The Earth-One Index
Superman
Note: This index continues from the Superboy index.
Action Comics No. 403
August 1971
Story: “The Man With the X-Ray Mind” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Browne)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in issue #393 (2))
Intro: Mr.Lundgren (only appearance)
Villain: Borwin (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman learns that a Metropolis University janitor has the psychic powers, including precognition, the ability to predict the future–and that the janitor knows that he is Clark Kent.
Action Comics No. 404
September 1971
Story: “The Day They Killed Clark Kent” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Leo Dorfman (Geoff Browne)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (next chronological appearance in issue #408)
Supporting Character: Dave Hammond (first appearance; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #362 (2))
Villains: Stan Rivers (next appears in SUPERMAN #350), Zeta Mu fraternity (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent teaches a lesson to a group of fraternity brothers who like to haze new pledges.
Action Comics No. 408
January 1972
Story: “The Shocking Secret of Super-X” (7 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (chronologically between issues #404 (2) and 410 (2))
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #366 (2); next chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #109)
Intro: Prof. Smithers (only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is contaminated with experimental bacteria and must perform his super-duties for a time in an isolation suit.
Action Comics No. 410
March 1972
Story: “Healing Hands From Beyond” (6 pages)
Editor: Murray Boltinoff
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: John Calnan
Inker: Murphy Anderson
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in issue #408 (2); next chronological appearance in flashback in second story of next issue)
Intro: Ted, a surgeon, a nurse, and a patient (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: On spring break from college, Clark Kent is astonished to see his friend Ted change into an Indian shaman’s outfit, gain magical powers, and perform a ritual above a hospital that helps steady a Native American surgeon’s hands.
Superman: The Secret Years No. 1
February 1985
Cover: Superman in flight //Frank Miller (signed)
Story: “Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #411 (2))
Supporting Characters: Mr. Soames (last appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #38), Tommy Lee (last appearance in SUPERMAN #370 (2)), Ducky Ginsberg (last appearance in SUPERMAN #370 (2); next appears in issue #4), William F. “Billy” Cramer (first appearance; full name revealed in issue #3), Inspector Henderson (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #362 (2); next appears in issue #4), Prof. Lewis Lang (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #374 (2); next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #298), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (both in flashback; last appearance of both in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #51; next chronological appearance in flashback in issue #4)
Intro: Mr. James, Mr. Drysdale (only appearance for both), Fred Cramer, Alice Cramer
Supporting Character: Steve Power (first chronological appearance)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #161 (1))
Comment: This series takes place during Superman’s junior year in college.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes from the Soames Reform School and makes a computer theft of $48,000 before Superman captures him. Meanwhile, Clark Kent gains a new friend, Billy Cramer, who is also from Smallville. Also, Superman turns up too late to prevent his roommate, Ducky Ginsberg, from having a drunk-driving accident and shattering his legs.
Superman: The Secret Years No. 2
March 1985
Cover: Superman destroying gun //Frank Miller (signed)
Story: “Reach Out and Touch” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Dave Hammond (next appears in SUPERMAN #350), Tommy Lee, Billy Cramer, Steve Power (next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #411 (2)), Mr. Soames (last appearance), Lori Lemaris (last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #280; appears isochronally with SUPERMAN #129 (3) (flashback))
Cameo: Ducky Ginsberg (in a dream)
Intro: Diane, people of the Bermuda Triangle (only appearance for all)
GA: Mr. Drysdale (last appearance)
Villain: Lex Luthor (next appears in issue #4)
Synopsis: Superman investigates the Bermuda Triangle and discovers a space-warp that leads to an island where people lost in plane and ship accidents in the area have created a peaceful existence, and do not wish to return. Clark Kent meets and begins dating Lori Lemaris, a mysterious wheelchair-bound beauty. Billy Cramer becomes Clark Kent’s roommate and friend, and Superman finally reveals his secret identity to him.
Superman: The Secret Years No. 3
April 1985
Cover: Superman stopping train to save little girl //Frank Miller (signed)
Story: “Terminus” (23 pages)
Editor: Julius Schwartz
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Billy Cramer (dies in this story), Pete Ross (last appearance in SUPERMAN #374 (2); next chronological apperance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55 (1)), Tommy Lee, Lori Lemaris (appears isochronally with SUPERMAN #129 (3) flashback; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #135 (2))
Intro: Walter Conrad (only appearance)
Synopsis: Pete Ross comes to Metropolis University for a visit, Clark Kent learns Lori Lemaris is a mermaid just before she returns to Atlantis (and learns that she knows he is Superman), and Superman, taking care of an emergency elsewhere, is unable to save his roommate Billy Cramer from dying in a building fire.
Superman: The Secret Years No. 4
May 1985
Cover: Superman and American eagle //Frank Miller (signed)
Story: “Beyond Terminus” (25 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bob Rozakis
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Kurt Schaffenberger
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Tom Ziuko
Feature Character: Superman (appears in flashbacks in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55 (1) between pages 21 / 22 and in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17 (2) between pages 24 / 25; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #133 (2); also appears in flashback, between flashbacks in issue #1 and SUPERMAN #161 (1))
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #366 (2); appears in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17 (2) between pages 24 / 25; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #133 (2)), Inspector Henderson (next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #442), George Taylor, Jr. (last appearance in SUPERMAN #366 (2); next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #244), Ducky Ginsberg (last seen in issue #1; last appearance), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; between flashback in issue #1 and ACTION COMICS #500, pg. 34, panel 3), Dr. John Lee, Susie Lee (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #370 (2); last appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Lana Lang, Prof. and Mrs. Lewis Lang, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Billy Cramer, Pete Ross (as statues), Jor-El, Lara (in a dream)
Intro: LeRose, Vesik, Eiber
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #2; next chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN #135 (1)), Smedley, Jones, Turner, and another henchman (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place during Superman’s junior and senior years in college.
The portrayal of Perry White in this issue and in SUPERMAN #362 (2), 365 (2), and 366 (2) as a mere reporter at the Daily Planet at this time, and of George Taylor as his editor, is a chronicler’s error. As has been shown in ADVENTURE COMICS #152 and SUPERBOY #63, he has been the editor of the Planet for several years by now. It is possible that George Taylor is in actuality the Planet’s publisher at this time, and later goes to Star City to take over the Daily Star.
Synopsis: While Superman is brooding over his failure to save his parents, his foster parents, and Billy Cramer, Lex Luthor threatens all life on Earth unless his old foe meets him in a showdown fight. After Superman triumphs, and gains new confidence, he goes on to graduate magna cum laude from Metropolis University as Clark Kent, and to land a reporting job with the Daily Planet.
Superman’s interim appearances
SUPERMAN #133 (2): Clark Kent gets hired by Perry White.
ACTION COMICS #387, pg. 15, panel 6
ACTION COMICS #500, pg. 39, panel 4-pg. 40, panel 4
ACTION COMICS #500, pg. 41, panels 3-4: Clark Kent gets an apartment on Clinton Street and builds a secret closet for his Superman and Clark Kent robots.
SUPERMAN #135 (1): Lois Lane first suspects Clark Kent is Superman.
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53 (1): Lois Lane has an adventure with Superman and falls in love with him.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36 (3): Jimmy Olsen comes to Metropolis, has a time-travel adventure on Krypton, and returns. Superman gets him a job at the Daily Planet and gives him a secret signal-watch.
SUPERMAN FAMILY #218 (2), pg. 6, panel 2-pg. 7, panel 2: Jimmy Olsen cracks his first big case, reporting on Big Mike Arnstein and Turk Moraine.
LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #C-31, pg. 15, panel 2: Clark Kent works alongside Lois, Jimmy, and Perry.
LIMITED COLLECTORS’ EDITION #C-31, pg. 15, panels 3-4: Superman is given honorary citizenship in all United Nations member nations.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #123 (3): Jimmy Olsen is waylaid by two crooks seeking Superman’s secret identity. Later, a professor tries to hoax him into believing he has created a machine to capture scenes from the past.
SUPERMAN #46 (3): Clark Kent goes to a class reunion. (NOTE: This may be a story of Superman of Earth-B.)
SUPERBOY #1: Superman and Lois Lane meet an old friend of Superboy’s.
SUPERBOY #15: Superman goes to another class reunion.
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94 (flashback): Superman, Batman, and Robin team up for the first time together, though each has met the other two previously.
SUPERMAN #76: Superman, Batman, and Robin capture John Smilter (see the Superman-Batman index)
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5 (3): Superman has several adventures in flashback, including one battle with Lex Luthor
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9 (2): Superman has several adventures in flashback, including battles against the Prankster, the Toyman, and Lex Luthor.
ACTION COMICS #228: Superman stops Lex Luthor’s sonic-ray weapon and immobilizes some robot animals.
SUPERMAN #127 (1): Superman has to pretend that Clark Kent is dead, then has to bring Clark back to “life”.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35 (1): Superman stays underwater for a week, bores through the Earth, destroys a glacier, and penetrates a nova star.
ACTION COMICS #250: Superman falls into a volcano, survives a crook’s bullets as Clark Kent, and stops a jailbreak.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37 (1), pg. 6, panels 3-4: Superman destroys almost all of his Superboy robots.
SUPERMAN #131 (1), pg. 3, panel 6-pg. 4 panel 4: Superman once again encounters Mr. Mxyzptlk.
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #105, pg. 7, panel 6-pg. 8, panel 1: Superman, Batman, and Robin have separate battles with the Joker and Lex Luthor.
ACTION COMICS #261: Superman designs and later abandons Fortresses of Solitude in space and at the center of the Earth.
SUPERMAN #176 (2): Superman creates his permanent Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic.
ACTION COMICS #395, pg. 1, panels 1-3
ACTION COMICS #409 (2): Superman tests the metal block that will become the door to the Fortress of Solitude.
ACTION COMICS #395: Superman meets Captain Althera.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48: Superman helps Jimmy Olsen perform super-feats in Smallville, catch a band of assassins, save a sub crew, and rescue a dirigible.
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #26 (3): Superman saves Lois Lane from falling out a window and from gangsters.
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27 (3): Superman saves Lois Lane from a killer whale and from gangsters.
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30 (2): Superman trains his original four Superman robots, but one of them, X-3, is smashed on a mission, then later rebuilt and goes on to create a robot “family”.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64 (1): Superman saves Jimmy Olsen from the Iron Colossus.
ACTION COMICS #299: Superman has a misadventure with Robot LL-35.
ACTION COMICS #301: Superman smashes a dark star and catches a falling baby.
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42 (3): Superman saves an alien scientist.
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149: Superman, Batman, and Robin battle crime androids and have an adventure on Mutation Island.
ACTION COMICS #329: Superman once again encounters John Smatten.
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156: Superman, Batman, and Robin fight the Joker.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #98 (1): Superman fights a space-dragon that eats planets and captures the Crazy Caper Gang.
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #173: Superman fights Kralik the Conqueror.
SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #115: Superman fights The Puzzler.
SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #99: Superman rescues Lois Lane at the World’s Fair.
Superman No. 78
September-October 1952
Story: “The Girls In Superman’s Life” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5 (3); next appears in issue #87; also appears as Superboy, in flashbacks, between ADVENTURE COMICS #179 / 180)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #76; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71), Lana Lang (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #109; next chronological appearance in SHOWCASE #9; also appears in flashback, between ADVENTURE COMICS #179 / 180), Perry White (last chronological appearance in LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION #C-31; next appears in issue #87)
Intro: Mr. Smith (only appearance)
Villains: “Lens” Lewis and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Sometime after this story, Lana Lang apparently quits her job at the news syndicate and returns to Metropolis to get a new job, as shown in SHOWCASE #9.
Synopsis: Lana Lang comes to Metropolis to find work at the Daily Planet. Perry White hires her, and she begins rooming with Lois Lane. During her stay, Lana learns of a film that could reveal Superman’s secret identity, and Lois is determined to keep it away from her, fearing it would jeopardize Superman’s career. Superman himself manages to film a fake reel and exchange it for the real reel of film in gangster “Lens” Lewis’s possession, and then nabs Lewis and his cohorts. Later, Lana is hired by an editor to write for the Federal Syndicate news service.
Superman No. 87
February 1954
Cover: Superman vs. Thing From 40,000 A. D. (as Superman) while Lois Lane, photographer, and policeman watch //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Thing From 40,000 A. D.” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (between issues #78 / 90)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #78; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71), Perry White (between issues #78 / 90)
Intro: Private Mullins, Dr. Johnson (only appearance for both)
Villain: The Thing from 40,000 A. D. (first appearance; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #89)
Synopsis: A protoplasmic blob-creature from 40,000 A.D. comes to 20th Century Metropolis, with the power to take on the characteristics of any being it imitates, including Superman.
Superman No. 90
July 1954
Cover: Clark Kent imagining Superbaby, Superboy, and Superman //Whitney Ellsworth
Story: “Superman’s Secret Past” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71; also appears, in flashback, as Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology) and Superboy (between SUPERBOY #34 / ADVENTURE COMICS #203))
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White (last appearance in issue #87)
Intro: Mayor of Smallville (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #8), Prof. Snelling, John Dahl, Will Burris (only appearance for all)
Comment: Superbaby is depicted as wearing a Superman costume in this story, which is an error. He should be wearing his blue-and-red playsuit.
Dr. Snelling is depicted incorrectly as having bought the old Kent house. It is possible he is just renting the house (from whom, we don’t know), since Clark Kent never sold the house.
Sometime after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to save his secret identity from Lois Lane in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71.
Synopsis: Superman makes a trip back to Smallville for a reunion. Once there, he discovers to his chagrin that his old home is now occupied by a Professor Snelling, who may discover the secret cache of memorabilia set aside by Martha Kent, which will reveal that Clark Kent is Superman.
Superman No. 91
August 1954
Cover: Superman, Perry White, and Waldo Pippin as “Great Caesar’s Ghost”
Story: “The Lazy Man’s Best Friend” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (of Earth-One; first appearance; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64 (1) flashback; next appears in ACTION COMICS #195)
Intro: Doc Merlin (only appearance)
Synopsis: A federal agent in disguise dupes Metropolis gangsters with a claim of having a device that will disrupt Superman’s mental processes.
Story: “Great Caesar’s Ghost” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #195)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #195)
Intro: Waldo Pippin (only appearance)
Villain: Killer Regan (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: To keep Perry White from being fired and to boost the self-confidence of Planet drama critic Waldo Pippin, Superman has Pippin pose as the ghost of Julius Caesar, who is “summoned” by Perry’s favorite catch-phrase, “Great Caesar’s ghost!” “Caesar” says he will haunt Perry until the editor brings in two sensational scoops, which White does.
Action Comics No. 195
August 1954
Cover: Superman watching Lois Lane tear down a wanted poster //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “Lois Lane–Wanted” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN #91 / 92)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #71; next appears in ACTION COMICS #192), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both between SUPERMAN #91 / 92)
Villains: The Tiger Woman and her gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman captures a female criminal called the Tiger Woman, but Lois Lane gets a case of amnesia and comes to believe that she herself is the Tiger Woman.
Superman No. 92
September 1954
Cover: Superman being beaten by crooks
Story: “The Impossible Headlines” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #195)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #195; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #1), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #195)
Intro: George Earns (only appearance)
Villains: Jigger Benson and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Perry White takes a vacation and is replaced by a sensationalist editor who prints exciting stories from the teletype, which prove to be wrong and discredit the Planet.
Story: “Superman’s Sweetheart” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Intro: Dora Mill, Prof. Worthington, Eric, Aldine (only appearance for all)
Villain: Duke Glennon (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After seeing an 800-year-old picture of himself marrying an unknown girl, Superman goes back in time to England in the 12th Century to investigate.
Story: “Superman’s Last Hour” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #1)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #1)
Intro: Dan Delta (only appearance)
Villain: Nails Harrigan and his gang (including Joe), Ace Farago (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Superman erroneously claims that he can remain within range of Kryptonite for a few hours without losing his strength. The Kryptonite in this story must be of an extremely low grade.
Synopsis: Dan Delta, tough private eye who resembles Superman, is taken prisoner by gangster Nails Harrigan, who has stolen a large chunk of Kryptonite. Superman finds Dan and subsitutes for him to get the Kryptonite away from Harrigan.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 1
September-October 1954
Cover: Superman watching Jimmy Olsen at disguise table //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Boy of 100 Faces” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #92)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #92)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #92), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #92; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #72), Jumbo Jones (first appearance; pilot of the Daily Planet Flying Newsroom)
Villains: Deuce Dorgan, Marty Watson, Bozo Bane (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen breaks out his disguise kit in order to trap Deuce Dorgan and recover some stolen jewels, with help from Superman.
Story: “Case of the Lumberjack Jinx” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Otis Burton (only appearance)
Villain: Paul Meredith, his accomplice (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy is assigned to pose as a lumberjack to discover the cause of a “jinx” that is plaguing the Planet’s supplier of wood for paper.
Story: “The Man of Steel’s Substitute” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #197)
GS: Superman (next appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #72)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #72)
Intro: Andrew Carlton (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Heavy Weapons Gang in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #72.
Synopsis: Jimmy must substitute for Superman when some down-and-outers the Man of Steel helped may lose faith in him.
Action Comics No. 197
October 1954
Cover: Superman, Stanley Stark, his hireling, and four “S” shirts //Al Plastino
Story: “The Stolen ‘S’ Shirts” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #72; next appears in SUPERMAN #93)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #72)
Intro: Swifty Smith, the Sultan (only appearance for both)
Villains: Stanley Stark and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Stanley Stark gets two crooks to steal Superman’s shirt for him in an attempt to analyze and duplicate the invulnerable material composing it. But Superman regains his shirt and nabs Stark and his stooges.
Superman No. 93
November 1954
Cover: Superman flying away from Lois Lane, two crooks, and Alfred Huntley
Story: “The Super Jobs of Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #197)
Intro: Wilmington Waffle (only appearance)
Villains: Aliens (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A movie producer does a Superman spoof dressed as the Man of Steel, and the real Superman helps him scare off an alien invasion force.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Double” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #1 / 2)
Villain: The Thinker (first and only appearance; not to be confused with the Earth-Two Flash villain or the Earth-Two Superman villain who appears in ACTION COMICS #70), Baby-Face (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Thinker kidnaps Jimmy Olsen and replaces him with a criminal double so that Superman may be deceived by the imposture to their advantage.
Story: “The Man Superman Feared” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #2)
Intro: Alfred Huntley (only appearance)
Synopsis: Philanthropist Alfred Huntley has had a streak of bad luck, but Superman lifts his spirits and turns him away from a contemplated life of crime.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 2
November-December 1954
Cover: Superman, flying Jimmy Olsen in costume, and girl aerialist //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Flying Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #93)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #93)
Cameo appearances: Mr. Danning (first and only appearance), Lois Lane (as characters in Jimmy’s dream)
Synopsis: After handling a specimen of soil from another world, Jimmy Olsen falls asleep and dreams he has gained the power to fly.
Story: “The Hide and Seek Mystery” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Jumbo Jones
Villains: The Purple Gang (including Slug Martin, Caesar Sykes, Squinty Ames, Bob Dunn, and Gunner Barton; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen, Superman, and Jumbo try to solve the mystery of some missing diamonds.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Superman’s Ex-Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #198)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #198)
Intro: Tom Barton, Betty, Mr. Todd (only appearance for all)
Villains: Slick Dugan and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Slick Dugan, a gangster, impersonates Superman so that he and his gang can rob a hotel safe, but Jimmy Olsen detects the impersonation and helps the real Superman bring in the crooks.
Action Comics No. 198
November 1954
Cover: Superman flying Lois Lane into wax museum of Lois Lanes //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Six Lives of Lois Lane” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #2; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #73)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #73), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #2)
Intro: A doctor, a witch doctor (only appearance for both)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to battle the Fang in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #73.
Synopsis: Lois Lane loses her mind after seeing Clark Kent change into Superman and hallucinates she is really Florence Nightingale, Barbara Freitche, Betsy Ross, Madame Curie, and Queen Isabella. Superman humors her to keep her from a total crackup and, when she gets back to normal, convinces her that she actually saw both Superman and Clark in his apartment.
Action Comics No. 199
December 1954
Cover: Superman vs. Phantom Superman //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Phantom Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist:
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #73; next appears in SUPERMAN #94)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last chronological appearance in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #105; next appears in SUPERMAN #101), the Phantom Superman (first and only appearance), various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Superman No. 94
January 1955
Cover: Clark Kent and Marybelle walking by Superman charity poster //Win Mortimer?
Story: “Three Dooms For Metropolis” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #199)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3)
Intro: The Hermit (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A hermit whose home is to be destroyed to make way for a superhighway predicts disasters in Metropolis that come true.
Story: “The Men Without a World” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3), Lois Lane, Mayor Manning (first appearance; next appears in issue #108; last name revealed in issue #110)
Intro: Blanthians, Mr. Cooper (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A band of super-powered aliens land on Earth with good intentions, but Superman must find a way to get them to leave.
Story: “Clark Kent’s Hillbilly Bride” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3)
Intro: Marybelle and her brothers, Jed Summers (first and only appearance for all)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent inadvertently carries a hillbilly girl over Marrying Rock and finds that, by custom, he is betrothed to her.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 3
January-February 1955
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Superman rescuing boaters, and Alphonse Baker snapping pictures //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Boy Millionaire” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #94)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #94)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #94; next appears in ACTION COMICS #200), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #94)
Intro: Agatha Ames, Jarvis (only appearance for both)
Villains: Anthony “Slick” Slade and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A wealthy old lady gives Jimmy Olsen $1,000,000 for having Superman save one of her cats, and a Metropolis gangster plans to cash in on it.
Story: “The Fastest Gun In the West” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Villains: Gunsmoke Gus and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In the Old West town of Tumbleweed, Jimmy Olsen gets on the wrong side of Gunsmoke Gus, the meanest killer around.
Story: “The Man Who Collected Excitement” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #200)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #200)
Supporting Characters: Jumbo Jones, Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #200)
Intro: Alphonse Baker (only appearance)
Villain: Sneaky Storch (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen gets in trouble with the police when tip-offs send him on false alarms, with a “camera fiend” at each location.
Action Comics No. 200
January 1955
Cover: Superman running Indian gantlet //Win Mortimer
Story: “Tests of a Warrior” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #74)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3; both next appear in SUPERMAN #95), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #3; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #74)
Intro: Chief Hun-Sha and his son (only appearance for both)
Villain: Morwatha (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to help an alien child in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #74.
Synopsis: The son of an Indian chief asks for and receives Superman’s help in getting his father to pass a series of tests set up by an evil medicine man.
Superman No. 95
February 1955
Cover: Superman, Poindexter Walls, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen //Wayne Boring
Story: “The Practical Joker” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #74)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #74; next appears in ACTION COMICS #201), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #200)
Intro: Poindexter Walls (only appearance), Frank Walls (publisher of the Daily Planet; no appearance; name only mentioned; only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (only appearance)
Synopsis: Poindexter Walls, son of the Daily Planet’s publisher, has a penchant for practical jokes which gets him in trouble when he impersonates Clark Kent and falls into the hands of crooks who have marked Kent for murder.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Super-Reporter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #201)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #4), Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #201)
Intro: Tommy Brown, June Evans, Mr. Taylor, Prof. Hornell (only appearance for all)
Villains: Biff Wilson and his gang, the Redmond Mob, Killer Dugan (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen brags to a copy boy and to a girl from his hometown about having a “sixth sense” for news, and Superman finds that he has to make Jimmy’s wild misperceptions about events come true.
Action Comics No. 201
February 1955
Cover: Superman with saber-toothed tiger, Stoneman, Lois Lane, and cavemen //Al Plastino
Story: “The Challenge of Stoneman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN #95 / 96)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #95 / 96), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #95; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #4)
Intro: Mr. Bates (only appearance)
Villain: Stoneman (Benny the Brute; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An inventor’s time machine takes him, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Perry White, and a mobster to the distant past, where the crook assumes the identity of Stoneman and tries to control a tribe of cavemen.
Superman No. 96
March 1955
Cover: Superman and Mr. Mxyzptlk with enchanted fire hose //Wayne Boring
Story: “The Girl Who Didn’t Believe In Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #201)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #201)
Intro: Alice Norton, John Norton, Martha Norton, Myrtle and her mother (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Superman learns that Alice Norton, a blind girl, does not believe in Superman, he tries and fails to convince her of his existence…until he operates upon her and restores her sight.
Story: “Mr. Mxyztplk–Mayor of Metropolis” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #202)
Intro: Will Smithers, Hugo Winston (only appearance for both)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (of Earth-One; first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in issue #131 (1); next appears in ACTION COMICS #208)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk runs for and is elected mayor of Metropolis, takes on all the city jobs himself, and baffles Superman.
Story: “The Collector of Celebrities” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #4)
Intro: John Griswold, Dan Walton, Austin Carl, Edgar Wilton, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Alistair (only appearance for all)
Villains: The River Mob (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A “collector of celebrities” forces Superman into an agreement to perform three “impossible” tasks or live in his house as his “property” for a year.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 4
March-April 1955
Cover: Superman protecting “King” Jimmy Olsen from assassins //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Disappearance of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer; Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #95)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #96)
Supporting Characters: Jumbo Jones, Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #201)
Villains: Joe Cobb and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen heads out on Superman’s trail after the Man of Steel has gone missing for four days.
Story: “The Hunted Messenger” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #202)
Intro: Bartley (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: With Superman away, Jimmy Olsen has to play “keepaway” from a gang of crooks who want the mysterious parcel he is delivering.
Story: “King For a Day” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #203)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #202)
Intro: Prince Otho, Princess Teena (only appearance for both)
Villains: Kobla, Zormio, and their agents (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is mistaken for the prince of a European country when he gets the prince’s ring on his finger and can’t get it off, which makes him a target for assassination.
Action Comics No. 202
March 1955
Cover: Lois Lane using X-ray vision to watch Clark Kent change into Superman //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “Lois Lane’s X-Ray Vision” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #4; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #75)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #96), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #4; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #75)
Villains: Midge Hanlon, Big Rorty (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Purple Mask Mob in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #75.
Synopsis: Lois Lane acquires a pair of specially-treated glasses that give her X-ray vision.
Action Comics No. 203
April 1955
Cover: Superman catching Lois Lane //Al Plastino
Story: “The International Daily Planet” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #75; next appearance in SUPERMAN #97)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #97), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #75; next appears in SUPERMAN #97), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #4; next appears in SUPERMAN #97)
Intro: Jacques, Charya (only appearance for both)
Villain: Pietro Paresca and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen are assigned to foreign offices of the Daily Planet overseas, Superman must save his two friends from smugglers who have captured them.
Superman No. 97
May 1955
Cover: Lois Lane, Professor Memory, and photos of Superman //Win Mortimer?
Story: “The Amazing Professor Memory” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #203)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #203; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5)
Intro: Professor Memory and his wife, Shorty, Blubber (only appearance for all)
Villains: Lynx Miller (first appearance; dies in this story), the Boss and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When a gangster shows a page of serial numbers to Professor Memory, a man with a photographic mind, Superman has to impersonate Memory to save him from other crooks.
Story: “The Big Game Hunt of Metropolis” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #203; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5)
Intro: Jack Borden (only appearance)
Villains: Dan Wheeler, the Swindle Syndicate (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Swindle Syndicate attempts to trap Jimmy Olsen on a “big-game hunt” at a new kind of zoo, until Superman intervenes.
Story: “Superboy’s Last Day In Smallville” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5; also appears as Superboy, chronologically between SUPERMAN #161 (1) / 365 (2))
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (in flashback; chronologically between SUPERMAN #161 (1) / 369 (2) and isochronally with SUPERMAN #365 (2))
GA: Principal of Smallville High School (last appearance)
Villains: Two convicts (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Even though Superman’s reminescences of his last days in Smallville are presented here as if it was his “last day” in town, other stories prove this cannot be true. Jonathan and Martha Kent are shown to have died during Clark Kent’s summer vacation that year, probably in early June, shortly after his graduation. The first flashback, of Superboy’s graduation from high school, takes place in late May (pg. 3, panel 2-pg. 4, panel 1). The later events take place possibly in mid-to-late June, but it is obvious that, unless Clark Kent moved to Metropolis early to get oriented in the big city, he remained in Smallville through August of that year. However, other stories (particularly the “Superman: The In-Between Years” feature) demonstrate that he was careful not to make it appear as though Superboy and Clark Kent departed Smallville or arrived in Metropolis on the same day. It is possible that he left the Kent house as soon as possible, wishing to put the painful memory of his foster parents’ deaths behind him. The farewell scene on pages 5 and 6 may have taken place as late as August.
Synopsis: Clark Kent investigates rumors of a possible breakout at Metropolis Jail, and overhears a crook claiming he will soon collect a million dollars because of something Superboy did on his last day in Smallville, when he is released on the next day. Superman reviews memories of his last days in Smallville, from his graduation from high school through his farewell to Lana Lang through Smallville’s letting-go ceremony for him. Finally, he deduces that the prisoner is referring to bars of gold which have been painted with lead and disguised as cell doors on the new prison.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 5
May-June 1955
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen among Superman’s trophies //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Boy Olympics” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #97)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #97)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #97)
Intro: Tommy Blair, Luke, Miranda, Cal Dawson (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Lois Lane (on splash panel only, not in story)
Synopsis: To help the newsboys of a failing paper in Metropolis, Jimmy Olsen enlists Superman’s help in staging a Boy Olympics.
Story: “The Brain of Steel” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #204)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #204), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #97; next appears in ACTION COMICS #204), Jumbo Jones (last appearance)
Intro: Professor Todd, SCOOP (a computer; only appearance for both)
Synopsis: With Clark Kent and Lois Lane accidentally handcuffed together, Jimmy Olsen and his colleague Jumbo have to avert disasters in Superman’s place.
Story: “The Story of Superman’s Souvenirs” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #98)
GS: Superman (appears, in flashback, between SUPERMAN #76 / issue #9 (2) (flashback))
Villains: Typewriter Tate, Otis, Lefty Orton (in flashback; first and only appearance for all), Lex Luthor (in flashback; between SUPERMAN #161 (1) / issue #9 (2) (flashback)), Killer Burke (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Killer Burke breaks into Jimmy Olsen’s apartment and tries to force Olsen to tell him which of Superman’s trophies in his collection will help him escape the police.
Action Comics No. 204
May 1955
Cover: Superman hovering upside down in front of Sam Spulby //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9 (2) (flashback); next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #76)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #76)
Intro: Sam Spulby (only appearance)
Villains: Slats Peters and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin in a competition between Gotham City and Metropolis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #76.
Synopsis: Metropolis is baffled when Superman seems to have to obey the every order of a man called Sam Spulby.
Action Comics No. 205
June 1955
Cover: Superman saving soldiers in artillery range //Al Plastino
Story: “Sergeant Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #76; next appears in SUPERMAN #98)
Intro: Fred Carson, Jim Carson (in flashback; only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Given the rank of sergeant so that he can participate in Army war games, Superman must solve the mystery of why a private who contantly botches things must remain in the games.
Superman No. 98
July 1955
Cover: Clark Kent and Lois Lane watching Superman newsreel //Win Mortimer
Story: “Superman’s Secret Life” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #205)
Intro: Ted (only appearance)
Villain: “Rags” Stephens and his gang, Harry Chadwick (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When bullets bounce off a gangster’s concealed bullet-proof vest, the crook’s ward is convinced his guardian is Superman.
Story: “Clark Kent Outlaw” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #76; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #6), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #76), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5 / 6)
Villain: The Big Guy (Bert), Nippy Martin, Happy, Mike, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In order to trap a gangster, Clark Kent pretends to take a bribe, is fired from the Daily Planet, and becomes a safecracker.
Story: “The Amazing Superman Newsreel” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #6)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #6)
Synopsis: Superman discovers that a newsreel of his old feats endangers his secret identity.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 6
July-August 1955
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen with Kryptonite, and crooks //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The King of Magic” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #98)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #98)
Intro: Presto, Hocus (only appearance for both)
Villain: Trikko the Great (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: At a magician’s convention, Jimmy tries to get the goods on a conjurer who doubles as a swindler.
Story: “Jockey Olsen Rides Star Flash” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #98), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #98; next appears in ACTION COMICS #206)
Villain: Chuck Thomas (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is scheduled to be a jockey in a horse race on the Planet’s behalf, but a crooked rival schemes to keep him over regulation weight.
Story: “100 Pieces of Kryptonite” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #206)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #99)
Villain: Angles Archibald, various other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A hail of Kryptonite meteors showers down on Metropolis, and Jimmy Olsen helps his old friend recover them, but a scheming criminal finds a way of hoarding some to use against the Man of Steel.
Action Comics No. 206
July 1955
Cover: Superman carrying off Lois Lane at their wedding //Win Mortimer
Story: “Superman Marries Lois Lane” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #6; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #77)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #6; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #77)
Intro: John Carson (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (as characters in Lois’s dream)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Professor Pender in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #77.
Synopsis: Lois Lane has a dream of her potential married life with Superman.
Superman No. 99
August 1955
Cover: Superman watching Lois Lane entering mine //Wayne Boring
Story: “The Camera Club Scoops” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #77)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #77), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #6; next appears in ACTION COMICS #207)
Intro: The Candid Camera Club (including Charlie; first and only appearance)
Villains: The Midnite Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While Superman is tracking down the Midnite Gang, amateur photographers in the Camera Club make life more difficult for him by pulling crazy stunts to catch a shot of him in action.
Story: “The 1,000 Lives of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Intro: Mona Miles (only appearance)
Synopsis: Reporter Mona Miles is even more persistent than Lois Lane in trying to uncover Superman’s secret identity, so the Man of Steel adopts multiple secret identities to throw her off track.
Story: “The Incredible Feats of Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #207)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #207)
Intro: Dr. Clayton, Charlie Evans (only appearance for both)
Comment: Lois Lane is convinced from a scientist’s report that she will die within a week of radiation exposure, and begins performing dangerous feats in order to get the last scoops of her career.
Action Comics No. 207
August 1955
Cover: Superman and four Superman medals //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Four Superman Medals” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN #99 / 100)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #99 / 100), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #99; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #7)
Intro: Daredevil Conners, Matt Wilson and his son (all in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Villains: The Taylor Brothers, Willy Danvers, various crooks (all in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story indicates that Superman has been operating in Metropolis for at least four years.
Synopsis: Superman must find a way of attending the annual policeman’s dinner, during which a Superman Medal will be presented, both as himself and as Clark Kent.
Superman No. 100
September 1955
Cover: Superman; covers of SUPERMAN #1, 25, 50, and 75
Story: “The Toy Superman Contest” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #207)
Intro: Tommy, Bob, Harry, a toy manufacturer (only appearance for all)
Villain: Red Anson and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman uses a toy contest based on miniature flying models of himself to help him bring in a crook.
Story: “Superman–Substitute Teacher” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Intro: Mr. Cranston, Evans and other youths (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An emergency disguise causes Superman to be mistaken for Mr. Cranston, a substitute teacher. The Man of Steel takes on the challenge of substitute teaching, and imparts a valuable lesson to rowdy students.
Story: “The Clue From Krypton” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #7; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El and Superbaby; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #207 / 208)
Villain: Floyd Fowler (first and only appearance)
Comment: A Kryptonian is erroneously shown flying unaided on Krypton in this story. He should be wearing a flight-belt for this feat.
Synopsis: Floyd Fowler finds a piece of metal from the rocket that brought Kal-El to Earth, with his fingerprints embedded in it. He matches the prints to Clark Kent’s, and blackmails Superman with knowledge of his secret identity.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 7
September 1955
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Target Kid, and Metropolis youths watching Superman win marbles tournament //Curt Swan / Ray Burnley?
Story: “The Amazing Mirages” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #100)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #207)
Intro: Mickey Todd, Hal Otis, Ted Blaine (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Three youths leave home and take off to try their luck at uranium prospecting, but Jimmy Olsen and Superman show them that the task is tougher than it seems.
Story: “The Scoop of 1869″ (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Intro: Cal Clayton and the Ink Aces club members (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To join the Ink Aces club, Jimmy Olsen takes a ride on a “time carpet” that appears to deposit him back in 1869, where he attempts to do a reporter’s job without the modern convieniences.
Story: “The King of Marbles” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #208)
Supportig Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #208)
Intro: Target Kid (only appearance)
Villain: Cyrus Colby (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An unscrupulous marble manufacturer tries to rig a marble-shooting contest so that his champion will win against Jimmy Olsen.
