
Supporting Character: Josh Coyle (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#504)
Villains: Koman-Ta (a robot; destroyed in this story), an alien (first
and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
fight Dr. Destiny in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #175-176 and counsel the
Flash in THE FLASH #276. Then Superman teams with Green Arrow to
battle Bo Force in DC COMICS PRESENTS #20.
Synopsis: The people of Earth begin living backwards, and only Superman
can break out of this pattern and seek out the aliens who are turning the
planet contrachronically.
Superman No. 346
April 1980
Cover: Superman breathing flame on Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang, and Perry
White //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “Superman’s Streak of Bad Luck” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#20; next appears in ACTION COMICS #505)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#20; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #262), Lana Lang (between ACTION
COMICS #504 / 505), Josh Coyle, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #199), Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue #344; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #505), Steve Lombard (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#501), Johnny Nevada (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #12; last appearance)
Intro: Arthur Gorman (only appearance)
Villain: Amos Fortune (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#151; last appearance)
Synopsis: Superman experiences a streak of terrible luck, thanks to
Professor Amos Fortune’s “Murphy Machine”.
Action Comics No. 505
March 1980
Cover: Superman vs. Jorian and children //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Creature That Charmed Children” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #346)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #346 / 348), Lana
Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #346), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in
DC COMICS PRESENTS #20; next appears in SUPERMAN #347)
Intro: Miss Butterworth, Mr. Patterson, Pete, sheriff of Marpleville,
Orn-Zu
Villain: Jorian (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman encounters a beast from Krypton with the power to
lead children like a Pied Piper, and an inmate from the Phantom Zone warns
Superman that, unless he is stopped, all children on Earth will die.
Action Comics No. 506
April 1980
Cover: Superman trying to stop exodus of children //Ross Andru / Dick
Giordano
Story: “The Children’s Exodus From Earth” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#262; also appears as Superboy in flashback, between NEW ADVENTURES OF
SUPERBOY #4 / 5)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE
FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #347)
Other Character: Orn-Zu (dies in this story)
Villain: Jorian (destroyed in this story)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to battle
the Pi-Meson Man in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #262, then teams with the Elongated
Man to fight aliens in DC COMICS PRESENTS #21.
Synopsis: Superman learns that Jorian is an android who was programmed
to gather all Krypton’s children and take them to safety in space.
But, if he is not stopped, he will lead all Earth’s children into space,
where they will perish.
Superman No. 347
May 1980
Cover: Superman vs. Kobold’s ghost image //Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Story: “The Sleeper Out of Time” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Artist: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#21; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #177)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #262; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #201), Dr. Jenet Klyburn (last
appearance in issue #342; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #24), Jimmy
Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #505), Steve Lombard, Perry White
(both next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #201), Oscar Asherman (last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #497), Josh Coyle (next appears in ACTION COMICS #507),
Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #506)
Intro: Kobold (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
fight Despero in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #177-178.
Synopsis: Superman encounters a courier from space whose ghost-image
battles him.
Superman Family No. 201
June 1980
Cover: Supergirl, airplane, and face of Peter Barton in cloud; Jimmy
Olsen hang-gliding; Clark Kent climbing rope in air; Lois Lane being ejected
from “Nazi” submarine; Superman and Lois Lane of Earth-Two (five vignettes)
//Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Alakazam...It’s Magic” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #177)
Intro: Stephen Marco, Mrs. Marco (only appearance for both)
Villains: A gang of burglars (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Captain Comet
to battle Starstriker in DC COMICS PRESENTS #22.
Synopsis: While washing his clothes and putting on an impromptu magic
show for a boy who lives in his apartment building, Clark Kent captures
a gang of burglars.
Story: “Wanted: One War--Slightly Used” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #347; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #22)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #347)
Villain: A gang of phony Nazis (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane covers an attack on Metropolis by phony “Nazi”
sailors in a U-boat, which is a ruse to gain access to a lost Nazi fortune.
Story: “Hang-Glide To Nowhere” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#22)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (last appearance in SUPERMAN #347;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #508), Perry White (next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #22)
Villains: A gang of kidnappers (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Steve Lombard, assigned to a hang-gliding
story, are both kidnapped along with several other wealthy hang-gliders
by a gang of crooks.
Superman No. 348
June 1980
Cover: Superman vs. rain god //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Master of Wind and Storm” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#22; next appears in ACTION COMICS #507)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (between ACTION COMICS #505 / 508),
Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #507), Oscar Asherman (next appears
in ACTION COMICS #523)
Intro: Chuck, Ed, Millie, Harry, Hotai, a rain god (only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Superman runs afoul of a rain god summoned by an Indian shaman
hired to supply rain to two land speculators’ property.
Action Comics No. 507
May 1980
Cover: Superman and Jonathan Kent at the Kents’ gravesite //Ross
Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Miraculous Return of Jonathan Kent” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #348; also
appears in flashback; see Superboy’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent (see Superboy’s Interim Appearances
for chronology), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #348), Josh Coyle
(last appearance in SUPERMAN #347; next appears in issue #509)
Intro: Hubert, Angela (only appearance for both)
Villains: Starshine (first appearance), Jigger and another mugger (first
and only appearance for both)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Jonathan Kent appears to have come back to life, and Superman
encounters Starshine, a hippie who can compel others--even the Man of Steel--to
obey his verbal commands.
Action Comics No. 508
June 1980
Cover: Jonathan Kent, beaten Superman, and Lois Lane //Ross Andru /
Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Secret World of Jonathan Kent” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in flashback in issue #580
(1))
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent (see Superboy’s Interim Appearances
for chronology), Lois Lane (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #22 / 23), April
Marigold, May Marigold (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN FAMILY #197;
both next appear in SUPERMAN #393), Lana Lang, Perry White (last appearance
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #22), Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN #348;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #202), Steve Lombard (last appearance in
SUPERMAN FAMILY #201; next appears in issue #512)
Other Characters: Two alien farmers (last appearance in NEW ADVENTURES
OF SUPERBOY #6; last appearance)
Villain: Starshine (last appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman has to let six people die
to save many others in flashback in issue #580 (1), then teams with Dr.
Fate to fight Captain Ezra Hawkins in DC COMICS PRESENTS #23.
Lois Lane learns Superman’s secret identity briefly in this story,
but the knowledge is erased along with the day that she learned it.
Synopsis: Jonathan Kent learns that the aliens who granted his wish
to see his adult son are accidentally the cause of Starshine’s powers,
and Superman finds a means of combatting the villain.
Superman No. 349
July 1980
Cover: Superman, Superwoman, Superboy, and Wonder Warrior //Ross Andru
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Turnabout Trap” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Masko
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#23; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #179)
GA: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #325; next appears in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #179)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#23; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #202)
Other Character: Ms. Bgbznz (last appearance in issue #335; last appearance)
Intro: Wonder Warrior, Superwoman (Clara Kent; not to be confused with
the adult Supergirl, the character who first appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #2, or the villainess from Earth-3 introduced in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #29), Superboy (not to be confused with the young Superman)
Jenny Olsen, Louis Lane, Penny White, Batwoman (not to be confused with
the heroine introduced in DETECTIVE COMICS #233), the Flash (a female),
Black Condor (not to be confused with the Earth-X hero introduced in CRACK
COMICS #1; all cease to exist in this story), Louis Lane (Lois Lane’s cousin;
not to be confused with the gender-bent Lois Lane; first and only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Leslie Luthor, Toywoman, Bizarress (first and only
appearance for all)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #335; next appears
in issue #351)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
induct Firestorm and fight the Satin Satan in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#179-180.
Synopsis: Superman finds himself in a world whose “Superman” is a Superwoman,
teamed with a blonde Superboy and a male “Wonder Woman” naned Wonder Warrior,
all of whom regard Superman as a dangerous criminal.
Action Comics No. 509
July 1980
Cover: Suplerman throwing building into space //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Great Space-Travel Hoax” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #349)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#202), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #23; next appears
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #202), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #350), Josh
Coyle (last appearance in issue #507; next appears in SUPERMAN #352)
Intro: Gustav J. Arno, Society of Space Skeptics (including Emery;
only appearance for all)
Villain: The Psychic Enforcer (first appearance; destroyed in this
story)
Synopsis: Superman tangles with an energy-being created from the subconscious
of five aliens masquerading as Earth people.
Story: “The Computers That Saved Metropolis” (28 pages)
Editors: Julius Schwartz, William M. Palmer
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Jim Starlin
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #202)
Intro: Margaret Wilson, Shanna, Alec, Karen, Timothy Yarrow, and their
classmates (next appear in SUPERMAN #358), Tommy and his parents, Stacy
and her boyfriend (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: John Bardeen, William Shockley, Walter Brattain
(of Earth-One; in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Villain: Major Disaster (last appearance in SUPERMAN #341; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #279)
Comment: This is a special supplementary comic included with this issue,
also appearing in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #7, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
#265, and HOUSE OF MYSTERY #282, and also published as a separate edition.
Synopsis: Major Disaster disrupts Superman’s abilities to accurately
use his powers by a Kryptonite stratagem, but a classroom of 6th-grade
students with two minicomputers helps him prevail.
Superman Family No. 202
August 1980
Cover: Supergirl, Dynamic, and Valerie Myles; Jimmy Olsen bound and
gagged; Lois Lane of Earth-2 weakening Earth-Two Superman with Kryptonite
brooch; Lois Lane as a ballerina; Clark Kent as a juror at a trial (five
vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “Innocent Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #509)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#508; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #264), Inspector Henderson
(last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #174; next appears in DETECTIVE
COMICS #495)
Intro: Mr. Ryun (in flashback; dies in this story), Litwell and other
jurors, Mrs. Kardos, Harry Fine (only appearance for all)
Villain: A bank robber (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent, on jury duty, learns an accused defendant in
a robbery and murder case is innocent with his super-senses, but must somehow
convince his fellow jurors that he is not guilty of the crime.
Story: “Swan Dance For a Girl Reporter” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #349; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #24)
GS: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #24)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#509)
Intro: Nadia Romanova, Ilya Romanov, Tyler Mills (only appearance for
all)
Villains: Voskov and other Communist agents (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Deadman to fight
Mr. Genarian in DC COMICS PRESENTS #24, then helps the Justice League fight
the Star-Tsar in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #181, then teams with Batman
to deal with the Super-Sons in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #263 and to fight
Clayface II in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #264, then teams with the Phantom
Stranger to fight Talia in DC COMICS PRESENTS #25.
Synopsis: Lois Lane helps two Russian ballet stars who want to defect
escape from Communist agents.
Story: “The Reporter Nobody Knows” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #509;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #263)
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Elsie, Tammy (only appearance for both), Tommy Jones (next appears
in issue #206)
Villain: Moxy Mason and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is captured and trapped by a target of one of
his criminal exposes, and only a youth who saw the abduction can save him.
Superman No. 350
August 1980
Cover: Superman trying to save falling people //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Clark Kent’s Vanishing Classmates” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#25)
Supporting Characters: Dave Hammond (last chronological appearance
in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #2; last appearance), Steve Power (last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #411; last appearance), Lana Lang (last appearance in
ACTION COMICS #509), Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #25)
Other Character: Stan Rivers (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #404;
last appearance)
Intro: Prof. Lemuel B. Tolkein, Arthur Borley, Margo, Eileen, Janis,
Sandy, Kris, Suzy
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Superman goes to a Metropolis University reunion as Clark
Kent, only to encounter a monster composed of nine old classmates.
Superman No. 351
September 1980
Cover: Superman vs. “Fiend with nine faces” //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Fiend With Nine Faces” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#182)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and
Felix Faust fight Nostromus in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #182.
Story: “Mr. Mxyzptlk’s Circus Caper” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Artist: Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez
Feature Character: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #349; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #33)
Superman Family No. 203
September-October 1980
Cover: Supergirl and Ellie Leeds in old Supergirl outfit; Lois Lane
being brainwashed; Jimmy Olsen hanging over precipice; Clark Kent and Amber
Joyce; Earth-2 Lana Lang, Lois Kent, and Clark Kent //Ross Andru / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Woman With Omnivision” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Jim Janes
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#182; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #26)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #264)
Intro: Amber Joyce (only appearance)
Comments: This is a Private Life of Clark Kent story, but he appears
as Superman in the story.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Green Lantern to
fight the N’gon in DC COMICS PRESENTS #26.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is assigned to escort a movie star who has the
psychic ability to predict disasters.
Story: “Lois Lane Lost” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #514)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in Clark Kent story in issue
#206)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #353)
Cameo: Sam Lane, Ella Lane, Lucy Lane, Superman, Jimmy Olsen (in flashback)
Intro: Marsha Wallach (in flashback; dies in this story), Ted Wallach
(next appears in issue #206)
Villains: The Extractor (Otto Muller; named in next issue), Vance,
Willis Ryan (unreavealed; first appearance for all), various crooks (first
and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is captured by a criminal named The Extractor and
has her memories removed by his machine. She escapes, finds refuge
with a restaraunteur called Ted Wallach, and helps him stand off a gang
of punks. Then she flees again, with the Extractor searching for
her on an unknown party’s behalf.
Story: “The Reporter Who Cried Wolf” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #514)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Inspector Henderson (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #495)
Villains: Al Diamond, Arlo, other crooks (first appearance for
all), Willis Ryan
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen overhears a plot to kidnap political candidate
Al Diamond, but cannot convince others of the plot...and does not know
that Diamond is behind the plot himself.
Superman No. 352
October 1980
Cover: Superman and Destiny; Krypton vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Superman’s Day of Destiny” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#26)
GS: Destiny (first DC Universe appearance; next appears in NEW TEEN
TITANS (second series) #8)
GA: Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #181; next
appears in THE FLASH #287), Green Lantern (last appearance in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #26; next appears in GREEN LANTERN #133)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #511), Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #510), Josh
Coyle (between ACTION COMICS #509 / 511)
Intro: Father Perez (only appearance)
Villains: Frederick Stone, Barney Rose, various crooks (first and only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: Destiny steps in to keep Superman from doing what other people
should do for themselves.
Story: “The Mark of a Citizen” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul S. Newman
Penciller: Rich Buckler
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #510)
Intro: Kar-Lu, Jan-De, a citizen-trainer (in flashback), Mike (Jimmy
Olsen’s cousin; first and only appearance for all)
Villains: Urrikans (first and only appearance)
Comment: This is a World of Krypton story.
This story establishes the fact that Kryptonians are only allowed
to wear headbands after their 12th birthday, and after suitable training.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen’s cousin Mike is thinking about dropping out
of school, but Superman influences him otherwise with the story of a Kryptonian
youth who “dropped out” of citizen training and learned to regret it.
Action Comics No. 510
August 1980
Cover: Superman, crooks, and Lex Luthor //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Luthor’s Last Stand” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #352)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #352)
Intro: Capek, Karel, Asimov (three robots), Chet, Dr. Williams (only
appearance for both), Angela Blake (dies in this story), Angela Blake clone
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #500), Shifty, Big Wade
Farrell, various criminals (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues in the next issue.
The robots Karel and Capek are named after Karel Capek, the author
of R.U.R., a play about robots.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor falls in love with a girl named Angela Blake and
turns to doing good instead of evil.
Action Comics No. 511
September 1980
Cover: Superman and Lex Luthor vs. Terra-Man and Ulkro; Air Wave vignette
//Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Luthor Fights For Good” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #352), Lana Lang, Perry White, Josh Coyle (between SUPERMAN
#352 / 353), Morgan Edge
Intro: Gen. Omar
Other Character: Angela Blake clone
Villains: Lex Luthor, Terra-Man (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #261; next appears in SUPERMAN #377), Ulkro, Praxx (first and only
appearance for both)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor appears to confirm his change of heart by deactivating
all nuclear weapons on Earth, repairing the ozone layer, and helping Superman
fight Terra-Man and other alien criminals.
Action Comics No. 512
October 1980
Cover: Superman kissing Angela Blake as Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and
Lex Luthor look on; Air Wave vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Luthor’s Day of Reckoning” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#265)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS
#495), Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Perry White, Morgan Edge (all next appear
in SUPERMAN #353), Dave Stevens (last appearance in SUPERMAN #338; last
appearance), Steve Lombard (last appearance in issue #508; next appears
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #205)
GA: President Jimmy Carter
Other Character: Angela Blake clone (last appearance)
Cameo: Ardora (in flashback)
Villains: Lex Luthor (full first name, Alexis, revealed in this story;
next appearance in flashback in issue #525), two robots, various crooks
(first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Story continues from the last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin
to defeat Simon Magus in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #265.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor marries Angela Blake, but it turns out to be part
of a plot to trap Superman.
Superman No. 353
November 1980
Cover: Superman and vision of Lois Lane being killed by Demolisher;
vignette of Bruce (Superman) Wayne //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Fantastic Foe Superman Could Never Meet” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#265; next appears in ACTION COMICS #513)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Lois Lane (both between ACTION COMICS
#512 / 513), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #512; next appears
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #203), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#512; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #495; next appears in ACTION COMICS #513), Josh Coyle
(last appearance in ACTION COMICS #511; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#206)
Villain: The Demolisher (Troxx-55; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman finds himself exchange-teleported into a world without
crime, while a criminal from that world takes his place on Earth.
Action Comics No. 513
November 1980
Cover: Krell landing on Superman Island in space; Air Wave and Atom
vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Return of Superman Island” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker; Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #353; next
appears, in flashback, in issue #525)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #353;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #205), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for both in SUPERMAN #353)
Intro: Bill Logan, the Krell, Warden Miles
Villains: The H.I.V.E. (Hierarchy for International Vengeance and Elimination;
first appearance; next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #205), Guy Blisner,
Norton Larch (last appearance for both in issue #224; both die in this
story)
Comment: Superman’s thought balloon and the footnote on page 8, panel
5 erroneously claim that this story takes place after the Lois Lane amnesia
stories in SUPERMAN FAMILY #203-206. In reality, the Lois Lane and
Jimmy Olsen stories take place after next issue, since, in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#206, the aftermath of Brainiac’s battle with Superman in the Fortress
of Solitude is still visible. Thus, this is the first appearance
of the H.I.V.E.
Shortly after this story, Superman battles the TNT Trio, as shown
in flashback in issue #525.
Synopsis: Superman Island, now settled by the alien Krell, returns
to space near Earth, and a criminal cabal called the H.I.V.E. want to use
the Kryptonite stored therein against Superman.
Superman No. 354
December 1980
Cover: Negative Superman and Rodru; Superman 2020 vignette //Ross Andru
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Twice Upon a Time” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #513 / 514)
Intro: Mylla (aka Thalia Tate), Rodru, Susan Stanton (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Mr. Alpha and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A man from another world comes to Earth in search of his
lost sweetheart, but a villain named Mr. Alpha captures the girl he thinks
he is looking for and forces him to battle Superman.
Action Comics No. 514
December 1980
Cover: Brainiac watching Lex Luthor statue and weapons blast Superman;
Air Wave and Atom vignette //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Countdown of the Killer Computer” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #354; next
appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #203 (Clark Kent story))
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in
SUPERMAN FAMILY #203)
GA: President of the United States (Ronald Reagan?), Hawkman
Cameo: Lex Luthor (as a statue)
Villain: Brainiac (last appearance in SUPERMAN #338; next appears in
issue #528; enlarged and reprogrammed to heroism in this story)
Synopsis: Superman is confronted by Brainiac again, who manipulates
the contents of the Fortress of Solitude against him.
Superman Family No. 204
September 1980
Cover: Enchantress vs. Supergirl; Jimmy Olsen in disguise; Clark Kent
and boy; Clark Kent and Lois Lane Kent of Earth-2 and Johnny Thunder’s
Thunderbolt; Lois Lane looking at herself in mirror (five vignettes) //Ross
Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Coupon Caper” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman)
Supporting Characters: Mrs. Goldberg, Frank Jackson (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #341)
Intro: Billy, Loretta, and their mothers, Gladys Pruitt (only appearance
for all)
Villain: A pickpocket (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent goes to the supermarket for Mrs. Goldberg, one
of his neighbors, and nabs a pickpocket in the store.
Story: “Lois Lane: Deceased” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Intro: Dr. Walters (only appearance)
Villains: The Extractor, Vance, Willis Ryan, Johnny, Maxie (first and
only appearance for both)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue and crosses over with
the Jimmy Olsen story in this issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane takes a memory treatment, learns the name of the
Extractor, and goes after him to try and regain her self-memories.
Story: “Squeeze Play” (12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Meatball (dies in this story), Hank (only appearance), Jenny
Davis
Villains: Al Diamond, Willis Ryan, Bozo, Chester (first appearance
for last two)
Comment: This story continues in the Lois Lane story in next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen continues on the Al Diamond investigation, learns
that Willis Ryan is a phony alias, and is targeted for death.
Superman Family No. 205
January-February 1981
Cover: Supergirl vs. Enchantress on a beach; Lois Lane vs. Jimmy Olsen;
Superman and Lois Lane of Earth-Two and Lex Luthor in Kryptonite; Clark
Kent and glass statue of Kaye Daye (four vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Case of the Disappearing Daye” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Bob LeRose
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#512; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27), Kaye Daye (last appearance
in BATMAN #295; last appearance)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Steve Lombard’s aunt, mystery writer Kaye Daye, gets
kidnapped by a crook, Clark Kent detects her whereabouts and gives Steve
enough clues for him to track the criminal down.
Story: “Lois Lane: Found” (Part 1; 6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: John Calnan
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen
Cameo appearance: Superman
Intro: Gretchyn Forbes, Barney
Villains: Al Diamond, Willis Ryan, and their gang
Synopsis: Lois Lane learns her true name, finds her apartment, learns
that she was exposing a new criminal organization, and is lured into a
trap by crooked politician Al Desmond. Escaping it, she meets Jimmy
Olsen.
Part 2: “Climb To Calamity” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: John Calnan
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Inspector Henderson (next appears
in issue #209)
Other Character: Jenny Davis
Villains: Willis Ryan and his gang
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes after Al Diamond and Willis Ryan again,
runs into their gang, and encounters Lois Lane.
Part 3: “Election Nightmare” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #513; next appears in SUPERMAN #355)
Other Character: Jenny Davis
Villains: Al Diamond, Willis Ryan, the Extractor (all die in this story),
Edgar (first and only appearance), the H.I.V.E. (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #513; next appear in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #1)
Comment: This story continues in the Lois Lane story in next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane team up to defeat Al Desmond, Willis
Ryan, and the Extractor, and learn that all three villains are pawns of
the H.I.V.E., an organization of criminal scientists, who subsequently
destroy the three villains. Later, Lois Lane asks Superman to tell
her all about herself.
Superman Family No. 206
March-April 1981
Cover: Supergirl vs. Lesla-Lar; Superman showing Lois Lane image of
her younger self; Jimmy Olsen and Tommy Jones in gunsight; Clark Kent and
Lola Barnett in disguise; Lois Kent, Superman of Earth-2, and Harlequin
//Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “A Scoop For a Snoop” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in Lois Lane story in issue
#203)
Supporting Character: Lola Barnett (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#12; next appears in SUPERMAN #374), Frank Jackson (next appears in SUPERMAN
#360), Josh Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN #353; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #519)
Intro: Lester (only appearance)
Comment: This is a Clark Kent story, but Superman appears in it.
Synopsis: Lola Barnett, disguised as an old lady, breaks into Clark
Kent’s apartment to gain evidence that he is in cahoots with Superman,
so Clark teaches her a lesson.
Story: “Have You Ever Told Me the Story of My Life?” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Phil Rachelson
Feature Character: Lois Lane (origin retold in flashback; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #183)
Cameo appearances: Helen Gold, Marcy Lloyd, Susan Freeling, Courtney
Greene, Wayne Henry, Leonard Splatz (first appearance for all), Extractor,
Sam Lane, Ella Lane, Lucy Lane (all in flashback)
Other Character: Ted Wallach (last appearance in issue #203; last appearance)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League, the
Justice Society, and the New Gods fight Darkseid and his minions in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #183-185, then teams with Batman against Lady Lunar in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #266, then teams with J’onn J’onzz, Supergirl, and
the Spectre to fight Mongul in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27-29.
Synopsis: Superman restores Lois Lane’s memory in the Fortress of Solitude
and helps her have a last reunion with Ted Wallach.
Story: “Open Season on Red-Headed Reporters” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Luis Dominguez
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#27)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #355),
Tommy Jones (last appearance in issue #202; last appearance)
Villains: Harold, Ted, Ralph, a sheriff, people of Mahopacapa (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen turns up evidence of industrial pollution in
a river, and puts his own life in danger.
Superman No. 355
January 1981
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen vs. Momentus; vignettes of Superman,
Superman II, and Superman III //Jim Starlin (signed)
Story: “Momentus, Master of the Moon” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #29 / 30)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #516),
Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #206; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #517), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #205), Dr.
Jenet Klyburn (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #266; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #48)
Villain: Momentus (Asa Ezaak; first appearance; dies in this story),
Jerry and another mugger (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Black Canary
to fight Dr. Destiny in DC COMICS PRESENTS #30.
Asa Ezaak is based on famous science and science-fiction writer
Isaac Asimov.
This story takes place around Sept. 24-Oct. 10.
Synopsis: Science writer Asa Ezaak transforms himself into Momentus,
a liquid being with mastery of gravity, kidnaps Jimmy Olsen, and battles
Superman.
Action Comics No. 515
January 1981
Cover: Superman and Vandal Savage vs. Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and robots;
Atom vignette //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “This Is My World, and You’re Welcome To It” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#30)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (first appearance of
both; both of an alternate universe), Lois Lane (first appearance; from
an alternate universe; dies in this story)
Cameo appearance: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (first and only appearance;
in flashback; from an alternate universe)
Villains: Vandal Savage (last appearance in ALL-STAR COMICS #65), Lex
Luthor (of the alternate universe; first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Earth has been transformed into a world in which Vandal
Savage rules and Superman is his servant, but Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen
convince the Man of Steel to turn on his master.
Action Comics No. 516
February 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Vandal Savage and dinosaurs; Atom vignette //Rich
Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Time and Time Again” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#267)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (of the alternate universe;
last appearance for both), Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #355; both next appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS #31)
Intro: A wizard (in flashback; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Nero, Wu Ti, Zoser, Alexander the Great (all of
the alternate universe; all in flashback; first and only appearance for
all), Dr. Fate, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Flash of Earth-Two
Villains: Vandal Savage (next appears in issue #542), Lex Luthor (of
an alternate universe; last appearance), Adolf Hitler (of an alternate
universe; dies in this story), Nazis
Comments: This story continues from the last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and the
Challengers of the Unknown to rescue Dr. Brock in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#267, appears with the Justice League in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #172 and helps
them fight Proteus in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #187-188, then teams with
Robin to defeat a mastermind in DC COMICS PRESENTS #31, then teams with
Supergirl of the future to fight Toxus, as shown in flashback in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #215.
