Action Comics No. 387
April 1970
Cover: Aged Superman examined by machine //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Even a Superman Dies” (16 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Letterer: Joe Letterese
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #236; also appears in flashbacks, as Baby Kal-El (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology) and Superboy (between SUPERBOY #164 / 166))
GA: Krypto (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White (in flashback)
Intro: Ronn and four other astronauts, the Master Healer (a robot)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last chronological appearance in HEROES AGAINST HUNGER #1; dies in this story; see Comment below), Time Trapper (next appears in SUPERBOY #223), Varlan Tro (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: This story continues from the last issue.
 This story ends on January 12, 1970.
 The futures shown in this story are not necessarily the canonical futures of Earth-One.  Therefore, the fate of Lex Luthor as shown in this story is not necessarily the fate of the real Earth-One Lex Luthor.
Synopsis:   Superman rescues some astronauts in 801, 970 A.D., goes to the year 1,001,970 and terraforms and repopulates a barren Earth, survives the attack of a drone-weapon powered by the dead intellect of Lex Luthor, and is thrown through the time-barrier by a comet.  He relives events from his childhood, boyhood, and adulthood until he returns to the point at which he first took his time-trip, after which the time-lines diverge and he is free to live out his normal life again.

Superman No. 226
May 1970
Cover: Giant Superman holding Lois Lane and swatting at airplanes atop building //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “When Superman Was King Kong” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #387)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #128; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #101), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #100 / 101)
GS: Titano (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84; next appears in issue #323)
Cameo: King Kong, Fay Wray
Synopsis: Superman is affected by Red Kryptonite while watching the movie King Kong. As a result, he grows to giant-size, has his intellect dulled for a time, is incapable of speech, and goes on a rampage duplicating that of King Kong in the movie.  Later, when the effect wears off, Superman transports Titano from the past to help protect his secret identity from Jimmy’s and Lois’s suspicions.

Story: “Uncle Sam’s Prize Prisoner” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bob Haney
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Joe Giella
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #101)
Intro: Dr. Carl Cathcart (dies in this story), Ed, Dave, and another agent (only appearance for all)
Villains: Szabo, Tanya, and other spies (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent gets an interview with scientist Dr. Carl Cathcart, who dies during the session and passes on the key formula of his last invention to him.  As a result, Kent is guarded round the clock by American agents, which makes it difficult for him to perform super-deeds, and is later captured by enemy agents who wish to pry from him the secret of the formula.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 101
May 1970
Cover: Superman, surgeon, and Lois Lane turning invisible //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Super-Reckless Lois Lane” (17 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Irv Novick
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #226; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #129)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #226; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #80)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #226; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #129), Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #193)
Cameo appearances: Lucy Lane, Lana Lang, Anti-Superman Gang (in Lois’s dream)
Intro: Dr. Locke (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League of America battle Norch Lor in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #80.
Synopsis: After a dream in which she becomes Superman’s wife, but is killed shortly thereafter by the Anti-Superman Gang, Lois Lane wishes to show Superman she is unafraid to marry him.  This desire combines with factors from an experimental invisibility serum she takes to make her quit her job at the Daily Planet and undertake dangerous jobs.

Action Comics No. 388
May 1970
Cover: Krypto / Streaky, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Supergirl, Brainiac, and Bizarro at wedding of Lois Lane and Superman of another Earth //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Puzzle of the Wild World” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Letterer: John Costanza
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #80; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #393)
Intro: Prof. Farlow Nurd, Mike and two other astronauts, and the Aquaman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman, Lois Lane, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bizarro, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Supergirl, Sgt. Rock, Ice-Bag Soldier, Little Half-Shot, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Krypto, Batgirl, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, and Cosmic Boy of a duplicate Earth (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman becomes embroiled in Mr. Mxyzptlk’s plot against Supergirl in ADVENTURE COMICS #393, then helps Batman fight Col. Koslov in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #192-193.
Synopsis: The experiment of Prof. Farlow Nurd creates a distored duplicate Earth which displaces Earth-One into another dimension while Superman is in space.  He returns to find a whacky parody-world in which Sgt. Rock is still fighting World War II, but seeking revenge on that Earth’s Superman for beating him out for Lois Lane’s hand; where Lex Luthor’s hair grows when he gets mad; and where Bizarro is a genius while Mr. Mxyzptlk is a dummy.  Superman restores Earth-One to its normal plane and displaces the distored duplicate Earth into another dimension.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 129
June 1970
Cover: Ghostly hand guiding Jimmy Olsen’s writing as Superman looks on //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Superman Versus Ultra-Olsen” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #101; first becomes Ultra-Olsen in this story; next Ultra-Olsen appearance in issue #158)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #193)
Supporting Characters: Mark Olsen (next appears in issue #158)
Intro: An Aztec king (dies in this story) and his two sons (all in flashback; only appearance for both)
Villains: Gripper, Dapper (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: An ancient Aztec medallion gives Jimmy Olsen super-powers, and he assumes the costumed identity of Ultra-Olsen.  But two hoods kidnap his father, and blackmail Jimmy into pulling robberies for them.

Story: “The Pen of Prophecy” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #389)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #81)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #193; next appears in ACTION COMICS #389), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #101)
Intro: J. Edgar Hoover (of Earth-One; face unrevealed), a descendant of Nostradamus (in flashback; only appearance)
GA: Edgar Allan Poe (last appearance in THE ATOM #12; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #500;  in flashback)
Cameo appearances: The orangutan from “The Murders At the Rue Morgue”, the raven from “The Raven”, and the black cat from “The Black Cat”
Villain: Rook Carney (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight the Jest-Master in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #81.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen gains a pen with magic ink, which was used by and supposedly inspired Nostradamus and Edgar Allan Poe.  It writes tales, seemingly by itself, which lead to the solution of several crimes and mysteries--but it also reveals that Clark Kent is Superman.

Action Comics No. 389
June 1970
Cover: Superman being struck out in baseball game by a kid pitcher //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Kid Who Struck Out Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #81; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #129 / 130)
Villains: The Slurrians (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When an invading alien race sends a probe into Earth’s atmosphere, Superman inflates various sports balls with gas which is antithetical to the aliens and spikes each one on one of the ship’s intakes, thus convincing the invaders that Earth’s air would be unheathy for them.

Story: “Rogue’s Gallery” (2 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Letterer: Ben Oda
Feature: The Superman Legend
Cameo appearances: Superman, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, the Toyman, the Parasite, the Puzzler, the Prankster, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Jax-Ur, Kru-El, General Zod, Prof. Vakox
Comment: Not a story; a gallery of Superman’s greatest villains

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 130
July 1970
Cover: Jimmy Olsen surgically turning Superman into a computer //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Computer-Man of Steel” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #389)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #389), Kandorians
GA: Superman robots
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #389), Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78; last appearance)
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #389; next appears in flashback in ACTION COMICS #413), Computer-Man (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Brainiac puts into action a complex plot to duplicate his intelligence in a Superman robot with the help of Jimmy Olsen and to endanger Kandor.

Story: “Olsen, the Teen Wonder” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bob Haney
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #228)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #390), Robin (between DETECTIVE COMICS #399 / 400)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #229), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #390)
Intro: Sgt. Masters (only appearance)
Villains: The Flying Mercurys and their gang (Ed named in this story; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After Robin beats out Jimmy Olsen for the Young Man of the Year award, Jimmy asks Robin to let him impersonate him again for 72 hours and see if he can catch crooks as efficiently as the Boy Wonder.  But Olsen-as-Robin runs into a gang of flying crooks, and requires the help of Superman.

Action Comics No. 390
July 1970
Cover: Superman presenting the president with the SEM  //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Self-Destruct Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Letterer: John Costanza
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130; next appears in THE FLASH #199; also appears as baby Kal-El, in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130; next appears in SUPERMAN #228)
GS: Richard M. Nixon (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #193; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #132), a Superman robot
Intro: Fax-Or (only appearance), the SEM (Superman Emergency Weapon; destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears with the Justice League in THE FLASH #199.
Synopsis: Superman is endangered when the SEM, a weapon designed to eliminate him if he ever turns evil, is accidentally activated--and he has no idea of how to stop it.

Superman No. 228
July 1970
Cover: Anti-Superman gang auctioning off Superman’s costume while Superman is imprisoned in a missile //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Mystery Bombers” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bob Haney
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in THE FLASH #199)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130)
Villains: The T.N.T. Twosome (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Two slave programmers from space impersonate Earth people and conduct a bombing campaign as part of a gimmick to siphon off knowledge from Superman.

Story: “Execution Planet” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #390)
GS: Superman robots
Villains: The Jet-Set Gang (first and only appearance), Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #377; next appear in issue #240)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: After Superman inexplicably loses his powers, the Anti-Superman Gang capture him, auction off his costume, and send him in a rocket to the Execution Planet.

Superman No. 229
August 1970
Cover:  Superman in Supro costume, flying with glider-wings over slaves  //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story:  "The Ex-Superman"  (15 pages)
Editor:  Mort Weisinger
Writer:  Leo Dorfman
Penciller:  Curt Swan
Inker:  Joe Giella
Feature Character:  Superman
GS:  Supergirl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #394 / 395)
Intro:  Dulgran (dies in this story), Supro and other slaves (only appearance for all)
Cameo:  Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Anti-Superman Gang (in flashback)
Villains: Lord Korpon (first and only appearance), Executioners of Morgu (first appearance; most die in this story)
Comment:  This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis:  Superman, suffering from power-loss, is rocketed to Morgu, the executioner's planet, by the Anti-Superman Gang.  While there, he evades the executioners, becomes the new hero of
slaves, and, finally, meets Supergirl, who has come to rescue him.  She reveals that his costume was dusted by a Red Kryptonite-like dust which removed his powers by an allergic reaction.  With the dust removed from his uniform, he becomes super again.  She also tells him that the executioners of Morgu committed suicide after they failed to kill him.  Superman and Supergirl return to Earth.

Story: “Clark Kent, Assassin” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #102)
GS: Batman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #400 / 401)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #195), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #102), Perry White (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130 / 132), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #100 / 102)
Synopsis: Exposure to a Red Kryptonite-like substance causes Clark Kent to repeatedly try to kill Perry White.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 102
July 1970
Cover: Lana Lang, Superman, and “dead” Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “When You’re Dead, You’re Dead” (16 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Mike Esposito
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #229)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #229)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #229)
Intro: Rajah Satdev (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane falls for a mysterious Rajah Satdev. But only after drinking an elixir which gives her the same horns that she discovers on him does she learn that Satdev could be the Devil.  When Superman comes to investigate, the blast of one of Satdev’s weapons ricochets from the Man of Steel’s chest and apparently kills Lois.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 103
August 1970
Cover: Superman watching the wedding of Rajah Satdev and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Devil’s Bride” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Irv Novick
Inker: Mike Esposito
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196)
GS: Superman (next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #396)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in issue #109)
Intro: Nferinoans (only appearance)
Other Character: Rajah Satdev (last appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Supergirl deal with a misprogrammed Supergirl robot in ADVENTURE COMICS #396, then helps Batman, Robin, and Jimmy Olsen battle the Mafia in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #194-195.
Synopsis: Rajah Satdev proves not to be the Devil, but an alien in love with Lois.  Lois has not been killed, and she returns to Satdev’s world of Nferino to marry him.  But Lois’s realization that Superman loves her (thanks to her seeing an inscription he made on a ring he gave her when he thought her dead) makes her cancel the wedding.  Satdev removes her horns, hooves, and tail, and sends her back to Earth.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 132
September 1970
Cover: Jimmy Olsen with money, watching Clark Kent as Superman being carried off in Kryptonite chains by crooks //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “When Olsen Sold Out Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #195)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #195), a Superman robot
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #229; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #105), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in issue #123)
Villains: The Crime Syndicate (last appearance in SUPERMAN #179; next appears in ACTION COMICS #440)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is kidnapped by gangsters who try to make him reveal Superman’s secret identity.  Knowing that Perry White is not Superman, he tells them that Superman is “really” his editor at the Daily Planet--but Clark Kent has been named editor for a day, and the crooks capture him with Kryptonite.

Story: “The Winner’s Prize, the Loser’s Grave” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bob Haney
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #82)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #82)
GA: Richard M. Nixon (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #390; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196)
Intro: Leonid Breshnev (of Earth-One; face unrevealed), Mr. Carstairs, Spike (a robot; only appearance for both)
Villain: Bors (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and Justice Society fight Creator2 in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #82-83, with Jimmy Olsen briefly appearing in  issue #82. Then Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight K C. Jones in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196.
Synopsis: An island forms in the tropics and, due to its strategic importance to both the U.S. and Russia, is contended for by both superpowers.  It is decided that the claim to the island will be decided by a battle between two champions from each nation...the Russian, Bors, against the American, Jimmy Olsen.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 105
October 1970
Cover: Lois Lane in wedding dress, carried by Johnny Adonis towards electric chair as Superman watches; Thorn vignette //Murphy Anderson
Story: “Death House Honeymoon” (12 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Pencillers: Art Saaf, Ross Andru
Inker: Mike Esposito
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196; also appears in flashback to an indeterminate time; briefly marries Johnny Adonis in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196; next appears in ACTION COMICS #393), the Thorn (Rose Forrest; first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in Rose and the Thorn story in this issue; next appears in Rose and the Thorn story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #196 / 197), Perry White (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #132 / 138)
Villains: The 100 (first appearance), Johnny Adonis (first appearance; dies in this story), Crazy Collins (first and only appearance)
Comment: Lois is briefly married to Johnny Adonis in this story, but is widowed soon afterward.  This is her third marriage, following her brief marriages to Zak-Kul (in ACTION COMICS #345) and X-Plam (in SUPERMAN #137).
Synopsis: The 100, a criminal combine, invade Metropolis, but a mysterious female crimefighter called The Thorn serves public notice that she will hunt them all down.  Meanwhile, Johnny Adonis, a murderer sentenced to the chair, asks Lois Lane (whose life he once saved) for a last request: to marry him just before he is executed.  She complies, and the two are married.  But a jailbreak ensues before Johnny can be taken to the chair, and Lois is taken hostage and later dumped in the river by the convicts, but is rescued by the Thorn.  Both women are saved by Superman, and Johnny himself is killed by one of his fellow convicts while trying to defend Lois.

Action Comics No. 393
October 1970
Cover: Superman being stopped by Dan Holahan from saving falling “Hair-Breadth” Holahan //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Superman Meets Super-Houdini” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #105 / 106)
Intro: Hairbreadth Holahan (aka Mace Larkin), Dan Holahan (only appearance for both)
Villains: Riff, Cass, Stoney Croy, Mick Leroy, Hack Wheeler, Crip Brand (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Gangsters blackmail escape artist Hairbreadth Holahan into attempting to break a gang-boss out of jail, threatening to reveal that he is an escaped convict if he refuses.  But Superman helps Holahan turn the tables on the blackmailers.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 106
November 1970
Cover: Superman transforming Lois Lane into a black woman (three vignettes); Thorn vignette //Murphy Anderson
Story: “I Am Curious (Black)” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #394)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #393; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #84)
Supporting Character: Dave Stevens (first appearance; next appears in issue #114)
Intro: Benny the Beret (only appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: The title for this story is taken from the movie I Am Curious (Yellow), making it the first Superman Family story to take its title from a porno film.
 Lois Lane’s blood type is revealed as O-Negative in this story.
 Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight Dr. Viktor Willard, Nether Man, and the 100 in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #84.
Synopsis: To get a story about life in Little Africa, a black ghetto in Metropolis, Lois Lane has Superman use a transformation machine designed by Dahr-Nel to turn her into a black woman.  During her stay there, she meets neighborhood activist Dave Stevens, and helps save his life with a transfusion of her own blood after he is shot by drug dealers.  When he awakens, and sees she has become a white woman again, he accepts her sacrifice nonetheless with gratitude.

Action Comics No. 394
November 1970
Cover: Superman burning up stacks of money while Lois Lane gestures towards needy people //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Midas of Metropolis” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #84)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #106)
Villains: Cyrus Brand, Rembrandt Regan, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman discovers that tycoon Cyrus Brand’s empire is based on counterfeit money, and hatches a plan to nab him by becoming a super-tycoon himself.

Story: “Requiem For a Hot Rod” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Brown)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #86)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Villain: Coffin Crowley (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight The Zapper in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #86.
Synopsis: A hot-rodder takes pleasure in running other cars off the road, so Clark Kent teaches him a lesson with a game of “chicken”.

Action Comics No. 395
December 1970
Cover: Superman watching Captain Althera lift a boulder //Carmine Infantino and Curt Swan / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Secrets of Superman’s Fortress” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #86; also appears in flashbacks; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (in flashback to indeterminate time), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #233)
GA: Superman robots
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara (as statues)
Intro: Captain Althera, Vrandars (in flashback; only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After Lois Lane sees a single feather exhibited in the Fortress of Solitude, Superman silently reminesces over his past encounter with Captain Althera, an Amazon from another world with whom he once fell in love.

Story:  "The Credit Card of Catastrophe"  (8 pages)
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Geoff Brown  [Leo Dorfman]
Penciller:  Curt Swan
Inker:  Murphy Anderson
Feature Character:  Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #198)
GS:  Supergirl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #399 / 400)
Supporting Characters:  Students and faculty at Stanhope College
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman races the Flash and fights four Phantom Zone villains in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #198-199, then briefly appears in THE FLASH #203.
Synopsis:  Superman visits Madame Mephisto, a gypsy fortune-teller at a carnival, who gives him a "credit card" that is good for three wishes.  She says once he uses it three times, he will
find out what it costs.  Superman considers it a gag, until his power fades out three times and he regains it each time by using one of the wishes on the card.  He goes to Madame Mephisto, who
says she has erased his powers magically and will restore them for half the gold in Fort Knox.  He agrees.  She makes him super again, and he returns with half the gold in Fort Knox, given to him with a promise to the authorities to replace it, and dumps it all on Madame Mephisto.  Seconds later, he digs her out and unmasks her as Supergirl.  She said that she assumed the identity of the fortune-teller to see whether or not she or Superman could be hypnotized into committing a super-crime, and used super-hypnosis to convince Superman he had lost his powers, while standing nearby when each crisis happened in which Superman used his card.  Superman said he deduced her true identity when he wondered why Madame Mephisto didn't use her magic to get the gold herself, rather than using him to do the job, and then realized he had not lost all his powers.  The two Kryptonians fly the gold back to Fort Knox, and Supergirl admits she still doesn't know if they can be hypnotized into committing crimes or not.

Action Comics No. 396
January 1971
Cover: Wheelchair-bound, aged Superman fleeing crowd //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Invaders From Nowhere” (9 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Browne)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in THE FLASH #203)
Villains: The Seekers (Tyrrik and Klurr), Krannians (first appearance for all; all die in this story)
Synopsis: Superman is abducted to a microscopic world which exists within his Fortress which uses him as a power source, until an overload destroys their planet.

