Story: "The Infinite Monster": Part 2 (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Supergirl
GS: Brainiac 5 (between ADVENTURE COMICS #290 / SUPERMAN #152),
Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #290
/ 293; all four appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
GA: President John F. Kennedy, Superman (next appears in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #123)
Supporting Characters: Fred Danvers, Edna Danvers, Dick Malverne,
Mrs. Hart, children of Midvale Orphanage
Intro: Prof. Hartz, Karl (only appearance for both), Jaqueline
Kennedy (of Earth-One; only appearance?), Lyndon Baines Johnson (of Earth-One;
next appears in issue #332)
Villain: The Infinite Monster
Comments: This is Part Nine of a nine-part serial.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin deal
with Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123.
Synopsis: Prof. Hartz's attempt to communicate with other worlds
creates a dimensional rift through which steps a monster so huge that only
part of its body can be seen at any time. The Infinite Monster also
has a force-field similiar to Brainiac's, so that Supergirl's powers are
of no use against it. But Supergirl dispatches a note to the Legion
of Super-Heroes in the 30th Century, and receives from Brainiac 5 a shrinking
ray originally designed by Brainiac. She uses a copy of the device
to shrink the Infinite Monster to doll-size and puts it in a bottle in
the Fortress of Solitude. President Kennedy and the people of the
United States express their gratitude to Supergirl, and Superman, who creates
a special Fortress wing just for her, tells the world that henceforth Supergirl
will be his crime-fighting partner.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 59
March 1962
Cover: Fat, mule-eared Jimmy Olsen, Superman, Vangar, Duran, and Rogan
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Stranded In Evolution Valley” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123)
Intro: A cavegirl, Superman Robot L (only appearance for both)
Villain: Titano (between Bizarro World stories in ADVENTURE COMICS
#289 / 295)
Synopsis: While Superman is on a visit to the 31st Century, he leaves
one of his robots behind with Jimmy Olsen, and Jimmy and the robot get
stuck in an “evolution valley” filled with dinosaurs, a cavewoman, and
Titano.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen In Scotland Yard” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in Supergirl story
in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in SUPERMAN #152), Lucy Lane (last
appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Intro: Superintendent Baker, Sgt. Kipper (only appearance for both)
Villain: The Purple Pimpernel (Lord Bunkley), Stumpy (first and only
appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes to London to cover a story at Scotland Yard.
But when the master thief known as the Purple Pimpernel strikes, Jimmy
finds that his signal-watch will no longer summon Superman.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Freak” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #32)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #124)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #31 / 32), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #32), Lucy Lane
Intro: Princess Ilona, Vangar, Duran, Rogor, Berek (only appearance
for all)
Comments: The name of the Sunev galaxy is merely Venus spelled backwards.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight
Hroguth in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #124.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen thinks that he’s got a great deal in his new
girlfriend, the lovely Princess Ilona of the Sunev galaxy, until he learns
that she has four husbands already.
Superman No. 152
April 1962
Cover: Superman examining interiors of Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and
Perry White robots //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Robot Master” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#124)
GS: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS
#293 / 301), Sun Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #290 / 301), Chameleon Boy
(between SUPERBOY #93 / ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Brainiac 5 (between Supergirl
stories in ACTION COMICS #285 / 287), Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl
story in ACTION COMICS #286; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#60; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Characters: Fred Danvers, Edna Danvers (between Supergirl
stories in ACTION COMICS #286 / 287)
Intro: Lois Lane, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen robots (only appearance
for all)
Cameo: Jor-El, Lara, Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (as statues)
Synopsis: Superman discovers his best friends have been replaced by
robots, who claim to have been created by “the Robot Master”, but it turns
out to be a friendly hoax perpetrated by the Legion of Super-Heroes to
commemorate the anniversary of Supergirl’s arrival on Earth.
Story: “Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101
for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (see Comment under
MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Douglas Parker (not yet chief of
police in this story)
Villains: The Pumpkin Gang (including Spike and the Boss; first and
only appearance)
Synopsis: On the abandoned set of a science fiction movie, Superbaby
and Officer Douglas Parker encounter a pumpkin-masked gang of thieves.
Story: “The TV Trap For Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Al Plastino
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #32)
GS: Krypto
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #59; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
Intro: Superman robot X-9 (only appearance)
Villains: The Anti-Superman Gang (including Louie; last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #276; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75)
Synopsis: Two members of the Anti-Superman Gang hide a TV camera in
a big watch medallion worn by Superman, and learn that his secret identity
is Clark Kent.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 32
April 1962
Cover: Lois Lane and baby Superman looking through bank wall with his
X-ray vision //Curt Swan / John Forte?
Story: “The Silver Coin of Fate” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #59)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #152)
GA: Bizarro No. 1 (between ADVENTURE COMICS #294 / 295)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #59), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #152)
Intro: A freak Bizarro (first and only appearance)
Comment: Lois is briefly married for the third time in this story.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is wooed, won, and briefly wed by a person whom
she thinks is Superman, but who turns out actually to be a freak Bizarro.
Story: “The Widow In Black” (9 pages)
Editor; Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Clark Kent (Superman)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59)
Villains: The Playboy Poisoner, the Silent Stranger, the Black Shadow,
the Creeper (not to be confused with the hero who debuts in SHOWCASE #73;
first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To prove she can handle a dangerous assignment without Superman
rescuing her, Lois Lane pretends to be a widow, in order to attract the
attention of the Playboy Poisoner.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Revenge on Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #60)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both next appear in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
Intro: Wondro (dies in this story), Omnar (only appearance)
Villains: The Orange Gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story we learn that Lois Lane has had marriage proposals
from a king, a rajah, and a multi-millionaire, and that she has a cousin
who has a child.
Synopsis: Lois Lane accidentally douses Superman with youth serum,
which turns him into a baby. Since anger is the only antidote, Lois
forces him to do humiliating stunts until his wrath snaps him out of it.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 60
April 1962
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Xarian army //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Super-Mite” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#32)
GA: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148; next
appear in ACTION COMICS #291), Kandorians (next appear in issue #63)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
Intro: Danny Dare (only appearance), Super-Mite (a tiny Superman robot;
destroyed in this story), Don-El (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #76)
Villains: Energy-creatures (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story mentions an undepicted mission of Supergirl’s to
the year 2586.
Synopsis: To help restore a sick boy’s will to live, Superman gives
him a tiny Superman robot called Super-Mite. When the robot proves
defective, Don-El of the Supermen Emergency Squad pinch-hits for it.
Story: “The Girl Who Was Lucy Lane’s Double” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Streaky (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #293; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Lucinda Lawrence, Clara, Satan (a black cat; first and only
appearance for all)
Villain: Governor Gale (only appearance)
Comment: Superman does not appear in this story.
Synopsis: Using the power of a belt given him by Illona, Jimmy chases
Supergirl’s cat Streaky back to June 12, 1692, where his use of the belt’s
powers causes him to be tried as a witch.
Story: "The Fantastic Army of General Olsen" (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #286)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS
#286; next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #286), Superman (next
appears in ACTION COMICS #286)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32; next appearance in ACTION COMICS #286), Perry
White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Zxl, Yllu and other Xarians, Mary Minton (only appearance
for all)
Villain: The Mechanical Computer Brain (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is contacted by the Xarians, a group of
green-skinned aliens, who wish him to contact Superman for help.
A device of their creation, the Mechanical Computer Brain, has run amok,
teleported to Earth, and is constructing war machines outside of Metropolis
with which to conquer the planet. Superman and Supergirl are in space,
and Jimmy can convince neither Perry White nor the U.S. military of the
threat. So he dresses up in an old military uniform and leads the
Xarians who have landed on Earth (and who are pacifists) in several desperate-but-doomed
operations against the Brain and its machines. Jimmy tries to rally
his troops for a suicide charge. Superman and Supergirl return in
time for a rescue, and the Brain and its machines are halted. The
Xarians return the devices and themselves to their homeworld
Action Comics No. 286
March 1962
Cover: Superman in Kryptonite cuffs, before jury composed of Saturn
Queen, Cosmic King, Brainiac, Lightning Lord, Electro, and Lex Luthor //Curt
Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Jury of Super-Enemies” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #60)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #281)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60;
next appears in Supergirl story in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48)
Cameo appearances: Streaky, Titano, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Cosmic King,
Saturn Queen, Lightning Lord, Electro, Professor Ross, Lana Lang’s descendant,
Ray Tyson (first and only appearance of last four; no real appearance;
all as characters in Krypto’s or Superman’s dreams)
Villains: Rava, Scout Number 627 (first appearance for both), Superman
Revenge Squad (formerly the Superboy Revenge Squad; last chronological
appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #54)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad doses Superman with Red Kryptonite
which causes him to have violent nightmares.
Action Comics No. 287
April 1962
Cover: Perry White and Krypto leading posse in search of beartrapped
Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Perry White’s Manhunt For Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #153)
GA: Krypto
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #153),
Lois Lane (next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue), Perry White
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; next appears in SUPERMAN
#153), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#61)
Cameo appearances: Professor Ross, Lana Lang’s descendant (in dream
flashback), the Super-Hypnotist (first and only appearance; a character
in Superman’s dream)
Villains: Rava, Scout Number 627 (last appearance for both), Superman
Revenge Squad (next appears in issue #295)
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad plans to stage a real invasion
attempt after giving Superman a series of nightmares, believing that he
will think their invasion is just another dream and will not oppose it.
But the Man of Steel discovers that their attack is a reality, and defeats
them.
Superman No. 153
May 1962
Cover: Superman vs. four Phantom Zone criminals in showdown //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Day Superman Broke the Law” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Sheriff of Littledale, a judge (only appearance for both)
Villains: Councilman Finch, Slick and his gang (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: After Superman pays a visit to the town of Littledale, a
crooked politician gets him imprisoned for minor offenses.
Story: “The Secret of the Superman Stamp” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in Supergirl story
in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Mayor of Rangoon, a photographer (only appearance for both)
Comment: This is the Earth-One version of a story that involved the
Earth-Two Superman, in SUPERMAN #91.
Synopsis: The mayor of Rangoon wants to take a photo of Superman for
a special commemorative stamp, and Superman must make certain that only
a profile is shown, to safeguard his secret identity.
Story: “The Town of Supermen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #33)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #33), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #287; next
appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33), Jimmy Olsen (between
ACTION COMICS #287 / 288)
Villains: Eight Phantom Zone villains (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#284; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33)
Comment: Even though it cannot be proven that the eight Phantom Zone
villains in this issue specifically make previous or later appearances,
since they are not named in this story, their appearance here is tracked
as an appearance of the many anonymous Phantom Zone villains.
Synopsis: Eight escapees from the Phantom Zone disguise themselves
as cowboys in a ghost town and plan to send Superman into the Zone during
an Old West-style showdown.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 33
May 1962
Cover: Superman, Lana Lang, and ghostly Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “The Phantom Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153)
GA: Linda Lee Danvers (Supergirl; between ACTION COMICS #287 / 288),
Mon-El (between ACTION COMICS #284 / 288)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in Supergirl
story in ACTION COMICS #284; next appears in SUPERMAN #154), Lana Lang
(next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
Villains: Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox (both between ACTION COMICS #284 / 288),
Phantom Zone villains (between SUPERMAN #153 / 167)
Synopsis: Under the influence of a strange space metal, Lana Lang projects
Lois Lane and Lori Lemaris into the Phantom Zone and gets Superman to agree
to marry her.
Story: “The Candid Camera Kid” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
Intro: Mr. Crane (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Supergirl (as a doll)
Villains: Lefty Terry Shire, Peter Graff, Joe, Ed Smith, and another
counterfeiter (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane substitutes for her lookalike, a shoplifter named
“Lefty” Terry Shire, and infiltrates a gang of counterfeiters.
Story: “Lois Lane, Slave Girl” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
GS: Superman (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #130)
Intro: Petronius (Crassus), Julia (only appearance for both)
Villains: The “Professor” and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman brieflly appears with Wonder
Woman in WONDER WOMAN #130, then both help the Justice League fight the
Lord of Time, Felix Faust, Abnegazar, Rath, and Ghast in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #10-11.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is flung by a racketeer’s “time bomb” device back
to ancient Rome, where she is sold as a slave into the house of one Crassus,
who is secretly the heroic Petronius.
Action Comics No. 288
May 1962
Cover: Superman stand-up, Hal Colby wearing dynamite, Clark Kent, Lois
Lane, and Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man Who Exposed Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#11; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #125; also appears in flashback
as Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), as
Superboy (between SUPERBOY #96 / ADVENTURE COMICS #296), and as himself
(see Superboy’s Interim Appearances for chronology))
GS: Krypto (next appears in SUPERMAN #154)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33; also appears in flashback, between SUPERBOY #96
/ ADVENTURE COMICS #297), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (both in flashbacks,
between SUPERBOY #96 / ADVENTURE COMICS #296; see also Comment under MORE
FUN COMICS #101), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153; next appears
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance
for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33; both next appear in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61)
Intro: Mr. Norsted (only appearance)
Villains: Hal Colby (first and only appearance), the Crime Syndicate
(between SUPERMAN #118 / 160)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin
defeat Jundy in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #125.
Synopsis: Hal Colby, released from prison after being captured by Superboy,
believes that Clark Kent is really Superman, and threatens to blow himself
and a television audience up with dynamite unless Clark admits it on national
TV.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 61
June 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen vs. “Jimmy Olsens” in pirate outfit, Superman suit,
and devil costume //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Coward” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #288)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #125)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in ACTION COMICS #288), Lucy Lane, Prof. Potter (last appearance in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Synopsis: A device of Professor Potter’s supposedly transfers Clark
Kent’s “timidity” into Jimmy Olsen, and Jimmy mistakenly believes that
he is a coward.
Story: “Olsen the Roughneck” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Michael (only appearance)
Synopsis: After Jimmy and Lucy Lane see an Apache dancer slap his partner
around in the dance, Lucy expresses admiration for the dancer’s macho.
Unfortunately, Jimmy accidentally strikes her afterwards, and repeated
coincidences make Lucy think he’s taken her statement as an indication
she wants to be slapped around.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Wildest Adventure” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #289)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #12)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
battle Dr. Light in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #12.
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #289), Lucy Lane
Intro: A Jimmy Olsen robot
Villains: Denby and his cohorts (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place on Jimmy Olsen’s 21st birthday.
Synopsis: Wealthy Titus Gates dies and is to leave his money to Jimmy
Olsen on Jimmy’s 21st birthday, but some disgruntled would-be heirs team
up to try and convince Olsen he is going insane.
Action Comics No. 289
June 1962
Cover: Luma Lynai, Superman, and Supergirl //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Super-Practical Joker” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#12; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61; all next appear in SUPERMAN
#154)
Intro: Mr. Willis, Dexter Willis (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Avenue Ten Mobsters (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Supergirl tries to match Superman
with several potential wives in the Supergirl story in this issue.
Then Superman helps Batman and Robin battle Lex Luthor and the Negative
Superman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #126.
Synopsis: A practical joker is forced onto the Daily Planet’s staff
as an intern by his stockholder father. After he pulls enough pranks,
Superman teaches him a lesson.
Superman No. 154
July 1962
Cover: Mr. Mxyzptlk, Superman, and “banana boat” submarine //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Pneciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#126)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #288), Streaky (last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #287), Zrfffians
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for all in ACTION COMICS #287), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33)
Intro: Mr. Hyttwmf, Judge Morrow (only appearance for both)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123;
next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #291)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk is out to win the prize for best practical joke
on his homeworld of Zrfff by proving he can play pranks on Superman and
not be tricked into saying his name backwards. He plans to do this
by staying in the water or in space, where he is unable to speak.
Story: "Krypton's First Superman" (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34)
GS: Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #290)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under
MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen
(all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34), Lori Lemaris
(next appears in ACTION COMICS #290)
Intro: Ilena (an Atlantean goddess; as an idol)
Intro: Lon-Es (a Kandorian scientist)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #126),
Mag-En (in flashback; first appearance; dies before this story begins),
Ral-En (in flashback; last chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON
#1; next chronological appearance in issue #151), a gang of crooks (first
and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Superman begins committing destructive acts, after
which he immediately repents and repairs the damages, Supergirl is teleported
into Kandor and told by the Kryptonian
scientist Lon-Es the reason for Superman's behavior change. Years
ago, on the planet Krypton, Ral-En, son of psychologist Mag-En, seemingly
developed super-powers after being bathed in a
chemical explosion. He used these powers to establish a dictatorship,
which was short-lived. Jor-El deduced that Mag-En had been using
mass hypnosis to convince everyone that his son
was really super-powered, though he was in reality just a normal Kryptonian.
Ral-En was sentenced to the Phantom Zone. In retaliation, Mag-En
secretly hypnotized baby Kal-El to do ten destructive things whenever he
again saw the blue comet that happened to be streaking by overhead.
Lon-Es developed partial amnesia after accidentally striking his head soon
afterward, and forgot the incident until seeing Superman running amok triggered
the memory. Supergirl is transported back to the outer world.
Superman is about to crash headlong into Earth and devastate it, but Supergirl
employs a meteor-eating space monster to gobble up the head of the blue
comet. No longer seeing the comet, Superman returns to normal.
Shortly afterward, he tells
Supergirl he is going to leave Earth, but she tells him the story of
Mag-En and convinces him to stay.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 34
July 1962
Cover: Superman looking in on Lois Lane Luthor, Lex Luthor, and Larry
Luthor //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane, Millionairess” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #154; next
appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #154; next appears in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #154; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #290)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #154; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#62)
Villains: Eddie and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is duped by a disguised gang of criminals into
thinking she must pose as a wealthy lady’s long-lost daughter to save the
“lady’s” sanity, not knowing she is being used to lure Superman into a
deathtrap.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 62
July 1962
Cover: Superman and Elastic Lad, Prof. Vakox, Jax-Ur, and Kru-El in
Phantom Zone //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Phantom Pal” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (as Elastic Lad; last appearance in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#34), Mon-El (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #288;
next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen
Fan Club (next appear in issue #68)
Villains: Jax-Ur (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS
#288; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), Prof. Vakox, Kru-El (last appearance
for both in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #288; both next appear in
SUPERMAN #157), Dagger Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen becomes Elastic Lad and gains temporary
access to the Phantom Zone through a small aperture, Jax-Ur and company
try to tempt him into watching Superman change into his secret identity,
but Jimmy resists the temptation.
Story: “Jimmy’s Duel With Goliath” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Professor Potter
Cameo appearances: David, Goliath, Israelites, Philistines (all in
Jimmy’s dream)
Villains: Lex Luthor’s gang (Joe and two others; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While pulling a robbery at Professor Potter’s lab, Lex Luthor’s
gang hits Jimmy with a stun ray and he dreams of helping David kill Goliath
in Biblical times.