Synopsis: Superman learns that the world’s history has been distorted
by “time bombs” planted through history by Vandal Savage. But Lex
Luthor, in getting the Man of Steel to defuse the bombs, hopes to make
himself master of the alternate Earth.
Superman No. 356
February 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Vartox; World of Krypton vignette //Rich Buckler
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Batle of the Super-Hyper Powers” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #215)
GS: Vartox (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #499)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#31), Lana Lang, Steve Lombard (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #517)
Villains: Tynolans, Rulhu, Moxumbra (first appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Vartox has found another world upon which to be a super-hero,
but discovers that the inhabitants are using him for nefarious purposes,
and gets the aid of Superman, not knowing the Tynolans intend to sacrifice
him to their god Moxumbra.
Superman No. 357
March 1981
Cover: Superman and Vartox vs. Moxumbra; Superman 2020 vignette //Ross
Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Food For a God” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in issue #416 (flashback))
GS: Vartox (next appears in issue #373)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #31; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #517), Lana Lang
(next appears in ACTION COMICS #517)
Intro: Mayor Summers (only appearance)
Villains: Moxumbra, Ralhu, Tynolians (last appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman fights Luthor as shown in
flashback in SUPERMAN #416.
Synopsis: Superman deduces that Vartox is being prepared to become
a sacrifice to a space monster, and intends to offer himself as well.
Action Comics No. 517
March 1981
Cover: Superman holding Grayl between Aloi and Margoi fleets
//Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “The War For Peace” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#416 (flashback); next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #32)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #355;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #207), Steve Lombard (last appearance in
ACTION COMICS #356), Lana Lang, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in
SUPERMAN #357; both next appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS #32), Jimmy Olsen
(last appearance in SUPERMAN #357)
Intro: Aloi, Margoi (two alien races), Nemrul, Tumlat, Naffa (only
appearance for all)
Villains: Clone-warriors (first and only appearance)
Comments: Shortly after this story, Superman and Wonder Woman encounter
Eros in DC COMICS PRESENTS #32.
This story takes place on December 24.
Synopsis: Superman recovers a religious artifact beloved by two races
and stops them from going to war upon each other on Christmas Eve.
Superman No. 358
April 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Cron; Bruce (Superman) Wayne vignette //Ross Andru
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Father Nature’s Folly” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#32; next appears in ACTION COMICS #518)
Other characters: Margaret Wilson, Alec, Shanna, and their classmates
(last appearance in ACTION COMICS #509; next appear in SUPERMAN IN “VICTORY
BY COMPUTER” #1)
Intro: Nutra (“Mother Nature”; only appearance)
Villain: Cron (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When a blackout hits the classroom in which Clark Kent is
lecturing to students, he regales them with the story of Superman’s battle
against Cron, an alien who attempted to destroy “Mother Nature”.
Action Comics No. 518
April 1981
Cover: Superman flying towards alien machine stealing a dam from Carruthers’
Gap; Aquaman vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “Treasure Hunt On a Small Planet” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #358; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #268), Steve Lombard
Intro: Mike Murphy, Farlung, Prof. Hodgkins (only appearance for all)
Villains: Karmault (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to fight
Doctor Zodiac in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268.
Synopsis: Two aliens come to Earth with the intent of learning mechanical
science to make up for their waning telekinetic abilities, and Superman
learns that one of them has evil motives.
Superman No. 359
May 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Earl on energy-steed //Dave Cockrum / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: “Today Superman, Tomorrow the World” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#268; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #189)
Intro: An elder and other future people, a pilot, Mrs. Marple, Clem,
Rocky, Doc, Earl (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
fight Starro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #189-190.
Synopsis: In saving a falling Air Force pilot, Superman comes across
a town of powerful espers.
Action Comics No. 519
May 1981
Cover: Superman protecting monster from A’abah; Aquaman vignette //Ross
Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “When the Space-Wind Blows” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#190; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #207)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#207), Josh Coyle (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #206 / 207), Lana Lang (last
appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #32; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #207)
Intro: A’Abah, Amanda Monroe (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman tries to prevent an alien hunter from destroying
a monster which he soon learns destroyed the alien’s planet.
Superman Family No. 207
May-June 1981
Cover: Universo vs. Supergirl, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl, Blok, Brainiac
5, and Chameleon Boy; Lois Lane and killer; Jimmy Olsen handcuffed by Inspector
Henderson; Lois Lane (as Superwoman) and Superman; Oliver Queen, Lana Lang,
and Clark Kent (five vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Too Good To Be True” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Bob Rozakis
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #519)
GS: Oliver Queen (Green Arrow; between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268 /
269)
Supporting Characters: George Taylor, Jr. (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#266 / 269), Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #519 / 521), Josh Coyle (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #519; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #35),
Morgan Edge (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268 / 269), Jenkins (first
appearance), Laura Conway (last appearance in SUPERMAN #339; last apppearance)
Villain: A counterman (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Oliver Queen visits Metropolis at the behest of Morgan Edge,
who wants him to join the WGBS news team, but he has secretly been dosed
with truth serum, and is on the verge of blurting out Superman’s secret
identity.
Story: “The Expose` Expose`” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: John Drake
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#32)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN IN “VICTORY BY COMPUTER”
#1)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#517), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268), Steve
Lombard (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #519; next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #35)
Intro: Bambi Bonanza, Adolph Nurdlick (only appearance for both)
Villains: Jacoby and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When a non-reporter gets a press award for an article on
toxic waste dumping she was not capable of writing, Lois Lane investigates
to get the goods on the real polluters.
Story: “Death and Taxes, or, Jimmy Olsen’s Very Bad Day” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: John Drake
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#33)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #175)
Intro: Harley (dies in this story), Stu Hobart, Johnny Bicardi (only
appearance of both)
Villain: A murderess (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen becomes the prime suspect in the case of a murdered
tax collector, and has to track down the real killer.
Superman In “Victory By Computer” No. 1
1981
Cover: Superman; vignettes of Supergirl, Alec, and Shanna //Ross Andru
/ Dick Giordano
Story: “Victory By Computer” (31 pages)
Editors: Julius Schwartz, William M. Palmer
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #207;
next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #34)
GS: Supergirl (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #207 / 208)
Supporting Characters: Margaret Wilson, Alec, Shanna, and their classmates
(last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #358; all next appear in SUPERMAN
IN “THE COMPUTER MASTERS OF METROPOLIS” #1)
Intro: Ms. Leigh (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: William Shockley, Walter Brattain, John Bardeen (of
Earth-One; in a photograph)
Villains: Lex Luthor (between SUPERMAN #416 (flashback) / 363) and
his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This is a special promotional giveaway comic produced in conjunction
with Radio Shack.
Shortly after this story Superman teams up with the Marvel Family
to fight Mr. Mxyzptlk, Mr. Mind, and King Kull in DC COMICS PRESENTS #33-34,
and Lois Lane teams with Batman to fight Metallo in BRAVE AND THE BOLD
#175.
Synopsis: Supergirl falls into a trap of Lex Luthor’s, and she and
Superman get help from Ms. Wilson’s class of computer whiz-kids to free
her and help capture Luthor’s gang.
Superman No. 360
June 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Superman robots; World of Krypton vignette //Ross
Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Is Superman Going...Going...Gone?” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#34; next appears in ACTION COMICS #520)
GS: Superman robots
Supporting Characters: Frank Jackson (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #206
/ 211), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #34; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269), Lois Lane (last appearance in BRAVE AND
THE BOLD #175), Dr. Robert Bartlee (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #501;
last appearance)
Intro: Mrs. Stern, the Krydds (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Martha Kent, Jonathan Kent (in photos)
Villains: Zaang, Mozrm, Ylmad (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A race of hostile aliens tests a new weapon by using it to
make Superman and Clark Kent forget that they are one and the same.
Action Comics No. 520
June 1981
Cover: Lois Lane clinging to Superman as he takes flight; Aquaman vignette
//Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Superman’s Arch-Rival For Lois Lane” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #360; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #361), Perry
White (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #175; next appears in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #208)
Intro: Eric Burton, Jacques, Martha (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin
against Ed Wiley in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #269, then teams with Man-Bat
to fight the Atomic Skull in DC COMICS PRESENTS #35.
Synopsis: Superman discovers a businessman beating his time with Lois
Lane, and distracting him deliberately with reports of disasters the Man
of Steel must deal with.
Superman No. 361
July 1981
Cover: Superman throwing Captain Strong at oourba-beast; Superman 2020
vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Stowaway From the Stars” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#35; next appears in ACTION COMICS #521)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#520; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #208), Captain Strong (between ACTION
COMICS #456 / 566), Olivia Strong (between ACTION COMICS #439 / 566)
Intro: Drxyla (only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman and Captain Strong face an alien woman with the
power to transform into animal shapes, whose race is doomed unless they
can get control of Captain Strong’s sauncha.
Action Comics No. 521
July 1981
Cover: Superman, Vixen, and crooks //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Deadly Rampage of the Lady Fox” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last apeparance in SUPERMAN #361; next
appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #208)
GS: The Vixen (last appearance in CANCELLED COMIC CAVALCADE #2; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #68)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #269), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #207 / 208), Josh Coyle
(last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #35)
Intro: Solomon Samuels, Karamchand Godse (only appearance for both)
Villains: Mordecai Mule and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comments: Even though the Vixen makes a previous appearance in CANCELLED
COMIC CAVALCADE, the story was never formally published. Thus, this is
actually her debut appearance.
Shortly after this story Supergirl confers with Superman in the
Supergirl story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #208.
Synopsis: Superman encounters the Vixen, a mysterious woman with animal
powers deriving from a magic amulet, as both track down poachers who have
been supplying a Metropolis fur ring with pelts from endangered animal
species.
Superman Family No. 208
July 1981
Cover: Supergirl flying under statue in New York City; Lois Lane and
Shiek Abdul D’Bai; Jimmy Olsen; Clark Kent, Lois Kent, and Mr. Mxyzptlk
of Earth-Two; Yussel Berkowitz, Cosmic Knight clock, and Clark Kent (five
vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Case of the Stolen Clock” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in Supergirl
story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#521; next appears in KRYPTON CHRONICLES #1), Lana Lang (between ACTION
COMICS #521 / 522)
Intro: Eric Lofgren (only appearance)
Villain: Yussel Berkowitz (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Morgan Edge wants Clark Kent to get him a rare radio-premium
clock for his collection, but a rival from Edge’s boyhood wants it, too,
and takes it at gunpoint.
Story: “Lois’s Dream Scoop” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #361; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #522)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#520)
Intro: Congressman Pyle (only appearance)
Villains: Shiek Abdul D’Bai and his henchman (first and only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: A radio message received by Lois’s bridgework leads her to
investigate a political bribery.
Story: “Mystery of the Missing Mail” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#269)
GS: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #36)
Supporting Character: Stephanie Edge (last appearance in issue #175;
last appearance)
Villains: The Professor and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Starman to fight
Mongul in DC COMICS PRESENTS #36, then helps the Justice League fight T.
O. Morrow in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #192-193.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen accepts a challenge from Morgan Edge’s niece
Stephanie to find a mystery in a small town.
Action Comics No. 522
August 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Click-Clock; Atom vignette //Rich Buckler / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Time-Tornado of the Clockwork Man” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#193; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #209)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#208; next appears in SUPERMAN #362), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN FAMILY
#208 / 209), Josh Coyle (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #35; next
appears in SUPERMAN #362), Steve Lombard (last appearance in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #35)
Intro: Miss Carmichael, Harry, Abner (only appearance for all)
Villain: Click-Clock (a robot; first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman battles a robot which is disrupting time-lines.
Superman Family No. 209
August 1981
Cover: Supergirl dumping water on New York Yankees and Metropolis Angels;
Lois Lane vs. crook; Jimmy Olsen finding diamond ring in cereal box; Clark
Kent headed for phone booth; Superman and Lois Kent of Earth-Two with corpse
of George Taylor (five vignettes) //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Bus Bust” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: P. Bernard, Jr.
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #522; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #270)
Supporting Character: Inspector Henderson (last appearance in issue
#205)
Villain: Hawkface Carse (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to fight
Metallo in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #270, then investigates the X-Dimension
with Hawkgirl in DC COMICS PRESENTS #37.
Synopsis: Clark Kent helps nab a disguised gunman on a bus.
Story: “Hide In Plain Fright” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #522;
next appears in SUPERMAN #362)
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Louisa (Lois Lane’s cousin), Tracy (Louisa’s daughter), Martha
Michaels, Fred Michaels, Clemmie Michaels (only appearance for all)
Villains: Sal Sorine, Joey Fingers, Moose (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: An encounter with a mother who doesn’t want her honor student
to be photographed leads Lois into a case involving a gangster looking
for the man who caused his conviction years ago.
Story: “Never Take Candy From a Stranger” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #523)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #523),
Inspector Henderson
Intro: Jennifer Owens, Mr. Newquist (only appearance for both)
Villain: Moe Chesley (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen finds a phony diamond in a box of popcorn and
becomes a target for the crook who wants it.
Superman No. 362
August 1981
Cover: Superman in front of computer screen with Lois Lane and Lana
Lang scans; Superboy vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Last Days of Lois and Lana” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#37)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Josh Coyle (last appearance for both
in ACTION COMICS #522), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #209),
Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in issue #343), Jonathan Kent, Martha
Kent (both in flashback; isochronally with issue #161; both die in this
story)
Intro: Susan Stanyon
Other Character: Herbert Burke (in flashback)
Villain: Hegan (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Lana Lang both catch the same disease that
caused the deaths of Jonathan and Martha Kent, and Superman finds himself
helpless to cure them.
Superman No. 363
September 1981
Cover: Superman, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and Lana Lang; vignette of
Superman (Bruce Wayne) //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Dying Day of Lois and Lana” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#194)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #194), Lana Lang, Josh Coyle (both next appear in ACTION COMICS
#523) Prof. Lewis Lang (next appears in issue #375)
Intro: Mrs. Nelson, three men from the future (only appearance for
all)
Cameo appearances: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Chief Parker (in flashback)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN IN “VICTORY BY COMPUTER
#1; next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26), Jax-Ur (last appearance in
GREEN LANTERN #122; next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26), Faora Hu-Ul,
General Zod (last appearance for both in GREEN LANTERN #123; both next
appears in PHANTOM ZONE #1), Mick and his confederate (first and only appearance
for both)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight
Prof. Amos Fortune in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #194.
Synopsis: Superman struggles to find a cure for Lois and Lana before
they can perish from the disease, but neither Lex Luthor nor the Phantom
Zone criminals will help him.
Action Comics No. 523
September 1981
Cover: Superman trying to free Steve Lombard from monster; Atom vignette
//Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Steve Lombard’s Double Life” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#194; next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #271), Lois Lane (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #194;
next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #363
/ 364), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #209; both next appear in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26), Oscar Asherman
(between SUPERMAN #348 / 388), Josh Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#363; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #275) , Mr. and Mrs. Lombard
(Steve’s parents; first and only appearance)
Intro: The Playgate Glamour Girls (only appearance)
Villains: A race of aliens (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An alien cons Steve Lombard into thinking he is one of their
race, so that he may steal Steve’s athletic qualities and use it to compete
in sports on his own planet.
DC Special Series No. 26
Summer 1981
Cover: Superman unlocking Fortress of Solitude door //Ross Andru /
Dick Giordano
Back cover: Superman inside the Fortress of Solitude //Ross Andru /
Dick Giordano
Story: “Fortress of Fear” (64 pages)
Editor: Len Wein
Writer: Roy Thomas
Penciller: Ross Andru
Inker: Romeo Tanghal
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #523;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #210)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance
for all in ACTION COMICS #523; all next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #210)
GA: Mon-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #189; next appears in
PHANTOM ZONE #1), Green Lantern (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#194; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #181)
Cameo appearances: Urko the Terrible, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Jor-El,
fire-people, Capt. Horace Mitchell, Supergirl, Lara, Slesar, King Andrews,
Mike Andrews, Brainiac, Koko, Kim-Da, Wonder Woman, Batman, Joker, Krypto,
Robin, Flash, Captain Marvel (?), Aquaman, Commissioner Gordon, Frankenstein,
Robin Hood, Maid Marian, the Marx Brothers, King Kong, Charlie Chaplin,
Fay Wray, Humphrey Bogart (?), Sidney Greenstreet, John Wayne
Villains: Lex Luthor (as Dominus; last appearance in SUPERMAN #363;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214), Roger (first and only appearance),
Jax-Ur (last appearance in SUPERMAN #363; next appears in PHANTOM ZONE
#1), Kru-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #190; next appears in PHANTOM
ZONE #1), Phantom Zone villains (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #122;
next appear in PHANTOM ZONE #1)
Synopsis: Superman has only an hour to discover which component of
his Fortress of Solitude has been sabotaged so that it will destroy the
Earth.
Superman Family No. 210
September 1981
Cover: Lex Luthor with magical mask on vs. Superman of Earth-Two and
Lois Kent; Supergirl falling through ground; Jimmy Olsen and two of his
doubles; Clark Kent; Lois Lane and dog (five vignettes) //Rich Buckler
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “News Before It Happens” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #271)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES
#26)
Villain: The Mad Bomber (first and only appearance)
Comments: Even though this is a Private Life of Clark Kent story, he
appears as Superman.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and the
Superman and Robin of Earth-Two to fight Atoman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#271, then teams with the Flash to fight Syryna in DC COMICS PRESENTS #38.
Synopsis: Clark Kent writes up the story of Superman’s capture of a
mad bomber in Metropolis before accomplishing it.
Story: “The Case of the Kidnapped Canines” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES
#26; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #271)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES
#26; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #271), Perry White (next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #271)
Intro: Pippin (a dog), Mr. Sabatini (only appearance for both)
Villains: Gower Hobart, Symington (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane takes care of a neighbor’s dog which is subsequently
dognapped.
Story: “Vengeance Times Four” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Bob LeRose
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in Lois Lane story
in next issue)
Cameo appearance: Superman
Intro: Marcy Miller Laverty, Joey Laverty (in flashback)
Villains: Shelby Drake, Sam, Operatives One, Two, Three, and Four (first
appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is captured by a criminal he once exposed, who
intends to ruin his life with the use of four Olsen doubles.
Superman No. 364
October 1981
Cover: Superman sinking into ground, Metro-Monster’s hands, and Rory
Stasson; vignette of Superman III and Superman I //George Perez / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Sounds That Menaced Metropolis” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Rich Buckler
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Letterer: Ben Oda
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#38; next appears in ACTION COMICS #524)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #271; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #524),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #38; next appears in
SUPERMAN FAMILY #211), Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #523 / 525)
Intro: Rory Stasson (next appears in ACTION COMICS #543), Marilyn Thomas,
Phil, Jojo
Villain: The Metro-Monster (Leo Thayles; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman attempts to battle the Metro-Monster, a new menace
whose secret identity a rival reporter has discovered, but which he refuses
to divulge.
Action Comics No. 524
October 1981
Cover: The Doppleganger (as Clark Kent) vs. Superman; Air Wave and
Atom vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “If I Can’t Be Clark Kent, Nobody Can” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #364; next
appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #211; also appears in flashback, between ACTION
COMICS #500 / WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #259)
GA: Batman (in flashback), a Superman robot
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #364; both next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #211)
Other Characters: Dan Reed (no appearance; mentioned only; last appearance
in SUPERMAN #312; dies in this story), Robert J. Arngrim (no appearance;
mentioned only; last appearance in issue #500; dies in this story)
Cameo appearance: Lex Luthor (in flashback)
Villain: The Doppleganger (first appearance; last appearance, as the
Superman clone, in issue #500; becomes Dan Reed II in this story; last
appearance)
Synopsis: The Superman clone created by Lex Luthor escapes from the
Fortress of Solitude and tries to take the place of the original Superman.
Superman Family No. 211
October 1981
Cover: Supergirl vs. Mind-Bomber; Lois Lane held hostage by terrorists;
Clark Kent and Elongated Man; Jimmy Olsen on television; Lois Kent, Clark
Kent, Bruce Wayne, and Selina Kyle of Earth-Two (five vignettes) //Ross
Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Search For a Secret-Seeker” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #524)
GS: Elongated Man (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #194 / 195)
Supporting Character: Frank Jackson (last appearance in SUPERMAN #360;
next appears in issue #215)
Intro: An autograph hunter (only appearance)
Comment: In this story, Clark Kent’s phone number is revealed as 555-0162.
Area code is not given.
Synopsis: The Elongated Man pays a visit to Clark Kent, claiming he
was invited over for lunch. Clark, who has no memory of inviting
him, thinks it is a ploy of an unknown person to reveal Superman’s secret
identity.
Story: “Lois Lane: Hostage” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #524)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#524), Inspector Henderson, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #364;
next appears in Jimmy Olsen story in last issue)
Villains: Moe, Lola, Roscoe, Todd (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets too close to terrorists, looking for a story,
and is taken hostage herself.
Story: “Deadlier Than the Sword” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#39)
GS: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #39)
Supporting Characters: Jennifer Owens (first appearance), Mark Olsen
(last appearance in issue #190; next appears in ACTION COMICS #565), Perry
White (next appears in KRYPTON CHRONICLES #1), Lois Lane
Other Characters: Marcy Laverty, Joey Laverty (last appearance for
both)
Villains: Shelby Drake, Operatives One, Two, Three, and Four (last
appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Plastic Man to
fight the Toyman in DC COMICS PRESENTS #39.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen tries to reason with Shelby Drake while the four
Olsen doubles attempt to wreck his life with their impersonations.
Krypton Chronicles No. 1
September 1981
Cover: Superman, Jor-El, and other members of the El family //Rich
Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: "The Search For Superman's Roots" (1 page)
Chapter 1: "The Ancestral Assignment" (8 pages)
Chapter 2: "The Master Builder of Krypton" (4 pages)
Chapter 3: "The Sign of Rao" (3 pages)
Chapter 4: "The War to End Wars" (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#39)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #211), Kandorians
(last appearance in SUPERMAN #338)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#208; next appears in issue #3), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #211; next appears in issue #3), Zor-El, Allura, Van-Zee, Drygur
Moliom (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #338), Shyla Kor-Onn (last
appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #189; last appearance; reformed in this story),
Brenn-Bir, Vas-Quor, Kyl-Ibo (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS
#338; last appearance for all; all reformed in this story)
GS: Gam-El, Tala-El (in flashback; last appearance, as statues,
in ADVENTURE COMICS #313; first and only actual appearance for both; origins
revealed in this story)
Intro: Pym-El, Pir-El,Yu-El, Im-El, Sorn-El, Fil-El, Nox-El, Plen-El,
Fedra Shu-El, Thar-El, Enu-El, Wir-El, Jes-Mo, Marg-Rom, Sin-Dar, Hal-Vu
(all in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Val-El, Sul-El, Hatu-El (as statues)
Villains: Black Flame (last seen in ADVENTURE COMICS #400; as
Zora Vi-Lar; last name revealed in this story), Kly-Anth and his gang (in
flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Comments: New Krypton is named Rokyn in this story.
This issue also contains a Krypton glossary.
This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Morgan Edge calls in Perry White and Clark Kent and
tells them that Kent will be assigned to write a series on Superman's ancestors,
which will run in the Daily Planet, be
collected in to book form, and be adapted to television as a mini-series.
To gather information, Superman and Supergirl go to Rokyn, the planet on
which the Kandorians have settled, which has
now reentered the Earth-One dimension for a time with the shifting
of the Cosmic Axis. There they have a reunion with Supergirl's parents
Zor-El and Allura, the Drygur Moliom of Kandor, and Van-Zee, along with
several reformed criminals, such as Shyla Kor-Onn, Black Flame (as Zora
Vi-Lar), and Brenn-Bir.
Superman, Supergirl, Zor-El, Allura, and Van-Zee enter the House
of El, a vault built in honor of the El family with statues of the illustrious
members of Superman's family. By placing
symbols of their achievements in the statues' hands, Zor-El triggers
mento-tapes that retell the story of a given El family member. They
learn the stories of Gam-El, who rebuilt the devastated city of Kryptonopolis;
of Tala-El, who ensured that Krypton would be governed by a technocracy;
and of Pir-El, who won the war against Erkol and Urrika. But several
times, the
five of them are endangered by apparent "accidents" arranged by a shadowy
figure outside, and, after learning of several other El ancestors, they
are confronted by what appears to be a monstrous, predatory Yagrum.
Krypton Chronicles No. 2
October 1981
Cover: Superman using sensor-goggles to witness Hatu-El leading
Kryptonian rebellion against the Vrangs //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: "Bring Back Yesterday"
Chapter 5: "Memories Don't Die" (3 pages)
Chapter 6: "Master of the Lightning" (7 pages)
Chapter 7: "They Came From Beyond the Sky" (6 pages)
Chapter 8: "Eastward Ho" (6 pages)
Chapter 9: "Farewell to Kandor" (3 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Supergirl, Kandorians (next appear in SUPERMAN #414)
Supporting Characters: Van-Zee, Allura, Zor-El (all next appear in
SUPERMAN #414)
Other Characters: Hatu-El, Sul-El, Val-El (in flashback; last
appearance, as statues, in ADVENTURE COMICS #313 and last issue; first
and only actual appearance for all; origins told in this story), Val-Lor
(in flashback; isochronally with flashback in SUPERMAN #176; dies in this
story)
Intro: Ar-Go (in flashback; dies in this story), Sur-Na, Pux-Tul,
Usk-Mar, the Drygur of Erkol and his geographer, natives of Vathlo Island
(all in flashback; only appearance for all)
Villains: Black Flame (last appearance), Vrangs (in flashback;
isochronally with flashback in SUPERMAN #176; most die in this story; next
appear in ACTION COMICS #548), Tro-El (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Comments: This story continues in the next issue.
This issue also contains a two-page map of Krypton and a Krypton
glossary.
In this story, it is revealed that the rings on Supergirl's belt
are actually timepieces.
Synopsis: Superman, deducing that the Yagrum is only an illusion,
walks through it. Zor-El enables Superman to learn the stories of
some more of his ancestors through a device connected
to their headbands, which have absorbed some of their memories.