Action Comics No. 208
September 1955
Cover: Superman with “Namrepus” bust, archaeologist, and invisible Mr. Mxyzptlk //Al Plastino
Story: “The Magic of Mr. Mxyzptlk” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #7; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #78)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #100; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #8), Perry White (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #7 / 8)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN #96; next appears in SUPERMAN #103)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Varrel Mob in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #78.
Mr. Mxyzptlk is erroneously described as being from the 8th Dimension, not the 5th, in this story. It also alleges that Mxyzptlk only stays in his homeworld for 30 days after saying his name backward, instead of 90.
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk comes to Earth with a plot to make Superman and his friends vanish into his dimension by getting them to say their names backwards.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 8
October 1955
Cover: Superman watching Jimmy Olsen sign fans’ autographs //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Betrayal of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #78)
Intro: Dick Crane (only appearance)
Villain: Bart Gordon (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is honor-bound to take over for a detective chum on the shamus’s last assignment…discovering the secret identity of Superman.
Story: “Superboy For a Day” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Other Character: Mayor of Smallville (last appearance in SUPERMAN #90; next appears in ACTION COMICS #211)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Crane, Cal Trent, Freddy and his father (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman and Jimmy Olsen go to Smallville for Superboy Day, and Jimmy gets the idea of standing in for Superboy in reenactments of the Boy of Steel’s deeds.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Crooner” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #209)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #208; next appears in SUPERMAN #101), Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #208 / 209)
Villain: Charles Gordon (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The aftermath of a cold leaves Jimmy Olsen’s voice a little husky, in just the right tone to make him a singing sensation.
Action Comics No. 209
October 1955
Cover: Superman and “Mister K” //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Man Who Was Mightier Than Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #8; next appears in SUPERMAN #101)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #8; next appears in SUPERMAN #101)
Villains: “Mister K” (unnamed in this story), “Doc” Winters and his gang, Pete and his accomplice (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A man who appears to have greater powers than Superman appears in Metropolis, to the Man of Steel’s surprise.
Superman No. 101
November 1955
Cover: Superman with rainbow ring and a glass Lois Lane //Wayne Boring
Story: “Luthor’s Amazing Rebus” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #209)
Villain: Lex Luthor (between ACTION COMICS #199 / 210)
Comment: This is the second time (chronologically) Luthor has used a rebus for crimes; see ADVENTURE COMICS #292 for the first occasion.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor steals seemingly worthless objects to form a rebus which he challenges Superman to decode.
Story: “The Meek Man’s Club” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #8)
Intro: The Metropolis Meek Man’s Club (including Wilson and Barker), Jed Cummings (only appearance for all)
Villains: Bunny DeKay, Little Louie (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: The Metropolis Meek Man’s Club tries to bolster the confidence of Clark Kent in order to show themselves that their meekness can be overcome.
Story: “The Rainbow Doom” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #210)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #209 / 210), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #210)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman appears to be stricken with a condition that turns anything or anyone in his proximity into glass.
Action Comics No. 210
November 1955
Cover: Superman balloon over Superman Land //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman In Superman Land” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #101; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #79)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #101; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #101; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #79)
Cameo appearance: Perry White (as a dummy)
Villain: Lex Luthor (between SUPERMAN #101 / 106)
Comment: Luthor uses synthesized Kryptonite in this story, and refers to an untold story in which he manufactured it before (unless his teamup with the Prankster and Toyman in SUPERMAN #88 (3) took place on Earth-One).
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin to meet Aladdin in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #79.
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane visit Superman Land, a Superman-based amusement park, where Lex Luthor has laid a trap for the Man of Steel.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 9
December 1955
Cover: Jimmy Olsen watching Superman robot catch crooks on viewscreen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Cub Inventor” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #210)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #79)
Intro: Mr. Hardy (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Pocahontas, Powhatan, John Smith, Francis Scott Key, Abraham Lincoln (in flashbacks)
Villains: Ghost Gordon and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen invents a “time radio” which appears to pick up voices from the past, and a gangster plans on stealing it.
Story: “The Million-Dollar Question” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (also appears in flashback, between flashback in issue #5 (3) / SUPERMAN #78)
Villains: Lex Luthor (in flashback; last chronological appearance in flashback in issue #5 (3); next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #199), the Prankster (of Earth-One; Oswald Loomis; first appearance; in flashback; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159; real name revealed in DC COMICS PRESENTS #41), The Toyman (of Earth-One; Winslow P. Schott; first appearance; in flashback; last chronological appearance in flashback in ACTION COMICS #561; next appears in SUPERMAN #182), Barton Black, Leonard “Lefty” Lake, and their confederate (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Gangster Barton Black kidnaps Jimmy Olsen and makes him transmit true answers to Superman trivia questions so Black’s henchman can win a fortune on a TV quiz show, but Jimmy passes along a secret clue that tips Superman to his predicament.
Story: “The Missile of Steel” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #211)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #211)
Intro: A Superman robot (destroyed in this story)
Villains: The Brown Mob (including Blitz Brown; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While Superman is on a space mission, he leaves a Superman robot in Jimmy Olsen’s possession to pinch-hit for him.
Action Comics No. 211
December 1955
Cover: Superman in chariot race; Superman lifting Eiffel Tower; Superman holding up world globe; Superman cutting trees (four vignettes) //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Superman Spectaculars” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9; next appears in SUPERMAN #250 (2))
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #250 (2)), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #79; next appearance in SUPERMAN #250 (2)), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9 / 10)
Intro: Pierre and other photographers, editors of the French, Greek, Italian, and Dutch editons of the Daily Planet (only appearance for all)
Other Character: Mayor of Smallville (last appearance inSUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #8; last appearance)
Comment: This story takes place on the anniversary of Superbaby’s landing on Earth and of the founding of the international editions of the Daily Planet.
Shortly after this story Superman encounters Wolf and Spaniel in SUPERMAN #250 (2).
Synopsis: Perry White has Superman go to four foreign countries and do spectacular stunts for photographers there, to be published in those nations’ editions of the Daily Planet. But none of the pictures are used in those newspapers. A bewildered Superman goes to Smallville for a celebration of the anniversary of his landing on Earth. There, Perry White presents him with the latest international Planet editions, each of which prints the photos of his deeds on the front page.
Superman No. 102
January 1956
Cover: Superman immobilized by Thurans //Wayne Boring
Story: “Superman For Sale” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #250 (2))
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in issue #250 (2))
Intro: Barclay (only appearance)
GA: Warden of Metropolis Prison
Villains: Henry Drebbin, Edward Jorgens, Paul Quillan, Chip Wilson, Ace Hyatt, Trigger Hyatt, two convicts (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To trap the secret leaders of a crime syndicate, Superman and U.S. Treasury agent Barclay set up a phony “Superman Stock Company” and lure the crooks into buying stock in it.
Story: “The Midget Menace” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #212)
Villains: The Thurans (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is captured by a race of pygmies from space who wish to learn the secret of his strength.
Story: “The Million-Dollar Mistake” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #212)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #212)
Intro: Marian Colby (in flashback; only appearance)
Villain: Soapy Martin and his accomplice (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A con man plans to play upon Superman’s sympathies for the Daily Planet to net him a cool million.
Action Comics No. 212
January 1956
Cover: Superman making giant snowman; Superman setting off giant skyrocket; Superman lugging bag of toys for Santa Claus and reindeer; Superman with giant jack-o’-lantern (four vignettes) //Al Plastino
Story: “The Superman Calendar” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #102; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #102; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80)
Villains: Thorne Varden and his accomplice (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Mole in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80.
This story also contains a two-page Superman 1956 calendar.
Synopsis: Superman agrees to create scenes for a 1956 Superman Calendar for charity, but the manufacturer has a hidden clause that may bring him a huge profit.
Superman No. 103
February 1956
Cover: Superman and Cosmo the Great //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Superman of Yesterday” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80)
Intro: Jor-El I (Jor-El II’s father and Superman’s grandfather; in flashback; next chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON #1), Jeremy Bird, Bristol (in flashback; only appearance for both)
Comment: In this story we learn that Superman’s grandfather made a rocket flight to Earth and back, which undoubtedly inspired his son Jor-El II’s rocket experiments and may have influenced his decision to send baby Kal-El to Earth.
Synopsis: Superman goes to a town in North Dakota to investigate the claim of a man who says that Superman rescued him from Sioux Indians 60 years ago.
Story: “The Revenge of Mr. Mxyzptlk” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #10), Lois Lane
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #208)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk is “insured” against vanishing when he says his name backwards by an unknown factor.
Story: “The Man Who Could Read Superman’s Mind” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #10)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #213)
Intro: The Great Cosmo (Lt. Tom McLain; only appearance)
Villains: Slick Gentry and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story is recycled in issue #147.
Synopsis: A man who claims to be able to read minds appears to know Superman’s secret identity, and offers his services to a gangleader.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 10
February 1956
Cover: Superman, ape, and Jimmy Olsen in leopard skin //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Martian Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #211)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #103)
Supporting Character: Perry White (between SUPERMAN #103 / 104)
Villains: Sparks Sloane and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is convinced that his ham radio is picking up broadcasts from Mars.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Forgotten Adventure” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Villains: Maestro Mason, Loot Logan, Lefty, other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: While suffering amnesia from a blow to the head, Jimmy Olsen investigates a school for criminals.
Story: “Jungle Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #213)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes with Clark Kent to Yucatan to search for a “jungle boy”, and winds up becoming a jungle boy himself.
Action Comics No. 213
February 1956
Cover: Superman watching Lois Lane confront Paul Paxton with Superman uniform //Al Plastino
Story: “Paul Paxton, Alias Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #10; next appears in SUPERMAN #104)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #10; next appears in SUPERMAN #104), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #103 / 104)
Villains: Paul Paxton, Spades Riker (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A man named Paul Paxton turns up with several indications of secretly being Superman, which is news to Clark Kent.
Superman No. 104
March 1956
Cover: Vitor Vall showing Superman on monitor to his family //Al Plastino?
Story: “Lois Lane, Super-Genius” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #213)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #213)
Intro: Dr. Larsen (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Mr. Mxyzptlk (as a puppet)
Synopsis: A scientist’s ray gives Lois Lane super-intelligence for a brief time.
Story: “Clark Kent, Jailbird” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Villain: Ed Rowse and his men (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent is lured to the ghost town of Boneville in search of a lead on criminal Ed Rowse. Instead, he is jailed by the local cops, who are henchmen of Rowse’s.
Story: “The Super-Family From Outer Space” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #11)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #11)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Vitor Vall and their two children, Mr. and Mrs. Vall (Vitor’s parents), Vitor’s cousin (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A super-family from space comes to Earth, believing that Superman is their long-lost cousin.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 11
March 1956
Cover: Superman watching Jimmy Olsen get clobbered in boxing match //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Seeing-Eye Dog” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #104)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #104)
Villain: Red Redding (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An accident gives Jimmy Olsen temporary X-ray vision. Since his power would conflict with Superman’s, he becomes Superman’s X-ray “seeing-eye dog”.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent’s Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #214)
Villains: Safety Stone and his gang, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen ends up rooming with Clark Kent for a time while his apartment is under repair, and cools down his friendship with Superman in favor of one with Clark.
Story: “TNT Olsen, the Champ” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #214)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #214)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #214)
Intro: Gorilla Gordon (only appearance)
Villains: Pugs Orten, Punchy (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A lucky punch makes Jimmy Olsen seem like a major-league hitter, and a crooked fight promoter soon gets him into a boxing match which he is certain to lose badly–and net the promoter a hefty sum betting against Jimmy.
Action Comics No. 214
March 1956
Cover: Superman destroying battleship //Al Plastino
Story: “Superman, Super-Destroyer” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #11; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #81)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #11 / 12), Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #11; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #81)
Intro: Ebenezer Walker (only appearance)
Villains: A race of aliens (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to deal with Ka Thar in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #81.
Synopsis: An eccentric millionaire gets Superman to destroy buildings and a battleship, which seems wanton destruction to a world which does not know he is preventing aliens from using them as weapons against Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 12
April 1956
Cover: Superman, Perry White, and invisible Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Prince of Clowns” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #214)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #81)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #81)
Intro: Joe King, Tad King
Synopsis: When the son of a famous circus clown hurts himself just before opening time, Jimmy Olsen agrees to take over for him, and gets a little help in his stunts from Superman.
Story: “The Secret of Dinosaur Island” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Intro: Prof. Willilam March (only appearance), Guardiac (a robot; destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Investigating the distant Mystic Isle, Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen find it a haven for dinosaurs.
Story: “The Invisible Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #215)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #215), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #81; next appears in ACTION COMICS #215)
Intro: Doc Brane, Freddy (only appearance for both)
Villains: Blacky Blake and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A scientist’s experiment places Jimmy Olsen in the fourth dimension, where he is invisible and intangible but can touch things in the 3rd dimensional world.
Action Comics No. 215
April 1956
Cover: Clark Kent changing into Superman as Craig King changes into Superman of 2956 //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superman of Tomorrow”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #12; next appears in SUPERMAN #105)
Intro: Superman of 2956 (Craig King; first and only appearance; see Comment)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #12; both next appear in SUPERMAN #105)
Intro: Parri Wyte, Lyra Lee, Dr. Dorr (only appearance for all)
Villain: Vinson Vail (first and only appearance)
Comment: No explanation has ever been given for the abscence of a Superman in the 30th Century. It is probable that, a year after this story (in 2957), the Legion of Super-Heroes comes into existence, and Superboy I begins making regular trips to the 30th Century to join them on missions.
Synopsis: Superman is summoned to the 30th Century to help out a synthetically-powered “Superman” with stopping a series of thefts of scientific equipment.
Superman No. 105
May 1956
Cover: Eldric ordering Superman to uproot tree //Al Plastino
Story: “Superman’s Three Mistakes” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #215; also appears in flashbacks; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lois Lane (in flashback)
Cameo appearance: “It” (in flashback)
Intro: James Burns, George Verrel, Mr. Jarvis (only appearance for all)
Villains: Two crooks (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent gets an anonymous letter tellling him to research his past to find mistakes that gave away his secret identity.
Story: “Mr. Mxyzptlk’s Secret Identity” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #215; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #13)
Intro: Waldemar Hunt, Mr. Amesby (publisher of the Daily Planet), W. K. Brandon (only appearance for all)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (next appears in issue #131)
Synopsis: To frustrate Superman from sending him back to his own dimension, Mr. Mxyzptlk adopts a secret identity.
Story: “Superman, Slave” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #216)
Intro: Lord Wilman (only appearance)
Villain: Eldric (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent is accidentally thrown from an airplane into a hidden valley ruled by a medaeval tyrant named Eldric. In order to overthrow him, Superman pretends to be his slave.
Action Comics No. 216
May 1956
Cover: Superman tied up by Kryptonian robot //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Menace of Metropolis” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #105; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #82; also appears in flashback as baby Kal-El; 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)
Intro: Johnny Broddigan, Cliff Tyler, Z-4 (Jor-El’s robot; first and only appearance for all)
Comments: In this story, Superman first finds a diary written by his father, Jor-El.
The means of destroying the Kryptonian weapons in this story by placing them at the core of the Earth is incorrectly depicted. Kryptonian metal could even withstand the conditions within Earth’s center. When this story is reprinted in EIGHTY PAGE GIANT #6, it is revealed that Superman deactivates the robot and the other machines from Krypton and that they are enveloped, but not destroyed, at the Earth’s core.
Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin and the Three Musketeers in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #82.
Synopsis: Superman encounters war machines originally built on Krypton by Jor-El to destroy a prop city and, by example, discourage a Kryptonian nation from going to war.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 13
June 1956
Cover: Jimmy Olsen seeing Superman hovering upside down //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Six Jimmy Olsens” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Jack Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #82)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #105; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #217)
Intro: Tubby Jimmy Olsen, Slim Jimmy Olsen, Tall Jimmy Olsen, Short Jimmy Olsen, Goggles Jimmy Olsen (form the Jimmy Olsen Club with “Cub” Jimmy Olsen; not to be confused with the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club; only appearance for all)
Villain: Faker Floyd (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Six boys, all named Jimmy Olsen, are bequeathed a mysterious chest by a “Mr. X”, and challenged to learn what is inside it without forcing it open.
Story: “The Stolen Superman Signal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Villains: Labs Logan (first appearance; next appears in issue #35), Barney (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story includes a diagram of Jimmy Olsen’s signal-watch.
Synopsis: Thief Labs Logan deduces the secret of Jimmy Olsen’s signal-watch and alters it to alert him, and not Superman, when Jimmy is making a pickup of charity cash.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super Illusions” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #106)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #217)
Synopsis: Superman makes Jimmy doubt the evidence of his own eyes by playing tricks on him to convince him the exposure of his secret identity was just a dream.
Action Comics No. 217
June 1956
Cover: Superman and “Super-Baby” //Al Plastino
Story: “The Amazing Super-Baby” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #13; next appears in SUPERMAN #106)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance of both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #13; both next appear in SUPERMAN #106)
Intro: “Super-Baby” (Baby Bliss), Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bliss, Sir Roderick Blakesly (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent becomes the guardian of a “super-baby” with powers approximating his own.
Superman No. 106
July 1956
Cover: Superman vs. Lex Luthor //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s First Exploit” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #217; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El, Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology) and as Superman (see Comment at end of Superboy index for chronology))
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #217)
Intro: Barney Biggins (in flashback), Dr. Reese Kearns (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Dr. Reese Kearns, once discredited for panicking Metropolis with a meteor “hoax”, gets the Daily Planet to run a contest in search of Superman’s earliest super-feat. When pressed for the answer, Superman uses his super-memory to recall an incident in which, as baby Kal-El, he briefly emerged from Jor-El’s rocket, fought a crystalline insect on a meteor, and then pushed off from the meteor to return to his rocket. The push-off sent the meteor off course and caused it to miss Metropolis, thus invalidating Kearns’s claim. With that revelation, which Kearns had suspected, his reputation is repaired.
Story: “The Thefts of Clark Kent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #13), Lois Lane, Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #218)
Intro: Dr. Thomas Jones (deceased before this story begins)
Villain: Bullets Barton (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent steals four meteors which are actually Kryptonite coated with lead from a strange space cloud. Later, Superman clears Clark Kent’s name.
Story: “The Super-Outlaw of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #218)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #218)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #210; next appears in issue #110) and his gang (first and only apperance)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor creates an alloy that picks up energy Superman uses in his super-feats and transmits it to a suit of electronic armor he has invented. The suit gives Luthor all of Superman’s powers, but Superman defeats him by exposing himself to Kryptonite, which also transmits weakness to Luthor’s suit.
Action Comics No. 218
July 1956
Cover: Superman watching Super-Ape break out of zoo cage //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Ape From Krypton”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #106; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #83)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White, Lois Lane (both between SUPERMAN #106 / 107)
Intro: Shir Kan (in flashback; a Kryptonian scientist; dies in this story), Super-Ape (only appearance; a Kryptonian gorilla)
Villains: John Trask, Paul Spender (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin to solve the Mother Goose Mystery in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #83 and to help Batman preserve his secret identity in BATMAN #101.
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane go to Africa to investigate the claims of the existence of a “Super-Ape”.
Superman No. 107
August 1956
Cover: Future men viewing sleeping Superman //Wayne Boring
Story: “The Make-Believe Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in BATMAN #101)
Intro: Hal Hannon (only appearance)
Villains: Joe, Vince, and their boss (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman takes the place of an actor who masquerades as him to lure a crime boss into the open.
Story: “The Impossible Haircut” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Wrtier:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #218)
Intro: Antoine, Senator Wells (only appearance for both)
Villains: Dandy Jim and his gang (in flashback; only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Clark Kent interview a master barber who claims to have cut a lock of Superman’s hair.
Story: “Rip Van Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #14)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #218; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #14), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #14)
Intro: Yaddo, Kylle (only apperance for both)
Villain: Drago and his gang (first and only apperance for all)
Comment: It is obvious that the 30th Century Superman visits in this story cannot be the same one as the Legion of Super-Heroes inhabits (and in which, perhaps, Craig King briefly became Superman of 2956) because of the super-powers each normal human possesses in this story. It is possible that this is the same future time-line that Superman visits again in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28, where people possess similar powers. At any rate, his return to the 20th Century does cause a divergent time line.
It is also possible that Superman’s entire “future visit” is just a dream.
Synopsis: A cyclotron accident in which Kryptonite is involved puts Superman in a coma. He is placed in a tomb, and sleeps until the 30th Century. Upon awakening, he learns that “vitamins and hormones” have given all Earth people powers similar to his own. But the people of Earth are overly-dependent on robots to do their work, and fall prey to a villain named Drago. Superman rallies the people of the 30th Century to defeat Drago. As repayment, two men of that time send Superman back to his normal era with an experimental time machine. He awakens in his glass tomb only minutes after he had been placed in it.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 14
August 1956
Cover: Jimmy Olsen in Superman uniform, hillbillies, and bear //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Feats of Chief Super-Duper” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #107)
GS: Superman (last apperance in SUPERMAN #107)
Intro: The Ravenfoot tribe, the Black Tomahawks (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To solve the mystery of Jimmy Olsen’s face appearing on an ancient totem pole, Superman takes Jimmy back to the days of the Old West, where he becomes Chief Super-Duper to the Ravenfoot tribe.
Story: “The Meek Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Intro: An inventor, the Metropolis Bears (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman must convince Jimmy Olsen that a scientist’s device has exchanged his personality with that of Clark Kent.
Story: “The Boy Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #219)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #107; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #219)
Intro: The mayor, Petunia, Moose Morton, and other inhabitants of Hogfoot Hollow (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After Clark Kent is forced to hide his Superman costume in the Daily Planet’s Flying Newsroom helicopter, Jimmy Olsen is sent out in the chopper on assignment and is forced down by adverse weather in the mountains. He finds the Superman costume and dons it to protect himself from the cold…and walks into a community of hillbillies who are convinced that he is the real Superman.
Action Comics No. 219
August 1956
Cover: Lois Lane watching Superman hoard treasure //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Treasure Hoard”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #14; next appears in SUPERMAN #108)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #14; both next appear in SUPERMAN #108)
Intro: Dr. Vardin (only appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is accumulating incredible wealth in a cavern of his own making, but no one seems to know the reason why.
Superman No. 108
September 1956
Cover: Clark Kent changing to Superman in cell with three Metropolis policewomen nearby //Al Plastino
Story: “The Brain From the Future” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #219)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #219), Mayor Manning (between issues #94 / 110)
Villains: Freddy Deems, Professor Martin, various prisoners (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A computer from space lands in Metropolis and predicts that unless Superman reveals his secret identity, the city is doomed.
Story: “Perry White, Jr., Demon Reporter” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #15), Lois Lane, Perry White, Jr. (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #461)
Villain: Mr. Wheels and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Perry White, Jr., fresh out of college and interning at the Daily Planet, thinks that Clark Kent may be Mr. Wheels, engineer genius of crimedom, but Superman teaches him a few lessons he couldn’t learn at school.
Story: “The Girl Cops of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #15)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #15)
Intro: Sgt. Kirk and other policewomen (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A group of Metropolis policewomen decide to see if Superman and Clark Kent are one and the same.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 15
September 1956
Cover: Superman watching Jimmy Olsen ride bicycle at super-speed //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Mystery of the Canine Champ” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #108)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #108)
Intro: Cal Crane, Rollo (a dog; only appearance for both)
Villains: Paul Orton, King (five dogs; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is assigned to cover a pet show and begins to investigate the mystery of a camera-shy dog star.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Speed Demon” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Chracter: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #220)
Intro: Professor Claude (only appearance)
Villain: Diamond Dirk and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen drinks a formula that gives him temporary super-speed, it causes many problems for himself and for his pal, Superman.
Story: “Unwanted Superman Souvenirs” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #220)
Intro: A crystalline brain (only appearance)
Villain: Slippery Sam (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is hurt and bewildered when Jimmy Olsen begins discarding his Superman souvenirs, until he learns that it is a plea for help from an alien creature.
Action Comics No. 220
September 1956
Cover: Superman and other contestants in the Interplanetary Olympics //Al Plastino
Story: “The Interplanetary Olympics” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #15; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #15; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84)
Intro: Varal, Sharn, Thonians (only appearance for all)
Villain: Bronno (first appearance; a robot; destroyed in this story)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Thad Linnis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84.
This story is recycled in issue #304, which is the second time Superman participates in the Interplanetary Olympics.
Synopsis: Superman is drawn to an alien world and invited to take part in an Interplanetary Olympics.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 16
October 1956
Cover: Superman seeing falling cornice break on Jimmy Olsen’s invulnerable head //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Three Lives of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84)
Cameo appearances: Chief Perri, Jhimmie, Pyramid Petrus, Jymius, Samson, Hercules, Jimmy the Red, Thor (in Jimmy’s dream; first and only appearance for all)
Villain: “Con” Connors (aka Swami Rama; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is apparently regressed through a Swami’s machine to three past lives, in which he was the pal of Samson, Hercules, and Thor.
Story: “The Boy of Steel” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen becomes invulnerable for a time after a radiation bombardment.
Story: “The Super Liar of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #221)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #84; next appears in ACTION COMICS #221), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #221)
Intro: Kitty Devoe (only appearance; voice only)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen takes a lying serum that makes it impossible for him to tell the truth–so, when a gang of crooks kidnap him and try to force him to spill Superman’s secret identity, he tells the biggest lie he can think of, and names Clark Kent.
Action Comics No. 221
October 1956
Cover: Superman lifting crooks and car magnetically into air //Al Plastino
Story: “Superman’s New Super-Power”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #16; next appears in SUPERMAN #109)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #16; both next appear in SUPERMAN #109)
Villains: Jay Vorrell and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An encounter with a comet in space gives Superman magnetic powers.
Superman No. 109
November 1956
Cover: Clark Kent and Lois Lane watching Paul Berg and Superman puppet //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Man Who Stole Superman’s Powers” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #221)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #221)
Intro: J. Burton (only appearance)
Villains: Abner Hokum (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is hoodwinked by a hustler named Abner Hokum who hopes to profit on his super-deeds, but the Man of Steel manages to turn the tables.
Story: “The Puppet With X-Ray Eyes” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Intro: Paul Berg (only appearance)
Villains: Barney Bates, Grabby Todd (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Two crooks are convinced a Superman ventriloquist’s dummy has X-ray vision, and plan to snatch it.
Story: “The Duplicate Disasters” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #222)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #222), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #221; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #17)
Synopsis: Great disasters of the past are reoccuring in the modern world, and Superman must learn the source of the problem.
Action Comics No. 222
November 1956
Cover: Clark Kent and duplicate Superman //Al Plastino
Story: “The Duplicate Superman”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #109; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #85)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #109; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #85)
Intro: Superman-T (dies in this story)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to help Princess Varina in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #85.
Synopsis: Superman is split by a cobalt bomb’s explosion into two duplicate Supermen, differentiated only by the fact that one lacks a vision power the other has: Superman-T, as he calls himself, has telescopic vision, while Superman-X has X-ray vision. The two Supermen work together for a time, until Superman-T heroically sacrifices his life to knock aside a giant Kryptonite meteor heading towards Metropolis. Upon Superman-T’s death, Superman-X regains all his former powers.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 17
December 1956
Cover: Jimmy Olsen and Barney Bolton (disguised as Superman) //Curt Swan / Ray Burnley
Story: “Jimmy Olsen In the 50th Century” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #85)
Villain: Prof. Xerxes (first and only appearance)
Comment: It is possible that the 50th Century Jimmy Olsen and Superman reach is the same time-line that Superboy visited in ADVENTURE COMICS #279, some years previous to this story. In that story the existence of Superboy was doubted. Now they believe in his existence, but have his secret identity wrong.
Jimmy Olsen’s secret signal-watch is shown having the ability to signal Superman across the time-barrier, which future stories claim cannot be done.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen takes an accidental trip into the future year of 4956 A.D. There he learns that the people of the 50th Century believe he was secretly Superman. His protests that he has no super-powers fail to convince Prof. Xerxes, a scientist of that time, who chalks his power-loss up to higher Earth gravity and a passing Kryptonite comet. Xerxes endows Jimmy with temporary artificial super-powers, which are exposed by Jon Smyth, an author of a book who claims Superman was a hoax. Jimmy finally manages to summon Superman to the future, where he exposes “Jon Smyth” as Professor Xerxes, demonstrates his existence conclusively to the people of that era, and takes Jimmy back to the 20th Century.
Story: “The Case of the Cartoon Scoops” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #109), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #85; next appears in SUPERMAN #110)
Villain: The Swami (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen’s Superman cartoons in the Daily Planet depicting the Man of Steel’s hypothetical treatment of imaginary disasters lead to a string of real disasters which Superman has to cope with.
Story: “The Radioactive Boy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #111)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #223)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #224)
Villains: Barney Bolton and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To trick Jimmy Olsen into leaving him access to the Daily Planet safe where evidence against him is held, gangleader Barney Bolton impersonates Superman and convinces Jimmy he has become radioactive.
Action Comics #223
December 1956
Cover: Superman viewing film of Jor-El flying and taking lightning bolt on his chest //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The First Superman of Krypton” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #17; next appears in SUPERMAN #110; also appears as baby Kal-El (his first chronological appearance; born in this story); 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)
Intro: The Science Council of Krypton (in flashback; next appearance in ?)
Villains: Val-Arn, Khai-Zor (first appearance for both; both next appear in SUPERBOY #158; in flashback)
Comment: This story establishes that Kal-El, the future Superman, was born in the 10,000th year of Krypton’s existence.
A sequel to this story, whose canonicity is challengeable, appears in SUPERBOY #158. This story reveals that Jor-El received a dose of incurable radiation poisoning in the second expedition to Krypton’s core (on page 11, panel 3) and irradiated Lara before he could warn her away, dooming them both to a painful death from the radiation exposure if they had survived Krypton’s destruction.
Since later stories establish that yellow solar rays are necessary in large part for Kryptonians to gain super-powers, when this story is reprinted in SUPERMAN #193 dialogue is added to reveal that Jor-El also simulated yellow sun rays in his experimental Earth-zone.
Jor-El and Lara discover that Kryptonians acquire super-powers under lesser gravity and out of the rays of Krypton’s red sun in a chronologically earlier story (SUPERMAN #123). However, since this discovery is made while they are on a small asteroid, it is probable that Jor-El did not know whether or not Kryptonians would have powers on a full-sized planet such as Earth.
Synopsis: Superman discovers a lead box in space containing another journal of Jor-El’s and some films which he made. When he reads the journal and views the films, he learns how Jor-El first discovered evidence of Krypton’s coming destruction shortly before Kal-El’s birth on the 10,000th year of Krypton’s civilization. Since the ruling Science Council of Krypton failed to heed his warning, Jor-El began a search for a suitable planet on which to relocate. He chose Earth as a possibility, and created an artificial site which duplicated Earth’s gravity and yellow-sun environiment to learn what effect they would have on Kryptonians. To his astonishment, he gained super-powers in the simulated Earth-site.
However, the Science Council again rejected his findings, save for two members named Val-Arn and Khai-Zor. After they learned for themselves how they would become “supermen” on Earth, the two scientists captured Jor-El, Lara, and their newborn son Kal-El, and announced their plans to build a rocket which would take them to Earth, which they would tyrannize with their great powers. Jor-El tricked them into taking him to the Earth-simulation site, where he broke free of his bonds, shut off the gravity and yellow-sun machines, and captured them. After delivering them to the authorities, Jor-El made another trip to Krypton’s core in a mole machine and found the chain reaction was building. When he returned, he inserted a warning sequence depicting Krypton’s possible destruction in a film presented during the 10,000th anniversary celebration, and was denounced as a crackpot. The journal goes on to describe how Jor-El sent his son Kal-El to Earth in a rocket, and ends with a note to Kal-El, if he finds it, to remember his heritage as a Kryptonian and to do only good with his powers.
Superman realizes his father was the first “superman” of Krypton, and silently promises to use his powers only in the cause of righteousness.
Superman No. 110
January 1957
Cover: Superman vs. giant ant //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Secret of the Superman Trophy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #223; also appears in flashbacks to indeterminate times)
Supporting characters: Mayor Manning (last appearance in issue #108; next appears in ACTION COMICS #227; last name revealed in this story), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #17; also appears in flashback to indeterminate time)
Intro: Prof. Forrest, Walter Heming, Jud Wellman (only appearance for all)
Villains: Red Hollis, Biff Warren, Les Keegan (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman traps three hoods in the Superman Hall of Trophies, but learns from them that one of the trophies can sink the career of Metropolis’s mayor.
Story: “The Mystery Superman” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Intro: Hal (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane attend a Superman celebration in Highville, where they learn that everyone in town seems to think a local resident is the Man of Steel.
Story: “The Defeat of Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #224)
GS: A Superman robot
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #224)
Villain: Lex Luthor (between issues #106 / 112) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Luthor strikes at Metropolis with a ray that enlarges any object, including ants and tiny specks of Kryptonite.
Action Comics No. 224
January 1957
Cover: Superman stopping plane from landing on Superman Island //Al Plastino
Story: “The Secret of Superman Island” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #110; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #86)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #110; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #86), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #17; next appears in SUPERMAN #111)
Intro: Prof. Vanley (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman teams with Batman and Robin to combat Henry Bartle in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #86.
Synopsis: Superman creates an island in his image, but refuses to let anyone land on it.
Superman No. 111
February 1957
Cover: Lois Lane watching Mysto make Superman emerge from trunk //Win Mortimer
Story: “The Non-Super Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #86)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #17 / 18), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #86)
Villains: Blacky Baird and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman brings back a souvenir of a dead civilization on Saturn to Earth. It proves to be a “mentality exchanger” which transfers his mind into the body of Jimmy Olsen, and vice versa. Before the two can restore their minds to their usual bodies, Jimmy has interesting adventures in Superman’s powerful body, and Superman experiences what it is like to be a non-powered human.
Story: “Clark Kent’s Crooked Cousin” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears, in flashback, as Superboy, between ADVENTURE COMICS #232 / 233)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent (in flashback; last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #232; next chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #55), Lana Lang (in flashback; chronologically between SUPERBOY #54 / 55), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #224)
Intro: George Kent (in flashback; Jonathan Kent’s brother; dies before this story begins)
Villain: Mike Dow (aka Judd Kent; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent learns he has a cousin named Judd Kent, who is presently a convict and who claims he knows Clark is the Man of Steel and will reveal the secret unless he is sprung from jail.
Story: “The Magical Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #18)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #225), Perry White (voice only; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #18)
Villains: Joe Scott and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and a gang of crooks are interested in a new magician named Mysto, who appears to be able to materialize Superman at will and command him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 18
February 1957
Cover: Jimmy Olsen cornered, Superbaby, and crooks’ shadows //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super Safari” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #111)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #111)
Intro: Barney (only appearance)
Villain: Silky Todd (aka Sahib Sik; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A con man sells Jimmy Olsen a “magic” flute which seems to have the power to soothe animals, and Jimmy goes to Africa to try to round up beasts for a showman’s circus.
Story: “The Riddle Reporter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #111; next appears in ACTION COMICS #225)
Intro: The Riddle Reporter (a robot; destroyed in this story), Prof. Clyde, Prince Rex (only appearance for both)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen misses scoop after scoop to the masked Riddle Reporter, whom he suspects of being Superman.
Story: “Superbaby, Jimmy Olsen’s Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #225)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #225; also appears as Superbaby and Superboy in this story)
Intro: Prof. Boone (only appearance)
Villains: The Silk Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A scientist’s invention transforms Jimmy’s signal-watch into a time-reversal watch that turns Superman into Superbaby.
Action Comics No. 225
February 1957
Cover: Superman robot revealing himself to Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White //Al Plastino
Story: “The Death of Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #18; next appears in SUPERMAN #112)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #111 / 112), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #18; next appears in SUPERMAN #112), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #18; next appears in SUPERBOY #55)
Intro: Mr. Wenn (of Wenn, Wye, Howe, and Weir; only appearance), a Superman robot (destroyed in this story)
Villains: Wing Martin, Argus, Hank, other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Jimmy Olsen travels back in time to meet Superboy in SUPERBOY #55.
Synopsis: A Superman robot comes to the Daily Planet and reveals to Perry White, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen that the real Superman is dead.