Action Comics No. 397
February 1971
Cover: Aged Superman in wheelchair near cobwebbed Superman robots, holding wedding photo of Clark Kent and Lois Lane and photo of Jimmy Olsen //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Super-Captive of the Sea” (11 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Brown)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in FOREVER PEOPLE #1)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #400)
Villains: Two Quorians (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Forever People battle Darkseid in FOREVER PEOPLE #1.
Synopsis: Two denizens of a water-world force Superman to live underseas as a test by polluting the atmosphere of Earth with power-sapping gases from a red-sun planet.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 133
October 1970
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Yango, Flek, and Outsiders on cycles crashing into Superman; vignettes of Newsboy Legion and Whiz Wagon //Jack Kirby / Vince Colletta
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Superman’s Pal, Brings Back the Newsboy Legion” (22 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in FOREVER PEOPLE #1)
GS: Superman (last appearance in FOREVER PEOPLE #1)
Intro: The new Newsboy Legion (Scrapper II, Gabby II, Big Words II, Tommy II, Flippa-Dippa; origin details revealed), the Outsiders (Yango, Flek, and others)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118), Inter-Gang (first appearance; last chronological appearance in FOREVER PEOPLE #1; next appear in issue #138), Iron Mask, Vudu (first appearance for both; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
 The stories in issues #133-148 are part of the Fourth World saga appearing in THE NEW GODS, THE FOREVER PEOPLE, MR. MIRACLE, and some issues of SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE.
 As shown in issue #151 and several issues of SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE, the Morgan Edge who appears in this issue is an evil clone of the real Morgan Edge, created by Darkseid’s minions.
 Al Plastino does some touching-up of the faces of Superman and Jimmy Olsen in this story.
 This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is paired with the new Newsboy Legion, the sons of the original boy heroes plus Flippa-Dippa, a newcomer, to investigate the Wild Area, a strange community outside of Metropolis.  The boys are given a super-vehicle called the Whiz Wagon for transport.  When Clark Kent shows concern for Jimmy, Morgan Edge, owner of Galaxy Broadcasting and the new owner of the Daily Planet, secretly orders a criminal organization called Inter-Gang to kill him.  But Kent survives the attempt, and later hooks up with Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion in the Wild Area.  The youths have met the Outsiders, a tribe of young people who live in a super-scientific commune called Habitat, and have won leadership of the Outsiders’ gang of motorcyclists.  Jimmy and company go off in search of a mysterious goal called the Mountain of Judgment, and warn Superman not to stop them.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 134
December 1970
Cover: Superman carried off by the Outsiders while Jimmy Olsen and Tommy look on //Neal Adams
Story: “The Mountain of Judgment” (22 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, the Newsboy Legion II
Supporting Characters: Yango, Outsiders (all next appear in issue #137)
Intro: Jude, the Hairies
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (next appears in issue #138), Darkseid (first appearance; last chronological appearance in FOREVER PEOPLE #1)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue
Synopsis: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, the Newsboy Legion and the Outsiders journey to the Mountain of Judgment, a giant converted missile carrier which is the mobile home of the Hairies, another youth tribe.  The Man of Steel discovers and neutralizes a bomb planted in the Whiz Wagon, intended to destroy the Hairies, Jimmy, and the Newsboys.  All stay for a celebratory meal among the Hairies, not knowing that Morgan Edge is receiving orders from his master, Darkseid.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 135
January 1971
Cover: Jimmy Olsen releasing tiny Superman clones to beset Superman //Neal Adams
Story: “Evil Factory” (22 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Newsboy Legion II, Newsboy Legion I (Scrapper, Tommy, Big Words, and Gabby; fathers of the Newsboy Legion II; last appearance in STAR-SPANGLED COMICS #64) Supporting Characters:  Jude, Hairies (both next appear in issue #142)
Intro: The Golden Guardian (a clone of Jim Harper, the original Guardian; origin revealed in this story; last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN FAMILY #192), Flippa-Dippa’s father, Jimmy Olsen Clone 43 (only appearance), tiny clones of Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Newsboy Legion II
Villains: Simyan, Mokkari (first appearance for both; last chronological appearance for both in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118), Giant Jimmy Olsen (first appearance), Darkseid
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and the Newsboy Legion leave the Mountain of Judgment and are admitted to the DNA Project, a secret government cloning base that created the Hairies through genetic engineering.  They discover that the original Newsboy Legion members and Flippa-Dippa’s father are employed there, and that Jimmy Olsen clones are employed as guards.  But Simyan and Mokkari, two of Darkseid’s agents, have a rival project underway, and they send their first warrior against Superman and his friends: a giant, rampaging Jimmy Olsen clone with Kryptonite-impregnated skin.  The giant Olsen defeats Superman and begins destroying the DNA Project.  In response, Tommy of the original Newsboy Legion releases the clone of the deceased Guardian, their mentor, and the new Golden Guardian swings into action against their foe.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 136
March 1971
Cover: Giant Jimmy Olsen vs. Superman and Newsboy Legion II //Neal Adams
Story: “The Saga of the D.N.Aliens” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Golden Guardian (more origin details revealed), Newsboy Legions I and II, Flippa-Dippa’s father
Supporting Characters: Hairies
Intro: Scrapper-Troopers, Gabby clones, Dubbilex (next appears in issue #144)
Villains: Giant Jimmy Olsen (last appearance), the Four-Armed Terror (first appearance), Darkseid (next appears in NEW GODS #1), Simyan, Mokkari
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis   With the help of the Golden Guardian, Superman, Jimmy, and the Newsboy Legions get the giant Jimmy Olsen clone subdued.  They learn that the original Guardian died recently after being killed by a hood, and gave them genetic material to be used in his cloning.  They also learn that the Hairies were created by the DNA Project and meet tiny warrior-clones of Scrapper, clones of Gabby, and Dubbilex, a genetically-engineered scientist with a nonhuman appearance.  Elsewhere, Simyan and Mokkari confess their failure to Darkseid, who orders them to unleash a new menace on the DNA Project.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 137
April 1971
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Newsboy Legion II facing shadow of Four-Armed Terror //Jack Kirby / Neal Adams
Story: “The Four-Armed Terror” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Newsboy Legion II,
Supporting Characters: Yango, Outsiders (last appearance in issue #134; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119), Hairies
Intro: Gandy
Villains: Simyan, Mokkari, Four-Armed Terror, Four-Armed Terror clones (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Just after Jimmy Olsen is voted into leadership of the new Newsboy Legion, the DNA Project is attacked by the monstrous Four-Armed Terror, while Simyan and Mokkari hatch more Four-Armed Terrors from eggs.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 138
May 1971
Cover: Superman at the DNA Project; Jimmy Olsen vignette //Jack Kirby / Neal Adams
Story: “The Big Boom” (23 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Golden Guardian, Newsboy Legions I and II
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #105; next appears in SUPERMAN #233), Terry Dean (first appearance; next appears in issue #144)
Villains: Four-Armed Terror, Four-Armed Terror clones (all destroyed in this story), Simyan, Mokkari (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119), Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in issue #134), Inter-Gang (last appearance in issue #133)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman deduces that the Four-Armed Terror and his clones are in search of energy, so he uproots the nuclear reactor that powers the DNA Project and uses it to lure the creatures to their destruction in an underground atomic blast.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 139
July 1971
Cover: Goody Rickels holding caricature of Don Rickles, Jimmy Olsen, Golden Guardian, Superman //Jack Kirby / Vince Colletta and Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Guardian Fights Again” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #141)
GS: Superman, Golden Guardian, Newsboy Legion II, Tommy Sr.
Supporting Character: Laura Conway (first appearance; first name revealed in issue #142)
Intro: A Scrapper-Trooper, Goody Rickels (a Don Rickles lookalike)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone, Inter-Gang, Ugly Mannheim (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in issue #141.
Synopsis: Morgan Edge is beset by Goody Rickels, a Don Rickles lookalike, who wants to break out of his research job and is assigned to investigate a UFO landing nearby.  But Clark Kent is abducted by it, and the Guardian, the Newsboy Legion, and Goody are captured by Ugly Mannheim and Inter-Gang, who force them to eat a meal laced with Pyro-Granulate.  Mannheim them lets them all go, informing them that the chemical will cause them all to burn up in 24 hours.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 141
September 1971
Cover: Superman and Guardian bearing photo of Don Rickles, with Jimmy Olsen and Goody Rickels running behind //Jack Kirby / Neal Adams
Story: “Will the Real Don Rickles Panic?”  (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #139)
GS: Superman (last appearance in issue #139; next appears in THE FLASH #204), Newsboy Legion II (last appearance in issue #139), Golden Guardian (between issues #139 / 144), Lightray (between NEW GODS #2 / 3)
Supporting Character: Laura Conway (last appearance in issue #139)
Intro: Don Rickles (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Other Character: Goody Rickels (last appearance in issue #139; last appearance)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in issue #139; next appears in ACTION COMICS #398), Ugly Mannheim, Inter-Gang (last appearance for all in issue #139), Para-Demons (between NEW GODS #1 / 8)
Comment: This story continues from issue #139.
 With this issue, the comic becomes a 52-page, 25-cent book through issue #150.
 Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League deal with Iris Allen’s identity-revealing impulses in THE FLASH #204.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is almost taken to Apokolips by the UFO, which is a trap of Darkseid’s, but is rescued by Lightray and sent back to Earth.  Morgan Edge is visited by Don Rickles, but Jimmy Olsen and Goody Rickels appear in his office and are about to combust from the Pyro-Granulate. The Golden Guardian appears, having forced Ugly Mannheim to give him the antidote, and cures Jimmy and Goody, having already cured himself and the Newsboy Legion.  Don Rickles, maddened by the happenings, hitches a ride out of Edge’s office with two members of the police bomb squad.

Action Comics No. 398
March 1971
Cover: Superman leading student riot //Neal Adams
Story: “The Pied Piper of Steel” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in THE FLASH #204)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #141)
Intro: The Ding-A-Lings, the Soda Pops, Porky and the Hamlets, the Astronauts, Satan’s Angels (only appearance for all)
Villains: Cy Horkin, various convicts (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story, Clark Kent becomes a TV reporter for WGBS.
Synopsis: Rock promoter Cy Horkin uses an electronic brain to compel the audiences at his groups’ concerts to do whatever the lyrics command.  But Superman discovers the plot and stops Horkin from using them to commit “the crime of the century”.

Story:  "Spawn of the Unknown"  (8 pages)
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Geoff Brown [Leo Dorfman]
Penciller:  Curt Swan
Inker:  Murphy Anderson
Feature Character:  Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #233)
GS:  Supergirl (next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #401)
Intro:  Ituru (a game keeper),  Prof. Bruno (in flashback; only appearance for both)
Villains: A gang of thieves (first and only appearance)
Comment:  Since Supergirl has enough super-powers to safely help Superman on a long space voyage, this story obviously happens before her "on-again-off-again" powers occur.
Synopsis:  When the experimental plant-seeds of Prof. Bruno, who is operating in Africa, run wild in an extinct volcano crater, Superman is called in by an old game keeper friend.  The game keeper tells Superman the seeds have turned animals into plants, and, when they see a plant-creature with Supergirl's costume, Superman is convinced his cousin has become a victim.  But the real Supergirl appears later, and says that the "Supergirl" tree--like a "Superman" tree which sprouts not long after--is only a plant.  Professor Bruno's plants imitate the life forms around them.  Superman and Supergirl take the volcano crater to a remote planet, but save the Supergirl and Superman trees for the Fortress of Solitude.

Superman No. 233
January 1971
Cover: Superman bursting Kryptonite chains on his chest //Neal Adams
Story: “Superman Breaks Loose” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #398; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #107)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #398), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #141; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #108), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #138; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #107), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #395; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #107)
Intro: Professor Golden (only appearance), the Quarrmer
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, all Kryptonite on Earth is changed into iron.  This, of course, robs Streaky the Supercat of his powers.
 Morgan Edge transfers Clark Kent exclusively to WGBS in this story.
Synopsis: Superman is exposed to the explosion of a Kryptonite reactor in the desert, which knocks him unconscious for a time but also transforms all Kryptonite on the planet into iron.  The Man of Steel easily deals with a gang who attempt to hijack a mail rocket, but is weakened inexplicably when he passes over the area in the desert which still bears an imprint of his form.  Later, a strange semi-duplicate of Superman is formed from the desert sands, and stalks off.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 107
January 1971
Cover: Superman at Winter Carnival with melting Lois Lane snow-woman; Thorn vignette //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Snow-Woman Wept” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #233)
GS: Superman (between SUPERMAN #233 / 234)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #233)
Intro: Norman Brooks, Prof. Bridnell (only appearance for both)
Villains: Dr. Tort, Gen. Coffin, and other Russian spies (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane learns of a Raleigh College professor’s device to turn humans into water-breathers. But when a treacherous colleague of the professor’s uses the device on her at full-power, it transforms her into a living snow-woman...and he puts her outside to melt.

Superman No. 234
February 1971
Cover: Superman falling out of sky as Quarrmer passes overhead //Neal Adams
Story: “How To Tame a Wild Volcano” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #107 / 108)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge clone
Other Character: Quarrmer
Villains: Boysie Harker and his men (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman tries to figure out how to stop a volcano from erupting on Boki Island, while the corrupt man who owns the island tries to stop him from doing anything.  Meanwhile, the sand-creature takes up residence in the volcano, and its features coalesce into a more accurate representation of Superman’s.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 108
February 1971
Cover: Jack the Ripper’s ghost, Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane, and Perry White at Superman’s and Lois Lane’s wedding //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Spectre Suitor” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in Thorn story in this issue)
GS: Superman (next appears in Thorn story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #233; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202), Perry White
Intro: Sir Noel Tate (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Lara (as an illusion)
Villains: Jack the Ripper’s ghost, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Lois Lane and Superman appear in the Thorn story in this issue.  Then Superman helps the Justice League and Zatanna fight a robot from Cam-Nam-Lao in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #87, after which he helps Robin deal with Migg and Kartal in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #200.
Synopsis: After interviewing an English emigrant whose family ancestry included Jack the Ripper in its number, Lois Lane is haunted by the Ripper’s ghost.

Superman No. 235
March 1971
Cover: Superman racing Pan //Carmine Infantino and Neal Adams
Story: “Sinster Scream of the Devil’s Harp” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #200; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #88)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #108 / 109)
Intro: Prince Umbler, Timos Achens (only appearance for both)
Other Character: Quarrmer (next appears in issue #237)
Villains: Pan (Ferlin Nyxly; first appearance; next appears in issue #253), a gang of assassins (first and only appearance), Morgan Edge clone (next appears in issue #237)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League battle the Muvians in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #88, then teams up with Green Lantern to defeat Felix Faust in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #201.
Synopsis: A sinister “devil’s harp” gives would-be musician Ferlin Nxyly super-powers.  Costuming himself as Pan, he challenges Superman to a showdown, which is complicated by the presence of the sand-being draining Superman of more of his powers.

Superman No. 236
April 1971
Cover: Superman observing Lois Lane and demons at the gates to Hell //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Planet of the Angels” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #201; next appears in World of Krypton story in this issue)
GA: Batman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #95; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #410)
Cameo appearances: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (as illusions)
Intro: Lawmen from Beta U (only appearance)
Villains: Gabriel, Raphael, Michael (alien criminals), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman tells Black Canary and Green Arrow the tale of Dr. Mo-De in the World of Krypton story in this issue.
Synopsis: Superman finds himself yanked into a world in which he confronts angels and devils, only to learn that neither party is what they seem.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 109
April 1971
Cover: Lois Lane throwing Superman mementos at Superman //Dick Giordano
Story: “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #235 / 237)
GS: Superman (last appearance in World of Krypton story in SUPERMAN #236; next appears in ACTION COMICS #399)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #103; next appears in SUPERMAN #284; also appears in flashback, chronologically between ACTION COMICS #408 (2) / SUPERMAN #78), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #126 (1); next appears in issue #119)
Intro: Roland Kirk, Susan Sarne (only appearance for both)
Villain: Prof. Lorraine Denison (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story reveals that Lana Lang transferred to Hudson University after attending Metropolis University for a year or two, as shown in ACTION COMICS #408.
 The title from this story is taken from the Burt Bacharach / Hal David song, “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again”.
 Lois Lane begins her “People, U.S.A.” feature in this issue.
Synopsis: Feeling that Lois Lane has unfairly stolen the love of Superman from her old student Lana Lang, Prof. Lorraine Denison uses a laser to burn out the area of her brain governing the emotion of love.  Lois becomes apathetic towards Superman, and callous in her work.  But Lana Lang and Superman convince Prof. Denison to tell them how her machine functions, and, with the help of an actor with whom Denison was once in love, revive Lois’s love-capacity.
 Meanwhile, Lana Lang states that she has given up on her love for Superman, and takes a job overseas as a European correspondent for the Galaxy Broadcasting System.

Action Comics No. 399
April 1971
Cover: Superman and attendant checking future morgue with bodies of “Superman I and II” //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Superman, You’re Dead, Dead, Dead” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #109; next appears in SUPERMAN #237)
Intro: Abraham Lincoln, George Armstrong Custer, George Washington, and other inhabitants of an alternate Earth, Riggorians (first and only apperance for all), Superman I, II, and III of an alternate Earth (in flashback; all die in this story)
Villains: An energy vampire (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is kidnapped by a time-probe from the 24th Century of an alternate Earth, where he is mistaken for the third Superman of that Earth and is told he will soon die when he is returned to his own time.

Superman No. 237
May 1971
Cover: Green-faced people attacking Superman //Neal Adams
Story: “The Enemy of Earth” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #399; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #110)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #109 / 110)
Intro: An astronaut, a pilot, and a doctor (only appearance for all)
Other Character: Quarrmer (last appearance in issue #235)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in issue #235), a gang of bandits (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman finds himself weakened by the Quarrmer and infected by a strange malady that causes humans to develop misshapen green faces and ants to become human-size.  He exiles himself in space until he sees Lois Lane, on assignment in Central America, endangered by army ants.  The Man of Steel seeks out his sand-being duplicate, grasps him, and experiences a burst of energy that kayoes them both and sends him dropping to Earth.  But the disease has been destroyed, and he is able to save Lois.
 Later, he confronts the sand-being, who finally speaks to him.  It tells Superman that he will recover somewhat, and both of them will be equal in power.  When Superman asks it who it is, it replies that he is taken from his very mind, heart, and soul, and that it fears both of them may not survive.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 110
May 1971
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and Little Moon facing rock-throwing crowd //Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Indian Death Charge” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #237; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #237; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #89)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204)
Intro: Johnny Lone Eagle, Little Moon, Joseph Bright Wing and their tribe (first and only appearance for all), Singing Rain (dies in this story)
Villain: Al Torm (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman appears during the Justice League’s adventure with Harlequin Ellis in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #89, then helps Batman fight Malis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202.
Synopsis: Lois Lane honors a dying Indian mother’s last wish, and becomes foster mother to her baby, Little Moon, despite vocal opposition from both whites and Native Americans.