In this fashion, he learns of Hatu-El, who helped liberate the Kryptonians
from the Vrangs who had conquered them; of Sul-El, who developed a telescope,
saw the Vrang fleet in space, and tried to warn the governor of Kandor;
of Val-El, an explorer who discovered new lands; and of Val's brother Tro-El,
who led an unsuccessful mutiny and became founder of an isle of pirates.
Supergirl captures Black Flame, who has been trying to prolong Superman's
and Supergirl's stay until the Cosmic Axis shifted again and prevented
them returning to Earth. After saying their farewells, Superman and
Supergirl leave Rokyn shortly before it vanishes, and Superman tells his
cousin he has another ploy to get information on his ancestors who came
before Val-El.
Krypton Chronicles No. 3
November 1981
Cover: Superman and Supergirl watching image of priest marrying
Erok-El and Milia //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: "The Race To Overtake the Past" (1 page)
Chapter 10: "The Man Who Believed" (8 pages)
Chapter 11: "Wings Over the Flood" (9 pages)
Chapter 12: "Back To the Beginning" (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#212)
GS: Supergirl (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #212)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue
#1; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #40), Perry White (last appearance
in issue #1; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #212)
GS: Bur-El, Kil-Gor (both in flashback; last appearance for both
in SUPERMAN #268 (2); appear isochronally in part with that story; last
appearance for both), Erok-El (in flashback; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #121; first chronological appearance; last appearance)
Intro: Wedna Bur-El, Jaf-El, Tio-El, Hyr-El, Wab-El, Erok-El, Diom,
Milia Erok-El, Kal-El I (all in flashback; only appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
This issue also contains the family tree of Superman and a Kryptonian
glossary.
Synopsis: Using viewers which capture light-images radiated ages
ago from Krypton, and lip-reading to understand what their ancestors are
saying, Superman and Supergirl learn the histories of Kil-Gor and Bur-El,
inventors; Jaf-El, a prophet of Rao, and Tio-El, his brother, who were
spared with several others from a flood which devastated ancient Krypton;
and the first of the Els, Erok-El, who, with the help of a Potion of Strength,
defeated barbarian tribes and spread civilization. At that point,
they can learn no more. Later, Morgan Edge congratulates Kent on
his work, orates at length about what actors will play what members of
the El family, and is making plans for a sequel about Hawkman's ancestors.
Clark Kent chooses this moment to make a strategic exit.
Superman Family No. 212
November 1981
Cover: Supergirl vs. Blackrock IV; Clark Kent and Lois Kent of Earth-Two
and phony Superman (two vignettes) //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Newsboy Who Saw Too Much” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in KRYPTON
CHRONICLES #3)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in KRYPTON CHRONICLES
#3)
Intro: Stephen Marco, Judy Marco, David Horton (only appearance for
all)
Villain: Charles Herdemian (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An observant newsboy helps Clark Kent crack a jewel robbery.
Story: “A Deadly Day In the Life” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #525)
GS: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #40)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Inspector Henderson
Villains: Joe “the Arm” (no appearance; name only mentioned) and his
thug (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Metamorpho to
fight Java in DC COMICS PRESENTS #40.
Synopsis: Lois Lane tangles with a protection racketeer who wants her
dead.
Story: “The Last Dangerous Days (and Sleepless Nights) of Jimmy Olsen”
(8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: P. Bernard, Jr.
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#39; next appears in ACTION COMICS #525)
Supporting Characters: Jennifer Owens, Perry White (next appears in
ACTION COMICS #525)
Villains: Pete Pomerantz, Mrs. Tim Cruikshank (first and only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: A phony dentist and nurse attempt to keep Jimmy Olsen from
testifying at a crook’s trial.
Action Comics No. 525
November 1981
Cover: Superman and Neutron //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Neutron Nightmare” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Joe Staton
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#40)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#40), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois Lane (all last appear in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #212), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #364; next appears
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214)
Villains: Neutron (Nat Tryon; first appearance), Lex Luthor (in flashback;
chronologically between issue #515 / SUPERMAN #416 flashback), Ted Grand
(first appearance; dies in this story), Tim Moore (first and only appearance;
reforms in this story)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Nat Tryon, one of Lex Luthor’s hirelings, is changed by a
radiation bombardment into Neutron, a nuclear-powered villain, and seeks
revenge on Superman for not delivering him from his predicament.
Action Comics No. 526
December 1981
Cover: Superman vs. Neutron //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Man Who Murdered Metropolis” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Joe Staton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#195)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge, Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #274), Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #272)
GS: President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan
Intro: Angela and her mother
Cameo: Lex Luthor (in flashback)
Villains: Neutron (next appears in issue #543), the H.I.V.E. (between
NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #10 / 16)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during the
Justice League’s and Justice Society’s battle with the Secret Society of
Super-Villains in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #195.
Synopsis: Superman must discover where Neutron has planted an atomic
bomb which, if and when it goes off, will destroy Metropolis.
Superman Family No. 213
December 1981
Cover: Superman of Earth-Two vs. Insect Queen of Earth-Two and giant
insects; vignettes of Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Supergirl
//Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Superman Interviews Clark Kent” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Jim Janes
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#195; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #272)
Supporting Character: Terri Cross (last appearance in issue #196; last
appearance)
Cameo: President Ronald Reagan
Comments: This is a Clark Kent story, but Superman appears in it.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to fight
the Weapons Master in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #272-274, and teams with the
Joker to fight the Prankster in DC COMICS PRESENTS #41.
Synopsis: Terri Cross of the Clark Kent Fan Club interviews Clark Kent
about his “interview” with Superman.
Story: “Watson, Watson, Everywhere, and Not a Holmes In Sight” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #527)
GS: Superman (last appearance in Clark Kent story in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Inspector Henderson, Perry White (between DC
COMICS PRESENTS #41 / 42), Steve Lombard (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #274; next appears in issue #215)
Intro: Lewis, Sandy (only appearance for both)
Villains: Jensen and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in part in next issue.
Synopsis: Inspector Henderson’s Sherlock Award is robbed during a testimonial
dinner, and Lois sets out to find it.
Story: “Confucius Say, ‘He Who Rekindle Old Flame Is Bound To Get Burned’”
(8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Martin Pasko
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in Clark Kent story
in next issue)
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in issue #186), Jennifer
Owens
Villains: Leo Baroni, Lou, Harvey (first appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane reappears in Jimmy’s life and tells him that her
new boyfriend, a pilot, had a disastrous landing which killed the passengers
in his plane, and thinks the crash was engineered by crooks. Olsen
investigates and falls into a deathtrap.
Action Comics No. 527
January 1982
Cover: Superman trapped by Lord Satanis’s rings in Stonehenge //Ross
Andru / Mike DeCarlo (signed)
Story: “Sorcery Over Stonehenge” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#41; next appears in Clark Kent story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#41; next appears in Clark Kent story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214), Lois Lane
(last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #41; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#213)
Villains: Lord Satanis, Syrene (first appearance for both; both next
appear in issue #534), Ambra (first appearance; in flash-forward; dies
in this story)
Synopsis: Superman becomes the pawn of two sorcerors from the future
who wish to use him to obtain a mystic Runestone.
Superman Family No. 214
January 1982
Story: “Clark Gives Blood, Superman Saves Lives” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #527; next appears in Lois Lane story in last issue)
GS: Zatanna (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #195; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #274)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#525; next appears in SUPERMAN #367), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #527; next appears in Jimmy Olsen story in last issue)
Synopsis: Clark Kent participates in a blood drive with a little help
from a disguised Zatanna.
Story: “Fear Has Four Walls and No Name” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Levitz
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #366)
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Inspector Henderson (next appears in SUPERMAN
#368)
Villain: Arthur Pulaski (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in part from last issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is gassed unconscious and wakes up in handcuffs
in an apartment which an enemy of hers has designed to be her prison cell
for life.
Story: “Caution: Physical Fitness Can Be Hazardous To Your Health” (10
pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #367)
GA: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #275)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Jennifer Owens
Intro: Larry (only appearance)
Villains: Leo Baroni, Lou, Harvey (last appearance for all)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
Mr. Freeze in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #275 and teams with the Unknown Soldier
to battle Major Amos in DC COMICS PRESENTS #42.
Synopsis: Jimmy finds himself falling in love with Lucy Lane again
as he tries to bring gangster Leo Baroni to justice and is captured himself
instead.
Superman No. 365
November 1981
Cover: Supergirl shrinking Superman with ray-gun; Superboy silhouette
vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: "When Kryptonians Clash" (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Pete Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#42)
Supporting Character: Mayor of Metropolis
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214)
Villains: Blymm (first appearance; dies in this story), the Exalted
One (first appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (behind the scenes; last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #501)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Blymm, one of the Superman Revenge Squad members, secretly
subjects Supergirl to a radiation that drains her energy, making her act
insanely as if she were undergoing sleep deprivation, while masking the
effects by infecting her with Virus X. Superman cures Supergirl's
Virus X with a White Kryptonite radiation treatment. But Supergirl's
insane behavior leads her to shrink him with the micro-wave ray designed
to make them Kandorian-size, until he paralyzes her with the aid of one
of his Fortress beasts in captivity. Supergirl is cured of the sleep
deprivation, and the culprit, Blymm, appears before them, admits his deed,
and begs for protection. Seconds later, he is destroyed by a remote-control
device in a medallion he wears. Superman suspects the Superman Revenge
Squad is behind the plot.
Superman No. 366
December 1981
Cover: Superman lying beside a Tyorbian beneath a metamorphosis
ray; Perry White and Superboy vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: "Revenge, Superman-Style" (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Supergirl
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #214), Perry White (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #42; next
appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #215), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #526), Jeremy Kane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #212; last
appearance)
Intro: a Superman proto-droid
Villains: Dramx-One, Fwom, Jumrox, Nryana (first appearance for
all), Superman Revenge Squad
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Deciding to take the battle to the Superman Revenge
Squad themselves, Superman bids Supergirl take over his duties while he
does so. He then subjects himself to a metamorphosis
ray that changes him physically into the image of a native of a world
in the Tyorbian galaxy, a lizard-man, and leaves him without powers while
in that state. Pretending to be Vlatuu, a criminal victim of Superman's,
the incognito Man of Steel gains admittance into the Superman Revenge Squad.
"Vlatuu" demands and is granted the right to compete for next crack at
Superman.
Superman No. 367
January 1982
Cover: Superman as "Vlatuu" vs. Superman proto-droid amid statues
in Hall of Hate //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: "The Revengers Strike Back" (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Supergirl, Batman, Green Lantern (last appearance in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #197; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #181)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #214
/ 215), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214), Josh Coyle
(last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #276; next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #47), Morgan Edge, Lois Lane
Other character: Superman proto-droid (destroyed in this story)
Villains: Dramx-One, Fwom, Nryana, Nakox (first appearance),
Superman Revenge Squad
Comment: This story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Batman and Green Lantern impersonate Clark Kent in
relays to cover for his abscence, and Supergirl acts as coordinator.
But one of their conversations is overheard by a Superman Revenge Squad
spy, who clues in his fellows that "Vlatuu" is actually Superman in disguise.
Fwom believes this, but Dramx-One, the acting leader of the Squad, disputes
it, thinking Superman would never be stupid enough to attack them on their
home ground. When "Vlatuu" destroys the Superman proto-droid in battle,
both Fwom and Dramx-One decide to send him to
Earth to assassinate Superman. If, as they suspect, Superman
has hypnotized himself into thinking he is really "Vlatuu", then Superman
will become his own assassin.
Story: “And Not a Drop to Drink” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in next issue; next appears
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #198)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#44)
Intro: Kro-Na, Zara Kro-Na, Tala-A, the Hill-Dwellers (all in flashback;
only appearance for all)
Comments: This is a World of Krypton story.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with the Justice League
and several Western heroes to fight the Lord of Time in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #198-199, then teams with Captain Carrot and the Amazing Zoo
Crew to fight Starro in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #16 and CAPTAIN
CARROT AND HIS AMAZING ZOO CREW #1.
Synopsis: In order to get Morgan Edge to stop wasting water, Superman
tells him the story of two Kryptonian ecologists and how they got a remote
tribe to change their water-using habits so that all could survive.
Superman No. 368
February 1982
Cover: Suplerman seeing his “assassin” reflection in mirror; Superman
2020 vignette //Rich Buckler / Terry Austin (signed)
Story: “The Revenger of Steel” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in second story of last issue)
GA: Supergirl (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #43)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #215),
Lana Lang, Inspector Henderson (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #214 / 217)
Cameo appearance: Superman proto-droid (in flashback)
Villains: Nryana, Dramx, Fwom (last appearance for all), Tyrdu (first
and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (next appear in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #87)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: “Vlatuu” leaves the Revenge Squad’s homeworld and is transformed
back into Superman once he nears Earth. But, unknown to himself,
he is under a hypnotic command of the Squad to gain revenge on Superman
by executing Lois Lane.
Superman in “The Computer Masters of Metropolis” No. 1
1982
Cover: Lex Luthor vs. Superman and Wonder Woman at Metropolis World’s
Fair; Kyle and Shanna vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano?
Story: “The Computer Masters of Metropolis” (30 pages)
Editors: Julius Schwartz, William M. Palmer
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in CAPTAIN CARROT AND
HIS AMAZING ZOO CREW #1; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #215)
GS: Wonder Woman (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #287; next appears
in PHANTOM ZONE #2)
Supporting Characters: Margaret Wilson, Alec, Shanna, and their classmates
(last appearance for all in SUPERMAN IN “VICTORY BY COMPUTER” #1; last
appearance for all)
Intro: Mr. Murphy (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, William Shockley
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #214; next
appears in flashback in SUPERMAN #416)
Comment: This is a promotional giveaway comic produced for Radio Shack.
Synopsis: Wonder Woman and a class of computer-using 6th Graders have
to save Superman when Lex Luthor traps him at the Metropolis World’s Fair.
Superman Family No. 215
Feburary 1982
Story: “Take Me Out of the Ball Game” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in SUPERMAN
IN “THE COMPUTER MASTERS OF METROPOLIS” #1)
Supporting Characters: Frank Jackson (full name, Franklin Pierce Jackson,
revealed in this story; last appearance in issue #211; next appears in
SUPERMAN #369), Steve Lombard (last appearance in issue #213; next appears
in SUPERMAN #369)
Intro: The Planeteers (including Stephen; a Little League baseball
team)
Synopsis: Clark Kent discovers that Frank, the doorman at his apartment
house, is in reality Franklin Pierce Jackson, an old star from baseball’s
Negro Leagues.
Story: “The Man Who Lived Twice” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #368; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #43)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #276)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #367),
Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #366)
Intro: B. B. Bancroft, Lilah (only appearance for both)
Villain: Carl Fielding (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to battle
Dr. Double X in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #276 and with the Legion of
Super-Heroes to fight Mordru in DC COMICS PRESENTS #43.
Synopsis: Lois Lane finds a billionaire who has been missing for almost
seven years and wishes to preserve his anonymity. But if he stays
gone for seven whole years, his money goes to a ne’er-do-well relative
who wants the ex-billionaire dead.
Story: “Charity Begins With Death” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#43)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (next appearance in LOIS LANE #1),
Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #369)
Intro: Alexander Tucker, Phil
Villains: Winfield, Bartell (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen investigates a charity with mob ties, while he
finally breaks up with Lucy Lane.
Superman No. 369
March 1982
Cover: Superman vs. Parasite //Rich Buckler / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “Superman’s Last Christmas” (25 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Rich Buckler
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#43; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200; also appears in flashback
as Superbaby and Superboy to indeterminate times)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback to
indeterminate times), Steve Lombard (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#215; next appears in ACTION COMICS #528), Frank Jackson (last appearance
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #215; next appears in issue #371), Perry White (between
SUPERMAN FAMILY #215 / 216), Lana Lang (next appears in PHANTOM ZONE #1),
Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#43; both next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #216), Cory Renwald (last appearance
in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #19; next appears in issue #372)
Intro: Carol Jenkins (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Villains: The Parasite (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #270;
next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #55), various crooks (first and only
appearance)
Comments: This story takes place on December 22-24, 1981.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight
the Appelaxians in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200.
Synopsis: The Parasite uses government agent Cory Renwald as a stalking-horse
to help him trap Superman on Christmas Eve.
Superman Family No. 216
March 1982
Story: “Reporters Are Not Born” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #369; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277)
GS: Clark Kent (appears in flashback as Superman; last appearance in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #369), Mark Spencer (first appearance; next appears in
issue #219)
Cameo: Phantom Zone villains (in flashback)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to combat
a bio-terrorist in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277 and with the Dial H For Hero
team to fight the Master in DC COMICS PRESENTS #44, then helps the Justice
League fight Ultraa and Joe Parry in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #201, then
fights Lex Luthor, as shown in flashback in SUPERMAN #416.
Synopsis: Lois Lane teaches a cocky reporter-applicant about first-hand
experience in journalism.
Story: “The Comic Strip Avenger” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#44)
Supporting Characters: Jennifer Owens, Perry White (next appears in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277)
Intro: Larry Walsh
Other Characters: Alexander Tucker, Phil
Villain: Sid Easter (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An attack from an acid-tinged cream pie draws Jimmy into
an investigation of threats on a rival paper’s editor, which may come from
a fired cartoonist.
Action Comics No. 528
February 1982
Cover: Brainiac and Superman vs. giant satellite //Rich Buckler / Frank
Giacoia (signed)
Story: “Star-Kill” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN
#416)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#44; next appears in issue #531), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for both in DC COMICS PRESENTS #44), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #277), Steve Lombard (last appearance in SUPERMAN #369)
GS: Brainiac (not a villain in this story; last appearance in issue
#514)
Intro: Brainiac duplicates, Altairians (only appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: A reformed Brainiac enlists Superman’s help to try to destroy
a doomsday device he created in his nefarious days, which is headed for
Earth.
Action Comics No. 529
March 1982
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane (in helicopter) above
erupting volcano in Metropolis; Aquaman vignette //George Perez / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “I Have Two Eyes, But I Cannot See” (19 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Brainiac (becomes a villain again in this story)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (all next
appear in PHANTOM ZONE #1), Steve Lombard (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#217)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: A mind-altering ray from Brainiac’s device has rendered Superman
unable to perceive any of the disasters threatening Earth, so Jimmy Olsen
becomes his “seeing-eye” partner.
Action Comics No. 530
April 1982
Cover: Brainiac and Superman within Brainiac’s machine; Aquaman and
Atom vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Fantastic Deadly Voyage” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in PHANTOM ZONE #1)
Villain: Brainiac (next appears in issue #544 (2); possible next appearance
in SUPERBOY #223, as Pulsar Stargrave)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
In SUPERBOY #223, a 30th Century villain named Pulsar Stargrave
appears, who later claims to be the original Brainiac and who fights the
Legion of Super-Heroes (including Brainiac 5) on several occasions.
As WHO’S WHO (first series) #18 points out, this is not definitely proven,
especially since Brainiac is physically changed into a more robotic being
in issue #544, his next appearance. If Brainiac is really Pulsar
Stargrave, he probably travels to the future after this story and comes
back before his next appearance, in issue #544. But, since Brainiac
would have returned to imprisonment in such a case, this hypothesis cannot
be proved.
Synopsis: As Superman fights desperately to destroy the doomsday device,
he learns that Brainiac has been reprogrammed to be more evil than ever.
Phantom Zone No. 1
January 1982
Cover: Superman; Jax-Ur, Gen. Zod, Prof. Vakox, Kru-El; Quex-Ul
being sent to Phantom Zone by Kryptonian executioner (three vignettes)
//Gene Colan
Story: "The Haunting of Charlie Kweskill" (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Steve Gerber
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#530)
GS: Mon-El (last appearance in DC SPECIAL SERIES #26)
Supporting Characters: Quex-Ul (last seen in SUPERMAN #157; identity
as "Charlie Kweskill" revealed in this story) Jor-El, Lara, Kryptonians
(all in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology),
Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for all in ACTION
COMICS #529), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #369; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #532)
Intro: Joe Garrity and other Daily Planet production crewmen (only
appearance for all)
Cameo: Erndine Ze-Da, Ar-Ual, Cha-Mel, Vorb-Un, Ak-Var, Roz-Em,
Shyla Kor-Onn, Gaz-Or, Ras-Krom, Tor-An, Orn-Zu, Tra-Gob, Bal-Gra, Vor-Kil,
Vax-Nor, Kur-Dul (no appearance; names only mentioned)
Villains: Gra-Mo, Dr. Xadu (both in flashback), Prof. Vakox (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #473), Faora Hu-Ul (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#363; origin revealed in flashback, her first chronological appearance;
next chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #9), General
Zod (last appearance in SUPERMAN #363), Az-Rel, Nadira (first appearance
for both), Jax-Ur, Kru-El (last appearance for both in DC SPECIAL SERIES
#26), Jer-Em (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309), Nam-Ek (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #315)
Comment: This issue does not specifically contain Supergirl,
but it is the first part of a four-part series that does contain her.
This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Phantom Zone prisoners focus their telepathic talents
on Quex-Ul, now known as Charlie Kweskill, a Daily Planet pasteup man.
Kweskill is an amnesiac former Phantom Zone inmate with his Kryptonian
powers removed by Gold Kryptonite. The Zone villains hypnotize Kweskill
into breaking into hi-tech labs in his sleep, stealing valuable components,
and using them to assemble a Phantom Zone projector. Superman finds
out about the plot just in time to break into Charlie's apartment as Kweskill
activates the projector. It frees the Phantom Zone villains and sends
Superman and Charlie Kweskill into the Zone.
Phantom Zone No. 2
February 1982
Cover: Superman and Quex-Ul in the Phantom Zone; Jax-Ur, General
Zod, and Kru-El over unconscious Supergirl //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
(signed)
Story: "Earth Under Siege" (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Steve Gerber
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #513), Green
Lantern (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #528; next appears in issue #4),
Wonder Woman (last appearance in SUPERMAN IN “THE COMPUTER MASTERS OF METROPOLIS
#1), Zatanna (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277), Elongated
Man (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #200; next appears in
WONDER WOMAN #291), Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#201; next appears in THE FLASH #309; all appear, with Superman, as the
Justice League of America; last team appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#201), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #216), Mon-El
Supporting Characters: Quex-Ul (as Charlie Kweskill), Col. Steve Trevor
(between WONDER WOMAN #290 / 294), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White
Cameo: Firestorm, Red Tornado, Black Canary, Aquaman (no appearance;
mentioned as being in the Justice League satellite)
Villains: General Zod, Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox, Faora Hu-Ul, Kru-El,
Jer-Em, Nam-Ek, Az-Rel, Nadira
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman and Quex-Ul, as "Charlie Kweskill", watch
helplessly from the Phantom Zone as General Zod, Jax-Ur, and their Kryptonian
cronies attack the Earth. They throw the
Justice League satellite out of orbit, with many of the Leaguers aboard.
They smash communications satellites, which causes an exchange of atomic
missiles, stopped only by Supergirl and Wonder Woman. Green Lantern's
power battery is stolen, and he is rendered unconscious by the Zoners when
he pursues them, with his power ring charge running out shortly afterward.
Supergirl tells Batman what has occurred, and then goes to the Fortress
of Solitude, where the Zoners have already smashed open the door and destroyed
the Phantom Zone projector and viewer. Supergirl engages General
Zod, Jax-Ur and Kru-El in battle and is defeated. Nam-Ek, who had been
badly burned and convulsed by Az-Rel and Nadira, uses his Rondor horn to
heal himself. Then he has a brief battle with Wonder Woman, who puts
him under control with her magic lasso and compels him to tell her what
has occurred. Finally, Mon-El, still in the Zone, tells Superman
and Charlie Kweskill that, unknown to Jor-El, there are other levels in
the Phantom Zone, though only one has been penetrated so far by some Zoners.
Superman and Charlie head into the next level, seeking an escape in time
to save Earth.
Phantom Zone No. 3
March 1982
Cover: Superman unmasking a priestess as an exploding "Mother Krypton"
as a red sun-woman looks on and laughs (three vignettes) //Gene
Colan / Dick Giordano
Story: "The Terror Beyond Twilight" (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Steve Gerber
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Supergirl, Batman
Supporting Characters: Quex-Ul (as "Charlie Kweskill"), Lois
Lane, Jimmy Olsen
Intro: The Priestesses of the Crimson Sun, Thul-Kar (a Kryptonian
wizard)
Villains: General Zod, Jax-Ur, Kru-El, Jer-Em, Aethyr (first
appearance)
Synopsis: General Zod and his allies toss Supergirl into the
disintegration pit and leave, but Supergirl barely saves herself by reviving
in time and digging her fingers into the side of the pit's wall.
She drags herself out of the pit and collapses. Meanwhile, Superman
and Charlie Kweskill penetrate various lower (or higher) levels of the
Phantom Zone, encountering an alternating yellow-and-red sun which Superman
had once seen while racing with The Flash, battling monsters, and encountering
weird "Priestesses of the Crimson Sun." Finally, they meet Thul-Kar,
a Kryptonian wizard. Thul-Kar tells them he believed Jor-El's prophecy
of Krypton's doom and entered the Phantom Zone by magic. While there,
he discovered the truth: that the Zone and all its levels are manifested
as the interface between the Earth-One dimension and that of a sentient
universe called Aethyr. Only by entering Aethyr's realm can they
escape back to Earth, and that
is dangerous indeed. Charlie and Superman bid farewell to Thul-Kar
and enter the portal between the last Zone level and Aethyr, who strikes
back with an energy-burst that knocks out the two
invaders. And on Earth, while Supergirl recovers, Zod and his
three chosen allies are building a giant Phantom Zone projector, powered
by Green Lantern's power battery, to project the Earth
itself into the Phantom Zone.