Superman No. 112
March 1957
Cover: Superman losing tug-of-war to “Samson”, “Atlas”, and “Hercules” //Wayne Boring
Story: “Superman’s Neighbors” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #225)
Intro: Alexander Ross, Joe Rollins, Tommy Snead, Mrs. Higgins, Miss Wentworth, Mr. Merton, Bill Waters (only appearance)
Comment: In this story, it is first revealed that Clark Kent lives at 344 Clinton Street in Apartment 3-B.
Synopsis: Superman secretly (and sometimes overtly) takes care of his neighbors’ pressing problems at Clark Kent’s apartment building, but learns that one neighbor, Alexander Ross, is convinced that Kent is a crook posing as a reporter.
Story: “Superman’s Fatal Costume” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #110; next appears in ACTION COMICS #226), various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor creates a ray which, when bounced off Superman’s costume, can transmute matter into different forms.
Story: “The Three Men of Steel” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman?
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #19)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #225; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #19)
Intro: “Atlas”, “Hercules”, and “Samson” (only appearance for all)
Villain: Prof. Wilton (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A scientist finds a method to give normal people super-strength, and Lois Lane takes a treatment herself.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 19
March 1957
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane watching flying Jimmy Olsen in Superman costume //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Two Jimmy Olsens” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERBOY #55)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #112)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #112)
Intro: Dr. Saxon, Officer Clancy (only appearance for both)
Villains: Crook X, a thief (first and only appearance for both), a robot Jimmy Olsen (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is given a prototype plastic robot double of himself, which turns evil after a bullet scrambles its circuits.
Story: “The Human Geiger Counter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #87)
Villain: Doc Archer (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen thinks he has developed an allergy to Superman, and seeks to stay away from the Man of Steel.
Story: “Superman’s Kid Brother” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #226)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #226)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen, wearing a Superman costume to a charity show, hits his head, gets amnesia, and thinks he is Superman’s kid brother. Superman himself attempts to set Jimmy straight, but all of his efforts go awry.
Action Comics No. 226
March 1957
Cover: Superman and the Petrified Spaceman //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Invulnerable Enemy” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #19; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #87)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #19; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #87)
Intro: Barnum Bolton, the Professor, the Petrified Spaceman and his people (only appearance for all)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #112; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to remember their battle against Elton Craig in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #87.
Synopsis: A petrified man from outer space is dug up by archeologists and restored to life accidentally by Lex Luthor. The being, dubbed the Petrified Spaceman, wreaks havoc in Metropolis with his super-powers until Superman deduces that the Spaceman is in search of ice. When Superman surrounds him with ice, the Petrified Spaceman recovers his memory and his ability to communicate, and tells Superman he is an explorer from an ice world who was rendered immobile by Earth’s heat. Superman builds him a “spaceship” of ice blocks and hurls him back to his homeworld.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 20
April 1957
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane watching Jimmy Olsen and diver play checkers in aquarium //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super-Pet” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #87)
Intro: Danny the Dino (a dinosaur; only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy asks Superman to hatch a dinosaur egg for him in hopes that he can win a $10,000 prize for most unusual pet, only to discover that upkeep on a dinosaur is more than he can handle.
Story: “The Trial of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (also appears as Superboy, in flashback to indeterminate time)
Intro: Joel Todd (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen raises money for an old friend of Superman’s by selling off Superman souvenirs. But when the souvenirs quickly crumble into dust, Jimmy is jailed for swindling.
Story: “The Merman of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #228)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #227)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #87; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #227)
Synopsis: An encounter with a “mermaid” convinces Jimmy Olsen that he has the power to breathe underwater.
Action Comics No. 227
April 1957
Cover: Superman melting lamppost with X-ray vision //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Man With the Triple X-Ray Eyes” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #20; next appears in SUPERMAN #113)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #20), Mayor Manning (last appearance in SUPERMAN #110; last appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An occurrence in space causes Superman to lose control of his X-ray vision, making him burn up anything he looks at.
Superman No. 113
May 1957
Cover: Superman watching Jor-El save Queen Latora from robot on viewscreen //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superman of the Past” (Chapter 1; 8 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Secret of the Towers” (8 pages)
Chapter 3: “The Superman of the Present” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (between ACTION COMICS #227 / 228; also appears as baby Kal-El 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)
Intro: Queen Latora, Vergoans (only appearance for all)
Villain: A mad scientist (first and only appearance)
Comments: This story inaccurately claims that Jor-El first learns of Krypton’s possible destruction from Queen Latora and that he first learns that Kryptonians would gain super-powers under lesser gravity and a yellow sun in the adventure he had on Vergo. As ACTION COMICS #223 shows, he learned both shortly after the birth of Kal-El.
Also, the story is inaccurate when it depicts Jor-El as merely “hopping” back to Krypton from Vergo. The higher gravity of Krypton and red rays of its sun would rob him of his powers when he came within their influence. Jor-El probably constructed a spaceship of sorts and used his super-powers while on Vergo to send him on a trajectory to Krypton, where he landed safely.
This is the first book-length story in SUPERMAN.
Synopsis: Superman recovers a mind-tape and tape-player helmet from a Kryptonite meteor. When he plays the tape, he learns it was recorded by Jor-El, and recounts an adventure he had when Kal-El was only a baby. He discovered an asteroid-planet, propelled by jets, called Vergo, whose Queen Latoria announced a plan to destroy Krypton. Jor-El was sent to Vergo in a space capsule fired by a cannon. There he gained super-powers, and discovered that Vergo’s sun could only be rekindled by the explosion of a planet whose core was of uranium, such as Krypton’s. Latoria confirmed that they had no grudge against the Kryptonians, but that Krypton was doomed anyway. After convincing Latoria not to attack Krypton, and learning they had 50 years left before the death of Vergo, Jor-El returned to Krypton.
After listening to the tape, Superman scours the universe with his telescopic vision and finds Vergo, still ruled by Latoria, and in danger of perishing. He creates an artificial planet with a uranium core, propels it into Vergo’s sun, and reignites the star when the planet explodes. Vergo is saved, and Latoria is grateful to the son of Jor-El.
Action Comics No. 228
May 1957
Cover: Superman building skyscraper //Al Plastino
Story: “Superman’s Super Skyscraper” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #113; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88; also appears as Superboy, chronologically between ADVENTURE COMICS #236 / SUPERBOY #57)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #20 / 21), Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88)
Villains: Jay Amery and his accomplice (first and only appearance for both), Lex Luthor (in flashback; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9 (flashback); next chronological appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #108 (flashback))
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Lex Luthor and the Joker in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88.
Synopsis: Superman constructs a skyscraper in Metropolis and turns it into a museum of his past cases.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 21
June 1957
Cover: Superman scattering petals at Jimmy Olsen’s and Lois Lane’s wedding //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Legend of Greenbeard Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #228)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88)
Intro: Greenbeard Olsen, Eric Olsen, Lars Olsen, Paul (?) Olsen (cameo; Jimmy Olsen’s ancestors; first and only appearance; see Comment below)
Villains: Peter Shaw, Shorty Blake (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: It is unknown exactly how Jimmy’s ancestors in this tale fit into his family tree, but several are named, as follows:
Greenbeard Olsen (1721-1766)
Eric Olsen (an immigrant)
Lars Olsen
Paul (?) Olsen (name partly obscured)
Synopsis: Peter Shaw and Shorty Blake, two swindlers, try to scam Jimmy out of a $25,000 inheritance of treasure from his ancestor, Greenbeard Olsen, a “pirate” who secrely worked for the law. Superman captures the crooks and exposes their scheme.
Story: “Wonder Lad” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Wonder Lad for this story only)
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane
Intro: Tommy (only appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While Superman is gone on a round-the-world patrol, Jimmy Olsen makes use of a super-plastic jet suit and becomes the super-hero, Wonder Lad.
Story: “The Wedding of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SHOWCASE #9)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #229)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #229)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A series of misunderstandings leads Jimmy to believe Lois Lane has fallen for him, and it takes Superman to help Lois let him down easy.
Action Comics No. 229
June 1957
Cover: Superman in satellite orbiting Earth //Al Plastino
Story: “The Superman Satellite” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #21; next appears in SUPERMAN #114)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #21; both next appear in SUPERMAN #114)
Intro: Dr. John Haley (only appearance)
Villains: A Dr. John Haley impostor, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After destroying an asteroid in space, Superman is informed that he has become poisonous and that he must never touch the Earth again.
Superman No. 114
July 1957
Cover: Superman vs. dragon //Al Plastino?
Story: “The Soundproof Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #229)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #229), Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #229 / 230)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman’s crime-fighting is inhibited by the fact that a tremendous explosion in an enclosed place has increased the acuity of his hearing so much that every sound is painful to him.
Story: “The Man Who Discovered Superman’s Identity” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (voice only; next appears in ACTION COMICS #230)
Intro: Richard Tuttle, Oscar Todd, Helen Ross (only appearance for all)
Villains: Mento (not to be confused with the Mento who appears in DOOM PATROL and NEW TEEN TITANS), Big Joe and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A mentalist claims to have telepathically learned Superman’s secret identity and offers it to a gangster, for a price.
Story: “Superman’s Billion-Dollar Debt” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #230)
Intro: Jason Hawker (only appearance; an IRS agent)
Villain: Dapper Dan (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An IRS agent approaches Superman and informs him that he owes $1,000,000,000 in back taxes, which he must pay up, or go to jail.
Action Comics No. 230
July 1957
Cover: Superman parachuting from skyscraper //Al Plastino
Story: “Superman Loses His Powers”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #114; next appears in SHOWCASE #9)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #114; next appears in SHOWCASE #9), Perry White (between SUPERMAN #114 / 115)
Villains: Bart Wellins, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman must perform his duties in Metropolis without using any of his super-powers, which leads to belief that he has lost them.
Showcase No. 9
July-August 1957
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and “Super-Baby” //Rubein Moreira / Al Plastino
Story: “The Girl In Superman’s Past” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #230)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #230; also appears as Superboy in flashback, chronologically between ADVENTURE COMICS #238 / 239)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN #78 / 116; also appears in flashback, chronologically between SUPERBOY #58 / ADVENTURE COMICS #239)
Comment: Clark’s introduction of Lana to Lois on page 2, panel 1 and Lois’s reaction, as if she were meeting Lana for the first time, is inconsistent with later Superboy / Superman chronicles. By this time, Lois and Lana have met twice (in ADVENTURE COMICS #261 and SUPERMAN #78). Lana has apparently quit or lost her job at the news syndicate, which she gained in SUPERMAN #78.
Synopsis: Lana Lang returns to Metropolis to look for a job, and Lois takes her on as a roomie. But both women are soon competing with each other, to find which one Superman loves the most.
Story: “The New Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Villains: “Con” Conners and his henchman (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane vows not to try and learn if Clark Kent is really Superman, but instead ends up helping to convince a gangster that Superman is not really Kent.
Story: “Mrs. Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Ruben Moreira
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #115)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #89)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #21; next appears in SUPERMAN #115)
Cameo appearance: Superbaby II (Superman’s and Lois’s son; in a dream; first appearance), Lulu Lyons (in a dream; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to meet with the Club of Heroes in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #89.
Synopsis: Lois Lane falls into a coma after striking her head on a rock, and Superman tries to bring her out of a dream of her happy wedded life to him by suggesting marriage to the Man of Steel wouldn’t be a bed of roses.
Superman No. 115
August 1957
Cover: Lois Lane and Superman with three substitute Supermen //Al Plastino
Story: “The Midget Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #89)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SHOWCASE #9)
Intro: Tina Thumb, Tom Thumb (only appearance for both), Super-Tot (only appearance; see Comment below)
Villains: Goliath, Joe Trent, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Since Superman never appeared as “Super-Tot”, who is depicted with a complete Superman (or Superboy) uniform in this story, years before Superboy created his costume, it is doubtful that the Super-Tot in this story is a younger version of the Earth-One Superman. Most likely, Super-Tot comes from a parallel Earth.
Synopsis: When a midget actor playing Superman grows to normal size overnight, Superman summons a pre-teen Super-Tot to take his place, while waiting for the growth spurt to reverse itself.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Lost Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SHOWCASE #9; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #22), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #230)
Intro: John Shaw, Dr. Xavier Todd, Ben Hugh, Otis Blake, Henry Reed, Prof. Clyde Ott (only appearance for all)
Villain: Many-Faces Fulton (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman undertakes a dangerous mission and gives Jimmy Olsen an envelope containing his secret identity, to be revealed if he doesn’t come back for a week. A criminal disguise artist plans to learn the secret for himself.
Story: “The Three Substitute Supermen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #22)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #22)
Villain: The Organizer and his aide (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman undertakes a mission in space, leaves his uniform behind, and allows Perry White to use a power-endowing machine to create three successive substitute Supermen.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 22
August 1957
Cover: Superman blasted by future-brained Jimmy Olsen’s Kryptonite vision //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Mystery of the Millionaire Hoboes” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #115)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #115)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #115)
Villains: Roger Craig, Dan Conrad, John Cyrus (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen becomes a hobo to learn why three Metropolis millionaires have become hoboes as well.
Story: “The Super-Hallucinations” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Villains: Dr. Gordon, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman is apparently afflicted with a rare eye disease that causes him to see strange images…and can give the disease to Jimmy.
Story: “The Super-Brain of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #231)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #231)
Supporting Characters: Prof. Phineas Potter (first appearance; last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #26; next appears in issue #24), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #231), Perry White
Synopsis: Professor Phineas Potter unveils his invention, the Evolution Accelerator, at the Daily Planet. Jimmy Olsen agrees to be a test subject, and is artificially evolved into a man as would populate the Earth in the year 1,000,000 A.D. The hyperevolution gives Jimmy incredible super-powers, reveals to him Superman’s secret identity, and enables him to use the Man of Steel as a pawn in an incredible plot.
Action Comics No. 231
August 1957
Cover: Jimmy Olsen in knight’s armor on bicycle, splitting lance against Superman’s chest //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “Sir Jimmy Olsen, Knight of Metropolis”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #22 / 23)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (both between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #22 / 23)
Intro: Prof. Z. Peabody (only appearance)
Villains: The Sea Gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen finds that he will be the king of the island of Vumania if he performs three tasks, but a gang of crooks is out to see that he doesn’t.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 23
September 1957
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen peeling spuds on K.P. duty //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Two Super-Pals” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #231)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #231)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #231; next appears in SUPERMAN #116)
Villains: The Mind Robber and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen gains a new “pal” in the form of a green-skinned genie, who seems to have all the powers of Superman.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Bearded Boy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White
Villains: The Beard Band, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To gain entrance to a secret club of bearded men, Jimmy drinks a tonic provided by the leader of the Beard Band. This makes his beard grow super-fast and super-long…and he has to do whatever the leader demands of him in order to earn the antidote.
Story: “Adventures of Private Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #116)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #116)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #116)
Intro: Colonel Otis (only appearance)
Villain: Sgt. Blye (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen signs up for a week of Army life to get a story, and a sergeant, thinking he is the son of a famous general, rigs a bet to see that he fails his basic training.
Superman No. 116
September 1957
Cover: Superman crashing into hoods’ hideout with mechanical fist //Al Plastino
Story: “The Ray That Changed Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #23)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #23; both next appear in SHOWCASE #10)
Intro: Lt. Winters (only appearance)
Villains: Rex Malcolm and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman appears to fall victim to a ray that causes him to exhibit outlandish behavior linked to whoever or whatever he is looking at.
Story: “Disaster Strikes Twice” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears in flashback as Superboy, between SUPERBOY #59 / ACTION COMICS #232 (flashback))
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SHOWCASE #9; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7), Mayor Horace Higgins (in flashback)
Intro: Mayor of Smallville (not Horace Higgins), Wendley (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman returns to Smallville for the anniversary of Superboy’s departure, and discovers that old events are repeating themselves there.
Story: “The Mechanized Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #232)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SHOWCASE #10), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #23; next appears in SHOWCASE #10)
Villains: Prof. Ephraim Snively, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A cloud of Kryptonite dust engulfs Earth, endangering Superman and forcing him to build mechanical devices to perform his deeds.
Action Comics No. 232
September 1957
Cover: Superman and Superman, Jr. on picnic //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Story of Superman, Junior” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #116; next appears in SHOWCASE #10; also appears in flashback as Superboy, chronologically between SUPERMAN #116 (2) (flashback) / ADVENTURE COMICS #240)
Intro: Superman, Jr. (Jimmy Kirk; first and only appearance), Dr. Morton Kirk (first appearance; in flashback; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Dr. Morton Kirk, believing that Earth was doomed to perish when a giant planet threatened to collide with it, sent his young son Jimmy off in a rocket, intending to place him on another world. But Superboy saved the Earth, though he was unable to find Jimmy Kirk, and the dying Dr. Kirk left him a last request: that if he found Jimmy, he would become his legal guardian. Years later, the space capsule carrying Jimmy crashes to Earth, and Superman learns that Jimmy’s passage through space has given him super-powers. He adopts Jimmy, gives him the identity of Superman, Jr., and moves to Smallville under a new secret identity…and all the while, a “super-poison” Superman has breathed in from the space capsule is robbing him of his powers.
Showcase No. 10
September-October 1957
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and cape, glasses, and gloves from a Kryptonian box //Wayne Boring / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Jilting of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #116)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #232)
Intro: Millie, Tony Lester (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: To make Superman jealous, Lois Lane pretends to have eloped with a handsome actor.
Story: “The Sightless Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #116)
Synopsis: Lois may lose her sight within three days from a radiation bombardment, and Superman sets out to show her all her eyes can behold within that time.
Story: “The Forbidden Box From Krypton” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #90)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #90)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #90), Jimmy Olsen (shown with blonde hair; last appearance in SUPERMAN #116; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #24)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman, Robin, and Batwoman to fight Elton Craig in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #90.
Synopsis: A box from Krypton sent to Lois Lane contains three objects from Krypton that give her super-powers.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 24
October 1957
Cover: Gorilla with Jimmy Olsen’s mind in cage typing, Superman, and Jimmy Olsen with gorilla’s mind swinging from tree //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superman Hall of Trophies” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SHOWCASE #10)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #90)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen serves as tour guide at the opening of the Superman Hall of Trophies, not knowing Superman is substituting for a broken statue of himself…and that he is immobilized by a chunk of Kryptonite.
Story: “The Gorilla Reporter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #90)
Intro: Prof. Thorne, Bonzo (a gorilla), Golden George, the Gorilla, Zimba (another gorilla)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A scientist’s mind-transfer device places Jimmy Olsen’s mind in the body of a gorilla. Jimmy swings into action as a gorilla reporter in Metropolis, while Superman tries to find a way to keep him from remaining an eternal anthropoid.
Story: “The Luckiest Boy in the World” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #117)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #233)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #117), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #233)
Intro: A swami (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen thinks that a “lucky turban” he has bought from a swami is a sham, until he finds the headgear bringing him real luck.
Action Comics No. 233
October 1957
Cover: Clark Kent among Borgonians wearing Superman costumes //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Land of a Million Supermen” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye?
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #24; next appears in SUPERMAN #117)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #24; next appears in SUPERMAN #117)
Intro: Gault, Henrik (only appearance)
Villains: Torm and his aides (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Clark Kent is accidentally stranded in the nation of Borgonia, he discovers that everyone there, including himself, must wear a Superman costume on pain of death…which is a giant trap the dictator of Borgonia has set for the real Superman.
Superman No. 117
November 1957
Cover: Bank president watching Superman use “cold vision” on bank vault door //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye?
Story: “Clark Kent, Man of Mystery” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #233)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #24), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #233)
Synopsis: Clark Kent finds himself under an uncontrollable impulse to try to assassinate Perry White, but to save him seconds later as Superman.
Story: “The Secret of Fort Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #24 / 25), Lois Lane, Perry White
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #88; next appears in ACTION COMICS #236), the Dimension Outlaws (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On learning that a machine of Luthor’s which he has destroyed has already served its purpose, Superman constructs a fortress outside Metropolis filled with dangerous things.
Story: “The Man With the Zero Eyes” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature character: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #234)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #234)
Villains: Rex Chalmers and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A mishap in space causes Superman’s X-ray vision to produce cold, instead of heat.
Action Comics No. 234
November 1957
Cover: Superman and Gollo disguised as building //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Creature of 1,000 Disguises” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #117; next appears in flashback in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #117; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #91)
Intro: Gollo and other Zarians (all next appear in issue #572), Johnny Miles, Mrs. Miles (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: After this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to battle Rohtul in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #91.
Synopsis: A chameleon creature runs away from the planet Zar, befriends a human runaway on Earth, and causes problems for Superman.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 25
December 1957
Cover: Jimmy Olsen being rejected by Superman, Lois Lane, and Perry White //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Secret of the Superman Dummies” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #117)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #91)
Intro: Whizzo (a magician; only appearance)
Villain: Angles Anson (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is handcuffed to a crook by a magician who collapses, and can only get free if he guesses the magic word that opens the cuffs.
Story: “The Second Superboy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Super Youth for this story only)
GS: Superman (also appears as Superbaby and Superboy, the latter in flashback to indeterminate time)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter (between issues #22 / 27), Lana Lang (in flashback to indeterminate time)
Villain: Killer Krezz (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Professor Potter sends Jimmy in a spaceship to the world of Dorth, whose lighter gravity gives him super-powers. He adopts the costumed identity of Super Youth.
Story: “The Day There Was No Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #118)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #235)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #91; next appears in ACTION COMICS #235), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #91; next appears in SUPERMAN #118)
Intro: Terry Atkins (only appearance)
Villains: The Scarface Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen awakens one day to find all his friends at the Daily Planet, and Superman himself, deny that he ever existed.
Action Comics No. 235
December 1957
Cover: Superman being auctioned off by Amazons //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #25; next appears in SUPERMAN #118; also appears in flashback, between issue #234 / WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #91)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #25; next appears in SUPERMAN #118)
Intro: Dr. Edna Blaine, Julia Johns, Sonya Sophia, Betty Dunn (with Lois Lane, make up the Super Sorority), Queen Elisha and her Amazons (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and other members of the Super Sorority are shipwrecked on an island of Amazons. When Superman arrives to rescue them, he discovers that the Amazons have an antidote for Kryptonite, and decides to stay until he discovers what it is.
Superman No. 118
January 1958
Cover: Blacky Barton (in Superman uniform) and a henchman pronouncing Superman dead //Curt Swan / Sheldon Moldoff?
Story: “The Prehistoric Pet” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #235)
Intro: A flying creature (only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is beset by a flying, dragon-like “pet” which does everything Superman does–in reverse.
Story: “The Boy Napoleon” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #25; next appears in ACTION COMICS #236), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #25)
Villains: Two spies (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A defective computer gives Jimmy Olsen a super-high test score on a military aptitude exam. As a result, he is drafted and made a six-star general…and Superman has to ensure that Jimmy’s very stupid “strategies” work.
Story: “The Death of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #236)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #235), Perry White
Villains: Blacky Barton (first and only appearance), the Crime Syndicate (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
Synopsis: A gangster named Blacky Barton impersonates Superman at a masquerade party in order to lure the Man of Steel into a Kryptonite deathtrap.
Action Comics No. 236
January 1958
Cover: Superman in new uniform, tailor with old Superman costume //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s New Uniform” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #118; next appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #92)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #118; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #26)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #117; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to meet Skyboy in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #92.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor devises a plan to steal charity money and destroy Superman by making it appear that the Man of Steel’s original uniform has lost its invulnerability, and by replacing it with a new uniform which supposedly will protect him against Kryptonite…though it contains a Kryptonite deathtrap.
Superman No. 119
February 1958
Cover: Superman and Kell Orr as Clark Kent //Curt Swan / Sheldon Moldoff?
Story: “The Second Superman”
Chapter 1: “The World That Was Krypton’s Twin” (8 pages)
Chapter 2: “A Double For Superman” (8 pages)
Chapter 3: “Superman’s Mightiest Quest” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #92; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #26)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #26)
Intro: Zoll Orr, Kell Orr, Vana Vair, people of Xenon (Krypton’s smaller “twin world”; only appearance for all)
Villain: Sparkler Staines and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The planet Xenon, like Krypton, is named after a rare gas element.
Synopsis: Superman discovers that a planet named Xenon is a smaller twin world of Krypton, and that it contains doubles of his father and himself. Kell Orr, Superman’s double, exchanges places with him on Earth, until the Man of Steel learns of a deadly threat to all of Xenon.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 26
February 1958
Cover: Superman and winged Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The World’s ‘Heavyweight’ Champ” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #236)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #119)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #119), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #119; next appears in ACTION COMICS #237)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A freak accident involving Jimmy Olsen’s signal watch causes Jimmy Olsen to become super-heavy whenever he is around Superman.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Foreign Correspondent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Villain: King Orto (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While Jimmy Olsen is stationed in Hoxania as a foreign correspondent, he tries to help overthrow the cruel King Orto, but his efforts go awry every time–and he and Clark Kent are soon scheduled for execution.
Story: “The Birdboy of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #1)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #237)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #237)
Comment: This story takes place on and around Christmas.
Synopsis: After Jimmy Olsen sees Clark Kent in flight during an emergency when Kent didn’t have time to switch to his Superman outfit, Clark deceives Jimmy into thinking a pair of ancient wings gave him the ability to fly, and then has to secretly provide flight power for Jimmy whenever the latter tries the wings out for himself.
Action Comics No. 237
February 1958
Cover: Lois Lane and Perry White watching Clark Kent exposing his Superman costume and smashing desk //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Exposed Identity” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #26; next appears in SUPERMAN #120)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #26; both next appear in SUPERMAN #120)
Intro: Henry Furst, Prof. Royce, Dr. Griffin, Jeb Withers, Mr. Wisp, Tony (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A newspaper tycoon fakes his own death in order to get Superman to reveal his secret identity to him.
Superman No. 120
March 1958
Cover: Minister, Lois Lane, Superman, and “Joyce White” //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Day That Superman Married” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #237)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #237)
Intro: “Joyce White” (a robot; destroyed in this story)
Villains: Coup Colby and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman appears to have a whirlwind courtship with a beautiful blonde who claims to be Perry White’s niece, and marries her, to Lois Lane’s tearful regret.
Story: “The Super-Feats Superman Forgot” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (also appears in “flash-forward” to indeterminate time)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #1)
Intro: Bobby Forbes, Ali Singh (only appearance for both)
Comment: In this story, Superman learns that he will be married, twenty years from the time of this story, though it is debatable that the date of “1978″ is the real one.
Synopsis: Clark Kent judges an amateur photography contest for Superman photos, and discovers a picture of a feat he hasn’t accomplished yet.
Story: “The Human Missile” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #1)
GS: A Superman robot
Cameo appearance: Lois Lane, Perry White
Villains: Gadget Grim and his gang, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A criminal’s special magnet attracts Superman’s costume, drawing him away from the sites of emergencies.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 1
March-April 1958
Cover: Lois Lane as witch on broomstick with Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Bombshell of the Boulevards” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #120)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #120)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #26)
Intro: Lois LaFlamme, Mrs. Vandergilt, Hawkins, Count Armand De Foix, an ambassador (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Lois Lane impersonates a sexy movie star to gain access to an ambassador for a scoop, Superman and Jimmy Olsen decide to teach her a lesson.
Story: “Lois Lane, Super-Chef” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #27), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #120)
Intro: Mr. Romance, Mrs. Morgan (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois decides to win Superman through her cooking and inveigles him into helping her when she takes on a temporary job as a chef at a diner.
Story: “The Witch of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #27)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #27)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #27)
Intro: Museum of Superstition curator, Professor Jason (next appears in issue #3), Mrs. Jameson (Lois’s neighbor; only appearance for all), Molly Todd (cameo; only appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The “Hix-Hox-Hex” chant in this story was first used by writer Otto Binder in a Captain Marvel story in CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES #102.
Synopsis: When a scientist’s old age serum turns Lois Lane into a hag at moonlight, she mistakenly thinks that she has inherited the curse of an ancient witch, and Superman has to make her “magic” work in order to prevent her from suffering a mental shock.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 27
March 1958
Cover: Superman and two Jimmy Olsens with Kryptonite trap //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Boy From Mars” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #1)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #1)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #1)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen eats Kryptonite-impregnated fruit in order to give himself green skin so that he can pull off a hoax as a “Martian” boy. Superman discovers Jimmy’s ruse and decides to teach him a lesson.
Story: “A Date With Miss Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #93)
Intro: Gloria Mason, Alice (only appearance for both)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is gung-ho to interview Miss Metropolis, only to discover that she is a plain-looking girl with a high IQ and that, through a series of misunderstandings, she thinks he wants to marry her.
Story: “The Outlaw Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #238)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #238)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #25), Perry White
Villain: A duplicate Jimmy Olsen (first appearance; destroyed in this story), Sparkler Smith, a gangster (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Professor Potter’s twin-making ray creates an evil double of Jimmy Olsen who learns Superman’s secret identity and intends to sell the information to the underworld.
Action Comics No. 238
March 1958
Cover: King Krypton vs. Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Gorilla From Krypton” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #27; next appears in flashback in SUPERMAN #130 (1))
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #27 / 28)
Intro: A Kryptonian scientist (in flashback), a guide (only appearance for both)
Villains: King Krypton (first appearance; dies in this story), a tribal chief (first and only appearance)
Comment: This is the first story to reveal that Kryptonians turn green in the last stages of Kryptonite poisoning.
Shortly after this story, Superman suffers exposure to Kryptonite himself, tries and fails to find an antidote, and trains his Superman robots to feign weakness to Kryptonite, as shown in SUPERMAN #130 (1), then teams with Batman and Robin to fight Victor Danning in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #93.
Synopsis: A Kryptonian scientist is devolved into a gorilla by a defective evolution device and is shot into space in a capsule by his partner. Years after Krypton’s demise, the capsule crashes in Africa, and a visiting Jimmy Olsen and Superman have to deal with the menace of King Krypton, the super-gorilla.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 28
April 1958
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Boy Who Killed Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #238)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #93)
Intro: People of 5921 A.D. (only appearance?)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is thrown into the 60th Century by accident and, since the people of that time believe he was the killer of Superman in his era, is hunted down, captured, and returned to his own time. Back in the 20th Century, Jimmy learns that his “murder” of Superman is to be a ruse Superman is running to capture a gang of crooks. He tells Superman of his future adventure, and Superman writes out an explanation of the truth and hurls it in a capsule into the year 5921 A.D. to clear Jimmy’s name.
Story: “The Spendthrift and the Miser” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #93), Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #239)
Villains: Swindle Stanton, Lefty (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A con artist hypnotizes Jimmy Olsen into becoming a spendthrift by day and a miser by night, so that he can acquire Superman souvenirs in Jimmy’s collection when Olsen hocks them.
Story: “The Human Skyscraper” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #121)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #239)
Supporting Characters: Prof. Potter (next appears in issue #32), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #239)
Intro: “Wonders” Wilson (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen visits Prof. Potter for a toothache remedy, and instead takes a pill that turns him into a giant.
Action Comics No. 239
April 1958
Cover: Superman with bandaged face and reporter with sketch of alien //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s New Face” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #28; next appears in SUPERMAN #121)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #28; both next appear in SUPERMAN #121)
Intro: Dr. Norton (only appearance)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After a nuclear mishap brands Clark Kent’s name from a metal press card into Superman’s forehead in tiny chunks of Kryptonite, Superman must mask his face when appearing in public, and speculation grows that he has become disfigured.
Superman No. 121
May 1958
Cover: Futureman, Lois Lane, and Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Bride of Futureman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #239)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #239)
Intro: Futureman (XL-49), a future librarian (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This story also names but does not picture some of Clark Kent’s and Lois Lane’s co-workers at the Daily Planet: Pete Crowell, Tom Weaver, Freddy Jones, Bill Stoker, and Brad Hunter.
Since Superman has numerous future descendants between the 20th and 30th Centuries, Futureman’s quest to learn if Superman married Lois Lane seems curious indeed. It is possible that the circumstances of Superman’s marriage to Lois have been lost by that time, and that Futureman has actually returned to see if he can witness their betrothal himself.
Synopsis: XL-49, an employee of the Library of Superman in the 30th Century, is sent back in time with super-powers which he has acquired from the science of his era in order to learn whether or not Superman and Lois Lane married. When he finds that they have not yet wed in the era in which he emerges, he takes on the secret identity of Futureman and tries to woo Lois in order to make Superman jealous and get him to propose to her. The plan doesn’t quite work out, but Lois is convinced that Superman secretly loves her.
Story: “The Great Superman Swindle” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Story: “Jimmy Hits the Jackpot” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #2)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #28)
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 2
May-June 1958
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and picture of Superman carrying Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Secret Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #121)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #121)
Intro: Polly Smith (only appearance)
Villains: Daphne, Vera Stephens, Gloria, and other sorority sisters (first and only appearance for all these bitches)
Synopsis: When plain but good-hearted college girl Polly Smith is snubbed by sorority sisters at Lois Lane’s alma mater, Lois cooks up a scheme to make it appear as though the Man of Steel has fallen for Polly.
Story: “Lois Lane In Hollywood” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #121; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #29), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #121)
Intro: Daryl Zorne, Gilda Glamarr (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen are all judged capable of playing themselves in a Superman movie, but Lois Lane is not. Superman arranges for Lois to prove her worth as an actress.
Story: “Superman’s Forbidden Room” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #240)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #240)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #240)
Villains: Dan Jones, Rackets Williams, and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: “Rackets” Williams sends his hireling Dan Jones to impersonate Superman and make Lois Lane believe he wants to marry her in order for the gang to acquire evidence against them in the Daily Planet’s safe. Lois penetrates the hoax and leads the crooks into a police trap.
Action Comics No. 240
May 1958
Cover: Superman struck by Kryptonite rays from sphinx’s eyes //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Secret of the Superman Sphinx” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #2; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #2; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #29)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Lex Luthor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94.
Synopsis: Superman’s powers are weakened every ninety minutes when a Kryptonite-eyed Superman sphinx orbits overhead.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 29
June 1958
Cover: Jimmy Olsen using future-glasses to see Superman smashing his helicopter //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superman Book That Couldn’t Be Finished” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #2)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94)
Cameo appearances: Merlin, James Baxter (first and only appearance), Delilah (as characters in Jimmy Olsen’s stories)
Intro: A publisher (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is approached by a publisher about writing a novel featuring himself and Superman. Despite several promising starts, each stab he makes at it goes wrong. Then he dreams up a perfect story, and Superman lends some time-travel help to enable him to complete his book, The Super Mystery.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super-Pet” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Krypto (last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30; next appears in SUPERMAN #130; also appears in flashbacks to indeterminate time; regains his youth in this story)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Krypto returns from space to become Jimmy Olsen’s dog-pal, but old age seems to have befuddled his mind and made him a menace.
Story: “The Amazing Spectacles of Doctor ‘X’” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears, in flashback, in issue #37)
GS: Superman (next appears, in flashback, in issue #37)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #240 / 241), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #240; next appears in SUPERMAN #122)
Villain: Doctor X (no actual appearance; name only mentioned; first appearance; dies before this story begins)
Comments: This story takes place from May 6-10.
Shortly after this story Jimmy Olsen and Superman encounter a tribe of cavemen, attend a Mardi Gras parade, and trap two crooks, as shown in flashback in issue #37.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen discovers the secret hideout of the late Doctor X, a criminal scientist. He appropriates a pair of glasses which enable him to see the future…including a scene which appears to be his own death.
Action Comics No. 241
June 1958
Cover: Superman using giant key to open Fortress of Solitude door //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Key To Fort Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37; next appears in SUPERMAN #122)
GS: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #116; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #256)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last chronological appearance, in flashback, in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37; next appears in SUPERMAN #122), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #29; next appearance in SUPERMAN #122)
Intro: The Fortress of Solitude (see also issue #261 for previous Fortresses)
Cameo: The Joker (on a giant penny)
Comment: Since the date June 10th appears on page 1 of this story, and Batman helps Superman celebrate the anniversary of his coming to Earth in this story, it is reasonable to assume that Kal-El arrived on Earth within a few days either way of June 10th, which date Clark Kent also celebrates as his birthday. It is revealed in SUPERMAN #263 that the date of his arrival on Earth was June 18th.
Superman has established earlier Fortresses of Solitude, as shown in issue #261 and SUPERMAN #108 (2), but this is the first appearance of the permanent Arctic Fortress.
Synopsis: Superman regards his Fortress of Solitude in the unexplored Arctic as a secret place where he can relax and take pride in his collection of trophies, his interplanetary zoo, and his advanced laboratory. But an intruder has broken in and left messages for Superman to find, challenging him to discover his identity. Before long, Superman learns that the intruder is Batman, who has been playing a practical joke on him in celebration of the anniversary of Superman’s coming to Earth.