Story: “Jimmy’s Robot Slave” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #290), Jimmy Olsen II (appears
between issues #52 / 65)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #290), Lucy Lane
Intro: Yogi Krishnatal (only appearance)
Villain: Big Joe Lucak, another crook, a gang of smugglers (first and
only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story, Perry White celebrates his 25th anniversary
as editor of the Daily Planet.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen develops a stomachache and sends his robot double
to perform for him in his usual duties, but things don’t go as planned.
Action Comics No. 290
July 1962
Cover: Lois Lane watching half-vulnerable Superman lifting up a falling
bridge //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Half a Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #62; next appears in SUPERMAN #155)
GS: Krypto (next appears in SUPERMAN #155)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62; both next appear in SUPERMAN #155),
Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
Comment: This story mentions an undepicted space mission which Supergirl
is still performing at the time.
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure makes Superman’s and Krypto’s left
sides vulnerable for 48 hours, and Lois Lane is determined to use the knowledge
to prove that Clark Kent is Superman.
Superman No. 155
August 1962
Cover: Antonino Rocca throwing Superman out of wrestling ring while
Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane look on //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Under the Green Sun” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “The Blind Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #290)
Intro: Kall, Pera (only appearance for both)
Villain: Drago (first appearance; dies in this story) and his Overseers
(first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a distant planet on which Superman loses his powers due
to a filter that turns the sun green, then his sight from a villain’s weapon,
the Man of Steel nonetheless is able to defeat a tyrant.
Story: “The Downfall of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #35)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #290), Cosmic Man (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #289; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#168), Lightning Man (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #289; last chronological
appearance)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in ACTION COMICS #290; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #35)
Villains: Duke Marple and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman arranges a ruse with famed wrestler Antonino Rocca,
Krypto, Lightning Man, and Cosmic Man to trick gangster and wrestling fan
Duke Marple into revealing the hiding place of his stolen loot.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 35
August 1962
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Amazing Brain Machine” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #155)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #155)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #155), Professor Potter, Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN
#156)
Intro: MANIAC (Mathematical Analyzer, Numerical Integrator, and Automatic
Computer; destroyed in this story), Superman Robot No. 3 (only appearance)
Villains: Rocky Noble, Slash Carver (no appearance; names only mentioned;
first and only appearance for both)
Comment: In this story we learn that Perry White smokes King Corona
cigars and his favorite sandwich is meat loaf with Creole sauce.
Synopsis: Professor Potter leaves his new computer MANIAC with Lois
Lane and Lana Lang for safekeeping. Lois asks it to compute Superman’s
secret identity and tell her how to get him to marry her. MANIAC
does not reveal the secret to Lois, but causes her to suspect Clark is
Superman.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Other Life” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (next appears in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13)
Intro: Amnesium (a rare metal that causes amnesia)
Cameo: Lana Lang, Lori Lemaris, Lyla Lerrol (in Fortress of Solitude
exhibits)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
battle the Robot Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13.
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets amnesia while taking on a new identity as
a disguise. As a result, she comes to believe she is the person she
disguised herself as, and despises Lois Lane.
Story: "The Fantastic Wigs of Mr. Dupre'" (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #291)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #290 / 291)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63)
Villains: The Masquerader (Booth Barry) and his gang, Hi-Jack
Harry (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A villain known as The Masquerader seeks to have Lois
Lane killed before she can expose a phony charities racket he and his gang
are behind. Accordingly, he poses as a wig-shop owner and convinces
Lois that a batch of wigs he has on stock were enchanted by a sorcerer,
and that the wigs, in the shape of the hair of famous figures such as Marie
Antoinette, will cause their
wearers to suffer the same deaths as the persons whose hair they resemble.
To lend substance to his theory, the Masquerader, in his true identity
of Booth Barry, an actor, plays the part of Alexander Hamilton, uses one
of the wigs, and "dies" from a gunshot as Hamilton did after a duel.
To investigate the "curse", Lois puts on several of the wigs and barely
escapes doom each time. Finally, the Masquerader gives Lois a wig
fashioned to look like Supergirl's hair. But the real Supergirl has
returned from a mission in the future, sees through the hoax, lets Lois
in on it, and takes Lois's place to foil a deathtrap. Then
Supergirl captures the Masquerader and takes him to prison.
Action Comics No. 291
August 1962
Cover: Superman taking Kryptonite bullets of hoodlums on his chest
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The New Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#13; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #127)
GS: Superman robots, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; next appear in SUPERMAN #156)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13; next appears
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63)
Intro: Mrs. Van Kyle, Prof. Benet (only apperance for both)
Villains: Dude Dunn and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle
Zerno in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #127.
Synopsis: Superman is affected by a Red Kryptonite exposure that takes
away his vulnerability to Green Kryptonite, but makes him vulnerable to
gold, diamonds, silver, and aluminum.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 63
September 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen transforming Supermen Emergency Squad impostorswith
Red Kryptonite ray //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The League of Fantastic Supermen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #291)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #291 / 292 (Superman story)),
Kandorians (last appearance in issue #60)
Supporting Character: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#290; next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: Superman Robot X-5 (destroyed in this story)
Villains: Supermen Emergency Squad impostors (first and only appearance;
four Kandorian criminals), Legion of Super-Villains (Chameleon Chief (first
appearance; possibly one of the Durlans from ACTION COMICS #283; last definite
chronological appearance in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (3rd series) #21), Sun-Emperor
(first appearance; last chronological appearance in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
(3rd series) #21), Lightning Lord, Cosmic King (last appearance for both
in SUPERMAN #147; both next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #331))
Comment: It is now held that there are two different adult Legions
of Super-Villains, and that this grouping is from the “canonical” Legion
future.
Synopsis: Four Kandorian criminals gas the population of Kandor into
unconsciousness and escape from the city’s bottle. But Jimmy Olsen,
visiting in the Fortress of Solitude, uses a Red Kryptonite ray on them,
and thus gives the four of them outlandish-appearing heads. Later,
the four Kandorians are captured by members of the Legion of Super-Villains
who imitate them as part of a plot to free the Phantom Zone villains, but
Jimmy, Supergirl, and the Superman robots capture them instead.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Editor-In-Chief” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35; next appears in SUPERMAN #156), Lois Lane (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #291; next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: Mr. Giltedge (only appearance)
Villain: Robert Burke (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy and Perry White exchange places as part of Metropolis’s
annual Boss For a Day event, and Jimmy sends Perry on assignments that
will ensure he cannot smoke his trademarked cigars after he discovers that
the stogies have been poisoned.
Story: “The Tom Thumb Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #127; next appears
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #38)
Villain: Dr. Zarro (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
initiate The Atom and battle Mr. Memory in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14.
Synopsis: Jimmy and Lucy Lane are captured by Dr. Zarro, a criminal
scientist who attempts to pry the location of the Fortress of Solitude
from Jimmy by appearing to shrink them both to tiny size.
Action Comics No. 292
September 1962
Cover: Superman defending Lex Luthor before a jury of Automs //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “When Superman Defended His Arch-Enemy” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#14; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #128)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63;
next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: Automs (a race of robots) and their androids (all next appear
in issue #294), an Autom creator (in flashback; only appearance), Autom
4306 (destroyed but rebuilt in this story), Superman Robot X65 (destroyed
in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin
fight Moose Morans in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #128.
Synopsis: Luthor leaves Earth in a rocket of his own devising, ends
up on a world of robots, and is brought in on murder charges when he destroys
one of them. Superman defends Luthor at his trial and gets him off
when he rebuilds the wrecked robot with parts from one of his Superman
robots. However, Superman leaves Luthor stranded on the robots’ world.
Superman No. 156
October 1962
Cover: Superman in isolation booth with last will and testament,
and Kandorians, Supergirl, and Krypto coming to his aid //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: "The Last Days of Superman"
Part I: "Superman's Death Sentence" (9 pages)
Part II: "The Super-Comrades of All Time" (8 pages)
Part III: "Superman's Last Day of Life" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #128; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Superman story in ACTION COMICS
#292; next appears in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64), Cosmic
Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, Chameleon Boy (all between SUPERBOY #100
/ ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Brainiac 5 (between ACTION COMICS #285 / ADVENTURE
COMICS #303), Bouncing Boy (between ACTION COMICS #276 / ADVENTURE COMICS
#301), Invisible Kid (between ACTION COMICS #267 / ADVENTURE COMICS #304),
Sun Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #300 / 301), Triplicate Girl (between
ACTION COMICS #287 / ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Shrinking Violet (between
ADVENTURE COMICS #301 flashback / 301; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes),
Mon-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62), Krypto
(next appears in ACTION COMICS #293), the Superman Emergency Squad (next
appear in ACTION COMICS #295), Superman robots
GA: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #128; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #308), Atlanteans
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE
FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last
appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63; all next appear
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35 / 36), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63)
Cameo appearances: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Lyla Lerrol (in flashback)
Intro: Tharb-El (in flashback; only appearance)
Comment: Supergirl is incorrectly depicted as flying back in
time and space to pre-exploded Krypton in this story. Since she has
no powers under Krypton's red sun, it's obvious she had to use a Legion
time-bubble or some other sort of protective craft to survive and return.
Lyla Lerrol is incorrectly depicted on page 21, panel 1 with
black hair.
The fact that Brainiac 5 cannot find a cure for Virus X indicates
that the knowledge that White Kryptonite can be used to destroy the disease
has been lost by the 30th Century.
Synopsis: Superman, in the presence of Jimmy Olsen, reads Kryptonese
inscriptions on a container from Krypton which has landed on Earth, emitting
deadly Green Kryptonite radiation from its shell. The inscriptions
note that the container holds deadly Virus X cultures. Superman smashes
the container into the Earth with a boulder, but his weakness when Jimmy
approaches him convinces him he is dying of Virus X. Superman isolates
himself in a glass chamber and begins setting his affairs in order, with
the help of Supergirl, the Legion of Super-Heroes, and his
robots. He bids farewell to Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Batman, and
Robin. Even Brainiac 5 cannot find a cure for Virus X. But
Supergirl goes back in space and time to Krypton, shortly before it exploded,
and hears Tharb-El, the biologist, saying he is destroying the sample of
Virus X to be included in the space container. Supergirl returns
to Earth in 1962 and explains her discovery; thus, Superman knows he is
not dying of Virus X. Mon-El, in the Phantom Zone, telepathically
informs Saturn Girl that Superman is being weakened by a chunk of Kryptonite
which became
lodged in Jimmy Olsen's camera when Superman smashed the container
into the ground. Jimmy finds and disposes of the Kryptonite, and
Superman recovers, thanking all his friends for their great aid to him.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 36
October 1962
Cover: Superman III and Lana Lang passing by statues of Superman and
Super-Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Day Lois Lane Vanished” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #37; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129)
GS: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #294;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen(last appearance for
both in issue #37; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65),
Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #37; next appears in ACTION COMICS
#295), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64 / 65)
Intro: Warden of Metropolis Prison (a new one), a Lex Luthor impostor
(only appearance for both)
Comment: Lois’s comment that Luthor is in “solitary confinement” rather
than on another planet indicates that this story takes place after
ACTION COMICS #294, in which Luthor returns to Earth.
Synopsis: To see if Lois Lane could stand up to the tricks of enemy
spies while working as a foreign correspondent, Superman, Lucy Lane, Lana
Lang, and the Daily Planet staff try to convince her that she is really
Myrtle Merkin, and that Lois Lane never existed.
Story: “The Madam Jekyll of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #156; next
appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN #156; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#64), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63 / 64), Professor
Potter (next appears in issue #38)
Intro: The Lois Lane Fan Club (next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #65)
Synopsis: The action of a cyclotron’s radiations on a piece of Red
Kryptonite Lois is holding causes her to turn into a destructive, hairy
woman under the influence of the full moon.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 64
October 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Allura, “Super-Jimmy Olsen” vignette, and Lucy
Lane photo //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Hollywood Star” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (2))
GA: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #156; also appears in flashback;
see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology), Supergirl (in flashback;
last appearance in SUPERMAN #156; next appears in Superman story in ACTION
COMICS #293)
Intro: Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #45), James Arness, Boris Karloff, Red Skelton, Lloyd Bridges,
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Phil Silvers, Mitch Miller, Richard Boone,
Elizabeth Taylor, Buddy Hackett, Groucho Marx, Danny Thomas, Alfred Hitchcock
(all of Earth-One)
Villains: Rocks Saxon (first and only appearance), Iron Colossus, Space
Wolves (both in flashback; first and only appearance for both)
Comment: An undepicted mission of Superman’s and Supergirl’s with the
Legion of Super-Heroes is mentioned in this story. Also, a flashback
to an adventure Jimmy and Supergirl had with the Space Wolves is depicted,
which we have placed just before this story, since Jimmy indicates that
it happened recently.
The fact that Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis appear in comics published
by DC at this time does not necessarily make them the ones who appear in
this story. (Possibly, the characters in ADVENTURES OF BOB HOPE and
ADVENTURES OF JERRY LEWIS exist on the Inferior Five’s Earth 12.)
On the other hand, Super-Hip, a BOB HOPE character, does appear in DOOM
PATROL #104, and Jerry Lewis does appear in stories featuring Superman,
Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman in his own comic. But Jerry is not
a Hollywood star in his comic book, so it is probable that it depicts a
non-Earth-One Jerry Lewis.
Also, the Earth-One Boris Karloff is not the Gold Key / Whitman
Earth Boris Karloff, who hosts BORIS KARLOFF’S THRILLER!
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen faces death in a quicksand trap in Hollywood,
but is saved by Boris Karloff, who uses a hangman’s noose to pull him to
safetuy.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Fiery Friends” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #293)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Lana Lang (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (2))
Intro: Living flame-creatures (only appearance for all)
Comment: Superman and Supergirl (not depicted) return from their space
mission (apparently with the Legion of Super-Heroes) in this story.
Synopsis: Living fire-creatures emerge from an erupting volcano in
Voronia, and follow Jimmy Olsen and Lana Lang everywhere, attracted by
their red hair.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super-Romance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #37)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (between second and first stories SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36), Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #293)
Intro: Allura (next appears in issue #77; not to be confused with Allura
Zor-El, mother of Supergirl)
Villain: Captain Corbin (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An alien beauty, Allura, falls in love with Jimmy and gives
him a “mentor band” that endows him with mental powers. But their
romance crashes when he goes to her homeworld and finds that she is a giantess.
Action Comics No. 293
October 1962
Cover: Superman watching Supergirl and Super-Horse battle alien spaceship
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #64; next appears in SUPERMAN #157; temporarily split into an evil
Superman and a non-powered Clark Kent in this story)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64;
next appears in SUPERMAN #157), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #156)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #64; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #37),
Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64;
next appears in SUPERMAN #157)
Comment: This story refers to an unchronicled episode in which Red
Kryptonite split Supergirl into a normal Linda Lee Danvers and a super-powered
Girl of Steel.
Synopsis: Red Kryptonite splits the Man of Steel into two beings--an
arrogant Superman and a non-powered Clark Kent--and, if 72 hours passes
without them merging, they will stay apart forever.
Superman No. 157
November 1962
Cover: Perry White watching Superman release Quex-Ul from Phantom Zone
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293; next chronological
appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #292)
GA: Mon-El (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE
FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #293)
Intro: Rondors (in flashback; Kryptonian beasts; die in this
story), Gold Kryptonite
Villains: Quex-Ul (first appearance; next appears, as “Charlie
Kweskill”, in PHANTOM ZONE #1), Rog-Ar (in flashback; dies before this
story begins), Jax-Ur (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#62; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), Prof. Vakox, Kru-El (last appearance
for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
Synopsis: Phantom Zone prisoner Quex-Ul's 25-year sentence is
up, and Superman releases him from the Zone, to which he was sent for allegedly
killing the rondors and stealing their "healing
horns" for use in a medical scam. Quex-Ul promises to destroy
Superman with Gold Kryptonite, a new variety that Superman knows nothing
about. They battle inconclusively, but Quex-Ul calls a truce so that
he can save a man whose life he sees endangered. Using an anti-gravity
belt and a space-warp, Superman travels back in time and space to pre-exploded
Krypton. There he
witnesses the real slayer of the rondors, Rog-Ar, using a hypno-jewel
on Quex-Ul, who had intended to turn him in. Instead, Rog-Ar hypnotically
compelled Quex-Ul to front for him with his "hall of healing", to take
the rap if exposed, and not to know of Rog-Ar's existence. Quex-Ul
has already attracted a Gold Kryptonite meteor from outer space, concealed
it in a lead box, and trapped a submarine in an undersea crevice near the
box, hoping to lure Superman into a trap. Supergirl finds Quex-Ul
and reveals the truth of his false imprisonment. Repentant, Quex-Ul
frees the sub, accidentally exposes himself to the Gold K, loses his powers,
and risks death by drowning and the bends. When he drifts far enough
away from the Gold Kryptonite, Supergirl and Superman rescue him.
When he revives, Quex-Ul has amnesia from the Gold K exposure. Superman
arranges with Perry White to have Quex-Ul, who thinks he is an Earthman,
employed in the Daily Planet's production department.
Story: “The Super-Genie of Metropolis” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #37)
GA: Krypto (next appears in issue #160)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (next appears in ACTION COMICS
#295), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #37)
Villain: A spy (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: To trap a foreign agent, Perry White masquerades as a professor
who has discovered the legendary lamp of Aladdin, with Superman disguised
as the “genie”.
Story: "Superman's Day of Doom" (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in
Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #301)
GS: Supergirl (last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS
#293; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70),
Lightning Lad (between ADVENTURE COMICS #301 / 303), Cosmic Boy (between
ADVENTURE COMICS #301 / 302), Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE
COMICS #299; next appears in issue #169)
GA: Comet (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #293), Krypto
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White
(last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #301; all next appear in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #134), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #41; next appears in ACTION COMICS #302), Lori Lemaris (last
appearance in ACTION COMICS #297; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #42)
Cameo: Lex Luthor, Luma Lynai
Intro: People of the Cybern galaxy (no appearance; name only
mentioned), Steven Snapinn (only appearance)
Villain: A diamond smuggler (first and only appearance)
Comment: It is obvious that Little Leaguer Steven Snapinn in
this story is named after a real relative, possibly a son, of letterer
Milton Snapinn.
The prediction of Superman marrying an "L.L." can safely be assumed
to be Lois Lane, as shown in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200.
The presence of Comet in this story indicates that it takes place
after he regains his memory in ACTION COMICS #301 and after his first mission
with the Legion of Super-Pets in ADVENTURE COMICS #293, in which he first
meets Krypto. Thus, this story is out of sequence.
Synopsis: Metropolis is set to observe Superman Day with a great
parade in which Superman and many of his friends, including Supergirl and
some Legionnaires, will participate. Superman is also given a prediction
machine from the Cybern Galaxy in return for a good deed he once did them.