Phantom Zone No. 4
April 1982
Cover: Aethyr, Superman in Quex-Ul's costume, and Charlie Kweskill
in Superman's uniform //Gene Colan / Dick Giordano
Story: "The Phantom Planet" (27 pages)
Editor: Dick Giordano
Writer: Steve Gerber
Penciller: Gene Colan
Inker: Tony DeZuniga
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#217)
GS: Supergirl (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #217), Batman (next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277), Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (last
appearance for both in issue #2; both next appear in WONDER WOMAN #291)
Supporting Characters: Quex-Ul (as Charlie Kweskill; dies in this story),
Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #217)
Intro: Wendy Y. Bother and the Nouns (an Earth-One version of
Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics), Gee-Gordon Lidd and other punks,
Gerard Amateau (all die in this story)
Villains: Az-Rel, Nadira, Jer-Em (all die in this story), General
Zod, Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox, Faora Hu-Ul (face burned in this story;
all four next appear in ACTION COMICS #548), Kru-El (next appears in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #73), Nam-Ek, Aethyr (last appearance)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Superman and Charlie Kweskill are transmuted to liquid
in Aethyr's universe, then restored with Charlie in Superman's costume
and with his old Kryptonian powers, and Superman in Quex-Ul's Kryptonian
outfit. To save Superman, Quex-Ul flies into Aethyr's face and is
killed, Superman's costume drifting back empty. Superman puts on
his uniform again and, filled with rage, flies through Aethyr, who is unable
to raise despair in his spirit and thus cannot harm him. Superman
finally breaks through the last barrier and returns to Earth.
The Phantom Zone villains have constructed the giant Zone cannon
and are using it on the Earth, but Superman and Supergirl arrive in time
to smash the projector, knock out the villains,
and restore Green Lantern's power battery to him. Az-Rel, irked
by Faora Hu-Ul, badly burns her face and hair just before Supergirl lands
and kayoes her. Jer-Em, committing suicide with a chunk of Kryptonite,
takes Nadira "home to Rao" with him by exposing her as well. In her
dying moments, she uses her convulsion-power on Az-Rel, whose pyrotic power
causes him to burn himself to ashes and die. Finally, Green Lantern
creates a Phantom Zone projector which Superman uses to send the remaining
villains back to the Zone. He then flies off to rescue the
Justice League satellite, not telling his friends what happened in
the Phantom Zone.
Superman Family No. 217
April 1982
Story: “Arrest Me--I’m a Murderer” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in PHANTOM ZONE #3;
next appears in SUPERMAN #370)
Supporting Character: Inspector Henderson (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#368), Perry White (last appearance in PHANTOM ZONE #4; next appears in
SUPERMAN #370)
Intro: Martin Parks (only appearance)
Villains: Sticks Harris (first appearance; as a corpse; dies before
this story begins), Jake Davis (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy’s lunch with Inspector Henderson is interrupted by
Martin Parks, a writer who confesses to the murder of a crook whom he has
not killed.
Story: “Sing a Song of Murder” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in PHANTOM ZONE #3; next
appears in SUPERMAN #370)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in PHANTOM ZONE #4; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277)
Supporting Character: Steve Lombard (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#529; next appears in SUPERMAN #371)
Intro: Cassie Jo Owens, Dulcina Rae (only appearance for both)
Villain: Earl “Macey” Mason (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman, Hawkman,
and Hawkwoman to fight Hyanthis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #277-278, and
teams with Firestorm to battle Kriss-Kross in DC COMICS PRESENTS #45.
Synopsis: A country singer performs a song stolen from one of Lois’s
old college roommates, now a struggling songwriter, and Lois sets out to
find the guilty party.
Superman No. 370
April 1982
Cover: Superman vs. Chemo //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Better Vengeance Through Chemo-stry” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#45)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN FAMILY #217; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #531),
Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #217; next appears in WONDER
WOMAN #292)
Intro: Joe Quinn, Mr. Henway (only appearance for both), Sh’strians
Cameo appearances: Brainiac, Supergirl, Zor-El, Allura (in flashback)
Villain: Chemo (last appearance in issue #342; next appears in CRISIS
ON INFINITE EARTHS #9)
Comments: This story continues in the next issue.
The Sh’strians are named after Joe Shuster, the original Superman
artist.
Synopsis: Chemo returns to Earth and merges with a laid-off factory
worker who uses the chemical giant’s body to attack his old employer’s
factory.
Superman No. 371
May 1982
Cover: Superman and Phil with new Kandor bottle //Ross Andru / Frank
Giacoia (signed)
Story: “Kandor Lives Again” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Steve Lombard (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#217)
Intro: S’aje, Phil, Grace Smith (only appearance for all)
Other Characters: Sh’strians
Cameo appearance: Brainiac
Villain: The Purple Pile-Driver (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #464;
last appearance)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: A new race of tiny, other-dimensional aliens takes up residence
in Superman’s Fortress in a duplicate of the Kandor bottle. But,
when Superman enlarges two of them to live and work among humans, they
are mutated into monsters by Earth bacteria.
Story: “Mind Over Money” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Adam Kubert
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #291)
Supporting Character: Steve Lombard, Frank Jackson (between issues
#369 / 389)
Intro: Andy (only appearance)
Villain: A thief (first and only appearance)
Comments: Even though this is a Clark Kent story, Superman appears
therein.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and
a group of super-heroines fight the Adjuciator in WONDER WOMAN #291 and
deal with a mutated Batman in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #202.
Synopsis: An exposure to the rays of a purple sun gives Superman temporary
mind-over-matter powers.
Action Comics No. 531
May 1982
Cover: Jeremiah Odets (as a ghost), Lois Lane, Frankenstein Monster,
and Superman; Atom vignette //Ross Andru / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “The Devil and the Daily Planet” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Joe Staton
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#202; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #218)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #292;
next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #218), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance
for both in SUPERMAN #370; both next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #218), Morgan
Edge (last appearance in issue #528; next appears in SUPERMAN #373), Tracy,
Williams (first appearance for both)
Intro: Jeremiah Odets (a ghost), Earl Krantz (only appearance for both)
Cameo: Frankenstein Monster
Villain: Mort Waxman (only appearance)
Synopsis: The Daily Planet is in danger of being turned into a tabloid
by a publisher who wishes to take it over, but a ghost of a printer’s devil
will not allow it.
Superman Family No. 218
May 1982
Story: “The Ones That Almost Got Away” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (between ACTION COMICS #531 / 532; also
appears in flashback; origin details revealed in this story; see Superman’s
Interim Appearances for chronology)
GA: Superman (in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for
chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (in flashback; see Superman’s Interim
Appearances for chronology), Jennifer Owens
Intro: Nate Spiegleman (only appearance)
Villains: Turk Moraine, Big Mike Arnstein, Pete (all in flashback),
Morrie and his confederate (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story contradicts in part the story in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #36 (3), which states that Jimmy Olsen got his secret signal-watch
from Superman and his job at the Daily Planet as a result of having been
baby Kal-El’s sitter on Krypton during a time-trip. It is probable
that the story of Jimmy’s encounter with Moraine and Arnstein happened
shortly after he was hired by the Planet.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen finds that he has no memory of his past 24 hours,
and that his secret signal-watch is in the window of a pawn shop.
Story: “Strangers In the Snow” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #531)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #531; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #46)
Supporting Character: Perry White (between ACTION COMICS #531 / 532;
also appears in flashback)
Villains: Guy Devon, Bruno Farham (first appearance for both; both
die in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with the Global Guardians
to fight Thaumar Dai and other villains in DC COMICS PRESENTS #46.
Synopsis: Covering Winter Olympic trials, Lois Lane runs into a crossfire
of two mobsters on the ski slopes.
Superman No. 372
June 1982
Cover: Phantom Superman attempting to save Kristy and Matthew Strat
from tidal wave //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Superman’s History-Changing Mission” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#46; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #219)
Supporting Character: Cory Renwald (between issues #369 / 389)
Intro: Kristy Strat, Matthew Strat (only appearance for both) and their
android doubles (destroyed in this story)
Villain: Mason Strath (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is forced to try to change history to save the children
of scientist Mason Strath from a tidal wave, or see the Earth destroyed
by anti-matter.
Superman Family No. 219
June 1982
Story: “Jimmy Olsen of the Eagle” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Janice Chiang
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #533)
Cameo appearances: Inspector Henderson, Jennifer Owens, Phil, Superman
(characters in Jimmy’s dream)
Villain: Brain Storm (last appearance in SUPERMAN #294)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Brain Storm causes Jimmy to dream that his latest assignment
is the discovery of Superman’s secret identity, which he believes to be
his real assignment when he awakes.
Story: “We Lois Lanes Have Got To Stick Together” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #532)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in SUPERMAN #372; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #47)
Supporting Characters: Mark Spencer (last appearance in issue #216)
Intro: Lois Lane II (not related to the feature character), Pierre
(only appearance)
Villain: Bernie Feld (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams up with He-Man to
battle Skeletor in DC COMICS PRESENTS #47 and then appears with Supergirl
in SUPERMAN #373 (2).
Synopsis: Lois Lane meets another Lois Lane, a blonde fan of hers who
runs into trouble when a thief attacks her boss.
Action Comics No. 532
June 1982
Cover: Superman vs. H.I.V.E. assassins and Lois Lane; Atom vignette
//Ross Andru / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “H.I.V.E. and Go Seek” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #373 (2))
GA: Robin, Changeling, Cyborg, Kid Flash (last appearance for all in
NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #20; all next appear in TALES OF THE NEW
TEEN TITANS (first series) #1), Starfire, Wonder Girl (last appearance
for both in WONDER WOMAN #293; both next appear in TALES OF THE NEW TEEN
TITANS (first series) #1; all appear as the New Teen Titans)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#219), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#218), Lana Lang (last appearance in PHANTOM ZONE #1; next appears in SUPERMAN
#373), Josh Coyle (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #47; next appears
in SUPERMAN #374)
Intro: Connors (only appearance)
Villains: The H.I.V.E. (last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#20; name changed to Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Eliminations
in this story), Alice Smith (a member of the H.I.V.E.; first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: When the H.I.V.E. strike in Metropolis again, Lois Lane masquerades
as one of their female members whom she has captured, and finds herself
part of a squad assigned to kill Superman with Kryptonite ray-guns.
Action Comics No. 533
July 1982
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen vs. The H.I.V.E.; Atom and Air Wave
vignette
Story: “Trackdown” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #220)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in
SUPERMAN FAMILY #220), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #219)
Villains: The H.I.V.E. (Number 3 named in this story; next appear in
NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #28), Alice Smith (last appearance)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Superman tries to stop the H.I.V.E. from threatening the
world with a cloud of nuclear waste, while the criminal cabal targets Jimmy
Olsen and Lois Lane for murder.
Superman Family No. 220
July 1982
Story: “Old Friends, New Betrayals” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#205)
Supporting Characters: Phil, Perry White (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #533), Lois Lane, Jennifer Owens (next appears in SUPERMAN #378),
Inspector Henderson
Villain: Brain Storm
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen begins to realize he is under someone else’s
influence when he notices the Metropolis Eagle does not contain the story
he wrote for them in his dream. But he is compelled to uncover Superman’s
identity, and accuses Clark Kent of being the Man of Steel, as Brain Storm
observes the incident from afar.
Story: “Dead Men Do Tell Tales” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #533;
next appears in Jimmy Olsen story in this issue)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #533; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #279)
Supporting Character: Inspector Henderson (next appears in Jimmy Olsen
story in this issue)
Intro: Lucky Frank Monroe (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to battle
the Army of Crime in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #279-281, teams with Aquaman
to fight an alien octopus in DC COMICS PRESENTS #48, and helps the Justice
League fight the new Royal Flush Gang and Hector Hammond in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #203-205.
Synopsis: A reformed criminal tips Lois off to a job his old gang is
pulling, and the gang marks him for death.
Superman Family No. 221
August 1982
Story: “Clark Kent Is Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Adam Kubert
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#49)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #282)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White
Villain: Brain Storm (next appears on CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to meet the
Eldiranians in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #282, teams with the Captain Marvels
of Earth-One and Earth-S to fight Black Adam in DC COMICS PRESENTS #49,
teams with Superman of Earth-Two and Lex Luthor of Earth-Three to fight
the Luthors of Earth-One and Earth-Two in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1,
and helps the Justice League deal with Killer Frost in FURY OF FIRESTORM
#4.
Synopsis: Brain Storm uses his helmet to transfer part of Superman’s
powers into Jimmy Olsen’s body as a test.
Story: “Fear For Sale” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL
#1)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #1), Inspector Henderson, Mark Spencer
Other Characters: Jamie Gillis (last appearance in issue #199; next
appears in DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #2)
Cameo appearance: Superman (in flashback)
Villains: A custodian, Manny and his assistant (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and an old acquaintance stumble onto a plot which
involves flashbacks experienced by students at a school who drank drug-laced
water.
Superman No. 373
July 1982
Cover: Superman, Vartox, and glowing Lana Lang; Clark Kent vignette
//Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Lana Lang’s Farewell To Earth” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in FURY OF FIRESTORM #4)
GS: Vartox (last appearance in issue #357)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#532), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1; next
appears in issue #375), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #531;
next appears in issue #375)
Villain: Syreena (first appearance; last chronological appearance in
flashback in next issue)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Vartox returns to Earth to take Lana Lang as a bride after
he gives her an aura that will allow her to breathe the atmosphere of his
homeworld. But unknown to them, and to Superman, they are pawns in
a revenge plot of Vartox’s first lover.
Story: "An Eye (and Ear) on the World" (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Artist: John Calnan
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#47; next appears in ACTION COMICS #532)
GS: Supergirl (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #218 / 219)
Supporting Characters: Alan Ward, Marilyn Silver (both between
SUPERMAN FAMILY #218 / 219), Herb Silver (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #216
/ 219)
Intro: An actor playing "Dr. Randolph Bridges" (only appearance)
Comment: This is a Private Life of Clark Kent story, but he appears
as Superman therein.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is talked by Linda Danvers into doing a
cameo on Secret Hearts as himself. When Clark hears an ambulance
nearby being stuck in gridlock, he tries and apparently fails to
get Linda to change into Supergirl and free it. Instead, he becomes
Superman and does it himself. Later, he demands to know why Supergirl
didn't handle the crisis. She tells him that she was asking him via
super-ventriloquism to handle it for her. Embarassed that he was
not listening to her at the time, Clark apologizes.
Superman No. 374
August 1982
Cover: Superman, Vartox, and Syreena on Daily Planet globe //Gil Kane
/ Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “Love Is Deadlier the Second Time Around” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Tony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Vartox
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Lola Barnett (last appearance in
SUPERMAN FAMILY #206; next appears in issue #399), Lois Lane (last appearance
in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1), Josh Coyle (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #532)
Villain: Syreena (also appears in flashback, her first chronological
appearance, preceding her appearance in last issue)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Vartox and Lana Lang continue their plans to be wed, but
Syreena manipulates Vartox into thinking Superman is going to steal Lana
away from him, and induces him to search out Superman for a fight.
Superman No. 375
September 1982
Cover: Superman, Vartox, and petrified Lana Lang; Kal-El’s rocket escaping
explosion of Krypton (two vignettes) //Gil Kane / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Stoning of Lana Lang” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#206)
GS: Vartox (next appears in issue #389)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#50), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #222), Jimmy Olsen
(last appearance in issue #373; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #222),
Perry White (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1; next appears
in SUPERMAN FAMILLY #222), Morgan Edge (between issues #373 / 377), Prof.
Lewis Lang (last appearance in issue #363; next appears in ACTION COMICS
#550), Sarah Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#99; next appears in ACTION COMICS #565), Steve Lombard (next appears in
issue #377), Josh Coyle (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #52)
Villain: Syreena (dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman attends a meeting of the
Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #206, then stays with them
to meet Air Wave in ACTION COMICS #535.
Synopsis: Vartox fights Superman, mistakenly thinking he is trying
to steal Lana Lang from him, as Syreena turns Lana into stone.
Superman Family No. 222
September 1982
Story: “The Racket” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Adam Kubert
Inker: Jerry Serpe
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #375; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #50)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #375),
Inspector Henderson
Intro: Mr. Lee (only appearance)
Villain: Miss McBain (first and only appearance)
Comment: This is the last Jimmy Olsen story.
Synopsis: When Inspector Henderson is framed for extortion, Jimmy goes
undercover to catch the real culprit.
Story: “Who Murdered Me?” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Artist: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Annette Kawecki
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #175; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #50)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#50), Mark Spencer (next appears in DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL
#2 (2)), Inspector Henderson (next appears in DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF
SUPERGIRL #3)
Villains: Agent Rose (first appearance; dies in this story), two spies,
a murderer (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A lookalike for Lois Lane is murdered, and the real Lois
tries to find out who did it.
DC Comics Presents No. 50
October 1982
Cover: Superman and Clark Kent vs. The Atomic Skull //Rich Buckler
/ Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “When You Wish Upon a Planetoid” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Dan Mishkin, Gary Cohn
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Annette Kawecki
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #535
(Air Wave story); next appears in SUPERMAN #376; split into Superman and
Clark Kent, and then remerged into one being, in this story)
GA: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #191; next appears
in BATMAN ANNUAL #8)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#222; next appears in SUPERMAN #377), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #222; next appears in issue #52), Perry White (last appearance in
SUPERMAN FAMILY #222; next appears in SUPERMAN #376), Lana Lang (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #275; next appears in ACTION COMICS #538)
Other Characters: The Controllers (first chronological appearance;
next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #357), the Miracle Machine (first chronological
appearance; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #367)
Intro: Dr. Vale (only appearance)
Villain: Atomic Skull (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #270;
last appearance)
Comment: This issue is billed as a team-up of Superman and Clark Kent.
Synopsis: The Miracle Machine secretly grants Superman’s subconscious
wish to be split into two beings, Clark Kent and Superman, at a time in
which the Atomic Skull is at large and attacking S.T.A.R. Labs.
Superman No. 376
October 1982
Cover: Superman and flying Perry White vs. Ozone-Master; Supergirl
vignette //Rich Buckler / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “The Ozone-Master Comes Calling” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#50; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #192)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#50; next appears in ACTION COMICS #534), Alice White (last appearance
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #252; next appears in issue #394), Mr. and Mrs.
Perry White, Jr., Mr. and Mrs.Hank White, Mr. and Mrs. Will White (last
appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #461; last appearance for all),
Perry White III, Matthew White, Jeremy White, Gretchen White, and Perry
White’s other two grandchildren (all between ACTION COMICS #461 / 568)
Intro: Dr. Hopper (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman appears during Batman and
Superboy’s battle with I. Q. in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #192, then teams with
the Atom to fight aliens and with He-Man to fight Skeletor in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #51.
Villain: The Ozone-Master (Lt. Lightside) and his gang (first and only
appearance for all)
Synopsis: Perry White is struck down by a super-villain, but smokes
a cigar given to him by mutant children, gains super-powers, and joins
Superman in bringing their foe to justice.
Superman No. 377
November 1982
Cover: Superman vs. two Terra-Men //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Terra Times Two” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dan Adkins
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #51 / 52)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #50
/ 52), Steve Lombard (last appearance in issue #375; next appears in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #53), Morgan Edge (between issues #375 / 379)
Intro: An alternate Earth (only appearance)
Villain: Terra-Man (between ACTION COMICS #511 / 557), Terra-Man II
(first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman and the New Doom Patrol
team up against the Ambush Bug in DC COMICS PRESENTS #52.
Synopsis: After losing a battle to Superman, Terra-Man warps through
into an alternate Earth where he meets a double of himself with magical
powers, and enlists him in his fight against the Man of Steel.
Superman No. 378
December 1982
Cover: Superman vs. Colonel Future //Rich Buckler / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Man Who Saved the Future” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#52; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #207)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#52; next appears in ACTION COMICS #534), Jennifer Owens (last appearance
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #220; last appearance)
Intro: Jack O’Neil, Larry, Lee Brackett (only appearance for all),
Colonel Future (of Earth-One; Edmond Hamilton; first appearance; next appears
in issue #399)
Comments: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League,
the Justice Society, and the All-Star Squadron fight Per Degaton and the
Crime Syndicate of America in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #207-209 and ALL-STAR
SQUADRON #14-15, then encounters Brainiac in ACTION COMICS #544 (2), pg.
1, panel 1-pg. 8, panel 3.
Not only is Colonel Future named after Superman writer and Captain
Future creator Edmond Hamilton, but Lee Brackett is named after science
fiction writer Leigh Brackett.
Synopsis: Scientist Edmond Hamilton accidentally gains prophetic power
that warns him of a doom the Earth faces in the near future. He adopts
the secret identity of Colonel Future and begins stealing devices to help
him build a defense against it, but runs afoul of Superman.
Action Comics No. 534
August 1982
Cover: Lord Satanis and Syrene splitting Superman into two beings;
Air Wave and flying saucer vignette //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Two For the Death of One” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #544 (2), pg.
5, panel 5)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#52), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #378), Perry White (last
appearance in SUPERMAN #376; next appears in issue #537)
Villains: The Mole and his gang (first appearance for all), Lord Satanis,
Syrene (last appearance for both in issue #527), Satan (in flashback)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Superman is snatched into the medaeval past by Lord Satanis,
who has been allowed to return to Earth in that time by making a bargain
with the Devil. Both Satanis and Syrene try to use Superman’s body
as a filter through which they may gain the powers of the Runestone, but
instead they pull him apart into two separate Supermen.
Action Comics No. 535
September 1982
Cover: Superman and Omega Men vs. The Mole and his gang //Gil Kane
/ Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “Enter--the Omega Men” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Joe Staton
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (divided into two Supermen; the present-day
Superman will be denoted as Superman A, and the Superman trapped in the
past will be called Superman B)
GS: Omega Men (Primus, Harpis, Broot, Nimbus, Kalista; last appearance
in GREEN LANTERN #144)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #538), Lois
Lane
Intro: Harriet, Gary (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Green Lantern, Lord Satanis, Syrene (in flashback)
Villains: The Mole and his gang (including Number Seven), Lord Satanis,
Syrene (in flashback)
Synopsis: Superman’s powers have been halved along with his division.
One Superman remains in the past with Lord Satanis and Syrene. The
other, sent back to the present, encounters the Omega Men, battles the
Mole, is gravely wounded, and requires surgery, after which the Mole kidnaps
him.
Action Comics No. 536
October 1982
Cover: Superman chained to pole by Mole before Gordanian slavers; Primus,
Kallista, Nimbus and Broot vignettes //Rich Buckler / Frank Giacoia (signed)
Story: “Battle Beneath the Earth” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: Marv Wolfman
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Joe Staton
Inker: Sal Trapani
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman A (next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (first
series) #23; still divided into two beings)
GS: Omega Men (Primus, Kallista, Nimbus, Broot, Harpis; next appear
in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #24), Cave Carson (chronologically between
issues #552 (flashback) / 545)
GA: New Teen Titans (Raven, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Changeling, Robin,
Cyborg; all between pgs. 24 / 25 of NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #23)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Cameo appearances: Lord Satanis, Syrene (in flashback)
Villains: The Mole and his gang (Number Three named in this story),
the Hunter and other super-villains (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in NEW TEEN TITANS #23.
Synopsis: The Omega Men, Lois Lane, and Cave Carson go in search of
Superman, who lies bound to a post by the Mole before a large group of
super-villains, one of whom will get the opportunity to kill him.
Action Comics No. 537
November 1982
Cover: Syrene vs. Superman B; Jackhammer vs. Superman A
Story: “Half a Superman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
“Consultant”: Marv Wolfman
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: John Calnan
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorit: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Characters: Superman A (last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS
(first series) #24), Superman B (between issues #535 / 539)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance in issue
#534)
Intro: Mr. Bliss (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: The Mole
Villains: Lord Satanis, Syrene (both between issues #535 / 539), Jackhammer
(Hammersmith; first appearance)
Comment: This story continues from NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #24
and continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman finds he is unable to go back in time and rescue
his trapped past-half. Meanwhile, the Mole reveals to the world that
Superman has only half of his powers, and a new villain, the Jackhammer,
challenges the Man of Steel and defeats him.
Action Comics No. 538
December 1982
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen vs. Jackhammer //Rich Buckler / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Measure of a Superman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
“Consultant”: Marv Wolfman
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: John Calnan
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman A (also appears, in flashback, as Superboy)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent (in flashback), Jimmy Olsen (last
appearance in issue #535), Lois Lane, Perry White, Lana Lang (last appearance
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #50)
Villains: Jackhammer (last appearance), assorted crooks (first and
only appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: As Jackhammer runs rampant over Metropolis, Superman struggles
to get the confidence to tackle him in his weakened state.
Action Comics No. 539
January 1983
Cover: Superman struggling to break his chains //Keith Giffen / Dick
Giordano (signed)
Story: “Past Imperfect” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Characters: Superman A (dies in this story), Superman B (last
appearance in issue #537; dies and body is inhabited by Lord Satanis in
this story)
GS: The Atom (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #51; next appears
in WONDER WOMAN #300), the Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #209; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #197.
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang
Villains: Lord Satanis, Syrene (last appearance in issue #537)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman A is unable to go to the past either through the
Time Pool or on the Flash’s time-treadmill. Syrene draws the energy
of the Runestone through Superman B’s body and kills both Supermen in the
process. Lord Satanis inhabits Superman B’s body and continues the
fight against Syrene, while, in the present, the autopsy on Clark Kent’s
body has just begun.
Action Comics No. 540
February 1983
Cover: Lord Satanis, Superman, and Syrene //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “World Enough and Time” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Andy Kubert
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Characters: Superman A (restored to life in this story), Superman
B (inhabited by Lord Satanis)
GS: Rip Hunter, Bonnie Baxter (last chronological appearance in flashback
in issue #552; both next appear in issue #545) Corky Baxter, (last appearance
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #37 (2); last chronological appearance behind the
scenes in flashback in issue #552; next appears in issue #545), Jeff Smith
(last chronological appearance in flashback in issue #552; next appears
in issue #552)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White
(next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #53)
Villains: Lord Satanis, Syrene (last appearance; does not die, as is
revealed in next issue)
Comments: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Clark Kent comes back to life on the autopsy table as a result
of his past-half being reanimated by Lord Satanis. Superman A goes
to Rip Hunter and finally succeeds in using Hunter’s time-sphere to return
to the era in which Satanis and Syrene are battling, at the point in which
Satanis has apparently destroyed Syrene.
Action Comics No. 541
March 1983
Cover: Superman A and Superman B vs. Lord Satanis’s hand //Gil Kane
(signed)
Story: “Once Again--Superman” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Characters: Superman A, Superman B (both merged into one Superman
in this story; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #53)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (all next
appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS #53)
Intro: Chris, Miss Haven (only appearance for both), Mr. Moore
Villain: Lord Satanis (next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman battles Mr. Mxyzptlk in the
House of Mystery in DC COMICS PRESENTS #53, then teams with Supergirl to
avert a tornado in issue #376 (2).