Action Comics No. 400
May 1971
Cover: Superman and Changeling //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “My Son--Is He Man Or Beast?”  (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202)
GA: Superman robots
Intro: The Changeling (Gregor Nagy; dies in this story; not to be confused with the New Teen Titan), Jan Nagy (dies before this story begins), Denise (only appearance)
Villains: Ivory poachers (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is named guardian of Gregor Nagy, a late friend’s son, only to discover that the youth has gained the power to metamorphosize his body into animal forms from an experiment of his father’s--and that he resents Superman.

Story:  "Duel of Doom"  (8 pages)
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Geoff Browne [Leo Dorfman]
Penciller:  Curt Swan
Inker:  Murphy Anderson
Feature Character:  Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #238)
GS:  Supergirl (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #405), Kandorians
Intro:  Yllura, Arvor (only appearance for both)
Villain:  Brainiac (in flashback; chronologically between flashback in issue #413 and story proper in #413)
Synopsis:  Two Kandorian students, Yllura and Arvor, face a graduation exercise of conducting "an original exploration into Kandor's past."  Both are rivals, with Yllura idolizing Supergirl and Arvor hero-worshipping Superman.  But, when each gets in trouble on their archaeological trip, they help each other to reach safety.  Realizing that teamwork is necessary for success, Arvor and Yllura call off their rivalry.  Later, they are awarded a joint trophy by Superman and Supergirl.

Superman No. 238
June 1971
Cover: Superman and the Quarrmer //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Menace At 1,000 Degrees” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #400 / 403)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202; next appears in issue #240), Lois Lane (last appearance in  WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #202; next appears in issue #403), Morgan Edge clone (next appears in issue SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #114)
Other Character: Quarrmer
Villains: Quig and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and 49 other people are held hostage on a drilling rig by Quig, a terrorist, and the reduced-in-power Superman cannot convince his sand-bodied alter ego to help him.

Action Comics No. 403
August 1971
Cover: Doctors and nurses directing crowd for Superman’s blood transfusion //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Attack of the Micro-Murderer” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #238; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #406)
GA: Linda Danvers (Supergirl; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #406), Kandorians
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #238; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #111)
Villain: A Zohtt (first and only appearance)
Comments: This story takes place from March 27th through probably March 31st.
 With this issue, ACTION COMICS becomes a 25-cent, 52-page comic.
 Since this story takes place before Supergirl’s graduation from college, it must be moved out of sequence.
 Shortly after this story Clark Kent helps Linda Danvers get a job in ADVENTURE COMICS #406, then, as Superman, teams up with Aquaman to deal with the “dolphin-men” in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #203.
Synopsis: Superman’s body is invaded by a Zohtt, a magical wraith-being which attempts to destroy him, and not even a blood transfusion from most of Metropolis’s citizens can save him.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 111
July 1971
Cover: Bikini-clad Lois Lane tied down by miniature Justice League clones //Dick Giordano
Story: “The Dark Side of the Justice League” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #403)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #203; next appears in ACTION COMICS #401)
Intro: Tiny Lois Lane clones (only appearance)
Villains: Inter-Gang (last appearance in NEW GODS #3; next appear in issue #115), tiny clones of Superman, Black Canary, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Batman, and Hawkman (first appearance for all; next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #194)
Comment: Some faces in this story are touched up by Murphy Anderson
Synopsis: Tiny clones of Justice League members created by Darkseid’s minions Simyan and Mokkari dose Lois Lane’s lips with a chemical that drives Superman into a fit of madness. Then the clone-JLA mites go after Lois Lane herself.

Action Comics No. 401
June 1971
Cover: Superman carried on pole by Red Hawk and Navarro Indians //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Invaders Go Home” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in second story of this issue; next appears in first story of next issue)
Intro: Old Snake (dies in this story), Red Hawk (Don Hawk), Moon Flower, Navarro Indians
Cameo: Montezuma
Villain: Frank Haldane (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the first story of next issue.
Synopsis: Superman becomes embroiled in a conflict between Navarro Indians, who want to reclaim their land, and Frank Haldane, who has built a missile-manufacturing site on it. But Red Hawk steals Superman’s powers with a mysterious red jewel, and the Indians take him captive, intending to trade him for their lost land.

Story: “The Boy Who Begged To Die” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #111; next appears in first story of this issue)
Intro: People of Masonville (only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman has Masonville evacuated to save it from the explosion of a meteorite he is holding, and then finds out one citizen remains--a crippled boy.

Action Comics No. 402
July 1971
Cover: Red Hawk and Navarro Indians burning Superman at the stake //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “This Hostage Must Die” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in first story of last issue)
Other Characters: Red Hawk, Moon Flower, Navarro Indians (last appearance for all)
Villain: Frank Haldane (last appearance)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Superman discovers that the red jewel is drawing energy from a red sun, and frees himself by blocking out its light.  Then he discovers that Frank Haldane has found the treasure of Montezuma, and is attempting to steal it with a mechanical mole of his own design.  Superman captures Haldane and turns the wealth over to the Navarros.

Story:  "Superman Vs. Supergirl:  The Feud of the Titans"  (8 pages)
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Browne)
Penciller:  Curt Swan
Inker:  Murphy Anderson
Feature Character:  Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #112)
GS:  Supergirl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #407 / 408)
Synopsis:  Superman and Supergirl are made hostile to each other and goaded into a super-feud when fumes from a "brainwash bomb" they are disposing of in the Fortress of Solitude's disintegration pit combine with Kryptonian elements there and make them hate each other.  Superman begins to suspect the truth after seeing a two-headed bird's two heads quarrel with each
other in the Fortress, and he rescues Supergirl from death when she falls into the disintegration pit.  Once outside the Fortress, they regain their senses, and they clean the gas from their headquarters.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 112
August 1971
Cover: Lois Lane running towards Superman-tree //Dick Giordano
Story: “A Tree Grows In Metropolis” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in issue #114)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #402; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204)
Intro: Rzalin (an alien tree; dies in this story)
Comment: With this issue, SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE becomes a 25 cent, 52-page comic.
 Shortly after this story, Superman joins Diana Prince for an adventure in a future Earth in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204.
Synopsis: Superman transplants an alien tree to Metropolis, where it feeds on the brain-waves of Superman and Lois Lane, has a nightmare, and dies.

Superman No. 240
July 1971
Cover: Superman dejected by “Superman Fails!” newspaper headline and crowd’s rejection //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “To Save a Superman” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (between issues #238 / 242), I-Ching (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204)
Cameo: Quarrmer (in flashback)
Villains: Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in issue #228)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman has trouble putting out a building fire and stopping the Anti-Superman Gang with his reduced power.  I-Ching, Diana Prince’s mentor, places him in a magic trance which renders him temporarily powerless, that he may restore the Man of Steel’s powers.  The Anti-Superman Gang locates them and knocks I-Ching unconscious, but the merely-human Superman is able to take them on and beat them with his fists.  But he sustains a brutal blow to the head in the process.

Superman No. 241
August 1971
Cover: War-demon dragging off Superman and Quarrmer //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Shape of Fear” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Diana Prince (Wonder Woman; last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204)
Supporting Characters: I-Ching, Morgan Edge (first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118; next appears in issue #244)
Other Character: The Quarrmer
Villains: An evil Quarrmer (first appearance), Anti-Superman Gang
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
 With this issue, SUPERMAN becomes a 25-cent, 52-page comic.
Synopsis: Though Superman shows signs of belligerence, I-Ching finally gets him to consent to having his powers restored, and restores them.  However, he performs his super-duties without good judgment, and becomes incredibly arrogant.  I-Ching deduces that he suffered brain damage from the blow to the head, which was made permanent when his powers were returned.  Superman angrily denies it, but I-Ching and Diana Prince seek out the sand-being, whom I-Ching reveals to be from the realm of Quarrm, “a place where neither men nor things exist...only unformed, shapeless beings!”  The Quarrmer reveals that I-Ching’s magic stripped away most of his powers taken from Superman, and is leaving him dying, but another contact with Superman would bring back his strength and make Superman vulnerable again.  Diana and I-Ching summon Superman, but he avoids the Quarrmer.  However, another Quarrmer has emerged from the rift between its realm and Earth, inhabits the body of a statue of an Oriental war-demon in a Chinatown parade, saps Superman’s powers, and drags him away unconscious.

Superman No. 242
September 1971
Cover: Superman vs. Quarrmer //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Ultimate Battle” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #114)
GS: Diana Prince (Wonder Woman; next appears in WONDER WOMAN #196)
Supporting Characters: I-Ching (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #196), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #240)
Other Character: Quarrmer (next appearance in ALL-NEW COLLECTOR’S EDITION #C-58)
Villains: The evil Quarrmer (last appearance), Stewpot, Gemmi (first appearance for both; both die in this story)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Superman is badly beaten by two bums who hook up with the Quarrmer war-demon, and the Quarrmer Superman-duplicate is unable to match the villain’s strength.  But Superman’s vulnerable state makes it possible for him to be operated on, and a brain surgery is performed on him, alleviating his injury.  The war-demon kills the two bums and comes after the recovering Superman, but the Man of Steel and his Quarrmer duplicate defeat it and force the evil Quarrmer through the rift into its own dimension.  Afterward, the Quarrmer states that it wants to take over Superman’s place in the world, but to do so, Superman must die.  If they touch, an explosion will occur that will destroy one of them.
 Before they can do so, I-Ching appears, claims that he can magically cancel out the effects of their oppositely-charged atoms, and offers to do so to let them battle it out.  He appears to do so, and the two Supermen fight an incredible battle that ends up devastating the Earth.  Seeing what they have done, Superman is reduced to tears.
 I-Ching brings Superman and the Quarrmer out of the hypnotic trance in which he had placed them.  He tells them that their battle has only been an illusion.  The Quarrmer decides to return to his own dimension, realizing he has no right to Superman’s body or soul.  Before he leaves, I-Ching says that he can restore Superman’s full power.  Superman declines the offer, saying that he can make mistakes, and he doesn’t need too much power anymore.  The Quarrmer returns to his own realm, and Superman asks to be left alone for awhile, with his thoughts.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 114
September 1971
Cover: Thorn, Superman, and Lois Lane //Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “The Foe of 100 Faces” (22 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #112), the Thorn (between Thorn stories in issue #112 and next issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #242; next appears in ACTION COMICS #404)
Supporting Characters: Dave Stevens (last appearance in issue #106), Tina Ames (first appearance; last name revealed in next issue), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #204; next appears in ACTION COMICS #408)
Cameo appearances: Joe Louis, Harriet Tubman, Thurgood Marshall, W. C. Handy, Jesse Owens, George Washington Carver, Marian Anderson, Frederick Douglass, Jackie Robinson, Peter Salem, Daniel Hale, Jim Beckwourth, Benjamin Banneker, Bill Pickett, Alexander Pushkin, Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Ira Aldridge, Alexandre Dumas
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in SUPERMAN #238; next appears in ACTION COMICS #404), the 100 (between Thorn stories in last issue and this issue)
Synopsis: When the 100 turns a protest by black Metropolis citizens against an office building project into a riot, Lois Lane, the Thorn, Superman, and Dave Stevens help unmask the guilty parties and bring them to justice.  Later, Superman builds both an office building and a much-needed low-rent apartment building for the area.  Dave Stevens is hired as the Daily Planet’s first black columnist.
 
Action Comics No. 404
September 1971
Cover: Superman held prisoner as Mark siphons super-powers into Rufus Caesar //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Kneel To Your Conqueror, Superman” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #114; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #205)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #114; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #205), Rufus Carter, Mark (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams up with the Teen Titans to save them from Fairfield in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #205.
Synopsis: Superman is tricked into the clutches of Rufus Carter, a “human computer” who uses an apparatus of his own devising to drain the Man of Steel’s super-powers and infuse them into his own body.

Superman No. 243
October 1971
Cover: Superman embracing Rija //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Starry-Eyed Siren of Space” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #205; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #115)
Intro: Kond, Rija (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A female alien intelligence creates a body for herself, and is endangered by menaces of her own subconscious creation.  Her mate asks Superman to help save her, and then, when she falls for Superman, builds a duplicate Superman body for himself, and attacks him.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 115
October 1971
Cover: Superman crashing through window to see “dead” Lois Lane on couch //Dick Giordano
Story: “My Death--By Lois Lane” (14 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #244)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #243; next appears in ACTION COMICS #405), Black Racer (between NEW GODS #3 / 4)
Supporting Character: Verna Walker Johnson (between NEW GODS #3 / 4)
Intro: Dr. Reginald Q. Taylor, Maria Kalder (both die in this story)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #205; next appears in SUPERMAN #244), Inter-Gang (last appearance in issue #111; next appears in NEW GODS #4)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is targeted for death by Inter-Gang, who convince her that a prophecy of her own death typed on her typewriter will soon be fulfilled.

Action Comics No. 408
October 1971
Cover: Superman standing between president and a crumbling safe door //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Most Dangerous Bug In the World?”  (6 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #115; next appears in SUPERMAN #244)
Intro: Mr. Hobbs, Bobby Hobbs, two businessmen,  aliens from an anti-matter universe (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A boy plants a miniaturized bug on Clark Kent at his inventor grandfather’s behest, and learns that Kent is really Superman.

Superman No. 244
November 1971
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and two others watching Superman grapple with electronic “ghost” //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Electronic Ghost of Metropolis” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #405; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #116)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #115 / 116), Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue #241; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #117), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #247)
Intro: Alex, mayor of Metropolis (only appearance for both)
Villains: Teach Dilbert, Ziggy, and another henchman (first and only appearance for all), Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #115 / 116), a computer, an electronic “ghost” (first appearance for both; both destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Metropolis is beset by an electronic “ghost” which Superman deduces is a product of the Galaxy Broadcasting mainframe computer.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 116
November 1971
Cover: Lois Lane watching Superman distorted by trick mirrors //Werner Roth / Vince Colletta
Story: “Hall of 1000 Mirrors” (16 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #244; next appears in Thorn story in last issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #244; next appears in ACTION COMICS #406)
Supporting Characters: Dave Stevens, Tina Ames (both next appear in issue #119)
Intro: Mrs. Phillips (first and only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Billy Phillips (first and only appearance; in a photo; dies before this story begins)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in SUPERMAN #244; next appearance in ACTION COMICS #406), the 100 (between Thorn stories in this issue and next issue), the Devil’s Disciples (first and only appearance), Darkseid (last appearance in FOREVER PEOPLE #2; next appears in NEW GODS #4), Desaad (between FOREVER PEOPLE #2 / 3)
Comments: This is the first chronological appearance of Happyland, Desaad’s amusement park.
 Shortly after this story, Lois Lane appears briefly in the Thorn story in last issue and this issue.
Synopsis: Superman, Lois, Dave Stevens and Tina Ames help battle the 100 in Metropolis.  Later, Superman and Lois are lured into a trap in Happyland, an amusement park controlled by Darkseid’s minion Desaad.

Action Comics No. 406
November 1971
Cover: Dr. Troy Magnus as Superman “ghost” carrying his own head, Clark Kent and a beefeater  //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Master of Miracles” (18 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #116)
GA: Kandorians
Intro: Dr. Blanchard, Prof. Dorvas, Kline, Victor, Paisley (only appearance for all)
Villains: The Master (Van-Tarr; first and only appearance), Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #116 / 117)
Synopsis: A charismatic person called The Master intends to take a commune of scientists to a new world where he can rule them, but Superman exposes him as a renegade Kandorian.

Story: “The Ghost That Haunted Clark Kent” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Browne)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #207)
Intro: Dr. Troy Magnus (dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman to defeat Dr. Light in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #207.
Synopsis: In the Tower of London, Superman learns of Dr. Troy Magnus, a 300-year-old man who cannot die.

Superman No. 246
December 1971
Cover: Superman watching monster wreck Metropolis as kid begs for his asssistance //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Danger--Monster At Work” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #207; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #117)
Supporting Characters: Mrs. Goldstein (first appearance; full last name revealed in issue #296;  next appears in issue #254), Nathan Warbow, Jonathan Slaughter (first appearance for both; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #430),  Gordon and his wife, Jenkins (first and only appearance for all; Clark Kent’s neighbors)
Intro: S.T.A.R. (Scientific and Technological Applied Research), Dr. Wilson Farr (next appears in issue #253; first name revealed in issue #293), Frank, a protoplasmic blob (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman must deal with a protoplasmic algae blob spawned by an experiment at S.T.A.R. labs.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 117
December 1971
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane returning to an upside-down Earth //Werner Roth / Vince Colletta and Murphy Anderson
Story: “S.O.S. From Tomorrow” (16 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in Thorn story in last issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #246; next appears in ACTION COMICS #407)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN #244)
Intro: Ur, Downmen (only appearance for all)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #406), Seln-Nnol, Upmen (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A message sent through a time-rift brings Superman and Lois Lane to help people enslaved by drug-dealers 225 years in a possible future.

Action Comics No. 407
December 1971
Cover: Clark Kent changing to Superman in barred cage while Lex Luthor threatens Michael “King” Andrews and Mike Andrews, Jr. //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Fiend In the Fortress of Solitude” (17 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #117)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #397; next appears in SUPERMAN #248), Michael “King” Andrews (first appearance; dies in this story), Mike Andrews, Jr. (first and only appearance)
Comment: Lex Luthor (of Earth-One) commits his first murder in this story.
Synopsis: A gangster discovers the secret location of the Fortress of Solitude, enlists his son and a specialist (who turns out to be Lex Luthor) to help him get in, and, for a hostage, takes Clark Kent along.

Story: “The Planet of Prey” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #208)
Intro: Alien birds (only appearance)
Villain: A planet (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Dr. Fate battle magic aliens in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #208.
Synopsis: In outer space, Superman encounters a planet that tries to eat him.

Superman No. 247
January 1972
Cover: Guardians of the Universe sitting in judgment on Superman //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Must There Be a Superman?”  (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #208)
GS: Katma Tui (Green Lantern of Korugar; last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #56; next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #1), Guardians of the Universe (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #87; one next appears in THE FLASH #221, the rest in THE FLASH #222)
Cameo: Kalyarnans, Jor-El (in flashbacks)
Intro: Manuel, Juan and his mother (only appearance for all)
Villain: Harley (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is given the notion by the Guardians of the Universe that he might be holding back social progress on Earth by his presence.  Accordingly, when he goes back to Earth, he helps out a group of oppressed agricultural workers up to a point...and then insists that they help themselves.

Story: “When On Earth” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #244; next appears in ACTION COMICS #408)
Intro: Amy, Bick (only appearance for both)
Villains: A teenage gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent learns that a WGBS receptionist’s kid brother is running with a teenaged gang.  He confronts the youths without changing into Superman, to give Bick a chance to change his course, and succeeds.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 118
January 1972
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and hands of Morgan Edge //Dick Giordano (signed)
Story: “Edge of Darkness” (16 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #408)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #247; next appears in ACTION COMICS #408)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (also appears in flashback, between ACTION COMICS #468 (2) flashback / SUPERMAN #241)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (next appears in ACTION COMICS #408; also appears in flashback, his first chronological appearance, preceding his next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #133; origin revealed in flashback), Dr. Brell and his men, the Flying Jesters (first and only appearance for all), the 100 (between Thorn stories in issue #116 / 119), Darkseid (in flashback; between MR. MIRACLE #9 and FOREVER PEOPLE #1), Simyan, Mokkari (in flashback; first chronological appearance for both; both next chronologically appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #135)
Synopsis: The real Morgan Edge escapes his imprisonment within the Galaxy Communications building, and the Morgan Edge clone recalls how Simyan and Mokkari created him at Darkseid’s behest from cells taken from the real Edge, so that he could be their pawn.  The Edge clone tricks Superman and Lois Lane into thinking that the real Edge has gone insane, capturing him, and turning him over to a phony “psychiatrist” in his employ.  But the real Edge escapes again, and the clone realizes he must be found before Darkseid learns of his blunder.