The machine, which turns up at the Daily Planet, has the power to predict
the answers to three
future problems. Since Clark Kent has been threatened by a gangster
lately, he asks who will rescue him if he is endangered that day, and the
answer comes back: "L.L." Later, Superman's
life is endangered when Bizarro leaves him with a “gift” of Green Kryptonite,
flying off seconds later. Superman hopes for aid from any of his
"L.L." friends, including Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Lori Lemaris, Lightning
Lad, or Linda (Supergirl) Lee Danvers, but none of them are aware of his
plight. Finally, Superman is saved in the nick of time by Steven
Snapinn, a Little League baseball player. Superman presents Steven
and his team for special recognition at the Superman Day rally.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 37
November 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lana Lang, and Lucy Lane at wedding
of Lois Lane and Clark Kent; vignette of Lois Lane / Superman wedding //Kurt
Schaffenberger
Story: “The Forbidden Box” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (2))
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157
(2)), Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #64)
Intro: Ber-Tal (a Kandorian; only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman gives Lois a test, when she claims she is not curious:
if she can go almost 24 hours without opening a package he gives her, she
will learn what he was conferring with Perry White about. Lois fulfills
the conditions of the test, even when the package flies and talks to her.
Superman reveals that the contents of the box is a tiny Kryptonian, and
that he was talking with Perry White about a present he is giving her...which
cannot be opened before her birthday, 8 months away.
Story: “The Immortal Lois Lane” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in first story of last
issue), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Mr. Dyke (only appearance), Leonardo Da Vinci (of Earth-One)
Villain: Lucrezia Borgia (of Earth-One; first appearance)
Comment: The “time-trip” that Lois Lane takes in this story may simply
be a dream.
Synopsis: At an artists’ ball, Lois Lane is affected by the rays of
a meteor and is apparently transported back in time to Italy in 1530, where
she meets Lucrezia Borgia (who looks like Lana Lang) and Leonardo Da Vinci,
who uses her as the model for his Mona Lisa.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Wedding Day” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in first story of last issue)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in
first story of last issue)
Intro: Reverend Bartell, Vince Vigoro (only appearance for both)
Villain: Matt Borsley (first and only appearance)
Comment: Lois Lane gets “married” a third time in this story, to Clark
Kent, but the wedding ceremony is invalid and does not constitute a true
marriage.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League deal
with untouchable aliens in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15.
Synopsis: Investigating a phony sweethearts’ club, Lois arranges to
marry Clark Kent, believing the ceremony will be conducted by a phony minister.
Unfortunately for her, the club’s owner has learned of her true identity,
and has hired a real reverend to do the nuptials. Thus, Lois and
Clark are convinced that they are, in truth, married. On their honeymoon
train, Clark tries to convince Lois that he is really Superman, but fate
conspires against him in his attempts to show his super-powers. Finally,
Lois realizes that the marriage is not valid, since the liscence was made
under assumed names. Clark and Lois return to the Planet, where Perry
and Jimmy tell them that the testimony of one of the club owner’s confederates
has landed the owner in jail.
Action Comics No. 294
November 1962
Cover: Lex Luthor and Kryptonite Man vs. Superman //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “The Kryptonite Killer” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#15; next appears in Supergirl story in last issue)
GS: Automs and their androids (last appearance for all in issue #292;
last appearance for all), Autom 4306 (last appearance in issue #292; destroyed
in this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #292; next appears in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129), Diamond Man, Leadman, Kryptonite Man (first
appearance for all three; all destroyed in this story), criminal androids
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during
Supergirl’s adventure with Comet in the Supergirl stories of last issue
and this issue. Then he takes part in a hoax on Lois Lane in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1). After that, he teams with Batman
and Robin to fight Lex Luthor and the Joker in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor performs a boon for the Automs, and is rewarded
with a laboratory of his own. In it, he fashions three criminal androids
into a Diamond Man, a Leadman, and a Kryptonite Man. With their help,
he manages to return to his rocket and escapes with all three of them.
The foursome begin a spree of space piracy. Superman intervenes and destroys
the Diamond Man, but the triple-strength rays of the Kryptonite Man prove
too much for him. However, the Lead Man sees a former Superman robot
sacrificing itself heroically for its master, has a change of heart, and
melts itself over the Kryptonite Man, neutralizing its radiation.
Superman captures Luthor and returns him to prison on Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 65
December 1962
Cover: Porcupine-quilled Jimmy Olsen in a freak show, Superman, and
Lucy Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Alien Jimmy Olsen Fan Club” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1))
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129), Jimmy
Olsen II (last appearance in issue #62)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1))
Intro: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club of Rax (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen accidentally has his head shaved and lends his
signal-watch to his robot double, which convinces the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
of the planet Rax that he is a villain who has somehow done away with the
real Jimmy. He is imprisoned and sentenced to be executed.
Story: “The Human Porcupine” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (next appears in ACTION
COMICS #295)
Intro: Guy Blade, Torchy Cinders (only appearance for both)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION
COMICS #291), Miss Gzptlsnz (last appearance in issue #52; next appears
in issue #100)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen refuses again to marry Miss Gzptlsnz, the woman
imp from the 5th Dimension. In revenge, she turns Jimmy into a human
porcupine, his body studded with long quills, until he agrees to wed her.
Story: “The Mysterious Lord of Devil’s Island” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #129; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), the Lois Lane Fan Club
(between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 / 50)
Cameo: Lord L (first and only appearance; a character in Jimmy Olsen’s
dream)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
deal with the problem of the Maestro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen eats too much cake at a bake-off contest and
has a nightmare that he is on Devil’s Island and must sell his soul to
Lord L in order to escape.
Action Comics No. 295
December 1962
Cover: Superman breaking free of Kryptonite chains //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Superman Goes Wild” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#16; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #130)
GS: Superman robots, Supermen Emergency Squad (between SUPERMAN #156
/ 158)
GA: Mon-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157; next appears in Supergirl
story in issue #297), Kandorians (next appear in SUPERMAN #158)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65; all next appear in SUPERMAN
#158), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1) / 38),
Lori Lemaris (appears between SUPERMAN #157 (2) / 158)
Villains: Vagu, Dixo (first appearance for both; both die in this story),
Superman Revenge Squad (between issues #287 / 300), Jax-Ur (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62; next appears in SUPERMAN #158)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman, Batman, and Robin encounter
a Zelaphod in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #130.
Synopsis: Two members of the Superman Revenge Squad turn Superman into
an on-again-off-again menace with a hypnotic ray, but the Man of Steel
outfoxes them with a ruse, and the Squad members kill themselves rather
than be captured.
Superman No. 158
January 1963
Cover: Superman in Phantom Zone watching Boz-Tol and other Kandorian
raiders with bottle city of Kandor //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman In Kandor”
Part 1: “Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men” (9 pages)
Part 2: “The Dynamic Duo of Kandor” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The City of Super-People” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#130; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38; becomes Nightwing
for the first time in this story (intro and origin of Nightwing I))
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Flamebird for the first
time in this story (intro and origin of Flamebird I)), Lois Lane, Perry
White (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #295; all next appear in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38), Van-Zee (last appearance in issue
#148; becomes Nightwing II for the first time in this story; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #336), Sylvia Van-Zee (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70),
Lori Lemaris (between ACTION COMICS #295 / 297)
GS: Kandorians, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance for all in
ACTION COMICS #295; next appear in issue #160)
Intro: Nor Kann (last chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON
#1; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69)
Cameo: Brainiac, Lyla Lerrol (in flashbacks), Jor-El, Lara (as statues)
Villains: Than Ol, Boz-Tol, and other Kandorian raiders (first and
only appearance for all), Jax-Ur (between ACTION COMICS #295 / 297), Prof.
Vakox, Kru-El (both next appear in issue #163)
Synopsis: A Kandorian scientist, Than Ol, convinces the people of the
bottle city of Kandor that Superman knows how to enlarge Kandor but has
refused, and the Man of Steel is declared an enemy of Kandor. Superman
and Jimmy Olsen shrink themselves, enter Kandor, and first assume the secret
identities of Nightwing and Flamebird to help them in their quest to prove
Superman’s innocence, and to show the Kandorians that Than Ol’s enlarging
process will not only make them normal-sized, but will also disintegrate
them.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 38
January 1963
Cover: Injured Superman in wheelchair, Lois Lane and Lana Lang with
faces blocked out //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Invisible Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #36;
next appearance in SUPERMAN #160), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#158)
Intro: Roy Wilkins (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A potion of Professor Potter’s turns Lois temporarily invisible,
in which state she sees Superman changing into his Clark Kent identity.
Once she is visible and Clark learns what she has seen, he must convince
her that he is really not Superman.
Story: "Lois Lane's Signal Watch" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #294)
Supporting characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #158)
Villains: Muscles, Doc, Mike Kimbo (intro for all)
Comment: Superman is on another mission to Kandor in this story, probably
to help in the relief effort after the city was almost destroyed in SUPERMAN
#158.
Synopsis: Racketeer Mike Kimbo concocts an elaborate ruse to
get Lois Lane to reveal the hidden cache of diamonds stolen by a criminal
who, in gratitude for her saving his life, gave her a letter with secret
instructions as to its hiding place. The ruse involves making Muscles,
a confederate, look like Superman through plastic surgery, having him impersonate
the Man of Steel, and giving her a fake "signal watch" that will do nothing
more than transmit her whereabouts to the gang. Lois does find the
diamonds in a cave, signals "Superman", and is trapped. But a falling
stalactite hits the watch, changes its signal to a frequency Supergirl
can hear, and the Girl of Steel is summoned to rescue Lois and capture
the crooks. Later, Supergirl confides to Lois that someday she may
get a real signal watch like Jimmy Olsen's.
Story: “The Girl Who Refused To Marry Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #66)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for
both in ACTION COMICS #295; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#66), Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #295)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure makes Superman dream that he has
lost his powers and become injured by a grenade blast, and that either
Lois or Lana still wants to marry him, while the other one wants no part
of him now that he is powerless--but he wakes without learning which one
chose him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 66
January 1963
Cover: Aged Jimmy Olsen, baby Perry White, Superman, and Lois Lane
in Kryptonian cabinet //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Burglar Kit From the Future” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#38)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38), Lucy Lane
Villain: Graxton 4-X, Alibi Al, Count Slade, Mitch Barton (first and
only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A burglar from the 31st Century leaves a kit of futuristic
burglar tools, which Jimmy appropriates to help him get stories...but the
crook has lifted Jimmy’s secret signal-watch.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Last Stand” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Cameo appearances: Sitting Bull, Gen. George Armstrong Custer, Buffalo
Bill Cody (as characters in Jimmy Olsen’s dream)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen smokes an Indian peace pipe in an exhibit of
life in the Old West, and dreams he has been thrown back in time to Custer’s
Last Stand.
Story: “The Cabinet From Krypton” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #296)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #296)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #296), Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #39)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (next appears in issue #71), Zan Zoll (in flashback;
first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An evolution cabinet from Krypton turns Jimmy into an old
man, Perry White into a baby, and Lois Lane into a cat-headed woman, until
Superman can trick Mr. Mxyzptlk into restoring their true forms.
Action Comics No. 296
January 1963
Cover: Perry White and Lois Lane watching ant-headed Superman leading
giant ants //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Invasion of the Super-Ants” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #66; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66)
Intro: A colony of giant ants, Joyce and her husband (only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: A colony of giant ants, mutated by a nuclear war on another
planet, comes to Earth with a warning, and Superman uses Red K radiation
to give himself an ant’s head in order to communicate with them.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 39
February 1963
Cover: Lois Lane throwing dishes at Superman as Superbaby opens safe
containing photos of Lyla Lerrol, Lori Lemaris, and Lana Lang //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Romance With Clark Kent” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #296)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #296; next appears in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#296), Lana Lang
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
fight the Tornado Tyrant in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17.
Synopsis: A doctor tells Lois that her hopeless obsession for Superman
is making her sick, and that she should transfer her unrequited love for
him to someone else. She picks Clark Kent.
Story: "The Kryptonian Courtship" (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #67 / 68)
Cameo appearances: Superman, Krypto, Jor-El, Lara, Lyla Lerrol,
Lori Lemaris (as characters in Lois's dream)
Synopsis: On the eve of her birthday, Lois Lane goes to sleep
and has a dream in which Supergirl, Krypto, and Superman give her three
jewels with recordings of Lara's courtship of Superman's father, Jor-El.
Unfortunately, none of them work very well on Earth when Lois tries similar
tricks in her dream to snare Superman. The dream ends with Lori Lemaris
and Lois having botched another attempt to get Superman to tie the knot
with her, and Superman leaving in disgust, saying he doesn't want to see
her again.
Then Lois wakes up, looks out the window, and sees Supergirl
flying towards her with a birthday present.
Action Comics No. 297
February 1963
Cover: Perry White slashing Clark Kent’s shirt to expose his Superman
uniform, statues of King Arthur and Julius Caesar //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “The Man Who Discovered Superman’s Secret Identity” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#17; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #131)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #67), Mrs. Smith (last appearance in SUPERMAN #126; last appearance)
GS: Superman robots
Intro: Chuck Darren, Steve Bevan, Rand Sterling (only appearance for
all)
Cameo appearances: Julius Caesar, King Arthur, Abraham Lincoln, George
Washington (as statues)
Villains: Gentleman Jerry, Dirk Denver, the Criminal Bureau of Investigation
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin in
their encounter with the Crimson Avenger of Earth-One in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #131.
Synopsis: When Perry White gets a case of amnesia, a crook convinces
him to try and discover the secret identity of Superman.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 67
March 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen menaced by Jimmy Olsen dummy and Verro //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “The Dummy That Haunted Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #297)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #131), a Superman
robot
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both
in ACTION COMICS #297)
Villains: Varro (an alien) and a Jimmy Olsen dummy (first and only
appearance for both)
Synopsis: An alien tries to lure Superman into a Kryptonite deathtrap
by pretending to be a ventriloquist and getting Jimmy to substitute for
his dummy, which appears to be alive.
Story: “Leslie Lowe, Girl Reporter” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White, Lois Lane
Intro: Mr. Peters, Judy Jenkins, Hector and his wife (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Chameleon Boy (as
statues)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen gets fired from his job as a Planet reporter,
he masquerades as a girl to get it back.
Story: “Super Lucy Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #298)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Lois Lane (both next appear
in ACTION COMICS #298), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #160), Lucy
Lane
Cameo: Ilona, Allura (in photographs)
Intro: Howard Hume (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
of America fight Dr. Destiny and the Super-Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #18.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane has been given super-powers by a Red Kryptonite
meteor, but Superman has to ask Jimmy Olsen to remove them from her.
Action Comics No. 298
March 1963
Cover: Super-powered Lex Luthor smashing Superman statue //Curt Swan
/ Stan Kaye
Story: “Clark Kent, Coward” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#18; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #67; next appears in SUPERMAN #160), Lana Lang (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #40), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#67; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #132), Prof. Lewis Lang (last
chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #1; next appears
in issue #308)
Intro: Queen Lura (only appearance)
Villains: Prince Vikar and his henchman (first and only appearance
for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Supergirl in her
battle against Lex Luthor and the Phantom Zone villains in this issue,
then helps Batman and Robin capture Denny Kale and Shorty Biggs in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #132.
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen are blown in a balloon
gondola into the remote kingdom of Mistri-Lor, where Queen Lura falls in
love with Clark and wishes to marry him.
Superman No. 160
April 1963
Cover: Superman being gassed in cell as Rocks Haney and the Crime Syndicate
toast him //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Mortal Superman” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Cage of Doom” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#132)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in issue #157 (2))
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #132; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40), Jimmy
Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #298), Professor Potter (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38), Perry White (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67)
GA: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in issue #158; next appear
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68), Superman robots
Intro: Dr. Carew, Frosty Jones (only appearance for both)
Villains: Rocks Haney (first and only appearance), the Crime Syndicate
(last appearance in ACTION COMICS #288; next appears in issue #179)
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure takes away Superman’s powers, and
the underworld is quick to capitalize on it.
Story: “The Super-Cop of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #40)
GS: Krypto
Supporting characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #68), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #40)
Intro: Mayor of Metropolis (next appears in ACTION COMICS #328)
Villains: Lou, various crooks, spies, and an ambassador (first and
only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In order to trap a spy ring, Superman pretends that he has
caused the entire police force of Metropolis to become sick, and substitutes
for them himself.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 40
April 1963
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane, Hag” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
Suppporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#160)
Intro: Madame Mimi, Rocky Rhodes (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Lucy Lane, Lana Lang (as characters in Lois’s dream)
Villains: Dr. Sharpe and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: While exposing a phony youth-treatment racket, Lois Lane
knocks herself unconscious by accident and dreams she has become an old
hag overnight.
Story: “Lois Lane, Foreign Correspondent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Cameo appearances: Mad Archer, Phantom Bomber, Masked Patriot (as statues;
first and only appearance for all)
Villain: The Hangman of Brozna (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a trip to the nation of Brozna as a foreign correspondent,
Lois Lane has a dizzy spell, passes out, and awakens to find that she has
apparently been married to a Broznan duke.
Story: “The Lana Lang of 500 B.C.” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #68)
GS: Achilles, Circe
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#68)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #297)
Intro: Oracle of Delphi (of Earth-One; only appearance?)
Cameo appearances: Apollo, Mercury (as statues)
Villains: Aegisthus and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The chronology for mythological characters such as Achilles
and Circe is not yet complete; thus, their appearances cannot yet be tracked.
Synopsis: On a time-trip back to ancient Athens, Lois meets the heroic
Achilles and saves him from death.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 68
April 1963
Cover: Helmeted Jimmy Olsen exposing Superman (with devil’s horns)
to Red Kryptonite ray //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Human Metal-Eater” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#40), Krypto (chronologically between SUPERMAN #157 (3) / 177 (2))
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40), Lucy Lane
Intro: Officer Dowd (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of spies (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After Jimmy is bitten by a metal-eater in Superman’s Fortress
of Solitude, he gains the power to eat and digest metal.
Story: “The Richest Boy In Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in issue
#62), Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, Perry White
Intro: Marcel (only appearance)
Villains: Swipe Durkin, Monk (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Two villains seek to humiliate Jimmy Olsen by convincing
him he has won the Pot-of-Gold Sweepstakes, but they fail to reckon with
the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club.
Story: “The Helmet of Hate” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #161)
GS: Superman (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #299),
Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160; next appear
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41), Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Perry White, Lois Lane
(both next appear in SUPERMAN #161)
Intro: Tom Remson (only appearance)
Cameo: Elastic Lad, Lucy Lane, Brainiac (as statues)
Villains: Grumm and another renegade Coluan (first and only appearance
for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during
Supergirl’s adventure in ACTION COMICS #299.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen pretends to be corrupted by a Helmet of Hate
and turn Superman into a living devil, to trap two renegade Coluans who
are cohorts of Brainiac.
Action Comics No. 299
April 1963
Story: “The Story of Superman’s Experimental Robots” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (see Superman’s Interim Appearances for
chronology; in flashback)
Intro: Three ancient Atlanteans, Tharrlians (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Lois Lane, Lightning Lad, Lana Lang, Lori Lemaris
Villains: LL-35, WK-10, M-26 (Superman robots; first appearance for
all; all destroyed in this story), alien invaders (first and only
appearance)
Comment: This is an Untold Tale of Superman. See Superman’s Interim
Appearances for chronology.