Synopsis: Superman A battles Lord Satanis in Superman B’s body in a
showdown fight.
Superman No. 379
January 1983
Cover: Superman, Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Batman, Bizarro-Yellow Lantern,
Bizarro-Aquaman, Bizarro-Hawkman //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Bizarro-Buster Is Loose” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #376 (2); next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #54)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance am in issue #333; next appearance
am in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71), Bizarro-Batman (last appearance am in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74; am last appearance), Bizarro-Flash (last appearance
am in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74; next appearance am in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #71)
GA: Superman robots (destroyed in this story)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang (both between DC COMICS
PRESENTS #53 / 54), Steve Lombard (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#53; next appears in issue #382), Morgan Edge (between issues #377 / 382),
Bizarro-Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80;
am last appearance), Dwight Decker (first appearance)
Intro: Bizarro-Hawkman, Bizarro-Aquaman, Bizarro-Yellow Lantern (appear,
with Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Batman, and Bizarro-Flash, as Bizarro Justice
League; all next appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71)
Villains: Alien life-forms (first and only appearance)
Comments: Dwight Decker in this story is named after comics critic
and writer Dwight Decker.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Green Arrow to
counter a menace of Dr. Selinger’s in DC COMICS PRESENTS #54, joins the
Justice League to attend the almost-wedding of Wonder Woman in WONDER WOMAN
#300, and helps Air Wave fight the Parasite in DC COMICS PRESENTS #55.
Synopsis: A strange proto-being is causing Bizarros all over Htrae
to explode, and Bizarro No. 1 comes to Earth to see if Superman can help
do anything about it.
Superman Special No. 1
1983
Cover: Superman and Ultimate Man //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Behold! The Ultimate Man!” (43 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#55; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #283)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #53; both next appear in SUPERMAN #380), Jimmy Olsen (last
appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #54; next appears in SUPERMAN #380)
Villains: The Ultimate Man, Bently Wayland, an energy-creature (first
and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and the
Legion of Super-Heroes against Amalgamax in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #283-284,
teams with the Justice League of America and Robin against Dr. Zodiac and
Madame Zodiac in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #285-288, teams with Batman to deal
with the Kryll in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #289, and then teams with Power
Girl to fight Maaldor in DC COMICS PRESENTS #56.
Synopsis: A scientist distracts Superman with menaces of his creation
in order to buy time to evolve himself into the ultimate being.
Superman No. 380
February 1983
Cover: Superman and Superboy meeting in time-stream //Ross Andru /
Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “A Mind-Switch In Time” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#56; exchanges minds with Superboy in this story)
GS: Superboy (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #55; next appears
in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #38; exchanges minds with Superman in this
story)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (between NEW ADVENTURES
OF SUPERBOY #36 / 37), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both
in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1), Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#54), Dwight Decker (last appearance), Perry White (last appearance in
SUPERMAN SPECIAL #1; next appears in issue #382)
Villains: Euphor (first appearance; last chronological appearance in
flashback in issue #382), two crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #38.
Synopsis: Superman and Superboy collide with each other in the time-stream
and exchange minds. When Superboy in Superman’s body goes to 1982,
a new challenge awaits--a villain named Euphor who leaches away people’s
unhappiness.
Superman No. 381
March 1983
Cover: Superman bursting through time barrier from Smallville to Metropolis
//Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Whose Super-Life Is It Anyway?” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (with Superboy’s mind)
Supporting Characters: Chief Parker (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#495; next appears in issue #413), Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Josh
Coyle (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #54)
Villains: Euphor, four villains (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues from NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #38 and continues
in next issue.
Synopsis: Superman is attacked by five super-powered pawns of Euphor,
one of whom is Lois Lane.
Superman No. 382
April 1983
Cover: Superman vs. Lois Lane //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Where Trouble Goes--Euphor Follows” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in flashback in issue #416)
GS: Superboy (next appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #39)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in DARING NEW ADVENTURES
OF SUPERGIRL #2), Perry White (last appearance in issue #380; next appears
in DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #2), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in
DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #3), Morgan Edge (last appearance in
issue #379; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #2), Steve Lombard
(last appearance in issue #379; next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9), Josh
Coyle (next appears in issue #384), Lana Lang (next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS ANNUAL #2)
Intro: Mr. Hypno (in flashback; only appearance)
Villain: Euphor (last appearance; also appears in flashback, his first
chronological appearance, preceding his appearance in issue #380)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman battles Lex Luthor, as shown
in flashback in issue #416.
Synopsis: Superman liberates Lois Lane from Euphor’s spell, and both
figure out a way to get Superman’s and Superboy’s minds back in their own
bodies as Euphor siphons power from the world’s populance.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 2
December 1982
Story: “The Bogie-Man Will Getcha” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Artist: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #382)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN
#416; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #290)
Supporting Characters: Mark Spencer (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#222), Jamie Gillis (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #221), Perry White
(last appearance in SUPERMAN #382)
Intro: Missy Conrad, Mrs. Conrad, Steve Conrad
Cameo appearances: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman (in Casablanca)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane finds an unsigned story on her desk which predicts
an event that takes place the following day.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 3
January 1983
Story: “Missy Is M ssing” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Artist: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Adam Kubert
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in
SUPERMAN #382), Mark Spencer, Jamie Gillis, Inspector Henderson (last appearance
in SUPERMAN FAMILY #222)
Intro: Jack Riley (only appearance)
Other Characters: Missy Conrad, Steve Conrad
Villain: Two thugs (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: 14-year-old model Missy Conrad meets her long-lost father
and is subsequently kidnapped. Lois goes on her trail.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 4
February 1983
Story: “Missy Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Artist: Bob Oskner
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Jamie Gillis, Mark Spencer, Jimmy Olsen, Perry
White
Other Characters: Missy Conrad, Mrs. Conrad (last appearance for both),
Steve Conrad (next appears in issue #6)
Villains: The two thugs (last appearance)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Two crooks paralyze Missy’s mother from the waist down with
a gunshot, but she is reunited with her long-lost husband and the crooks
are captured. Then Lois and Perry White discover that, somehow, Jimmy
Olsen is responsible for the prophetic stories.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 5
March 1983
Story: “Brain Drain” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Artist: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Jamie Gillis, Mark
Spencer
Villains: Brainstorm’s gang (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy’s precognition is caused by a side-effect of Brainstorm’s
influence on him, and he is captured by some of Brainstorm’s gang, who
hope to force him to use it to their advantage.
But the power has already worn off, and Lois tries to rescue him.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 6
April 1983
Story: “Head Over Heels In Trouble” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Artist: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #2), Perry White, Jamie Gillis, Mark Spencer, Steve Conrad (last
appearance in issue #4), Kristin Cutler (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #130; dies in this story)
Intro: Cindy Gerard
Villains: Brainstorm’s gang (last appearance)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois and Jimmy defeat Brainstorm’s gang. Then Lois finds
a baby on her doorstep, with a note saying she is the daughter of Lois’s
old roomie Kristin Cutler--who is found dead the next day.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 7
May 1983
Story: “Reflection of Murder” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL
#2)
GA: Darwin Jones (last appearance in STRANGE ADVENTURES #149; next
appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Inspector Henderson, Mark Spencer,
Jamie Gillis
Other Character: Cindy Gerard (last appearance)
Intro: Dolores (only appearance)
Villain: Rick Gerard (first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
Stalagron in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #290-291, then meets the Atomic Knight
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #57, then teams with Robin and the Elongated Man
to fight the Intangibles in DC COMICS PRESENTS #58, then teams with Superwoman
to fight King Kosmos in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #2.
Synopsis: Lois, Mark, and Jamie go searching for Kristin Cutler’s killer
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 8
June 1983
Story: “There’s No Fool” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Tamsyn O’Flynn
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #2)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL
#2; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #292)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #293), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL
#2; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #293), Mark Spencer, Jamie Gillis
Intro: Craig Van Buren, two actors (only apperance for all)
Comment: This story takes place on April 1, 1983.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #292, then teams with the Legion of Substitute Heroes to
fight Ambush Bug in DC COMICS PRESENTS #59, then helps the Justice League
of America fight the Devil Guards, Goltha, and Princess Kass’andre in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #213-216, then teams with Batman again to fight Null
and Void in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #293, then teams with the Guardians of
the Universe and several Green Lanterns to fight the Weapon-Master in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #60, then helps the Justice League fight Garn Daanuth in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #217, then teams with Batman to fight Tonatiuh
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #294, then teams with Omac to fight Murdermek
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #61 and teams with Batman to fight Lex Luthor in
SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9.
Synopsis: Lois’s book, Around the Planet in 80 Months, is published,
and she witnesses what appears to be a murder.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 9
July 1983
Story: “The Scream Queen” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #294; next appears in issue #12), Mark Spencer, Jamie Gillis
Intro: Jenny Lind Keaton
Cameo appearance: Superman
Villain: A terrorist (first appearance)
Comment: Story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: After Lois Lane spends a day with horror movie queen Jenny
Lind Keaton, she is mistaken for Miss Keaton in disguise by a gunman who
thinks she is really a witch and wants her to perform an act of black magic
for him.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 10
August 1983
Story: “Spell Bound” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #293), Inspector Henderson
Other Character: Jenny Lind Keaton
Intro: The terrorist’s father (in flashback; dies in this story)
Villain: The terrorist (last appearance)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Unable to convince her captor that she is not a witch or
Jenny Lind Keaton, Lois Lane pretends to cast a spell for him while leaving
a clue for potential rescuers.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 11
September 1983
Story: “Memory Jog” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane
Supporting Characters: Jamie Gillis, Mark Spencer, Perry White, Inspector
Henderson (next appears in ACTION COMICS #542)
Intro: Two mugging victims, a peanut vendor (only appearance for all)
Villains: Petros Evangelou, Louie the Loupe (first and only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane investigates a mugging that turns out to be a jewel
theft.
Daring New Adventures of Supergirl No. 12
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Oskner
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #548)
Supporting Characters: Mark Spencer, Jamie Gillis (last appearance
for both), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #9; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #548), Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #548)
Intro: Motormouth (dies in this story)
Villain: The Blowgun Killer (first and only appearance)
Comment: This is the last Earth-One Lois Lane solo story.
Synopsis: An informant dies trying to pass on information to Lois,
and she becomes the target of the Blowgun Killer.
Superman Annual No. 9
1983
Story: “I Flew With Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: Cary Bates
Scripter: Elliot S! Maggin
Artist: Curt Swan
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in first story of this
issue; next appears in ACTION COMICS #542)
Intro: Curt Swan of Earth-Prime
Villain: Two crooks (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Curt Swan of Earth-Prime, the artist for Superman’s adventures,
accidentally crosses over into Earth-One and meets Superman himself.
Action Comics No. 548
October 1983
Cover: Superman smashing Jewel Kryptonite containing essences of General
Zod, Faora Hu-Ul, Tyb-Ol, Murkk //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Escape From the Phantom Zone” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inkers: Vince Colletta, Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for all in DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #12 (2)), Lana Lang (last
appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9)
Cameo appearances: Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), Zor-El, Allura Zor-El (all
in flashback)
Intro: Sonny Chilwa, the White Wildcats, Myrna
Villains: Jax-Ur, General Zod, Faora Hu-Ul, Prof. Vakox (last appearance
for all in PHANTOM ZONE #4), Tyb-Ol, Murkk, a Phantom Zone villainess (first
appearance for all), Vrangs (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176 / KRYPTON
CHRONICLES #2), Mick, Amos, various crooks (first and only appearance for
all)
Comments: This story is presented as an “Untold Tale” of Superman,
and takes place before his and Lois’s temporary breakup in issue #542.
Faora Hu-Ul’s face, burned in PHANTOM ZONE #4, is healed as of
this story.
This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Vrangs, who enslaved Kryptonians in the past, learn from
the ruins of Argo City that two Kryptonians, now Superman and Supergirl,
still survive. They intend to strike at them on Earth, but the Phantom
Zone criminals, whose hatred for the Vrangs supersedes their lust for vengeance
on Superman, use a fragment of Jewel Kryptonite to enter the Earth-One
universe and assume secret identities on Earth to wait for the Vrang attack.
Action Comics No. 549
November 1983
Cover: Superman, Vrangs, Faora Hu-Ul, and Tyb-Ol //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Superman Meets the Zod Squad” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in issue #542)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang (all next
appear in issue #542), Lois Lane (next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (DRUG
AWARENESS GIVEAWAY) #3)
Other Characters: Sonny Chilwa, the White Wildcats (last appearance
for all)
Cameo appearance: Val-Lor (in flashback)
Villains: Jax-Ur, General Zod, Faora Hu-Ul (all next appear in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #73), Prof. Vakox (next appears in issue #582), Tyb-Ol, Murkk,
the Vrangs (all die in this story), the Phantom Zone villainess (last appearance),
Snake and another crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: The Phantom Zoners hatch a plan to destroy both the Vrang
invaders and Superman himself.
Action Comics No. 542
April 1983
Cover: Eighteen Superman robots //Ed Hannigan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Savage Awakening” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #549; next appears
in SUPERMAN #383)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS
(DRUG AWARENESS GIVEAWAY) #3; next appears in SUPERMAN #383), Perry White,
Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in issue #549; all next
appear in SUPERMAN #383), Inspector Henderson (last appearance in DARING
NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #11 (2))
Villains: Vandal Savage (last appearance in issue #516), his minions,
alien invaders, various crooks and terrorists (first and only appearance
for all), Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9; next appears
in issue #544), Vandal Savage’s Superman robots (first appearance for all;
all destroyed in this story)
Comment: This story continues in SUPERMAN #383.
Synopsis: Vandal Savage plays mind games with Superman by creating
Superman robots to perform beneficient deeds for Metropolis and then tricking
the Man of Steel into destroying them.
Superman No. 383
May 1983
Cover: Clark Kent changing into Superman inside burning flying phone
booth //Paris Cullins / Dick Giordano
Story: “Your World Or Your Life, Superman--One Must Die” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #542 / 543)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White, Lana Lang
(all between ACTION COMICS #542 / 543), Steve Lombard (last appearance
in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9), Morgan Edge (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #2), Justin Moore, Harold (first appearance for both)
Intro: Kyle, Mace, Charlie (only appearance for all), Robrox (a robot;
destroyed in this story)
Comment: This story continues between ACTION COMICS #542 / 543.
Synopsis: Robrox, an alien robot, must prevent Superman from unleashing
his heat-vision lest he doom the Earth.
Action Comics No. 543
May 1983
Cover: Neutron and defeated Superman in ruins of Metropolis //Ross
Andru / Mike DeCarlo (signed)
Story: “Within These Hands--Power” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN #383 / 384)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang, Perry White
(all between SUPERMAN #383 / 384), Inspector Henderson (next appears in
issue #557)
Intro: Roy, Abdul Saudi, Louis Havius, Rory Stasson (only appearance
for all), Ali Kyamm, Prime Minister Ben-David (both next appear in SUPERMAN
#384)
Villains: Neutron (last appearance in issue #526; last appearance),
Vandal Savage (next appears in issue #552)
Comment: Story continues between SUPERMAN #383 / 384.
Synopsis: Vandal Savage arranges for Neutron to be released from prison,
and then manipulates Superman into fighting him when Neutron is not actually
committing a crime.
Superman No. 384
June 1983
Cover: Superman reflected in buckle of Leo Morey’s belt //Gil Kane
(signed)
Story: “Steve Lombard--Down, Out, and Dead” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #543 / 544)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (next appears in issue #393; fired
from WGBS in this story; also appears in flashback, his earliest chronological
appearance, preceding flashback in ACTION COMICS #465), Josh Coyle (between
issues #382 / 387), Harold (last appearance), Morgan Edge (next appears
in issue #386), Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #543 / 544), Jimmy Olsen,
Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #543),
Justin Moore, Madge (first appearance; as a voice; Perry White’s secretary)
Intro: Mickey, Gus, Mrs. Taylor (only appearance for all)
Other Characters: Ali Kyamm, Prime Minister Ben-David (last appearance
for both in ACTION COMICS #543; last appearance for both)
Villain: Leo Morey (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues between ACTION COMICS #543 / 544 (1).
Synopsis: Just after Morgan Edge fires Steve Lombard, Superman finds
that he has to protect him from an old roomie who has gained super-powers
and wants to pay him back for years of torment.
Action Comics No. 544
June 1983
Cover: Lex Luthor in old and new uniforms, Superman, and new and old
Brainiac //Gil Kane / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Luthor Unleashed” (28 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN #384 / 385)
Supporting Characters: Ardora, Lexorians (last appearance for all in
issue #365; all die in this story), Lex Luthor, Jr. (first appearane; dies
in this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #542; next appears in
SUPERMAN #385; gains a suit of battle-armor in this story), RX99 (a robot;
first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Comment: This issue contains a Luthor pin-up by George Perez, a Superman
pin-up by Joe Shuster, a Brainiac pin-up by Ed Hannigan and Dick Giordano,
and essays by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes to Lexor and vows to stay there with his
wife Ardora and his son, Lex, Jr., whom he sees for the first time.
But he baits Superman into following him there, and, while battling the
Man of Steel, accidentally causes the destruction of Lexor and everyone
on it, including his wife and son. Luthor survives the explosion
in a suit of Lexorian space-armor, but vows bitter revenge on Superman.
Story: “Rebirth” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (appears in pages 1-8 between JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #209 / issue #534; appears on pg. 15, panel 4 after pg. 23,
panel 5 of SUPERMAN #386)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #384 / 385)
Intro: Skora (dies in this story), people of Systus 2 (many of whom
die in this story; only appearance)
Other Character: The Hand (possibly the hand of the Anti-Monitor from
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10?)
Cameo appearances: Lois Lane, Kallista, Broot, Primus, Nimbus, Harpis,
Lord Satanis
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in issue #530; possible last appearance,
in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #273, as Pulsar Stargrave; see Comment for issue
#530), the Master Programmer (first appearance; Brainiac; see Comment)
Comments: Scripter Marv Wolfman has revealed that the Master Programmer
is Brainiac himself, in the future.
This story continues in the next issue.
Lana Lang’s appearance in this story is probably mischronologized,
as she is in the Middle East at the time, as shown in SUPERMAN #385.
Synopsis: Brainiac miscalculates the energy released when he uses a
nova star as a power source, and is converted into his component molecules.
In this state, Brainiac is dispersed through the universe, then collected
by a living computer-world, whose memory banks he absorbs. Still
in a disembodied state, he goes on a search for data throughout the cosmos,
then reintegrates within a black hole. The disembodied Brainiac is
taken back through time to Creation, where he sees a great Hand which grasps
him and returns him to his computer satellite. There Brainiac recreates
himself as a more intelligent, robotic, and unemotional being, learns of
the Master Programmer, who he believes wishes to destroy him, and dedicates
himself tofinding and destroying the Programmer and Superman. He
fashions a new starship in his image, and goes to Systus 2, whose people
he attacks to successfully bait Superman into a power-removing trap.
Superman No. 385
July 1983
Cover: Superman vs. Lex Luthor on suspension bridge //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Luthor Rises Again” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #544
(1))
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION
COMICS #545), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #90), Perry White, Lana Lang (last appearance in
ACTION COMICS #544 (2)), Justin Moore, Madge (as a voice; last appearance)
Intro: Dr. Bower (only appearance)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in first story in ACTION COMICS
#544), Renzil Dugan (first and only appearance), Louto Malono, Wanda Nordo
(first appearance for both), Pluto Statler, Plato Statler (first appearance
for both; both next appear in issue #401), Matlock and his gang (first
appearance for all; all die in this story), various crooks (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues from the first story in ACTION COMICS
#544.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor returns to Earth and gathers a new team of operatives,
then begins plaguing Superman with images of himself, inciting him to behavior
which appears irrational to observers.
Superman No. 386
August 1983
Cover: Superman vs. Luthor grabbing Daily Planet globe //Gil Kane
Story: “Luthor Lashes Back” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #544 (2),
pg. 15, panel 5)
Supporting Characters: Justin Moore (next appears in ACTION COMICS
#545), Perry White (next appears in issue #388), Morgan Edge (last appearance
in issue #384; next appears in ACTION COMICS #546), Sam Lane, Ella Lane,
Lois Lane (latter three appear isochronally with pg. 14 of ACTION COMICS
#546 on pg. 23 of this story)
Intro: Dr. Herbert Norris
Villains: Lex Luthor, Wanda Nordo (both next appear in issue #401),
Louto Malono
Comments: This story continues from last issue. The stories in
ACTION COMICS #544 (2), pg. 11, panel 3 - #546, pg. 13, panel 5 take place
between panels 5 / 6 of page 23. Page 23, panels 6-8 take place isochronally
with pg. 14, panels 1-3 of ACTION COMICS #546, and the rest of the story
in that issue (pg. 14, panel 4 - pg. 23, panel 6) continues from that point.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor combats Superman again with a device similar to
the one which destroyed Lexor, but learns that Lois Lane no longer feels
herself in love with Superman.
Action Comics No. 545
July 1983
Cover: Brainiac watching Superman entangled by his ship in viewscreen
//Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “With But a Single Step” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Rip Hunter, Bonnie Baxter, Corky Baxter (last appearance for all
in issue #540; all next appear in issue #552), Cave Carson (last appearance
in issue #536; next appears in issue #552), Dane Dorrance (last chronological
appearance in flashback in issue #552; next appears in issue #552; all
appear as the Forgotten Heroes; first team appearance; next team appearance
in issue #552)
Supporting Character: Justin Moore (between SUPERMAN #386 / 388), Jimmy
Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #385)
Villains: Brainiac and his legions (first appearance for latter)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Brainiac captures Superman and analyzes him, trying to learn
of the Master Programmer.
Action Comics No. 546
August 1983
Cover: Superman, Zatanna, Hawkman, Starfire, Firestorm, Red Tornado,
Wonder Girl, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Aquaman, Changeling, Elongated Man,
Green Arrow, Flash, Robin, Kid Flash, Black Canary //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Showdown” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #387)
GS: Flash (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #2; next appears
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1), Firestorm, Red Tornado, Zatanna (last
appearance for all in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #217; all next appear in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ANNUAL #1), Hawkman, Wonder Woman (last appearance
for both in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #217; both next appear in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #1), Atom (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#216; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ANNUAL #1), Green Arrow
(last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #216; next appears in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #1; all appear as the Justice League of America; last
team appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #217; next team appearance
in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1), Kid Flash, Robin, Starfire, Wonder Girl,
Terra (last appearance for all in NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL (first series)
#2; all next appear in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series) #36), Changeling
(last appearance in CAPTAIN CARROT AND HIS AMAZING ZOO CREW #20; next appears
in NEW TEEN TITANS #36), Cyborg, Raven (between NEW TEEN TITANS (first
series) #35 / 36; all appear as the New Teen Titans)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #387),
Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #385 / 387), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #385
/ 388; appears isochronally with SUPERMAN #386), Ella Lane (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #385; appears isochronally with SUPERMAN #386; next appears
in LOIS LANE #1), Sam Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #385; appears isochronally
with SUPERMAN #386; last appearance), Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #386
/ 388)
Other Characters: Prime Minister Ben-David, Ali Kyamm (last appearance
for both in issue #543; last appearance for both)
Villains: Brainiac (next appears in flashback in NEW TEEN TITANS ANNUAL
(second series) #1) and his minions (last appearance)
Comment: This story continues in part in SUPERMAN #387.
Synopsis: Brainiac and his hordes attack the Earth, and Superman calls
upon the Justice League and the New Teen Titans to help him repel them.
Superman No. 387
September 1983
Cover: Superman vs. The Planeteer //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “The Conqueror From the Past” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: Bob Rozakis
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #546 / 547)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #546 / 547),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #546), Josh Coyle (last appearance
in issue #384; next appears in ACTION COMICS #547)
GA: Batman, Hawkman, Black Canary, Red Tornado (appear, with Superman,
as the Justice League of America)
GS: President Ronald Reagan, Leonid Breshnev, Margaret Thatcher, prime
minster of Japan, chancellor of Germany, Indira Gandhi, two other prime
ministers (all next appear in ACTION COMICS #547)
Intro: Jack (only appearance), Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Walter Conrad (all
next appear in ACTION COMICS #547)
Villain: The Planeteer (Philip Conrad; first appearance; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #547)
Comment: This story continues in ACTION COMICS #547.
Synopsis: Several heads of state are kidnapped and imprisoned in energy-cubes
by the Planeteer, a super-villain who is counting on Superman to free them
and thus transmit greater power to him.
Action Comics No. 547
September 1983
Cover: Planeteer vs. Superman //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “The Reincarnation of Alexander the Great” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: Bob Rozakis
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inkers: Vince Colletta, Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN #387 / 388)
Supporting characters: Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #387 / 388), Josh
Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN #387; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#62)
Other Characters: Walter Conrad, Mr. and Mrs. Mason (last appearance
for all), Leonid Breshnev, Ronald Reagan, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher,
prime minister of Japan, chancellor of Germany, two other prime ministers
Villain: The Planeteer (next appears in issue #562)
Comments: Story continues between SUPERMAN #387 / 388.
Synopsis: Superman suceeds in rescuing the captured heads of state,
but in doing so transmits enough power to the Planeteer to make him a Krypton-class
opponent.
Superman No. 388
October 1983
Cover: Superman and Mickey Norris in a Superman shirt //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “The Kid Who Played Superman” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #547;
next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #546 / 551),
Perry White (last appearance in issue #386; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#64), Justin Moore (between ACTION COMICS #545 / 551), Jimmy Olsen (next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #64), Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #547
/ 550), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #546; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #65), Oscar Asherman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#523; last appearance)
Intro: Mickey Norris, Sada Norris (both next appear in issue #398)
Villains: Quexx and other aliens (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman is among the Justice Leaguers
who witness Batman’s resignation in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1, then he
helps the Justice League fight Dr. Destiny in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
ANNUAL #1 and Prof. Ivo in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #218 and helps them
decide the fate of the Flash’s membership in THE FLASH #327-329.
Then Superman teams with Batman to fight the Moondancers in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #295, with the Freedom Fighters to fight neo-Nazis in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #62, and with Amethyst to fight Dark Opal in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#63, helps the Justice League and Justice Society fight Johnny Thunder
of Earth-One in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #219-220, and then teams with
Kamandi to battle Great Caesar in DC COMICS PRESENTS #64.
Synopsis: Superman helps out a young admirer of his who wears a Superman
shirt, has telepathic powers, and is captured by aliens.