Superman No. 122
July 1958
Cover: Superman and U.S. Army generals watching Sgt. Jones withstand bazooka blast //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Secret of the Space Souvenirs” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #241)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #241)
Intro: Two museum curators and a man from 5,000 A.D. (only appearance for all)
Comment: This story incorrectly states that Atlanteans were only six inches tall. It is possible that the flying saucer Superman finds in Atlantis, and the six-inch-tall statue, were the remains of an alien visitation in ancient Atlantis.
Synopsis: Superman is compelled by a mental command from the 50th Century to place souvenirs in a time capsule from planets or moons that will spell out his name as an acrostic: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Earth, Rhea, Mars, Ariel, and Neptune.
Story: “Superman In the White House” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #29), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #241), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3)
Cameo: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln
Synopsis: Perry White assigns Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen to write biographies of famous presidents for the Daily Planet’s Patriots’ Day edition. Jimmy falls asleep and dreams of Superman becoming president, and, when he awakes, decides to write it up as a story of a great possible future president. Clark Kent reminds Jimmy that only native-born Americans can be elected president of the U.S.A., and Superman was born on Krypton.
Story: “The Super-Sergeant” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3)
Intro: Sgt. Jones (only appearance)
Villains: Two spies (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, Clark Kent does a short stint in the U.S. Army.
Synopsis: When a freak accident duplicates Superman’s powers in the body of Private Jones of the U.S. Army, he allows Jones to retain the powers long enough to make enemy spies think that Superman has the power to equip every soldier in the army with his great abilities.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 3
July-August 1958
Cover: Lois Lane and Super-Baby //Curt Swan / Al Plastino
Story: “The Rainbow Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #122)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #122)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN #122 / 123), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #122; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #30)
Other Character: Professor Jason (last appearance in issue #1; last appearance)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman gives Lois a mirror made, unknowingly, from a chunk of Red Kryptonite. It causes him to give off a rainbow aura whenever she opens it, which threatens to expose his secret identity.
Story: “The Man Who Was Clark Kent’s Double” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Intro: Robin Hood (Van Norton, alias Mark Benton; first and only appearance; not to be confused with the historical Robin Hood)
Synopsis: Lois Lane meets and falls in love with Mark Benton, a double for Clark Kent who is manly where Clark is squeamish. Superman, concerned that Lois might end up an old maid, tries to facilitate the romance. But Lois is suspicious of Mark, and, prying, finds out he is really wealthy Van Norton and “Robin Hood”, who gives away money to charity. Angered by her curiosity, Norton breaks off the engagement.
Story: “Lois Lane and the Babe of Steel” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #242)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #242; also appears as Superbaby)
Intro: Prof. Winston, Cyrus Foster, king of Syvania (only appearance for all)
Villain: A crooked amusement park owner (first and only appearance)
Comment: The orphanage in which baby Kal-El briefly stayed is named as the Bright Home Orphanage in this story, and is revealed as being moved from Smallville to Metropolis.
Synopsis: Superman makes a time-trip back to the time of his childhood, causing Superbaby to appear in his place in the present. Lois Lane hopes to use him to her advantage, but it winds up being to her disadvantage.
Action Comics No. 242
July 1958
Cover: Superman vs. Brainiac //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Duel In Space” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #95; origin retold in flashback)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3)
Intro: Prof. Kim-Da (last chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON #2; last chronological appearance), Kandorians (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #141; next appear in issue #245)
Villains: Brainiac (first appearance; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #141 flashback; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17), Koko (first appearance; last chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #106 (2); next appears in ACTION COMICS #275)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight aliens from Xlym in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #95.
Synopsis: In outer space, Superman encounters a flying saucer carrying Brainiac, a green-skinned super-villain who miniaturizes whole cities–including New York, Paris, Rome, and Metropolis–and places them in bottles aboard his spacecraft, ostensibly for the purpose of enlarging them on his homeworld, which he says has been depopulated by a plague. Superman cannot penetrate Brainiac’s force-barrier, but he arranges to be in Metropolis when it is miniaturized so that he can be taken within his foe’s flying saucer. Superman investigates another bottle city, is surprised to find that he loses his powers within it, and soon learns that it is the miniaturized Kryptonian city of Kandor. Professor Kim-Da, Jor-El’s college roommate, consults with Superman and helps him break out of the bottle while Brainiac sleeps in suspended animation. The miniaturized Superman is able to use a device of Brainiac’s to restore and return the captive cities, but only one charge remains, which can either enlarge him or Kandor, not both. Superman decides to enlarge Kandor, but Kim-Da, in a spacecraft, hits an activator button and enlarges Superman. Kim-Da tells Superman that he could not allow Earth to be deprived of its greatest super-hero. Superman flies away from Brainiac’s saucer with the bottle-city of Kandor, and installs it safely in his Fortress of Solitude.
Superman No. 123
August 1958
Cover: Super-Girl towing train while Superman supports trestle //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Girl of Steel” (Chapter 1; 10 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Lost Super-Powers” (6 pages)
Chapter 3: “Superman’s Return To Krypton” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Dick Sprang
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #95; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #30)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #30), Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #242 / 243)
Intro: Super-Girl (dies in this story; not to be confused with Supergirl, who debuts in ACTION COMICS #252), Colonel Jax-Tor (no appearance; name only mentioned; first appearance; dies before this story begins), an archaeologist, a magic totem, agents of the Krypton Bureau of Investigation (only appearance for all)
GS: Kryptonians
Villains: Kil-Lor (first appearance; dies in this story), two crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Jor-El comments that Superman seems “vaguely familiar! Did we meet before?” He may be remembering his earlier meeting with Superboy, when he was a teenager, in SUPERBOY #121. However, he does not seem to remember Superman when they meet later in SUPERMAN #141.
It is obvious that Jor-El and Lara couldn’t simply fly back to Krypton. They probably retrieved the space capsule, propelled it back towards Krypton at super-speed, and made a successful splashdown in a Kryptonian sea.
Synopsis: Superman and Jimmy Olsen rescue a trapped archaeologist, who gratefully gives Jimmy a magic Indian totem that can grant three wishes. Jimmy’s first wish is for a super-girl to appear with powers equal to Superman, to become his companion. A lovely blonde Super-Girl comes into existence and attempts to become Superman’s crime-fighting and romantic partner, but her inexperience causes her to blunder time and again. Finally, she saves Superman from Kryptonite, but gains a fatal dose of Kryptonite poisoning herself. Jimmy cancels out her wish, allowing her to disappear without suffering a painful death.
Jimmy then publishes a true account of the Super-Girl incident. Two crooks read the story, break into his apartment, and make a wish for Superman to lose his powers. He does, but Jimmy helps him cover up his power-loss until they can find the crooks and cancel out the wish, restoring Superman’s might.
The final wish Jimmy makes is that Superman could meet his parents on Krypton, but he misspells the word “meet” as “mate”. Accordingly, Superman is sent back in time to Krypton before his parents married, sees them mistakely labelled as traitors in league with the would-be dictator Kil-Lor (in reality, Jor-El had become an agent of the Krypton Bureau of Investigation, but his controller has recently died and cannot confirm his story) and exiled with him into space in a suspended animation capsule. Superman materializes from a phantom state, puts the capsule on an asteroid where all of them gain super-powers, and battles Kil-Lor himself. Kil-Lor perishes when he attempts to make a crude atomic explosion and, instead, creates Kryptonite. A distant exposure to the rays restores a KBI hand-imprint on Jor-El’s palm, and he realizes he can now verify his story. He asks Lara to marry him, and she agrees. Both return to Krypton, and Superman is whisked back to Earth a moment after he left it. Jimmy tells him that the magic totem will not work for another century.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 30
Cover: Superman using heat-vision to burn robe Jimmy Olsen has given him //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Son of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Jack Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #123)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #123)
Comment: This story takes place on and slightly before June 17.
Synopsis: Superman adopts Jimmy Olsen as his legal son. Both Jimmy and Superman are overjoyed at first, but, before long, the Man of Steel begins acting curtly and nastily towards Jimmy. Unable to please his foster-father, Jimmy asks that the trial adoption be annuled. Directly afterward, Superman takes Jimmy to the Fortress of Solitude and tells him why he behaved so badly towards him: his Fortress computer predicted, “On June 17, Superman will destroy his own son!” But since the computer’s prediction was verbal, Jimmy deduces that it really meant Superman would destroy a sun he had created, which has since burned out. Superman finds that this is the case, and, after returning from his mission, apologizes to Jimmy. Jimmy accepts that he won’t be Superman’s “son”, but will be his greatest pal.
Story: “The Cub Who Cried Wolf” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #3; next appears in ACTION COMICS #243)
Villains: Rocky, Knuckles, and their accomplice (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen appears to be having hallucinations, and when they cause Superman to make one too many false-alarm trips, he decides to stop answering Jimmy’s signals.
Story: “Superman’s Greatest Enemy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Dick Sprang
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #243)
Villains: Scalpel Logan, Houdini Watson (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A Superman impostor convinces Jimmy that Clark Kent has sold out to the underworld.
Action Comics No. 243
August 1958
Cover: Lois Lane and lion-headed Superman in front of Superman poster //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Lady and the Lion” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #30; next appears in SUPERMAN #124)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #30; both next appear in SUPERMAN #124), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #123 / 124)
Intro: Mr. Barney, a lion tamer, Jim and two other members of a film crew (first and only appearance)
Villain: Circe of 1958 (first and only appearance)
Comment: Although the modern-day Circe’s ancestress may indeed have had an “evolution serum”, later stories make it clear she did indeed have magical powers. However, despite Superman’s conjecture, it is highly doubtful that the original Circe came from Krypton.
Synopsis: Superman is slipped some evolution serum in a drink by Circe, who claims to be a descendant of the original Circe, wants Superman for her own, and proclaims that he will turn into an animal if he does not return for the antidote. By the next day, Superman has gained a lion’s head and paws. He cannot function as Clark Kent, but he manages to keep up his Superman duties (though the world soon learns of his condition). Eventually, Superman discovers an antidote to his lion-headedness in a Kryptonian text in Kandor, and cures himself.
Superman No. 124
September 1958
Cover: Wounded Superman, Black Knight, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Sword” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #243)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (becomes the Black Knight for this story only), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #243; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #243)
Villains: Bull Mathews and his partner (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To trap gangster Bull Mathews, Perry White pretends to be the Black Knight, an outlaw from Camelot whose magic sword can wound Superman himself.
Story: “Mrs. Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4)
Intro: Chief Mawmba and his tribe (only appearance for all)
Villains: The Green Hand Gang (no appearance; name only mentioned; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane’s helicopter is knocked out of the sky by a Kryptonite meteor, forcing them down on a small, uncharted volcanic isle. Since the Kryptonite meteor’s dust is being spurted like an umbrella over the island, Clark believes he is to be marooned there for life. Accordingly, he reveals his secret identity to Lois and proposes marriage. She accepts. Before the chieftain of the tribe living on the island can conduct the ceremony, the meteor falls through a crevice into the Earth, and Superman is able to leave the island again. As Clark Kent, he convinces an angry Lois that it was just a hoax and he is not Superman. However, when they return to America, Lois sees a headline about the Green Hand Gang being captured. Since the gang was after Lois for revenge, she thinks that the island crash was a plot of Superman’s to keep her out of danger, and falls in love with him again.
Story: “The Steeplejack of Steel” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4)
Villains: Bart Benson, Tom B. Oliver (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: In order to expose a crooked construction racket, Superman goes undercover as a steeplejack.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 4
September-October 1958
Cover: Superman bringing gifts to Lois Lane, who spurns him //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Courtship of Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #124)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #124)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #124)
Intro: Prof. Z. Parker (only appearance)
Comment: This story takes place on April 1-2.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen hopes to get Clark Kent to marry Lois Lane by playing a subliminal tape ordering him to propose to Lois, not knowing he’s getting Superman to pop the question, too.
Story: “Lois Lane, Working Girl” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #31)
Intro: Ron Harris, J. Brant (only appearance for both)
Villains: Joe Hogg, Maisie (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets a job as an actress, which calls for her to play a working girl, which causes her to take a job as a pretzel bender.
Story: “Annie Oakley Gets Her (Super)man” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #31)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #31)
Villains: Leftie and his partner (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: While at a dude ranch, a concussion causes Lois to think she is Annie Oakley, and that Clark Kent is Jesse James.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 31
September 1958
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and wax dummy of Jimmy in ice block //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Elastic Lad” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4; becomes Elastic Lad for the first time in this story)
Intro and origin: Elastic Lad (Jimmy Olsen)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4)
Villains: Silky Smith and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen gains stretching powers after a bottle of liquid from space shatters and splashes on him. He flees the Daily Planet, joins a circus, and is given a costume and the name of “The Elastic Lad”. Gangster Silky Smith recognizes Jimmy, pretends to be a scientist, and exploits him for his criminal uses, pretending to have the antidote to Jimmy’s elastic condition. Eventually Elastic Lad helps Superman capture Smith and finds that Kryptonite radiation is the antidote to his elasticity.
Story: “The Mad Hatter of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #4; next appears in ACTION COMICS #244)
Intro: Mr. Jones (only appearance)
Villains: Duke Maddox, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A hat collector pulls a fast one on Jimmy by telling him the hats magically confer the powers of their famous owners on the wearer…except that, when Jimmy wears them, the tale seems to come true.
Story: “The Boy Who Hoaxed Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #244)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #244)
Intro: Professor Dekker, Miss Jenkins (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: After getting a criticism session from Perry White, Jimmy Olsen contrives a hoax. He pretends to be frozen in suspended animation, to be revived 1,000 years hence, but in reality lets a dummy of himself be frozen and becomes a Daily Planet reporter under the false identity of Gilbert Knox. Superman sees through Jimmy’s plot and bollixes it.
Action Comics No. 244
September 1958
Cover: Superman on undersea throne, repairing submarine with heat-vision //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Merman of the Sea” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #31; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #96)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois Lane (all between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #31 / 32)
Intro: The undersea Fortress of Solitude
Villains: Vul-Kor, Lya-La (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight creatures from another planet in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #96.
Synopsis: Superman pretends to play along with the scheme of an alien merman invader and his daughter to turn Earth into a water-world, only to convince him that he and his people would not be safe on Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 32
October 1958
Cover: Superman, policeman, and “Jovian” Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super Nose For News” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #244)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #96)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #244), Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #28)
Cameo: Pinnochio
Villain: Edgar the Eel (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Professor Potter accidentally gives Jimmy Olsen a nose-spray that makes his nose grow every time he tells a lie, like Pinocchio.
Story: “The Rock ‘n’ Roll Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Intro: Jerry Olsen (Jimmy’s cousin; only appearance)
Villains: The Earl and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story quotes lyrics from Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen”, Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock”, and Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Great Balls of Fire”.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen substitutes for his cousin, singing star Jerry “Rock ‘n’ R’”Olsen, while the latter is ailing. But whenever he does a gig, Jimmy inexplicably causes Superman to go into a dancing frenzy, and the underworld capitalizes on it.
Story: “The Jimmy Olsen From Jupiter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #245)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #245)
Intro: Jovians (natives of Jupiter), Vince Regan, Barry Brand, Edmund Willis, Dr. Wilmington (only appearance for all)
Villains: Jeff Wacker and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To help out Jovians who need to know if they can survive Earthlike conditions, Jimmy agrees to be physically transformed into a Jovian for a week. The transformation gives him mind-reading powers, and he learns that Superman is Clark Kent, but Superman convinces Jimmy that Clark was just fantasizing about being the Man of Steel.
Action Comics No. 245
October 1958
Cover: Zak-Kul watching Lois Lane shrink Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Shrinking Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #32; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #253)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #32; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #97)
GS: Kandorians (last appearance in issue #242; next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #100)
Villains: Zak-Kul, two crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Lois Lane marries for the first time in this story, though her marriage to Zak-Kul is soon annulled.
Shortly after this story Superman appears with Robin in flashback in ADVENTURE COMICS #253 and then teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Condor Gang in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #97.
Synopsis: Zak-Kul, a renegade scientist of Kandor and double for Superman, enlarges himself while Superman and Lois are in the Fortress of Solitude and deceives Lois into using a shrinking ray on the real Superman. Taking Superman’s place in the outside world, Zak-Kul even woos Lois and marries her, but she soon learns her folly. Superman escapes from Kandor, enlarges himself again, and sends Zak-Kul back to the bottle city. Lois’s marriage to the false “Superman” is annulled.
Superman No. 125
November 1958
Cover: Superman exerting his “new power” //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Dream” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #97)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #97)
Synopsis: After falling off a second-story ledge, Lois Lane has a dream while convalescing that Superman has given her a blood transfusion, she has acquired super-powers and become a heroine named Power Girl, and her nebbish partner Powerman (alias Clark Kent) destroys her career.
Story: “Clark Kent’s College Days” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears in flashback, in which episode he changes his name from Superboy to Superman; see chronology under Superboy’s Interim Appearances)
Intro: Students at Metropolis University, Professor Maxwell (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent gets an invitation to a reunion of his college graduating class, and recalls how, during his sophomore year, a professor tried to learn whether or not Clark Kent was really Superboy–only to fail because Clark began to think of himself as Superman.
Story: “Superman’s Mystery Power” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman?
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The explosion of an alien space-ship takes away Superman’s powers, but leaves him with the power to project a tiny duplicate of himself with all his former powers.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 5
November-December 1958
Cover: Superman and fat Lois Lane seeing her skinny reflection in funhouse mirror //Curt Swan / Al Plastino
Story: “Superman’s Greatest Sacrifice” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #125)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #125)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #32)
Intro: Dolores Drake (only appearance)
Villains: Jarvis, a gatekeeper, the Flynn Mob (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane discovers that the wealthy and mysterious Dolores Drake is a double for her, and is dismayed when Dolores appears to be wooing Superman in her place–both of them not knowing that the Superman who responds to Dolores is also a phony.
Story: “The Girl of 100 Costumes” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Joyce Van Ressler, Thelma Carr, Hank Hunter (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets a trunkful of exotic costumes and tries to show them off before Superman, without much luck in doing so.
Story: “The Fattest Girl In Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #247)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #246)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #33), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #32 / 33)
Intro: Professor Colby (only appearance)
Villain: An assassin (first and only appearance), “Swag” Swanson (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comments: “Swag” Swanson is probably named after Superman artist Curt Swan, and the “Schaff’s Candy” reference on page 5, panel 3 is a reference to artist Kurt Schaffenberger.
Synopsis: To keep a killer from recognizing Lois Lane after she witnesses a gangland rubout, Superman contrives to have a scientist make her obese with a ray.
Action Comics No. 246
November 1958
Cover: Superman, a scientist and his wife, and a baby in a rocket //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Krypton On Earth” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #33; also appears as baby Kal-El 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)
Villains: Jonas T. “Swindler” Smith and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The cover is inconsistent with the story, in which actors playing Jor-El and Lara reenact the sending of Kal-El to Earth in a rocket.
Synopsis: A replica of Kryptonopolis is built outside of Metropolis and Superman is invited to the opening ceremonies, not knowing it is part of a diamond-smuggling scheme by con man “Swinder” Smith.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 33
December 1958
Cover: Professor Potter watching Superman using heat vision and Jimmy Olsen using flame-breath //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Legends That Came To Life” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #246)
Villains: Jack Frost, the Giant (from “Jack and the Beanstalk”), the Pied Piper (not the villain from THE FLASH; first appearance for all; all destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: The power of a strange prism materializes mythological characters Jimmy Olsen thinks of during a quiz program, and sends them against Superman.
Story: “The Lady-Killer From Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Intro: Marilyn Marlowe, Cynthia and her fiancé, Henriette and her brother, Henry and his date, the princess of Borovia (only appearance for all)
Comment: The suicide attempt of Marilyn Marlowe in this story comes only a few years before the suicide of the real-life Marilyn Monroe.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is sure that his appeal to women will be boosted if he wears elevator boots that increase his height. As soon as he does so, ladies start falling for him left and right…and Jimmy doesn’t suspect it is because an actress started a rumor that he is secretly Superman.
Story: “The Human Flame Thrower” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #126)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #247)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5; next appears in SUPERMAN #126)
Villains: Hot Shot Holton and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Professor Potter accidentally gives Jimmy Olsen flame-breath, which he uses to his advantage…and disadvantage.
Action Comics No. 247
December 1958
Cover: Superman seeing Cedric and Millicent Carson (as “Jonathan and Martha Kent”) in time capsule //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Lost Parents” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #33; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #98)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #5; next appears in SUPERMAN #126)
Cameo: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent
Villains: Cedric Carson, Millicent Carson (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Moonman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #98.
Synopsis: Two confidence artists masquerade as Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent, trick Clark Kent into believing they have made a time-trip to visit him, confirm from him the knowledge he is Superman, then reveal their true identities and force him to pay blackmail or be exposed.
Superman No. 126
January 1959
Cover: Superman in chair, getting ray treatment from Dr. Galton and Prof. Harkness //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Hunt For Clark Kent” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #98)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #33), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #247), Mrs. Smith (first appearance; last chronological appearance in issue #133 (flashback); next appears in ACTION COMICS #296)
Intro: Sir Sedgwick, Prof. Blake, Dr. Galton, Prof. Harkness (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman loses his memory of Clark Kent, takes the identity of Clarence Kelvin, a British reporter, and gets a job at the Daily Planet.
Story: “The Spell of the Shandu Clock” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6), Lois Lane
Intro: Police commissioner Warren, Shandu (only appearance for both)
Villains: Fallon and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman appears to be under the mystic spell of a clock left behind by a supposedly-dead mystic, and gangleader Fallon intends to exploit it to his advantage.
Story: “The Two Faces of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6)
Intro: Chet Hartley (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: The mask that Superman wears in this story is almost certainly inspired by the face of Mad magazine’s mascot Alfred E. Neuman.
Synopsis: After seeing Lois make herself look unattractive so that a man to whom she had promised a date will let her off the hook in time to make a later date with Superman, the Man of Steel pretends that his handsome face is only a mask, and that his true face is that of a buck-toothed, freckle-faced, cowlicked weirdo.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 6
January 1959
Cover: Superman visiting Lois Lane in prison //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Amazing Superman Junior” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #126)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #126), Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #98; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #263)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #126), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #126; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34)
Intro: Professor Raskins, Johnny Miller (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane sneaks aboard an experimental rocket to get a scoop and endangers herself. To teach her a lesson, Superman, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Robin try and convince her that she has returned to Earth 50 years after the rocket’s takeoff, and that the Man of Steel and all her friends and co-workers are old people now.
Story: “Lois Lane–Convict” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Mike (a policeman; only appearance), the District Attorney of Metropolis
Villains: Baldy Pate, Sharpie, and the Liscence Plate Mob (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Lois Lane’s mother is mentioned but does not appear in this story.
Synopsis: Lois Lane appears to take a bribe from a gangster in order to pay for an operation for her mother and is jailed for it, but the whole thing proves to be a ruse so that she and Superman can nab an entire mob.
Story: “Lieutenant Lois Lane, U.S. Army” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34)
Intro: Col. Parkins, a captain, a sergeant, Brasky, Jerry and his date (only appearance for all)
Villain: Major Wharton (first and only appearance)
Comment: Clark Kent does his second brief Army stint in this story and Lois does her first.
Synopsis: Clark and Lois both undergo a month’s training in the U.S. Army, but Lois becomes a lieutenant and acts like a cruel tyrant to those under her command. However, it proves to be a plot to smoke out an enemy spy.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 34
January 1959
Cover: Superman shattering hammer on costumed Jimmy Olsen’s head //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Pal of Steel” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Creig Flessel
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6)
Cameo appearance: Achilles
Synopsis: After bathing in what may be an underground tributary of the Styx, Jimmy Olsen believes himself to be invulnerable.
Story: “The Underworld Journal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #6), Perry White
Villains: The Bland Street Mob, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy inherits a rival newspaper from a relative and turns it into a paper for gangsters.
Story: “The Most Amazing Camera In the World” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #248)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #248; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter (next appears in issue #37), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #127), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7)
Villains: “Sharpshooter” Smith, “Hunch” Holton (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This story reveals that Perry White has false teeth.
Synopsis: A fourth-dimensional ray of Professor Potter’s causes Jimmy Olsen’s camera to attract and contain anything crystalline or metallic that it is focused upon, including the indestructible glasses of Clark Kent.
Action Comics No. 248
January 1959
Cover: Von Kamp, his lieutenant, and Superman smashing out of cage; Congorilla vignette //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Man No Prison Could Hold” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34; next appears in SUPERMAN #127)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7)
Villains: Von Kamp and his men (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen are taken prisoner on an uncharted island by ex-Nazi war criminal Von Kamp, and Superman ensures they stay there long enough to learn the secret of Project X.
Superman No. 127
February 1959
Cover: Lois Lane, Titano, and Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “When There Was No Clark Kent” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #248; also appears in flashback, between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9 (flashback) and ACTION COMICS #228 (flashback))
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both appear only in flashback to an indeterminate time), Lois Lane (last apperance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34; also appears in flashback to an indeterminate time)
Villains: Trigger and his gang (in flashback)
Comment: In this story, Jimmy Olsen is revealed to live in Apartment 4H of his building.
Synopsis: A chemical plant explosion that appeared to have destroyed Clark Kent gave Superman a chance to try operating without a secret identity. But the world soon found out he was rooming with Jimmy Olsen, which caused difficulties with tourists and made him a target for the underworld. Finally, Superman contrived a way to bring back Clark Kent, and resumed his secret identity.
Story: “The Make-Believe Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Harry Winters, Tommy Winters (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Jor-El (as a statue)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Harry Winters, a double for Superman, dresses up as the Man of Steel and tries to impress his son. But when he is mistaken for the real hero by two crooks who want him to find hidden loot, Winters has to be helped out by the real Superman.
Story: “Titano the Super-Ape” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7)
Intro: Toto’s trainer (only appearance)
Cameo: Gulliver (as a statue)
Villain: Titano (Toto; first appearance; next appears in issue #138)
Comment: Since Superman’s telescopic vision cannot see across time, later reprintings correct the caption on page 8, panel 4 to indicate Superman is using his “super-imagination” to visualize what Titano is doing in the distant past.
Synopsis: A chimpanzee named Toto is sent into orbital flight in a rocket, but is exposed to radiation from uranium and Kryptonite meteorites in space. After he returns to Earth, he grows to gigantic size, exhibits Kryptonite vision powers, and defies Superman until Lois Lane tricks him into putting on a pair of lead glasses to screen out his K-vision. Superman hurls Titano into the distant past, so that the ape can coexist with dinosaurs and not endanger humanity.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 7
February 1959
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and vignette of Superboy and Lana Lang //Curt Swan / Al Plastino?
Story: “Lois Lane’s Kiss of Death” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #127)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #127)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #34)
Intro: Mike, Joe (resembles Kurt Schaffenberger; only appearance for both)
Villains: Jed Blanton, Pete Molloy, James Paxton (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane poses with the crown of Isis and supposedly inherits Isis’s curse, causing all who kiss her to seemingly perish.
Story: “When Lois Lane Forgot Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between ACTION COMICS #248 / 249), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35)
Intro: Dr. Zweikopfen, Mrs. Winney, Mr. Jenkins, Killer King (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets hypnotic help in banishing Superman from her memory, and then decides to go after Clark Kent.
Story: “The Girl Who Stole Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears, in flashback, in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #249; also appears as Superboy in flashback, between ADVENTURE COMICS #256 / 257)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #116; next chronological appearance in issue #56 (2); also appears in flashback between ADVENTURE COMICS #256 / SUPERBOY #71)
Synopsis: Lois Lane sees a down-and-out Lana Lang in a line at a charity meal center, befriends her, and takes her home to her apartment to be her roommate. Later, she gets Lana a job as a photographer at the Daily Planet. But when Superman learns that a ring he gave Lois may be deadly, he and Lana have to fake a great love affair to make Lois angry and cause her to throw away the dangerous ring.
Action Comics No. 249
February 1959
Cover: Kryptonite-radiating Lex Luthor turning Superman’s lead armor to glass //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Kryptonite Man” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7; next appears, in flashback, in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7; next appears, in flashback, in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144)
Villains: Lex Luthor (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #94 / 100)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane join the heroes of Earth to battle Commander Blanx and his Martians in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144 and then Superman teams with Batman and Robin to deal with the will of Carl Verril in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #99.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor gives himself the power to radiate Kryptonite radiations, and turns all lead on Earth to glass to prevent Superman from using it as a shield.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 35
March 1959
Cover: Superman with back turned to Jimmy Olsen smashing his portrait as Lois Lane looks on //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Menace of Superman’s Fan Mail” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144 (flashback))
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #99; also appears in flashbacks; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #7)
Villain: Labs Logan (last appearance in issue #13; last appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen helps Superman answer his fan mail, not knowing that one of the frequent correspondents is sending grains of Kryptonite on the gummed flaps for Superman to lick shut.
Story: “The Robot Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #144 (flashback)), Perry White
Synopsis: Superman gives Jimmy Olsen a chance to briefly wear a robot-suit he plans to give him on his 21st birthday, with predictable results.
Story: “Superman’s Enemy” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #250)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #250)
Intro: A space-jewel (destroyed in this story)
Comment: This story takes place on and around April 1st.
Synopsis: A space-jewel reverses Jimmy Olsen’s emotions to make him a bitter enemy of Superman.
Action Comics No. 250
March 1959
Cover: John Bates and Clark Kent watching newsreel of Superman taking bazooka blast //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Eye of Metropolis” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #100; also appears in flashbacks; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35; next appears in SUPERMAN #128), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35; next appears in SUPERMAN #128; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Intro: John Bates, Prof. Vidal (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Lex Luthor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #100.
Synopsis: Clark Kent agrees to appear on national television and answer an interviewers questions as to whether or not he is Superman.
Superman No. 128
April 1959
Cover: Futuremen encircling Superman with hoops //Curt Stan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Supermen Versus the Futuremen” (Chapter 1; 9 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Secret of the Futuremen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller; Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #100; origin retold in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #250; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #250), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Chief of the FBI, president of the United Worlds (possible precursor of the United Planets?; only appearance for both)
Villains: Vard, Boka (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Vard and Boka claim to have come from the year 2000 A.D. This is undoubtedly an error, and they probably come from a time between the 21st and 30th Centuries.
Synopsis: Vard and Boka, two villains from the future, come to the 20th Century and convince the FBI that Superman is in reality a space pirate from their era, fled to the past. They de-power Superman with Red Kryptonite, take him to their time era, and show him that Earth now has no water, thanks to a bomb they detonated. They intend for him to restore water to Earth, for a price, or risk having them go back to the 20th Century and destroy the oceans of that time. Luckily, Superman breaks free, defeats Vard and Boka, and restores Earth’s oceans. The president of the United Worlds gives Superman a certificate which clears his name with the FBI of the 20th Century.
Story: “The Sleeping Beauty From Krypton” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8)
GS: Bruce Wayne (Batman; last appearance in BATMAN #123; next appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #266)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8)
Cameo: Jor-El (as a character in Lois Lane’s story)
Intro: The Spectrum People (in a movie)
Villain: Lex Luthor (no appearance; behind the scenes; in flashback; last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #100; next appears in ACTION COMICS #254)
Synopsis: To trick Superman into admitting he is Clark Kent, Lois Lane disguises herself as Rama, ostensibly Kal-El’s babysitter from Krypton. Superman is indeed convinced of her authenticity, and admits his secret identity to her. Then he deduces she could not be a Kryptonian and is in fact Lois Lane, and convinces her he has been playing a hoax on her, with the help of Bruce Wayne, who disguises himself as Clark Kent.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 8
April 1959
Cover: Clark Kent and Lois Lane watching Ugly Superman in wrestling ring //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superwoman of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #128; becomes Superwoman for this one story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #128)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #128)
Villain: Knuckles Rourke (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story takes place on and after Lois Lane’s birthday.
Synopsis: As a birthday gift, Superman gives Lois Lane temporary super-powers and the costume, blonde wig, and secret identity of Superwoman. Lois Lane, trying to operate as a super-heroine, gets a taste of her own medicine when Clark Kent tries to expose her secret identity.
Story: “The Ugly Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: The Ugly Superman (a wrestler; becomes the Gorgeous Superman in this story) and his manager, the Dutch Devil, Hairy Sam, Injun Ike (only appearance for all), the Gladiator (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #54)
Synopsis: Lois Lane takes pity on a wrestler called the Ugly Superman and dates him, only to find that her suitor’s manners are as ugly as his face.
Story: “Queen For a Day” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in issue #56 (3))
GS: Superman (next appears in issue #56 (3))
Intro: A tribe of Amazons (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane are stranded on an island of Amazons, who hail Lois as her queen when they think she has pulled a sword from a stone.
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman masquerades as Ideal-Man, as shown in issue #56 (3).
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 36
April 1959
Cover: Jimmy Olsen in time-bubble, baby Kal-El, Jor-El, and Lara //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Super-Senor’s Pal” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8)
GS: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56 (3))
Supporting Character: Perry White (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56 (3); next appears in ACTION COMICS #251)
Intro: Super-Senor (Pedro), Pancho (only appearance for both)
Villain: Bullboa (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On assignment in the South American nation of Peccador, Jimmy Olsen encounters Super-Senor, a Superman-suited foe of the dictator Bullboa. Jimmy and the real Superman lend him a hand in overthrowing the tyrant.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Sister” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25 (2); next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #9), Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56 (3); next appears in ACTION COMICS #251)
Intro: “Twirler” Thompson, “Genius” Jones (named for character who appeared in MORE FUN COMICS; only appearance for both)
Comment: According to issue #84 (3), this story takes place on and around April 29th.
Synopsis: Jimmy meets and falls in love with Lois Lane’s sister Lucy, a lovely blonde airline stewardess. But when he proposes, Lucy tells Jimmy that she promised not to marry until her older sister Lois was married first. Jimmy laments his luck to Clark, who admits he can’t think of a way to get Superman married to Lois.
Story: “How Jimmy Olsen First Met Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein?
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #251; also appears in flashback, chronologically between flashback in issue #79 (1) and SUPERMAN #91(1))
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #251; also appears in flashback as baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Krypto (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Kryptonians (in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Professor Crane (only appearance)
Villains: Agents of the Science Council (first and only appearance)
Comment: Though Superman states on page 2 that this is the second time he has met Jimmy Olsen, it is actually the fifth time. He met Jimmy Olsen three times during his Superboy career, twice when Jimmy was a child (SUPERBOY #53 and SUPERMAN #131) and later when Jimmy Olsen travelled in time back to Superboy’s era (SUPERBOY #55).
In the flashback, Jimmy Olsen gets his job at the Daily Planet and is given the secret signal watch by Superman.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen recalls the events that took place when he first came to Metropolis: he volunteered to test a scientist’s time-travel machine, which took him back to Krypton before its explosion. Jimmy took a job babysitting Kal-El, who would become Superman on Earth, and had several adventures with him, Krypto, and Jor-El and Lara before witnessing the launch of Kal-El’s rocket just before Krypton’s explosion. Jimmy evaded death by using the time machine to return to Earth in his proper era, but his memory of his Krypton adventure was wiped away by the crossing of the time-barrier. The time machine’s creator judged his device a failure, and Jimmy went looking for work. But Superman, who remembered Jimmy with his super-memory, got Jimmy a job as a cub reporter at the Daily Planet and gave him a secret signal-watch whose ultrasonic sound could summon him in times of emergency. Superman reveals to Jimmy the details of his adventure on Krypton. In the present, Superman jokes that Jimmy once spanked him as baby Kal-El–”A fine way to treat your future pal!”
Action Comics No. 251
April 1959
Cover: Old Superman hitching ride on helicopter //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Oldest Man In Metropolis” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36; next appears in SUPERMAN #129)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36; all next appear in SUPERMAN #129)
GS: A Superman robot
Villains: Captain Cutlass and his gang, two crooks (first and only appearance for all), The Clock (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #265; last appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent drinks a scientist’s experimental serum which, thanks to isotopes of Kryptonite contained in it, turns him into an old man for 72 hours and weakens his Superman powers.
Superman No. 129
May 1959
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane’s “ghost” //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Ghost of Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #251)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #251), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #251; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #9)
Intro: Professor Grail (only appearance)
Synopsis: When Lois Lane is thrown into the fourth dimension by the combination of a scientist’s device and Superman’s X-ray vision, the Man of Steel thinks he has caused her death and that her ghost is haunting him.