Synopsis: At a time in the past, Superman was rewarded with a Superman
robot built by the inhabitants of the planet Jax, with a super-computer
brain. But alien invaders’ rays turned the robot and two other customized
Superman robots against the Man of Steel.
Superman No. 161
May 1963
Cover: Zhorian soldiers shooting at Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in
ACTION COMICS #299; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy; see Superboy’s
Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (both die in this
story), Lana Lang (all in flashback; see Superboy’s Interim Appearances
for chronology)
Intro: Dr. Herbert Burke (first appearance; named in his next appearance,
issue #362, which is isochronal with this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (in flashback; last chronological appearance in
NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #50; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN:
THE SECRET YEARS #1), Blackbeard, Peg-Leg Morgan, and other pirates (all
in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: On a trip to visit Jonathan and Martha Kent’s graves in Smallville,
Superman remembers their last days, as both perished from a disease picked
up from a buried treasure, and how their deaths almost caused him to abandon
his superheroic career from guilt.
Story: "Superman Goes to War" (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #299 / 300)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41)
Intro: Mr. Haller (only appearance)
Villains: Zhorians (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Perry White, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen
are hired to act as extras in Invasion, a World War II epic movie being
filmed in the Pacific. Unknown to the reporters and the movie-makers,
a contingent of aliens from the planet Zhor have become marooned on Earth
when their spacecraft is disabled by a meteor. When they see the
"invading" fleet of ships from the movie, they assume they are being attacked,
take over Japanese weaponry still left on the island, and try to repel
the "invaders". Clark Kent, to cover for a supposed "injury" done
him by a shell and to be able to operate with super-powers in public, summons
Supergirl by ventriloquism. She fakes giving Clark temporary super-powers
from a blood transfusion. The now openly-powerful Clark Kent defeats
the Zhorians. When he hears their story, Superman repairs their ship
and helps them take off again. Later, Clark pretends to have gained
amnesia about recent events when the transfusion "wears off," and also
pretends not to believe Jimmy and Lois's stories of his derring-do.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 41
May 1963
Cover: Lois Lane and Lana Lang watching projector slide of Superman
slipping engagement ring on Lana Lane’s hand //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Devil and Lois Lane” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #161)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #161)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #161), Lana Lang, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#177 (2))
Intro: Lance Jason and his girlfriend (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: When he overhears Lois Lane saying she would sell her soul
to the Devil for the chance to marry Superman, the Man of Steel decides
to teach her a lesson by impersonating the Devil and pretending to give
her such a choice.
Story: “The Super-Suitor of Soomar” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GA: Superman
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Super-Male (Irn Brimba), Crystal Ganyrog, Super-Clown (a robot;
first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is taken by spaceship to the planet Soomar, where
she meets and briefly substitutes for reporter Crystal Ganyrog, who is
pursued by (but doesn’t want) that planet’s hero, Super-Male.
Story: “Superman’s Romance With Lana Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (also appears, in flashback, between issue
#9 and ACTION COMICS #252)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19; also appears,
in flashback, between issue #9 and ACTION COMICS #252)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #157 (3);
also appears, in flashback, between issues #9 / 10)
Cameo appearances: Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen (on projector slides), Malignia
(a villainess; first and only appearance)
Intro: Zelda, Hajal (only appearance for both)
Comment: According to this story, Supergirl was revealed to the world
on February 20, 1962, and the flashback part of this adventure takes place
on May 15, 1959.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight
the protectors of Starzl in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19.
Synopsis: After Lois and Lana come upon one of Superman’s projector
slides depicting him giving an engagement ring to a woman called Lana Lane
in 1959 who looks like a combination of both of them, they ask him to explain.
He uses mento-helmets on both of them, which causes them to remember an
adventure they shared in a remote valley colonized briefly by aliens.
There, a sorceress’s necklace caused both of them to merge into one woman,
whom Superman called “Lana Lane”. Superman was so attracted to the
merged woman that he proposed marriage, and was accepted. However,
Lana Lane soon split back into both Lana and Lois, and one of the aliens
informed Superman that one would soon die due to the side-effects of the
merging. Thankfully, Superman prevented this from happening, but
the radiations of the mineral he used to cure them wiped the memory of
the event from their minds...and Superman did not choose to marry either
of them.
Action Comics No. 300
May 1963
Cover: Superman with beard on Earth under a red sun //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Superman Under the Red Sun” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#19; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #133)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69),
Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #41)
Intro: Android doubles of Mr. Mxyzptlk, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Supergirl,
Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane, people of 824,057 A.D. (only appearance
for all)
Cameo appearances: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Lana Lang, Chief Parker,
Jor-El, Lara
Villains: Andl (first and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad
(last appearance in issue #295; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#69)
Comments: This story confirms once again that Kandor will be enlarged
in the future, as it was in SUPERMAN #338.
The last panel of this story asserts correctly that the red-sun
future of Earth is only one of many possible futures.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight
Dr. Gault and supernatural beasts in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #133.
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad manages to get Superman to strand
himself on Earth in the year 1,000,000 A.D., in which the sun has turned
red, removing his powers, and on which he is the last living man on the
planet.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 69
June 1963
Cover: Nor-Kann (as Thief of Kandor), Jimmy Olsen (as Flamebird), Superman
(as Nightwing) //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Dynamic Duo of Kandor” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “The Super-Showdown On Kandor” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #300; appears as Flamebird in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #133;
appears as Nightwing in this story), Kandorians
Supporting Character: Nor-Kann (between SUPERMAN #158 / 167; appears
as the Thief of Kandor in this story)
Intro: Skal-Var (dies in this story), Dakar-Ra, Jor-Dan (all in flashback),
crystal people of Fire Valley (only appearance for all), the Winged One,
Nighthound (a telepathic hound; becomes Nightwing’s and Flamebird’s partner;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143), Scarlet Jungle Fever
Villains: The Machine-King (a computer), alien invaders (all in flashback;
first and only appearance for all), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance
in ACTION COMICS #300)
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad tries to lure Superman and Jimmy
Olsen into a deathtrap on Kandor by hypnotically causing Nor-Kann to become
the disguised Thief of Kandor, stealing historical treasures of Krypton
and defying Nightwing and Flamebird to capture him.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Viking Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #301)
GA: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20), Jacqueline
Kennedy (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #285)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #42), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next chronological appearance in
SUPERMAN #179 (2))
Intro: Ron Baxter, Holga (a robot; only appearance for both)
Cameo: Eric the Red (as a character in Holga’s tale)
Comment: Jimmy Olsen becomes engaged to Lucy Lane in this story.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League battle
Spaceman X in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane high-hats Jimmy Olsen again, but the Jimmy Olsen
Fan Club makes her jealous by giving Jimmy a beautiful girlfriend named
Holga who claims to be a time-lost Viking princess, but who is in reality
a robot.
Action Comics No. 301
June 1963
Cover: Superman on trial for Clark Kent’s murder as Perry White, Lois
Lane, and Jimmy Olsen look on //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Trial of Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#20; next appears in Supergirl story in last issue; also appears in flashback;
see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69; all next chronologically appear in
SUPERMAN #157 (3))
Intro: Mr. Dreyfus
Villains: Count X and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman enlists the help of Supergirl
and Comet on Prince Endor’s behalf in the Supergirl stories in last issue
and this issue, then is trapped by Kryptonite in SUPERMAN #157 (3), then
helps Batman and Robin fight the Band of Super-Villains in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #134.
Synopsis: To trap a spy, Superman stages the “murder” of Clark Kent
and goes on trial for it.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 42
July 1963
Cover: Justice of the Peace, teen-aged Lois Lane, and Superboy //Kurt
Schaffenberger
Story: “The Girl Who Betrayed Atlantis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#134)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#134)
Supporting Character: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157
(3))
Origin: Atlantis (details)
Intro: Klar-Kan (dies in this story), Torr (only appearance), ancient
Atlanteans
Villain: Roh-Tul (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: In ADVENTURE COMICS #333, the sinking of another part of Atlantis
and the origin of the fish-tailed Atlanteans is revealed.
Synopsis: Lois Lane, visiting Atlantis, is sent back in time by an
ancient time-travel belt to the days just before Atlantis’s sinking and
becomes involved in an adventure against the tyrant Roh-Tul.
Story: “The Monkey’s Paw” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #134), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#69)
Cameo appearance: Captain Marvel, Lana Lang (as characters in Lois’s
fantasy)
Comment: The appearance of Captain Marvel on pg. 1, panel 1 and pg.
3, panel 3 as an in-joke by artist Kurt Schaffenberger is the first appearance
of Captain Marvel in a DC Comic. His first actual appearance in a
DC Comic is in SHAZAM! #1.
This story is based on the famed horror story “The Monkey’s Paw”.
Synopsis: Lois Lane gains the legendary Monkey’s Paw, which can grant
three wishes. However, she becomes convinced that she has used up
its power and discards it, though, ironically, she hasn’t even used any
of her wishes.
Story: “The Romance of Superbaby and Baby Lois” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #75 (1))
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; also
appears in flashback; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane (both next appear in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #134; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70)
Cameo appearance: Kurt Schaffenberger
Intro: An alien scientist (in flashback), Dr. Thorne (only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets a picture of Superman changing into his secret
identity and blackmails him into promising to marry her. But both
she and Superman get a shot of rejuvenation spray at the Fortress of Solitude,
and begin de-aging to infants.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 70
July 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen exposing Superman to Silver Kryptonite //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Boo Boos” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#42)
Villains: Jurgo (first and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad
(next appears in SUPERMAN #163)
Synopsis: Four teenage members of the Superman Revenge Squad impersonate
members of the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club to get Jimmy in trouble with Superman.
Story: “The Human Robot” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #75 (1))
GS: Superman (next appears in issue #75 (1))
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42), Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42; next appears in issue #75 (1))
Villains: Professor Brunt and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comments: In this story, Lucy Lane breaks her engagement to Jimmy.
Shortly after this story, Jimmy encounters the Brain in issue
#75 (1).
Synopsis: In order to set a deathtrap for Superman, Professor Brunt
and his gang convince Jimmy that his head has been transplanted onto a
robot’s body, which is a metal shell with a Kryptonite bomb concealed inside.
Story: "The Secret of Silver Kryptonite" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #75
(1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #177 (1))
GS: Superman (last appearance in issue #75 (1); next chronological
appearance in SUPERMAN #177 (1)), Element Lad (between ADVENTURE COMICS
#307 / 316)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (3); next appears
in ACTION COMICS #302)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter, Lori Lemaris (next appears
in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #302), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (first
appearance; next appear in issue #73; including Zol-Lar (Jimmy Olsen’s
double, named in issue #73), Vol-Don (Clark Kent’s double, named in SUPERBOY
#118; next appears in SUPERMAN #177 (1)), Ar-Rone (Perry White’s double;
named in issue #83), Sylvia Van-Zee (Lois Lane’s double; identified in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78), and Ti-Arra (Lana Lang’s
double; named in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78)), Perry White,
Lois Lane, (last appearance of both in issue #75 (1); both next appear
in SUPERMAN #177 (1)), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (3);
next appears in ACTION COMICS #302)
Comment: The revelation that Superman has, by this time, spent
25 years in Metropolis is extremely problematic. That would make
Superman about 43 years old at the time of this story. But this has
to depict the 25th anniversary of something in Superman's career, or the
story must be declared null and void. If it "really" refers to the
25th anniversary of his Superboy / Superman career, he might be 33 years
of age here. More probable is that the occasion is the 25th anniversary
of Kal-El's coming to Earth at age 3. That would make Superman 28
years old in this
story. Or it may simply be noncanonical.
The date of June 13th is revealed as an important anniversary
in Superman's career in this story.
In this story, we learn that Perry White’s father was a judge.
Shortly after this story, Superman is caused to speak only Kryptonese
by a Red Kryptonite meteor, then copes with a Gold Kryptonite meteor, in
SUPERMAN #177 (1) and #179 (2)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Professor Potter spread rumors concerning
the existence of Silver Kryptonite, a hitherto unknown variety of Kryptonite.
At the same time, Jimmy gathers silver
objects from Perry White, Lois Lane, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, and Lori
Lemaris. Finally, Jimmy summons Superman to Prof. Potter's lab, where
they unveil a "meteor" of "Silver Kryptonite". It
turns out to be a hollow phony, inside which are silver life masks
of Jimmy, Clark, Lois, Lori, Perry, and Lana, formed by pouring molten
silver from the gathered objects over the faces of
six members of the Kandor Look-Alike Squad who resemble his friends.
Element Lad arrives from the 30th Century to turn the table the "meteor"
rests on into a silver pedestal.
Superman is dumbfounded as to why he would receive the gift,
until Jimmy tells him "It's the 25th anniversary of the day you adopted
Metropolis as your official home, Superman!"
Action Comics No. 302
July 1963
Cover: Perry White in Superman costume with Superman mask, destroying
desk before Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#179 (2); next appears in SUPERMAN #163)
GS: Superman robots
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last chronological
appearance for all in SUPERMAN #179 (2); all next appear in SUPERMAN #163),
Alice White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100), Lana Lang (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #157 (3); next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#43)
Villains: Three swindlers and a crook (first and only appearance for
all)
Synopsis: To save Perry White from a gang of swindlers who seek his
life, Superman takes him to the Fortress of Solitude and takes Perry’s
place, pretending that Perry White is his secret identity. But when the
real Perry escapes from the Fortress and pretends that he has super-powers,
things get complicated.
Superman No. 163
August 1963
Cover: Superman, Wonder Man, and Wonder Man poster //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #302)
GA: Superman robots, Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in ACTION COMICS #302; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #43)
Villains: Wonder-Man (Ajax; an android and former Superman robot; dies
in this story), Zoll, Attal (first and only appearance for both), Superman
Revenge Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; next
appears in issue #165), Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox (last chronological appearance
for both in issue #179 (2); both next appear in Supergirl story in ACTION
COMICS #304), Kru-El (last appearance in issue #158)
Synopsis: Superman’s place in Metropolis is usurped by a new super-hero,
Wonder-Man, who has all of Superman’s powers plus no vulnerability to Kryptonite.
Unknown to him, Wonder-Man is formerly one of his Superman robots, whose
computer mind was transferred to an android body by members of the Superman
Revenge Squad. The Squad attempts to get Wonder-Man to kill Superman,
but the android turns against them, even though he dies shortly afterward.
Story: “The Goofy Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #43)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#302; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Intro: Inmates of Happy Acres State Sanitarium (including “General
Grant”, “Little Lord Fauntleroy”, “Napoleon”, “Lincoln”, “Columbus”, and
“King Arthur”; first and only appearance)
Villains: Crump (first and only appearance), the Mad Bomber (first
appearance; possibly appears next, behind the scenes, in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Synopsis: After a Red Kryptonite exposure turns Clark Kent into a mental
case, he is institutionalized. The Red K wears off, and he decides
to teach a super-lesson to the cruel attendant in the asylum.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 43
August 1963
Cover: Lois Lane, Superman, and Paul Hunt in iron lung //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Girl Who Mourned For Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (between SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #75 (1) / 71)
Intro: Superman of a parallel universe (dies in this story), Perry
White, Lois Lane, and Lucy Lane of the parallel universe, an Atlantean
ambassador (only appearance for all)
Villain: Lex Luthor of a parallel universe (first appearance; dies
in this story)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is thrown by a lightning strike into a parallel
universe in which Superman is killed by Lex Luthor.
Story: “Lois Lane, Volunteer Nurse” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both between ACTION
COMICS #302 / 303)
Villains: “General Blair”, Paul Hunt, the 14-Karat Gang (first
and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: As a volunteer nurse, Lois falls for a handsome patient in
an iron lung, not suspecting that he is a member of the deadly 14-Karat
Gang.
Story: “The Girl Who Deserted Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #303)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #303)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #302 / 304)
Synopsis: Lana Lang hits her head in an accident and is rendered comatose,
dreaming that she is Superman’s wife. To shock her out of the coma,
Superman and Lois have to render her dream-world a nightmare.
Action Comics No. 303
August 1963
Cover: Supergirl riding Superman (as a drang) tearing a Superman
statue out of its base while soldiers fire Kryptonite at him //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: "The Monster From Krypton" (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135; also
appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS
#101 for chronology)
GS: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this
issue)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (both in flashback; see Comment
under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois
Lane (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43;
all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71), Supermen Emergency
Squad (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #179 (2); next appear
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73)
Intro: Drangs (dragons from Krypton; in flashback)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin fight
the Future Man in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135.
Synopsis: On Krypton in decades past, Jor-El and other scientists
rocketed the eggs of drangs, fearsome dragon-like monsters, away from their
planet to an uninhabited world. However, a drang egg passed through
the Red Kryptonite cloud in space and landed on Earth. Even though
the egg cracked and cannot hatch, Superman, investigating, becomes a drang
when affected by the Red K. Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen, and others believe
that Superman has been killed by the drang and attempt to destroy it.
All of Superman's attempts to reveal the truth go awry, until he finally
rescues Supergirl from a green Kryptonite weapon-burst, pulls up a Superman
statue, and scratches out the letters on the base inscription to leave
the message: I AM SUPERMAN. The drang-Superman is left unmolested
until he can change back to his Superman form when the Red Kryptonite wears
off.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 71
September 1963
Cover: Superman and four falling Jimmy Olsens //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “The Plot Against Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #303)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in ACTION COMICS #303), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Intro: Three Jimmy Olsen doubles (all destroyed in this story)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between issues #66 / 74)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen bollixes a prank of Mr. Mxyzptlk’s, the
Silly Sprite creates three duplicate Jimmys to make his life more difficult.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen Meets Cleopatra” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman
Supporting Character: Professor Potter (next appears in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44)
Villains: A gang of spies (including “Cleopatra” and “Mark Anthony”;
first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story is inspired by the 1963 movie Cleopatra and makes
reference to that movie.
Synopsis: To try and get the secret of Professor Potter’s levitator,
spies capture him and Jimmy Olsen and attempt to convince them that they
have travelled back in time to Cleopatra’s Egypt.
Story: “The Nine Lives of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #164)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #304),
Lucy Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #44)
Intro: The People of the Cat, Van Amburgh (only appearance for all)
Villains : Two spies (first and only appearance)
Comment: The People of the Cat may be the same tribe who created the
magic “nine-lives” fabric that the Cat-Man, Batman’s villain, uses in his
costume.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and
Justice Society fight the Crime Champions in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#21-22.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is given a magic cat’s paw by a grateful African
tribe which endows him with nine lives, eight of which he uses up.
Action Comics No. 304
September 1963
Cover: Superman, Borko, and Boscar lifting weights at Interplanetary
Olympics //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Interplanetary Olympics” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#22; next appears in SUPERMAN #164)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #71; next appears in SUPERMAN #164), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43 / 44)
Villains: Rogan, Boscar, Borko, and other alien criminals (first and
only appearance for all)
Comment: This is actually the second time Superman has participated
in the Interplanetary Olympics. The first time was in issue #220.