Action Comics No. 408
January 1972
Cover: Superman refusing to help save NASA astronaut //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Hero Superman Doomed to Die” (18 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118; next appears in SUPERMAN #248)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #247; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #114; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209)
Intro: Col. Sean Carter, Mrs. Carter, and their son and daughter (only appearance for all)
Villain: Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118 / 119)
Synopsis: Superman tries to go into space to save a drifting astronaut, but cannot, due to a mental block the hyper-evolving astronaut places in him.

Superman No. 248
February 1972
Cover: Lex Luthor cursing Superman statue in ruins //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Man Who Murdered the Earth” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #408; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #408; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119)
Villains: Lex Luthor (between ACTION COMICS #407 / 413), the Galactic Golem (first appearance; next appears in issue #258)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor creates a Galactic Golem to destroy Superman, but believes he has destroyed the Earth as a result of their titanic battle.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 119
February 1972
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane watching Lucy Lane plummet towards ground from sky //Bob Oskner / Dick Giordano
Story: “Inside the Outsiders” (16 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #248; next appears in Thorn story in this issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #248; next appears in ACTION COMICS #409)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in issue #109), Yango (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #137 / 152), Outsiders (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #137 / 142), Dave Stevens (last appearance in issue #116; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #153), Tina Ames (last appearance in issue #116; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #187), Morgan Edge (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152)
Intro: Captain Lucas (only appearance)
Cameo: Darkseid (in flashback)
Villain: Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #408; next appears in SUPERMAN #250), Simyan, Mokkari (both between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #138 / 145), Iron Mask, Vudu (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #133; last appearance for both), Miguel Delbrona (first appearance; next appears in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Lois Lane briefly appears in the Thorn story in this issue.
Synopsis: While Lois is nerve-wracked by her sister Lucy’s thrill-stunts, the Morgan Edge clone tries to frame the Outsiders for murder by having Simyan and Mokkari create lifeless clone-bodies at the Evil Factory and plant them as “corpses” on the Outsiders’ land.

Action Comics No. 409
February 1972
Cover: Clark Kent clutching Superman in fear //Nick Cardy
Story: “Who Is Clark Kent’s Killer and Why Is He Doing Those Terrible Things To Me?”  (19 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209)
Intro: Shalox (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams up with Hawkman to fight the Tempter in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209.
Synopsis: A would-be detective from another world tries to help Superman discover who is secretly trying to kill Clark Kent, only to learn that Superman is doing it himself, thanks to a personality split caused by not getting enough sleep.

Story: “The Baffling Block of Metropolis” (6 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Intro: Captain Horace Mitchell (only appearance)
Comment: This is an Untold Story of Superman.
Synopsis: Superman casts a block of super-hard metal and secretly leaves it in Metropolis for people to attempt to cut through.  When they fail, he knows that it is safe to use it as the door for his Fortress of Solitude.

Superman No. 249
March 1972
Cover: Superman vs. Terra-Man and Nova //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Challenge of Terra-Man” (18 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209; next appears in GREEN LANTERN #87; also appears in flashback as Superboy to indeterminate times)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback)
Intro: Eydie and her husband (based on Edith and Archie Bunker of All in the Family; only appearance), Nova (Terra-Man’s horse; last chronological appearance in second story of this issue)
Villains: Terra-Man (Toby Manning; first appearance; last chronological appearance in Terra-Man story in this issue / NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #23), Jess, Luke (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This story takes place on February 28 or 29.
 Shortly after this story, Superman (as Clark Kent) advises Oliver Queen on running for Star City mayor in GREEN LANTERN #87, then teams up with him (as Green Arrow) to fight Effron in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #210.
Synopsis: When Superman faces a new foe, Terra-Man, who dresses in clothes of the Old West, rides a flying horse, and uses weapons that can even stagger the Man of Steel, he is handicapped by an emotional upset a Kryptonian suffers on every sixth birthday.

Story: “The Origin of Terra-Man” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Dick Dillin
Inker: Neal Adams
Feature Character: Terra-Man (origin revealed; first chronological appearance; appears isochronally with NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #23; next appears in Superman story in this issue)
Intro: Clem and another stagecoach driver (only appearance for both), Nova (next appears in first story of this issue; named in next issue)
Villains: Terra-Man, Jess Manning (Terra-Man’s father; first appearance; appears isochronally with NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #23; dies in this story), the “Currency-Crook” (an alien; first appearance; appears isochronally with NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #23; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Jess Manning, an Old West outlaw, is killed by an alien bandit who adopts his young son Toby.  The alien raises Toby to be a super-thief, giving him the ability to breathe in space, outfitting him with super-weapons that resemble six-shooters, a lariat, and chewing tobacco, and helping him acquire a white, winged space-steed.  Since Toby is a man of Earth, the alien dubs him Terra-Man.  But Toby has learned that the alien killed his father, and shoots the alien dead as soon as he learns all the latter can teach him.

Superman No. 250
April 1972
Cover: Terra-Man turning Superman into an old man //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “Have Horse, Will Fly” (25 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #210; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #120)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #120)
Intro: John P. Alstrom, Mr. Soames
Villains: Terra-Man (next appears in issue #259), Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #144)
Synopsis: Terra-Man breaks jail and strikes at Superman with a weapon that makes him older, while Clark Kent’s neighbor John Alstrom suddenly begins siphoning the color green from money.

Story: “The Superman Time Capsule” (11 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Pencillers: Curt Swan (page 1), Win Mortimer (pages 2-11)
Inkers: Murphy Anderson (page 1), Win Mortimer (pages 2-11)
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #211 / SUPERMAN #102)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane, Perry White (between ACTION COMICS #211 / SUPERMAN #102)
Intro: Dr. Griffith (only appearance)
Villains: Spaniel, Wolf (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This is a reprint of a 1955 Superman giveaway comic.
Synopsis: Two crooks put into action a plan to get Superman to transform lead ingots into gold, unwittingly.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 120
March 1972
Cover: Superman flying off and leaving Lois Lane tied to target, facing crooks with darts //Dick Giordano
Story: “Who Killed Lucy Lane?”  (17 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writers: Irene Vartanoff, Cary Bates
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #250)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #250; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #142)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (in flashback; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158)
Intro: Damon Montago (only appearance), S.U.A.A. (Secret Undercover Agents of America)
Villains: Miguel Delbroma (last appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160; last appearance), the 100 (see Comment below)
Comment: Since the 100 is a large criminal organization, from this point on it will only be tracked when it appears in something other than a Lois Lane or Rose and the Thorn story.
 Six weeks pass between this story and the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane learns that her sister Lucy has apparently died in a canoeing accident in South America.  She uncovers a diary of Lucy’s that reveals that her sister was a member of the 100, who are also looking for a scientist with the plans for a super-bomb which can destroy a continent.  Both Lois and Superman go on the trail of the 100 and protect the scientist from the organization. After the case is closed, Lois refuses to go back to Metropolis with Superman, still needing time to get over her sister’s apparent death.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 142
October 1971
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen vs. Count Dragorin and Lupek //Jack Kirby (signed) / Neal Adams
Story: “The Man From Transilvane” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #120), Newsboy Legion II, Scrapper-Trooper
Supporting Character: Laura Conway (next appears in issue #149)
Intro: Dabney Donovan (no appearance; name only mentioned)
Villains: Count Dragorin, Lupek, a hitman (first appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman and Jimmy Olsen encounter an apparent vampire and werewolf and a miniature planet named Transilvane, while the Newsboy Legion track down the hood who killed Jim Harper, the original Guardian.

Story: “‘Hairie’ Secrets Revealed” (2 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature: DNA Project
GS: Jude, Hairies (last appearance for both in issue #135), Outsiders (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119; last appearance)
Comment: Not a story, a featurette on the Hairies.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 143
November 1971
Cover: Count Dragorin, Lupek, and Transilvanians vs. Superman and Jimmy Olsen //Jack Kirby / Vince Colletta
Story: “Genocide Spray” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, artist: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Newsboy Legion II
Villains: Count Dragorin, Lupek (last appearance for both), other Transilvanians (first and only appearance), the hitman (dies in this story), Inter-Gang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #118; next appear in issue #152)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman and Jimmy Olsen take on a host of “monsters” from the small world of Transilvane, while the Newsboy Legion see Jim Harper’s killer wiped out by an Inter-Gang trap.

Story: “The Alien Thing” (2 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature: DNA Project
Intro: The first DNAlien (dies in this story)
Synopsis: The first DNAlien created by the DNA Project proved to be a powerful but hostile being whose energy literally burned out his body.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 144
December 1971
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Newsboy Legion vs. Loch Ness monster //Jack Kirby / Neal Adams
Story: “A Big Thing In a Deep Scottish Lake” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Golden Guardian (between issues #141 / 146), Newsboy Legion II
Supporting Characters: Terry Dean (last appearance in issue #138), Dubbilex (last appearance in issue #136), Scrapper-Trooper
Intro: Ian MacGregor, Ginny MacFinney (only appearance for both)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN #250 / 251), San Diego Five String Mob (first appearance; including Barriboy), Felix MacFinney (first and only appearance; possibly dies in this story)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: While Superman, the Guardian, and Terry Dean encounter the San Diego Five String Mob in Metropolis, Jimmy Olsen and the Newsboy Legion meet another Inter-Gang killer and the Loch Ness monster in Scotland.

Story: “The Torn Photograph” (2 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature: The DNA Project
Intro: A caveman (only appearance)
Synopsis: Exploring a cave beneath the DNA Project, some spelunkers encounter a caveman.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 145
January 1972
Cover: Superman; Jimmy Olsen and Newsboy Legion vs. Angry Charlie (two vignettes) //Jack Kirby / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Brigadoom” (24 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Newsboy Legion II
Supporting Characters: Scrapper-Trooper, Dubbilex, Terry Dean
Intro: Robert McQuarrie (only appearance), Angry Charlie
Villains: San Diego Five String Mob (last appearance), Simyan, Mokkari (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman encounters a Boom Tube again, and Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion are captured in Scotland by Simyan and Mokkari, who turn Jimmy into a powerful primitive.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 146
February 1972
Cover: “Caveman” Jimmy Olsen vs. Superman and Newsboy Legion //Jack Kirby / Mike Royer
Story: “Homo-Disastrous” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker, letterer: Mike Royer
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Newsboy Legion II, Golden Guardian (last appearance in issue #144; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #193)
Supporting Characters: Terry Dean (next appears in issue #155), Dubbilex (next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #193), Scrapper-Trooper, Angry Charlie
Villains: Simyan, Mokkari (both die in this story)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: While Superman, Dubbilex, Terry Dean, and the Golden Guardian investigate a tunnel that leads to the DNA Project, the Newsboy Legion battles a “caveman” Jimmy Olsen and other menaces unleashed by Simyan and Mokkari.

Story: “Arin the Armored Man” (2 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker, letterer: Mike Royer
Feature: The DNA Project
Intro: Arin, Prof. Packard (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: At the DNA Project, Professor Packard bids farewell to his creation Arin, a being who is sent into space with a container full of Superman’s DNA code and tissue samples.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 147
March 1972
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen in Supertown on New Genesis //Neal Adams / Murphy Anderson
Story: “A Superman In Supertown” (24 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker, letterer: Mike Royer
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Newsboy Legion II, Highfather (last appearance in NEW GODS #5; next appears in FOREVER PEOPLE #7)
Supporting Characters: Angry Charlie (next appears in issue #150), people of New Genesis (last appearance in NEW GODS #5; next appear in FOREVER PEOPLE #7)
Intro: Magnar, a Protonoid (only appearance for both)
Villains: Victor Volcanium, Pseudo-Men (first appearance for all)
Comment: Ten days pass between last issue and this issue.
 This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman finally makes a visit to New Genesis where he meets Magnar and Highfather, and is returned to Earth to help Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion, who have become prisoners of evil Victor Volcanium.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 148
April 1972
Cover: Superman trying to break Jimmy Olsen and the Newsboy Legion out of hanging cage //Neal Adams
Story: “Monarch of All He Subdues” (22 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker, letterer: Mike Royer
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #121)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #121), Newsboy Legion II (next appear in issue #150)
Supporting Character: Scrapper-Trooper (last appearance in issue #146; last appearance)
Villains: Victor Volcanium (dies in this story), Pseudo-Men (destroyed in this story), Boxxa (first  appearance; destroyed in this story)
Comment: This story continues from the last issue.
Synopsis: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and the Newsboy Legion have a showdown with Victor Volcanium, who hopes to conquer the world.

Story: “Genetic Criminal” (2 pages)
Editor, writer, penciller: Jack Kirby
Inker, letterer: Mike Royer
Feature: DNA Project
Intro: Model Four (only appearance)
Villain: An enemy agent (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A clone of a condemned murderer helps bring in an enemy spy.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 121
April 1972
Cover: Superman, Julie Spence, Thorn, and Lois Lane disguised as an elderly woman //Bob Oskner
Story: “Everything You Wanted To Know About Lois Lane--But Were Afraid To Ask” (Part 1; 11 pages)
 Part 2: “Lois Lane--Free-Lancer” (13 pages)
Editor: E. Nelson Bridwell
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Werner Roth
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in Thorn story in this issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #148; next appears in ACTION COMICS #411)
GA: The Thorn (between Thorn stories in last issue and this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #148 / 149), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #209), Julie Spence (last name revealed in issue #130), Marsha Mallow, Kristin Cutler (first appearance for all)
Intro: Julie Spence’s parents (only appearance)
Cameo: Lucy Lane, the 100 (in flashback)
Villains: Jack Foster, two muggers (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story Lois Lane quits the Daily Planet staff to become a free-lancer.
 This story takes place six weeks after last issue.
 Shortly after this story, Lois Lane briefly appears in the Thorn story in this issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane returns from South America six weeks later to announce that she is quitting her staff job at the Planet to become a free-lancer.  Her first new story comes from investigating a crooked landlord who exploits aged tenants, during which Superman has to save her life, but she does not rekindle a romance with him.   When she comes back to Metropolis, Lois gets three new roommates--Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, and Kristin Cutler.

Action Comics No. 411
April 1972
Cover: Superman and T. J. Pearson and his men at the Fortress of Solitude  //Nick Cardy
Story:  "The Day They Sold Superman's Fortress"  (16 pages)
Editor:  Murray Boltinoff
Writer:  Leo Dorfman
Penciller:  Curt Swan
Inker:  Murphy Anderson
Feature Character:  Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #121)
GS:  Supergirl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #417 / 418)
GA:  Kandorians
Intro:  Titus J. Pearson (only appearance)
Cameo:  Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman (as statues)
Synopsis:  Oilman T. J. Pearson has leased 500 miles of Arctic land from the U.S. government to prospect for oil...and Superman's Fortress of Solitude is on that land.  To Superman's chagrin, Pearson finds the locked Fortress door, but has no idea what it is.  Superman consults with Supergirl, who is in favor of helping him airlift the Fortress elsewhere.  But Superman is sworn to obey the law, and a legal expert informs him that he is technically a squatter and Pearson indeed owns the Fortress and everything in it, though he doesn't know what it is.  After Superman secretly causes Pearson's oil-drilling operations to fail, the oilman abandons the project.  Superman builds a new Fortress door, gives it to Pearson as a gift, and convinces him it was built by an alien from space as a symbol of hope...which, technically, it was.

Story: “The Girl Who Worshipped Clark Kent” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #251; also appears in flashback, chronologically between second story in last issue and SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #1)
Intro: Lorna Martin, Council of Mentors, police from Dimension 7, Art Borley (only appearance for all), Steve Power (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #2; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #350)
Synopsis: Superman goes back to Metropolis University for a class reunion, where he discovers that the beautiful Lorna Martin and he had secret crushes on each other, that she knows he is Superman, and that she is an alien from another dimension.

Superman No. 251
May 1972
Cover: Superman, a robot, and an alien being’s hand emerging from an egg //Neal Adams / Dick Giordano
Story: “The Island That Invaded the Earth” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #411; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #149)
Intro: Mack, Larry, another STAR researcher, an alien being (first and only apperance for all), four alien robots (all destroyed in this story)
Villain: Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #144 / 149)
Synopsis: The Gulf Stream is rerouted to help hatch an alien egg, and Superman appears to destroy four robot guards around it, only to discover he has done exactly the wrong thing to save Earth.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 149
May 1972
Cover: Jimmy Olsen stripping civilian clothes from Carl Markson, Jr. disguised as Superman; Plastic Man vignette //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Unseen Enemy” (22 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: John Albano
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #121)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #251; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #90)
Supporting Characters: Meg Tempest (last name revealed in issue #152; first appearance), Jim Corrigan (of Earth-One; not to be confused with the Spectre’s secret identity; first appearance), Laura Conway (between issues #142 / 152)
Villains: Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN #251 / 253), Carl Markson, Sr. (first appearance; dies in this story), Carl Markson, Jr., Dante (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight the Pale People in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #90, teams with the Justice League and Justice Society to fight Solomon Grundy in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #91-92, helps the Justice League and Deadman battle Merlyn, the Sensei, and the League of Assassins in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #94, and aids the Justice League in their battles with Johnny Dune in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #95 and with Starbreaker in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #96-98.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and a cub reporter, Meg, go on the trail of a mad scientist and his death-ray.

Action Comics No. 412
May 1972
Cover: Superman and Josdin in city below Metropolis //Nick Cardy
Story: “Secret of the First Metropolis” (16 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #98)
Intro: Josdin, his father, other dinosaur-people, Dr. Jessica Sloane (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman discovers a perfectly preserved man from a subterranean city below Metropolis that dates back to the Mesozoic Era.  The man insists on being taken back in time by Superman to learn what factor violently destroyed his city, and they are accompanied by a female scientist.