Story: “Clark Kent, Fireman of Steel” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Intro: Fire Chief Hogan (only appearance)
Synopsis: To get a story, Clark Kent spends a week as a volunteer fireman with the Metropolis Fire Department.
Story: “The Girl From Superman’s Past” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #9; also appears in flashback, isochronally with SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #2, 3)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #9), Lori Lemaris (in flashback; first appearance; last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #280; appears isochronally with SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #2, 3; next appears in issue #135)
Origin: Atlantis (details; in flashback)
Comment: Though Superboy and Lori Lemaris met before their meeting during Superman’s college years, their memories of this meeting were erased, as shown in ADVENTURE COMICS #280.
Synopsis: While watching a football game at Metropolis University with Lois Lane, Clark Kent remembers how he first met a girl named Lori Lemaris there during his college days. He fell in love with her and planned to marry her, only to learn that she was really a mermaid from Atlantis on a mission to learn of the surface people of Earth. She confessed that she, too, was in love with Superman, whom she had telepathically learned was Clark Kent, but that she had to return to Atlantis. After kissing Superman goodbye, she did. In the present, Lois opines to Clark that Superman will never propose to her because he would not give up his career. Clark silently muses that, for Lori, he was ready to do just that.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 9
May 1959
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and Pat Boone //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Most Hated Girl In Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #129)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #129)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #129), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36)
Intro: Ralph Edwards (of Earth-One), Tom Caswell (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is baffled by the hostility she gets from Perry, Clark, and Jimmy, until she learns of an article posted under her byline that revealed Superman to be Clark Kent–which she did not write.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Stone-Age Suitor” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Intro: Blog, a tribe of cavemen (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane are stranded in a lost valley in which cavemen and dinosaurs still exist, and Lois is chosen to be the mate of one of the cavemen.
Story: “Superman’s Mystery Song” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Wrtier:
Penciller: Dick Sprang
Inker: John Forte?
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears, in flashback, in issue #41 (3))
GS: Superman (next appears, in flashback, in issue #41 (3))
Intro: Pat Boone (of Earth-One), the Pat Boone Fan Club (only appearance for all)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #252)
Synopsis: Superman must stop a song Clark Kent has written for Pat Boone and Lois Lane to sing, for fear of it revealing his secret identity.
Action Comics No. 252
May 1959
Cover: Superman seeing Supergirl emerging from rocket //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Menace of Metallo” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41 (3); next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41 (3); next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #101), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #9; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37)
Intro: Professor Vale, Edith, Sherry Blair (only appearance for all)
Villain: Metallo (John Corben; first appearance; dies in this story), Mike and another crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman meets Supergirl in the second story of this issue, then teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Atom-Master in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #101.
Synopsis: When thief, embezzler, murderer, and reporter John Corben’s body is crushed in a car accident, Professor Vale transplants Corben’s still-living head onto a robot body, powered by a chunk of uranium as his “heart”. The uranium must be replenished with a new pellet periodically, so Corben steals uranium while maintaining a cover as a Daily Planet reporter, and becomes known as Metallo. He later learns that Kryptonite can sustain his “heart” forever and traps Superman with a chunk of it, while stealing what he thinks is another piece of Kryptonite. But when he exchanges it for the uranium in his “heart”, he learns that it is only fake Kryptonite, and he dies on the spot.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 37
June 1959
Cover: Elastic Lad catching baseball hit by Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Super-Rival” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #252)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #101; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology), Superman robots, Superboy robots (last appearance in ?; in flashback; destroyed in this story)
Intro: Mysterio (a Superboy robot; becomes a Superman robot in this story)
Comment: Even though this story implies that all the Superboy robots save Mysterio have been destroyed, this is incorrect. One Superboy robot still survives, as shown in SUPERMAN #284.
Synopsis: After becoming Superman, the Man of Steel destroyed all his Superboy robots, save for one, which he had given the power of independent thought. This robot he simply deactivated. But after being switched on again accidentally by a mole, the sole Superboy robot came to Metropolis, saw Superman with Jimmy Olsen, and resolved to become Jimmy’s friend. Covering himself with lead bandages to prevent Superman from learning his true nature with his X-ray vision, the robot calls itself Mysterio and attempts to become Jimmy’s greatest pal. But Superman deduces the true identity of Mysterio and, rather than deactivating him, converts him into a new Superman robot.
Story: “The Jimmy Olsen Signal-Watch” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (also appears, in flashback, between issue #29 and ACTION COMICS #241)
GS: Superman (also appears, in flashback, between issue #29 and ACTION COMICS #241)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #101), Lucy Lane
Intro: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appears in issue #44; including Tommy Todd (last name given in issue #84), Harry Halstead, Ed Dunn, Dick Selby, and Joe Bogg (named in issue #44), and Danny, Bill, and Kenny (named in other issues, but it is unknown if they are charter members or not)), a tribe of cavemen (in flashback; only appearance), Lucy Lane’s uncle (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen gives Lucy Lane a secret signal watch that can summon him the way he summons Superman, he bollixes every task she asks him to do, and she finally hands him back the watch.
Story: “The Elastic Lad of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #253; appears as Elastic Lad in this story; last Elastic Lad appearance in issue #31; next Elastic Lad appearance in issue #46)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #253)
Supporting characters: Perry White (between ACTION COMICS #252 / 253), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10), Professor Potter (between issues #34 / 39)
Synopsis: An elastic serum of Professor Potter’s gives Jimmy Olsen his Elastic Lad powers and identity again, and he has several adventures as such. But when Clark Kent also accidentally drinks the serum, he has to cook up a reason why he doesn’t also become an Elastic Man.
Action Comics No. 253
June 1959
Cover: Superman vs. El Gar-Kur //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The War Between Superman and Jimmy Olsen” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Alvin Schwartz
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Ray Burnley
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37; next appears in flashback in the Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #102)
GS: Kandorians (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #100; next appear in SUPERMAN #134), Superman robot
Villain: El Gar Kur (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman opens a passageway to a gulch full of petrified dinosaurs, as shown in a newsreel in the Supergirl story in this issue. Then he teams with Batman and Robin to fight a Kryptonian caveman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #102.
Synopsis: El Gar Kur, a Kandorian criminal who is a double for Jimmy Olsen, exchanges places with Jimmy through a ray and battles Superman, pretending to be a super-powered Olsen.
Superman No. 130
July 1959
Cover: Cyrusville police firing on Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Curse of Kryptonite” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #102; also appears in flashbacks as himself, baby Kal-El, and Superboy; see Comment below for chronology)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #29; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #258)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #253 / 254)
Origin: Kryptonite (in flashback)
Comment: For chronology of flashbacks on pg. 2, panel 6-pg. 3 panel 2 and pg. 6, panel 5-pg. 7, panel 2, see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101.
Synopsis: When Superman falls prey to a Kryptonite meteor, Krypto saves him by blowing it out of range with his super-breath. Superman has a reunion with his super-pet afterwards.
Story: “The Super-Servant of Crime” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Papp
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #102; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10)
Intro: Baldy (only appearance)
Villain: Mulloy (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: In order to get access to gold for charity, Superman offers to perform six requests to the crook who owns the land on which the gold is buried.
Story: “The Town That Hated Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
GA: Director of Smallville Orphanage (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Tommy and his father (only appearance for both)
Villain: Bruce Cyrus (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman discovers that he is outlawed in Cyrusville, a town which is controlled by its mayor and richest citizen, Bruce Cyrus. When he asks Cyrus why, Superman learns that Bruce was an orphan in Smallville Orphanage at the same time as Superbaby, whose identity he deduced after seeing his feats of super-strength, and blames him for a mishap that cost him a chance to be adopted. But Superman takes himself and Cyrus back in time to show that he accidentally saved Cyrus’s life by his action, and that the couple who did not adopt him did so because they wanted a younger child. Confronted with that, Cyrus cancels the town’s anti-Superman laws.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 10
July 1959
Cover: Superman and Lana Lang on couch, baby Lois Lane in crib //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Cry-Baby of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #37)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #130)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last chronological appearance in issue #56 (2))
Intro: Professor Lockhart (only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane subjects herself to a scientist’s de-aging ray, fearing she is getting old and unattractive. The ray regresses her to a teenager, a young girl, and a baby, and she tries to trick Superman into using his X-ray vision to restore her proper age. Her efforts fail, but the ray wears off after awhile.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Romeo” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #130)
Intro: Gina Loretti (only appearance)
Villains: Julio, Dino Del Monaco (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: In Italy on assignment, Lois almost falls for the attentions of an artist-cum-con man who wants to marry her to gain American citizenship.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Seance” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38)
Intro: Madame Zabanga, Dmitri (only appearance for both)
Villains: Mike the Moose, Jinx Hoxey, Lucky Louie, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane substitutes for a sick spiritualist and finds herself, with Clark Kent’s help, in the midst of a couple of superstitious gang members.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 38
July 1958
Cover: Perry White keeping count as Superman cooks hotcakes for Jimmy Olsen to eat //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The MC of the Midnight Scare Theater” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10)
GA: President of the United States (Dwight D. Eisenhower?; last chronological appearance in issue #86; next appears in ACTION COMICS #256)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #9), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10)
Intro: Phanto, four Secret Service agents (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen takes over as host of a midnight scare-show on TV for an ailing Phanto, but four people keel over in apparent death after watching his antics.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Wedding” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10)
Intro: Jimmy Olsen, Jr. (as a character in Jimmy’s dream; only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy has a date with Lucy Lane, but breaks it in order to get an aching tooth pulled. While under anaesthetic, he has a dream of what life would be like married to Lucy.
Story: “Olsen’s Super-Supper” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Creig Flessel
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #131)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #10; next appears in SUPERMAN #131), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #131), Lucy Lane (next appears in issue #40)
Villains: Dr. Falke, Mike (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy becomes a bottomless pit for food when a scientist’s pill makes him super-hungry.
Superman No. 131
August 1959
Cover: Superman, his wife, and their son and daughter //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Menace of Mr. Mxyzptlk” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #105; next appears in issue #135; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk returns to Metropolis to pull pranks with his magic, and this time employs an alarm which warns him when he is about to say his name backwards.
Story: “Superman’s Future Wife” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11)
Intro: Superman II (in Lois Lane’s vision), Laurie Kent (in Lois Lane’s vision; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200)
Comment: If the story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200 depicting Superman’s marriage to Lois Lane is correct, this is the first appearance of their daughter Laurie and their son, who will become Superman II.
Synopsis: Lois Lane sits in a chair that, once a century, grants a human a prophetic vision. Lois sees Superman married, with a super-powered son and daughter, but cannot see the face of the woman he has married in the future.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 11
August 1959
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane as Leopard Girl, leopard, and monkey //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Leopard Girl of the Jungle” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (briefly becomes “Leopard Girl” in this story; last appearance in SUPERMAN #131)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #131)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #131)
Synopsis: Lois Lane reads Lana Lang’s fictional manuscript of a jungle heroine, gets amnesia on an assignment in Africa, and becomes Leopard Girl, queen of the jungle.
Story: “The Tricks of Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #254), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38; next appears in ACTION COMICS #254)
Intro: Fred (only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane tries more schemes to learn if Superman is really Clark Kent, with predictable results.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Perfume” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #254)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #254)
Villains: Hugo Casimir and his assistant (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane agrees to wear a perfume that seems to cause man after man to fall in love with her.
Action Comics No. 254
July 1959
Cover: Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Battle With Bizarro” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #11; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #39)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in SUPERBOY #68)
Intro: Police chief of Metropolis
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #128; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #104), Vekko (first and only appearance), New Bizarro (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor recreates Bizarro, hoping to use him as a weapon against Superman, but the Thing of Steel rebels and jails Luthor. But Bizarro’s attempts to make friends with humanity fail, and, mistaking an admiring remark from Lois Lane for love, he kidnaps Lois and takes her to an island home. When she confesses that she could only love Superman, he turns the imperfect duplicator ray upon himself and creates a New Bizarro that looks like Superman, but has the low intelligence of a Bizarro. Lois mistakes the New Bizarro for Superman, and agrees to marry him.
Action Comics No. 255
August 1959
Cover: Lois Lane, Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1, and Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Bride of Bizarro” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #103)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #39)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (next appears in issue #263)
Intro: Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (next appears in issue #263)
Villain: New Bizarro (dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Atkins and Bork in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #103.
Synopsis: Lois Lane distinguishes between New Bizarro and Superman thanks to the former’s intelligence, and Superman and Bizarro form an alliance against New Bizarro. The Superman-like New Bizarro is destroyed by a cloud of Kryptonite. However, Lois still repulses Bizarro’s advances. Angered, the Thing of Steel recaptures her and fights Superman for her, though neither does damage to the other. Finally, Lois creates a Bizarro-Lois by subjecting herself to the duplicator ray. Bizarro takes Bizarro-Lois for a wife and flies off with her to seek out a home on another world.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 39
September 1959
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as Super-Lad and people of Zolium //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Lad of Space” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #254; becomes Super-Lad in this story only)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #255)
Intro: Superman Fan Club, people of Zolium (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy stows away on a space missile, lands on the planet of Zolium, and discovers he has super-powers there.
Story: “The Million-Dollar Mistakes” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between ACTION COMICS #255 / 256), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #254; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12), Professor Potter (between issues #37 / 45)
Intro: Champ Carson, Samuel Gotrocks, Metropolis All-Stars (a baseball team; Whiz Wilson named in this story; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen accidentally causes damages to a baseball field that cause him to owe a million dollars, which is precisely the amount a benefactor gives him.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super-Signals” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #256)
Cameo: Professor Potter (as a disguise)
Villains: Ace Manton (first and only appearance), the Anti-Superman Gang (first appearance; next appear in ACTION COMICS #261)
Synopsis: After Superman nabs a phony Professor Potter who steals Jimmy’s signal-watch, Olsen hides the watch while sleepwalking, and cannot find it when he wakes up.
Action Comics No. 256
September 1959
Cover: Lois Lane and future-Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superman of the Future” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #39; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #104)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #39; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13)
GA: President of the United States (Dwight D. Eisenhower?; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38)
Intro: Professor Wright, Captain Saunders (only appearance for both)
Villains: Dirk Folgar and other spies (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight Lex Luthor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #104, then teams with Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, J’onn J’onzz, and Green Lantern to fight Appelaxians and form the Justice League of America as shown in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9 / 97.
Synopsis: In order to smoke out a spy ring that plans to assassinate the president of the United States, Superman poses as the Ultra-Superman of the future.
Superman No. 132
October 1959
Cover: Baby Kal-El with Robo; Zal-El; Superman and Futuro (three vignettes) //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Other Life”
Part 1: “Krypton Lives On” (10 pages)
Part 2: “Futuro, Super-Hero of Krypton” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The Superman of Two Worlds” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9 / 97; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12)
GS: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in BATMAN #127; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #272)
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Krypto, Lois Lane (as characters in a computer simulation)
Intro: Robo (a robot), Zal-El (Kal-El’s brother; “dies” in this story), Futuro (Xan-Du; all as characters in a computer simulation; only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story, Batman refers to an untold case of Superman’s, Batman’s, and Robin’s.
Synopsis: Batman and Robin have Superman feed his Fortress of Solitude computer the question, “What would Superman’s other life have been like if Krypton had not exploded?” The answer: he would have had a younger brother, Zal-El; he would have become a member of the Space Patrol; he would be the best pal of Futuro, a Kryptonian turned into a super-hero by a ray bombardment; and, when Futuro left Krypton to marry Lois Lane and live on Earth, he would have been given super-powers by the same radiation and protect Krypton as Superman. Unfortunately, Jor-El, Lara, and Zal-El would die in an accident.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 12
October 1959
Cover: Lois Lane photographing Lana Lang lifting Superman overhead //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Mermaid of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #256)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #132), Aquaman (last appearance in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9 / 97; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #266), Topo (appears between ADVENTURE COMICS #265 / ?)
Intro: Dr. Hanson (only appearance)
Comment: This story takes place on and around August 21, 1959, the day Hawaii was admitted to the Union as the 50th state.
Lois wears a bikini for the first time in this story.
In this story, Superman is awarded an M.D. and is liscenced to practice surgery, and operates on his first patient: Lois Lane.
Synopsis: While Clark Kent and Lois Lane are in Hawaii to cover its admission as the 50th state, Lois’s legs are crushed in a skin-diving accident. Aquaman saves her, and takes her to a surgeon who does the only thing he can to preserve her life…turning her into a mermaid. Lois tries to adapt to underwater living with the help of Aquaman, and even saves the Sea King in one episode. But she still longs for Superman, and, after he learns of her condition, he reads every text in a medical library at super-speed, gets his surgeon’s liscence, and operates on Lois. When he is finished, Lois’s legs are restored to normal, her gills are closed, and she is once again a surface woman.
Story: “The Girl Atlas” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lana Lang
Intro: Professor Morris, Mac the Mountain, Silo Sam (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Atlas, Achilles (as statues)
Villains: Two spies (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A scientist creates a serum that will give anyone who bathes in it the strength of Atlas and the invulnerability of Achilles. He gives it to Lois Lane for testing by Superman, but Lana Lang intercepts it, uses it, and becomes the “girl Atlas”.
Story: “Lois Lane Loves Clark Kent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #40)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #40)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #39 / 40), Lana Lang
Intro: Frank Bliss
Villains: The Green Hood Gang (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane sees Clark Kent survive a fall from a high ledge, concludes he is Superman, and goes after Clark.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 40
October 1959
Cover: Superman turning Jimmy Olsen invisible //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Invisible Life of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in issue #38; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12; next appears in ACTION COMICS #257), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #12)
Intro: M. E. John, O. Arthur
Villain: “Quiz King” Corbin and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: As part of a scheme to trap a gangster, Superman makes Jimmy Olsen invisible.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl’s Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #256 / 257; origin retold in flashback)
Cameo: Zor-El, Allura (flashback)
Villains: “Big Con” Colby, Thora (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen is temporarily blinded and almost killed by a crook, he is saved by Supergirl. The only problem is that Jimmy refuses to believe in her existence, and nothing she can do will convince him she does.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Juvenile Delinquent” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #257)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #257), Hank White (Perry’s son; first appearance; next appears in issue #84)
Villains: The Kings (including Larry and Truck; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story bears some superficial resemblance to Harlan Ellison’s Memos From Purgatory.
Synopsis: Perry White assigns Jimmy Olsen to disguise himself as a member of the Kings, a gang of juvenile delinquents…neither of them knowing that Perry’s son Hank has already joined the gang.
Action Comics No. 257
October 1959
Cover: Lex Luthor, Clark Kent lifting car, and Superman billboard //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Reporter of Steel” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #40; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #265)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #40; both next appear in SUPERMAN #133)
GS: A Superman robot
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #104; next appears in BATMAN #130)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman is thrown back into Superboy’s time in ADVENTURE COMICS #265.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor subjects Clark Kent to a ray that is supposed to give him super-powers. To prevent Luthor from using it on himself, Clark pretends that the ray also induces him to give away money.
Superman No. 133
November 1959
Cover: Superman in army helmet, making “parachute jump” with other soldiers //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Luck of Badge 77″ (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #265)
Supporting Character: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance of both in ACTION COMICS #257)
Intro: Police chief Smith
Villains: The Tinker Thomas gang, the Bomber (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent is assigned to do three days’ service as a policeman for a story, and must conceal his Superman identity and super-abilities at the same time.
Story: “How Perry White Hired Clark Kent” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last chronological appearance (and partial isochronal appearance) in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #4; also appears in partial isochron with ACTION COMICS #500 flashback; next chronological appearance in issue #135 (1)), Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17 (3) flashback; next chronological appearance in issue #135 (1)), Mrs. Smith (Clark Kent’s landlady; first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in issue #126)
Intro: Old Bongo, Ferocio (two gorillas; only appearance for both)
Comment: This is an Untold Tale of Superman. However, the depiction of Clark Kent as being inspired to be a reporter after his graduation from college is erroneous. Clark had been inspired to be a journalist ever since his second meeting with Perry White as Superboy, had worked as an intern at the Smallville News, had tried out–unsuccessfully–for the Planet twice, and had majored in journalism in Metropolis University. Perry White and Lois Lane have both met Clark Kent before this story, but they show no sign of recognizing him.
Synopsis: After graduating from college, Clark Kent takes an apartment in town and applies for a reporting job at the Daily Planet. Neither editor Perry White nor reporter Lois Lane think much of his chances, and he doesn’t perform up to Perry’s exacting standards in his first two trials. But he does come through with his third assignment, getting a photo of Superman, and is hired as a Planet reporter.
Story: “Superman Joins the Army” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13)
Intro: Major Grimes, an Inspector General (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: An Army major insists Superman be drafted, so the Man of Steel serves his country in basic training…which is more than the major bargained on.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 13
November 1959
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane in lead mask //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Introducing…Lois Lane’s Parents” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #133; some origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #133)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #133), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #38 / 41), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (first appearance for both; Lois and Lucy Lane’s parents; last chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #90 (1); both next appear in issue #27)
Intro: Mrs. Hagerty, Clara, Hiram, editor of the Pittsdale Star, Hector, Mrs. Plunkett, Lt. Brown, Captain Herrick (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman accompanies Lois to meet her parents, Sam and Ella Lane, on their farm at Pittsdale. While he is having a conversation with Sam as to why he cannot marry Lois, a neighbor overhears, misinterprets, gossips, and before long the “news” that Superman and Lois Lane are getting married is all over town.
Story: “Alias Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Intro: Huck Benson (no appearance; name only mentioned; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Lana Lang, Krypto
Villains: Hal Brent, Chips Rogan (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: When Lois Lane bleaches her hair blonde to try and snag an interview with a star, she is grabbed by two hoods who notice her resemblance to a certain female reporter, and who teach her to “imitate” Lois Lane.
Story: “The Shocking Secret of Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye?
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #258)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #258)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #40 / 41), Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #105)
Intro: Ali Pasha, Mrs. Kraus (Lois’s landlady), “Circe” (a female magician; only appearance for all)
Comment: It is possible, but unlikely, that the “Circe” in this story is the same Circe introduced in ACTION COMICS #243. But their lack of physical resemblance and the difference in their modus operandi argues against it.
Synopsis: When Lois threatens to expose a female magician’s tricks, the woman convinces her that she has magically gained the head of a cat.
Action Comics No. 258
November 1959
Cover: Superman hurling Supergirl into space in a tube //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Menace of Cosmic Man” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13; next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #41)
Intro: President Raulis (only appearance)
Villains: Cosmic Man (a robot; first appearance; destroyed in this story), Malvio and his followers (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman tests Supergirl by making her spend a week off Earth in the second story in this issue. Then he aids Green Arrow and Speedy in a case in ADVENTURE COMICS #266, and helps Batman and Robin fight Khalex in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #105.
Synopsis: A rebel in the European republic of Borkia creates a robot “super-hero”, Cosmic Man, as part of a plot to assassinate the head of state, but Superman arrives in time to foil the plot.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 41
December 1959
Cover: Superman, six-armed Jimmy Olsen, and Lucy Lane at carnival firing range //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Human Octopus” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #105)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #105), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #13)
Intro: Rocky Doyle, Joe, Yogi (only appearance for all)
Villains: Max and his cohort (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A strange space-fruit Superman brings back to Earth gives Jimmy Olsen six arms after he eats it.
Story: “The Robot Reporter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Jimmy Olsen #2 (a robot), King Vorda, Professor Stanton (only appearance for all)
Villain: An assassin
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen twists his ankle and sends a robot Jimmy Olsen created by Superman to cover stories, with mixed results.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, the Boy Swordsman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #134)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #259)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #258; next appears in SUPERMAN #134), Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #106)
Intro: King of Valdania (only appearance)
Villains: Kandu, Ace of Swords, Black Blade, Slashing Saber, a crook (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is lured to the nation of Valdania after he becomes convinced that he is a great swordsman, only to find that it is a plot of four enemy blade-wielders.
Action Comics No. 259
December 1959
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane and Lana Lang in energy vortexes, and Lex Luthor //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Revenge of Luthor” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #41; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Cameo: Superboy, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang, Lois Lane (as characters in Superman’s dream)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears in the Supergirl story in this issue and then helps Batman and Robin fight the Duplicate Man in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #106.
Synopsis: Superman has a strange Red Kryptonite-induced dream in which Superboy exists in his era and both of them are forced by Lex Luthor to battle for the life of Lois Lane or Lana Lang.
Superman No. 134
January 1960
Cover: Kull-Ex vs. Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Menace of Metropolis” (Chapter 1; 9 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Revenge Against Jor-El” (Chapter 2; 10 pages)
Chapter 3: “The Duel of the Supermen” (Chapter 3; 8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #106; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #259; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14; origin retold in flashback), Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #258; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45), Superman robots
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 #41; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #106; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #41 / 42)
Intro: Zell-Ex and his wife (both in flashback; both die in this story), Dr. Peabody (only appearance)
Other Character: Dwight D. Eisenhower (of Earth-1)
Cameo appearance: Zor-El, Allura (both in flashback)
Villain: Kull-Ex (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Kull-Ex, a Kandorian scientist, takes Superman’s place on Earth with an “exchange ray” and begins committing destructive acts while impersonating Superman in order to blacken the Man of Steel’s reputation. The Kandorian is motivated by a belief that Superman’s father Jor-El cheated his father, Zell-Ex, out of important patent rights. But Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto convince Kull-Ex that Jor-El did not do such a thing, and he makes a public confession, rehabilitating Superman’s public image.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 14
January 1960
Cover: Superman seeing Lois Lane dressed as Batwoman before Batman photo //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Three Nights In the Fortress of Solitude” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #134)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #134), a Superman robot
Cameo appearance: Jor-El, Lara (as statues)
Intro: Creatures of Superman’s interplanetary zoo at the Fortress of Solitude
Comment: Story takes place in December, 1959.
Synopsis: Superman takes Lois to the Fortress of Solitude for a visit, and she contrives a way to make him let her stay there for 72 hours.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Soldier Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #134; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #42)
Intro: Eddie Banning, Jr., Edward Banning, Sr. (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearance: Kurt Schaffenberger
Synopsis: Lois Lane pretends to fall in love with a mousey G.I. so that she can make Superman jealous.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Secret Romance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #42)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #42), Supergirl (origin retold in flashback; last appearance in SUPERMAN #134; next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #260)
Synopsis: Supergirl, seeing Lois Lane crying because of her unrequited love for Superman, tries to contrive a way for her to marry the Man of Steel, especially since they could adopt her if they did wed. But her every effort goes awry, and Linda Lee promises herself not to try to play matchmaker for her cousin again…at least, for a little while.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 42
January 1960
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Big Superman Movie” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #134)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Cecil Hathaway, Bret Braxton (only appearance for both)
Villain: Stunt Stanton (first and only appearance; in flashback)
Synopsis: Lucy Lane and Jimmy Olsen are on the set of a movie being made about Jimmy’s greatest exploits, but the actor playing Olsen shows them how he would have improved on every one of them.
Story: “Perry White, Cub Reporter” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14; next appears in ACTION COMICS #260), Alice White (Perry’s wife; first appearance; next appears in issue #49), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14; next appears in ACTION COMICS #260)
Intro: Hubert Van Klyk (only appearance)
Synopsis: Perry White and Jimmy Olsen exchange jobs for a day, and Olsen gives Perry assignments specifically designed to help him lose weight.
Story: “Jimmy the Genie” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Creig Flessel
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #260), a Superman robot
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Cameo appearances: Perry White (in a photograph), Frankenstein, Dracula, and Mr. Hyde (in movies)
Villain: Abdul (a genie; first and only appearance), J. B. Hayes (in a photograph; cameo appearance; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen rubs Aladdin’s lamp and has a great time having his wishes fulfilled, until speaking the secret word “kill” causes him to exchange places and become the genie’s slave.
Action Comics No. 260
January 1960
Cover: Superman, Supergirl as “Mighty Maid”, Perry White, and Lois Lane; Supergirl vignette //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Mighty Maid” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #42; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
GS: Supergirl (disguised as Mighty Maid in part of this story; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #14; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance of both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #42; both next appear in SUPERMAN #135)
Villains: A group of aliens (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, it is revealed that Supergirl is 15 years old.
Shortly after this story, Superman makes a brief appearance in the Supergirl story in this issue.
Synopsis: When an armada of alien invaders heads towards Earth to attack Superman in vengeance for some of their spacecraft having been shot down decades past by Kryptonians, Superman stages an elaborate ruse, disguising Supergirl as “Mighty Maid”, a superheroine, faking a romance with her, and pretending to elope with her to the Fourth Dimension. After putting the aliens in suspended animation in space, Superman returns to Earth and tells Lois that his romance with Mighty Maid went on the rocks.
Superman No. 135
February 1960
Cover: Mr. Mxyzptlk’s hand, Superman, Superboy robot, and Superbaby robot //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “When Lois First Suspected Clark Was Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #260; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #260; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology), Perry White (in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Intro: Jerry, Al (in flashback; only appearance for both; named for Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino)
Villains: Lex Luthor (in flashback; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #4; next chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #5), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent, trying to conceal his Superman identity from Lois Lane, recalls the time not long after he began work at the Daily Planet in which she first began to consider him as the person who could secretly be Superman.
Story: “Superman’s Mermaid Sweetheart” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker:
Feature Character: Superman (also appears in flashback to issue #129 / SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #2, 3)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in issue #129 / SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #3; next appears in issue #138; also appears in flashback to issue #129 / SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #2, 3), Ronal (first appearance; named in his next appearance, in issue #138), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #260)
GS: Atlanteans
Villain: Hans Schmidt (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent hears a fisherman rail about the mermaid who has been ruining his catches for years, and decides he must be speaking of Lori Lemaris. Superman seeks out the mermaid, who is indeed Lori, and asks her to marry him. She says that she must get permission from the Atlantean elders first, but the fisherman appears and accidentally injures her. The Man of Steel goes on an interplanetary search for a surgeon who can save her life, finally finding Ronal, a merman doctor, whom he brings to Earth from an alien world. Ronal does save Lori, but she falls in love with him as a result. Superman realizes he has lost her, and accepts a goodbye kiss from Lori.
Story: “The Trio of Steel” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #15)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #15), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #260; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #107)
GS: A Clark Kent robot, a Superboy robot
Intro: A Superbaby robot (only appearance)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #131; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk bedevils Superman by mentally controlling him with his magic, but promises to let him alone if he’ll give him a Superman robot to take back to the 5th Dimension. Superman gives him a choice of three robots, representing Superman, Superboy, and Superbaby.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 15
February 1960
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Family of Steel”
Part 1: “Super-Husband and Wife” (7 pages)
Part 2: “The Bride Gets Super-Powers” (10 pages)
Part 3: “The Secret of the Super-Family” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #135; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #43)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #135; next appears in ACTION COMICS #261), a Superman robot, Kandorians (next appear in ACTION COMICS #261)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in issue #17)
Intro: Van-Zee, Sylvia DeWitt Van-Zee, Lyle-Zee, Lita Van-Zee (all next appear in issue #21), Mr.DeWitt (Sylvia’s father), Laura Barton, people of Urth, Sir Essex (only appearance for all), Miss Jingles (a robot; destroyed in this story)
Villains: Two aliens (first and only appearance)
Comment: The time-scheme of this story presents a possibly insoluble paradox. Five years passes during the course of this story (Van-Zee and Sylvia marry, later celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary, and have children, who grow to about age 4 by the end of this tale), and yet, five years cannot reasonably have passed for Superman and Lois Lane between SUPERMAN #135 and ACTION COMICS #261. The latter portions of this story could be moved to a point later on in the Superman saga, except that Van-Zee next appears in SUPERMAN #148, published 20 months after this story, and Sylvia appears next in SUPERMAN #158, January 1963, both as citizens of Kandor. Since Van-Zee and his family spend 5 years outside the bottle-city of Kandor, and meet Lois Lane, Lana Lang, and Superman before Van-Zee’s return to Kandor with his family, the five-year “pocket of time” cannot be accounted for. Even if the earlier portions of this story are moved back to just after Superman regains Kandor from Brainiac and the latter portions are moved up to just before SUPERMAN #148, it would not be enough to account for five years. It is possible that Van-Zee’s family goes to the Venus of a parallel universe in which time passes much more quickly than in the Earth-One universe. Given the fact that the conditions on Venus in this story in no way resemble that of the real Venus, this might be the best hypothesis.
Synopsis: Van-Zee, a Kandorian scientist who is a double for Superman, is accidentally enlarged, falls in love with Lois Lane, asks for and gets permission from Superman to woo her, but is rejected by Lois. However, she suggests that he look for a double of Lois to try and marry. He finds such a double in the person of Sylvia DeWitt, an heiress who is fleeing her father’s attempt to arrange a marriage for her. Van-Zee, in a Superman outfit, proposes to Sylvia, who accepts. The two are married and settle on Venus, and have twins named Lyle and Lili. Van-Zee creates a serum to give Sylvia super-powers in order to protect her from space-criminals. Later, after their fifth wedding anniversary, Sylvia uses her super-vision to see Lana Lang kissing Superman on Earth, mistakes Superman for Van-Zee, and angrily leaves with her children. But Superman and Lois Lane bring them together again, explain Sylvia’s mistake, and reconcile the two. Van-Zee, Sylvia, and their two children opt to live in Kandor, and are shrunken in size by Brainiac’s reducing ray and are sent to live in the bottle city.
Action Comics No. 261
February 1960
Cover: Superman vs. wax dummies of Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Jor-El, and Perry White //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Fortresses of Solitude” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #15; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Cameo appearances: Lois Lane, Jor-El, Jimmy Olsen, Martha Kent, Perry White (as wax dummies)
Intro: Alvin and his mother, Mars-Ol, Ra-Ho (two Kandorians), Fire-People (in flashback; only appearance for all)
GS: Kandorians (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #15; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48), a Superman robot, mayor of Metropolis
Villains: Urko the Terrible (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story), Big Bob Krueger (first and only appearance), Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #39; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears during the Justice League of America’s battle against Starro the Conqueror in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28, then helps Batman and Robin fight an energy-creature in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #107.
Synopsis: Superman temporarily moves his Fortress of Solitude from the Arctic to the outskirts of Metropolis to conduct tours through it for charity, but the Anti-Superman Gang plots to blow it to pieces.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 43
March 1960
Cover: Superman and Jimmy Olsen with an alien movie producer //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Four Fads” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye?
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #107)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #15), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #107)
Cameo appearance: Edd “Kookie” Byrnes (of Earth-One; first and only appearance)
Intro: Harry, Prof. Blake (only appearance for both)
Villains: Rocky and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Made jealous by the comb-craze started by 77 Sunset Strip star Edd “Kookie” Byrnes, Jimmy tries to start crazes by wearing shades, chewing bubble gum, and flipping a coin in public…all of which are traits of a gangster underworld hitmen have targeted for a rub-out.
Story: “Phantom Fingers Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane
Intro: Tom, Mr. Spiffany (only appearance of both)
Villains: Phantom Fingers, George, Rita, and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen infiltrates a shoplifting gang by posing as a heist man called Phantom Fingers, but runs into trouble when the real Phantom Fingers shows up.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Private Monster” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein?
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #262)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #262)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #262), Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16)
Intro: Jimmy’s landlord (only appearance), an alien movie producer and his race (all next appear in issue #47)
Villains: The TNT Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A monstrous alien from another dimension emerges on Earth, sees Jimmy Olsen, and won’t give him a moment’s peace until he comes back to his world to star in a monster movie.
Action Comics No. 262
March 1960
Cover: Supergirl lifting tree, Superman weakened by Kryptonite //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “When Superman Lost His Powers” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #43; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #43; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #43; next appears in SUPERMAN #136)
Comments: If, as the inscription says, no one has ever returned from the parallel world, then how was it known that they would only spend 48 hours there?
Shortly after this story Superman shares an adventure with Supergirl in this issue, then has an adventure with Batman, Robin, and an alien movie producer in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #108.
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Perry White, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen are forced to spend two days in a parallel dimension in which Superman finds he has no powers.
Superman No. 136
April 1960
Cover: X-Plam, Lois Lane, and Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Man Who Married Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #108)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #262; briefly marries X-Plam in this story)
Intro: X-Plam (dies in this story), X-Plam’s parents, people of the 23rd Century (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Power-Man, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bizarro No. 1 (in flashback)
Comments: This story takes place on and around April 6, 1960.