Synopsis: Alien criminals attempt to drain some of Superman’s energy
for their own purposes by inviting him to compete in an “Interplanetary
Olympics,” but Superman sees through the ruse and deliberately refrains
from expending his power.
Superman No. 164
October 1963
Cover: Lex Luthor and Superman fighting under a red sun //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Super-Duel” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #304)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#304; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44), Jimmy Olsen
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71)
Intro: Lexorians (planet named in issue #168; next appear in issue
#167)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last chronological appearance in issue #179 (2);
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137)
Synopsis: Superman accepts the challenge of Lex Luthor to meet and
fight on equal terms on a planet with higher gravity under a red sun.
Though he takes some punishment due to his tendency to pull a punch, Superman
eventually knocks out Luthor. Later, however, he must deal with the
problem of the planet’s populance, who have been helped by Luthor and regard
him as a hero.
Story: “The Fugitive From the Phantom Zone” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #44)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44)
Intro: Lon-Ra, Bor-Ak’s wife (both die in this story), Bor-Ak (all
in flashback)
Villains: Ras-Krom (first and only appearance), Jax-Ur (last appearance
in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #304; next appears in issue #167),
Prof. Vakox (between ACTION COMICS #304 / 310), Communists
Synopsis: Ras-Krom, a Phantom Zone villain, is freed by the force of
an atomic test blast on Earth, but Superman uses Kryptonian superstition
against him to put him back in the Zone.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 44
October 1963
Cover: Lois Lane giving Superman “heart-meter” test as Lana Lang watches
//Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Murder of Lana Lang” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
GA: Atlanteans
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#304), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163), Lori Lemaris (last appearance
in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #303; next appears in SUPERMAN #165)
Intro: Star City’s district attorney, a state governor, a judge, a
Lana Lang robot (only appearance for all)
Comment: Though most of the story takes place in Star City, Green Arrow
does not appear in it.
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Lana Lang cook up a plot to help build support
against Star City’s death penalty by faking Lana’s “murder” at Lois’s hands.
But, when Lana goes missing after the killing is staged, Lois finds herself
really facing the gas chamber.
Story: “The False Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72)
Intro: Senator Burns (only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Big, Mike Dawson, Hack (first and only appearance for
all)
Synopsis: A mob stages a Superman impersonation with a double for the
Man of Steel to ferret out an informer, but Lois and Superman foil their
plan.
Story: “Superman’s Surprise Choice” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #165)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #165),
Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72), Lucy Lane
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71), Professor Potter
(last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141)
Intro: Andrew Klopper, Angel La Fleur (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A device of Professor Potter’s which can measure the degree
of love a person holds for another seems to indicate that Superman loves
Lana more than Lois, and Lois leaves Metropolis as a result.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 72
October 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Colossal Boy (as “Giant Turtle-Man”), Cosmic Boy
(as “Porcupine Olsen”), Proty II (as “Wolf-Boy Olsen”), Chameleon Boy (as
“Elastic Lad”), and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The World of Doomed Olsens” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44; appears as Elastic Lad and becomes an honorary member
of the Legion of Super-Heroes in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#44), Bouncing Boy, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad (all between
ADVENTURE COMICS #315 / 316), Mon-El, Shrinking Violet (both between
ADVENTURE COMICS #314 / 316), Sun Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #316 flashback
/ 316; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes), Fire Lad, Polar Boy,
Night Girl, Stone Boy (the Legion of Substitute Heroes; appear between
ADVENTURE COMICS #315 / 319), Proty II (first appearance; next appears
in ADVENTURE COMICS #316)
Comment: The Legion’s appearance as a whole in this story takes place
between ADVENTURE COMICS #315 / 316.
Synopsis: The Legion of Super-Heroes initiates Jimmy Olsen as Elastic
Lad to honorary membership, after first (with Superman’s consent) impersonating
former transformed identities of Jimmy as an initiation stunt.
Story: “The Super-Test of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (also appears in flashbacks to indeterminate
times)
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Professor Potter (in flashback
to indeterminate time)
Intro: Freddy Foster, Wilfred Warder (only appearance)
Villains: Two convicts, Mercurians (in flashback; first and only appearance
for all), Slick Smorley (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When a member of the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club accuses Jimmy of
being unable to handle anything without Superman’s help, Jimmy relates
several exploits he successfully performed while Superman was absent.
Then, when a bomber threatens to blow them to bits, Jimmy handles the emergency
himself...with a little unseen help from Clark Kent.
Story: “The Secret of Monster Island” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #305)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #305)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44; next appears in ACTION COMICS #305)
Intro: Noah (of Earth-One; in flashback)
Synopsis: After the Flying Newsroom crashes, Jimmy and Perry White
find themselves stranded on an isle of monsters.
Action Comics No. 305
October 1963
Cover: Gangsters watching Clark Kent change into Superman //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “Why Superman Needs a Secret Identity” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #72; next appears in SUPERMAN #165)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72; both next appear in SUPERMAN #165)
Cameo appearances: Lana Lang, Superboy, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent,
Chief Parker, Lex Luthor, Superman robots, Steve Barnes (first and only
appearance; all as characters in imaginary stories)
Villain: Benny the Blaster (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent manages to foil Benny the Blaster’s attempt to
kill the Daily Planet staff with a bomb without giving away his secret
identity.
Superman No. 165
November 1963
Cover: Saturn Woman (as Circe) giving Superman a lion’s head //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “Beauty and the Super-Beast” (Part 1; 7 pages)
Part 2: “Circe’s Super-Slave” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Characters: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #305)
GS: Saturn Woman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS
#289; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168), Proty II (last chronological
appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #8; last chronological appearance),
Krypto (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #313)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #44 / 45), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION
COMICS #305)
Villains: Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in issue #163; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #313), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: In order to help Superman conceal a secret from the Superman
Revenge Squad, Saturn Woman impersonates Circe and pretends to have bewitched
the Man of Steel.
Story: “The Sweetheart Superman Forgot” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #45)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44; next appears in ACTION COMICS #310), Lois Lane
(next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45)
Intro: Sally Selwyn, Digby Selwyn, Hawkins (all next appear in issue
#169)
GA: Atlanteans
Villain: Bart (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An exposure to Red Kryptonite robs Clark Kent of his memory
and super-powers. He finds himself on the ranch of Digby Selwyn and,
calling himself “Jim White”, falls in love with Selwyn’s lovely daughter
Sally. Over the course of a week, Clark becomes a ranch hand and
he and Sally fall in love. But a rival named Bart arranges for Clark
to be crippled in a riding accident and then knocks him into a river.
Clark is saved by Aquaman and taken to Atlantis, where he finally regains
his memory and powers. But he has no memory of Sally, who believes that
“Jim White” committed suicide.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 45
November 1963
Story: “The ‘Superman-Lois’ Hit Record” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #308),
Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
Intro: Steve Allen (of Earth-One; only appearance?), Don Weeder and
his female partner (only apeparance for both)
Cameo: John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Nikita Khruschev (in photos)
Comment: Don Weeder, the comedian in this story, is based on the real-life
Vaughn Meader, a comedian and John F. Kennedy mimic who recorded The First
Family albums.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is irritated by Please Marry Me, Superman, a comedy
album mimicking herself and Superman, and can’t escape its excessive exposure.
Story: “The Girl With the Golden Arm” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165),
Perry White
GA: Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope (of Earth-One; last appearance for both in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
Intro: Princess Grace, Prince Ranier (of Earth-One; only appearance
for both)
Villains: Ace Bower and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane goes on a gambling spree as a stunt for the Daily
Planet, but racks up an incredible streak of wins, all of it part of a
gang’s scheme to smuggle out “hot money”.
Story: “Dear Dr. Cupid” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #306)
GS: Superman (next appears in THE ATOM #8 / JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#23)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #306)
Intro: Bill (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears at a Justice
League meeting in THE ATOM #8 / JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #23.
Synopsis: Lois gets saddled with the duties of a lovelorn column for
a week, and thinks that Clark Kent is one of her correspondents and is
in love with her.
Action Comics No. 306
November 1963
Cover: Gen. Pedro Valdez and Carl watching Clark Kent affected by Kryptonite
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Great Superman Impersonation” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in THE ATOM #8 / JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #23; next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45; both next appear in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #137), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #45; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73)
Intro: Manuel Baeza, President Moro (only appearance for both)
Villains: Gen. Pedro Valdez, Carl, Dolores (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s
battle with Sklor in the second story of this issue. Then Superman
helps Batman and Robin fight Lex Luthor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137.
In this story, it is revealed that Lois Lane wears peach-flavored
lipstick.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is kidnapped by a Latin American general to serve
as a double for Superman in a plot to assassinate his country’s president.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 73
December 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen giving “golden touch” to Perry White and Superman
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Kid With the Golden Touch” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #306)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137), Supergirl
(last appearance in ACTION COMICS #306)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Perry White (last appearance
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137), Lucy Lane
Villains: Vostar (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS
#302; last appearance), Targ (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Vostar, an old enemy of Supergirl’s in disguise, gives Jimmy
Olsen the “Midas touch”, enabling him to transform anything he touches
into gold, as part of a plot to rob Supergirl of her powers.
Story: “The Five Fantastic Feats of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman, Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #307)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White, Supermen Emergency Squad
(last appearance in ACTION COMICS #303), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (last
appearance in issue #70; next appear in ACTION COMICS #309)
Intro: Mickey Mantle (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Fix, Shagg, and their gang (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: To trip up a horse race-fixing hoodlum called Mr. Fix, Jimmy
poses as a rajah with uncanny luck, with the help of the Supermen Emergency
Squad.
Story: “Jimmy’s Inter-Dimensional Romance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24)
GA: Ultra Boy (between flashback and story proper in ADVENTURE COMICS
#316), Supermen Emergency Squad member (next appearance of the Squad in
SUPERMAN #167)
Intro: Inter-Dimensional Police (only appearance)
Villain: Rona (first appearance; next appears in issue #100)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
of America and Adam Strange fight Kanjar Ro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#24.
Synopsis: A beauty from another dimension romances Jimmy and gets him
to agree to marriage, but he doesn’t realize she is a serial murderess.
Action Comics No. 307
December 1963
Cover: Superman android and Kandorians at the wedding of Saturn Girl
(disguised as Supergirl) and Tor-An //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent--Target For Murder” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#24; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #138)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #137; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74), Perry White
(between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73 / 74)
Villains: “King” Kobra, the Executioner, Rocks, Chalky, Hard-Rock Johnny,
and other hoods (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight
General Grote in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #138.
Synopsis: Clark Kent has a contract put on his head by gang-boss “King”
Kobra, and Superman, in disguise, takes the job of rubbing himself out.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 74
January 1964
Cover: Tiger-headed Perry White, miniature Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen floating
in air, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Pranks of Jimmy the Imp” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #138)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#307; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47), Perry
White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #307), Lucy Lane
Intro: The Fifth-Dimension Police (only appearance)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #71; next appears in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48)
Synopsis: Mr. Myxzptlk uses a stolen device to dominate Jimmy Olsen
and turn him into an imp with magical powers, which are used to transform
his friends at the Daily Planet and Lucy Lane into strange forms.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen and the Forty Thieves” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
GA: Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137;
next appears in SUPERMAN #167)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is sent back to the time and setting of the Arabian
Nights, where he assumes the identity of Ali Baba and falls in with one
Abu Hallam, who is really Lex Luthor.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Secret Love” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Magi the Magnificent for the
first time in this story; next appearance in SUPERMAN #167)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #308)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (becomes Sandra Rogers for the first
time in this story), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #47), Lucy’s boss (first appeaance; next appears in issue #78)
Villain: Slick Eddie (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While Jimmy Olsen is masquerading as magician Magi the Magnificent
to catch a crook, and Lucy Lane is undercover as Sandra Rogers, a glamorous
starlet, both meet each other and fall in love.
Action Comics No. 308
January 1964
Cover: Superman and “Hercules” //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Meets the Goliath-Hercules” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #74; next appears in SUPERMAN #167)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45; next appears in SUPERMAN #270 (1)), Prof. Lewis
Lang (last appearance in issue #297; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #81)
Intro: Hercules, Jason, Ben-Hur of a parallel Earth (only appearance
for all)
Villains: King of Thebes and his advisors (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Superman is thrown by a space-warp into a parallel universe
in which he helps Hercules, who looks like Goliath, complete his six labors
for the king of Thebes.
Superman No. 167
February 1964
Cover: Brainiac, Lex Luthor, and miniature Superman in bird cage //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Team of Luthor and Brainiac”
Part 1: “The Deadly Duo” (9 pages)
Part 2: “The Downfall of Superman” (9 pages)
Part 3: “The Hour of Kandor’s Vengeance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #308;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #74; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#47), Nor-Kann (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69; next
appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
GS: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #73; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #76), Kandorians
(last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #308), Coluans, Lexorians
(last appearance in issue #164)
Intro: Brainiac 2 (Vril Dox; in flashback), Tharla (only appearance
for both)
Cameo: Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Captain Kidd, Al Capone (as statues)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#74), Brainiac (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144; also appears in flashback (his first chronological
appearance), isochronally with flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158;
next chronological appearance after flashback in SUPERBOY #106; origin
revealed in this story), Master Computer One and computer tyrants of Yod
(first appearance; appear in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158 within
this story; destroyed in this story), Yar-Don (in flashback; first and
only appearance), Jax-Ur (last appearance in issue #164; next appears in
ACTION COMICS #310), Phantom Zone villains (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33; next appear in ACTION COMICS #310)
Comment: As explained in this issue’s letter column, Brainiac’s origin
is revealed to make him a human-like computer in honor of the Brainiac
computer kit.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes from jail, learns Brainiac’s secret origin--that
he is a humanoid computer, created by the now-destroyed computer tyrants
of Yod--and frees Brainiac from the planet on which Superman had imprisoned
him. Together they shrink and defeat Superman, but the Supermen Emergency
Squad capture both of them, shrink them, and put them on trial in Kandor.
But Superman is in a coma, and Brainiac buys both himself and Luthor their
freedom by bringing him out of it. Superman enlarges himself, Luthor,
and Brainiac, and sets the latter two free according to the agreement.
Brainiac removes Luthor’s knowledge of his computer nature and takes him
back to Lexor, where Luthor is embraced by Tharla, a woman who has come
to love him.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 47
February 1964
Cover: Lois Lane as Krypton Girl, projecting Clark Kent into the Phantom
Zone //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Incredible Delusion” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #74)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75 (2)), Perry White (last
appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74)
Villains: The Kansas Killer, Artie the Actor (first and only appearance
for both)
Comment: This story makes reference to an untold Superman / Batman
adventure.
Synopsis: Lois Lane becomes convinced that Perry White has been replaced
by an impostor who is out to murder her.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Jungle Jeopardy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #75 (2))
Intro: Rico (only appearance)
Villain: Stace Lorin (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a leave of abscence from the Daily Planet, Lois joins
the Peace Corps to teach in South America and encounters a jewel thief
and a shaman who seems to possess super-powers.
Story: “The Super-Life of Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #25)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
fight Kraad the Conqueror in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #25, then helps
Batman and Robin fight the Sphinx Gang in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #139.
Synopsis: In the Fortress of Solitude, Lois Lane asks Superman’s computer
to show her what her life would have been like if she had been a Kryptonian
come to Earth, rather than Superman. It shows her adopting the costumed
identity of Krypton Girl, with Clark Kent as a pest trying to uncover her
secret identity.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 75
March 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen thinking of Superman carrying Lois Lane and Linda
Danvers thinking of Supergirl carrying Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “The Mystery of Convict 313" (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (appears between second and third stories
in issue #70; also appears, in flashback, chronologically between SUPERMAN
#131 and flashback in issue #79; origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (appears between second and third stories in issue #70)
Supporting Characters: Mark Olsen (behind the scenes; in flashback;
last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #216; next appears in issue #124),
Mrs. Mark Olsen (behind the scenes; last appearance in SUPERMAN #131; dies
in this story), Perry White (between second and third stories in
issue #70), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #42; next appearance in issue #70 (3)), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last
appearance in second story in issue #70; next chronological appearance
in SUPERMAN #179 (2))
Villains: The Brain (Mark Olsen; first appearance; dies in this story;
not to be confused with the Doom Patrol villain), the Anti-Superman Gang
(last appearance in SUPERMAN #152; next appear in issue #85), the Creep,
various convicts (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Dr. Mark Olsen is said to be an engineer in this story, which
contradicts all other portrayals of him as an archaeologist.
This story takes place June 10th and 11th. Therefore, it must
take place just before the third story in issue #70, which takes place
on June 12th and 13th.
This story also makes mention of an untold case of Superman’s
and Batman’s.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen lost both his parents in a train wreck near Lincoln
City during his childhood. Now he meets a convict with the same name,
red hair, and freckles as his father, Mark Olsen, and is appalled to think
that “The Brain” might be his long-lost father.
Story: “The Voyage of the Mary Celeste II” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #139; next appears
in ACTION COMICS #310)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47; next appears in ACTION COMICS #310), Lucy Lane
Intro: Edward Moorhouse (only appearance)
Villains: Jeff Conway (first and only appearance), the Fearless Five
(first appearance; all die in this story)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is conned into taking a voyage with a crew who
turn out to be crooks on the lam over the same part of the Azores in which
the Mary Celeste lost its passengers and crew on Dec. 15, 1872.
Story: "When Supergirl Replaced Jimmy Olsen" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS
#310)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS
#308; next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #310)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS
#310), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Cameo: Superman
Villain: Marty Blake (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Linda Danvers's hair is miscolored black on the cover.
Synopsis: After being exposed to Red Kryptonite in the future,
which causes her to become super-powered only as Linda Danvers but powerless
as Supergirl, the Girl of Steel returns to 1964. But she accidentally
sees an event that will happen 48 hours from her "present": the death
of someone who appears to be Jimmy Olsen in the crash of the Daily Planet
helicopter. To save
Jimmy's life, Supergirl changes to her Linda Danvers identity, gets
a job on the Daily Planet, and manages to get Jimmy fired before he can
take the helicopter trip. However, she hears the helicopter has crashed
and that "Jimmy Olsen" has died in it. Rushing to the scene, Linda
discovers the real Jimmy Olsen revealing the corpse to be fugitive criminal
Marty Blake, who, in disguise, resembles Jimmy. Perry White hires
back Jimmy with a raise, and Linda quits and returns to school
Action Comics No. 310
March 1964
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, models of Kryptonite meteors, and Prof.
Vakox and Jax-Ur in Phantom Zone //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Secret of Kryptonite Six” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #75; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75;
next appears in Supergirl story in last issue)
GA: Atlanteans, Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75), Lori Lemaris (last chronological
appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
Intro: Vorb-Un (a former Phantom Zoner; only appearance), Jewel Kryptonite
Villains: Jax-Ur (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167; next appears in
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146; also appears in flashback, his earliest
(?) chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#233), Prof. Vakox (last appearance in SUPERMAN #164; next appears in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #146), Phantom Zone villains (between SUPERMAN #167 / 205)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle
Clayface in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140.