Action Comics No. 550
December 1983
Cover: Superman and an exploding Earth //Alex Saviuk / Mike DeCarlo
(signed)
Story: “The Day the Earth Exploded” (25 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: E. Nelson Bridwell
Scripter: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Sal Trapani
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #64 / 65)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #388;
next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #65), Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #375; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #66), Jimmy Olsen
(last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #64), Josh Coyle (last appearance
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #62; next appears in SUPERMAN #392)
Intro: Connie Hatch (only appearance)
Villain: The Exploder and other aliens, two crooks (first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Madame Xanadu
to fight Maaldor in DC COMICS PRESENTS #65, then meets with Supergirl in
SUPERGIRL (second series) #13.
Synopsis: An alien race strikes at Earth, searching for pieces of a
puzzle that may help them achieve immortality, but Superman has to stop
them from moving the continents around to decipher the puzzle.
Action Comics No. 551
January 1984
Cover: Superman holding back clock hand and performing super-deeds
//Gil Kane
Story: “Superman: Friend or Foe?” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERGIRL (second series)
#13; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #66)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Justin Moore (both between SUPERMAN
#388 / 389), Perry White (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #64; next
appears in SUPERMAN #389), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #389)
Cameo: Alice White (in a photo), the Red Star
Intro: Jeffrey O’Hara, Jennifer O’Hara, Maj. Andanoff, Corp. Korschev
(only appearance for all)
Villains: The H.I.V.E. (last appearance in NEW TEEN TITANS (first series)
#36; next appear in TALES OF THE NEW TEEN TITANS #43), Afghan terrorists
(first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman and the Demon team up to
fight Blackbriar Thorn in DC COMICS PRESENTS #66.
Synopsis: Superman races the clock to bring an antidote to two dying
children while battling emergencies around the globe.
Superman No. 389
November 1983
Cover: Superman watching Cory Renwald fight Clark Kent //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Brother Act” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Cary Bates, Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#66)
GA: Vartox (last appearance in issue #375)
Supporting Characters: Cory Renwald (last appearance in issue #372;
last appearance), Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #66),
Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #551),
Lois Lane, Justin Moore (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #551;
both next appear in issue #391), Frank Jackson (between issues #371 / 393)
Intro: Gen. Kirkibee (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in photo)
Villains: Eagle and another enemy agent (first and only appearance
for all), Srakka (as Vartox; first appearance; last chronological appearance
in flashback in issue #392)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman helps out his “foster brother” Cory Renwald, who
has been rendered amnesiac and is on the run from enemy agents.
Superman No. 390
December 1983
Cover: Srakka (as Vartox) and fallen Superman //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Lost On a Comet” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Cary Bates, Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Tony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Vartox
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen
Intro: An alien race (only appearance)
Villains: Wallace Gurheim (first appearance), Srakka (as Vartox)
Comment: This story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Vartox comes back to Earth, intent on resuming his relationship
with Lana Lang--and is struck with a compulsion to destroy Superman.
Superman No. 391
January 1984
Cover: Superman at computer whose screen shows, “Who Kidnapped Lana
Lang?” //Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Who Stole the Newswoman of the Year?” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Cary Bates, Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Vartox
Intro: Goopel (dies in this story)
Supporting Characters: Justin Moore (last appearance in issue #389;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #556), Lois Lane (last appearance in
issue #389; next appears in ACTION COMICS #552), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen
(both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #296), Lana Lang
Villains: Wallace Gurheim, Srakka (as Vartox; revealed in this story),
Squeezy, Grunt, Wheels (first and only appearance of last three)
Comment: This story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Srakka, as Vartox, kidnaps Lana Lang, and Superman is unable
to retrieve her.
Superman No. 392
February 1984
Cover: Superman, Srakka (as Vartox), and Lana Lang chained above smoking
pit //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “If a Body Meet a Body” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Cary Bates, Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#221)
GS: Vartox
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Josh Coyle (between ACTION COMICS
#550 / 555)
Intro: Several alien super-heroes and a super-heroine (in flashback;
all die in this story)
Other Character: Wallace Gurheim (last appearance; not a villain in
this story)
Villain: Srakka (last appearance; also appears in flashback, his first
chronological appearance, preceding his appearance in issue #389)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of
America fight Rex Maximus in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #221-223, teams
with the New Teen Titans and the Vanguard against Brainiac in NEW
TEEN TITANS ANNUAL (second series) #1 flashback, then teams with the Justice
League and the Outsiders against the Pantheon in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#296-300 and 302, then teams with Santa Claus against the Toyman in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #67.
Synopsis: Superman has a showdown fight with Srakka, the amoebic being
inhabiting Vartox, for the life of Lana Lang.
Superman No. 393
March 1984
Cover: Superman in nuclear explosion //Ed Hannigan / Murphy Anderson
(signed)
Story: “The Day They Nuked Superman” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Bob Rozakis, Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dick Giordano
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#67; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #224)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #553),
Morgan Edge (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #65; next appears in
ACTION COMICS #555), Frank Jackson (last appearance in issue #389; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308), Mrs. Goldstein (last appearance
in issue #339; last appearance), Steve Lombard (last appearance in issue
#384; next appears in ACTION COMICS #562), April Marigold (last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #508; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308), May
Marigold (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #508; next appears in issue
#413), Jonathan Slaughter (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #431; last
appearance)
Intro: Ryan Little (only appearance)
Villain: The Master Jailer (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #221;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #564)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
fight Paragon in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #224, then teams with Batman
to battle Siphon in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #301 and with the Vixen to combat
Admiral Cerebrus in DC COMICS PRESENTS #68.
Synopsis: The Master Jailer, lusting after Lana Lang, targets Superman
with four missiles that fuse Kryptonite to his costume, and his costume
to his skin.
Action Comics No. 552
February 1984
Cover: Superman, Animal-Man, Cave Carson, Congo Bill, Dane Dorrance,
Biff Bailey, Nicky Walton, and Johnny Blake vs. giant vine //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “Another Time! Another Death!” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#68)
GS: Cave Carson (last appearance in issue #545; also appears in flashback,
chronologically between SHOWCASE #52 / issue #536), Rip Hunter, Bonnie
Baxter, Corky Baxter (last appearance for all in issue #545; all also appear
in flashback, chronologically between DC COMICS PRESENTS #37 (2) / issue
#540), Dane Dorrance (last appearance in issue #545; also appears in flashback,
chronologically between DETECTIVE COMICS #486 / issue #545), Congo Bill,
Congorilla (last appearance for both in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27 (2)), Animal-Man
(last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #270), Rick Flag (last appearance in BRAVE
AND THE BOLD #39), Dolphin (last appearance in SHOWCASE #100), Immortal
Man (last appearance in STRANGE ADVENTURES #198; all appear as the Forgotten
Heroes; last team appearance in issue #545), Jill Dorrance (last appearance
in DETECTIVE COMICS #486; next apears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5),
Biff Bailey, Nicky Walton (both appear with Dane and Judy Dorrance as the
Sea Devils; in flashback; last appearance for both in SHOWCASE #100; both
next appear in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5), Karin Grace, Jess Bright,
Dr. Hugh Evans (with Rick Flag, appear as the Suicide Squad; in flashback;
last appearance for all in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #39; last appearance for
all)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #68
/ 69), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #391; next appears in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #69)
Intro: Marlo (in flashback; only appearance)
Villains: Vandal Savage (last appearance in issue #543), Dr. Cruise
and other scientists (first appearance for all)
Comment: Story continued in next issue.
It is not explained how Immortal Man could have been a foe of
Vandal Savage from ancient times, since Vandal Savage came from Earth-Two.
It is possible that Immortal Man was a native of Earth-Two, and came to
Earth-One from Earth-Two shortly after learning where Savage had gone.
Johnny Blake appears on the cover, but not in the story.
Synopsis: Immortal Man, foe of Vandal Savage since ancient times, brings
together several mostly-inactive heroes in the wake of Savage’s causing
plant organisms concealed on Superman to spring into life, causing giant
vines to menace Metropolis. The Forgotten Heroes have one thing in
common: they all saw a great golden temple in their last exploits, knowledge
of which was hushed up by the government. Now Immortal Man tells
them that in order to defeat the plant menace, they must destroy Superman.
Action Comics No. 553
March 1984
Cover: Superman, Rip Hunter, Cave Carson, Animal-Man, Dane Dorrance,
Dolphin, Congorilla, and Rick Flag //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “The World At Time’s End” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Immortal Man (origin details revealed in flashback, his first chronological
appearance; next appears after flashback in STRANGE ADVENTURES #177), Congo
Bill, Congorilla, Rick Flagg, Dolphin, Dane Dorrance, Cave Carson (all
next appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS #77), Animal Man (next appears in RED
TORNADO #3), Rip Hunter (next appears in THE FLASH #342), Bonnie Baxter,
Corky Baxter, Jeff Smith (last appearance in issue #540; all three next
appear in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5; all appear as the Forgotten Heroes;
next team appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #77)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #393 / 395)
Villains: Vandal Savage (next appears in issue #556), Dr. Cruise and
other scientists (last appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Vandal Savage tries to deceive the people of Metropolis as
Superman and Rip Hunter’s team go back to the dawn of time to try and stop
the villain from harnessing the powers of Creation.
Action Comics No. 554
April 1984
Cover: Jerry and Joe drawing Superman as aliens invade Earth //Gil
Kane (signed)
Story: “If Superman Didn’t Exist” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artist: Gil Kane
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Tony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #69)
Intro: Jerry, Joe, and their parents, Joseph, Jack (only appearance
for all)
Villains: Captain Sernip, Kray (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with the Blackhawks
to fight the Nazis in DC COMICS PRESENTS #69.
Synopsis: Superman’s destruction of the ancient temple, created by
aliens in prehistoric times, creates an alternate timeline in which humans
have no violent tendencies and are easily conquered by the aliens.
In response, two children imagine Superman coming into existence to defend
them--and he does.
Superman No. 394
April 1984
Cover: Superman vs. Valdemar on giant eagle //Paris Cullins /
Dick Giordano
Story: “The Man Who Would Be President” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#69)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in DC COMICS PRESENTS #69; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#303), Alice White (last appearance in issue #376; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #562)
Intro: Bucky Berns
Other Character: Valdemar (last appearance in issue #270)
Villains: The Compatriots (first appearance)
Comments: Story continues in the next issue.
The character Bucky Berns is based on Art Buchwald.
Synopsis: Superman and Valdemar clean up some industrial polluters,
political humorist Bucky Berns finds that he can predict future events
in his column, and Superman endorses Berns for president.
Superman No. 395
May 1984
Cover: Superman and Valdemar before Gauntlet of Heroes //Ed Hannigan
/ Sal Amendola (signed)
Story: “The Power and the People” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#303)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#553; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303)
Intro: Dnedir (only appearance)
Other Characters: Valdemar, Bucky Berns (last appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Perry White, Alice White
Villains: The Compatriots (last appearance)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to foil the
Alchemist in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303 and teams with the Metal Men to
fight Otto Brisbane in DC COMICS PRESENTS #70, then helps Firestorm deal
with an alien in FURY OF FIRESTORM ANNUAL #2.
Synopsis: Superman must deal with the threat of the Compatriots, or
see America enslaved by them in the near future.
Action Comics No. 555
May 1994
Cover: Parasite menacing Supergirl and Superman //Eduardo Barretto
/ Bob Oskner (signed)
Story: "Reunion" (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in FURY OF FIRESTORM
ANNUAL #2; next appears in SUPERGIRL #20)
GS: Supergirl (between SUPERGIRL #19 / 20)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #303), Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN #393; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71), Josh Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#392; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71)
Intro: "Bad" Anthony (only appearance)
Villain: The Parasite (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#55; next appears in SUPERGIRL #20)
Comment: This story crosses over with and continues in SUPERGIRL
#20.
This issue marks the 25th anniversary of Supergirl's first appearance,
in ACTION COMICS #252.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and
New Teen Titans observe the anniversary of Supergirl in SUPERGIRL #20,
then helps the Justice League observe Swamp Thing’s battle with the Floronic
Man in SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #24.
Synopsis: The Parasite returns to Earth, battles Superman, saps
his powers, and traps him in an airtight prison with only four minutes
worth of breathable air. But Superman uses the super-
hard lenses of his glasses to cut through the side of the prison, breaks
out, and hypnotizes the Parasite into restoring his super-powers.
When he does so, Superman knocks out the Parasite and imprisons him.
Then he goes to keep an important appointment with Supergirl.
Superman No. 396
June 1984
Cover: Gregory Reed (as Superman) in matrix, Intellex battling Superman
(as Mystery Marauder) //Eduardo Barretto / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Battle For Superman’s Brain” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING
#24; next appears in ACTION COMICS #556)
Supporting Character: Gregory Reed (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#206; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4)
Intro: David, Leslie, an actor playing Jimmy Olsen, Koquen of Trase,
the Hennesee, Rejipoor (last three as brains)
Cameo appearances: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt,
Abraham Lincoln (on Mount Rushmore)
Villain: Intellex, Eyegore (first appearance for both; both next appear
in ACTION COMICS #575)
Comment: The writers David and Leslie are based on David and Leslie
Newman, two writers who worked on the Superman movies.
Synopsis: While Superman is serving as consultant on a Superman movie,
an alien brain collector seeks to make his brain part of the collection.
Action Comics No. 556
June 1984
Cover: Superman being handcuffed in wrecked area of Metropolis //Eduardo
Barretto / Klaus Janson
Story: “Endings” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #396; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71)
GS: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303; next appears
in BATMAN #372), Robin II (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #538; next
appear in BATMAN #372)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #303; both next appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#71), Jimmy Olsen (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #70 / 71), Justin Moore (between
SUPERMAN #391 / 398), Lana Lang (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71)
Intro: Mr. Hamilton (only appearance)
Cameo: Neutron
Villain: Vandal Savage (last appearance in issue #554; next appears
in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9), his Superman robots (last appearance)
and his scientists (last appearance in issue #554; last appearance for
all), the Laser Erasers (first and only appearance)
Comments: This is Superman’s first meeting with Jason Todd, the second
Robin.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Bizarro No. 1 to
fight Bizarro-Amazo in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71.
Synopsis: Vandal Savage disrupts Superman’s control over his powers
enough to have him cause damage in Metropolis, and be perceived as a menace.
Superman No. 397
July 1984
Cover: Kryptonite Man vs. Superman //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Born-Again Kryptonite Man” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Artist: Eduardo Barretto
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#71; next appears in SUPERGIRL #21)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle, Lana Lang (last appearance for both
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71)
Intro: Tom Payton (only appearance)
Villain: The Kryptonite Man (not to be confused with the character
who last appears in issue #299), Lord Sed, Commander Dun, the Kymu (first
appearance for all; all next appear in SUPERGIRL #21)
Comment: This story continues in SUPERGIRL #21.
Synopsis: Superman is beset by an ancient Kryptonian with Kryptonite-radiating
powers who believes the Man of Steel’s race to be responsible for Krypton’s
destruction, and seeks to kill him.
Action Comics No. 557
July 1984
Cover: Superman vs. Terra-Man in Old West saloon //Eduardo Barretto
Story: “The Artistic Thefts of Terra-Man” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERGIRL #21)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle, Lana Lang (both between SUPERMAN
#397 / 398), Inspector Henderson (between issues #543 / 561), Gus (first
appearance)
Intro: Mac, O’Connor, Mr. Baker (only appearance for all)
Villain: Terra-Man (last appearance in SUPERMAN #377; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESSENTS #96)
Synopsis: Terra-Man steals a group of Rembrandt paintings three times
in order to lure Superman into a showdown in a mockup of an Old West salloon
Story: “Yesterday Once More”
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #72)
Intro: Wendall Walters (only appearance), Judge Harrison (in flashback;
dies in this story)
Villain: An assassin (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman joins the Phantom Stranger
and the Joker to fight Maaldor in DC COMICS PRESENTS #72.
Synopsis: In order to solve a seven-year-old murder, Superman recreates
the crime scene as it was at the time.
Superman No. 398
August 1984
Cover: Superman and Mickey Norris among crowd of people falling up
//Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Kid Who Master-Minded Superman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#72)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#71), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #558), Justin Moore (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#556; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308)
Other Characters: Mickey Norris, Sada Norris (last appearance for both
in issue #388; last appearance for both)
Synopsis: When Mickey Norris plays Superman, his mental powers conjure
up a menace and inhibit the real Superman from using the power that Mickey
pretends he is using.
Story: “The Clothes That Make the Man”
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #558)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle (between ACTION COMICS #557 / 560),
Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #557 / 558)
Intro: An energy-creature (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman ends up battling his Clark Kent clothes when an
alien energy-creature inhabits them.
Action Comics No. 558
August 1984
Cover: Superman //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The All-Seeing Eye” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #398; also
appears, in flashback, as Superbaby; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS
#101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent (in flashback; see Comment under
MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Mayor Harkness, Lana Lang (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #398; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #73), Professor Potter
(last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #193; next appears in SUPERMAN #413),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #398)
Villain: A gang of terrorists (first and only appearance)
Comment: Superbaby is inaccurately portrayed as wearing his costume
in flashback. At the time he first exhibited his powers, Martha Kent
hadn’t even woven his playsuit.
Synopsis: Professor Potter invents a helmet that may enable Superman’s
heat-vision to warm the world. The problem is that, when Superman
takes the helmet off, he can’t shut off his heat-vision.
Story: “Hoax Night” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #73)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appearance in SUPERMAN #399;
next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #73), Gus (next appears in issue #561)
Villain: A druid (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with the Flash to
fight the Phantom Zone villains in DC COMICS PRESENTS #73, then teams with
the Marvel Family and Superman of Earth-Two to fight Dr. Sivana in DC COMICS
PRESENTS ANNUAL #3.
Synopsis: During Hoax Night in the small town of Pepperwood, a druid
is freed of his centuries-long imprisonment in a tree and fights Superman.
Superman No. 399
September 1984
Cover: Colonel Future’s eye seeing himself (as Superman) gunned down
by guard //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Men Who Saw Superman Die” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Eduardo Barretto
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearnce in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL
#3)
GS: Colonel Future (last appearance in issue #378; last appearance)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#73)
Intro: Dr. Isaacs, a collector for a fund drive
Villains: Carl Baker, Otis, Skinner (first and only appearance for
all)
Synopsis: Colonel Future has a prophetic vision of what he believes
to be Superman’s death, and tries to keep the Man of Steel from fulfilling
it.
Story: “Never Too Busy For a Fan” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #559)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#71; next appears in issue #401), Perry White (last appearance in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #71; next appears in ACTION COMICS #560), Jimmy Olsen (next appears
in ACTION COMICS #559)
Intro: Donavan Klein (only appearance)
Villains: Bleak December (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman apprehends two terrorists and does a favor for some
young fans at the same time.
Action Comics No. 559
September 1984
Cover: Superman vs hand of Fate and Yellow Peri //Eduardo Barretto
(signed)
Story: “The Once and Future Peri” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #399)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #3; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308), Morgan Edge (last
appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71; next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #399), Lola Barnett (last appearance
in issue #374)
Intro: Hand of Fate (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: A genie (in flashback)
Villains: The Yellow Peri (last appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY
#35; now Loretta Grant; next appears in issue #567), Alvin T. Grant
(first appearance; next appears in issue #567)
Synopsis: Loretta Grant gets the magic book back that transforms her
into the Yellow Peri. Though she performs good deeds magically for
a fee, her husband manipulates her into attacking Superman.
Story: “A Superman of a Different Color” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Phil Felix
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#304)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #401)
Intro: Jose, Leon, an alien creature (in flashback; first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to unravel
the mystery of Null and Void in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #304-307, then teams
with Hawkman and Hawkwoman to fight the Orgons in DC COMICS PRESENTS #74,
then teams with Blue Devil, Zatanna, and Elongated Man to fight Metallo
II and Nebiros in BLUE DEVIL #3, 4.
Synopsis: A fight with an alien creature results in the temporary de-supering
of Superman’s hair, making it possible for Clark Kent to get his first
haircut in a long time.
Superman No. 400
October 1984
Cover: Superman, Jor-El, Lara, Kal-El’s ship heading to Earth from
exploding Krypton //Howard Chaykin (painting)
Back cover: Superman //Frank Miller (signed)
Story: “The Living Legends of Superman” (42 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Pencillers: Joe Orlando, Frank Miller, Marshall Rogers, Wendy Pini,
Mike Kaluta, Klaus Janson
Inkers: Joe Orlando, Frank Miller, Terry Austin, Wendy Pini, Kelly
Alder, Klaus Janson
Letterers: Gaspar Saladino, John Costanza, Ben Oda
Colorists: Joe Orlando, Lynn Varley, Anthony Tollin, Klaus Janson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in BLUE DEVIL #4; next
appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #231; also appears in flash-forward,
taking place after issue #368 (2); last appearance)
Cameo appearances: Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein, Moses, William
Shakespeare, Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln (all of Earth-One), George Reeves,
Noel Neill,
Intro: Mitch and other students, Homer and his grandson, Dr. Noah Mandell,
Lois Olsen II, Prof. Abel, Prof. Goode, Corrie, Aron Aeneas, Josif, Herzog
Benedix, Briyan Benedix, Riley Benedix, Miss Benedix (first and only appearance
for all), Howard Glumm (dies in this story)
Comments: The futures that Superman visits in this story may be only
alternate futures, though such cannot be determined.
The future in which an elderly Superman appears in (pages 5-12)
may be true, or may merely be a made-up story by the ex-astronaut who tells
it.
This issue also contains a foreword by Ray Bradbury and pin-ups
by Brian Bolland, Jack Kirby, John Byrne, Jack Davis, Leonard Starr (including
a Little Orphan Annie and Sandy appearance), Walt Simonson, Berni Wrightson,
Will Eisner (including a Spirit appearance), Steve Ditko, Mike Grell, Moebius,
Bill Sienkiewicz, and Jerry Robinson.
Shortly after this story Superman helps Supergirl, the Justice
League, and the Justice Society fight the Commander in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #231-232, then helps the Justice League fight Anton Allegro and
the Mad Maestro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #237-239 and the Construct
in RED TORNADO #1-2, after which he leaves active duty with the team for
a time.
Synopsis: Superman, flying through space in memorial of perished Krypton,
battles a blob of energy that flings him into the 60th Century, in which
Superman is almost a myth and a place is symbolically left for him at dinner
tables on Miracle Monday.
Story: “The Exile on the Edge of Eternity” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer, artist, letterer, colorist: Jim Steranko
Feature Character: A’dam’mkent+4775PMN (first and only appearance;
a descendant of Superman)
Intro: Various descendants of Superman, “Eve” (only appearance for
all)
Synopsis: In the far future, a descendant of Superman helps save the
universe from a vortex.
Action Comics No. 560
October 1984
Cover: Superman and Ambush Bug in painter’s outfit //Keith Giffen /
Bob Oskner (signed)
Story: “Meet John Doe” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in RED TORNADO #2)
GA: The Monitor (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #232;
next appears in TALES OF THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #317)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN #398;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308), Perry White (between SUPERMAN
#399 / 401)
Intro: Sally (only appearance)
Villain: John Doe (Dave Sykes; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A super-villain named “John Doe” attacks Metropolis, and
Superman finds himself stricken with bouts of amnesia.
Story: “Police Blotter” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter, penciller: Keith Giffen
Scripter: Robert Loren Fleming
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Ambush Bug (last appearance in SUPERGIRL #16; next
appears in AMBUSH BUG #1; origin revealed in this story, in flashback,
his earliest chronological appearance; next chronological appearance after
flashback in DC COMICS PRESENTS #52)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308)
Intro: Bud Lipschitz (only appearance), Dr. Derwood Denton
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #308, then teams with Arion to fight Chaon in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#75.
Synopsis (we think): Clark Kent tries to interview Ambush Bug, who
has just been released (or expelled) from Arkham Asylum and has set up
a detective agency in Metropolis. But the Bug penetrates Clark’s
disguise, realizes he is Superman, and tries to sign him up as an assistant.
Later, the Bug appears in Clark Kent’s office, clad in samurai getup, and
says that he will commit hara-kiri after his sixth appearance. Kent
is skeptical.
Superman No. 401
November 1984
Cover: Superman vs. Luthor's minions and Luthor's hands
//Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: "Operation: False Front" (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#75; next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #232;
next appears in SUPERGIRL (SAFETY SPECIAL) #1)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #308; next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10), Josh Coyle (last
appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308; next appears in ACTION COMICS
#561), Justin Moore (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #308), Perry
White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #560; next appears in SUPERMAN
ANNUAL #10), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #559; next appears
in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10), Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #399; next
appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10)
Intro: Jack and Elaine (Jimmy Olsen's neighbors; only appearance
for both)
Villains: Lex Luthor, Pluto and Plato Statler (all between issues
#385 / 410), Wanda Nordo (between issues #386 / 410)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor traps Superman in his warsuit, whose automatic
defense mechanisms cancel out his attempts to damage or escape it, and
whose monitors relay back his location to Luthor, watching on a viewscreen.
Moreover, the warsuit casts an illusion that makes it appear to be Lex
Luthor in the suit, rather than Superman. But Superman writes a message
in Kryptonese on Jimmy Olsen's wall, using his heat vision. Jimmy
deciphers the message (which Luthor cannot understand) and summons Supergirl,
who disguises herself as an alien warrior come to Earth for a grudge match
with Superman. Superman appears, claims to be Lex Luthor (and appears
to be such, to the crowds that watch him), and "defeats" the alien, saying
he has come on Superman's behalf, and giving testimonials to Superman all
the while. Luthor, watching and hearing this, cannot stand the thought
of "himself" saying nice things about Superman, and frees his foe from
the warsuit by remote control. Supergirl emerges from her disguise.
Later, Luthor muses to himself that the warsuit analyzed Superman's physical
being and transmitted the information to him, which he intends to use against
the Man of Steel in their next encounter.
Superman Annual No. 10
1984
Cover: Superman and super-sword in Metropolis //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Day the Cheering Stopped” (40 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #401; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #561; origin details revealed)
GA: The Voice
Supporting Characters: Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under
MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois Lane
(last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #401; all next appear in ACTION COMICS
#562), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #401; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #561), Morgan Edge (between ACTION COMICS #559 / 563)
Intro: Barbara (only appearance), Ted Kennedy (of Earth-One)
Villains: King Kosmos (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL
#2; last appearance), Oswald Mandias and his hirelings (first and only
appearance)
Synopsis: In the wake of Creation, a material object was formed that,
over the ages, took the shape of a sword with a stylized “S” symbol on
its hilt, and became known throughout the universe as the Sword of Superman,
ages before Superman ever came to be. Now, in 1984, King Kosmos has
taken over the body of an industrialist and is turning the world against
Superman, and the only thing that can help Superman triumph is the power
of that sword.