This is Lois Lane’s second marriage. Her first was to Zak-Kul, in ACTION COMICS #245.
Synopsis: X-Plam, a green-skinned, antennaed man from the 23rd Century, comes back in time to see Lois Lane and Superman, bearing a Daily Planet edition that reveals he is to marry Lois Lane that very day. X-Plam and the people of his remote valley have been given super-powers but a grotesque appearance by the gases of a passing comet. Once in the 20th Century, however, X-Plam’s countenance changes to that of a handsome human. Lois agrees to marry him, and the two are wed and go to the future. However, once in the 23rd Century X-Plam reverts to his normal appearance and Lois also gains a grotesque green face. When he sees her sadness coupled with her longing for Superman, Zak-Kul acquires enough radioactive material to power his time-travel craft and sends Lois back to the 20th Century, though he dies from radiation exposure.
Story: “The Secret of Kryptonite” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears, in flashback, as Superboy; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Lana Lang (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology; appears between SUPERBOY #69 / 10)
Intro: Professor Mel Evans (aka Prof. Stanley Halley; only appearance)
GS: Mayor of Smallville
Villains: Silk Smith, a criminal scientist, and their gang (in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story the distance between Earth and Krypton is given as 0.317 of a light year, though this is probably not accurate. Alpha Centauri, the closest star to Earth, is 4.3 light years away. More than likely Mel Evans’s figures were off because he had no knowledge of the space-warp that Kal-El’s rocket passed through.
This story takes place on June 18th, the date in which Kal-El’s rocket landed on Earth.
Several other famous Smallville residents, Gen. Ezekiel Hooker (a Revolutionary War hero), Sen. Amos Morris, and surgeon Walter Hoyt, are named but not depicted in this story.
Synopsis: When Superboy was living in Smallville, early in his career, his weakness to Kryptonite was inadvertently exposed to the world by Professor Mel Evans. In remorse, Evans left Smallville and changed his name, but, years later on the anniversary of his coming to Earth, Superman discovers it, exposes Evans’s identity in public, and lets him know there were no hard feelings.
Story: “The Super-Clown of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16)
Intro: Sad Sam Smith, Hambone (a Superman robot), Harold and his mother (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman has to make Sad Sam Smith laugh, or Sad Sam dies, and will not leave a billion dollars to a children’s fund.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 16
April 1960
Cover: Lois Lane using Kryptonite vision on Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Lois Lane’s Signal-Watch” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #136)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #136)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #262), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #43)
Villains: Pete Gurney, Biff, Lefty (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place on and around Lois Lane’s birthday.
Synopsis: Superman gives Lois Lane a signal-watch like Jimmy Olsen’s, and soon lives to regret it.
Story: “The Mystery of Skull Island” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #262)
Intro: Carlos Floyd, a butler (only appearance for both), Edna Van Cleeve Floyd (no real appearance; name mentioned only; first appearance; dies before this story begins)
Villains: Sidney Willis (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Clark Kent are assigned to work as a maid and butler in actor Carlos Floyd’s mansion, and Lois discovers that Floyd’s wealthy heiress bride may have been murdered.
Story: “The Kryptonite Girl” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44)
Intro: Duke (Lucy Lane’s dog), Oonah and other Eskimos (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane disobeys Superman, fools around with some objects he brought back from space, and appears to develop a case of deadly Kryptonite vision.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 44
April 1960
Cover: Superman, Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, and wolf-boy Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Wolf-Man of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERBOY #80; next appears in ACTION COMICS #263)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #16)
Cameo appearances: Batman, Robin, Green Arrow, Speedy, Dracula, Frankenstein (as costumes)
Intro: A movie director (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy drinks a potion created by Merlin the magician and turns into a wolfman under the light of the full moon, until a shadowed Supergirl gives him a kiss to lift the curse.
Story: “Jimmy’s Leprechaun Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker:
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN #135; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #113)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk poses as a leprechaun to throw Jimmy Olsen and Superman off the track.
Story: “Miss Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17)
GS: Superman (next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17), Lucy Lane
Intro: Hamlet (Lucy Lane’s new dog; only appearance), Dora (a chimpanzee)
Villains: Big Monte McGraw and his gang, Maisie (first and only appearance for all), Killer Kendall (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America fight the Weapons Master in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29.
Synopsis: While Superman is unavailable to help, Jimmy Olsen goes undercover disguised as a chorus girl to get the lowdown on gangster Big Monte McGraw.
Superman No. 137
May 1960
Cover: Superboy dreaming of Superman; Super-Bully dreaming of Super-Menace (two vignettes) //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Brat From Krypton” (Chapter 1; 8 pages)
Chapter 2: “The Young Super-Bully” (9 pages)
Chapter 3: “Superman Vs. Super-Menace” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17; also appears as baby Kal-El, Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), and Superboy (between SUPERBOY #80 / ADVENTURE COMICS #272); origin retold)
GS: Krypto (between SUPERBOY #80 / ADVENTURE COMICS #272)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lana Lang (between SUPERBOY #80 / 81)
Villains: Super-Menace (also appears as Super-Brat and Super-Bully), Wolf Derek, Bonnie Derek (first appearance for all; all die in this story), the Crime Lords, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: On its trip to Earth, Kal-El’s rocket bumps into a spaceship from another world and triggers a duplicator ray that creates a copy of the rocket and Kal-El. The rocket lands on Earth at the retreat of gangster Wolf Derek and his moll, Bonnie. Together they raise the young super-being they find within to be a super-outlaw, but to keep his existence a secret until he is grown to adulthood. As Super-Brat and Super-Bully, his hate for the Youth of Steel grows. He and his foster parents also learn he is immune to Kryptonite, being an energy-based life form. Finally, his father is elected head of a crime syndicate on the condition that his “son” destroy Superman. Super-Menace goes out to do just that, and, after a tremendous battle, is on the point of destroying Superman with Kryptonite. But, finding that the deed gives him no pleasure, and knowing that his father lied about loving him, Super-Menace saves Superman from the Kryptonite. Then he goes to his foster parents and destroys them and himself in an energy-burst just as Superman smashes in.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 17
May 1960
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Al Plastino
Story: “The Girl That Almost Married Clark Kent” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #137)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44)
Intro: A fakir (only appearance)
Villain: Doris Drake (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Thanks to a mind-reading amulet bought from an Indian fakir, wealthy heiress Doris Drake learns that Clark Kent is Superman and schemes to marry him.
Story: “Lana Lang, Superwoman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein?
Feature Character: Lois Lane (becomes “Super-Lois” in this story; next “Super-Lois” appearance in issue #21)
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (becomes “Super-Lana” for this story; last appearance in issue #15; next appears as “Super-Lana” in issue #21), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #44), Jimmy Olsen
Villain: Brainiac (between ACTION COMICS #242 / 275)
Synopsis: To save the Earth, Superman agrees to let Brainiac subject Lois Lane and Lana Lang to a bomb blast–but first he gives them both super-powers with a transfusion of his own blood.
Story: “How Lois Lane Got Her Job” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #264; also appears in flashback, between issue #55 (1) flashback / SUPERMAN #133 (2); origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #263; also appears in flashback, between pages 24 and 25 of SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #4)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (also appears in flashback, between pages 24 and 25 of SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #4), Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45)
Intro: Professor Thorne (in flashback; only appearance)
Villains: Henry Blaine, the “Rajah of Sari” (both in flashback; only appearance for both)
Comment: Since Superman and Lois Lane are the same age, it is probable she only got hired shortly before Clark Kent, since they would have graduated college at the same time.
Synopsis: Lois Lane recounts to Clark Kent how she got three scoops in three days to be hired by Perry White, not knowing that Superman inadvertently helped her get those three stories.
Action Comics No. 263
April 1960
Cover: Superman in chains before Bizarro jury //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The World of Bizarros” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17)
GS: Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (last appearance of both in issue #255)
Intro: Bizarros, Bizarro-Loises, and the world of Htrae
Comment: This story introduces the Bizarro people (except for Bizarro No. 1 and Bizarro-Lois), their world Htrae, the Bizarroes’ backwards behavior, and the Bizarro Code: “Us hate beauty! Us love ugliness! Is big crime to make anything perfect on the Bizarro World.”
This story am continued in next issue.
Synopsis: Superman finds the Bizarro World, Htrae, in outer space, altruistically helps straighten out some crooked houses, and finds that he is in violation of Bizarro laws. Not only that, he is handsome and speaks perfect English. For these crimes, he is subjected to a ray that will turn him into a Bizarro.
Action Comics No. 264
May 1960
Cover: Superman (as Bizarro), Perry White, and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Superman Bizarro”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #109)
GS: Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1, Bizarros (them am all next appear in SUPERMAN #140)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45)
Cameo appearance: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (as characters in Superman’s dream)
Comment: In this story Htrae am turned into beautiful square world, for which all Bizarros owe Superman great debt of ingratitude.
Story continues from last issue.
Shortly after this story Superman and Robin help rid Batman of an ancient wizard’s curse in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #109.
Synopsis: Superman still faces the sentence of being transformed into a Bizarro, until he discovers the one ploy that can set him free.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 45
June 1960
Cover: Jimmy Olsen watching Power Lad and Superman save train //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Tom Baker, Power Lad” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #109), Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #264 / 265)
GA: Linda Lee robot
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #264), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17), Lucy Lane
Intro: Power Lad (Dik-Rey, alias Tom Baker; only appearance)
Comment: The bottle of Kandor is portrayed inaccurately in this story.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen meets a youth called Tom Baker, who appears to gain super-powers from a scientific accident and becomes the partner of Superman.
Story: “The Gunsmoke Kid” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker:
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
GA: Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok, Bat Masterson (all of Earth-One; see Comment below)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18), Professor Potter (between issues #39 / 47)
Villains: Jesse James, the James Gang (of Earth-One; see Comment below)
Comment: Since research is not yet complete for “real” historical figures on Earth-One, they cannot yet be tracked.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is sent back accidentally in a masquerade cowboy costume to the Old West, where the James Gang takes him for an outlaw called the Gunsmoke Kid and insists on him killing famed lawmen Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok, and Bat Masterson.
Story: “The Animal Master of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #138)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #265), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #134; next appearance in ACTION COMICS #266)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #265), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #138)
Other Character: Circe (in flashback; last appearance in SHOWCASE #21; next appears in ACTION COMICS #293)
Villains: Joe and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman gives Jimmy the magic wand of Circe as a trophy, which allows him to communicate with animals.
Action Comics No. 265
June 1960
Cover: Superman watching Supergirl save Superboy statue in Smallville //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The ‘Superman’ From Outer Space” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
GS: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue), a Clark Kent robot (destroyed in this story)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45; next appears in SUPERMAN #138)
Intro: Hyper-Man (Chester King; origin revealed; dies in this story), a Hyper-Man robot (destroyed in this story), Lydia Long King, Professor Heath, a Professor Heath robot (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman aids Supergirl in the second story of this issue, then helps the Justice League of America battle Amazo and Professor Ivo in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #30, and then helps Batman and Robin fight an alien creature in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #110.
Synopsis: Superman is visited by Hyper-Man, a super-powered double of himself and the hero of the parallel world of Oceania. When the Man of Steel learns that Hyper-Man will die within a year from Blue Zoronite poisoning, he arranges for Hyper-Man to lose his powers and have a year of happy married life with his long-time love interest Lydia Long before he perishes.
Superman No. 138
July 1960
Cover: Superman vs. Titano //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Titano the Super-Ape”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Jerry Siegel
Feature Character: Superman (last apperance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #110)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #265), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45)
Cameo appearance: Toto’s trainer (in flashback)
Villain: Titano (between issues #127 / 142)
Synopsis: Titano returns to the 20th Century and begins a rampage, inexplicably looking for round objects.
Story: “Superman’s Black Magic” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
GA: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #110; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #281)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18), Lois Lane
Cameo: Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aquaman (as costumes worn by partygoers)
Villains: Duke Haskell, Lefty Montez, Coker, a counterfeiter (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: While wearing a devil costume for a masquerade party, Clark Kent sights a pair of crooks and decides to use his disguise to its best advantage.
Story: “The Mermaid From Atlantis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18)
GA: Aquaman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #30; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #274)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris, Ronal (last appearance for both in issue #135), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18)
Intro: Prince Gregory, Prime Minister Basil (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lori Lemaris tries to help Superman over the pain of losing her by contriving ways to get him to marry Lois Lane, but they all go awry.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 18
July 1960
Cover: Superman, Astounding Man, and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Star Reporter of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #138)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #138)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #138), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #45)
Intro: Dolly Day (only appearance)
Villain: Bad Man Brent (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story reveals that a movie of the Daily Planet will be made, with Clark Gable, Rock Hudson, Dwayne Hickman, and Dolly Day playing Perry White, Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane respectively.
Synopsis: Lois Lane lends a helping hand to an aspiring girl reporter, but finds the girl quickly becoming a star of the Planet.
Story: “The Sleeping Doom” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lucy Lane (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46)
Intro: Slinky Sam (only appearance)
Villains: Kzga and two other aliens (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place from June 8-17, according to a calendar in the splash panel.
Synopsis: Lois Lane discovers a plot of an alien being to take over her body, unless she can remain awake for ten days straight.
Story: “Lois Lane Weds Astounding Man” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46)
Intro: Astounding Man (an android), Oogamooga, a Lois Lane android, Geena (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An aged man from the alien world of Roxnon uses Astounding Man, a super-powered android, to romance Lois Lane.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 46
July 1960
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl, and orphans watching Superman on television //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Orphan” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18), Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #265 / 266), Linda Lee robot (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #265)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18; next appears in ACTION COMICS #266), Mr. Dixon, Miss Hart, children of Midvale Orphanage (all between ACTION COMICS #264 / 266)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen is out covering a flood for the Daily Planet, he strikes his head on a log while rescuing a kitten. Jimmy develops amnesia and, with no identification on him, he is
given the name “Tom Davis” and sent to live at Midvale Orphanage. Linda Lee, secretly Supergirl, fears that restoring Jimmy’s memory might expose her identity, and decides to wait until
Superman returns from a space mission and can handle it himself. In the meantime, Jimmy, as “Tom”, lives with Linda and the other orphans, and she manages to keep her identity a secret from him. Jimmy’s memory returns to him while at the orphanage, but he tells Linda that he is going to stay to do a feature story on what it’s like to live at an orphanage. Linda contrives a trick that trips Jimmy’s signal watch, and Superman comes to take Jimmy back to the Daily Planet.
Story: “The Irresistable Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18 / 19), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #18; next appears in ACTION COMICS #266)
Intro: P. Q. Bowman, Mr. Fox (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After the word spreads that Jimmy Olsen is really P. Q. Bowman, a Hollywood talent scout, a horde of beautiful actress wannabes compete for his attention.
Story: “Elastic Lad’s Greatest Feats” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (as Elastic Lad; next appears in SUPERMAN #139)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #266)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (between issues #37 / 48)
Villains: The Big Job Mob (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen becomes Elastic Lad again to perform stretching feats for his fan club, and Superman is secretly on hand to make sure nothing goes wrong.
Action Comics No. 266
July 1960
Cover: Supergirl, Streaky, Superman, and Krypto //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Captive of the Amazons” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46; both next appear in SUPERMAN #139)
Intro: Jena, Rog, and other Adorians (only appearance)
Villains: The Rebel Robots (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman and Krypto help out Supergirl in the second story of this issue.
Synopsis: Superman is almost blackmailed into marriage to Jena, a princess of the planet Adoria, with the threat that Earth will be destroyed unless he weds her.
Superman No. 139
August 1960
Cover: Superman as merman, Lois Lane, Lori Lemaris //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The New Life of Super-Merman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #266)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris, Ronal (both next appear in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #269), Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #266), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46)
Intro: Brett Rand (only appearance)
Synopsis: Wealthy Brett Rand proposes to Lois, and to allow her to accept in good faith, Superman contrives a hoax with Ronal and Lori Lemaris’s help to make her believe Ronal has died, Superman has become a merman, and he and Lori are to wed.
Story: “The Jolly Jailhouse” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman
Intro: Judge Rafol (only appearance)
Villain: Colonel Stradi (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent is thrown in jail as a spy while covering a story in the nation of Voroda, and helps undermine the dictator, Col. Stradi.
Story: “The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #19)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #266 / 267), Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #266), a Superman robot (destroyed in this story)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #19)
Cameo appearances: Kozz, evil Clark Kent, Superboy, Superboy robots, Jonathan and Martha Kent (in flashback)
Synopsis: When a Red Kryptonite meteor smashes through the side of a submarine, Superman rescues the sub and its crew even though the Red K exposure will affect him. The effect produced this time is to make Superman’s hair, beard, and nails grow to great length, and even the heat of his own X-ray vision cannot cut his hair or nails. However, when both Supergirl and Krypto focus their X-ray vision on his beard, hair, and nails in unison, their double-power is able to shear the excess from his head and hands.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 19
August 1960
Cover: Superman leaving through secret exit as Lois Lane prepares dinner //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Day Lois Lane Forgot Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #139)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #139)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #46 / 47), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #139)
Intro: The Great Majo (only appearance)
Villain: A mugger (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A hypnotist erases Lois’s love for Superman (again) and Lois goes after Clark Kent (again).
Story: “The Superman of the Past” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #47)
GS: Superman (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #267), Samson (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #257; next appears in SUPERBOY #110; see Comment)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #139; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #47), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #47)
Villains: Caesar, Helene (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: As indicated in the Comment to ADVENTURE COMICS #257, the Samson who appears in this story may not really be the Biblical judge, but a Greek strongman.
It is indicated in this story that Lois may simply have had an hallucination of travel to the past. However, since she would have had no way of knowing that Samson really did employ the secret identity of Merrio (as he does in this story and ADVENTURE COMICS #257) without time-travel, it is likely that she really does somehow go back in time.
Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears in the Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #267, then helps Batman and Robin capture Floyd Frisby in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #111.
Synopsis: While rehearsing a skit for a Daily Planet show as a slave girl from Roman times, Lois Lane mentally travels back in time after breathing fumes from strange flowers and has an adventure with Samson.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 47
September 1960
Cover: Alien monster making Superman and Jimmy Olsen robots //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The King of Crime” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #19)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #111)
Intro: Eddie (only appearance)
Villain: Winky McCoy (first appearance; next appears in issue #153) and his gang, Nick Hoxa (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen shaves his head to pass as Winky McCoy, a gangster, in search of a story.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen Grows Up” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #19; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #267), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #19), Professor Potter (between issues #45 / 50)
Intro: Blake, Willy White (Perry’s nephew; only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Tired of being treated like a kid because of his age, Jimmy drinks a potion of Professor Potter’s and rapidly ages into manhood, only to discover that his troubles don’t end with his youthfulness.
Story: “The Monsters From Earth” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #267), the alien movie producer and his race (all last seen in issue #43; last appearance for all)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: A Superman robot (destroyed in this story)
Villain: A Jimmy Olsen robot (destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: The aliens who made a monster movie with Jimmy Olsen have a big hit on their hands, so they make Jimmy Olsen and Superman robots to star in the sequel. But the Jimmy Olsen robot doesn’t want to be destroyed after the movie is finished, so he travels to Earth to destroy the real Jimmy and take his place.
Action Comics No. 267
August 1960
Cover: Hercules smashing poster of Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Hercules In the 20th Century” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #47)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #47), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #47; next appears in the Supergirl story in next issue)
GS: Hercules (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #267; see Comment below), Mercury
Intro: Frank Hall (only appearance), Jupiter, Vulcan, Venus, Achilles (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #329)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in BATMAN #130; next appears in issue SUPERBOY #85)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
It is unknown how Hercules’s appearances in Superboy / Superman stories relate to his appearances in Wonder Woman stories.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor transports Hercules across time to help him commit robberies. Hercules soon learns Luthor’s evil nature, and helps Superman capture him. Clark Kent helps Hercules assume a secret identity as Roger Tate and gain employment as a Daily Planet reporter. Soon the god of strength falls for Lois Lane, but she rejects his proposal of marriage, saying she is in love with Superman. Hercules goes to Olympus, asks for and receives weapons from his fellow gods with their powers imbued in them, and returns to Earth, intending to “crush” Superman.
Action Comics No. 268
September 1960
Cover: Sleeping Superman in capsule, Hercules, and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Battle With Hercules” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
GS: Hercules (next appears in SUPERBOY #110), Venus
GA: Linda Lee (Supergirl; between the Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #20)
Intro: The Eternal Oracle (only apperance)
Cameo: Jupiter, Mercury, Vulcan, Achilles (in flashback)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears in the Supergirl story in this issue, then helps Batman and Robin have an adventure with a strange pet in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #112.
Synopsis: Hercules battles Superman with Olympian weapons, and finally wins with a song from Apollo’s flute that puts the Man of Steel into hibernation. To free him, Lois agrees to marry Hercules. But Venus intervenes, frees Superman from his sleep and Lois from her vow, and tells Hercules that Jupiter is displeased with him. Hercules battles Superman again, but this time Superman tricks him into returning to the past, in which Hercules loses his memory of his visit to Metropolis. Superman returns to the 20th Century.
Superman No. 140
October 1960
Cover: Bizarro-Junior No. 1, Bizarro-Lois No. 1, Bizarro No. 1, and Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Son of Bizarro” (Part 1; 10 pages)
Part 2: “The ‘Orphan’ Bizarro” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The Bizarro Supergirl” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #112; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #20)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #268; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48), Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #264; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50), Bizarro-Lois No. 1, other Bizarroes and Bizarro-Loises (origin retold; last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #264; all next appear in issue #143)
GA: Krypto (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #270), Linda Lee robot
Supporting Characters: Children of Midvale Orphanage (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #268; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48)
Intro: Bizarro-Supergirl (dies in this story) Bizarro-Junior No. 1 (next appears in issue #143), athletic instructor at Midvale Orphanage
Cameo: Lex Luthor, Vekko (in flashback), Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (as statues)
Synopsis: Bizarro-Lois #1 gives birth to a baby son, who, to her and Bizarro #1′s chagrin, looks like a human–horrible to their sight. To save their son from a mob of Bizarroes, Bizarro #1 puts him in a spacecraft which, unknown to him, is headed back to Earth. The baby is found and put in Midvale Orphanage, where Supergirl discovers his powers and tells Superman of the “super-baby” she has found. Bizarro Jr. #1 is taken for safekeeping to the Fortress of Solitude, and accidentally creates Bizarro-Supergirl when the real Supergirl flies through the ray of the imperfect duplicating machine.
A chemical explosion triggers a reaction that makes Bizarro-Jr. #1′s face like a normal Bizarro’s. Bizarro #1, seeing this with telescopic vision, thinks that Superman has hatched a plot
to take away his baby, and raises an army of Bizarroes to make war on Earth. Meanwhile, Bizarro-Supergirl’s maternal instincts are aroused and she tries to keep Bizarro-Jr. #1 for herself.
Eventually Bizarro-Jr. #1 is restored to his parents, Bizarro-Supergirl dies of Blue Kryptonite exposure, and it is discovered that all Bizarro babies undergo a brief time of appearing human
before they transform into their normal, Bizarro selves.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 20
October 1960
Cover: Supergirl, Superman, and Lois Lane at home //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Flight From Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #268)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #140)
Intro: Lois Lane, Perry White, and Liza Landis of a parallel universe, manager of WMET, Liza Landis of Earth-One (only appearance for all)
Comment: Superman goes back in time at least as far as 1954, according to pg. 3, panel 1, to enter a divergent Earth’s time-stream.
Synopsis: Superman, fed up with Lois Lane’s identity-snooping, goes back in time to just before he applied to the Daily Planet and, instead, becomes a disk jockey on radio station WMET. Unfortunately, he has to deal not only with Lois Lane of the time-line which he now occupies, but a new identity-hunter named Liza Landis. Finally, he calls it quits and returns to his normal time-line.
Story: “The Luckiest Girl In Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #268; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48)
Villains: Bullet Benson and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A gangster wanting revenge on Lois Lane tricks her into thinking she has guardian spirits to protect her from danger with whispered prophecies.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 48
October 1960
Cover: Jimmy Olsen tied up by the Superman Emergency Squad //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Story of Camp Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #20; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Intro: Bud Tarp, Horace Burr, Skinny Smith, Mike Post, Carl Cardwell, Ted Oxnam, and other campers at Camp Superman, Prince Otto (in flashback; only appearance for all)
Villains: A gang of assassins (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes to Camp Superman as a counselor and finds that one camper already knows about his unreported adventures with Superman.
Story: “The Disguises of Danger” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein?
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Frank Moss (only appearance)
Villains: Flush Sawyer, Big Joe, and other gangsters (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes undercover as a window-washer, a barber, a doorman, a bellhop, and a blind beggar to get a story on a group of mobsters.
Story: “The Mystery of the Tiny Supermen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #269)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #140; next appears in ACTION COMICS #269), Kandorians (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #261; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21)
Supporting Characters: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in issue #46; next appear in ACTION COMICS #286), Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #20; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #269)
Intro: The Superman Emergency Squad (including Nos. 22, 33, 44, and 66; next appear in ACTION COMICS #278)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League defeat Despero in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen, at various meetings of his fan club, shows the members several alien artifacts which were given to him by Superman. At the same time, a group of tiny Supermen (actually the Superman Emergency Squad from Kandor, of which Jimmy is ignorant) appear to him and aid him in his daily tasks, but only when nobody else is around. When he tries to convince Perry White that the little Supermen really exist, Perry thinks Jimmy’s gone nuts. What the Emergency Squad is really after is an alien ray-gun in Jimmy’s collection with Supergirl’s
fingerprints on it. They fear the prints could somehow expose her existence, but they also mistake a fake Green Kryptonite meteor in Jimmy’s collection for the real thing, and have to trick him into bringing the ray-gun to work with him before they can take it away from him. Superman, at this time, is in the past on a scientific mission and could not be contacted by the Kandorians. They take the ray-gun to Supergirl, who erases her prints with heat-vision. Then the tiny Supermen return the weapon to Jimmy and fly back to Kandor before anyone else can see them. Later, Jimmy wonders if it hasn’t all been a dream.
Action Comics No. 269
October 1960
Cover: Lois Lane and Superman seeing Clark Kent reflection in mirror //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Truth Mirror” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye?
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1; next appears in SUPERMAN #141)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21)
GS: A Superman robot
Intro: Hazel (only appearance)
Villains: Flash Dugan, a midget gangster (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane receives the mirror of Merlin, which can reveal the true nature of anyone reflected in it…including the fact that Clark Kent is secretly Superman.
Superman No. 141
November 1960
Cover: Superman, Jor-El, and Lara on Krypton //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Return To Krypton”
Part 1: “Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again” (9 pages)
Part 2: “Superman’s Kryptonian Romance” (9 pages)
Part 3: “The Surprise of Fate” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #269; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (possibly their first chronological appearance; next appear in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #17 (flashback))
Intro: Lyla Lerrol (first and only apperance, though she appears out of official continuity in SUPER FRIENDS #17), Lara Lor-Van I (Lara’s mother; as a stone bust), Krypto’s mother, Prof. Galsworthy (only appearance for all), Zypto (Krypto’s father; earlier chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #126 (2); last chronological appearance), Ken-Dal (first appearance; appears isochronally with WORLD OF KRYPTON #2; earlier chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #233 (2); last chronological appearance)
Cameo: Jor-El I (as a stone bust)
Villains: Brainiac, Koko (last chronological appearance for both in SUPERBOY # 106 (2); next chronological appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #242), Snark McGill (first and only appearance)
Comment: It is never explained in this story why Jor-El and Lara do not remember Superman from their earlier meeting, in SUPERMAN #123.
Synopsis: Superman is hurled back in time and space after an encounter with a planet-sized creature. He winds up on Krypton, with no powers thanks to its higher gravity and red sun, some time before the wedding of Jor-El and Lara. Superman, who now goes by his name of Kal-El, gets work as an extra on an emotion-movie, and falls in love with the beautiful actress Lyla Lerrol. She also falls for Kal.
Superman attends his parents’ wedding and becomes Jor-El’s assistant. Lyla and he continue to see each other, and plan to be wed after work on her movie is wrapped up. From afar, he helps Jonathan and Martha Kent get together on Earth. He witnesses the shrinking and abduction of Kandor by Brainiac. Kal-El is almost resigned to Krypton’s death, and having as long a wedded life with Lyla as he can, when an accident on the movie set throws him into a prop rocket which is sent into outer space by a powerful space creature. Lyla and Superman are separated forever, as the Man of Steel breaks out of the rocket under a yellow sun and returns to his proper era on Earth.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 21
November 1960
Cover: Super-Lois vs. Super-Lana while Superman looks on //Curt Swan / Kurt Schaffenberger and Stan Kaye
Story: “Dolls of Doom”
Part 1: “The Lois Lane Doll” (9 pages)
Part 2: “Trapped In Kandor” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #269)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #141), Van-Zee, Sylvia Van-Zee, Lyle-Zee, Lili Van-Zee (all last seen in issue #15), Kandorians (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48; next appear in ACTION COMICS #270)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (between ACTION COMICS #269 / 270), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #269; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #49)
Intro: Dik-Zee (Van-Zee’s brother; only appearance)
Villains: Cyril Madison (first and only appearance), Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #261; next appear in SUPERMAN #145)
Synopsis: The Anti-Superman Gang plans to blow up the Fortress of Solitude with a gimmicked Lois Lane doll, while the real Lois Lane is in Kandor, where she is the guest of Sylvia and Van-Zee and receives a proposal from Van’s brother Dik-Zee.
Story: “The Battle Between Super-Lois and Super-Lana” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (as “Super-Lois”; next appears in ACTION COMICS #270)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #270)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (as “Super-Lana”)
Synopsis: Lois and Lana both regain super-powers as a result of bathing in an underground lake, and, as the costumed Super-Lois and Super-Lana, begin an all-out competition for the hand of Superman.
Action Comics No. 270
November 1960
Cover: Superwoman and aged Superman, Lois Lane, and Krypto //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Old Man of Metropolis” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
GS: Linda Lee (Supergirl; appears as Superwoman only in Clark Kent’s dream; between Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #49), Mr. Dixon (between Supergirl stories in issues #266 / 299)
Cameo appearances: Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane, Krypto, Bizarro No. 1 (as characters in Superman’s dream)
Comment: After this story Superman, Batman, and Robin help Supergirl celebrate her 16th birthday in the second story in this issue, then cope with Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #113.
Synopsis: After Clark Kent reads a story Linda Lee has written about her possible career as Superwoman, he falls asleep and dreams of being an old Superman without powers in a future Metropolis.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 49
December 1960
Cover: Superman holding scales, Maharajah pouring jewels on one side, Jimmy Olsen sitting on other side //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy’s Gorilla Identity” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #113), Congorilla (origin retold in flashback), Congo Bill (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #278 / 279)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #270), Janu (between ADVENTURE COMICS #278 / 279)
Intro: Ed (only appearance)
Villains: The Red Knights (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Congorilla is captured and shipped to the United States, and Congo Bill enlists Jimmy’s help in finding him. But Jimmy uses the magic ring of Congo Bill to switch bodies with Congorilla, and, as the heroic ape, brings the Red Knights gang to justice.
Story: “The Fat Boy of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Alice White (last appearance in issue #42; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27), Lucy Lane
Intro: Mr. and Mrs. Montaine, Maharajah of Bohali (only appearance for all)
Villains: Rance and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A crook tricks Jimmy into drinking a potion that makes him 300 pounds heavy overnight in a complex scheme to get him to unwittingly smuggle jewels.
Story: “Alias Chip O’Doole” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #2)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #271), Lucy Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN #142)
Intro: Chip O’Doole and his fan club (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight Simon Magus and his fellow magicians in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #2.
Synopsis: Since Lucy Lane has gone wild for a rock singer named Chip O’Doole, Jimmy Olsen decides to impersonate him and see if he can gain her affection. It works.
Action Comics No. 271
December 1960
Cover: Superman entering space-globe of “light ray man” //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Voyage To Dimension X” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #2; next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #49; next appears in SUPERMAN #142)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERBOY #85; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23 (2)), a Lex Luthor robot (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23 (2)), Gypo, Lex Luthor’s gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story is the Earth-One version of an adventure of the Earth-Two Superman, as depicted in SUPERMAN #83 (1).
Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears in the Supergirl story of this issue and then helps Batman and Robin battle Chorn in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #114.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor tricks Superman into entering a metal globe which, if he attempts to leave it or penetrate it with his X-ray vision, will blow up Metropolis.
Superman No. 142
January 1961
Cover: Superman
Story: “Lois Lane’s Secret Helper” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #114)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #271), Krypto (between ACTION COMICS #270 / 272)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #49), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #49 / 50), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #271)
Intro: Maria, Hans, Gretta, Mr. Baldwin, Beauty (a dog; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Krypto, on patrol with Supergirl, sees Lois in tears over Superman’s refusal to marry her and decides to lend a paw to her romance with the Man of Steel.
Story: “Superman Meets Al Capone” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (also appears in flashback, his first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171 (flashback))
Intro: Cyrus Martin (only appearance)
Villains: Al Capone (of Earth-One; first and only appearance) and his mob (last appearance in SUPERBOY #102 (1); last appearance), Titano (between issues #138 / 147)
Comment: Sometime after his employment at the Chicago Journal, Perry White interned at the Gotham Gazette, as revealed in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #80, before becoming a reporter for the Daily Planet.
Synopsis: Stranded temporarily in Chicago in 1921, Superman impersonates “Touch” Vincent, a member of Al Capone’s mob, and helps Perry White get his first scoop.
Story: “Flame-Dragon From Krypton” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22)
GS: Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #272), Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #114; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #287)
GA: Superman robots (destroyed in this story)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22)
Intro: A flame-dragon from Krypton (next appears in issue #151)
Synopsis: A flame-dragon from Krypton, which has survived that planet’s destruction, comes to Earth, burns off Clark Kent’s outer clothes in sight of Lois Lane, and reveals him to be Superman. The Man of Steel eventually puts the flame-dragon in suspended animation and exiles him to space. Then, to get around Lois’s suspicions, he has Batman and Supergirl pose as a doctor and
nurse and, changing to Clark Kent, swathes himself in bandages, pretending to Lois that he has suffered severe burns.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 22
January 1961
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Day When Superman Proposed” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #142)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #142)
Supporting Characters: Van-Zee, Sylvia Van-Zee (both next appear in issue #34), Lyle-Zee, Lili Van-Zee (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #142; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #142), Lana Lang
Intro: A Lois Lane robot, Helen of Troy (of Earth-1; next appears in ACTION COMICS #289), Marie Antoinette (see Comment below)
GS: Cleopatra (see Comment below)
Villains: The Scarlet Mob (first and only appearance)
Comment: The chronology of “real” historical figures on Earth-One has not yet been completed, so the appearances of Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, and Marie Antoinette (who also appear in other Superman Family stories and in RIP HUNTER, TIME MASTER) cannot yet be tracked.
Synopsis: Affected by Red Kryptonite, Superman proposes to Lois. When the Red K effect wears off, he takes it back.
Story: “Lois Lane’s X-Ray Vision” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #54 (3)), Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #272)
Intro: Dr. Wendell (only appearance)
Villain: Slick Morse (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An energy-burst causes Lois Lane’s sunglasses to give her X-ray vision, enabling her to see the Superman shirt underneath Clark Kent’s clothes.
Story: “The Sweetheart of Robin Hood” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50)
Cameo appearances: Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Alan-A-Dale, Sheriff of Nottingham, a wizard (as characters in Lois Lane’s dream)
Synopsis: Lois Lane scratches herself on one of the poisoned tips of Robin Hood’s arrows in an exhibit and dreams she has gone into the past to have an adventure with Robin Hood himself.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 50
January 1961
Cover: Superman being rescued from quicksand by Super-Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Lord of Olsen Castle” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Sheldon Moldoff
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #143), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #142; next appears in ACTION COMICS #272), Bizarro No. 1 (between SUPERMAN #140 / 143)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22; next appears in issue #54 (3))
Cameo appearance: Lord Olsen (Jimmy’s ancestor; in a painting; first and only appearance)
Intro: Mayor Lund (only appearance)
Synopsis: In order to inherit an ancestral castle in Sweden, Jimmy Olsen must first perform three superhuman tasks, at which Supergirl, Krypto, and Bizarro No. 1 lend him a secret hand.
Story: “The Weirdest Asteroid In Space” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #54 (3))
GS: Superman (next appears in issue #54 (3))
Intro: Professor Barton (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman and Jimmy Olsen capture the Masquerade Mobster in issue #54 (3).