Story: “The Menace of the Sky-Scorchers” (6 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #211)
Intro: Paul Stewart, Tracy Stewart, Hermie (a monkey; only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman battle the Krush in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #211.
Synopsis: Superman deals with a little girl who is using her father’s magnetic beamer to haul back space capsules in hopes of recovering her space-bound pet monkey.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 122
May 1972
Cover: Superman, Vince Adams, and Thorn, Lois Lane, and Julie Spence tied to giant organ //Bob Oskner
Story: “77 Coffins” (25 pages)
Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk
Writer: Cary Bates?
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in Thorn story in last issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #211), the Thorn (between Thorn stories in last issue and next issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, Kristin Cutler
Villains: Vince Adams (last appearance), the 100 (Fats (named in this story) and two others die in this story), K.A.R.L. 1 (last appearance in Thorn story in issue #116)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Thorn contacts Lois Lane and issues a public challenge to fill 77 coffins with the remaining members of the 100, but Vince Adams schemes to turn the tables on Lois, the Thorn, and Superman.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 123
June 1971
Cover: Lois Lane stranded in space, Superman chasing space-suit, and Space Raiders observing from spaceship //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Ten Deadly Divisions of the 100" (16 pages)
Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #150)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in issue #126), Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, Kristin Cutler
Intro: Lt. Carver, Harry (only appearance for both)
Villains: The 100 (alternate divisions the Amazons, the Dynamiters, the Hunters, the Mind-Benders, the Space Raiders, the Stealers, the Agents, the Sea Wolves, the Mobsters, and the Athletes revealed in this story), K.A.R.L. 1, K.A.R.L. 2 (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues from the last issue.
Synopsis: Lois and Superman learn from K.A.R.L. 1 that the 100 has ten divisions of 100 operatives apiece, and that they have only captured the Mobsters division.  Later, when Lois wangles a berth on a space flight, she comes into direct contact with another 100 division, the Space Raiders.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 150
June 1971
Cover: Jimmy Olsen watching Superman slug Wilbur Little; Plastic Man vignette //Bob Oskner
Story: “A Bad Act To Follow” (15 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: John Albano
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #123; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99)
Supporting Characters: Meg Tempest, Jim Corrigan (next appears in issue #152)
Intro: William Little (only appearance)
Villains: Wilbur Little, Soldier, the Professor, Charles J. Ripley (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League of America fight Bur Sed in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99, in which Lois Lane also briefly appears.
Synopsis: Superman and Jimmy Olsen seem unable to cope with a criminal who gains super-powers from a scientist’s “miracle formula”.

Story: “Where’s Charlie Now?”  (7 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writers: John Albano, E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Win Mortimer
Inker: Henry Scarpelli
Feature Characters: The Newsboy Legion (last appearance in issue #148; next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #189)
Supporting Character: Angry Charlie (last appearance in issue #147; last appearance)
Intro: Kathy and her grandfather (only apperance for both)
Villains: Marty and his gang (first and only apperance for all)
Synopsis: The Newsboy Legion goes in search of Angry Charlie when someone liberates him from his cage.

Action Comics No. 413
June 1972
Cover: Superman stricken by pain as Brainiac (disguised as Mystir) stabs voodoo-doll Superman //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Voodoo Doom of Superman” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99; next appears in SUPERMAN #253)
GA: Kandorians (in flashback)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #248; next appears in issue #417), Brainiac (between issues #400 / 417; also appears in flashbacks, one between flashback in issue #252 and story proper in #252, another between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130 / issue #400), various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Brainiac devises a way to use a “voodoo doll” weapon against Superman, and Lex Luthor wants in on it.

Superman No. 253
June 1972
Cover: Superman, Billy Anders, and lynx
Story: “The Kid Who Saved Superman” (22 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #212)
GA: J’onn J’onzz (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #71; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #212)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #124), Dr. Wilson Farr (last appearance in issue #246), Billy Anders, his lynx (first appearance of latter two)
Intro: Dr. Ezra Royko, Sourdough Jim, Madge (only appearance for all)
Villains: Ferlin Nyxly (between issues #235 / 409), Morgan Edge clone (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #149 / 152)
Comment: This story continues in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #212, in which Superman and J’onn J’onzz team up against the Thythen.
Synopsis: Ferlin Nyxly acquires an alien suit of armor and a super-slingshot from a building which phases in and out of the desert, and uses it to fight Superman.  The Man of Steel also meets Billy Anders, whose mind is inexplicably transferred into his pet lynx, and sees the Martian Manhunter within the phasing building.

Superman No. 254
July 1972
Cover: Superman and Billy Anders //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Kid Who Stole Superman’s Powers” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #212)
Supporting Characters: Billy Anders, his lynx
Intro: A Kleth doctor (only appearance)
Villains: Captain L’drr, the Kleth (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues from WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #212.
 With this issue, SUPERMAN becomes a 20-cent, 36-page comic.
Synopsis: When Superman gets back from the planet Vonn, he is intercepted by a Kleth spacecraft, whose occupants profess to be peaceful but who actually set up a “reflector-warp” that causes Superman’s strength to boomerang against him when he exerts it.  A Kleth doctor who rebels against his ship’s commander shows him a way out of his dilemma, by transferring his strength to Billy Anders and then psychically “borrowing” it back whenever he imagines Billy’s lynx.

Story: “The Baby Who Walked Through Walls” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Artist: Neal Adams
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #124)
Supporting Character: Mrs. Goldstein (between issues #246 / 296)
Intro: Petra Lewis, Michele Lewis, Lance (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent runs into trouble when a neighbor asks him to watch her baby for a few minutes, and the baby vanishes.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 124
July 1972
Cover: Lois Lane in leopard-skin bathing suit with spear, before tied-up Superman and Hunters //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Hunters” (16 pages)
Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #253)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #254; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #151)
Supporting Characters: Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow
Intro: Miss Baxter
Villains: The Hunters (last appearance), Kabu (first and only appearance), the 100 (next appear in issue #127), KARL 1 (last appearance), KARL 2
Comment: With this issue, SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE becomes a 20-cent, 36-page comic.
Synopsis: The Hunters division of the 100 strike at Metropolis, bewitching Superman with a magical junga root and appearing to turn Lois Lane into a jungle woman.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 151
July 1972
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Meg Tempest, and Superman vs. giant locusts //Bob Oskner
Story: “Attack of the Locust Creatures” (24 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer: John Albano
Penciller: Jose Delbo
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #124; next appears in ACTION COMICS #414), Green Lantern (last appearance in  JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #99; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #423)
Supporting Characters: Meg Tempest, Percy Bratton (first appearance)
Villains: Uxor (first appearance; dies in this story), other giant locusts (first and only appearance; many die in this story)
Comment: With this issue, SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN becomes a 20-cent, 36-page comic.
Synopsis: Jimmy, Meg, and their new colleague Percy Bratton must deal with an invasion of giant locust people who have even outwitted Superman.

Action Comics No. 414
July 1972
Cover: Clark Kent changing into Superman as Gregory Reed shakes out car with crooks in it //Nick Cardy
Story: “Superman Vs. Superstar” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #151; next appears in SUPERMAN #255)
Villain: Gregory Reed (first appearance; next appears, as a supporting character, in issue #445)
Comment: With this issue, ACTION COMICS becomes a 36-page, 20-cent comic.
Synopsis: Gregory Reed, an actor who plays Superman in movies but is secretly jealous of the Man of Steel, uses magic to transfer his mind into Superman’s body and vice versa.

Superman No. 255
August 1972
Cover: Superman watching people and objects fly off the face of Earth into a star //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Sun of Superman” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #414; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #125)
Origin: Krypton (in flashback)
Intro: Dr. Paul Reese, the Sun-Thrivers, the Cardiac Creature (only appearance for all), “Krypton II” (a new planet)
Synopsis: Superman encounters an orange dwarf star that is the remains of the red sun of Krypton.  The Sun-Thrivers, beings at its core who created it, ask for Superman’s help in averting its imminent destruction.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 125
August 1972
Cover: Lois Lane attacked by Spike Helmet Gang on giant Superman statue //Bob Oskner
Story: “Death Rides the Wheels” (16 pages)
Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk
Writer: Robert Kanigher
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #255; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152)
Supporting Characters: Kristin Cutler, Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow
Intro: Prof. Messerschmied (dies in this story)
Villains: Hugo Von Zorn (first appearance; dies in this story), Spike Helmet Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois’s roommate Kristin begins sleepwalking with a butcher knife.  Later, Lois and Superman must deal with a motorcycle gang led by a Nazi war criminal.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 152
September 1972
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Superman, and Jim Corrigan menaced by a robot with a weapon //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Double-Edged Sword” (24 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writers: E. Nelson Bridwell, Steve Skeates
Penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #257)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #125; next appears in ACTION COMICS #415)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119; also appears in flashback), Yango (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119; last appearance), Jim Corrigan (between issues #150 / 163), Laura Conway (last appearance in issue #249; next appears in SUPERMAN #278), Meg Tempest, Percy Bratton
Intro: Prof. Savin
Villains: Darkseid (between FOREVER PEOPLE #8 / 11), Morgan Edge clone (last appearance in SUPERMAN #253; dies in this story), Killer (first and only appearance), Tombstone Greer (first appearance; dies in this story), Inter-Gang (last appearance in issue #143)
Synopsis: The real Morgan Edge is marked for destruction by his evil clone, with Jimmy Olsen trying to save the real Edge’s life, and Darkseid about to take a hand in the events.

Action Comics No. 415
August 1972
Cover: Female humanoid caught in tug-of-war between Metropolis Monster’s hand and Superman //Nick Cardy
Story: “Meet the Metropolis Monster” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #213)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152; next appears in SUPERMAN #256), Meg Tempest, Percy Bratton (?; last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152; both next appear in SUPERMAN #260)
Intro: The Metropolis Monster, a female humanoid (only appearance for both)
Villain: A male humanoid (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams up with the Atom to battle the Absorber in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #213.
Synopsis: Superman brings a male humanoid back to life after he has been attacked by a Frankenstein-like monster, only to learn that he has made a terrible mistake in doing so.

Superman No. 256
September 1972
Cover: Mickey Moran filming Clark Kent being exposed as Superman by Zeena //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Dagger That Ripped the Sky” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #213)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #415; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #154)
Intro: People of Bent Fork, a general (only appearance for all)
Villain: Dr. John Novil (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman must deal with the menace of Dr. John Novil, a scientist who has transferred his mind into the body of a fighter jet of his own design which can morph into any metallic shape he desires.

Story: “Brother For a Day” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #126)
Intro: Ram Rogers, Sean Carter (in photos), Lash Layne, Mickey Moran and three other boys, Amak, Zeena, and two other circus performers (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent plays “Brother For a Day” to young Mickey Moran and must cope with a circus performer named Zeena, who has been hypnotized into thinking she is a tiger-woman.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 126
September 1972
Cover: Superman watching Lois Lane, Marsha Mallow, Kristin Cutler, and Julie Spence fawning over Captain Dingle //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Brain-Busters” (16 pages)
Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #257)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #256; next appears in ACTION COMICS #416)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in issue #123; next appears in SUPERMAN #257), Marsha Mallow, Julie Spence, Kristin Cutler
Intro: Captain Dingle (only appearance)
Villains: Fred Danton and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A subliminal message makes Lois Lane and everyone else who sees it in Metropolis watch the Captain Dingle TV show, which allows the plotters to attempt a bank robbery.

Action Comics No. 416
September 1972
Cover: Superman breaking into apartment to rescue Christy (in wheelchair) from fire //Nick Cardy
Story: “Superman, You Scare Me To Death” (17 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #126; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #423; also appears in flashback as Superboy, between SUPERBOY #190 / 191)
Intro: Christy, her parents (latter in flashback; only appearance for all)
Villains: The Sea-Jackers (first and only appearance), a robot soldier (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Supergirl and the Justice League fight Gur in ADVENTURE COMICS #423.
Synopsis: Superman encounters a crippled girl named Christy whom he terrifies, but who likes Clark Kent’s company.  As a child, she formed a psychic link with a doll, and when the doll’s legs were broken in a fire from which Superboy once rescued her, she psychically lost mobility in her own legs and developed a phobia of Superman.  Later, after Superman rescues her from a sea-jacking gang, she regains the use of her legs.

Superman No. 257
October 1972
Cover: Superman with boys as War-Horn burrows beneath them //Nick Cardy
Story: “Superman Battles the War-Horn” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #257; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #127)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #126; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #153), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #126 / 127), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152 / 153)
Villain: War-Horn (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An alien comes to Earth for the purpose of stealing its nitrogen, and wields a war-horn weapon that can even stagger Superman.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 127
October 1972
Cover: Superman carrying boat as shark, underwater, approaches Lois Lane //Bob Oskner
Story: “Curse of the Flame” (16 pages)
Editor: Dorothy Woolfolk
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #257; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #153)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #257; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #153)
Supporting Characters: Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, Kristin Cutler
Intro: Fred, Marty, Star Team, Sun Team (only appearance for all)
Villains: Janos (first and only appearance), the 100 (last appearance in issue #124; next appear in the Rose and the Thorn story in issue #128)
Synopsis: The 100 seem to be mixed up with the Trans-Europa Olympics, and Lois Lane and Superman investigate.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 153
October 1972
Cover: Superman, Meg Tempest, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, and body of Winky McCoy //Bob Oskner
Story: “Murder In Metropolis” (13 pages)
Editor: Joe Orlando
Writer:
Penciller: Mike Sekowsky
Inker: Mike Esposito
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #257)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #127; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #100)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #127; next appears in ACTION COMICS #417), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #257; next appears in ACTION COMICS #420), Dave Stevens (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119; next appears in SUPERMAN #289), Meg Tempest
Villains: Winky McCoy (last appearance in issue #47; dies in this story), Joe Danton (first appearance; dies in this story), two junkies (first and only appearance for both), Inter-Gang (next appears in SUPERMAN #296)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman joins the Justice League and Justice Society to save the Seven Soldiers of Victory and fight the Iron Hand in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #100-102, then teams with the Vigilante and Batman to combat a werewolf in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #214.
Synopsis: Inter-Gang chief Joe Danton puts Jimmy Olsen on his hit-list for anti-gang editorials he has written, and dumps the body of Jimmy’s double Winky McCoy at the Daily Planet to let him know.

Superman No. 258
November 1972
Cover: Galactic Golem smashing through Fortress of Solitude door to attack Superman //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Fury of the Energy-Eater” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Len Wein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #214)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle (first appearance)
Intro: Bert Smith, Harry Potter, alien scientists (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Lex Luthor (in flashback)
Villain: The Galactic Golem (last appearance in issue #248; last appearance)
Synopsis: The Galactic Golem has been rescued by alien scientists, and is back on Earth for a showdown with Superman.

Story: “Who Is Mr. X?”  (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #154)
Intro: Mr. Xavier (last chronological appearance in flashback in issue #296; next appears in issue #296), a doorman, Melba and her boyfriend (only appearance for all)
Villains: Two punks (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Clark Kent decides to trail a mysterious neighbor and discover what he does for a living.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 154
November 1972
Cover: Superman trying to stop Jimmy Olsen and Doris Sutton from fishing money out of water //Nick Cardy
Story: “Olsen the Red, Last of the Vikings” (10 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #258)
Supporting Character: Meg Tempest (next appears in issue #160)
Synopsis: A cursed Viking helmet makes Jimmy think he is an ancient Norseman, and Superman has to humor him to save his mind.

Story: “The Girl Who Was Made of Money” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #128)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #417)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN #256)
Intro: Doris Sutton (next appears in issue #160)
Villain: Marcel (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story we learn that Jimmy has a black belt in judo and karate.
Synopsis: Doris Sutton, a fabulously wealthy girl, gets Jimmy fired from the Planet for insulting her, then proceeds to romance him and hire him as a financial advisor, thinking she is about to pull a double-cross on him later.  But the two other parties in her scheme have double-crosses of their own in store.

Action Comics No. 417
October 1972
Cover: Brainiac, Marauder, Superman, Grax, Lex Luthor, and statues of bound Lois Lane, Batman, and Jimmy Olsen //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Conspiracy of the Crime-Lords” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (David George)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #154)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #153)
Intro: People of the Phantom Planet, Kotyrians (only appearance for all)
Villains: Lex Luthor, Brainiac (last appearance of both in issue #413), Grax (last appearance in issue #342), Marauder (last appearance in issue #378), a phantom Superman (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
 In this story, we learn that Grax has a 20th-level mind, as opposed to Brainiac’s 12th-level intelligence.
Synopsis: Four of Superman’s deadliest foes sue for peace, and convince him that his recent visit to the Phantom Planet is creating phantom doubles of himself that destroy places he has recently been.  To protect Earth, which the villains still value as a prize, they ask him to team with them to defeat the super-phantoms, and Superman agrees.

Action Comics No. 418
November 1972
Cover: Superman restrained by three other Supermen //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Attack of the Phantom Super-Foes” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Leo Dorfman
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #259)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #154; next appears in SUPERMAN #260), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #128)
Villains: Lex Luthor (next appears in issue #423), Brainiac (next appears in SUPERMAN #271), Marauder (last appearance), Grax (next appears, in a story outside official DC continuity, in SUPER FRIENDS #7), three phantom Supermen (intro of two of them; all merge with Superman’s body)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Superman signs a peace accord with his four foes, not knowing the three phantom Supermen have secretly been created by the Marauder.  Lex Luthor believes that all four of them are tricking Superman into a trap, not knowing the other three have plans for him, as well.

Superman No. 259
December 1972
Cover: Billy Anders blasting Superman with power-burst //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Kid Who Knocked Out Superman” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #418; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #128)
Supporting Characters:  Josh Coyle (next appears in issue #262), Billy Anders and his lynx (last appearance for both  in issue #254; Billy next appears in ACTION COMICS #421)
Intro: Mrs. Anders (Billy’s mother; only appearance)
Villain: Terra-Man (with Nova; last appearance in issue #250; next appears in ACTION COMICS #426)
Comment: Superman regains total control of his super-strength in this story, and the psychic link between himself, Billy Anders, and the lynx is broken.
Synopsis: Terra-Man breaks jail, discovers the psychic link between Superman, Billy Anders, and his lynx, and uses the knowledge to trap Superman.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 128
December 1972
Cover: Superman holding “body” of Lois Lane in a wedding dress, while Green Lantern, Batman, Hawkman, Kristin Cutler, Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, Thorn, Kristin Cutler, Jimmy Olsen, Aquaman, Black Canary, and Flash look on //Bob Oskner
Story: “Death Waits To Kiss the Bride” (16 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #418 / 419)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #259; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103), Batman (between BATMAN #246 / JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103), Aquaman (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #102 / 104), Green Lantern (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #102 / 103; all appear as the Justice League of America; between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #102 / 103)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #154 / 155), Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, Kristin Cutler
Intro: A robot Lois Lane (destroyed in this story)
Villains: Various hoods (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The Flash, Hawkman, Black Canary, and the Thorn do not appear in this story, despite their presence on the cover.
 Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League induct the Phantom Stranger and fight Felix Faust in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103.
Synopsis: To teach Lois a lesson about how dangerous marriage to him would be, Superman concocts an elaborate ruse in which he weds a robot Lois Lane, in full view of Lois’s roommates and some of his Justice League friends, while Lois is a helpless observer in another dimension.  The robot is destroyed by crooks, but it fails to dampen Lois’s ardor.

Action Comics No. 419
December 1972
Cover: Superman //Neal Adams / Murphy Anderson and photomontage
Story: “The Most Dangerous Man on Earth” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #103; next appears in SUPERMAN #260)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #128)
Intro: Vincent Appleton (only appearance)
Villain: Moe Mulloy (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman finds that his touching the ground causes explosions, while small-time hood Moe Mulloy discovers two shoes that give him incredible power.