Synopsis: Jax-Ur tricks Superman into taking him along on a mission
back to old Krypton before its destruction, to gain a cure for an Atlantean
plague--and, unknown to the Man of Steel, a form of crystal which is used
to form Jewel Kryptonite.
Superman No. 168
April 1964
Cover: Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Luthor--Super-Hero” (Part 1)
Part 2: “Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton (part 1), Leo Dorfman (part 2)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#140; next appears in issue #170 (1))
Villain: Lex Luthor (next appears in ACTION COMICS #309; becomes The
Defender for this story)
GS: Lexorians (rename their planet Lexor in this story; last appearance
in issue #164; next appear in ACTION COMICS #319), Ardora (first appearance;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #319)
Intro: Lillian Russell (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Action Comics No. 309
February 1964
Cover: Lori Lemaris, Element Lad, Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Chief
Parker, Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen, Robin, Batman, Supergirl, Perry White,
Lois Lane, John F. Kennedy disguised as “Clark Kent”, and Superman //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Superman Super-Spectacular” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1);
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48; also appears in
flashback as Superboy, chronologically between SUPERBOY #112 / ADVENTURE
COMICS #319)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #170 (1); both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #48), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (including Danny; last
appearance for all in SUPERMAN #170 (1); all next appear in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1);
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Pete Ross (last
chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#55 (1); next appears in SUPERMAN #270; also appears in flashback), Chief
Parker (last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #50;
next appears in SUPERMAN #171), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#165; next appears in issue #312), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (between SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73 / 83)
GS: Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Lightning Lass,
Triplicate Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #316 / 317), Element Lad,
Colossal Boy, Invisible Kid (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #316 / 319),
Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1); next appears in Supergirl
story in next issue; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes), Comet,
Krypto, Streaky (both next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #323), Beppo (last
appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #313; all appear as the Legion of Super-Pets),
Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140;
both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #326), John F. Kennedy (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #170 (1))
Intro: Producer and host of Our American Heroes (only appearance for
both)
Cameo: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #168; next appears
in Supergirl story in issue #313)
Comments: Since Lex Luthor is in prison, rather than in space, in this
story, it must take place out of sequence and after SUPERMAN #168, in which
he returns to Earth.
President Kennedy’s appearance in this story probably takes place
after his appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1), which places that story chronologically
just before this one.
Synopsis: When Our American Heroes, a TV show honoring great
Americans by reuniting them on air with their old acquaintances, honors
Superman in such fashion, he is perplexed as to how he will find someone
to portray Clark Kent and thus throw suspicion off his double identity.
President John F. Kennedy agrees to do so, and, in a Clark Kent mask and
make-up, shakes Superman's hand on the air. Later, Superman tells
JFK that he knows his secret identity is safe with him.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 48
April 1964
Cover: Lois Lane scrubbing floors, Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Superman
//Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “When Lois Lane Became Cinderella”
Part 1: “Hellene of Troy” (10 pages)
Part 2: “The Courtship of Cinderella Lane” (8 pages)
Part 3: “Florence Nightingale’s Last Stand” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; next appears in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76), Helen of Troy (called Hellene in this
story)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#309; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76)
Intro: Aeneas (dies in this story), Kallus, Prince Charming, Louis
Pasteur (of Earth-One), Father Carlos (only appearance for all)
Villains: Palicles, Cinderella’s mother and stepsisters (first and
only appearance for all), Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #74; next appears in SUPERMAN #169), Cadwell (first appearance;
dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman gives Lois Lane three chances to learn his secret
identity, by taking her to three past eras, having her stand in for a famous
woman of history, and challenging her to guess what secret identity he
will assume in that era. If Lois guesses correctly once, Superman
will reveal his present-day secret identity. But even though Lois
guesses her best while subbing for Helen of Troy, Cinderella, and Florence
Nightingale, she cannot deduce Superman’s identities and thus loses her
chance to learn who Superman secretly is.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 76
April 1964
Cover: Superman, Elastic Lad, Saturn Girl, Light Lass, and Triplicate
Girl at the Legion clubhouse //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Elastic Lad Jimmy and His Legion Romances” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (as Elastic Lad; last appearance in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48)
GS: Sun Boy, Light Lass, Triplicate Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS
#318 / 319), Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #317
/ 319; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Villain: A thief (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Light Lass, Saturn Girl, and Triplicate Girl of the Legion
of Super-Heroes use a time-scope to see Lucy Lane high-hatting Jimmy Olsen
during a dinner date. They concoct a ruse to bring him to the future
as Elastic Lad in a time bubble and do heroic feats, which they feel will
impress and shame Lucy, who is given a monitor tuned to the future.
The girls pretend to fall for Jimmy and have a fight over him before he
returns to the 20th Century. Unfortunately, Lucy has fallen asleep
in front of the monitor and missed every minute of it.
Story: “The Death March” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #48; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#309), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#48; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Intro: Garver (only appearance)
Synopsis: To win a bet with a rival editor, Perry White concocts a
fictitious ancestor of his and determines to clear his name by making Lois,
Clark, and Jimmy duplicate an alleged “death march” of Civil War days.
Story: “The Goose With Golden Eggs” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #169)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (including Kenny; betweeen
ACTION COMICS #309 / 312), Lucy Lane, Perry White (next appears in Supergirl
story in ACTION COMICS #311), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (both between SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27 / 71)
GA: Atlanteans
Intro: Amanda (a goose; dies in this story)
Cameo: Superman
Comment: Shortly after this story, Clark Kent, Perry White, and Lois
Lane briefly appear in the Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311.
Synopsis: In a wizard’s cave, Jimmy discovers the legendary goose that
lays golden eggs, but cannot figure out the magic word to make her lay
them.
Superman No. 169
May 1964
Cover: Superman watching Bizarro No. 1 and Bizarros destroy Earth globe
held by Atlas statue //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Infernal Imp” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in
ACTION COMICS #311)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #76; next appears in ACTION COMICS #311)
GA: Zrfffians
Intro: Mayor of Zrfff (only appearance)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #48; next appears in issue #171)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk gets a case of lockjaw. Ergo, when he
comes to Earth to play pranks, Superman literally cannot trick him into
saying his name backwards.
Story: “The Man Who Stole Superman’s Secret Life”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears, in flashback, as Superboy,
between ADVENTURE COMICS #320 / SUPERBOY #119)
Supporting Characters: Sally Selwyn, Digby Selwyn, Hawkins (last appearance
for all in issue #165; last appearance for all), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White
(last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Cameo appearances: Lois Lane, Lana Lang
Villains: Ned Barnes, Big Tony, Gunner (first appearance for all; all
die in this story)
Synopsis: Ned Barnes, a double for Clark Kent and a thief, falls into
company with Sally Selwyn, who takes him for “Jim White”, the identity
under which an amnesiac Superman once fell in love with her.
Story: “The Bizarro Invasion of Earth” (5 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #49)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in Superman story
in ACTION COMICS #311), Lois Lane (last appearance in Supergirl story in
ACTION COMICS #311; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #49)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in issue #157; next appears in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80), Bizarros (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #299;
next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Villains: Gus and another crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This story was run as “The Great DC Contest”, in which the
letters “D” and “C” were used only once in the story proper...in a “Continued
on next page following” label on page 3.
Synopsis: Superman is dismayed when the Bizarros come to Earth saying
that they will do him the favor of destroying the planet, not knowing they
mean the advertising globe on top of the Daily Planet building.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 49
May 1964
Cover: Bamor and another Zavakian watching Lana Lang, Superman, and
Lois Lane on monitor //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Unknown Superman” (Part 1; 7 pages)
Part 2: “The Secret of Strong Bear” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #169)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #169)
Intro: Bamor (dies in this story), Zavakians (in flashback), Metropolis
Meteors (a baseball team; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A mutated alien named Bamor comes to Earth, gaining super-powers
in its environiment, and transforms himself into a human, hoping to romance
Lois Lane.
Story: “Lois Lane, Beauty Queen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #311)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #27)
Villains: Rex Koven, Diane, various crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Comments: This story takes place in Central City, even though The Flash
does not appear.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight
“I” in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #27 and monitor Green Lantern’s battle
against the Protonic Force in GREEN LANTERN #29.
Synopsis: Lois Lane disguises herself and uses her lip-reading talent
to win a beauty contest so that she can interview the judge in the contest,
who proves to be a crook.
Action Comics No. 311
April 1964
Cover: Superman on throne before people of Earth //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Superman, King of Earth” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #29)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #49), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both
in SUPERMAN #169)
GS: Superman robots (destroyed in this story)
Comment: This story is continued in the next issue.
This story mentions an unrecorded adventure of Supergirl and
the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Synopsis: Red Kryptonite splits Superman and Clark Kent into two separate
beings: a tyrannical Superman who forces the United Nations to declare
him king of the world, and a non-super Clark Kent who leads an underground
movement against him.
Action Comics No. 312
May 1964
Cover: Metallo Clark Kent vs. crowned Superman //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “King Superman Vs. Clark Kent, Metallo” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#141)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (all next
appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (between
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76 / 77), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in
issue #309; next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
GS: Atlanteans
Cameo appearances: Metallo, Prof. Vale (in flashback)
Villain: Robot from Bxpa (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman, Robin,
and Jimmy Olsen to fight Marl and other crooks in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#141.
Synopsis: Clark Kent gets turned into a Metallo with a Kryptonite heart
after he is mortally wounded by a policeman’s bullet, only to find out
that Superman’s “tyranny” has been a ruse to prevent the world from panicking
over an alien attack. After the danger is dealt with, Clark remerges
with Superman, who gives up his rule over Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 77
June 1964
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as “Colossal Boy”, Lucy Lane, and Superman //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Colossus of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#141)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Other character: Allura (last appearance in issue #64; last appearance)
Cameo: Lois Lane (in flashback)
Villain: Titano (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #295; next appears
in issue #84)
Synopsis: Titano comes into the present through a time-warp, and Jimmy
Olsen uses an enlarging serum to make himself a “Colossal Boy” to deal
with him. Eventually, the giantess Allura comes to Earth and takes
Titano back to her world, where he finds and falls in love with a female
ape of his size.
Story: “The Kid Who Couldn’t Lose” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #312), Lucy Lane
Intro: “Bet-On-Anything” Wallow, Mr. Dill (only appearance for both)
Villains: Skip Wallow (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After a teenaged betting whiz wins valuable Superman trophies
from the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Jimmy hustles the hustler and wins them
back.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Super-Thief” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #313)
GA: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: Shalzorians, Paratopians (only appearance for both)
Villains: Ergnlo and the Red Helmet Greeters (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
battle Headmaster Mind and his minions in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen, on an alien world, breaks his code of ethics
and steals several super-scientific gadgets, only to be hailed as a hero.
As it turns out, the people of that world value thievery.
Action Comics No. 313
June 1964
Cover: Android Supergirl, android Perry White, and Superman
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: "The End of Clark Kent's Secret Identity" (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #28; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142)
GA: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this
issue), Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28; next
appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #328)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in Supergirl
story in last issue; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81),
Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #77; next appears
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142), Lois Lane (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#141 / 142), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: Android doubles of Supergirl, Batman, Lori Lemaris, Jimmy
Olsen, Lois Lane, and Perry White (all destroyed in this story)
Villains: The Android Master, the Pirate Gang, and several robbers
(first and only appearance for all), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #165; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle
the Composite Superman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142.
Synopsis: The Android Master, a member of the Superman Revenge
Squad, abducts Superman's friends and co-workers at the Daily Planet, substitutes
android doubles for them, and hopes to break his spirit by having the doubles,
whom he will believe are his real friends, betray him. But Superman
deduces the truth and foils the plot, and the Android Master dissolves
his androids.
Superman No. 170
July 1964
Cover: Lex Luthor, Kal-El in rocket, Lara, and Superman statue on Krypton
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: "Superman's Mission For President Kennedy" (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writers: Bill Finger, E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #168; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #309)
GS: President John F. Kennedy (appears between ACTION COMICS
#285 / 309)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #307 / 308), Supergirl Fan
Club (first appearance), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appears in ACTION COMICS
#309)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Perry
White (next appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #309)
Intro: John Glenn (of Earth-One)
Comment: As President Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, this
story was published by request of President Johnson some months after Kennedy’s
death. We have placed it the Superman continuity just before President
Kennedy’s appearance in ACTION COMICS #309.
Synopsis: At the request of President Kennedy, Superman helps inspire
American youth to get into physical fitness.
Story: “If Lex Luthor Were Superman’s Father” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Wedding of Lara and Luthor” (Part 2; 7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#142; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: Jor-El , Lara Jor-El, Krypto, and Kryptonians of an alternate
universe (first and only appearance for all)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION
COMICS #313; next appears in SUPERMAN #172), Brainiac of an alternate universe
(first and only appearance)
Comment: Since Kandor was stolen after the marriage of
Jor-El and Lara, in contradiction to what is shown in this story,
and since Superman was present at both their marriage and the shrinking
of Kandor (as shown in issue #141) but makes no appearance on the Krypton
of this story, we are forced to conclude that Luthor has travelled into
the past of a divergent universe, though there is no evidence that this
is only an “imaginary” story as the cover blurb would indicate.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor travels back in time to an alternate Krypton and
tries to romance Lara Lor-Van so that he can become the father of Superman,
but Jor-El thwarts his plans. Luthor returns to his normal time and
universe and is captured by Superman.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 50
July 1964
Cover: Lois Lane in time bubble, above Superboy and Lana Lang //Kurt
Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Plot Against Lana Lang” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#142)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (2); also appears, in
flashback, as Superboy, between SUPERBOY #87 and NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY
#18)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#309; also appears in flashback, between SUPERBOY #87 and NEW ADVENTURES
OF SUPERBOY #18), Professor Potter (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#141; next appears in SUPERMAN #181), principal of Smallville High School
(in flashback)
Cameo: Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Jimmy Durante, Bob Denver
(as Maynard G. Krebs)
Comment: The portion of this story that is in the past takes place
from shortly before Christmas (Dec. 25) to January 1st.
Synopsis: Lois Lane goes back in time to try to stop Superboy from
falling in love with Lana Lang, but fails.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Unluckiest Day” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Triplicate Girl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #321 / 323) , Phantom
Girl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #321 / 322), Shrinking Violet (between ADVENTURE
COMICS #321 / 324; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#313; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78), Lois Lane Fan Club
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65; next appears in issue
#62; Carla named in this story)
Intro: Tommy, Dr. Sloan, a Vietnam veteran, Mr. Appleby (only appearance
for all)
Cameo appearance: Matter-Eater Lad, Lightning Lad, Light Lass, Star
Boy
Synopsis: Three female Legionnaires come back in time to help research
a Superman Encyclopedia and, in disguise, help Lois Lane in her rounds
as a volunteer nurse.
Story: “The Prophecy of the Oracle Bird” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer:
Penciller: John Forte
Inker:
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #78)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #181), Lucy
Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #77 / 78)
Intro: Swami (a Mynah bird), a professor, Mrs. Sims (Lois’s landlady),
Daredevil Doran, Joan (first and only appearance for all)
Villains: The Mad Bomber (no actual appearance; possibly the character
from SUPERMAN #163, his last previous appearance; last appearance), Needles
Blaine (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is convinced her life will end in three days, thanks
to the prophetic utterances of a Mynah bird.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 78
July 1964
Cover: Jimmy Olsen fitting Clark Kent suit over Superman stand-up before
mobsters //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Revenge of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#142)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#50), Aqualad (between AQUAMAN #16 / 17)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next
appear in issue #80)
Intro: The Cincinnatti Kid, Stool Pigeon Sneed, and other FBI agents
(only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The FBI considers Jimmy Olsen for a security check and has
Superman and Aqualad run a test on him to prove his loyalty, by disguising
Aqualad as a new Jimmy Olsen Fan Club member who “replaces” Jimmy as Superman’s
pal.
Story: “The Baby That Saved Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in
SUPERMAN #181), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS
LANE #50)
Intro: A woman from another dimension (only appearance)
Synopsis: When giant toys from another dimension menace Metropolis,
Jimmy manages to turn them aside, though he gets dressed up as a baby in
the process.
Story: “The Return of Jimmy’s Lost Love” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (also appears as Magi the Magnificent;
next appears in SUPERMAN #181)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #314)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (also appears as Sandra Rogers), Lucy’s
boss (last appearance in issue #74)
Villain: A thief (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lucy Lane goes undercover as Sandra Rogers again to catch
an airmail thief, and Jimmy Olsen, seeing her, becomes Magi the Magnificent
once more. Their romance resumes and they catch the thief with Superman’s
help. But “Sandra” and “Magi” part, both afraid to reveal their true
identities to each other, and both Jimmy and Lucy carry on in silent--and
mistaken--sorrow.
Action Comics No. 314
July 1964
Cover: Superman as “The Flash” //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Day Superman Became the Flash” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #78; next appears in SUPERMAN #171; also appears in flashback as
baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
GS: Aquaman (between AQUAMAN #16 / 17), the Atom (last appearance in
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #55),
Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142; next appears in
BATMAN #165), the Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28;
next appears in THE FLASH #146), Green Arrow (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF
AMERICA #28 / 31; all appear with Superman as the Justice League of America)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under
MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Zhan-Zar (in flashback; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Angra and other Xannians, Valarians, Ntannians,
Saruunians, two Gangorians (first and only appearances; as characters in
a reality simulation)
Comment: The Justice League of America appears in this story between
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28 / 29.
In this story, it is revealed that Jor-El learned shortly before
Krypton’s destruction that Kal-El would become Superman, whom he had met
three times before by time-travel.
Synopsis: Superman is summoned by five fellow members of the Justice
League to view an artifact they have found. It proves to be a videotape
from Jor-El, showing how he ran six different computer simulations on what
Kal-El’s life would be, if he was rocketed to any one of six different
planets. On each planet, Kal-El would have grown up to be a super-hero--a
tiny-sized hero on a world of giants, the hero of a world of mermen, an
archer-hero on a red sun world, a costumed detective on a world of night,
and a super-fast hero on an Earth-like world. But Jor-El discovers
that he would not be happy on any of those worlds, and learns that Kal
will become Superman on Earth. As the tape ends, Superman realizes
why his five comrades have greeted him--because, on the five other worlds,
he would have become a version of the Atom, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Batman,
and the Flash.
Superman No. 171
August 1964
Cover: Superman in breechcloth vs. caveman in Superman uniform //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Sacrifice” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #314)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78), Lana Lang (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Professor Potter (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Villains: Rokk, Sorban (first appearance for both; both next appear
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #150)
Synopsis: Two gamblers from outer space force Superman to kill one
of his best friends or face having the Earth destroyed, and lay a bet as
to who will be the victim.
Story: “The Curse of Magic” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #79), Lois Lane, Chief Parker (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#309; next appears in issue #284)
Intro: Cecil, Reginald, Henry Rutledge, Darlene Curtis (only appearance
for all)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between issues #169 / 174)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk appears and curses Superman with the power to
make any saying he says literally come true.