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Clark Kent are accidentally rocketed into space, where they encounter an enormous dragon.
Story: “The Super Life of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #54 (3); next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23)
GS: Superman (last appearance in issue #54 (3); next appears in ACTION COMICS #272)
GA: Linda Lee (Supergirl; voice only; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in issue #54 (3); both next appear in ACTION COMICS #272), Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #47), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #142; next appears in ACTION COMICS #272)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story takes place on Jimmy Olsen’s birthday. Since he has a 21st birthday in issue #61, this is probably Jimmy’s 20th birthday.
Synopsis: For a birthday gift, Professor Potter siphons off Superman’s powers with an invention of Lex Luthor’s and gives them to Jimmy. But a mishap occurs and the machine burns out, with the result being that Jimmy may now have Superman’s powers permanently.
Action Comics No. 272
January 1961
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and Perry White watching Aquaman (as Mental Man) lift safe //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Rival, Mental Man” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50; next appears in SUPERMAN #143)
GS: Aquaman (between ADVENTURE COMICS #279 / 280)
GA: Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50), Aqualad (between ADVENTURE COMICS #279 / 280)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50; both next appear in SUPERMAN #143), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22 / 23)
Villains: Ace Ruggles and his gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane draws and writes a comic strip for the Planet featuring a super-hero called Mental Man. Superman has Aquaman pretend to be Mental Man come to life in order to trap gangster Ace Ruggles.
Superman No. 143
February 1961
Cover: Superman, Bizarro No. 1, and actor playing Frankenstein monster //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Great Superman Hoax” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein?
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #272)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #272)
Intro: Eddie (only appearance)
Cameo: Jimmy Olsen (as a statue)
Villains: Prof. Otto Juris and his gang, Joe, Duke (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Professor Otto Juris pretends to be the secret identity of Superman in order to get access to Red Kryptonite kept in the Daily Planet’s safe.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Lucky Day” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder?
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23)
Intro: Mayor of Metropolis
Villain: Clip Carson (named after character in ACTION COMICS #1), Zelda, Max (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A crooked carnival tries to gyp Lois Lane in fixed games of “chance”, but Clark Kent and Superman tip the scales in her favor.
Story: “Bizarro Meets Frankenstein” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker:
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24), Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (last appearance for in issue #140; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24), Bizarro-Jr. No. 1 (last appearance in issue #140; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #285)
Intro: Bizarro-Lois Lane Jr. No. 1 (next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #285), Charlie Chaplin of Earth-One (in cameo)
Cameo appearance: Frankenstein’s monster
Intro: An actor playing Frankenstein, the Abominable Snowman, Al (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Bizarro No. 1 is insulted by a TV program from Earth which states that Frankenstein is the most horrible monster in existence, since he thinks he can scare more Earth people than Frankenstein. Despite his best efforts, events conspire against Bizarro, and he is unable to scare anyone. He is on the point of rampage when Superman causes three stagehands’ hair to stand on end, thanks to a static electric generator, and Bizarro takes it for fright. Satisfied, he leaves Earth, and scares his kids on the Bizarro World with a Superman puppet.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 23
February 1961
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Ten Feats of Elastic Lass” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (becomes Elastic Lass for this story; last appearance in SUPERMAN #143)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #143), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #143; next appears in ACTION COMICS #272)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #50 / 51), children at Midvale Orphanage, Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #272; next appears in SUPERMAN #144)
Villains: The Wrecker (Raphael Byron), “Fingers” Floyd (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane suspects that sculptor Raphael Byron is really the Wrecker, a terrorist who is blowing up statues in the City Park. To investigate, she gets Jimmy Olsen to lend her some
of Professor Potter’s serum which makes him into Elastic Lad. However, he only gives her enough for ten feats, feeling that any more would be dangerous. As the costumed Elastic Lass, Lois does indeed expose Byron as the Wrecker, who is dynamiting the statues in the egotistical belief that his own creations should be featured in the park. But before she can do that, she performs nine other charitable feats, including entertaining the orphans at Midvale Orphanage–and getting a secret hand from Supergirl.
Story: “The Curse of Lena Thorul” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51), Lucy Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #272; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51), Lena Thorul (nee’ Lena Luthor; first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #295; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
Intro: Louella Thompson (in flashback; dies in this story), Jules Thorul, Arlene Thorul (nee’ Luthor; Lex’s and Lena’s parents; both die in flashback; first names revealed in Superman: Last Son of Krypton by Elliot S! Maggin)
Villains: Lex Luthor (origin details revealed; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #271; next appears in SUPERMAN #144), Lex Luthor robot (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #271; last appearance)
Comments: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and Adam Strange fight Kanjar Ro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3.
Synopsis: Researching an article on witchcraft, Lois Lane comes to believe that Cardiff librarian Lena Thorul may be the reincarnation of executed witch Louella Thompson. The reality is far stranger: Lena is really the sister of Lex Luthor, who seeks to discourage Lois from writing the story for fear he will reveal their parentage to Lena.
Action Comics No. 273
February 1961
Cover: Superman and Mr. Mxyzptlk at an insect race on Zrfff //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The World of Mr. Mxyzptlk” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #3; next appears in Supergirl story in last issue)
Intro: Headmaster and children of Smallville Orphanage, a Jimmy Olsen robot (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Jor-El, Lara (as statues)
GS: People of Zrfff (last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #351; next appear in ?)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #113; next appears in SUPERMAN #148)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman sends Supergirl to the world of Marvel Maid and Marvel Man in the Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue. Then he helps Batman and Robin deal with Omir in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #115.
Synopsis: Superman not only tricks Mr. Mxyzptlk into saying his name backwards and being sent back to Zrfff, but follows him there and gives the sprite some of his own prank-playing medicine.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 51
March 1961
Cover: Superman, Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Supergirl (as “Ka-Ra”) //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s 1,000th Scoop” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #115)
GA: Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #271; next appears in SUPERMAN #144)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23)
Intro: Dr. Van Dorf (only appearance)
Cameo: Merlin
Villain: Zegla 6 (first appearance; dies in this story), another alien (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An alien invader secretes a bomb in the Daily Planet globe, kidnaps Perry White and his family, and impersonates Perry White, but Superman and Jimmy Olsen foil his plan.
Story: “The Girl With Green Hair” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Supergirl (as “Ka-Ra”; between ACTION COMICS #273 / 274)
GA: Linda Lee robot
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23 / 24), Lois Lane, Professor Potter (next appears in SUPERMAN #148)
Intro: Ricky Avalon (only appearance), Ka-Ra robot (destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: When Supergirl uses her super-vision and discovers how badly Lucy Lane has been treating Jimmy Olsen of late, particularly by dating teen rock singer Ricky Avalon to make him
jealous, she takes matters in hand by dying her hair green, constructing a fake flying saucer and a purple-and-yellow costume for herself, and masquerading as Ka-Ra, a super-powered alien woman who has a crush on Jimmy. By monopolizing Jimmy for days on end, and always in Lucy’s view, Supergirl as “Ka-Ra” (an alias based on her Kryptonian name) succeeds in making Lucy jealous. On one occasion, she does a good deed for Professor Potter, who gives Jimmy a robot duplicate of Ka-Ra as a tribute. (The robot breaks down shortly afterward.) Ka-Ra gets out of marrying Jimmy by a ruse, then leaves and reassumes her Linda Lee identity. Lucy is devoted to Jimmy for a very short time, until she sees the wreck of the Ka-Ra robot in Jimmy’s closet. She jumps to the wrong conclusion that this has been a trick of Jimmy’s and Professor Potter’s, whacks Jimmy over the head with one of the robot’s arms, and stomps out. Supergirl, observing things with her super-vision, realizes she’s blown it.
Story: “The Dream Detective” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker:
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #274)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #274)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23; next appears in ACTION COMICS #274), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #274)
Intro: Tom (only appearance)
Villains: Whiz Platt, Mike, Pete, and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To trap gangster Whiz Platt, Superman makes Jimmy think he is dreaming clairvoyant dreams.
Action Comics No. 274
March 1961
Cover: Lois Lane (as Superwoman) shielding Superman from bomb blast //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Reversed Super-Powers” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (becomes “Superwoman” for this story only; uses costume last seen in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51; next appears in SUPERMAN #144), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24)
Intro: Superman Robot Z (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears in the Supergirl story in this issue, then helps Batman and Robin battle Vance Collins in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #116.
Synopsis: To see how worthy Lois Lane is of his master’s love, Superman Robot Z arranges for her to get super-powers temporarily and pretends to be Superman, rendered powerless by Kryptonite.
Superman No. 144
April 1961
Cover: Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto watching Earth explode //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Weapon” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye?
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #116)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #274; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #117), Bert Talbot and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor has his henchman Bert Talbot stymie Superman with a weapon which draws its energy from the Man of Steel’s very super-feats.
Story: “Superboy’s First Public Appearance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears, in flashback, as Superboy; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #23; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52; also appears in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Mayor Courtney (of Smallville), a state governor, Gregg Peterson (only appearance for all; in flashback)
GS: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (of Earth-One; in flashback)
Villains: A gang of crooks, a spy, Dirk, Mugsy, various convicts (first and only appearance for all; in flashback)
Comments: This story reveals that Clark Kent was class valdectorian of Smallville High School and was voted “most likely to be famous”, while Lana Lang was voted “class wit”.
Other stories reveal that Superboy is only 8 years old when he begins his career.
Synopsis: While taking pictures for Perry White, Superman remembers the occasion of his first public appearance as Superboy: Jonathan Kent had given his permission for Clark Kent to begin his super-career, which commenced with his jailing a gang of diving-suited crooks. In short ordeer, Superboy was taken to meet the mayor of Smallville, the governor of the state, and the president of the United States. After saving the president from assassination, Superboy was assigned to do many tasks, and finally called a halt to it, saying he would establish a regular patrol and take care of emergencies himself. Back in the present, Lana Lang points out their high school yearbook photos, which named Lana as Class Wit and Clark as Most Likely To Succeed.
Story: “The Orphans of Space” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #274 / 275 (Superman story)), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #277)
GA: Kandorians (between ACTION COMICS #270 / 276)
Intro: The Interstellar Council of United Planets (including Zog; no real existence; characters in Superman’s, Supergirl’s, and Krypto’s dream)
Synopsis: When Red Kryptonite settles on red flags used by Superman to decoy aircraft away from the Fortress of Solitude, its effect is to make Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto dream in
unison that the Earth has been destroyed by a machine Superman rashly dismantled. In their dream, their powers are stripped from them by an interplanetary council. They are then sent to
live on a primitive world, on which Supergirl and Krypto are killed. At that point, all three wake up, see that Earth has not exploded, and realize they were sharing a dream.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 24
April 1961
Cover: Bart Lankwater, Lois Lane (dreaming of Superman), and Roger Warner on People Are Whacky show //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Surprise” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #274)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #144)
Supporting Characters: Van-Zee, Sylvia Van-Zee (both last seen in issue #22; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53)
Intro: Ed Connor (only appearance)
Villains: Rackets Garson and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Rackets Garson thinks he has the perfect trap for Superman with Lois Lane for bait, only to find that he has the super-powered Sylvia Van-Zee instead.
Story: “The Perfect Husband” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51 / 52)
Intro: Bart Lankwater, Jane Mason, George Brown, Roger Warner, Mr. and Mrs. Warner (only appearance for all)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane thinks she has the perfect candidate for a husband in Roger Warner, a Clark Kent double who is a macho ex-veteran and sportsman…until she discovers he is bald.
Story: “Lois Lane, Traitor” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52)
GS: Superman (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52)
GA: Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #143; both next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #285)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #274; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52)
Intro: King and prime minister of Pahla (only appearance for both)
Villain: A Bizarro-Lois Lane (dies in this story)
Synopsis: A Bizarro-Lois is exiled to Earth for unmutual thinking and attempts to kill the ruler of Pahla, thinking that it will get her saved by Superman. Unfortunately, all it does is make problems for the real Lois, who is on assignment in the country.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 52
April 1961
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as a wolf-man, Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Specter of the Haunted House” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #144)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24)
Villains: Doug Smith and his gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is offered $1,000 to spend three days in a haunted house, not knowing it’s a cover-up for a bank robbery.
Story: “The Perils of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #145)
Intro: Jimmy Olsen II (a robot; next appears in issue #62), Herb Griffin, the Brave and Bold Newsmen’s Club, Mighty Leo (only appearance for all)
Villain: Bugsy Hoyle (first and only appearance)
Comment: The Brave and Bold Newsmen’s Club is undoubtedly named after DC’s title, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD.
Synopsis: After Jimmy gets sunburned so badly he can’t go to work, Superman helps out by giving him a Jimmy Olsen robot, which the real Jimmy sends in his place.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Wolf-Man” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #145)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4)
GA: Supergirl (next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #275)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #145), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24; next appears in ACTION COMICS #275), Lori Lemaris (between ACTION COMICS #270 / 276), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #144; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27)
Intro: Miss Gzptlsnz (first appearance; next appears in issue #65)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #273), Al Teller, Emil Kobrak (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League initiate Green Arrow and deal with Carthan in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4.
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk arrives on Earth, fleeing from his girlfriend, Miss Gzptlsnz, on her birthday. He sees Jimmy Olsen with Lucy Lane, and falls head-over-heels for Lucy. Unfortunately, Lucy won’t throw Jimmy over for Mxyzptlk, which is a complete change of character for her. Thus, to get revenge, Mxyzptlk causes Jimmy to drink Merlin’s wolf-man potion again. However, he first changes the potion to water, and causes Jimmy to gain the wolf-man face and hair by his magic alone. Not even a kiss from “Miss X” (Supergirl in a darkened room) can rid him of the curse this time. Lucy, Lois Lane, Lori Lemaris, and Lana Lang all try their kisses, but none do any good. Finally, Miss Gzptlsnz appears on Earth, having seen what happened, and steals away Jimmy’s curse with her kiss. When Mxyzptlk appears, she tricks him into saying his name backwards, and then follows him, promising Jimmy she will nag Mxyzptlk unmercifully for 90 days. Later, Jimmy tries to get another kiss from Lucy, who refuses, saying he’s gotten enough kisses lately to last him for months.
Action Comics No. 275
April 1961
Cover: Brainiac bathing Superman in Red and Green Kryptonite rays //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Menace of Red-Green Kryptonite” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51; next appears in SUPERMAN #145)
Intro: The King and Queen of Ruritania (only appearance for both)
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #17; next appears in issue #280), Buzz Windrow (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Brainiac exposes Superman to a combination of red and green Kryptonite, it causes him to grow a third eye in the back of his head. To conceal this, Superman pretends that the kryptonite exposure compels him to don different kinds of hats and to use his powers in the manner suggested by the use of the hat (for instance, wearing a turban and using a giant crystal ball in a super-deed). Later, Superman uses the heat vision from all three of his eyes to break through Brainiac’s force-field, knocks him out, and sends him back through space and time to a
remote planet.
Superman No. 145
May 1961
Cover: Superman, Abominable Iceman, and Fire-Man //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Secret Identity of Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #275)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52 / 53), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #275)
Intro: Rock Stirling (next appears in ACTION COMICS #474), Biff Cardigan (only appearance)
Villains: The Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21; next appear in ACTION COMICS #276)
Comment: Rock Stirling is loosely based on famed TV writer and Twilight Zone creator, Rod Serling.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is in tears because she feels Superman will not marry her for fear she would give away his secret identity. To take away that objection, Jimmy Olsen pretends to know Superman is secretly science-fiction author Rock Stirling, and tells Lois through her sister Lucy. If Lois can keep the false secret a secret, Jimmy feels that Superman will know she is trustworthy.
Story: “The Interplanetary Circus” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25)
Villains: The Interplanetary Circus (including the Abominable Iceman, the Fire-Man, the Wild Man of Zaga, the Human Cactus Plant, and the Ringmaster; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: An Interplanetary Circus comes to Metropolis to perform and, after the Ringmaster gets a look at Superman, forces him to become one of their acts.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 25
May 1961
Cover: Superman and Lana Lang walking beside Lois Lane in bullet-proof auto-car //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Darkest Secret” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #145)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #145)
Intro: Sandra Thorne, Prof. Boone (only appearnace for both)
Villains: Jacques, Rita, Kurt (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Actress Sandra Thorne falls prey to a group of beauticians who are secretly blackmailers, but Lois Lane hatches a scheme to protect Sandra’s secret and jail the malefactors.
Story: “The Three Lives of Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #276)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #276)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #145; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53)
Cameo appearances: Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1
Villain: A witch-doctor (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane suffers a minor concussion during an auto accident which causes her to believe she is, in turn, Florence Nightingale, Betsy Ross, and Queen Isabella of Spain.
Action Comics No. 276
May 1961
Cover: Supergirl vs. the Superman Emergency Squad //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The War Between Supergirl and the Superman Emergency Squad” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #117)
GS: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue), Superman Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48; next appear in SUPERMAN #148)
GA: Kandorians (last appearance in SUPERMAN #144; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53), Linda Lee robot
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53)
Villains: John Kiley (first and only appearance), Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #21; next appear in SUPERMAN #152)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears in the Supergirl story in this issue, then helps Batman, Robin, and Batwoman fight Lex Luthor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #117, and then helps Batman and Robin foil four assassins in BATMAN #140.
Synopsis: John Kiley, a wealthy philanthropist who is really a member of the Anti-Superman Gang, fakes his own death and induces Clark Kent to reveal that he is Superman to fulfill Kiley’s
“dying wish”. Kiley and the gang lure Clark Kent into a Kryptonite deathtrap. Using super-ventriloquism, Kent summons Supergirl and the Superman Emergency Squad to save him. With an elaborate ruse, the heroes convince Kiley and the Anti-Superman Gangsters that they have been having an hallucination and that Kent and Superman are not one and the same.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 53
June 1961
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as giant Turtle-Man tearing up bridge as Superman watches //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Boy In the Bottle” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25)
GS: Superman (last appearance in BATMAN #140), Kandorians (between ACTION COMICS #276 / 282)
Supporting Characters: Van-Zee, Sylvia Van-Zee (both between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #24 / 27), Lyle-Zee, Lili-Zee (both between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #22 / 27), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #145)
Intro: Lona Lemais (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen volunteers to help Superman out by allowing himself to be temporarily exchanged for Van-Zee, and living in Kandor while Van-Zee and Superman search for a way to enlarge the bottle city. Unfortunately, the exchange ray burns out, and Jimmy is stranded in Kandor until they can find a way to recharge it.
Story: “The Giant Turtle Man” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes the Giant Turtle-Man for the first time in this story)
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #276; next appears in SUPERMAN #146), Jerro (between ACTION COMICS #276 / 278), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #276)
Intro: Ronno (only appearance)
Villain: Goxo (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Thanks to the machinations of an evil Atlantean scientist, Jimmy Olsen is struck by a growth and transmutation ray and transformed into the rampaging Giant Turtle Man.
Story: “The Black Magician” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #146)
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #5)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25; next appears in SUPERMAN #146), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #277), Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #26)
Other Characters: King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, Sir Galahad and other Round Table Knights, Queen Guinnevere
Intro: A lady-in-waiting, a town-crier, and a blacksmith (doubles for Lois Lane, Perry White, and Superman; only appearance for all)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk, “Merlin” (first and only appearance)
Comments: Since the chronology for the “real” historical characters in the Earth-One universe has not been completed, King Arthur and his knights cannot yet be tracked.
The Merlin in this story is presented as a wizard from the 5th Dimensional world of Zrfff, Mr. Mxyzptlk’s homeworld, and may not be the real Merlin of Earth-One.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League battle Dr. Destiny in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #5.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen, attending a costume ball as a knight, is sent back to King Arthur’s time by a vengeful Mr. Mxyzptlk and runs afoul of Merlin the magician.
Action Comics No. 277
June 1961
Cover: Supergirl and Streaky having tug-of-war with Superman and Krypto //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Conquest of Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #5; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #146)
Cameo appearances: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (as characters in Luthor’s dream), Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Captain Kidd, Al Capone (as statues)
GS: Warden of Metropolis Prison, Superman robots
Intro: Luthor’s Lair
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #117; next appears in SUPERMAN #146) and his gang (first and only appearance)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman and Krypto briefly compete with Supergirl and Streaky in a series of games in the Supergirl story in this issue. Then Superman teams with Batman and Robin to protect Batman’s secret identity in DETECTIVE COMICS #292 and to defeat Vathgar in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #118.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes from Metropolis Prison again and loots Fort Knox with a giant mechanical arm, defeating a Superman robot with a device that manufactures synthetic Kryptonite. However, when he learns that he has only bested a robot, and that Superman is still on a space mission, Luthor angrily gives back the gold to Fort Knox.
Superman No. 146
July 1961
Cover: Jor-El and Lara sending Kal-El in rocket away from Krypton //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Story of Superman’s Life” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #118; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El, Superbaby, and Superboy; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology; origin retold in detail; see also ACTION COMICS #500 and LIMITED COLLECTOR’S EDITION #C-31 for other retellings)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara, Martha Kent, Lana Lang, Kryptonian Science Council (all in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jonathan Kent (in flashback; dies in this story; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Zor-El (in flashback; first appearance; next chronological appearance in flashback in ACTION COMICS #309), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53; next appears in ACTION COMICS #278), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53 / 54), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #277; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #26)
GA: Krypto (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #277)
Comment: This story implies that Clark Kent went to college before his foster-parents Jonathan and Martha Kent died. But as other stories show, the Kents died in the summer after Clark’s graduation from high school (probably in June), and Clark only afterward decided to attend Metropolis University.
Some later stories debate whether or not Zor-El believed his brother Jor-El’s prophecy of Krypton’s destruction. However, he is shown as a believer in this story, and we think this is the most likely case.
Not all the events shown in flashback in this story are in their proper order.
Synopsis: When the giant world of Krypton exploded, scientist Jor-El rocketed his son Kal-El to Earth, where he was adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent of Smallville and raised as their foster son, Clark. Clark Kent displayed super-powers from the very day he arrived on Earth, and was trained in their proper use and how to keep them secret by Jonathan Kent. Martha Kent wove a playsuit for him from his blue, yellow, and red blankets of indestructible cloth found in the wrecked rocket from Krypton. Finally, after a costume was made from that same cloth and other artifacts from his rocket, Clark Kent became Superboy and made his public debut. His career as Superboy stretched from his eighth year of age through high school and early college, after which he became known as Superman. The Kents died after Clark’s graduation from high school, whereupon he left Smallville to attend college in Metropolis. After his college graduation, Clark Kent got a job as a reporter on the Daily Planet, and continued to fight crime and right wrongs as Superman.
Story: “Superman’s Greatest Feats” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #26; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy)
Supporting Character: Lori Lemaris (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53 / 55)
Cameo apparances: Lex Luthor, Lyla Lerrol (in flashback)
Intro: Ancient Atlanteans, a Caesar, Nathan Hale, Chief Sitting Bull, George Armstrong Custer, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Jor-El, Zor-El, Lyla Lerrol, Allura Zor-El, Lara, and Kal-El of a parallel Earth (only appearance for all)
Villain: John Wilkes Booth of a parallel Earth (first and only appearance)
Comment: According to this story, ancient Atlantis sank circa 8,000,000 B.C.
Synopsis: After Superman saves Atlantis from an atomic testing, Lori Lemaris begs him to try and change history so that Atlantis will not have sunk. Despite his knowledge from a trip back to Abraham Lincoln’s time as Superboy that history cannot be changed, Superman agrees to try. He goes back in time, prevents Atlantis from sinking, rescues Christians from the Colosseum, saves Nathan Hale from being hung by the British, rescues General Custer and his men at the Little Big Horn, stops John Wilkes Booth from shooting Abraham Lincoln, and builds a fleet of space arks which save the population of Krypton before their homeworld explodes. But, when he sees baby Kal-El in the arms of Lara at a time in which he still exists materially, he realizes that he cannot be in his own universe, where such a paradox would be impossible. Instead, he learns that he has gone into a parallel universe, where history can be changed. Since his existence there creates cosmic disturbances that threaten that universe, Superman returns to the Earth-One plane, and tells Lori that he cannot change their history–but in that other universe, Atlantis never sank and the people of Krypton live.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 26
July 1961
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Childhood” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #146; also appears in flashback, her first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #128; origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #146; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Krypto (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Sam Lane, Ella Lane (first chronological appearance; both next chronologically appear in SUPERBOY #90 (1)), Jor-El, Lara (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Zor-El (chronologically between flashbacks in SUPERMAN #146 / ACTION COMICS #309), Allura Zor-El (first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in flashback in ACTION COMICS #309), Lucy Lane (first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36; all the preceding characters appear in flashback)
Intro: Hiram
Comment: This story contains the first mention of the space-warp through which Jor-El eventually sent Kal-El’s rocket.
Synopsis: Baby Lois Lane’s life is endangered on a picnic by a rattlesnake, but one of Kal-El’s toys, accidentally placed in one of Jor-El’s rockets which chances to land nearby, scares it away and saves her.
Story: “The Mad Woman of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #278)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #54)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (beween SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53 / 54)
Cameo: Judah Ben-Hur (in flashback), Jonathan Kent (in a photo)
Villains: Killer Meigs and his gang (including “Dr. Blake”; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In revenge for her capturing him last year, “Killer” Meigs puts into action a plan to drive Lois Lane insane.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 54
July 1961
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, giant ant, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Elastic Lad’s Wrestling Match” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #146; appears as Elastic Lad in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25; next appears in ACTION COMICS #278)
GA: The Gladiator (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8; last appearance)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #25 / 27)
Intro: Ugly Superman II (see Comment), Blubber Ben, Mac the Martian, Totem Tom, Tiger Tom, Abominable Snowman, the Bee (only appearance for all)
Villain: Duke McCone (first and only appearance)
Comments: More pages are added to this story when it is reprinted in issue #111, showing that Jimmy also faces Tumbler Ted and the Antlered Avenger in the ring.
Though an Ugly Superman wrestles Jimmy in this story, it is probable that this is not the same Ugly Superman introduced in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8. In that story, the Ugly Superman got plastic surgery and became the Gorgeous Superman. However, there is no reason why the Gladiator of that story could not also be the Gladiator of this story.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen uses his Elastic Lad abilities to put a crooked wrestling promoter on the skids.
Story: “King of the Giant Ants” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #278)
GS: A Superman robot
Cameo: Prof. Lewis Lang, Superman (as characters in Jimmy Olsen’s dream)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #288)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk’s hat falls onto Jimmy’s head, giving him the power to make his wishes come true for awhile. But when Jimmy wishes for super-powers, the Red Kryptonite in his hatband gives him a strange and terrible dream of fighting Superman with a kingdom of giant ants.
Story: “Baby Jimmy Olsen” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (between second and third stories in issue #50)
GS: Superman (between second and third stories in issue #50)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Lucy Lane, Perry White (between first and third stories in issue #50)
Villain: The Masquerade Mobster (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story takes place just before issue #50 (3), in which Jimmy Olsen is given super-powers for his birthday.
Action Comics No. 278
July 1961
Cover: Superman vs. Perry White as “Masterman” //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Super-Powers of Perry White” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Coleman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #54; next appears in SUPERMAN #147)
GS: Supergirl (next appears in SUPERMAN #150)
Supporting characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #54; next appears in SUPERMAN #147), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #26; next appears in SUPERMAN #147), Perry White (gains super-powers and becomes “Masterman” in this story only; between SUPERMAN #146 / 147)
Villains: Xasnu (first appearance; dies in this story), Y’trom, and another Zelmite (first and only appearance for both)
Comments: This story bears a strong resemblance to the novel and movie, Invaison of the Body Snatchers.
The alien Y’trom is named for Mort Weisinger (Morty spelled backwards).
Synopsis: Perry White eats the fruit of an alien plant-being invader, Xasnu, which has taken root in his garden. Xasnu takes gradual control of White’s mind and gives him super-powers, so that White takes on the secret identity of Masterman. Superman learns of the alien’s plan to invade Earth by taking over human bodies, but is almost defeated by Masterman in battle. At the
last moment, Supergirl rushes in and kills Xasnu in White’s body with a chunk of White Kryptonite, and Perry White is freed.
Superman No. 147
August 1961
Cover: Superman, Cosmic King, Lightning Lord, and Saturn Queen //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Comment: This cover echoes the cover of ADVENTURE COMICS #247.
Story: “The Great Mento” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #278)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (as “The Great Mento”), Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #278; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27)
Villains: Rocky Sneed, Joe, Ed, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story is recycled from issue #102. It is possible that Superman and Perry White are just repeating the sting that worked earlier, with the “Great Cosmo”.
Synopsis: Perry White poses as a masked criminal with extra-sensory powers who has divined Superman’s secret identity, and sells his services to the local mobs.
Story: “Krypto Battles Titano” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel?
Artist: Al Plastino, Kurt Schaffenberger (Lois Lane faces only)
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman
GS: Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #277; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29)
Cameo appearance: Lois Lane (in flashback)
Villains: Titano (last appearance in issue #142; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #289), alien invaders (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Krypto learns that Titano smashed one of his favorite bones, and goes back to prehistoric times to get revenge.
Story: “The Legion of Super-Villains” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Sheldon Moldoff
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27)
GS: The Legion of Super-Heroes (as adults; Cosmic Man (last chronological appearance in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (3rd series) #23; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #289), Saturn Woman, Lightning Man (origin of Lightning Lad revealed in flashback; last chronological appearance for both in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ANNUAL (2nd series) #2; both next appear in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #289)
Cameo appearance: Lois Lane (as an illusion)
Intro: A lightning monster of Korbal (in flashback)
Villains: Legion of Super-Villains (first team appearance; Cosmic King (first appearance; last chronological appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #9; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63), Saturn Queen (first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63), Lightning Lord (Mekt Ranzz; first appearance; origin revealed in flashback; last chronological appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #10; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63), Lex Luthor (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28)
Comment: The adult Legion of Super-Heroes and Legion of Super-Villains here come from a different time-line than the mainstream Legion of Super-Heroes. The Legion of Super-Villains introduced here only appears once more, in ADVENTURE COMICS #354-355.
Synopsis: The Legion of Super-Villains comes from the 30th Century to free Lex Luthor from prison, and soon fight the adult Legion of Super-Heroes, with Superman’s life hanging in the balance.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 27
August 1961
Cover: A Bizarro and Lois Lane with a big cranium //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Brain” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #147)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #54), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #147)
Intro: Gary Moore (of Earth-One), Sam, Bert, Professor Holt, Dr. Von Schmitt, a Bizarro (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Reversing the process of a Brain Bank which stores knowledge gives Lois Lane a super-intellect for a week, but also makes her head grow to freakish size.
Story: “The Battle of the Sisters” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #147)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane, Perry White (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55), Alice White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #49; next appears in ACTION COMICS #302), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52; next appears in issue #29), Van-Zee (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #148), Sylvia Van-Zee (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #158), Lyle-Zee, Lili-Zee (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53; both next appear in Nightwing and Flamebird story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #186)
Intro: Bor-Jak (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A Kandor enlargement experiment goes awry, and only exchanges Superman for Bor-Jak, a Kandorian in love with Lucy Lane. He courts Lucy while wearing a Superman uniform, and Lois Lane jumps to the conclusion that Superman is making a play for her sister.
Story: “The Last Days of Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #119)
Supporting Characters: Sam Lane, Ella Lane (last appearance for both in issue #13; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76)
Intro: Dr. Jerrold (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle General Grambly in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #119.
Synopsis: Lois Lane mistakenly thinks she is going to die in a week from radiation exposure, and risks her life time and again to get scoops.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 55
September 1961
Cover: Kayoed Superman in boxing ring, referee raising Jimmy Olsen’s hand, Lucy Lane and crowd looking on //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Monster That Loved Aqua-Jimmy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #119), Aquaman (between DETECTIVE COMICS #294 / 295)
Supporting Character: Lori Lemaris (between SUPERMAN #146 / 148)
Intro: Mari Lynn, Lizzie (a dinosaur; only appearance for both)
Synopsis: While Aquaman is on a mission to a water-world, he temporarily endows Jimmy Olsen with aqua-powers to be his stand-in on Earth.
Story: “Jimmy the Red, Thor’s Best Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27)
Intro: Professor Yale, Freya, a Viking girl (first and only appearance), Thor (next appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135), Odin (next appearance in CAPTAIN ACTION #1)
Villain: Loki, Elli (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: In this story we learn that Loki is probably a native of Zrfff. It is possible that the Loki in this story is not the real Norse god Loki, but is only a Zrfffian imitating him.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is sent back in time to the era of the ancient Vikings, where he becomes the best pal of the mighty Thor and helps him battle the wicked Loki.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Secret Power” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #280)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27; next appears in ACTION COMICS #280), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27 / 28), Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #280)
Intro: Roger Mason, Marie, Harry and another pitcher (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Columbus, Queen Elizabeth, Ulysses, King Arthur (as statues)
Villains: The East Side Gang, Doc and his gang, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A gang of crooks secretly gives Jimmy Olsen a horseshoe with incredible repelling power, and a secret microphone that relays Olsen’s conversations to them for help in planning robberies.
Action Comics No. 280
September 1961
Cover: Tiny Superman, Perry White, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen vs. Brainiac //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Brainiac’s Super-Revenge” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #120)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55; both next appear in SUPERMAN #148), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28)
GS: Congo Bill, Congorilla (last appearance for both in ADVENTURE COMICS #283; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #86)
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in issue #275; next appears in SUPERMAN #167), Invisible Rogue, Elastic Crook, Insect Master (first appearance for all; all next appear in Supergirl story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #184), Molnur (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin battle faceless creatures in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #120.
Synopsis: Brainiac is revived from suspended animation in prehistoric times, comes back to the 20th Century, temporarily removes Superman’s powers with a Kryptonite bomb, and shrinks and bottles him and his friends–and, inadvertently, Congorilla, which proves to be his undoing.
Superman No. 148
October 1961
Cover: Superman and Mr. Mxyzptlk in prison yard full of “Superman” convicts //Curt Swan / John Forte
Story: “The 20th Century Achilles” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #120)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28)
Intro: Superman Robot S-3 (only appearance), Cyrus and Mary (Achilles’s parents; in flashback)
Villains: Achilles, Joe, Mike, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A villain named Achilles claims to be invulnerable, as was his Styx-dipped namesake, and defies Superman, but the Man of Steel exposes his “invulnerability” as an anti-magnet.
Story: “Mr. Mxyzptlk’s Super-Mischief” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Sheldon Moldoff
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28), Van-Zee (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27; next appears in issue #158)
Intro: A Zrfffian judge (only appearance)
GS: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #276; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
GA: Mayor of Metropolis
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #288; next appears SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29), various convicts (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk legally changes his name to “John Trix”, and defies Superman to guess what his new name is so that he might be tricked into saying it backwards.
Story: “Superman Owes a Billion Dollars” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #51; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
GA: Aquaman (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #295; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28), Bizarro No. 1 (between ADVENTURE COMICS #288 / 289), Atlanteans
Intro: Rupert Brand and his boss (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: An IRS employee discovers that Superman, thanks to reward money given for capturing criminals and squeezing diamonds out of coal, owes $1,000,000,000 in back taxes, and the Man of Steel has to figure out a scheme for making enough money to pay it off.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 28
October 1961
Cover: Superman saving Lois 4XR //Curt Swan / George Klein?
Story: “The Lois Lane of the Future” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148)
Intro: Lois 4XR (a descendant of Superman and Lois Lane in an alternate 2961), Jack, Betty (only appearance for all)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #147)
Comments: The 30th Century time-line in this story cannot be the same as the one depicted in the Legion of Super-Heroes stories, since the normal inhabitants of Earth in that time have no super-powers. This is an “alternate” future of Earth. This story is also similar to “Rip Van Superman” in SUPERMAN #107, and may take place on the future Earth Superman visited in that story.
This is the Earth-One version of an adventure that happened to the Earth-Two Superman in SUPERMAN #57 (2).
Synopsis: Superman is thrown by a weapon of Lex Luthor’s into an alternate 30th Century in which everyone has super-powers, thanks to gases emanating from a strange planetoid that struck Earth in 2441. He meets Lois 4XR, a double for Lois Lane, and both of them wonder if she could be the descendant of a married Superman and Lois Lane. A crumbling Daily Planet front page seems to indicate such, but, when Superman returns to the 20th Century, he learns that the newspaper was just reporting that he and Lois Lane attended the wedding of two Planet reporters.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Lesson” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Intro: Rajah Bandhi (only appearance)
Comment: This is the Earth-One equivalent of an Earth-Two Superman story from SUPERMAN #68 (2).