Superman No. 260
January 1973
Cover: Superman vs. Valdemar on Skagerrak //Nick Cardy
Story: “Keeper of the Eternal Flame” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #419; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #155)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #418; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #155), Percy Bratton (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #415; next appears in issue #263)
Intro: Mr. Bragg, Miss Bragg, citizens of Valhalla, Maine (first and only appearance for all), Valdemar (next appears in issue #270)
Synopsis: Superman discovers a hidden valley of isolated Vikings, guarded by Valdemar, a hero with a flaming sword who rides a giant bird.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 155
January 1973
Cover: Superman helping cops put Jimmy Olsen in a cell //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Downfall of ‘Judas’ Olsen” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #128; becomes “Mr. Action”, an action reporter in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #260)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN #260), Terry Dean (between issues #146 / 160)
Intro: Shawn Farrow, Steve Breen, Hack Stoner, Pete Morse, Karl Morton, Ebony Hawks, River Lords (only appearance for all)
Villains: Mouse Farley, Matt Gordon, Frank Dorsey (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen tries to help Terry Dean and a bunch of underprivelaged kids keep a storefront university going in the face of a crooked housing commissioner trying to shut it down.

Story: “A Coffin For Mr. Action” (9 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMCIS #420)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #420)
Intro: Cortez (of Earth-One; in flashback), Dr. Mason (only appearance)
Villains: Stan the Surf, Tim, and another crook (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen tries to get the goods on a surfing crook who has stolen a priceless ancient manuscript.

Action Comics No. 420
January 1973
Cover: Towbee creating Superman duplicate in front of Superman statue //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Made-To-Order Menace” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #155; next appears in SUPERMAN #261)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #155 / 156), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #153; next appears in SUPERMAN #263),  Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #261), Johnny Nevada (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #123; next appears in SUPERMAN #274)
Intro: Carl Blazer,  a duplicate Clark Kent (only appearance for all), Danny Victor (next appears in SUPERMAN #274)
Villain: Towbee (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A space-travelling bard who has the power to create what he sings about comes to Earth and creates a super-menace for Superman to battle.

Superman No. 261
February 1973
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Morgan Edge watching Superman kiss the toe of Star Sapphire’s boot //Nick Cardy
Story: “Slave of Star Sapphire” (24 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #420; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #129)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #420; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #129)
Intro: Mr. Hobbs (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Green Lantern
Villains: Star Sapphire (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #89; next appears in THE FLASH #235, both appearances as Carol Ferris), Max Fenton (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Carol Ferris sees Superman attacking a hood at the Green Lantern Inn.  Her subconscious mind sees him attacking the real Green Lantern, and she becomes Star Sapphire to battle him.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 129
February 1973
Cover: Superman streaking towards Lois Lane wrapped up in snake and Julie Spence in quicksand //Bob Oskner
Story: “Serpent In Paradise” (16 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Maxine Fabe
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #261; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #156)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #261; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #156)
Supporting Characters: Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow, Kristine Cutler
Intro: Gordon Abbott III (only appearance)
Villains: The Guru, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and her three roommates get involved in a back-to-nature cult led by the Guru, who proves to be a thief in secret.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 156
February 1973
Cover: Superman rescuing chutist as Jimmy Olsen parachutes towards wildcat //Nick Cardy
Story: “Last Jump of a Skyjacker” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #129)
Supporting Characers: Morgan Edge (next appears in SUPERMAN #262), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #129; next appears in SUPERMAN #262)
Intro: Steve Evans, Ralph Markey (only appearance), Paula Wallace (next appears in issue #160; all three appear as the Death Hunters)
Villains: Hank Torre and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen gets involved in a skyjacking-that-isn’t that abruptly becomes the real thing.

Story: “The Three Who Vanished” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #104)
Villains: Dr. Claude, Mark Brace, Bernie Torrance, Mitch Hanover (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight the Shaggy Man in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #104.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen finds three wanted men have been shrunken and placed in suspended animation by a criminal scientist.

Action Comics No. 421
February 1973
Cover: Captain Strong uprooting phone booth with Superman in it //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Fantastic Feats of Captain Strong” (17 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #104; next appears in SUPERMAN #262)
Supporting Character: Billy Anders (last appearance in SUPERMAN #259; last appearance)
Intro: Captain Strong (next appears in issue #439)
Villain: Mr. Glute (first and only appearance)
Comment: Captain Strong is based on the famous comic-strip and cartoon character, Popeye.
Synopsis: Superman encounters Captain Strong, a sailor who becomes super-powerful by eating seaweed grown from alien spores.

Superman No. 262
March 1973
Cover: Superman splitting building in half //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Skyscraper That Screamed For Its Life” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #421)
Intro: Peter Demeos, Mr. Demeos (latter in flashback; only appearance for both)
Villain: A Ninukab (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman battles a spirit-being that occupies a tycoon’s body and then an entire building.

Story: “Puzzle of the Telepathic Twins” (7 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #157)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #156 / 157), Josh Coyle (last appearance in issue #259; next appears in ACTION COMICS #443), April Marigold (first appearance; next appears in issue #296), May Marigold (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #430)
Intro: Rudy Hertz, Fellman Gordon (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Clark Kent hopes that booking two sisters with ESP powers will boost the ratings of WGBS’s Stranger Than Fiction show.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 157
March 1973
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Superman, and faceless Vargas //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Strange, Second Life of Jimmy Olsen” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #262)
Intro: Kurol (next appears in issue #163), the Stranger, Kalifa (first and only appearance for both)
Villain: Lord Timur (first appearance; next appears in issue #163)
Comment: This story reveals that Jimmy Olsen was Marco Polo in an earlier incarnation.
Synopsis: A beam from a magic jewel takes Jimmy back to ancient China, where he was Marco Polo in another incarnation.

Story: “The Secret of the Forbidden Face” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #263)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #422)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #262 / 263)
Intro: Vargas (a mentalist; only appearance)
Villains: A gambling syndicate (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy undertakes a case with the Amazing Vargas, a psychic and telekinetic, and learns why no photograph taken of him ever shows his face.

Action Comics No. 422
March 1973
Cover: Woodrow Nescott looking at Superman poster while Superman flies by outside //Nick Cardy and photomontage
Story: “The TV Show That Menaced Metropolis” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #157; next appearance in SUPERMAN #263)
Intro: Woodrow Nescott, Herbert Nescott, Kerry Nescott, Ted, Dan Marz (only appearance for all)
Villain: Mac Nelson (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Woody Nescott has had to live in one room for all his life due to a strange blood disease, but his path crosses Superman’s when he produces white cells that grow to giant size and begin devouring things.

Superman No. 263
April 1973
Cover: Superman with half of his body as molten metal //Curt Swan / Murphy Anderson and photomontage
Story: “Man of Molten Steel” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #422)
Supporting Character: Percy Bratton (last appearance in issue #260)
Intro: Raquel (only appearance), Mayor Harkness
Villains: Simon March (first and only appearance), Monster-Wolf of Citroak (first appearance; destroyed in this story), Dr. Phoenix (first appearance)
Synopsis: To get revenge on Superman, a movie producer cedes his power to dream to Dr. Phoenix, who makes real March’s dream of turning Superman into a being of molten steel.

Story: “Unhappy Birthday To You” (8 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Dick Dillin
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #130)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #157; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #423), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #156; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #130), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #420; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #131), Percy Bratton (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160)
Intro: Rogan-Du, Gar, Vol-Tir, Roxa (in flashback; only appearance for all)
Cameo: Kryp, Tonn (as statues)
Villain: Mav-Tir (first and only appearance; in flashback)
Comments: This is a Fabulous World of Krypton story.
 This story takes place on June 18th, which is revealed as Clark Kent’s birthday and the day Kal-El’s rocket landed on Earth (his “Earthday”).
Synopsis: Clark Kent is given a surprise birthday party.  During it, he recalls how, in ancient times, Kryptonians stored up destructive energy in their bodies which could only be released by expressing grief, and a tribal chief found a serum to absorb that energy.  But on every sixth birthday of a Kryptonian, the serum would cause him to release tears of sorrow.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 130
April 1973
Cover: Lois Lane blasting Clark Kent and revealing his Superman shirt //John Rosenberger / Vince Colletta
Story: “The Mental Murder” (16 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Don Heck
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #263)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #263; next appears in ACTION COMICS #423)
Supporting Characters: Julie Spence, Marsha Mallow (last appearance for both), Kristin Cutler (next appears in DARING NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERGIRL #6)
Villains: Boss-Lady Larue, Little Brother, Big Brother, Jane Vixon (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A lady crime-boss hires psychic Jane Vixon to probe Superman’s secret identity out of his mind, but the strain causes her to transfer the knowledge to the first person who touches her afterward--Lois Lane.

Action Comics No. 423
April 1973
Cover: Superman held by police, coroner covering up body, Lex Luthor’s leg and hand //Nick Cardy
Story: “Luthor’s Hammer of Hate” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #130; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #217)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #263 / 264), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #263; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #130; next appears in SUPERMAN #264)
Intro: Dr. Morton Thames, Fred, Anton Falenni (only appearance for all)
Villains: Lex Luthor (between issues #418 / 428), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams up with Batman and Metamorpho to capture Rastinyak in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #217, then briefly appears during Supergirl’s battle with Dax in SUPERGIRL #5.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor finds a means of transferring his hatred for Superman--and a loss of control and judgment--into Superman himself via an energized hammer.

Superman No. 264
June 1973
Cover: Superman being stiffarmed by “ghost” quarterback //Nick Cardy
Story: “Secret of the Phantom Quarterback” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERGIRL #5; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #131)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in ACTION COMICS #465 (2)), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #423; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #131), Morgan Edge (between ACTION COMICS #423 / 424)
Intro: Howard Cosell (of Earth-One; next (?) appearance in ALL-NEW COLLECTOR’S EDITION #C-58), Frederick Fowe (only appearance)
Villain: The Phantom Quarterback (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Steve Lombard, obnoxious quarterback for the Metropolis Metros, injures his knees while saving a falling child.  A scientist not only heals his knees but creates a “Phantom Quarterback” of energy-particles that wins the Super Bowl game in his place, and makes trouble for Superman.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 131
June 1973
Cover: Mic, Lois Lane, and Superman //Bob Oskner
Story: “Superman, Marry Me” (16 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #264; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #264; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #263; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158), Melba Manton (first appearance)
Intro: Mic X546, Mr. Barger (Metropolis’s District Attorney), Clark Kent and Lois Lane of the 28th Century (only appearance for all)
Villains: Bull Barkley, Thatch and his partner (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Just when Lois Lane’s testimony is needed to put away a gangster, she seems to be hallucinating about having an invisible adopted son named Mic.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 158
June 1973
Cover: Ultra-Olsen, Jaguar Cultists, and bound Superman //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Jaws of the Jaguar” (15 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #423; origin details retold; appears as Ultra-Olsen; last Ultra-Olsen appearance in issue #129)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #131)
Supporting Characters: Mark Olsen (last appearance in issue #129; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Cameo: Hal Rand (in flashback)
Villains: Xingu, the Jaguar Cult (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A Jaguar Cult kidnaps Dr. Mark Olsen, Jimmy’s father, and depowers Superman with red-sun irradiated crystals, so Jimmy uses the magic medallion to become Ultra-Olsen again to save them.

Story: “The Kiss-Off For Mr. Action” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (David George)
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #424)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #131; next appears in ACTION COMICS #424), Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #131; next appears in SUPERMAN #265), Lucy Lane (as Lena Lawrence; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #120)
Villain: Dutton (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An old woman named Lena Lawrence helps Jimmy and Superman capture an escaped convict.  Later, she muses on how Jimmy would never guess who she truly is, and reminesces among her Jimmy Olsen souvenirs.

Action Comics No. 424
June 1973
Cover: Gorilla Grodd atop building, swinging Superman around by his cape //Nick Cardy
Story: “Gorilla Grodd’s Grandstand Play” (15 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158; next appears in SUPERMAN #265)
Supporting Characters: Solovar (last appearance in THE FLASH #172; next appears in SUPER-TEAM FAMILY #3), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #132), Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #264 / 265)
Villain: Gorilla Grodd (last appearance in THE FLASH #209; next appears in issue #443)
Synopsis: Gorilla Grodd escapes from Gorilla City, exchanges bodies with Solovar, and, after both appear at the United Nations, appears to defeat Superman.

Superman No. 265
July 1973
Cover: Superman carried off by Army of Tomorrow //Nick Cardy
Story: “Attack By the Army of Tomorrow” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #424; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #132)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #424; next appears in issue #267), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #258), Steve Lombard
Villains: Callixto (first and only appearance), the Army of Tomorrow (first appearance; next appear in ACTION COMICS #436, not as villains)
Synopsis: Superman and Perry White run afoul of an evil scientist named Calixto and his group of two-thumbed, energy-powered mutants.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 132
July 1973
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and Philip Karnes //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Second Superman” (15 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #424; next appears in SUPERMAN #267)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #265; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #105)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #265)
Intro: Mr. Olaroid (only appearance), Philip Karnes (dies in this story)
Villains: Various gangsters (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League induct Elongated Man and Red Tornado and fight T. O. Morrow and the Putty-Men in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #105-106.
Synopsis: Superman, knowing that crooks will try to kill Lois Lane as a means of revenging themselves upon him, tries to get Lois together with a new suitor, Philip Karnes.

Action Comics No. 425
July 1973
Cover: Superman flying by kids on stoop reading Action Comics //Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: “The Last Moa On Earth” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #106; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #218)
Intro: Jon Halaway (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams up with Batman to battle Capricorn in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #218.
Synopsis: An explorer saves the last moa egg on Earth, which hatches a super-powered moa that attacks Superman.

Superman No. 266
August 1973
Cover: Superman vs. Abominable Snowman //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Nightmare Maker” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #218; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #159)
Supporting Character: Steve Lombard
Villains: The Abominable Snowman (formerly Dr. Phoenix; last appearance)
Comment: According to this story, Superman came to Earth 27 years beforehand, which would make him about 30 at this time.  This may not be accurate.
Synopsis: Superman learns that the rocket that brought him to Earth awakened the Abominable Snowman, who changed into Dr. Phoenix, a character it had been dreaming of.  Now the Snowman is back to his normal self, and wants to unmake modern civilization.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 159
August 1973
Cover: Jimmy Olsen with sword, Ursus, and Romans //Nick Cardy / Murphy Anderson
Story: “The Arena of Death” (11 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #266)
Intro: Ursus (first and only appearance)
GS: Julius Caesar
Comment: This story confirms that Jimmy Olsen was Spartacus in an earlier incarnation.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen exposes himself to the Star of Cathay again and has a past-life adventure in which he is the Roman gladiator-slave rebel, Spartacus.

Story: “A Grave-Digger For Jimmy Olsen” (5 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (David George)
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #426)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (as Lena Lawrence)
Villains: Crazy Mike Hardy (first and only appearance), Gravediggers, Inc.(first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Synopsis: Superman helps save Jimmy Olsen and Lena Lawrence from hitmen maddened by Jimmy’s exposes of their gang in print.  Later, Superman urges Lena to reveal her secret to Jimmy, but she demurs.

Story: “The Day They Unmasked Mr. Action” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (David George)
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Officer Nelson, Metropolis police commissioner (only appearance for both)
Villains: Sid Stone, Vince Crane, Soapy Hale, Max the Actor (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and the police commissioner of Metropolis concoct a ruse that smokes out a criminal in disguise.

Action Comics No. 426
August 1973
Cover: Clark Kent changing to Superman to rescue falling aircraft //Nick Cardy
Story: “Master of the Moon Rocks” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #159; next appears in SUPERMAN #267)
Villain: Terra-Man (between SUPERMAN #259 / 278)
Synopsis: Terra-Man starts an anti-moon rock cult in order to get moon rocks to fuel an anti-Superman weapon.

Superman No. 267
September 1973
Cover: Superman, Jamie Lombard, Dr. Vernon Lombard, and Miros //Nick Cardy
Story: “World Beneath the North Pole” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #426)
Supporting Characters: Jamie Lombard (first appearance; next appears in issue #314), Dr. Vernon Lombard (first and only appearance), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #132 / 133), Steve Lombard (next appears in ACTION COMICS #428)
Villains: The Miros (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman goes to save Steve Lombard’s scientist brother from a race of subterranean winged beings called the Miros, who seek to leach solar energy away from Earth’s surface.

Story: “The Man In the Public Eye” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #133)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue #265; next appears in ACTION COMICS #428)
Intro: Big Jim, Barbara (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: To perk up Clark Kent’s public image, Morgan Edge has him box the world’s heavyweight champion, bat a baseball in a stadium, swim against an Olympic Gold Medalist, and sky-dive from a plane.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 133
September 1973
Cover: Superman unconscious and Lois Lane chained to a lamppost in a devastated city //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Lady Is a Bomb” (Part 1; 6 pages)
 Part 2: “The Riddle of Doom” (7 pages)
 Part 3: “Who Steals My Name” (7 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Arnold Drake
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #267)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #267; next appears in ACTION COMICS #427)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160), Melba Manton (last appearance in SUPERGIRL #6; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160)
Intro: Bette Mason, Greg Benton, Mr. Devon, Martin, a priest, Lena Kerwick (only appearance for all)
Villains: Ronald Devon, Dr. Justin Trevors (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is held hostage by a young man who claims to have a super-explosive, and Superman must track down the one person whom he claims betrayed him.

Action Comics No. 427
September 1973
Cover: Superman and empty silhouette, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Man Who Never Lived” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #133; next appears in SUPERMAN #268)
Intro: Wade Bartox, Dr. Nancy Soames, Dr. Forbes, Overlord of Titan (first and only appearance), 5607 (first appearance; dies in this story)
Villains: Three secret agents (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A programmed assassin of the 21st Century sets in motion a plan for an ancestor of his to encounter Superman and prevent his future existence.

Superman No. 268
October 1973
Cover: Batgirl, Superman, and Mr. J //Nick Cardy
Story: “Wild Week-End In Washington” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #427; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #134)
GS: Batgirl (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #424; next appears in issue #279), Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #252; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #437)
Intro: Sen. Robert Cleary (only appearance)
Villains: Mr. J (first and only appearance), MAZE (first appearance; next appears in BATMAN FAMILY #5)
Synopsis: Superman and Batgirl team up to battle a spy organization called MAZE after Clark Kent inadvertently lets slip his knowledge of a top-secret government project.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 134
October 1973
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, Dazor, and Lura-Ux //Bob Oskner
Story: “Stolen: 10 Million Lives” (20 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #268; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160), Kandorians
Villains: Dazor, Lura-Ux, criminal doubles of Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Lana Lang, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story asserts, probably inaccurately, that Jonathan and Martha Kent are buried in a Metropolis cemetery.
Synopsis: Dazor and Lura-Ux, two Kandorian criminal doubles of Superman and Lois Lane, exchange places with them and are free on Earth while Superman and Lois take their places in prison.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 160
October 1973
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen vs. Harpy //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Secret of Harpy Castle” (11 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #134)
Supporting Character: Percy Bratton (between SUPERMAN #263 / 280)
Intro: Liz Horton, Dick Horton (only appearance for both), a mountebank (in flashback; dies in this story)
Villains: Three Harpies (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Harpies, ghosts of a transplanted English castle, menace its occupants, Jimmy Olsen, and Percy Bratton, and are impervious to Superman’s powers.