Story: “The Nightmare Ordeal of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#143)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #79), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
Intro: Dr. Luring, a tribe of cavemen (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Jimmy Olsen, Batman,
and Robin fight the Metalloids in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143.
Synopsis: Superman is stranded on another planet when the yellow sun
it orbits turns red, and he must deal with a tribe of cavemen, one of whom
claims his costume.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 79
September 1964
Cover: Superman and ancient Israelites watching Jimmy Olsen in Beatle
wig //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy’s Forgotten Girl Friend” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#143; also appears in flashback, between flashbacks in issues #75 (1) and
#36 (3))
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #171;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #315), Perry White (between SUPERMAN #171
/ 172), Lucy Lane
Intro: Melvin Shrike, Lisa Vine (only appearance for both)
Villain: Jeanette Clubber (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, Jimmy’s hometown of Mapleton is revealed.
Synopsis: A woman who was scorned by Jimmy Olsen in her youth plans
revenge on him, by making him fall for a beautiful actress who pretends
to be her.
Story: “The Menace of Insect Island” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Vorax and other ant-men (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy and Lucy Lane are brought to an island of ant-men,
where strange white blobs are attacking the inhabitants.
Story: “The Red-Headed Beatle of 1,000 B. C.” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29), Samson
(of Earth-One; first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance
in ADVENTURE COMICS #257)
Intro: Ancient Israelites of Earth-One
Villains: Kasmir, Ben-Robba, Delilah (of Earth-One; first and only
appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
and Justice Society defeat the Crime Syndicate of America in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #29-30.
Synopsis: When Jimmy is trapped in ancient Israel by a time-travelling
villain from the future, he makes a living by fashioning a Beatle wig and
performing as a one-man rock-’n’-roll band.
Action Comics No. 315
August 1964
Cover: Superman seeing Zigi and Zagi melting Duke Bragger out of jail
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Juvenile Delinquents From Space” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#30)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #78; next appears in SUPERMAN #172)
GA: Warden of Metropolis Prison
Intro: The Rocket Boys (only appearance), Zigi, Zagi
Villains: Duke Bragger (first and only appearance), Slash Sabre (first
appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Zigi and Zagi, two boys from Alpha Centauri, cause trouble
for Earth and Superman with their super-scientific gimmicks. But
after he convinces them to return to their homeworld, the Man of Steel
learns that an escaped convict has stowed away in their spacecraft.
Action Comics No. 316
September 1964
Cover: Supergirl and trapped Superman and Zor-El //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Zigi and Zagi’s Trap For Superman” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#144)
GS: Zigi, Zagi (last appearance for both)
GA: Warden of Metropolis Prison
Intro: Zigi’s and Zagi’s parents, Zyra, Dynamax (a robot), Zarthur
(only appearance for all)
Villain: Slash Sabre (last appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin defeat
Clayface and Brainiac in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144.
Synopsis: Superman tracks Zigi and Zagi back to their homeworld, where
the two boys attempt to play matchmaker for Superman and their aunt Zyra.
Superman No. 172
October 1964
Cover: Clark Kent begging Ar-Val (in Superman suit) for help //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “The New Superman” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “Clark Kent, Former Superman” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The Struggle of the Two Supermen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#144; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52)
GA: Saturn Girl (last appearance in SUPERBOY #125; next appears in
ADVENTURE COMICS #325), Invisible Kid (between ADVENTURE COMICS #324 /
325), Cosmic Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #323 / 325; all appear as the
Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under
MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #144; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52), Perry
White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #79; next appears
in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#315; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Nor-Kann
(last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143; next appears in ACTION
COMICS #317)
Intro: Dr. Black, Bran-Een (only appearance for both), Ar-Val (briefly
becomes the new Superman and dies in this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #170; next appears in
Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #317), Brainiac (last appearance in WORLD’S
FINEST COMICS #144; next appears in ACTION COMICS #318)
Comment: The “borrowed” power ring that Superman obtains from Green
Lantern in this story is undoubtedly a duplicate created by the original
ring, as Green Lantern never voluntarily removes the power ring from his
finger.
Synopsis: When a green comet destroys Superman’s powers, the former
Man of Steel selects Ar-Ual, a Kandorian he enlarges with a duplicate of
Green Lantern’s ring, to take his place as the new Superman. But
Ar-Val proves to be egotistical and glory-hungry, and refuses to go after
an escaped Brainiac and Luthor. Thus, Clark Kent is temporarily given
the powers of three Legionnaires and Elastic Lad and becomes the Old Superman,
but his new powers are not up to the test of capturing the two villains.
Ar-Val’s life is saved by the Old Superman, almost at the cost of the latter’s
life. In gratitude, Ar-Val transfers his powers to the Old Superman,
but is turned into unliving stone as a result. Clark Kent resumes
his Superman identity.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 52
October 1964
Cover: Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Illena, and Superman //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Pen-Pal Romance” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
Intro: Ben Harper (publisher of the Daily Planet; no appearance; name
only mentioned; only appearance?), Miss Frobish, Ray Starr, Cora Starr,
and their five children (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane poses as a woman in search of marriage in order
to expose a lonely hearts’ club fraud, but does not suspect that the suitor
who is courting her is another reporter attempting to do the same thing.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Love Trap” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Clark Kent (Superman)
Intro: Lois Lane (not the featured character), Rafe Nelson (only appearance
for both)
Villain: Steve Garff (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane helps another Lois Lane, a smalltown nurse, win
the heart of a lumberjack.
Story: “The Lois Lane-Lana Lang Truce” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #80)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80), Perry White (next appears
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Intro: Perseus (of Earth-One; in flashback), Lana Lang’s boss (only
appearance)
Villain: Ilena (first appearance; dies in this story), Garf (first
and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in ACTION
COMICS #313; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83), Medusa (of
Earth-One; in flashback; first appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Lana Lang call a truce to their feud over Superman
when a beauty from another world, Ilena, makes a play for him. They
discover that Ilena is secretly a Superman Revenge Squad member, and that
she intends to turn Superman into stone with a serpentine skullcap made
from Medusa’s locks.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 80
October 1964
Cover: Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen emptying wastebasket on desk as Perry White
and Superman look on //Curt Swan / George Klein?
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, the Bizarro Boy” (Part 1; 7 pages)
Part 2: “Exiled on the Bizarro World” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#52), Bizarro No. 1 (between SUPERMAN #169 / 174), Bizarros (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN #169; next appear in issue #87), Bizarro-Krypto (last
appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #297)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52; next appears in ACTION COMICS #317), Perry White
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Lana Lang (between
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52 / 53), Professor Potter (last appearance
in SUPERMAN #171), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in
issue #78), Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS
#298; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71), Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No.
1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #298; next appears in issue #87),
Bizarro-Perry White No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #297; next
appears in issue #87), Bizarro-Lucy Lane No. 1, Bizarro-Lana Lang No. 1
(last appearance for both in ADVENTURE COMICS #297; last appearance for
both), Bizarro-Lex Luthor (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #297; next
appears in SUPERMAN #379), Bizarro-Phineas Potter (first and only appearance)
Intro: Bizarro Beetle Bugs (only appearance), Bizarro-Jimmy Olsens
and Bizarro-Lucy Lanes (only appearance for all?)
Synopsis: A strange ray of Professor Potter’s turns Jimmy Olsen into
a Bizarro, and Bizarro No. 1 takes Jimmy to live on the Bizarro World.
But his mind still retains enough human qualities to get him in trouble,
so he creates a Bizarro-Professor Potter with the imperfect duplicator
ray. Bizarro-Potter turns him back to normal.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Double-Trouble” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #173)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #317)
GA: Superman robots
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #317)
Villains: Tricker Watkins, Shoulders, Harvey, Hyper-Crook (first and
only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is kidnapped by a trio of crooks, one of whom
takes his place as a double to lure Superman into a deathtrap.
Action Comics No. 317
October 1964
Cover: Superman turning yellow from fear of Kryptonite, purple with
anger over headline, and red with embarrassment from two women kissing
him //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Rainbow Face” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #80; next appears in SUPERMAN #173)
Supporting Characters: Nor-Kann (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172;
dies in this story), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #80; next appears in SUPERMAN #173), Perry White (last appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #53)
GA: Kandorians
Intro: The Beatlettes (only appearance)
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure causes Superman’s face to turn
different colors in tune with his emotions, which makes it difficult for
him to keep his identity secret from Lois Lane.
Superman No. 173
October 1964
Cover: Batman (as Brainiac), Superman (as Lex Luthor), and Jimmy Olsen
watching Clark Kent turn into Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The ‘Untouchable’ Clark Kent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #317)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #317;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53 (2))
Intro: Ed Babson (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane are mistaken for Dillinger and his
moll by Ed Babson, a ‘30's movie actor whose disturbed mind causes him
to think he is an old-time gangster.
Story: “Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 1" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superboy (last chronological appearance in SUPERBOY
#139 (1); next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #271, pg. 4,
panel 5; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El and Superbaby (see
Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
GS: Krypto (also appears in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS
#101 for chronology), Super-Monkey (in two flashbacks; one (pg. 1, panel
3) his first chronological appearance, next appears in SUPERBOY #76 (1);
second (pg. 2, panel 3-pg. 3, panel 2) between SUPERBOY #76 (1) flashback
/ SUPERBOY #142), Lex Luthor (not a villain in this story; last chronological
appearance in flashback in ACTION COMICS #295; next chronological appearance
in ADVENTURE COMICS #271, pg. 4, panel 5)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (all
in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Prof.
Lewis Lang, Lana Lang
Intro: A chunk of Green Kryptonite (next appears in issue #176)
Comment: Though this story bears a Superman logo, it is actually a
Superboy story.
The next story in this series appears in issue #176.
Synopsis: A sentient piece of Green Kryptonite tells of how it was
originally part of an award given to Jor-El for scientific achievement,
only to be transformed into a chunk of Kryptonite by the atomic explosion
that destroyed Krypton. On Earth, it first endangered Super-Monkey,
then young Clark Kent, and, finally, Superboy, before it was temporarily
neutralized and thrown to the Arctic by the Boy of Steel.
Story: “The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #53 (2))
GS: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #167; next appears in JUSTICE
LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145)
Intro: Rombo (a robot), aliens (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Clayface, the Joker, Mr. Mxyzptlk,
Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Wonder Woman,
Green Arrow, Aquaman, Flash
Comment: In this story, Batman’s eyes are revealed to be blue.
Synopsis: After Jimmy Olsen disobeys Superman’s orders about not handling
an emergency situation on his own, the Man of Steel and Batman dress up
as Lex Luthor and Brainiac, respectively, and try to teach Jimmy a lesson.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 53
November 1964
Cover: Superman and other women at a booth, watching Lois Lane tear
up “Superman kiss” tickets //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “How Lois Lane Fell In Love With Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN
#135 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #1 (1))
GS: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #135 (1); next
chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #46 (3))
Supporting Character: Perry White (last chronological appearance in
SUPERMAN #135 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #35)
Villain: The Spider (first and only appearance; in cameo)
Comment: This story takes place one month after Clark Kent was hired
by the Daily Planet.
Synopsis: Shortly after Clark Kent is hired by the Daily Planet, he
learns that Lois Lane dislikes Superman, saying that anybody could perform
his super-feats if he or she had the same powers. But the Man of
Steel loses his powers temporarily from a Red Kryptonite exposure and has
to use his ingenuity to guard himself and Lois on a deserted island.
As a result, Lois falls in love with him.
Story: “Superman’s Home-Town Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #173)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #173; also appears, in flashback,
as Superboy, between ADVENTURE COMICS #325 / 326)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #80), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #317; next
appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81)
Intro: Lydia Lawrence, Alice Boyd, Cynthia Cole, Mrs. Lawrence, Jerry
(only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is heartbroken when she discovers that Superman
has apparently been in love with a girl named Lydia Lawrence since his
Superboy days, but later learns it is a ploy to help Lydia get married
to her real sweetheart.
Story: “When Lois and Lana Were Brides” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#145)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #81)
Intro: Conan (not to be confused with the barbarian created by Robert
E. Howard),Valdor (only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
initiate Hawkman in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31 and attend the wedding
of Aquaman in AQUAMAN #18, then helps Batman and other heroes defeat Waraj
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145.
Synopsis: Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Lana Lang crash-land in an isolated
valley populated by archaic descendants of ancient Britons whose law compels
all women to marry. Lois Lane marries Clark Kent and Lana Lang marries
Superman, but neither marriage is validated before their rescue.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 81
December 1964
Cover: Superman (as demon) and other demons emerging from Pandora’s
Box to menace Jimmy Olsen and Lana Lang //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Ransom of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#145)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145), Superman
robots
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (Bill named in this story),
Lori Lemaris (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #313; next appears in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #174)
Villains: Aliens (first and only appearance)
Comment: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club gains its first black member in this
story.
In this story, we learn that exposure to a titanic mass of Kryptonite
will not affect Superman.
Synopsis: Superman is imprisoned by aliens in a force-cocoon.
The ransom for his release, which Jimmy Olsen has to gather, is 1,000 pounds
of Kryptonite.
Story: “The Demons From Pandora’s Box” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #174), Prof. Lewis Lang
(last appearance in ACTION COMICS #308; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #58)
Cameo: Superman robots, Lori Lemaris, Lenora Lemaris, Jerro, Atlanteans,
demons from Pandora’s box (all characters in Jimmy Olsen’s hallucination)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen helps Prof. Lewis Lang and Lana Lang discover
a duplicate of Pandora’s box and gains horrible hallucinations from a radiant
rock inside it.
Story: “Jimmy’s Indian Super-Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#146)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145
/ 146)
Intro: Mighty Eagle (Broken Spear), a prospector (only appearance for
both)
Villains: Black Raven, Wolf Tail (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
fight Brain Storm in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32.
Synopsis: After losing his memory near an Indian reservation, Jimmy
Olsen becomes Flame Hair, the friend and partner of Native American super-hero
Mighty Eagle.
Action Comics No. 318
November 1964
Cover: Superman in chains, Lexorian guards, Ardora, Brainiac and other
super-villains, Lex Luthor in glass coffin //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Death of Luthor” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#32)
Supporting Characters: Ardora (marries Lex Luthor in this story), Lexorians
(last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #168)
Intro: Living Lake (a giant jellyfish; only appearance), Lar Than,
Vel Quennar, Garn Abu
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in flashback in issue #332; marries
Ardora in this story), Brainiac (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172; next
appears in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149), various super-villains
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes from jail, rockets to the red-sun world
of Lexor again, and marries Ardora. Superman follows him there, losing
his powers under the red sun, and appears to accidentally kill Luthor in
a fight. The Lexorians almost kill Superman in mob violence, but
Ardora prevails on them to give Superman a trial, though few believe he
can win.
Action Comics No. 319
December 1964
Cover: Superman in Kryptonite chains, being led by Lexorians to a death
chamber //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Condemned Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #149)
GS: Vel Quennar, Lar Than, Garn Abu (last appearance for all), Ardora,
Lexorians (all next appear in issue #332)
Villains: Lex Luthor (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #87),
Zin Zabo (first appearance; dies in this story), Lexorian criminals (first
and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman, Batman, and Robin fight
Brainiac, as shown in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149, then investigate
Dr. Thomas Ellison in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146.
Synopsis: Even though Superman is losing his trial for murder, his
lawyers become convinced of his innocence and help him break out of jail.
Once freed, Superman discovers Luthor has placed himself in a death-like
coma to get his arch-enemy accused of murder. He revives Luthor,
is cleared of the murder charge, and is allowed to return to Earth.
Superman No. 174
January 1965
Cover: Adam Newman (as Superman) saving Clark Kent //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “Clark Kent’s Incredible Delusion” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The End of a Hero” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#146; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy, between ADVENTURE COMICS
#327 / SUPERBOY #118)
GA: Krypto (in flashback), Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST
COMICS #146; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #335)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #81; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54;
also appears, in flashback, between SUPERBOY #117 / 119)
Intro: Adam Newman (Android-1; dies in this story), Dr. Hugo Meredith
(only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent becomes convinced that his life as Superman has
been an hallucination and that he has no super-powers, but it is all the
plot of an android duplicate of Superman who wishes to take his place.
Story: “Super-Mxyzptlk--Hero” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #54)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #81; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #171; next appearance
in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152), various crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk comes to Metropolis as a crime-fighting super-hero
and soon makes Superman seem obsolete.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 54
January 1965
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and Herko //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane, Cupid” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #174)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #174)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN #174)
Intro: Oscar (a pressman at the Daily Planet; only appearance)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane tries to convince Lana Lang that Clark Kent is
Superman, so that she will marry Clark and leave the real Superman to her...or
so she thinks.
Story: “Lois Lane, Daily Planet Editor” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White
Villain: Knuckles Kovik (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a “Ladies Day” in which female employees take over for
their bosses, editor Lois Lane sends Clark Kent on assignments that she
hopes will prove he is Superman.
Story: “The Monster Who Loved Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #82)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82)
Intro: Herko (next appears in issue #57), Dr. Elder (only appearance)
Synopsis: A scientist’s dimension-spanning machine releases a monster
named Herko who falls in love with Lois Lane.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 82
January 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen wrestling Superman as Perry White and Lois Lane
watch //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Magic Gloves” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Intro: Kayo Moran (only appearance)
Villains: The Mystery Strangler, a crook (first and only appearance
for both)
Comment: Jimmy Olsen retrieves a sword which may be King Arthur’s Excalibur
in this story.
Synopsis: The magic gloves of Merlin allow Jimmy to take on the talents
of five different people when he uses them, but the sixth skill will be
that of a murderer.
Story: “The Wedding of Magi and Sandra” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Magi the Magnificent again
in this story)
GA: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#54)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (becomes Sandra Rogers again in this
story), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#54)
Intro: A justice of the peace, a resort owner (only appearance for
both)
Villains: Plotter Meggs, Duke Zorme, a crook (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy and Lucy Lane encounter each other once again as Magi
the Magnificent and Sandra Rogers and want to marry each other. But
Jimmy fakes Magi’s death, worried that Sandra would not accept him after
she learns his secret. On the rebound, both Lucy and Jimmy decide
to marry each other, do so, and, shortly thereafter, discover to their
mutual joy that they are “really” Magi and Sandra. Unfortunately,
the justice of the peace who married them discovers his liscence had expired,
and they are not legally wed. Jimmy and Lucy decide to put off marriage,
but are excited by the discovery of each other’s “secret identity”.
Story: “The Unbeatable Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #320)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #320)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #320), Professor Potter (next appears in SUPERMAN #176),
Lucy Lane
Intro: Lionel the Lion-Man (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks, a masher (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is convinced that Professor Potter’s “super-strength
serum” has made him stronger than Superman, not knowing the “Superman”
he wrestles in the ring is Potter in disguise.