Action Comics No. 561
November 1984
Cover: Superman vs. Toyman and his toys //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Great Toyman Trivia Contest” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL
#10), Josh Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN #401), Gus (last appearance
in issue #558; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #80), Inspector Henderson
(between issues #557 / 570)
Intro: Frankie Brisbane, Elenora Nimnod, Miriam Blank, Mr. Snit, Chester
Y. Dunholtz (only appearance for all)
Villain: The Toyman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #67; next
appears in BLUE DEVIL #24; also appears in flashback, his earliest chronological
appearance, preceding his appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9)
Synopsis: The Toyman sponsors a million-dollar trivia contest based
on himself for the purpose of smoking out a childhood enemy.
Story: “The Past and Future Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#309; split temporarily into Superboy and two other Supermen in this story)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#309), Josh Coyle
Cameo: Zatara (in flashback)
Intro: Carolyn Waters (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to fight
Quantum in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #309, then teams with Wonder Woman to
fight Christine Cade in DC COMICS PRESENTS #76.
It is uncertain from this story whether Superboy and the future
Superman are brought through time, or if they are only split from Superman’s
body. Since the future Superman exhibits powers that the Earth-One
Superman and his descendants have never displayed (such as splitting powers,
chameleon abilities, and electrical powers), he may be a far-future descendant
of the original Superman.
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure splits two persons off from Clark
Kent: one, the Superman of the future; another, an eight-year-old Superboy
just prior to his public debut.
Superman No. 402
December 1984
Cover: Jylla (as Superman) in alley and Justin Moore’s shadow //Eduardo
Barretto (signed)
Story: “How Do You Hide a Superman?” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#76)
Supporting Characters: Justin Moore (next appears in ACTION COMICS
#562), Lana Lang (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #309; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #562)
Cameo appearances: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Jor-El, Lara
GA: The Monitor (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #76; next appears
in SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #30; no actual appearance; satellite only seen)
Intro: Jj’r, R’ku (only appearnace for both)
Villain: Jylla (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Justin Moore encounters what appears to be a stubble-bearded
Superman in an alley, bereft of memory and powers, and tries to restore
his memory to him.
Story: “Jor-El: Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #562)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (see Comment under MORE FUN
COMICS #101 for chronology)
Villain: Kru-El (last chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON
#3; next chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #104)
Comment: In this story, Jor-El learns that his son Kal-El will survive
Krypton’s destruction.
Synopsis: In the past on Krypton, Kru-El escapes from the Phantom Zone,
captures Jor-El, and uses a mind-transfer ray that reaches across time
to switch his mind with Superman’s.
Action Comics No. 562
December 1984
Cover: Superman vs. Queen Bee and the Planeteer //Eduardo Barretto
(signed)
Story: “Their Magnetic Majesties, King Alexander and Queen Bee” (24
pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #402; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #310)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Justin Moore (both between SUPERMAN
#402 / 403), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN
ANNUAL #10), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #10; next
appears in SUPERMAN #403), Alice White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #394;
next appears in issue #568), Steve Lombard (between SUPERMAN #393 / 412),
Josh Coyle
Villains: Queen Bee (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #464; next
appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9), the Planeteer (last appearance
in issue #547)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to battle
Sonik in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #310, then teams with Supergirl to help
save a life in SUPERGIRL (SAFETY SPECIAL) #1.
Synopsis: The Queen Bee teams up with the Planeteer to immobilize their
mutual foe, Superman.
Superman No. 403
January 1985
Cover: Superman vs. Thief-Master of Ramox //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Greatest Thief In the Universe” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Ed King
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERGIRL (SAFETY SPECIAL)
#1)
GA: The Monitor (last appearance in SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING #31; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #311)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Justin Moore (last appearance for
both in ACTION COMICS #562)
Intro: A healer (in flashback; only appearance)
Villain: The Thief-Master of Ramox (Slaar; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A master thief from the planet Ramox is compelled to steal
because of a genetic compulsion, but finds a way to get Superman to release
him from the compulsion.
Story: “Clark Kent, Super-Hero From Krypton” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #563)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #562 / 563),
Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #563), Johnny Webber (last appearance
in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #49, as Dyna-Mind; last appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Johnny Webber mentions that 13 years have passed since he
and Clark Kent graduated high school, making them both probably 31 years
of age.
Synopsis: Johnny Webber, Clark Kent’s classmate and the former Dyna-Mind,
asks Clark to come to a Smallville High School reunion, but is compelled
to call him “Superman.”
Action Comics No. 563
January 1985
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen as a blob, and Mr. Mxyzptlk arm-wrestling
with Ambush Bug //Keith Giffen / Bob Oskner (signed)
Story: “Black Beauty” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter, penciller: Keith Giffen
Scripter: Robert Loren Fleming
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Ambush Bug (next appears in issue #565)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #403)
GA: Jack Ryder (the Creeper; last appearance in RED TORNADO #3; next
appears in BLUE DEVIL ANNUAL #1)
Supporting Characters: Dr. Derwood Denton (last appearance)
Intro: Ted Baxter (of Earth-One), Ronald Morris (only appearance for
both)
Cameo apperances: Brum-El, Larda, Mon-Grel (first and only appearance
for all; characters in Ambush Bug’s story)
Villains: Bethany Snow (last appearance in TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS
#55; next appears in NEW TEEN TITANS (2nd series) #13), a crook (first
and only appearance)
Synopsis: Ambush Bug gains the power to teleport without using his
mechanical bugs. The usual trouble ensues for Superman.
Story: “Mr. Mxyzptlk, Media Star” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL
#10; next appears in SUPERMAN #405), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#403), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #405), Lois Lane, Josh Coyle
(next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #79)
Cameo appearance: Bizarro-Klyptzyxm
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #53; next
appears in SUPERMAN #407)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk comes to Earth in hopes of becoming a media
star, and casts a spell that makes it impossible to say his name backwards.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen--Blob” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#311)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #565), Lois
Lane (next appears in issue #566), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#403; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #79)
Intro: Minnie (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
the Network in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #311.
Synopsis: Radiation from one of Superman’s space-trophies alters the
Elastic Lad serum, causing Jimmy, when he drinks it, to become a boy blob.
Action Comics No. 564
February 1985
Cover: Clark Kent changing into Superman (with torn shirt) //Eduardo
Barretto (signed)
Story: “A New Life For Superman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Mike DeCarlo
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#311)
GA: The Monitor (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #323; next appears
in WARLORD #90), Lyla (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #323; next appears
in WARLORD #91)
Intro: Mr. Preston, Dave Padget (only appearance for both)
Villain: The Master Jailer (last appearance in SUPERMAN #393; last
appearance)
Synopsis: The Monitor gives the Master Jailer a device that induces
amnesia in Superman, so long as he can be kept from donning a Superman
costume in the next 48 hours.
Story: “Run For Freedom” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Charlie Boatner
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #79)
Intro: “The slave” (only appearance)
Villain: “The Master” (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman encounters an other-dimensional slaver searching
for his slave on Earth.
DC Comics Presents No. 79
March 1985
Cover: Superman and Clark Kent vs. Rokk //Curt Swan? / Al Williamson
Story: “Superman--Meet Clark Kent” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (split up into Superman and Clark Kent
halves, then reunited in this story; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #564;
next appears in SUPERMAN #405)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Josh Coyle (last appearance for both
in ACTION COMICS #563; both next appear in SUPERMAN #405)
Intro: Prince Hudarri (only appearance)
Villains: Rokk, Sorban (last appearance for both in THE FLASH #175;
both next appear in ACTION COMICS #582), Erg-Master (first and only
appearance)
Synopsis: To settle a wager, intergalactic gamblers Rokk and Sorban
split Superman and Clark Kent into two separate beings.
Superman No. 405
March 1985
Cover: Superman vs. two crooks //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Mystery of the Super-Batman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Karl Kesel
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#79)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#79; next appears in ACTION COMICS #565), Josh Coyle (last appearance in
DC COMICS PRESENTS #79; next appears in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3), Prof. Lewis
Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #66; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #565), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #563)
Cameo: Batman (as a statue)
Villains: Frederick Forest, Wesley Wood, Rennie, other crooks (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A blast from enchanted Pan pipes gives Superman devil’s horns.
Story: “Yes, Lowell, There Is a Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#19)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#563)
Intro: Dave Constable, Margaret Constable, Lowell Constable, Shannon
Constable (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Outsiders bring
Dean Raeburn to justice in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #19.
This story takes place shortly before Christmas Eve.
Synopsis: During the Christmas season, Superman is introduced to a
boy who steadfastly refuses to believe in him.
Action Comics No. 565
March 1985
Cover: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Ambush Bug //Keith Giffen
/ Bob Oskner (signed)
Story: “The Wizard City Warrior” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mort Todd
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS
#19)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #563;
next appears in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3), Mark Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #211; last appearance), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #405 / 406),
Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #405; last appearance), Sarah
Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #375; last appearance)
Intro: Mrs. Dexter (only appearance)
Villains: Desmond Dexter (first and only appearance), Vedders (last
appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #216; last appearance)
Synopsis: A crook named Desmond Dexter finds the lost Wizard City of
Krypton again on Earth and uses its weaponry against Superman.
Story: “Sellout” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter, penciller: Keith Giffen
Scripter: Robert Loren Fleming
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Anthony Tollin
Feature Character: Ambush Bug (last appearance in issue #563; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #81)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #312), Batman (last
appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #311; next appears in BATMAN
AND THE OUTSIDERS #16), Wonder Woman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#76; next appears in BLUE DEVIL #10)
Intro: Ms. Mohawk, the Cleaver, Blotto (with Ambush Bug, form the Uh-Oh
Squad), Peabody, Ambush Bug’s guardian angel (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: The New Teen Titans (behind the scenes)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
the Network in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #312-313, then teams with the Legion
of Super-Heroes to battle Brainiac in DC COMICS PRESENTS #80.
Synopsis: The Ambush Bug tries in vain to round up guest-stars for
his new comic.
Superman No. 406
April 1985
Cover: Superman vs. Moe Ramboe in wrestling ring //Ed Hannigan / Klaus
Janson (signed)
Story: “The Fight For the Right To Be Superman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#80)
Villains: Moe Ramboe, Jake Ramboe, Swain, various gangsters (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A wrestler who billed himself as “Superman” years ago finds
that he can predict the future and that he somehow has the power to weaken
Superman.
Story: “Can You Stump Superman?” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Karl Kesel
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN SPECIAL
#3), Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #565; next appears in
SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3), Morgan Edge (next appears in issue #410)
Villains: Lenny Hoss, George Feffer (first and only appearance for
both)
Synopsis: A “Can You Stump Superman?” contest is run on behalf of the
Lung Foundation, and two crooks take advantage of it to try to plant a
bomb in the Fortress of Solitude.
Superman Special No. 3
1985
Cover: Amazo vs. Superman //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “Amazo Means Mayhem” (45 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: E. Nelson Bridwell
Scripter: Len Wein
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #406; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #566)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (between SUPERMAN #406 / 407), Lana
Lang (between SUPERMAN #406 / 409), Josh Coyle (between SUPERMAN
#405 / 413), Jimmy Olsen (between ACTION COMICS #565 / 566), Ryan Lowell
(last appearance in SUPERMAN #280; last appearance)
Intro: The Great Presto (Peter; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, the Key
Villains: Amazo (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #191 / 241), Professor
Ivo (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #218 / 258)
Synopsis: Prof. Ivo regains and reconstructs Amazo, giving him the
power of some new Justice League members, and sends him to battle and capture
Superman.
Action Comics No. 566
April 1985
Cover: Old Lady of the Sea and Superman vs. Captain Strong //Marshall
Rogers / Jerry Ordway (signed)
Story: “Traumas In the Bahamas” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Ron Randall
Inker: Karl Kesel
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #563; next
appears in SUPERMAN #407), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN SPECIAL
#3; next appears in SUPERMAN #407), Captain Strong, Olivia Strong (last
appearance for both in SUPERMAN #361; last appearance for both)
Intro: J. Wellington Jones, Captain Wynne Jones (only appearance for
both)
Cameo appearance: Ponce De Leon (of Earth-One; in flashback)
Villains: The Old Lady of the Sea (first appearance; dies in this story),
Captain Strong’s father (first and only appearance)
Comment: Most of the characters in this story are patterned after characters
in E. Z. Segar’s classic Popeye comic strip.
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane go on a cruise with Captain Strong
and his wife Olivia, and run into a pack of seafaring trouble.
Story: “With Love From Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mindy Newell
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #81)
Intro: Joey Captan, Molly Richards, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, Miss Dwyer,
the Autograph Hounds (only appearance for all), Molly’s natural parents
(in flashback; both die in this story)
Cameo appearances: Lex Luthor (in Molly’s daydream), Opus (from the
Bloom County comic strip)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Ambush Bug to
fight Kobra in DC COMICS PRESENTS #81.
Synopsis: A daydreaming student, Molly Richards, wants to get Superman’s
autograph and imagines herself as Supergirl and Lois Lane until the real
Superman arrives to give her a big surprise.
Superman No. 407
May 1985
Cover: Superman watching Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Lois Lane flying
//Jerry Ordway
Story: “Peril of the Pass-Along Powers” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Gerry Conway, Carla Conway
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#81; next appears in ACTION COMICS #567)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#566; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #314), Lois Lane (between ACTION
COMICS #566 / 567), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #567)
Intro: Dr. Reginald Stone (only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between ACTION COMICS #563 / 574), a vermiform
(first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk causes Superman’s powers to drain into Jimmy
Olsen’s, Perry White’s, and Lois Lane’s bodies.
Action Comics No. 567
May 1985
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane at their wedding, with Yellow Peri behind
them //Pat Broderick / Jerry Ordway (signed)
Story: “Peri(l) in Paradise” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #407)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #407;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #314), Perry White (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #407)
Intro: David Iseman (only appearance)
Villains: The Yellow Peri, Alvin T. Grant (last appearance for both
in issue #559; last appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman and Lois Lane meet the Yellow Peri and her husband
Alvin at a new development which Alvin is boosting artificially via the
Peri’s powers.
Story: “The League of Superman Watchers” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Michael J. Wolff
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Dennis Jensen
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#314)
Intro: The League of Superman Watchers, Zimmerman, Philip Strick (only
appearance for all)
Villains: Walter Perkins, Sweeney (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
the Executrix and Cathode in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #314, 315 and teams
with Adam Strange to battle Zazura in DC COMICS PRESENTS #82.
Synopsis: A blind man who collects aural data on Superman becomes the
target for a hood who wants to use the material to expose Superman’s secret
identity.
Superman No. 408
June 1985
Cover: Superman in aftermath of nuclear holocaust //Ed Hannigan / Al
Williamson (signed)
Story: “The Day the Earth Died” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter: Ed Hannigan
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Ed King
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#82)
Supporting Characters: Frank Jackson (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #308; next appears in issue #410), Lori Lemaris, Ronal (last appearance
for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #268; both next appear in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #4), Atlanteans
Intro: Duke, Darryl, Johnny, Greg (only appearance for all)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After having a dream in which he fails to prevent a nuclear
holocaust, Superman learns that he has to permit humanity some risks as
learning experiences.
Story: “Warship” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #568)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #314; next appears in ACTION COMICS #568)
Intro: Kj’Fvc (in flashback), an alien race (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman stops an alien race from warring on each other aboard
a generational starship and finds a new planet for them to live upon.
Action Comics No. 568
June 1985
Cover: Superman kissing Nova-Woman, Lois Lane kissing Preston Chandler,
and Jimmy Olsen kissing Jennifer Crocker //Howard Bender / Jerry Ordway
(signed)
Story: “Disappearing Act” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Ed King
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #408)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Alice White (last appearance in
issue #562; last appearance), Perry White III, Matthew White, Jeremy White,
Gretchen White, and Perry White’s other two grandchildren (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN #376; last appearance for all)
Intro: Jinx Turner, a maharajah (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman is called in to help when a stage magician’s magic
actually sends all of Perry White’s grandchildren to India.
Story: “The Amazing Matchmaker of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Alex Nino
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #83
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN #408 / 409), Lois
Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #314; next appears in SUPERMAN
#409), Perry White (next appears in issue #570), Shvaughn Erin (between
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (3rd series) #10 / 12)
Intro: Nova-Woman, Jennifer Crocker, Preston Chandler (all creations
of the Thought-Actualizer; all destroyed in this story), Fifi, Bradley
(only appearance for both)
Villain: An unnamed villain (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and the
Outsiders to fight the Outsider in DC COMICS PRESENTS #83.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen acquires a Thought-Actualizer from the 30th Century
and sets himself up in business providing romantic partners conjured up
by his machine.
Superman No. 409
July 1985
Cover: Superman //Paris Cullens / Al Williamson
Story: “The Sleepwalker From Krypton” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#83)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#568; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #84), Lois Lane (between ACTION
COMICS #568 / 569)
Villain: Ferlin Nyxly (last appearance in issue #253; last appearance)
Story: “One Life Too Many” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Randy Stradley
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #569)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN SPECIAL
#3; next appears in ACTION COMICS #569)
Action Comics No. 569
July 1985
Cover: Superman and Tuftua’dl with Superman actors //Howard Bender
/ Bob Oskner (signed)
Story: “The Force of Revenge” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter, layouts: Dennis Yee
Scripter: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Rodin Rodriguez
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #409)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #409),
Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #409; next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #85)
Intro: Tina Gerber, Jack, Nancy, Mr. Tyler, Tony (only appearance for
all)
Villain: Rhavenj (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A rejected schoolgirl opens a pathway for a demon
of revenge to attack her classmates and Superman.
Story: “Casting Call” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Michael J. Wolff
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Gene D’Angelo
Colorist: Gaspar Saladino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#316)
Intro: Daniel Glarus, Louis Pastrengo, Tuftua’dl, the M’vorn, Mr. Gage,
Michael Betker (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
the Executrix and Cheapjack in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #316-317, teams with
the Challengers of the Unknown to battle Zo-Mar in DC COMICS PRESENTS #84,
and is cured of a disease by Swamp Thing in DC COMICS PRESENTS #85.
Synopsis: Alien film-makers come to Earth and ask Superman for help
in choosing an actor to portray him in a movie.
Action Comics No. 570
August 1985
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and shadow of Alter Ego //Eduardo Barretto
(signed)
Story: “The Mystery of Jimmy Olsen’s Alter Ego” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#85)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #84
/ 86), Perry White (last appearance in issue #568; next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #86), Lois Lane (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #86), Inspector
Henderson (last appearance in issue #561; next appears in SUPERMAN #422)
Intro: Ralph, Dr. Morton (only appearance for both)
Villains: Alter Ego (first appearance; destroyed in this story), Jack,
George (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A blast of cosmic energy manifests a powerful but evil duplicate
of Jimmy Olsen named Alter Ego.
Story: “The Superman Who Came To Dinner” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#318)
Intro: Marvin Weems, Helen Weems (only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
Sonik in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #318.
Synopsis: Superman accepts a man’s invitation to stay for dinner...and
then stays, and stays, and stays.
Superman Annual No. 11
1985
Cover: Mongul, Batman, Robin II, Wonder Woman, and Superman entranced
by “black mercy” plant //Dave Gibbons (signed)
Story: “For the Man Who Has Everything” (40 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist, letterer: Dave Gibbons
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#318; next appears in ACTION COMICS #572 (1))
GS: Batman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #555; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #319), Robin II (last appearance in DETECTIVE
COMICS #555; next appears in BATMAN #389), Wonder Woman (last appearance
in RED TORNADO #3; next appears in WONDER WOMAN #326)
Cameo appearances: Lor-Em, Dax-Ar, Van-El, Ansula (first and only apperarance
for all; characters in Superman’s dream), Lyla Lerrol, Jor-El, Kara Zor-El,
Allura Zor-El, Jax-Ur, Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Joe Chill (all characters
in Superman’s dream), Lara
Villain: Mongul (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #43; last appearance)
Comments: This story takes place on Superman’s birthday, February 29.
Lyla Lerrol’s parents’ names, Ler-Rol and Maris, are revealed
in this story.
Shortly after this story Superman has an adventure with Grollo
in ACTION COMICS #572 (1), then teams with Batman to fight Rem and Chronos
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #319-321, then teams with the Forgotten Heroes
to fight the Forgotten Villains in DC COMICS PRESENTS #77-78, then joins
the heroes of five Earths to deal with the Crisis on Infinite Earths in
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #2-4 and NEW TEEN TITANS #13, then teams with
Supergirl to battle Blackstarr in DC COMICS PRESENTS #86, then rejoins
the heroes of the Multiverse to fight the Anti-Monitor’s schemes in CRISIS
ON INFINITE EARTHS #5.
Synopsis: Batman, Robin II, and Wonder Woman come to Superman’s birthday
party in the Fortress of Solitude, only to find that Mongul has placed
him in a trance with the help of an alien “black mercy” plant which gives
him the vision he most desires--of being married to Lyla Lerrol, having
children, and living as a geologist on a Krypton that never exploded.
Superman No. 410
August 1985
Cover: Superman denouncing Clark Kent on TV screen as Clark Kent walks
away past newspapers reporting his firing //Klaus Janson (signed)
Story: “Clark Kent--Fired” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #5; next appears in issue #412)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in DC COMICS PRESENTS #86; both next appear in issue #412), Lois Lane,
Lana Lang (last appearance for both in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5; both
next appear in issue #412), Morgan Edge (between issues #406 / 413), Frank
Jackson (between issues #408 / 413)
Cameo: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (as statues)
Villains: Lex Luthor, Wanda Nordo, Pluto and Plato Statler (last appearance
for all in issue #401)
Comment: This story continues in issue #412.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor contrives a hoax that makes Clark Kent file an
unknowingly false Superman story and gets him fired from WGBS and the Daily
Planet.
Superman No. 412
October 1985
Cover: Superman vs. Lex Luthor //Klaus Janson (signed)
Story: “Luthor--Today You Die” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #410)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen
(last appearance for all in issue #410), Steve Lombard (last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #562)
Villain: Lex Luthor, Pluto and Plato Statler, Wanda Nordo (last appearance
for all in issue #410)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: After making Superman experience an illusion that he has
killed Lex Luthor and doomed Metropolis to nuclear holocaust, Luthor succeeds
in making the Man of Steel doubt his hold on reality.
Superman No. 413
November 1985
Cover: Superman and “ghosts” of Lois Lane and Metropolis citizens //Klaus
Janson (signed)
Story: “Superman--Your World Is Mine” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #95)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue #410;
next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9), Lana Lang, Perry White,
Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (all next appear in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7),
Josh Coyle (last appearance in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #571), Steve Lombard (next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #200), Douglas Parker (last appearance in issue #381; last appearance),
Prof. Potter (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #558; last appearance),
Frank Jackson (last appearance in issue #410; last appearance), May Marigold
(last appearance in issue #393; last appearance)
Intro: Wade Baxter (only appearance)
Villains: Lex Luthor (next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #6),
Wanda Nordo, Pluto and Plato Statler (all next appear in SUPERMAN ANNUAL
#12)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
Lex Luthor is teleported away by Brainiac in this story and next
appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #6.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Hawkman to fight
Kasta in DC COMICS PRESENTS #95, then joins the heroes of Earth to battle
the Anti-Monitor (in which battle Supergirl dies) in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #7, then teams with Superboy of Earth-Prime against aliens from
Polaris-Six in DC COMICS PRESENTS #87.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor captures Superman and convinces him, by an hallucination,
that he has stolen the Earth.
Superman No. 414
December 1985
Cover: Superman; Superman with Supergirl's corpse; two Superman
Revenge Squad members tormenting Superman; Van-Zee vs. Superman (four vignettes)
//Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: "Revenge Is Life--Death To Superman" (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Ed King
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#87; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA ANNUAL #3)
GS: Supergirl (as a corpse; last appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #7; last appearance of corpse), Superboy of Earth-Prime (last appearance
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #87; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10)
Supporting Characters: Van-Zee, Zor-El, Allura (hair mistakenly colored
black in
this story; last appearance for all in KRYPTON CHRONICLES #2; last
appearance for all), Sylvia Van-Zee, Lyle-Zee, Lili Van-Zee (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN FAMILY #188; last appearance for all), Rokynians (last
appearance), Jimmy Olsen (between CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7 / 11), Lois
Lane (between CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #7 / 9)
Villains: The Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #87; last appearance)
Comment: This story continues from DC COMICS PRESENTS #87, in
which Supergirl does not appear.
Shortly after this story Superman rejoins the Justice League
briefly to deal with a berserk Red Tornado in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
ANNUAL #3.
Synopsis: After defeating the Superman Revenge Squad on Rokyn
with the help of Sylvia DeWitt, Superman brings the body of Supergirl back
to her parents, Zor-El and Allura.
Superman No. 415
January 1986
Cover: Superman holding memory-device with image of Supergirl
kissing Salkor //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: "Supergirl: Bride of--X?" (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA ANNUAL #3; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #88)
GS: Supergirl (in flashback; appears between LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
#294 / DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #4; marries Salkor in this story)
Intro: Salkor (only appearance)
Villain: Naxx (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with the Creeper
to fight a demon in DC COMICS PRESENTS #88, then rejoins the heroes of
Earth to finish the fight against the Anti-Monitor in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #9-12, then teams with the Omega Men in DC COMICS PRESENTS #89.
Synopsis: Superman discovers an intruder, Salkor, an alien, in
his Fortress, taking a round metal object from the Supergirl room.
Superman learns that Salkor is really Supergirl's husband, whom she married
while she was rendered amnesiac from a collision with a Kryptonite meteor.
Salkor had called her "Jasma", and, while married to her, had fought side-by-side
with her against the
menacing invader, Naxx. The round object was a Hokku, a wedding
day gift that recorded the thoughts of his beloved. Shortly after
the fight with Naxx, Supergirl left Salkor without an
explanation, and it has taken him two years to trail her to the Fortress
of Solitude on Earth. When Naxx finds Salkor and Superman and attacks
them both, seeking vengeance, the two heroes
team up to destroy their robotic foe. Later, Superman and Salkor
see and hear a holographic recording of Kara, who explains that she lost
her memories of Salkor and their marriage when her
original memories returned, only to regain them after her original
encounter with Blackstarr. Since she mentions in the message that
she will probably be dead by the time they hear the
recording, Salkor and Superman realize she must have had a premonition
of her own death. Superman and Salkor bid each other farewell, and
Salkor leaves Earth.