Story: “The Shadow From the Grave” (9 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #428)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUEPRMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #133), Melba Manton (?) (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #133 / 136), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #134 / 135), Meg Tempest (last appearance in issue #154; next appears in issue #162), Terry Dean (last appearance in issue #155), Lucy Lane (as Lena Lawrence; revealed in this story)
Other Characters: Princess Vannia (last appearance in issue #112; last appearance), Doris Sutton (last appearance in issue #154; last appearance), Paula Wallace (last appearance in issue #156; last appearance)
Intro: Madame Inez (in flashback; only appearance)
Villain: Miguel Delbroma (in flashback; chronologically between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #119 / 120)
Comment: This story takes place on Jimmy Olsen’s birthday.
Synopsis: Lena Lawrence finally reveals to Jimmy Olsen that she is Lucy Lane, still in love with him, and believed dead for the last two years.  She tells Jimmy that she had been working as a secret agent against the 100, but she contracted a deadly jungle fever in South America and was cured by a native healer’s serum.  The serum had the side effect of prematurely aging her.  Both want to find a way to carry on their romance, but neither is really certain how to do it.

Action Comics No. 428
October 1973
Cover: Children looking at Superman poster //Nick Cardy
Story: “Whatever Happened To Superman?”  (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160; next appears in SUPERMAN #269)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160 / 161), Steve Lombard, Morgan Edge (both between SUPERMAN #267 / 269)
Intro: Hank, Sandy (only appearance for both)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #423; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #162)
Comment: This story takes place on April 1 and 2.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor puts a satellite into orbit that causes everyone to believe Superman has vanished for the last ten years.

Superman No. 269
November 1973
Cover: Eight Supermen hanging from ropes //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Secret of the Eighth Superman” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #428; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #135)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #428; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #135), Steve Lombard (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #428)
Intro: Winchem (dies in this story)
Villain: B. B. Farnum (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Master puppeteer Winchem dies and leaves circus master B. B. Farnum the secret of his living puppets, which he uses to sap the powers from Superman.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 135
November 1973
Cover: Superman flying away from fallen truck bearing a bound and gagged Lois Lane //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Amazing After-Life of Lois Lane” (20 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160; next appears in SUPERMAN #270)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #269; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #161)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #269 / 271)
Intro: Nicky Helm, Francis Margot, Arthur Munch (only appearance for all)
Villain: Mosdor (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane pretends to be inducted into a death-cult run by a man named Mosdor to help herself and Superman get the goods on the cult leader.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 161
November 1973
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Superman, and other people running away from crumbling city //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Olsen Experiment” (12 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #428)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #135)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #273)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen’s body becomes covered by particles which cause man-made materials to crumble.

Story: “The Face of a Nightmare” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (David George)
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #429)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (as Lena Lawrence; regains her youth and beauty, but retains her white hair; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #179)
Intro: Dr. Kelso, Sandra (only appearance for both)
Comment: In this story, it is revealed that Lucy Lane has had nurse’s training, like her sister Lois.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane, as “Lena Lawrence”, gets a job as a nurse.  While saving a child during a fire, fumes from a DNA experiment affect her and restore her youth and beautiful face.  Jimmy tries to reestablish a romance with her, but Lucy puts him off for the moment, saying that she wants to devote her life to helping others.

Action Comics No. 429
November 1973
Cover: Superman and Ryan Lowell with projector slide of Superman / Clark Kent dossier //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Man Who Wrote Superman’s Obituary” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #161; next appears in SUPERGIRL #8)
GA: Batman, Green Lantern (last appearance for both in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #108; both next appear in SUPERGIRL #8), Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #108; next appears in FLASH #225; all appear, with Superman, as the Justice League of America, between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #108 / SUPERGIRL #8), Supergirl (between SUPERGIRL #7 / 8)
Intro: Ryan Lowell (first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN #280)
Villain: Ozymaxias (first and only appearance)
Comments: In this story, we learn that Superman was born on 35 Eorx in the Kryptonian year 9998, which corresponds to February 29th.
 Shortly after this story, Superman and the Justice League help Supergirl in her battle against Medusa in SUPERGIRL #8.  Then Superman and Batman encounter El Monstro in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #219-220.
Synopsis: After Superman defeats Oxymaxias, a monster from ancient Earth, he learns that the Daily Planet’s morgue keeper has learned his secret identity thanks to an accidental link between his teletype and the diary-writing device at the Fortress of Solitude.

Superman No. 270
December 1973
Cover: Superman and Valdemar vs. a dragon //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Viking From Valhalla” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #220)
Supporting Characters: Oscar Asherman (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #441), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #135 / 136), Steve Lombard
GS: Valdemar (between issues #260 / 394)
Synopsis: Valdemar the Viking comes to Metropolis to visit Superman, and instead gets hallucinations of attacking monsters from the pollution in the city.

Story: “I Can’t Go Home Again” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Artist: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #162)
Supporting Character: Pete Ross (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; next appears in issue #284)
Intro: Daniel (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Pete Ross, a surveyor who still knows that Clark Kent is Superman, attempts to erase traces of Clark Kent’s double identity by scheduling the demolition of the old Kent house in Smallville, not realizing how much sentimental attachment Clark still has for it.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 162
December 1973 / January 1974
Cover: Superman entering phone booth, Jimmy Olsen clone emerging to confront Jimmy Olsen //Nick Cardy
Story: “One By One My Brothers Die” (13 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #270)
Intro: Dr. A. S. Folger (only appearance)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #428; next appears in SHAZAM! #15), Jimmy Olsen II, Jimmy Olsen III (first appearance for both; both die in this story), Ralt (only appearance)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor uses clones of Jimmy Olsen to steal for him, as part of a plan to ultimately humiliate Olsen and Superman.

Story: “The Savage Who Stalked Mr. Action” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Characteer: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #271)
Supporting Character: Meg Tempest (last appearance in issue #160; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #187)
Villain: Diana Savage (first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167)
Synopsis: For exposing a cache of valuable smuggled furs and ivory, Jimmy is stalked by a hunter named Savage.

Superman No. 271
January 1974
Cover: Superman flying out of giant hand crushing Metropolis //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Man Who Murdered Metropolis” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #162; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #136)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #135; next appears in ACTION COMICS #432), Steve Lombard (next appears in issue #273)
Villain: Brainiac (between ACTION COMICS #418 / 443)
Synopsis: Brainiac challenges Superman with a mirror image of Metropolis which will destroy the real city when it descends and touches it.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 136
January-February 1974
Cover: Superman and Wonder Woman pulling Lois Lane from a race car’s path //Bob Oskner
Story: “Wonder Woman: Mrs. Superman” (20 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #270; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #271; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #109), Wonder Woman (between WONDER WOMAN #209 / 210)
Supporting Character: Melba Manton (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160)
Intro: Stacy Mason (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Supergirl
Villain: The Revenger (Marcia Roche; first and only appearance), three assassins (first and only appearance; one dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America fight Eclipso in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #109.
Synopsis: In order to save Lois from being destroyed by the Revenger, Superman must convince her (and their foe) that he has fallen in love with Wonder Woman.

Action Comics No. 430
December 1973
Cover: Quakerer leaving 344 Clinton Street building as Superman enters it //Nick Cardy
Story: “Bus-Ride To Nowhere” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #109)
Supporting Characters: May Marigold (last appearance in SUPERMAN #262), Nathan Warbow,
Jonathan Slaughter (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #246)
Villain: The Quakerer (Martin Thorpe; first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman is warned about a lizard-being from the 420th Century, the Quakerer, who has the power to change his own appearance or that of other beings or objects, and who has come back to the 20th Century to find a weapon that will destroy the humans of the future.  The Quakerer is disguised as one of Clark’s neighbors, but he does not know who.  And Clark Kent and several of his neighbors, one of whom is the Quakerer, are stranded in the past by a strange bus-ride.

Action Comics No. 431
January 1974
Cover: Clark Kent as Superman and Martin Thorpe as Quakerer ripping each other’s disguises off as Jonathan Slaughter, unidentified woman, bus driver, May Marigold, and Nathan Warbow look on //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Monster Who Unmasked Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #163)
GA: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #109; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #111)
Supporting Characters: May Marigold (next appears in SUPERMAN #273), Nathan Warbow (last appearance), Jonathan Slaughter (next appears in SUPERMAN #393)
Villain: Quakerer (last appearance)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is forced to reveal his Superman identity to the others on the bus when the Quakerer unmasks himself as Martin Thorpe.  But, after he defeats the villain and gets himself and his friends back to the 20th Century, Batman helps Superman conceal his identity again, along with some help from a hypnotic device.

Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 163
February-March 1974
Cover: Superman flying into Jimmy Olsen’s apartment, Jimmy Olsen and Asian warrior inside gem //Ernie Chua
Story: “A World That Came Before” (14 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #431 / 432)
Intro: Enorr (dies in this story), Shanti Devi, Virginia Tighe, Bridey Murphy, Kublai Khan  (all of Earth-One; only appearance for all)
Other Character: Kurol (last appearance in issue #157)
Villains: Lord Timur (last appearance in issue #157), Lu-Kan, Hassan (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is sent back by a mystic jewel again to his prior life as Marco Polo, and helps safeguard the life of Kublai Khan with his genie, Kurol.

Story: “The Rip-Off On Pier 13" (6 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #273)
Supporting Character: Lt. Jim Corrigan (last appearance in issue #152; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167)
Villain: Harry the Hook and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Lt. Jim Corrigan help take down Harry the Hook and his gang of waterfront smugglers.

Action Comics No. 433
February 1974
Cover: Toyman II and I vs. Superman //Nick Cardy
Story: “Target of the Toymen” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #163; next appears in SUPERMAN #273)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (between SUPERMAN #271 / 275)
GS: Toyman I (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159; next appears in SUPERMAN #305)
Intro: Mr. Barton (only appearance)
Villain: Toyman II (Jack Nimball; name revealed in SUPERMAN #305; first appearance; next appears in issue #454)
Synopsis: A new villain takes the name of the Toyman, and the original Toyman teams with Superman to help bring him in.

Superman No. 273
March 1974
Cover: Superman driven out of Metropolis by people holding Gunther Jacoby aloft //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Wizard With the Golden Eye” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #432)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (last appearance in issue #271), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #161; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #163; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Cameo appearance: Batman
Villain: Gunther Jacoby (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, it is revealed that Perry White was a stage magician in college.
Synopsis: A scientist gains the Golden Eye of Ekron and harnesses its power to make himself into a super-hero.  But his magic causes fallout as a side-effect, and Superman ends up battling him.

Story: “Blind Date” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Dick Giordano
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110)
Supporting Character: May Marigold (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #431; next appears in issue #296)
Cameo appearance: Mort Weisinger (as a bust)
Intro: Mr. Cardoza (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America fight the Key in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is struck with temporary sympathetic blindness as a result of having to entertain some blind children as Superman.

Action Comics No. 433
March 1974
Cover: Superman being dragged away by invisible Martin Lerner and Ellen Pratt //Nick Cardy / ?
Story: “The Man Who Was Buried On Page 64" (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #110; next appears in SUPERMAN #274; also appears in flashback; see Superboy’s Interim appearances for chronology)
Intro: Martin Lerner, Ellen Pratt, Skitch Smith (only appearance for all)
Villain: Noam Sythe (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman is abducted by three minions of Noam Sythe, who plans to use the combined unused brainpower of them and the Man of Steel to terraform the moon. But Superman realizes the power will cause the moon to explode.

Superman No. 274
April 1974
Cover: Elongated Superman being stretched into hole on Earth //Nick Cardy
Story: “Protectors of Earth, Inc.”  (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #433; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Supporting Characters: Johnny Nevada (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #420; next appearance in issue #278), Steve Lombard (next appears in ACTION COMICS #435)
Other Character: Danny Victor (between ACTION COMICS #420 / 462)
Intro: Wade Halibut, Jr., Dr. David Trump (first and only appearance for both)
Villains: Protectors of Earth, Inc. (Arnie named in this story; first appearance)
Comment: Wade Halibut, Jr. is based on famous American novelist Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Synopsis: Superman tries to protect scientist David Trump from abduction by terrorists and instead finds that he has to plug a tunnel through space with his own body, or see the entire Earth sucked through it.

Superman Family No. 164
April-May 1974
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, skeleton of Benito Narvez holding treasure chest, and shadow of Dr. Herrod; Brainiac vs. Supergirl; Superman and statues of Lori Lemaris, Lois Lane, and Lana Lang; Krypto vs. Junk-creature (four vignettes) //Nick Cardy
Story: “Death Bites With Fangs of Stone” (Part 1; 9 pages)
 Part 2: “S.O.S. Comes In Colors” (5 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #273)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #274)
Supporting Characters: Mark Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #158; next appears in issue #190), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #273; next appears in ACTION COMICS #436), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #136)
Intro: Johnny Wolf, Evo Denton, other residents of Olsentown (only appearance for all), Benito Narvez (in flashback; dies before this story opens)
Villain: Dr. Herrod (first and only apperance)
Synopsis: An instructor at Olsentown, Dr. Mark Olsen’s school for wayward boys, tries to drive everyone away from the site so that he can claim a Spanish conquistador’s treasure buried nearby. But Jimmy Olsen, Superman, and a youth with ESP power foil his plans.

Story: “The Gift-Wrapped Doom” (6 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #434)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #275)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #434)
Villains: The Elephant (first appearance; dies in this story), Gravediggers, Inc. (last appearance in
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #159; last appearance)
Synopsis: Hitmen from Gravediggers, Inc. kill a former employee, and Jimmy Olsen and Superman must learn where he planted evidence to be used against the mob.

Superman No. 275
May 1974
Cover: Lola Barnett reporting Clark Kent throwing away Superman uniform //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Dragonfly Invasion of Metropolis” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #432; next appears in issue #277), Lola Barnett (nee’ Hall; first appearance; next appears in issue #278)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Hall (in flashback; Lola’s and Mark’s parents), Mark Hall (Lola Barnett’s brother), Aki, Osato (only appearance for all)
Villains: Enemy agents (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A telepathic link with her brother, activated only in time of danger, alerts WGBS gossip columnist Lola Barnett to her brother Mark Hall’s peril, and she accidentally links him to Superman during a broadcast.

Story: “The Princess and the Glass Treeman” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inkers: Dick Giordano, Frank McLaughlin
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #434; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Character: Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Princess Reena, El-Kin (in flashback; only appearance for both)
Comment: This is a Fabulous World of Krypton story.
Synopsis: On a visit to the Smallville orphanage in which he once lived, Superman tells the children the story of Princess Reena of Krypton and the talking bird and glassman El-Kin who saved her from a thought-beast.

Action Comics No. 434
April 1974
Cover: Dr. Xadu and Erndine Ze-Da, as dentist and nurse, pulling tooth from Superman’s mouth //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Krypton Connection” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #275)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (between SUPERMAN #274 / 277), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164; next appears in SUPERMAN #275), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Villains: Dr. Xadu, Erndine Ze-Da (last appearance for both in SUPERBOY #100)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Dr. Xadu and his wife, Erndine Ze-Da, masquerade as a dentist and his nurse, trick Clark Kent into eating a candy that gives him a super-toothache, and, once he is in their dentist’s chair, brainwash him into wanting to destroy the world.

Action Comics No. 435
May 1974
Cover: Superman destroying Earth globe //Nick Cardy
Story: “I Want To Wreck the World” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #276)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #278)
Villains: Dr. Xadu, Erndine Ze-Da (last chronological appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman tries to resist Dr. Xadu’s mental orders to destroy the Earth.

Superman No. 276
June 1974
Cover: Superman vs. Captain Thunder //Nick Cardy
Story: “Make Way For Captain Thunder” (16 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #435; next appears in WONDER WOMAN #212)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #434)
Intro: Captain Thunder (Willie Fawcett; origin revealed in flashback), Merokee (dies in this story, but survives as a spirit; only appearance for both)
Villains: The Monster League of Evil (in flashback), various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Captain Thunder is an other-Earth version of Captain Marvel, possibly from “Earth-T”.
 Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League begin the process of Wonder Woman’s reinstatement in WONDER WOMAN #212.
Synopsis: Captain Thunder, a super-hero with powers equivalent to Superman’s, is thrown from his Earth into Earth-One by his enemies.  The conditions of Earth-One cause Captain Thunder to become a villain, and Superman has to battle him.

Action Comics No. 436
June 1974
Cover: Superman and flying Perry White going after falling airliner //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Super-Cigars of Perry White” (13 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WONDER WOMAN #212; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #165)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #164)
Intro: Arnie Carter, Mr. Murray (only appearance for both)
Other characters: the Army of Tomorrow (last appearance in SUPERMAN #265; last appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s battle with Tlaca in SUPERMAN FAMILY #165.
Synopsis: In gratitude for his helping Superman liberate them from Calixto, the four-thumbed mutants give Perry White a gift of cigars which give him super-powers.

Superman No. 277
July 1974
Cover: Clark Kent and Lois Lane watching Ted Mailerway fall past Superman billboard //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Biggest Game In Town” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #165)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #437), Steve Lombard (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #434), Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue #275)
Intro: Ted “Pappy” Mailerway, Wanda (only appearance for both)
Villain: The Swami (first and only appearance)
Comment: Ted “Pappy” Mailerway is based on famous American author Ernest Hemingway.
Synopsis: Ted Mailerway, a famous writer, comes to Metropolis hoping to expose Clark Kent as Superman.

Story: “The Pizzeria Peril” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Martin Pasko
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Frank Giacoia
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge, Steve Lombard, Kaye Daye (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #111; next appears in BATMAN #295)
Intro: Mr. Giovanni (only appearance)
Villains: Three escaped convicts (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: In this story, it is revealed that Kaye Daye of Gotham City’s Mystery Analysts is an aunt of Steve Lombard’s.
 Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight the Injustice Gang in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111.
Synopsis: Steve Lombard moves in briefly with Clark, against the latter’s will, to keep his aunt, mystery novelist Kaye Daye, from seeing his bachelor pad.  While they are together, they solve a mystery.

Action Comics No. 437
July 1974
Cover: Superman, Adam Strange, Green Arrow, Flash, Green Lantern, Doll Man //Nick Cardy
Story: “Magic Is Bustin’ Out All Over” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #112; next appears in SUPERMAN #278)
GS: Green Arrow (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #112; next appears in issue #440), Green Lantern, Flash (last appearance of both in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #112; both next appear in THE FLASH #229; all appear with Superman as the Justice League of America, between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #112 / 113)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #277 / 278), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #278)
Intro: Sheldon, Helen, Marvello (only appearance for both)
Villain: Effron (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #210; last appearance)
Synopsis: Effron the Sorceror is back with a plot to defeat his two old foes, Superman and Green Arrow, and to charge the Earth with magic energy.