Action Comics No. 320
January 1965
Cover: Atlas, Samson, and Hercules vs. Superman //Curt Swan / George
Klein
Story: “The Three Super-Enemies” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Pencillers: Curt Swan (pg. 1 only), Al Plastino (pgs. 2-14)
Inkers: George Klein (pg. 1 only), Al Plastino (pgs. 2-14)
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #82; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55)
GA: Kandorians
Villains: Hercules, Samson, and Atlas of a parallel Earth (first and
only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent summons Hercules,. Samson, and Atlas to help save
Metropolis in an emergency when he is otherwise occupied, but does not
suspect that he has summoned the evil counterparts of these heroes from
a parallel Earth.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 55
February 1965
Cover: Supergirl (in disguise), Superman, robot "super-children",
Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s College Scoops” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #320;
also appears, in flashbacks, chronologically between SUPERBOY #90 / issue
#17 (2) flashback; origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #320; also appears in
flashback, chronologically between pages 21 / 22 of SUPERMAN: THE SECRET
YEARS #3)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#320), Pete Ross (in flashback; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN:
THE SECRET YEARS #3; next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #309)
Villain: Aliens from the Serpent Planet (in flashback; first and only
appearance)
Comment: In this story we learn that Lois and Pete Ross attended Raleigh
College, where both of them made the fencing team and Lois was named co-editor
of the school newspaper, the Raleigh Review.
Synopsis: Lois Lane goes to a class reunion at her alma mater, Raleigh
College, along with Superman and Jimmy Olsen. She tells her classmates
that she got her first scoops without the help of Superman, but Superman
confides to Jimmy that, coincidentally and secretly, he did help her get
those three scoops.
Story: "Superman's Secret Wife" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman, Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #320 / 321)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81), Ronal (last appearance in SUPERMAN #146; next appears
in DC COMICS PRESENTS #5), Lori’s and Ronal’s children (first and only
appearance for both), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #83)
Synopsis: Supergirl encounters a Red Kryptonite meteor in space
that causes her to hate the last person she saw before her mission--Lois
Lane. Thus, she concocts an elaborate plan to break Lois's heart.
The plan involves her masquerading as Circe the Sorceress to convince Lois
that Superman is secretly married and has two children by an unknown wife.
Supergirl has already
made Superman her pawn by hypnosis, and poses in disguise as his "wife".
The children are robots. In her regular guise, Supergirl pretends
to help Lois investigate Lana Lang and Lori
Lemaris to see if either is Superman's secret wife. Finally,
she "reveals" herself as the "wife" of Superman and tries to freeze Lois
in suspended animation with her super-cold breath. But
Superman snaps out of his hypnotic spell, the Red K effect wears off
on Supergirl, and Lois is rescued. Supergirl apologizes, and Lois
forgives her.
Story: “The Fingergirl of Death” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #321)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #83), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #321)
Intro: Monk and another FBI agent (only appearance for both)
Villains: Roger “Rajah” Drake (no appearance; name mentioned, and impersonated
in this story; first and only appearance), Martin and other crooks
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League
fight the Alien-Ator in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33.
Synopsis: While Lois Lane is masquerading as the moll of gangster “Rajah”
Drake, she witnesses the apparent murders of Jimmy Olsen, Perry White,
and Clark Kent.
Action Comics No. 321
February 1965
Cover: Superman being tossed around by Thorone children //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “Superman--Weakest Man In the World” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
#33; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147), Lois
Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55; next appears
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, LOIS LANE #83)
Intro: Lahla (only appearance)
Villains: The Four Galactic Thiefmasters, Chief Governor Rastann, other
Thorones (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman and Batman battle a mind-controlled
Jimmy Olsen and Robin in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147.
Synopsis: Superman is stranded by super-villains on a red-sun world
where he has no powers, but the inhabitants all have super-powers in sunlight.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 83
March 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen menacing members of the Kandor Look-Alike Squad
with Kryptonite; Superman picture on the wall //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Nostradamus of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#147)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147; next appears
in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #321)
Intro: Napoleon Bonaparte (of Earth-One; in flashback; cameo appearance)
Villains: Knuckles Kling and his gang (first and only appearance for
all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League
fight Dr. Destiny in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34.
Synopsis: Knuckles Kling, an old henchman of Luthor’s, masquerades
as a returned Nostradamus and uses Luthor’s superscientific gimmicks to
make his “prophecies” come true.
Story: “The Great Miss Universe Contest” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Roffe
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Intro: Dialla (next appears in issue #100), other Platonians, and other
contestants for Miss Universe (only appearance for all)
Comment: Lucy Lane represents Metropolis in the Miss Universe contest.
Synopsis: By accident, Jimmy Olsen gets to be a judge in the Miss Universe
contest, in which one of the contestants is from another world.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Captive Double” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #322)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in
ACTION COMICS #322), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #55; next appears in SUPERMAN #176), Kandor Look-Alike Squad
(Ar-Rone named in this story; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; Lucy
Lane double introduced in this story)
Villains: Ar-Rone (reformed in this story), Superman Revenge Squad
(last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52; two members
next appear in ACTION COMICS #322; Lois Lane and Lana Lang doubles next
appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60 (3))
Synopsis: When Perry White’s double on the Kandor Look-Alike Squad
sells out to the Superman Revenge Squad, Jimmy and the rest of Superman’s
friends help the other Look-Alikes set a trap for him.
Action Comics No. 322
March 1965
Cover: Superman backing away in fear from bank robbers
//Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: "The Coward of Steel" (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE
OF AMERICA #34; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in last issue;
next appears in SUPERMAN #176)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83; both next appear in SUPERMAN
#176), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83;
next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148)
Intro: Loretta Land (only appearance)
Villains: Evilo (in flashback), Trok, Graz (two Superman Revenge Squad
members; last appearance of the Squad in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83;
next Squad appearance in ACTION COMICS #343), the Purple Mob (first and
only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and the Clayface
and Luthor of a parallel Earth fight the criminal Superman and Batman of
that Earth in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148.
Synopsis: Trok and Graz, two members of the Superman Revenge
Squad, hit Clark Kent with a ray made by a machine constructed with Kryptonian
components. The ray causes Clark Kent to become a coward, but, in
his Superman guise, he is his usual courageous self. Superman gets
around the problem for a while by adopting the new secret identity of Brad
Dexter. However, Supergirl snaps him out of his fear-spell by secretly
having him wear a non-invulnerable Superman costume over his Clark Kent
clothes. The costume is burned off by friction, and, when Superman
sees he is doing a super-feat while in his Clark Kent identity, his fear
fades. Superman then throws Trox and Graz's spacecraft into the midst
of a space police parade, and the two villains are nabbed.
Superman No. 176
June 1965
Cover: Superman writing his secret identity on a blackboard in a courtroom
while Lois Lane looks on //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Revenge of the Super-Pets” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS
#148)
GS: Comet (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #321;
next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56), Beppo (between
Supergirl stories in ACTION COMICS #318 / 323), Krypto (last appearance
in ADVENTURE COMICS #322), Streaky (last seen in ADVENTURE COMICS #322;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #323; all appear as the Legion of Super-Pets)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#322)
Intro: Mark Dane (in a painting; cameo appearance; dead before this
story begins), Mark Dane’s relatives, Henry Bergh (of Earth-One; only appearance
for all)
Villain: Cyrus Atwill (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: To learn why the late Mark Dane left his fortune to be used
for an animal shelter to atone for his uncle Cyrus Atwill’s unnamed wrongs,
Superman takes the Legion of Super-Pets back to the 1960's where they learn
of Atwill’s abuses against animals and help teach him a lesson, with the
help of SPCA founder Henry Bergh.
Story: “Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (also appears as Superboy, in flashback
to issue #173; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (see Superman’s
Interim Appearances for chronology)
GS: A chunk of Green Kryptonite (becomes Red Kryptonite in this story;
last appearance in issue #173)
Intro: Professor Clyde (only appearance)
Comment: This story continues from issue #173 and continues in the
next issue.
Synopsis: The chunk of Green Kryptonite goes on to relate how, after
a planeful of journalists had engine trouble in the Arctic, Clark Kent
was briefly weakened by the Green K and later decided to construct his
permanent Fortress of Solitude there. Later, a professor learned
how to make Kryptonite non-deadly to Superman by a radiation treatment.
However, the treatment was only temporarily effective, and would make the
treated Kryptonite deadly to normal humans. Thus, Superman destroyed
the professor’s apparatus and used giant tongs to throw the Green Kryptonite
into space. It passed through the red cosmic cloud that transformed
it into Red Kryptonite and sent it hurtling back towards Earth.
Story: "Superman's Day of Truth" (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Superman story in ACTION
COMICS #322; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for both in ACTION COMICS #322; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #56), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#83), Kandorians, Atlanteans, Supergirl Fan Club (last appearance in issue
#170; last appearance, but a Supergirl Fan Club is formed at Stanhope College
in ACTION COMICS #388), Professor Potter (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #82 / 84), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#84)
Intro: Val-Lor (in flashback; dies in this story)
Villains: The Vrangs (first appearance; in flashback; appear isochronically
with KRYPTON CHRONICLES #2; next appear in ACTION COMICS #548), Spade and
his lawyer (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman and Supergirl win no popularity contests in
Metropolis or Midvale when, for one 24-hour period, they tell the unvarnished
truth or give their honest opinion whenever asked. When Superman has to
testify at a trial, the lawyer for the plaintiff insists on having him
write his secret identity's name on a blackboard--which he does, then wipes
away before anyone can see it. When asked to give the location of
his Fortress of Solitude, Superman gives the coordinates for his long-abandoned
underwater Fortress. Finally, Supergirl and Superman shrink themselves
and go to Kandor, where they and the Kandorians celebrate the Day of Truth.
This is a holiday observed in honor of the ancient hero Val-Lor, who spoke
up boldly against the Vrang invaders who oppressed Kryptonians, died for
his words, and sparked a revolt that liberated Krypton. Later, Superman
and Supergirl reveal what they had to do to their friends, and are forgiven.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 56
April 1965
Cover: Superman as “Ideal-Man”, Lana Lang, Lois Lane, and Superman
picture //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Snoopiest Girl In History” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176)
Intro: Prometheus, Epimetheus, the Hydra, the Phoenix, the Chimera,
the Griffin (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is catapulted back in time to the Golden Age of
Greece and becomes the Pandora of legend when she opens the box of all
evils.
Story: "Lois Lane, Super-Telepath" (8 pages)
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #84)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84),
Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #173; next appears in Supergirl
story in ACTION COMICS #322), Saturn Girl (last chronological appearance
in KARATE KID #13; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #330), Comet (last
appearance in SUPERMAN #176; next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN
#176; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84), Lori Lemaris (next
appears in SUPERMAN #204)
Villains: "Long Odds" Larkin, Trixie, Butch and other gangsters
(first and only appearance for all), Mole Murdock (in flashback; first
appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Lois Lane poses as "Miss Telepath", a girl with supposed
psychic powers, in a plot to trap gang boss "Long Odds" Larkin and his
mob. Jimmy Olsen has lent her his Superman signal
watch. But unknown to them both, Superman is in space at the
time and cannot hear its signal. Captured by Larkin, Lois is forced
to "psychically" detect secrets that will aid his robberies...and every
one of them comes out correct! Superman finally returns from space
and rescues her. When it is determined that neither Supergirl, Lori
Lemaris, Comet, or a time-travelling Saturn Girl was helping her, Superman
and Lois determine that Lois merely made four lucky guesses in a
row...with odds of 326,454,839,047 to 1 against her doing so.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Gamble” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36)
GS: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #8; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN
#36)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last chronological appearance in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8; next chronological appearance in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36), Lana Lang (chronologically between SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8 / 10)
Comment: This story takes place shortly after Lana Lang gets her TV
job in Metropolis.
Synopsis: Superman poses as Ideal-Man, an alien super-hero, to teach
Lana and Lois a lesson about their rivalry over him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 84
April 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Superman, Titano, and flame dragon //Curt Swan
/ George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Monster Movie” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE
#56)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176),
Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176; next appears in issue
#87), Lucy Lane
Intro: Ron Wyck, Watugi tribe (only appearance)
Villains: Titano (last appearance in issue #77; next appears in SUPERMAN
#226), the flame-dragon (last appearance in SUPERMAN #151; last appearance)
Comment: This story is undoubtedly inspired by the movie, King Kong
Vs. Godzilla.
Synopsis: A Hollywood movie producer challenges Jimmy to come up with
a horror movie. To help things along, Jimmy teleports Titano and
a Kryptonian flame-dragon to an island to have a fight.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Day of Disgrace” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #323),
Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56; next
appears in ACTION COMICS #323), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Lucy Lane
Intro: Plim and other Antroneans (only appearance for all)
Villains: Rocky Steele, Bruiser Barnes, Al Kimbo (first and only appearance
for all)
Comment: This story takes place during the last part of March and April
1st.
Synopsis: When Jimmy is given the duties of newsboy by Perry White
to teach him some humility, a fan of his from another planet helps him
nab some crooks.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Female Fan” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (Harry Halstead (who makes
his last appearance), Tommy Todd, Dick Selby, Joe Bogg, Ed Dunn named in
this story; Hank White, Perry’s son, named; last appearance for Hank in
issue #40; next appears in ACTION COMICS #461)
Cameo appearances: Perry White, Lois Lane, Lucy Lane, Professor Potter,
Clark Kent, Superman, Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1, Elastic Lad
Comment: Dates are given to several key events in Jimmy Olsen’s life
in this story. The date of June 3rd for Jimmy meeting Superman, however,
may be in error. Clark Kent didn’t get his job at the Daily Planet
until some weeks after graduation from Metropolis University in late May,
which would place it later in June, and he got his job there after Lois
Lane but before Jimmy Olsen. July 3rd or even August 3rd would
be a more realistic date.
This would also tend to put the date of Jimmy’s “first scoop”
much later than June 15th, unless he had to wait a year before getting
his first scoop, which is unlikely.
The dates given are:
June 3rd: Jimmy Olsen meets Superman (unlikely)
Nov. 17th: unexplained significant date
Mar. 22nd: unexplained significant date
Aug. 5th: unexplained significant date, possibly the date on
which Jimmy first became Elastic Lad (see page 6, panels 3-4)
May 24th: creation of Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1
June 15th: Jimmy Olsen’s first scoop (questionable)
Apr. 29th: Jimmy Olsen meets Lucy Lane
Synopsis: The president of the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club moves away, and
Jimmy declares the others must choose a new president by competition, with
exhibits. Then he masquerades as the first female applicant to the
club, passes initiation, and is apparently chosen “president” by Jimmy.
But Tommy Todd sees through her imposture, and is thus chosen as president
by Jimmy.
Action Comics No. 323
April 1965
Cover: Prison warden, guard, and Clark Kent in convict suit, changing
into Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent In the Big House” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #84; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance
for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84; all next appear in SUPERMAN
#177)
Intro: Warden Bancroft (next appears in SUPERMAN #182), governor of
Metropolis State
Villains: Blacky Blake and his gang, Larceny Luke Damon, various convicts
(first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Supergirl battle the
Sisterhood of Evil in the Supergirl story in this issue.
Synopsis: Clark Kent poses as a convicted criminal to learn where a
prisoner stashed a million dollars in loot, only tofind the prison warden
and even his friends have turned against him.
Superman No. 177
May 1965
Cover: Cops and another man trying to pull Superman away from It //Curt
Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Kryptonese Curse” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; next chronological appearance in issue #179 (2))
GS: Krypto (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #68; next chronological appearance in issue #179 (2)), a chunk of
Red Kryptonite (last seen in issue #176; next appears in issue #179 (2);
becomes Gold Kryptonite in this story), Superman robot, Supergirl robot,
Clark Kent robot (destroyed in this story)
Supporting Characters: Vol-Don (chronologically between SUPERMAN’S
PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70 / 73), Jimmy Olsen (last chronological appearance
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; next chronological appearance in issue
#179 (2)), Perry White, Lois Lane (last chronological appearance for both
in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70;
both next appear in issue #179 (2))
Comment: This story continues from issue #176 and continues in issue
#179.
Synopsis: The Red Kryptonite chunk returns to Earth and causes Superman
to be able to speak or write only in Kryptonese. The Man of Steel
copes with this problem with some help from Krypto, but, while he is doing
so, a ray enters the Fortress of Solitude and changes the Red Kryptonite
into Gold Kryptonite.
Story: “The Menace Called It” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in
ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#323), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #323; next appears in
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S
GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Intro: It and other inhabitants of Its dimension (only appearance for
all)
Synopsis: A strange, whirling glob-being comes to Metropolis with an
insatiable appetite for things green, until Superman discovers that what
it is really looking for is green vegetation to consume.
Story: “When Jimmy Olsen Stole Krypto From Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel?
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #57)
GS: Krypto (next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS
#323; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Cameo: Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Synopsis: Krypto has a nightmare in which Jimmy Olsen steals Superman’s
powers.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 57
Cover: Lois Lane and Lana Lang trying to spank Superbaby of a parallel
Earth; Superman in pictures //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane--Super-Babysitter” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #177)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #177)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for
both in SUPERMAN #177), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #177;
next appears in ACTION COMICS #324)
Intro: Superman (also appears as Superbaby), Lois Lane, and Lana Lang
of a parallel Earth (only appearance for all; all get married in this story)
Comment: This story takes place from April 14-19, and reveals that
the Daily Planet was established on April 19.
Synopsis: Superman appears to become a Superbaby, and both Lois and
Lana try post-hypnotic suggestion on him to make him fall in love with
them both when the effect wears off. Unfortunately for them, he is
the Superman of a parallel Earth, and returns to his home dimension when
he becomes an adult again, to marry both the Lois and Lana of his homeworld.
Story: “The Return of Lois’s Monster Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Herko (last appearance in issue #54; last appearance; marries Zagga
in this story)
GA: Dr. Elder (last appearance in issue #54; last appearance)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Zagga (marries Herko in this story), Herko’s mother (only appearance
for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane, feeling guilty over having “jilted” Herko, enters
the monster’s dimension with Jimmy Olsen and both of them manage to get
Herko hitched with Zagga, a female of his own kind.
Story: “The Camera From Outer Space” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY
OLSEN #85)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #324)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL,
JIMMY OLSEN #85)
Intro: A Genie Guard (only appearance)
Villains: Dutch O’Brien, various crooks (first and only appearance
for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane finds a space probe from another world which releases
an invisible crime-fighting genie that responds to her wishes.
Action Comics No. 324
May 1965
Cover: Superman blinded by ghostly hands, “devilish” Supergirl stirring
cauldron with pitchfork //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Secret Life of Clark Kent” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last apeparance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND,
LOIS LANE #57; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL
FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Intro: Peter Fry, Elizabelle, Luke Robb, Dan Robb (only appearance
for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman appears in the Supergirl
story in this issue, then plays a secret identities game with Batman and
Robin in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149.
Synopsis: A balloon mishap throws Clark Kent into a hidden valley populated
by isolated Quakers, in which he does not have to pretend to be a weakling
anymore.