Action Comics No. 571
September 1985
Cover: Thresher222 as Clark Kent //Brian Bolland (signed)
Story: “Mission To Earth” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: David Cody Weiss
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#89; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #11; next appears in issue #574), Josh Coyle (last appearance in
SUPERMAN #413; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4), Morgan Edge
(last appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9; next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS ANNUAL #4)
Intro: Thresher222 and his robotic race, Councilman Gregg (only appearance
for all)
Cameo appearances: Lex Luthor, Batman
Villain: Dr. Alice Herman (next appears in SUPERMAN #419)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Superwoman to
fight Lex Luthor in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4.
Synopsis: While Superman is helping a living robot who has come to
Earth for the material needed to save his people from destruction, a scientist
who was snubbed for the Nobel Prize wreaks havoc with her discovery.
Action Comics No. 572
October 1985
Cover: Superman watching Gollo-as-Superman lifting two elephants //Eduardo
Barretto (signed)
Story: “The World of Superman Masqueraders” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #11;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #319)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#85; next appears in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #5)
Intro: Prof. Creighton (only appearance)
Other characters: Grollo, Zarians (last appearance for all in issue
#234; last appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place before the Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Synopsis: Superman learns that Grollo, the chameleon creature, and
his fellow Zarians have taken to living in the shape of himself or Clark
Kent, which makes them a target for predators.
Story: “SOS From Nowhere” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Beppe Sabatini
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #4)
Intro: The Sarikars (only appearance)
Villains: The Trophy-Lord (Jraka Bin Dharlok) and his servants (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman rescues two creatures from an alien hunter and is
rewarded by their time-travelling descendants.
Story: “The Puzzle of the Purloined Fortress” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mark Waid
Penciller: Rick Hoberg
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Jonathan Ross (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#25; last appearance)
Cameo appearances: Lex Luthor, Terra-Man, Brainiac
Synopsis: Superman takes Jon Ross to the Fortress of Solitude for a
visit and discovers that almost everything inside it has vanished.
Action Comics No. 573
November 1985
Cover: Superman, J. Wilbur Wolfingham, and Bax with “sold” Earth //Howard
Bender / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Sale of the Century” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: J. Wilbur Wolfingham (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#341; last appearance), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE
EARTHS #11), Lois Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4)
Intro: Wormwood Wolfingham, Bax, Zazzbug (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: J. Wilbur Wolfingham thinks he’s pulling a master scam by
selling the Earth to an alien realtor, until the alien comes back and takes
possession of the planet.
Story: “If I Were Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writers: Kevin Juaire, Dave Campiti
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Eduardo Barretto
Letterer: Helen Vesik
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
ANNUAL #4)
Intro: Ernie Doyle, Officer Rockwell (only appearance for both)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A hot-dog vendor fantasizes about how he would do super-stunts
if he were only Superman.
Action Comics No. 574
December 1985
Cover: Superman walking away from Rad Zonon with victory flag //Eduardo
Barretto (signed)
Story: “May the Best World Win” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang, Dr. Jenet Klyburn (last
appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9; next appears in BOOSTER GOLD
#1)
Intro: Rad Zonon (dies in this story)
Comment: The statement that the planet Ostok was in the same solar
system as Krypton is somewhat suspect, as Krypton’s red sun is no longer
there. It is possible that Ostok is in a nearby solar system.
Synopsis: Rad Zonon, a native of the world of Ostok, comes to Earth
with the intention of getting Superman to compete against him in a reenactment
of the Olympic-style games of old in which Kryptonians and Ostokians competed.
Story: “Tomorrow Is Cancelled” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Co-plotter: Bob Greenberger
Co-plotter, scripter: Barbara Randall
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: David Hunt
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#322)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in
issue #576), Perry White (last appearance in issue #571; next appears in
SUPERMAN #416)
Intro: Kytszbtn (son of Mxyztplk; in photo), Mark (only appearance
for both)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between SUPERMAN #407 / 421)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
Lou Marino and other hoods in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #322.
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk comes to Earth and turns all printed matter
into an announcement of the birth of his son.
Action Comics No. 575
January 1986
Cover: Intellex’s hands lifting brain from Superman’s head //Eduardo
Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Great Brain Robbery” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Joey Cavalieri
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#322)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#91)
Intro: Dr. Andrew Kurtzman
Other Character: Albert Einstein (as a brain; last appearance)
Villains: Intellex, Eyegore (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #396;
last appearance for both)
Synopsis: Intellex uses the brain of Albert Einstein to tell him how
to trap Superman and harness his brain, while a giant meteor threatens
Metropolis.
Story: “Rodent On a Rampage” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Howard Bender
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#323)
Intro: A space rodent (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara (as statues)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman to fight
Nightwolf and the Power Broker in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #323 and with Firestorm
and Captain Atom to battle Rayburn in DC COMICS PRESENTS #90.
Synopsis: Superman takes a space-rodent home to put in his interplanetary
zoo, not knowing it is really an intelligent space-traveller.
Superman No. 416
February 1986
Cover: Aged Superman in front of Fortress of Solitude //Eduardo Barretto
(signed)
Story: “The Einstein Connection” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: Ed King
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#90; also appears in flashback, between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #188
/ ACTION COMICS #517, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #201 / ACTION COMICS #528,
and issue #382 / DARING ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #2)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#574; next appears in issue #418)
Cameo appearance: Albert Einstein
Intro: Calvin Anderson
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4;
also appears in flashback, between ACTION COMICS #525 (flashback) / SUPERMAN
FAMILY #214, SUPERMAN AND “THE COMPUTER MASTERS OF METROPOLIS” #1
/ DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1 and between DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #1
/ SUPERMAN ANNUAL #9)
Synopsis: Year after year, Superman nabs Luthor when he breaks out
on March 15th. Finally, the Man of Steel figures out the reason for
Luthor’s actions: he wishes to observe the birthday of his hero, Albert
Einstein, by reenacting events in Einstein’s life.
Story: “The Ghost of Superman Future” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Williamson
Letterer: D. Andrews
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (isochronally with first story; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #576; also appears in “flash-forward”, his last chronological
appearance, taking place after issue #400)
Other Character: Calvin Anderson (isochronally with first story; last
appearance)
Villain: Lex Luthor (isochronally with first story; next appears in
HEROES AGAINST HUNGER #1)
Comment: In this story we learn that Lex Luthor and Superman will eventually
befriend each other in the future, though this could be only one of several
alternate futures.
Synopsis: While Superman is chasing Luthor, he sees a hologram message
from his future self, almost 100 years in the future.
Action Comics No. 576
February 1986
Cover: Klystro and his offspring taking Superman to bird creatures
//Eduardo Barretto
Story: “Earth’s Sister Planet” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #416)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #574; next
appears in SUPERMAN #418)
Intro: Klystro’s offspring, Mark Hayim (only appearance for both)
Villain: Klystro (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman seeks to stop an intelligent dinosaur from a sister-world
of Earth from destroying the human race and taking over the planet.
Story: “The ‘Monumental’ Menace of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Mark Waid
Penciller: Paris Cullens
Inker: Mike DeCarlo
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #91)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #574; next
appears in SUPERMAN #418)
Intro: Vaalor (only appearance)
Villains: Voranians (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Captain Comet
to fight Brain Storm in DC COMICS PRESENTS #91.
Synopsis: A trapped alien super-hero switches bodies with Superman
in order to attempt to fight off invading aliens.
Action Comics No. 577
March 1986
Cover: Superman in Caitiff’s eye //Keith Giffen
Story: “Caitiff: First of the Vampires” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Plotter, penciller: Keith Giffen
Scripter: Robert Loren Fleming
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (between DC COMICS PRESENTS #91 / 92)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge, Josh Coyle (last appearance for
both in DC COMICS PRESENTS ANNUAL #4), Lana Lang (between DC COMICS PRESENTS
#91 / 92)
Intro: Dr. Melmak, Chester, Les (only appearance for all), Sam Petronio
(dies in this story)
Villain: Caitiff (first and only appearance; a vampire)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with the Vigilante
to tackle Arthur Bryan in DC COMICS PRESENTS #92.
Synopsis: Superman encounters Caitiff, supposedly the first vampire,
who is now stalking Metropolis.
Superman No. 418
April 1986
Cover: Superman-X //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Replacement” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#92; next appears in ACTION COMICS #578)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#92; next appears in ACTION COMICS #578), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both
between ACTION COMICS #576 / 578), Perry White (last appearance in issue
#416)
Intro: Superman-X and his two alien creators (only appearance for all)
Villains: Metallo II (last appearance in BLUE DEVIL #3; last appearance),
Al and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: While Superman is fighting a menace on an alien world, representatives
of that world create a replacement Superman to take care of Metropolis’s
ills, at which task he excels.
Action Comics No. 578
April 1986
Cover: Superman, beaten Parasite (as Joe Blohe), and booing crowd //Eduardo
Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Most Popular Man In Metropolis” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #418; next
appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #250)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #418; both next appear in DC COMICS PRESENTS #93), Lana
Lang (between SUPERMAN #418 / 421), Josh Coyle (next appears in DC COMICS
PRESENTS #94), Morgan Edge (next appears in SUPERMAN #419)
Intro: Schantz, Barbara (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent
Villain: The Parasite (last appearance in issue #555; last appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman rejoins the Justice League
to fight Junior, Despero, and Adam in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #250, then
teams with Plastic Man, Elastic Lad, and Elongated Man to fight the Malleable
Man in DC COMICS PRESENTS #93.
Synopsis: Superman loses his self-esteem and his public ratings drop
at the same time public favor of a man named Joe Blohe increases.
Superman No. 419
May 1986
Cover: Iago with Superman in five-pointed star //Eduardo Barretto (signed)
Story: “The Man Who Murdered Evil” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#93; next appears in ACTION COMICS #579)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in issue #421), Lois
Lane (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #93; next appears in issue
#421), Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #578; next chronological
appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200)
Intro: Mr. Kenyon (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Joker, Darkseid
Villains: Satan (?), Iago (Arnie Alpert; first and only appearance),
Greeneyes (first appearance; dies in this story), Dr. Alice Herman (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #571; last appearance), Rock Devareux (first
and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman’s computer correlates the appearance of super-villains
on Earth to the presence of a being named Greeneyes. But when Superman
goes after Greeneyes, the villain merges into the body of a human being
and transforms him into Iago, an avatar of mystic evil.
Action Comics No. 579
May 1986
Cover: Superman captured by Columnix and Flipmybix //Keith Giffen /
Karl Kesel (signed)
Story: “Prisoners of Time (1986 A. D. To CCLIII A.D.)” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: R. J. M. Lofficier
Penciller: Keith Giffen
Inker: Bob Oskner
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #419; next
appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #94)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#93; next appears in BLUE DEVIL #25)
Intro: Karen, Mikimus, Columnix, Picturix, Rockix, Bulwinkelmus, Myopix,
Flipmybix (only appearance for all)
Villain: Tommy and his cohort, Prolifix (only appearance for all),
Romans
Comment: Much of this story is based on the famous French comic character,
Asterix.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Harbinger, Lady
Quark, and Pariah to fight the Volt Lord in DC COMICS PRESENTS #94.
Synopsis: A broken Gallic shield from the 2nd Century A.D. leads Superman
and Jimmy Olsen back to the past, where a super-Gaul keeps a province free
from the Romans.
Superman No. 420
June 1986
Cover: Superman beset by demons in Chris Hunt’s dream //Denys Cowan
/ Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “And We Are the Dreamers of Dreams” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Feature Character: Superman (last apperance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #94;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #580)
Intro: Wayne Kling, Jenny Kling, Billy Kling and his sister, Chris
Parker Hunt (Chief Parker’s grandson), Mrs. Carling, Miss Liebowitz, Wanda,
Jerry (last three in flashback), Mrs. Hunt (Chief Parker’s daughter; as
a voice only; only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Krypto,
Douglas Parker
Comment: In this story we learn that Douglas Parker is now chairman
of the Smallville Chamber of Commerce and has a daughter and a grandson.
Synopsis: Superman makes a trip back to Smallville and encounters a
boy who can project himself into other peoples’ dreams.
Action Comics No. 580
June 1986
Cover: Superman breaking chains //Gil Kane (signed)
Story: “The Day Superman Couldn’t Save” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Robert Loren Fleming
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #420; also
appears in flashback, between issue #508 / DC COMICS PRESENTS #23)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (chronologically between DC COMICS
PRESENTS #22 / 23)
Intro: Six people (die in this story, then return as ghosts; first
and only appearance for all; in flashback)
Synopsis: Superman recalls the time he had to let six bus passengers
die to save hundreds more threatened by a broken bridge, and how it traumatized
him until he learned he had made the correct decision.
Story: “The Most Dangerous Toy On Earth” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Pencillers: Martin King, Paris Cullens
Inker: Greg Theakston
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman
Intro: Christopher Ball (of Earth-One), Khald (only appearance for
both)
Comment: Christopher Ball is based on the boy who won the Super Powers
contest.
Synopsis: An alien comes to Earth in search of an artifact a boy now
possesses. But even Superman cannot convince him to give it up.
Story: “The Mystery of the Missing Box” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Paul Kupperberg
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #421)
Intro: Steven, Gnerelel, Klattoians (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman tries to find out who stole Earth’s moon and substituted
a counterfeit.
Superman No. 421
July 1986
Cover: Superman vs. demon on TV monitors //Eduardo Barretto?
Story: “Trapped In Imp-TV” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #580 / 581)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#578; next appearance in LOIS LANE #1), Lois Lane (last appearance in issue
#419; next appears in ACTION COMICS #581), Perry White (last appearance
in issue #419; next appears in ACTION COMICS #582), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
in BLUE DEVIL #25; next appears in ACTION COMICS #581)
GS: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #574; last appearance;
not a villain in this story)
Villain: Kzykmulk (first and only appearance; Mr. Mxyzptlk’s cousin)
Synopsis: Superman and Mr. Mxyzptlk have to make common cause when
both are threatened by Mxyzptlk’s cousin in a battle televised on every
TV set in Metropolis.
Action Comics No. 581
July 1986
Cover: Superman’s hand holding out his costume on a hangar //Denys
Cowan / Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Superman For a Day” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #421)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both between SUPERMAN
#421 / 422)
Intro: Mark Traynor, Mrs. Traynor, Dr. Yarnell (only appearance for
all)
Synopsis: Superman discovers that a boy with great ESP potential has
melded with his mind.
Story: “Even a Superman Needs a Lawyer” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Michael J. Wolff
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Dave Hunt
Letterer: Duncan Andrews
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #96)
Intro: Douglas Giddings (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams up with Blue Devil
to battle Terra-Man in DC COMICS PRESENTS #96 and teams with Batman to
fight Lex Luthor in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER #1.
Synopsis: While doing business with his lawyer, Superman brings in
a gang of bank robbers.
Superman No. 422
August 1986
Cover: Superman as werewolf //Brian Bolland (signed)
Story: “Dark Moon Rising” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Larry Mahlstedt, Tom Yeates
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER
#1; next appears in ACTION COMICS #582)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both between ACTION
COMICS #581 / 582), Inspector Henderson (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#570; next appears in LOIS LANE #1)
Intro: Thomas Lawrence (a werewolf), Mrs. Lawrence, Jerry Lawrence,
Chuck Lawrence (only appearance for all)
Villains: Five werewolves (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman seeks out a werewolf who he think has committed
murder, only to find five other werewolves who are the true culprits.
Action Comics No. 582
August 1986
Cover: Superman, Jor-El, and Lara against exploding Krypton //Alex
Saviuk / Murphy Anderson (signed)
Story: “The Strange Rebirth of Jor-El and Lara” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Craig Boldman
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: Gaspar Saladino
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #422; next
chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN #354 (2))
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #421;
next appears in LOIS LANE #1), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #422;
next appears in LOIS LANE #1), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#422; next appears in LOIS LANE #2)
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara
Intro: Quigley (a robot; only appearance)
Villains: Rokk, Sorban (last appearance for both in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#79; last appearance for both), Jax-Ur (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS
#84; next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #305), General Zod
(last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #84; last appearance), Faora Hu-Ul
(last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #73; last appearance), Prof. Vakox
(last appearance in issue #549; last appearance), Jor-El and Lara impostors
(first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This is the last Earth-One Superman story published.
The two-part story in SUPERMAN #423 / ACTION COMICS #583 is an imaginary
story, and the story in DC COMICS PRESENTS #97 is too problematic to be
canonical (the Bizarro World, as shown in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #181, will
not be destroyed, but will be changed into a “normal” planet, and Jax-Ur
and other Phantom Zoners will not be merged with Mxyzptlk but, as shown
in ADVENTURE COMICS #305, will continue in the Zone, some, such as Jax-Ur,
for 1,000 years before release).
Synopsis: Rokk and Sorban, the two galactic gamblers, see if Superman
can be tempted into committing murder by creating two simulacra of Jor-El
and Lara, deceiving the Man of Steel into thinking that they are his real
parents, and then turning them against him.
Lois Lane No. 1
August 1986
Cover: Inspector Henderson and Lois Lane at crime scene //Gray Morrow
(signed)
Story: “When It Rains, God Is Crying”
Chapter 1: “Ignorance Was Bliss” (23 pages)
Chapter 2: “Dark Realities” (23 pages)
Editor: Robert Greenberger
Writer: Mindy Newell
Artist: Gray Morrow
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Joe Orlando
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #582)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #582)
Supporting Characters: Bill Henderson (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#422), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #215), Ella Lane (as
a voice; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #546; last appearance), Lana
Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #421), Perry White (last appearance in
ACTION COMICS #582)
Intro: Geoff, Steinert, Steve, Bob Harley, Jock, Bostwick, Jack, Ed
Byrnes, Elaine, Randall, Joyce, Marilyn, Justin, Joe, Joanne Green, Mr.
Green, John Campbell, Margaret Campbell, Jason Campbell, Molly Campbell,
Kate Brinkley, Sean (only appearance for all), Baby Doe (dies in this story),
James McCullough, Janice Denton
Villains: Two kidnappers (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: The death of an abducted child leads Lois Lane to make an
investigation into the phenomenon of missing children.
Lois Lane No. 2
September 1986
Cover: Lois Lane and children hiding from gunman //Gray Morrow (signed)
Story: “Quicksand”: Chapter 3 (22 pages)
Chapter 4: “Bless the Child” (22 pages)
Editor: Robert Greenberger
Writer: Mindy Newell
Artist: Gray Morrow
Letterer: Agustin Mas
Colorist: Joe Orlando
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #12)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #12)
Supporting Characters: Bill Henderson (last appearance), Lana Lang
(next appears in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #12), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in
ACTION COMICS #582; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200),
Lucy Lane, Perry White (both next chronologically appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY
#200)
Other characters: James McCullough, Janice Denton
Intro: Mrs. Zelinsky, Patty Zelinsky, Joe Zelinsky, Mort, Max, Mr.
Cortez, Joan, Shiela, Tommy, Mr. Wagman, Mrs. King, Mr. and Mrs. Dillon,
Fred, Karen, Floyd (only appearance for all), Baby Lee (dies in this story)
Cameo appearance: Julius Schwartz
Comment: This story reveals that Lana Lang got married during her stay
in Europe, had a child who was killed by terrorists, and returned to America
after the marriage broke up.
Jimmy Olsen proposes marriage to Lucy Lane in this story and
is accepted.
Synopsis: Lois Lane tries to delve further into the problem of missing
children in Metropolis.
Superman Annual No. 12
1986
Cover: Superman and Lex Luthor vs. warsuit gloves //Brian Bolland (signed)
Story: “Luthor’s Ultra-Ego” (40 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Pablo Marcos
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in LOIS LANE #2; next
appears in flashback in SUPERMAN #354)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in LOIS LANE #2;
next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200), Lois Lane (last
appearance in LOIS LANE #2; next chronological appearance in flashback
in SUPERMAN #354), Josh Coyle (last appearance in DC COMICS PRESENTS #94;
next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200)
Intro: Buzz (voice only), Mike (only appearance for both), Chet and
his friend (both die in this story), Ukrun (in flashback; dies in this
story)
Origin: Lexor (details; in flashback)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER #1;
last appearance), Wanda Nordo, Pluto and Plato Statler (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN #413; last appearance for all), the Electro-Spine (first
appearance; destroyed in this story)
Sometime after this story, as shown in flashback in SUPERMAN
#354 (2), Superman will marry Lois Lane and they will have two children:
a daughter, Laurie, and a son, Jorel. Clark Kent will continue on
as a TV newscaster for many years. Superman himself will live for
more than 100 years, and his death is not recorded. His descendants
will carry on for many generations as Supermen, with the highest-numbered
Superman on record being Superman XXX. Several generations of Batmen,
up to Batman VI, will also appear.
Jimmy Olsen will finally marry and have children, according to
SUPERMAN #372 (2). His wife may be Lucy Lane, as shown in SUPERMAN
FAMILY #200, but, since that issue also contains an appearance by Superwoman,
Kara Zor-El, that is only a possible future.
Synopsis: Superman and Lex Luthor must team up to stop Luthor’s sentient
warsuit from destroying all human life on Earth.
Superman Family No. 200
March-April 1980
Cover: Superman lifting curtain to reveal Lana Lang, Morgan Edge, Steve
Lombard, Pete Ross, Perry White, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Superwoman,
Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane Olsen, Clark Kent, Lois Lane Kent, and Laura Kent
at the Kents’ wedding anniversary //Ross Andru / Dick Giordano
Story: “Unhappy Anniversary” (Part 1; 13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in flashback
in SUPERMAN #354 (2); married to Superman before this story begins)
GS: Superman (last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN
#354; married to Lois Lane before this story begins)
Supporting Characters: Laura Kent (first name revealed in this story;
last appearance in SUPERMAN #131; last appearance), Jimmy Olsen (last chronological
appearance in ACTION COMICS #582)
Intro: David Angel (dies in this story), Lou, Miller, Roger (only appearance
for all)
Villain: Edmund (first and only appearance)
Comment: This issue of SUPERMAN FAMILY presents a possible future
for members of the Superman Family circa 1999-2000. As such, it belongs
to a track of Earth-One's future in which the Crisis on Infinite Earths
did not occur. Thus, the last chronological appearance of characters
who appear in this story is their last appearance before the Crisis.
Synopsis: Lois Lane, now married to Clark Kent and with a teenage daughter,
Laura (or Laurie), discovers that a hologram artist who made an anniversary
hologram for her has been murdered--and that his last hologram shows her
with Laura and Superman.
Story: “The Thief At Sky’s Edge” (Part 2; 12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Alex Saviuk
Inker: David Hunt
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane Olsen (last chronological appearance
in issue #215; married to Jimmy Olsen before this story opens)
Villains: A gang of thieves (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: By the time of this story, Jimmy Olsen has become editor of
the Daily Planet and is married to the former Lucy Lane, who is now president
of the airline for whom she used to work.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane-Olsen loses a statuette intended as an anniversary
gift for Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and Jimmy decides to retrace her trip
to see if he will be victimized by the same thieves who took it.
Story: “Clark Kent’s Frantic Fan” (Part 3; 7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman)
Supporting Characters: Laura Kent, Josh Coyle (last chronological appearance
in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #12; last appearance)
Intro: Ed, mayor of Metropolis (only appearance for both)
Villain: Amanda Boot (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While his daughter Laura is finally manifesting super-powers,
Clark Kent is victimized by an elderly “fan”.
Story: "Something Swims the Time Stream" (Part 4;
12 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Win Mortimer
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Feature Character: Superwoman (formerly Supergirl; last chronological
appearance in SUPERGIRL (second series) #23; see Comment below)
GS: Dick Grayson (Nightwing III; unrevealed; last chronological
appearance undetermined, possibly in BATMAN #300), Clark Kent (Superman;
in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last chronological appearance in
ACTION COMICS #582), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (all in flashback)
Villain: The Time Beast (dies in this story)
Comment: This issue of Superman Family presents a possible future
for Superwoman, formerly Supergirl, and other members of the Superman Family
circa 1999-2000. As such, it belongs to a
track of Earth-One's future in which the Crisis on Infinite Earths
did not occur. Thus, Supergirl's last chronological appearance before
this story is her last appearance before the Crisis.
In this story, Superwoman states that she has “never married,
and my relationships rarely last more than a year.”
Synopsis: Superwoman, now Governor Linda Danvers of Florida,
goes back through the time-stream and films highlights in the relationship
of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, intending to give them the film as an anniversary
gift, since both of them are married. However, she encounters a Time
Beast which preys on travellers in the time-stream. Since she cannot
effectively destroy it due to its ability to manipulate the time-flow around
itself, Supergirl flees, luring the creature to the very edge of time.
The Time Beast then rapidly ages and dies. Superwoman returns to
her
native time with the film.
Story: "Celebration" (Part 5; 6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciller: Bob Oskner
Inker: Joe Giella
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Feature Characters: Clark Kent (next appears in SUPERMAN #354
(2), Lois Lane Kent (last appearance; the Mr. and Mrs. Superman of Earth-One,
1999-2000)
GS: Superwoman (last appearance), Bruce Wayne (Batman), Dick
Grayson (Nightwing III)
Supporting Characters: Laura Kent, Lucy Lane Olsen, Perry White (last
appearance for all), Jimmy Olsen (next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#372 (2)), Morgan Edge (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #419;
last appearance), Steve Lombard (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#413; last appearance), Pete Ross (last chronological appearance in DC
COMICS PRESENTS #25; last appearance), Lana Lang (last chronological appearance
in SUPERMAN ANNUAL #12; last appearance; all from Earth-One circa 1999-2000)
Comment: The child Lois Lane is carrying may be the future Superman
II.
Synopsis: Lois Kent discovers she is pregnant, and, since she
wanted to resume her reporting career, is driven to tears by the turn of
events. Laura Kent, in the meantime, finally starts exhibiting super-powers.
Clark solves the problem for Lois by saying he will give up his reporting
career, though not his fatherly or superheroic ones, and Lois will be allowed
to be the reporter in the family. They are reconciled in time for
a wedding anniversary party attended by all their longtime friends and
colleagues.