Superman No. 278
August 1974
Cover: Superman vs. Terra-Man; Superman and Eiffel Tower; Superman and whale with Lois Lane’s face; Clark Kent and Lois Lane; vignettes of Superman and Lola Barnett (six vignettes)
//Nick Cardy
Story: “Super-Showdown In Buzzard Gulch” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #437 / 438)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #437; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #137), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #437), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #435), Lola Barnett (last appearance in issue #275), Morgan Edge, Steve Lombard
Intro: Freddy (only appearance)
Villain: Terra-Man (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #426; next appears in issue #299)
Synopsis: Terra-Man kidnaps and transports Superman and his friends to a ghost town in the Old West, where he forces the Man of Steel to play a deadly game for the lives of the others.

Story: “Lola Barnett’s Metropolis Gossip” (2 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer:
Artist: Pat Broderick
Feature Character: Lola Barnett (next appears in ACTION COMICS #438)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #438)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lombard, Morgan Edge (all next appear in issue #280), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #438), Johnny Nevada (last appearance in issue #274; next appears in ACTION COMICS #442), Laura Conway (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #152; next appears in issue #280)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #393; next appears in issue #283)
Comment: Not a story; a feature in which Lola Barnett relates gossip about the Superman Family characters.

Action Comics No. 438
August 1974
Cover: Monstrous Lois Lane vs. Superman //Nick Cardy
Story: “A Monster Named Lois Lane” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #278; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #166)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #278; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #166), Lola Barnett (between SUPERMAN #278 / 280)
Synopsis: A jewel from space turns Lois Lane into a super-powered beast-woman.

Superman Family No. 166
August-September 1974
Cover:   Superman, Lois Lane, Roger Tempton; Bizarro No. 1 in lineup; Superbaby melting crook’s gun (three vignettes) //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Murdering Arm of Metropolis” (Part 1; 8 pages)
 Part 2: “Lois Lane, Undercover Agent” (5 pages)
 Part 3: “The Secret of Spangle’s Garden” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: John Rosenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #438; next appears in SUPERMAN #279)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #438; next appears in SUPERMAN #279)
Intro: Simon Cross (dies in this story, but appears as a ghost; next appears in issue #169), Dr. Foxley (dies in this story), the SIA (Secret Intelligence Agency; next appears in issue #169)
Villains: Spangle (first appearance), Roger Tempton (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane becomes involved in an espionage case when a botanist is murdered by an assassin with a steel arm.

Superman No. 279
September 1974
Cover: Superman flying up towards falling Batgirl //Nick Cardy
Story: “Menace of the Energy-Blackmailers” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Phil Zupa
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #166)
GS: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #258; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #113), Batgirl (last appearance in issue #268; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #171)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard, Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #166; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #137)
Intro: Bobby, Joanie (two folk singers; only appearance for both)
Villains: The Controller (J. Saul Kerry) and his gang (Frank, Luke, and Marty named; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman and Batgirl team up to foil an oil-smuggling scheme.

Story: “The Magic Master of Krypton” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #137)
Intro: Ca-Rox (in flashback), Maz-Ma (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: On a visit to Kandor, Superman hears of Ca-Rox, a stage magician from old Krypton who actually had magical powers.

Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 137
September-October 1974
Cover: Superman chasing flying subway train carrying Lois Lane //Bob Oskner
Story: “The Stolen Subway” (10 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #279)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #279)
Supporting Character: Perry White (between SUPERMAN #278 / 280)
Intro: Tommy (dies in this story), his fiancee, intelligent dinosaurs (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane boards an empty subway train and is kidnapped into another dimension by intelligent dinosaurs who want to stop war.

Story: “This Building Is Dead” (10 pages)
Editor: Robert Kanigher
Writer: J. David Warner
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #280)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #113)
Supporting Character: Melba Manton (next appears in SUPERMAN #280)
Intro: Brian, Estelle (only appearance for both)
Villains: A gang of criminals (four of whom die in this story; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League and Justice Society deal with the Sandman’s old partner, Sandy, in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #113.
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Superman help out an aged couple who are in danger of being forced from their home by a gangster who wants to cover up evidence of an old murder.

Action Comics No. 439
September 1974
Cover: Captain Strong’s arm knocking Superman out of ocean //Nick Cardy
Story: “Too Big To Live” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #113; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #225)
Supporting Characters: Captain Strong (between issues #421 / 456), Olivia Tallow (first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN #361, as Olivia Strong)
Intro: Mr. Mitchel
Villain: Carnox (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams up with Batman to deal with a menace in Inishtree in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #225.
Synopsis: When Captain Strong and his bride-to-be, Olivia Tallow, are endangered by a super-powerful caveman, Superman lends a helping hand to the sailor.

Superman No. 280
October 1974
Cover: Superman turned into a half-diamond being //Nick Cardy
Story: “Duel of the Diamond Demons” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #225)
Supporting Characters: Morgan Edge (last appearance in issue #278), Steve Lombard, Dale Smith (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #441)
Intro: Ace, Luis (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman inadvertently turns himself and Steve Lombard into diamond beings.

Story: “The Last Headline” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in ACTION COMICS #440)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #137; next appears in issue #282), Melba Manton (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #137; next appears in issue #289), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #137; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167), Laura Conway (last appearance in issue #278; next appears in ACTION COMICS #441), Steve Lombard, Morgan Edge (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #440), Ryan Lowell (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #429; next appears in SUPERMAN SPECIAL #3), Lola Barnett (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #438; next appears in issue #285), Percy Bratton (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #160; next appears in issue #306), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #278; next appears in ACTION COMICS #440)
Villain: Zack Dawson (first and only appearance)
Comment: Perry White turns 65 one month after this story.
Synopsis: Morgan Edge tries to make Perry White retire at age 65, but gives him a big story to crack: uncovering the hidden hoard of a crook Perry helped jail many years ago.

Action Comics No. 440
October 1974
Cover: Superman and illusions of Jor-El and Lara in thunderstorm //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Man Who Betrayed Krypton” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #280; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167)
GA: Bruce Wayne (Batman; last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #115; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #443)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard (between SUPERMAN #280 / 282), Jimmy Olsen, Morgan Edge (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #280; both next appear in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167)
Intro: Andy (in flashback; only appearance)
Cameo: Jor-El, Lara (as illusions)
Villains: Michael J. Coram, Dr.Thomas Woodrow (first appearance for both; both next appear in SUPERMAN #290), the Think-Tankers, the Defender (first and only appearance for all), the Crime Syndicate (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #132; last appearance)
Synopsis: A criminal mastermind tries to demoralize Superman with illusions of his parents.

Superman Family No. 167
October-November 1974
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen and Diana Savage in diving suits, and Death; Lois Lane underwater; giant Superbaby on Krypton (three vignettes) //Nick Cardy
Story: “A Deep Death For Mr. Action” (12 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #440)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #440; next appears in SUPERMAN #281)
Supporting Character: Morgan Edge (between ACTION COMICS #440 / 441)
Villains: Diana Savage (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #162; last appearance) and her gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes after sunken Rembrandt paintings in the wreck of a ship and encounters his old foe, Diana Savage.

Story: “The Trail of the Spider” (8 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #443)
Supporting Characters: Jim Corrigan (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #163; next appears in BLACK LIGHTNING #4), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #280 / 281)
Intro: Mickey Salter (dies in this story)
Villains: The Spider and his gang (Eagle-Eye named; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Jim Corrigan team up to stop a crime-boss, the Spider, from pulling a major heist in Metropolis.

Superman No. 281
November 1974
Cover: Vartox, Superman, and Lois Lane //Nick Cardy
Story: “Mystery Mission To Metropolis” (1 page)
 Prologue (1 page)
 Part 1: “The Mystery Unravels” (8 pages)
 Part 2: “And the Mission Begins” (10 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167)
Intro: Vartox (next appers in ACTION COMICS #475), Lackey, Teddy Sykes (only appearance for both), Vartox’s wife, a waitress (both die in this story)
Villain: Frank Sykes (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight Anakronus in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114.
Synopsis: The murder of his wife’s psychic twin on Earth dooms the wife of alien super-hero Vartox, and he must now find a way to bring the killer to justice on his own world, despite the interference of Superman.
 
Action Comics No. 441
November 1974
Cover: Superman punching the Flash //Nick Cardy
Story: “Weather War Over Metropolis” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114; next appears in Green Arrow / Black Canary story in this issue)
GS: The Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114; next appears in THE FLASH #231)
Supporting Characters: Oscar Asherman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #270; next appears in issue #443), Morgan Edge (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167; next appears in SUPERMAN #288), Laura Conway (between SUPERMAN #280 / 289), Dale Smith (last appearance in SUPERMAN #280; last appearance)
Villains: The Weather Wizard (between THE FLASH #231 / 243) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears as Clark Kent in the Green Arrow / Black Canary story in this issue, then briefly appears to capture Lex Luthor in SHAZAM! #15, then teams up with Batman and Metamorpho to fight El Jefe in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #226.
Synopsis: The Weather Wizard cooks up a plot to lure Superman to him in prison so that he can strike him with black lightning and make him kill the Flash.

Limited Collectors’ Edition #C-31
November-December 1974
Cover: Superman (painting) //Hugh Ward
Story: “The Origin of Superman” (15 pages)
Editor, writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Pencillers: Carmine Infantino (layouts), Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (in flashback; also appears as Baby Kal-El, Superbaby, and Superboy; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101, Superboy’s Interim Appearances, and Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology; origin retold in detail)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; both die in this story; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 and Superboy’s Interim Appearances for chronology), Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White (in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Synopsis: To save his only son, Kal-El, from doom, Jor-El rocketed him away from dying Krypton just before the planet’s explosion.  He was sent to Earth, where Jonathan and Martha Kent adopted him, discovered he had super-powers, and, years later, helped him become Superboy.  Years later, after their death, Kal-El, now both Clark Kent and Superman, moved to Metropolis, got a job as a reporter on the Daily Planet, and continued his crime-fighting career there.

Superman No. 282
December 1974
Cover: Superman throwing crook from airplane //Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: “Lex Luthor--Super Scalp-Hunter” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #226)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in issue #285), Lois Lane, Steve Lombard (between ACTION COMICS #440 / 442)
Intro: Carol, Ali (only appearance for all)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SHAZAM! #15; next appears in ACTION COMICS #443; gains his purple-and-green uniform in this story) and his gang (first and only appearance for all; Sklar named in this story)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor de-ages Superman by a decade in order to rob him of his experience, then attempts to scalp him with a laser.

Story:  "The Loneliest Man In the Universe"  (6 pages)
Editor:  Julius Schwartz
Writer:  Marty Pasko
Artist:  Ernie Chua
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #442)
GS:  Supergirl (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #165 / 168)
Intro: The Anti-Crime Patrol (in flashback; only appearance)
Villain:  Nam-Ek (in flashback; first appearance;  next appears in issue #311)
Comments: This is a Fabulous World of Krypton story.
 In later stories, it is revealed that Nam-Ek is now in the Phantom Zone.  It is also hard to conceive how even a Rondor horn could help him survive the explosion of Krypton.
Synopsis:  Supergirl tells Superman she is thinking about giving up her Supergirl identity to live the life of an ordinary woman, with a husband and children.  To illustrate that she might feel
different later on if she makes that choice, Superman tells her about Nam-Ek.  Nam lived 500 years before Krypton's explosion, killed two Rondors for their curative horns, and extracted a
serum from them to make himself immortal.  But, since slaying a Rondor is illegal, Nam-Ek became a fugitive from justice.  Drinking the serum from the horns, Nam-Ek transformed himself
into a hideous, smelly "human Rondor" with a curative horn growing from his forehead.  He learned that he was immortal and invulnerable, and worked in solitude for five centuries, only to
learn that he needed companionship.  Unfortunately, since he was smelly and ugly, nobody wanted to get within throwing distance of him, and everyone drove him away.  Just as Nam-Ek sought out another Rondor in hopes of changing himself back to normal, Krypton exploded.  Nam-Ek floated in lifeless space, alone forever.  Thus, Superman cautions his cousin about the danger of
getting one's wishes fulfilled.  He doesn't tell her how he knew of Nam-Ek.  But she admits that she has some "heavy thinking" to do.

Action Comics No. 442
December 1974
Cover: Gunman’s hand firing gun as Superman, on TV screen, flies away from Johnny Nevada’s show //Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: “The Midnight Murder Show” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #282; next appears in BATMAN #260)
Supporting Characters: Johnny Nevada (last appearance in SUPERMAN #278; next appears in issue #450), Steve Lombard (last appearance in SUPERMAN #282), Professor Jasper J. Pepperwinkle (first appearance; first name and middle initial revealed in his next appearance, in SUPERMAN #289), Inspector Henderson (first appearance; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #4; next appears in SUPERMAN #289)
Villains: Touch McCoy and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Professor Pepperwinkle and Inspector Henderson are both characters from the 1950's TV show, The Adventures of Superman.
 Shortly after this story Clark Kent briefly appears in BATMAN #260.
Synopsis: Superman enacts a desperate plan to save the life of kidnapped TV host Johnny Nevada.

Superman No. 283
January 1975
Cover: Superman changing into Chris Delbart //Nick Cardy
Story: “Superman’s Mystery Masquerade” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in BATMAN #260)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #443)
Intro: Dr. Vandt, Christina Delbart (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman safeguards his identity from a prying scientist by adopting a new secret identity, that of Chris Delbart, a Wall Street stockbroker.

Story: “One of Our Imps Is Missing” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115)
Intro: Grflznk, senators from New Hampshire and Illinois (only appearance for all)
Cameo: George Washington, Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between issues #278 / 290)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight Korge in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115.
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk causes trouble for Superman and Congress in Washington, D.C.

Action Comics No. 443
January 1975
Cover: Superman, Adam Strange, Hawkman, Black Pirate, Green Lantern, Batman, Atom //Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: “At Last!  Clark Kent, Super-Hero” (20 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115; next appears in SUPERMAN #284)
GS: Black Canary, Green Arrow (both between issues #441 / 444), Green Lantern (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115), Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115; next appears in THE FLASH #232), Aquaman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #437), Batman (last apperance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115; next appears in BATMAN #261), Red Tornado (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #114 / 117), Elongated Man (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #444; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #116), Atom (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115 / 117; all appear, with Superman, as the Justice League of America, between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #115 / 116)
GA: Solovar (last appearance in issue #424; next appears in SUPER-TEAM FAMILY #3), a Guardian of the Universe (last appearance in SUPERMAN #257; next appears in GREEN LANTERN #90)
Supporting Characters: Steve Lombard, Oscar Asherman (between issues #441 / 447), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #283; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #169), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #167 / 170), Josh Coyle (between SUPERMAN #262 / 285)
Villains: Queen Bee, Bee-Men (all between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60 / 132), Brainiac (between SUPERMAN #271 / 299), Clayface (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #478), Harpy (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #82; last appearance), Merlyn the Archer (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #94; next appears in BLACK LIGHTNING #2), Ocean Master (last appearance in TEEN TITANS #28; next appears in AQUAMAN #62), Sinestro (last appearance in THE FLASH #222), Chronos (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #111 / 132), Grodd (last appearance in issue #424; next appears in SUPER-TEAM FAMILY #3), Lex Luthor (between SUPERMAN #282 / 286)
Synopsis: The Queen Bee assembles a group of super-villains to capture the Justice League, but Superman throws them a curve by using a Kandorian machine to reverse the attitude of all people on Earth towards Superman and Clark Kent.

Superman No. 284
February 1974
Cover: Superboy robot vs. Superman; Superman and Lois Lane at Clark Kent’s gravesite; Superman, Borko, and Boscar in weight-lifting tournament //Nick Cardy
Story: “The Secret Guardian of Smallville” (1 page)
 Part 1: “Enter the Guardian” (10 pages)
 Part 2: “Exit the Guardian” (9 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #443 / 444)
Intro: Superboy robot SR-6 (destroyed in this story)
GA: Superboy robots (in flashback; all destroyed in this story)
Supporting Characters: Pete Ross (last appearance in issue #270; next appears in ACTION COMICS #457), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #109; next appears in issue #317), Douglas Parker (last appearance in issue #171; next appears in ACTION COMICS #494)
Villains: The Copter Crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, it is revealed that Chief Parker is 75 years old.
Synopsis: Superman goes back to Smallville and faces a Superboy robot which is convinced that the Man of Steel is evil, and must be opposed.

Action Comics No. 444
February 1975
Cover: Policeman with Green Lantern’s body accusing Superman of murder //Nick Cardy (signed)
Story: “Beware the Hero-Killers” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #284; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #169)
GS: Green Lantern (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #116)
Supporting Character: Steve Lombard (next appears in SUPERMAN #285)
Intro: Trygg, Voltro (in flashback; both die in this story), Mr. Leveride (only appearance)
Villains: Sinestro (next appears in GREEN LANTERN #91), Zoyoz, Kydyk (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Sinestro hires two alien assassins to kill Green Lantern, using Superman as their weapon.

Superman Family #169
February-March 1975
Cover: Tarantula vs. Superman and Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen and Supermen Emergency Squad near Kandor; Supergirl exposed to Kryptonite by phony Green Arrow, Batman, and Green Lantern (three vignettes) //Nick Cardy
Story: “Target of the Tarantula” (Part 1; 10 pages)
 Part 2: “Lois Lane’s Phantom Partner” (10 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Rosenberger
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #443; next appears in SUPERMAN #285)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #444; next appears in SUPERMAN #285)
Other Characters: Simon Cross (as a ghost), the Secret Intelligence Agency (last appearance for all in issue #166; last appearance for all)
Intro: Gerold Lester, Mabel Lester (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Tarantula (Frank Lester; first and only appearance; not to be confused with the Earth-Two hero), the Masher Mob (some of whom die in this story; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is protected by a ghostly guardian while she and Superman go after the Masher Mob and a costumed vigilante called the Tarantula.

Superman No. 285
March 1975
Cover: Superman vs. killer plant as bystanders look on //Nick Cardy
Story: “Search For the ‘Impossible’ Man” (14 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Elliot S! Maggin
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Tex Blaisdell
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #169)
GS: Roy Raymond (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #292; next appears in ACTION COMICS #448), Bruce Wayne (Batman; last appearance in BATMAN #261; next appears in WONDER WOMAN #216)
Supporting Characters: Josh Coyle (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #443), Lola Barnett (last appearance in issue #280), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #169; next appears in ACTION COMICS #444), Perry White (last appearance in issue #282; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #170), Steve Lombard (next appears in ACTION COMICS #444)
Villain: Roger Rivers (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman goes on a hunt for the long-disappeared television host Roy Raymond.

Story: “The Kid With the Million-Dollar Smile” (6 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oskner
Feature Character: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in ACTION COMICS #445)
Supporting Character: Lola Barnett (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #446)
Intro: Jason Fleece, Selma Fleece (only appearance for both)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent searches for a runaway child-star of TV commercials.

 (next section)