Synopsis: Lois Lane plans to make Superman jealous and induce him to marry her by pretending to accept the proposal of Rajah Bandhi.
Story: “Lois Lane, Gun-Moll” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #55 / 56)
Villains: Lex Luthor (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #279), the Leopard Lady (a Lois Lane robot; first appearance; destroyed in this story), various crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lex Luthor creates a Lois Lane robot that makes everyone think Lois has gone bad due to a personality-changing ray, turned into the criminal Leopard Lady, and married Luthor himself, but Superman exposes the hoax, destroys the robot, and captures Luthor.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 56
October 1961
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, and Superman watching Lola Kent kiss Jimmy Olsen, Jr. //Curt Swan / John Forte?
Story: “The Jinx of Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7; also appears in flashback as baby Kal-El; 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 (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28 / 29), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28)
Intro: President John F. Kennedy (of Earth-One; last chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #285; see Comment below)
Villain: A crook (only appearance)
Comment: Even though John F. Kennedy is depicted as the President of the United States in this issue, this is a topical reference and may not be correct. This is how he can have been depicted as president in two Superboy stories and still be president in Superman stories.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen accidentally acquires an iron-destroying device Jor-El sent to Earth in baby Kal-El’s rocket.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Sweethearts” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #28 / 29), Lois Lane (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7)
Intro: Ned Krayle, Rock Hudson (of Earth-One), doubles of Marilyn Monroe, Tuesday Weld, Gina Lollabrigida, and Brigitte Bardot (only appearance for all)
Comment: This is the first Jimmy Olsen story in which neither Superman nor Clark Kent make an appearance.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight aliens from Angellax in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7, in which Lois Lane also briefly appears.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane dumps Jimmy for another suitor, which inspires him to retaliate by going out with doubles of glamorous actresses in return for a plug for their Look-Alike Club in the Daily Planet.
Action Comics No. 281
October 1961
Cover: Superman watching Professor Dunn treat Jor-El and Kal-El on Krypton //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man Who Saved Kal-El’s Life” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29; also appears in flashback as baby Kal-El and Superboy; 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), Lois Lane (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29)
Intro: Professor Amos Dunn, Ramon, Ted Mason (only appearance for all), Babe Ruth (of Earth-One; cameo)
Cameo: Al Capone (as a character in Kal-El’s dream)
Villains: Paul Pratt, Gerald Greer (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: It is obvious that the signals transmitted by Jor-El in this story weren’t regular radio waves, which are limited to the speed of light and which would have taken years to reach Earth.
Synopsis: Superman seems stymied by Paul Pratt, a thief who appears capable of being in two places at once. But he is contacted by Prof. Amos Dunn, who tells him an incredible story: years ago, before Krypton’s destruction, he received radio transmissions from Jor-El, instructing him to construct a matter transmitter / receiver apparatus on Earth. With a unit on Earth and one on Krypton, humans could be teleported across both planets, and Jor-El hoped to use this device on a mass basis to save the Kryptonian people. Dunn did go to Krypton, where he saved the lives of Jor-El and baby Kal-El after both were attacked by creatures from Jor-El’s aquarium. Superman confirms this by examining the scars on his ankle where the Kryptonian fish-snake bit him. However, on the eve of Krypton’s destruction, the apparatus on Earth malfunctioned and could not enable Jor-El, Lara, or Kal-El to teleport to Earth. Later, Dunn saw Superboy, knew that he was the former baby Kal-El, and resolved to tell him of his encounter with him and Jor-El when the youth was an adult.
Now, Dunn confirms that one of his assistants has stolen the transmitter plans and is using it with Pratt to commit robberies via teleportation. Armed with this knowledge, Superman intercepts the two thieves and captures them.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 29
November 1961
Cover: Batman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Lois Lane, Lana Lang (incorrectly colored with blonde hair), and Superman poster //Curt Swan / George Klein?
Story: “Lois Lane’s Secret Identity” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #281)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #281)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56 / 58), Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #27)
Intro: Snyde (only appearance)
Villains: The Society Bandit (Tyrone Westmore; first and only appearance), Mr. Mxyzptlk (between SUPERMAN #148 / 150)
Synopsis: Lois Lane masquerades as a gorgeous blonde named Lorelei Larue to catch a thief, attracts Superman, and becomes embroiled in a revenge plot of Mr. Mxyzptlk’s.
Story: “The School For Scoops” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker:
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #57)
Intro: Bill Castor, Joe Holt (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Metropolis Sniper (in flashback), Nick Roker, two gangsters (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is conducting a seminar for journalists, and gangster Nick Roker sneaks two of his men in to try and kill her during a demonstration.
Story: “The Irresistable Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Curt Swan
Inker:
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #282)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #282), Batman, Aquaman (both between DETECTIVE COMICS #296 / 297), Green Arrow (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #121; all four appear as the Justice League of America), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #147; next appears in SUPERMAN #150)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56; next appears in ACTION COMICS #282), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #150)
Villains: Alien invaders, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The Justice League’s team appearance takes place between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #7 / 8.
Synopsis: Aliens capture Superman in a Kryptonite trap, and Lois Lane smuggles Red Kryptonite to him by kissing Aquaman, Batman, and Green Arrow with Red K-imprinted lipstick. The heroes smear the lipstick from their face to handkerchiefs, which Batman takes to Superman. The Man of Steel smears himself with the Red K, which makes him impervious to Kryptonite poisoning, and allows him to recover and defeat the aliens.
Action Comics No. 282
November 1961
Cover: Lois Lane, Clark Kent robot with dissolved plastic on hands, and Superman //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Superman’s Toughest Day” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #121)
GS: A Superman robot and a Clark Kent robot
GA: Kandorians (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #53; next appear in SUPERMAN #150), mayor of Metropolis
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29)
Intro: Ed Somers (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin defeat Xanu in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #121.
Synopsis: Superman must entrust his Clark Kent robot with the duties of carrying on for him while he himself is doing super-deeds…an assignment that becomes difficult when the “flesh” on the robot’s hands is dissolved by acid.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 57
December 1961
Cover: Supergirl and Jimmy Olsen vs. Martian creature //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Doomed Reporter” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29; next appears in ACTION COMICS #283)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #121; next appears in ACTION COMICS #283)
Villains: Mike Mosse, Maxie, the Big Man, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen’s plot to try and cover a planned escape by convicts from a train backfires when he is captured and forced to come along with them.
Action Comics No. 283
December 1961
Cover: Red Kryptonite statue in Superman costume, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Clark Kent //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Red Kryptonite Menace” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Stan Kaye
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #57; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #122)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #57; next appears in SUPERMAN #150), Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN #150)
Intro: Phony Sherlock Holmes, Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, and Martha Kent (all vanish in this story; created by Superman’s Red Kryptonite-induced wishing power)
Villains: Zo-Gar, Jan-Dex (two Durlans; members of the Legion of Super-Villains; first and only appearance for both, though one may become Chameleon Chief in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63 (1))
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin battle Klor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #122.
Synopsis: Two chameleon-powered Durlans from the 30th Century are sent back in time by the Legion of Super-Villains to lure Superman into a dual Green Kryptonite / Red Kryptonite menace.
Superman No. 150
January 1962
Cover: Superman balancing on wire with one finger //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The One Minute of Doom” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #122; origin retold in flashback)
GS: Supergirl (between Superman stories in ACTION COMICS #278 / 284; origin retold in flashback), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58; origin retold in flashback), Bizarro No. 1, Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #291 / 292), Kandorians (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #282)
Intro: Krypton II (an artificial duplicate of Krypton built by Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto), Jor-El, Lara, Zor-El, and Allura robots (first appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara, Zor-El, Allura, Brainiac (in flashbacks)
Villains: Phantom Zone villains (last chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #121; next appearance in ACTION COMICS #284)
Comments: Krypto creates his Doghouse of Solitude in this story.
Dr. Xadu is incorrectly depicted as being in the Phantom Zone in this story. In reality, he and his wife Erndine Xe-Da are exiled to an alien world at this time, as shown in SUPERBOY #100.
Synopsis: Superman, Supergirl, Krypto, the Kandorians, and even the prisoners of the Phantom Zone observe a minute of silence in memory of Krypton’s destruction at that time. Afterwards, the Man, Girl, and Dog of Steel terraform an unihabited world of Krypton’s size into a duplicate of Krypton and populate it with androids in the forms of Kryptonians, including duplicates of Superman’s and Supergirl’s parents.
Story: “The Duel Over Superman”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #283), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29 / 31)
Intro: A Lois Lane robot and a Lana Lang robot (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois and Lana decide to convince Superman that they are duelling to the death over him, so that he will choose one of them for a wife.
Story: “When the World Forgot Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #283; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30), Jimmy Olsen
Cameo appearance: Batman (as a statue)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123)
Comment: This story takes place in December, since an event that took place on November 17 is said to have occurred a month ago.
Synopsis: Superman comes back from a mission to a Metropolis in which Mr. Mxyzptlk has robbed the inhabitants of any memory of the Man of Steel’s existence.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 30
January 1962
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye?
Story: “When Superman Abandoned Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150)
Story: “Superman’s Secret Family” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Robot Paradise” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next apears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology), Superman robots (in flashback)
GA: Krypto (in flashback; last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #54; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #29)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58)
Intro: Mooki (a mermaid; dies in this story), Mooki robot, Nipper (a robot), Professor Burke, Superman robot X-3 (only appearance for all)
Villains: Space pirates (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is convinced that Superman has a mermaid wife and child when she sees all three of them cavorting on another planet. But Superman proves to her that the other “Superman” is one of his robots, who has created a robot “wife” and “son” for himself.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 58
January 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as witch doctor with voodoo doll of Superman, Superman, Perry White, and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein?
Story: “Jimmy the Soda Jerk” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30)
GA: Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150; next appears in ACTION COMICS #284)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #29)
Intro: Elsie (only appearance)
Villains: Legs Halleck, Willie Paxton, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story, Jimmy Olsen’s weight is given as 155 pounds and Lucy Lane’s weight as 110 pounds.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen takes a job as a soda jerk to get the goods on an ex-con who is running the business, but manages to botch everything except the sleuthing.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super-Birthday” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #122; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #299)
GA: Robin (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #122; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #299)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #30)
Villains: Pete, Joe (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Even though the exact date of Jimmy Olsen’s birthday is not revealed in this story (nor is his age), the story is set in winter.
Synopsis: On Jimmy Olsen’s birthday, he burns his hands while grabbing a hot coffeepot and cannot use his signal-watch to summon Superman. Thus, he gives it for the time being to a trusted friend whom he feels he can count on to summon the Man of Steel with it–Clark Kent.
Story: “The Boy Witch Doctor” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #151)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #284)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #151), Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #284), Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Intro: Mbongu (only appearance)
Villain: Jungle King (Duke Brannigan; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When the Daily Planet crew go to Meteor Island to cover the filming of a new jungle movie there, Jimmy Olsen tries on a voodoo priest’s outfit and learns that when he jabs the effigy of one of his fellow reporters with a pin, the reporter feels pain.
Action Comics No. 284
January 1962
Cover: Baby Superman demolishing police lieutenant’s desk //Curt Swan / John Forte
Story: “The Babe of Steel” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Sheldon Moldoff?
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58; next appears in SUPERMAN #151)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150; next chronological appearance in Supergirl story in issue #278), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150; next chronological appearand in Supergirl story in issue #278), Mon-El (last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #293; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58; next chronological appearance in Supergirl story in issue #280)
Intro: A professor and his son (only appearance for both)
Villains: Kru-El (in flashback), Jax-Ur (last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #9; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33), Professor Vakox (first appearance; last chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #162; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33), Phantom Zone villains (between SUPERMAN #150 / 153), Madame Olga and her assistant, carnival crooks, two bank robbers (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Mon-El signals Clark Kent at a seance that the Aurora Borealis is causing a rift in the Phantom Zone just big enough for him to poke his hand through, Superman turns himself
into a Superbaby by Red Kryptonite exposure. After ascertaining the truth of Mon-El’s statement by entering and leaving the Zone itself through the hole, he, Supergirl, and Krypto burn up the
Aurora Borealis with their heat vision, and the rift closes. Later, Superman returns to his normal size and age.
Superman No. 151
February 1962
Cover: Superman vs. flame-dragon from Krypton //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Three Tough Teen-Agers” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #284)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58), Perry White (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Intro: Principal Carruthers (only appearance)
Villains: Maxie Kargan, Louie Mapes, Artie (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this issue we learn that Perry White attended P.S. 54 as a schoolboy.
Synopsis: To help reform three juvenile delinquents, Superman agrees to grant one wish apiece for them, in a way that they are not expecting.
Story: “The Man Who Trained Supermen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #58)
Intro: Jones, Simpson, Oscar, Prof. Schmitz (only appearance for all)
Villain: Soapy Kryle (aka Conrad Krugg), Daisy Kryle (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman turns the tables on a swindler who claims that his elixir will make whomever drinks it as strong as Superman.
Story: “Superman’s Greatest Secret” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Intro: Reg-En (last chronological appearance in issue #154; last appearance), Nim-Zee, another flame dragon (only appearance for both)
Other character: The first flame dragon (last appearance in issue #142; last appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is bitten on the hand by another flame dragon from Krypton, and Lois Lane is certain that Clark Kent will have a similar wound on his hand.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 31
February 1962
Cover: Superman kissing Lana Lang as Lois Lane watches with emotion machine on her back //Curt Swan / George Klein?
Story: “The Magic Spectacles” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #151)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #151)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #151), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59)
Intro: Moe the Minotaur (only appearance)
Villain: Ratty Malone (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane buys at an auction a pair of spectacles belonging to Merlin the Magician, which reveal the person she looks at as the animal their nature most closely resembles.
Story: “The Jealous Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61), Perry White (next chronlogical appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #280), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148; next chronological appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #278), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #150)
GA: Atlanteans
Intro: Betty Drew (only appearance)
Synopsis: Professor Potter creates a machine that registers the intensity of emotion, and Lois Lane takes a dare that it will not register her jealousy when Superman meets other women.
Story: “The Unforgettable Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen (both appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59)
Intro: Captain Doug Tanner, Major Roy Sands, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America celebrate their anniversary in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9. Then he aids Supergirl in the series of stories that appear in ACTION COMICS #278-284.
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Lana Lang are romanced by a couple of astronauts and consider marrying them and getting over their crushes on Superman.
Action Comics No. 285
February 1962
Cover: Superman presenting Supergirl to the world //Curt Swan / George Klein (signed)
Story: “The World’s Greatest Heroine”: Part 1 (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Characters: Superman, Supergirl (origin retold in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Fred Danvers, Edna Danvers, Dick Malverne, Jerro, Lenora Lemaris
GA: President John F. Kennedy (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #56; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1)), Kandorians, Atlanteans
Intro: Nyorpians, flame-people of Mringa
Villains: Lex Luthor (next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #293), Nikita Khruschev
Comment: This is Part Eight of a nine-part serial.
Synopsis: Linda Danvers has to save her foster parents when their car crashes through a bridge, and Superman arrives to confirm to the Danverses that their adopted daughter is really a Supergirl from Krypton. They pledge to keep her double identity a secret. Superman then breaks into all television broadcasts around the world to present Supergirl to the world. He also takes her on a whirlwind world tour, introduces her to President Kennedy, and presents her to the representatives of the United Nations. Supergirl also receives accolades from the Kandorians, from the Atlanteans, and from natives of alien worlds. Then, leaving her on duty in his place, Superman goes to the 50th Century on a special mission.
Story: “The Infinite Monster”: Part 2 (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Supergirl
GS: Brainiac 5 (between ADVENTURE COMICS #290 / SUPERMAN #152), Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #290 / 293; all four appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
GA: President John F. Kennedy, Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123)
Supporting Characters: Fred Danvers, Edna Danvers, Dick Malverne, Mrs. Hart, children of Midvale Orphanage
Intro: Prof. Hartz, Karl (only appearance for both), Jaqueline Kennedy (of Earth-One; only appearance?), Lyndon Baines Johnson (of Earth-One; next appears in issue #332)
Villain: The Infinite Monster
Comments: This is Part Nine of a nine-part serial.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin deal with Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123.
Synopsis: Prof. Hartz’s attempt to communicate with other worlds creates a dimensional rift through which steps a monster so huge that only part of its body can be seen at any time. The Infinite Monster also has a force-field similiar to Brainiac’s, so that Supergirl’s powers are of no use against it. But Supergirl dispatches a note to the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th Century, and receives from Brainiac 5 a shrinking ray originally designed by Brainiac. She uses a copy of the device to shrink the Infinite Monster to doll-size and puts it in a bottle in the Fortress of Solitude. President Kennedy and the people of the United States express their gratitude to Supergirl, and Superman, who creates a special Fortress wing just for her, tells the world that henceforth Supergirl will be his crime-fighting partner.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 59
March 1962
Cover: Fat, mule-eared Jimmy Olsen, Superman, Vangar, Duran, and Rogan //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Stranded In Evolution Valley” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123)
Intro: A cavegirl, Superman Robot L (only appearance for both)
Villain: Titano (between Bizarro World stories in ADVENTURE COMICS #289 / 295)
Synopsis: While Superman is on a visit to the 31st Century, he leaves one of his robots behind with Jimmy Olsen, and Jimmy and the robot get stuck in an “evolution valley” filled with dinosaurs, a cavewoman, and Titano.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen In Scotland Yard” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in SUPERMAN #152), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Intro: Superintendent Baker, Sgt. Kipper (only appearance for both)
Villain: The Purple Pimpernel (Lord Bunkley), Stumpy (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes to London to cover a story at Scotland Yard. But when the master thief known as the Purple Pimpernel strikes, Jimmy finds that his signal-watch will no longer summon Superman.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Freak” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #124)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31 / 32), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32), Lucy Lane
Intro: Princess Ilona, Vangar, Duran, Rogor, Berek (only appearance for all)
Comments: The name of the Sunev galaxy is merely Venus spelled backwards.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight Hroguth in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #124.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen thinks that he’s got a great deal in his new girlfriend, the lovely Princess Ilona of the Sunev galaxy, until he learns that she has four husbands already.
Superman No. 152
April 1962
Cover: Superman examining interiors of Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Perry White robots //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Robot Master” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #124)
GS: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #293 / 301), Sun Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #290 / 301), Chameleon Boy (between SUPERBOY #93 / ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Brainiac 5 (between Supergirl stories in ACTION COMICS #285 / 287), Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #286; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Characters: Fred Danvers, Edna Danvers (between Supergirl stories in ACTION COMICS #286 / 287)
Intro: Lois Lane, Perry White, and Jimmy Olsen robots (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Jor-El, Lara, Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (as statues)
Synopsis: Superman discovers his best friends have been replaced by robots, who claim to have been created by “the Robot Master”, but it turns out to be a friendly hoax perpetrated by the Legion of Super-Heroes to commemorate the anniversary of Supergirl’s arrival on Earth.
Story: “Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Douglas Parker (not yet chief of police in this story)
Villains: The Pumpkin Gang (including Spike and the Boss; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On the abandoned set of a science fiction movie, Superbaby and Officer Douglas Parker encounter a pumpkin-masked gang of thieves.
Story: “The TV Trap For Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Al Plastino
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
GS: Krypto
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
Intro: Superman robot X-9 (only appearance)
Villains: The Anti-Superman Gang (including Louie; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #276; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75)
Synopsis: Two members of the Anti-Superman Gang hide a TV camera in a big watch medallion worn by Superman, and learn that his secret identity is Clark Kent.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 32
April 1962
Cover: Lois Lane and baby Superman looking through bank wall with his X-ray vision //Curt Swan / John Forte?
Story: “The Silver Coin of Fate” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #152)
GA: Bizarro No. 1 (between ADVENTURE COMICS #294 / 295)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #152)
Intro: A freak Bizarro (first and only appearance)
Comment: Lois is briefly married for the third time in this story.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is wooed, won, and briefly wed by a person whom she thinks is Superman, but who turns out actually to be a freak Bizarro.
Story: “The Widow In Black” (9 pages)
Editor; Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Clark Kent (Superman)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #59)
Villains: The Playboy Poisoner, the Silent Stranger, the Black Shadow, the Creeper (not to be confused with the hero who debuts in SHOWCASE #73; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To prove she can handle a dangerous assignment without Superman rescuing her, Lois Lane pretends to be a widow, in order to attract the attention of the Playboy Poisoner.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Revenge on Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
Intro: Wondro (dies in this story), Omnar (only appearance)
Villains: The Orange Gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story we learn that Lois Lane has had marriage proposals from a king, a rajah, and a multi-millionaire, and that she has a cousin who has a child.
Synopsis: Lois Lane accidentally douses Superman with youth serum, which turns him into a baby. Since anger is the only antidote, Lois forces him to do humiliating stunts until his wrath snaps him out of it.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 60
April 1962
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Xarian army //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Super-Mite” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
GA: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #148; next appear in ACTION COMICS #291), Kandorians (next appear in issue #63)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32)
Intro: Danny Dare (only appearance), Super-Mite (a tiny Superman robot; destroyed in this story), Don-El (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #76)
Villains: Energy-creatures (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story mentions an undepicted mission of Supergirl’s to the year 2586.
Synopsis: To help restore a sick boy’s will to live, Superman gives him a tiny Superman robot called Super-Mite. When the robot proves defective, Don-El of the Supermen Emergency Squad pinch-hits for it.
Story: “The Girl Who Was Lucy Lane’s Double” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Streaky (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #293; next appears in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Lucinda Lawrence, Clara, Satan (a black cat; first and only appearance for all)
Villain: Governor Gale (only appearance)
Comment: Superman does not appear in this story.
Synopsis: Using the power of a belt given him by Illona, Jimmy chases Supergirl’s cat Streaky back to June 12, 1692, where his use of the belt’s powers causes him to be tried as a witch.
Story: “The Fantastic Army of General Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #286)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #286; next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #286), Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #286)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #32; next appearance in ACTION COMICS #286), Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Zxl, Yllu and other Xarians, Mary Minton (only appearance for all)
Villain: The Mechanical Computer Brain (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is contacted by the Xarians, a group of green-skinned aliens, who wish him to contact Superman for help. A device of their creation, the Mechanical Computer Brain, has run amok, teleported to Earth, and is constructing war machines outside of Metropolis with which to conquer the planet. Superman and Supergirl are in space, and Jimmy can convince neither Perry White nor the U.S. military of the threat. So he dresses up in an old military uniform and leads the Xarians who have landed on Earth (and who are pacifists) in several desperate-but-doomed operations against the Brain and its machines. Jimmy tries to rally his troops for a suicide charge. Superman and Supergirl return in time for a rescue, and the Brain and its machines are halted. The Xarians return the devices and themselves to their homeworld
Action Comics No. 286
March 1962
Cover: Superman in Kryptonite cuffs, before jury composed of Saturn Queen, Cosmic King, Brainiac, Lightning Lord, Electro, and Lex Luthor //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “The Jury of Super-Enemies” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #281)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; next appears in Supergirl story in next issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #48)
Cameo appearances: Streaky, Titano, Brainiac, Lex Luthor, Cosmic King, Saturn Queen, Lightning Lord, Electro, Professor Ross, Lana Lang’s descendant, Ray Tyson (first and only appearance of last four; no real appearance; all as characters in Krypto’s or Superman’s dreams)
Villains: Rava, Scout Number 627 (first appearance for both), Superman Revenge Squad (formerly the Superboy Revenge Squad; last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #54)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad doses Superman with Red Kryptonite which causes him to have violent nightmares.
Action Comics No. 287
April 1962
Cover: Perry White and Krypto leading posse in search of beartrapped Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Perry White’s Manhunt For Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #153)
GA: Krypto
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #153), Lois Lane (next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; next appears in SUPERMAN #153), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61)
Cameo appearances: Professor Ross, Lana Lang’s descendant (in dream flashback), the Super-Hypnotist (first and only appearance; a character in Superman’s dream)
Villains: Rava, Scout Number 627 (last appearance for both), Superman Revenge Squad (next appears in issue #295)
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad plans to stage a real invasion attempt after giving Superman a series of nightmares, believing that he will think their invasion is just another dream and will not oppose it. But the Man of Steel discovers that their attack is a reality, and defeats them.
Superman No. 153
May 1962
Cover: Superman vs. four Phantom Zone criminals in showdown //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Day Superman Broke the Law” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Sheriff of Littledale, a judge (only appearance for both)
Villains: Councilman Finch, Slick and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: After Superman pays a visit to the town of Littledale, a crooked politician gets him imprisoned for minor offenses.
Story: “The Secret of the Superman Stamp” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Mayor of Rangoon, a photographer (only appearance for both)
Comment: This is the Earth-One version of a story that involved the Earth-Two Superman, in SUPERMAN #91.
Synopsis: The mayor of Rangoon wants to take a photo of Superman for a special commemorative stamp, and Superman must make certain that only a profile is shown, to safeguard his secret identity.
Story: “The Town of Supermen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #287; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33), Jimmy Olsen (between ACTION COMICS #287 / 288)
Villains: Eight Phantom Zone villains (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #284; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33)
Comment: Even though it cannot be proven that the eight Phantom Zone villains in this issue specifically make previous or later appearances, since they are not named in this story, their appearance here is tracked as an appearance of the many anonymous Phantom Zone villains.
Synopsis: Eight escapees from the Phantom Zone disguise themselves as cowboys in a ghost town and plan to send Superman into the Zone during an Old West-style showdown.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 33
May 1962
Cover: Superman, Lana Lang, and ghostly Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Phantom Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153)
GA: Linda Lee Danvers (Supergirl; between ACTION COMICS #287 / 288), Mon-El (between ACTION COMICS #284 / 288)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #284; next appears in SUPERMAN #154), Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
Villains: Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox (both between ACTION COMICS #284 / 288), Phantom Zone villains (between SUPERMAN #153 / 167)
Synopsis: Under the influence of a strange space metal, Lana Lang projects Lois Lane and Lori Lemaris into the Phantom Zone and gets Superman to agree to marry her.
Story: “The Candid Camera Kid” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153; next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
Intro: Mr. Crane (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Supergirl (as a doll)
Villains: Lefty Terry Shire, Peter Graff, Joe, Ed Smith, and another counterfeiter (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane substitutes for her lookalike, a shoplifter named “Lefty” Terry Shire, and infiltrates a gang of counterfeiters.
Story: “Lois Lane, Slave Girl” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #288)
GS: Superman (next appears in WONDER WOMAN #130)
Intro: Petronius (Crassus), Julia (only appearance for both)
Villains: The “Professor” and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman brieflly appears with Wonder Woman in WONDER WOMAN #130, then both help the Justice League fight the Lord of Time, Felix Faust, Abnegazar, Rath, and Ghast in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #10-11.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is flung by a racketeer’s “time bomb” device back to ancient Rome, where she is sold as a slave into the house of one Crassus, who is secretly the heroic Petronius.
Action Comics No. 288
May 1962
Cover: Superman stand-up, Hal Colby wearing dynamite, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man Who Exposed Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #11; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #125; also appears in flashback as Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), as Superboy (between SUPERBOY #96 / ADVENTURE COMICS #296), and as himself (see Superboy’s Interim Appearances for chronology))
GS: Krypto (next appears in SUPERMAN #154)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33; also appears in flashback, between SUPERBOY #96 / ADVENTURE COMICS #297), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (both in flashbacks, between SUPERBOY #96 / ADVENTURE COMICS #296; see also Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #153; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61)
Intro: Mr. Norsted (only appearance)
Villains: Hal Colby (first and only appearance), the Crime Syndicate (between SUPERMAN #118 / 160)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin defeat Jundy in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #125.
Synopsis: Hal Colby, released from prison after being captured by Superboy, believes that Clark Kent is really Superman, and threatens to blow himself and a television audience up with dynamite unless Clark admits it on national TV.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 61
June 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen vs. “Jimmy Olsens” in pirate outfit, Superman suit, and devil costume //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Coward” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #288)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #125)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #288), Lucy Lane, Prof. Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #31)
Synopsis: A device of Professor Potter’s supposedly transfers Clark Kent’s “timidity” into Jimmy Olsen, and Jimmy mistakenly believes that he is a coward.
Story: “Olsen the Roughneck” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #287)
Intro: Michael (only appearance)
Synopsis: After Jimmy and Lucy Lane see an Apache dancer slap his partner around in the dance, Lucy expresses admiration for the dancer’s macho. Unfortunately, Jimmy accidentally strikes her afterwards, and repeated coincidences make Lucy think he’s taken her statement as an indication she wants to be slapped around.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Wildest Adventure” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #289)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #12)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League battle Dr. Light in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #12.
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #289), Lucy Lane
Intro: A Jimmy Olsen robot
Villains: Denby and his cohorts (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place on Jimmy Olsen’s 21st birthday.
Synopsis: Wealthy Titus Gates dies and is to leave his money to Jimmy Olsen on Jimmy’s 21st birthday, but some disgruntled would-be heirs team up to try and convince Olsen he is going insane.
Action Comics No. 289
June 1962
Cover: Luma Lynai, Superman, and Supergirl //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Super-Practical Joker” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #12; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #61; all next appear in SUPERMAN #154)
Intro: Mr. Willis, Dexter Willis (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Avenue Ten Mobsters (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Supergirl tries to match Superman with several potential wives in the Supergirl story in this issue. Then Superman helps Batman and Robin battle Lex Luthor and the Negative Superman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #126.
Synopsis: A practical joker is forced onto the Daily Planet’s staff as an intern by his stockholder father. After he pulls enough pranks, Superman teaches him a lesson.
Superman No. 154
July 1962
Cover: Mr. Mxyzptlk, Superman, and “banana boat” submarine //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Pneciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #126)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #288), Streaky (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #287), Zrfffians
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #287), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33)
Intro: Mr. Hyttwmf, Judge Morrow (only appearance for both)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #123; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #291)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk is out to win the prize for best practical joke on his homeworld of Zrfff by proving he can play pranks on Superman and not be tricked into saying his name backwards. He plans to do this by staying in the water or in space, where he is unable to speak.
Story: “Krypton’s First Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34)
GS: Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #290)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34), Lori Lemaris (next appears in ACTION COMICS #290)
Intro: Ilena (an Atlantean goddess; as an idol)
Intro: Lon-Es (a Kandorian scientist)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #126), Mag-En (in flashback; first appearance; dies before this story begins), Ral-En (in flashback; last chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON #1; next chronological appearance in issue #151), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Superman begins committing destructive acts, after which he immediately repents and repairs the damages, Supergirl is teleported into Kandor and told by the Kryptonian
scientist Lon-Es the reason for Superman’s behavior change. Years ago, on the planet Krypton, Ral-En, son of psychologist Mag-En, seemingly developed super-powers after being bathed in a
chemical explosion. He used these powers to establish a dictatorship, which was short-lived. Jor-El deduced that Mag-En had been using mass hypnosis to convince everyone that his son
was really super-powered, though he was in reality just a normal Kryptonian. Ral-En was sentenced to the Phantom Zone. In retaliation, Mag-En secretly hypnotized baby Kal-El to do ten destructive things whenever he again saw the blue comet that happened to be streaking by overhead. Lon-Es developed partial amnesia after accidentally striking his head soon afterward, and forgot the incident until seeing Superman running amok triggered the memory. Supergirl is transported back to the outer world. Superman is about to crash headlong into Earth and devastate it, but Supergirl employs a meteor-eating space monster to gobble up the head of the blue comet. No longer seeing the comet, Superman returns to normal. Shortly afterward, he tells
Supergirl he is going to leave Earth, but she tells him the story of Mag-En and convinces him to stay.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 34
July 1962
Cover: Superman looking in on Lois Lane Luthor, Lex Luthor, and Larry Luthor //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane, Millionairess” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #154; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #154; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #154; next appears in ACTION COMICS #290)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #154; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
Villains: Eddie and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is duped by a disguised gang of criminals into thinking she must pose as a wealthy lady’s long-lost daughter to save the “lady’s” sanity, not knowing she is being used to lure Superman into a deathtrap.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 62
July 1962
Cover: Superman and Elastic Lad, Prof. Vakox, Jax-Ur, and Kru-El in Phantom Zone //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Phantom Pal” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (as Elastic Lad; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34), Mon-El (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #288; next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #34), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appear in issue #68)
Villains: Jax-Ur (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #288; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), Prof. Vakox, Kru-El (last appearance for both in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #288; both next appear in SUPERMAN #157), Dagger Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen becomes Elastic Lad and gains temporary access to the Phantom Zone through a small aperture, Jax-Ur and company try to tempt him into watching Superman change into his secret identity, but Jimmy resists the temptation.
Story: “Jimmy’s Duel With Goliath” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Professor Potter
Cameo appearances: David, Goliath, Israelites, Philistines (all in Jimmy’s dream)
Villains: Lex Luthor’s gang (Joe and two others; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While pulling a robbery at Professor Potter’s lab, Lex Luthor’s gang hits Jimmy with a stun ray and he dreams of helping David kill Goliath in Biblical times.
Story: “Jimmy’s Robot Slave” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #290), Jimmy Olsen II (appears between issues #52 / 65)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #290), Lucy Lane
Intro: Yogi Krishnatal (only appearance)
Villain: Big Joe Lucak, another crook, a gang of smugglers (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story, Perry White celebrates his 25th anniversary as editor of the Daily Planet.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen develops a stomachache and sends his robot double to perform for him in his usual duties, but things don’t go as planned.
Action Comics No. 290
July 1962
Cover: Lois Lane watching half-vulnerable Superman lifting up a falling bridge //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Half a Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62; next appears in SUPERMAN #155)
GS: Krypto (next appears in SUPERMAN #155)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62; both next appear in SUPERMAN #155), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
Comment: This story mentions an undepicted space mission which Supergirl is still performing at the time.
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure makes Superman’s and Krypto’s left sides vulnerable for 48 hours, and Lois Lane is determined to use the knowledge to prove that Clark Kent is Superman.
Superman No. 155
August 1962
Cover: Antonino Rocca throwing Superman out of wrestling ring while Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane look on //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Under the Green Sun” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “The Blind Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #290)
Intro: Kall, Pera (only appearance for both)
Villain: Drago (first appearance; dies in this story) and his Overseers (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a distant planet on which Superman loses his powers due to a filter that turns the sun green, then his sight from a villain’s weapon, the Man of Steel nonetheless is able to defeat a tyrant.
Story: “The Downfall of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Letterer: Milton Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #290), Cosmic Man (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #289; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168), Lightning Man (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #289; last chronological appearance)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #290; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35)
Villains: Duke Marple and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman arranges a ruse with famed wrestler Antonino Rocca, Krypto, Lightning Man, and Cosmic Man to trick gangster and wrestling fan Duke Marple into revealing the hiding place of his stolen loot.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 35
August 1962
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Amazing Brain Machine” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #155)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #155)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #155), Professor Potter, Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: MANIAC (Mathematical Analyzer, Numerical Integrator, and Automatic Computer; destroyed in this story), Superman Robot No. 3 (only appearance)
Villains: Rocky Noble, Slash Carver (no appearance; names only mentioned; first and only appearance for both)
Comment: In this story we learn that Perry White smokes King Corona cigars and his favorite sandwich is meat loaf with Creole sauce.
Synopsis: Professor Potter leaves his new computer MANIAC with Lois Lane and Lana Lang for safekeeping. Lois asks it to compute Superman’s secret identity and tell her how to get him to marry her. MANIAC does not reveal the secret to Lois, but causes her to suspect Clark is Superman.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Other Life” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13)
Intro: Amnesium (a rare metal that causes amnesia)
Cameo: Lana Lang, Lori Lemaris, Lyla Lerrol (in Fortress of Solitude exhibits)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League battle the Robot Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13.
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets amnesia while taking on a new identity as a disguise. As a result, she comes to believe she is the person she disguised herself as, and despises Lois Lane.
Story: “The Fantastic Wigs of Mr. Dupre’” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #291)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #290 / 291)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63)
Villains: The Masquerader (Booth Barry) and his gang, Hi-Jack Harry (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A villain known as The Masquerader seeks to have Lois Lane killed before she can expose a phony charities racket he and his gang are behind. Accordingly, he poses as a wig-shop owner and convinces Lois that a batch of wigs he has on stock were enchanted by a sorcerer, and that the wigs, in the shape of the hair of famous figures such as Marie Antoinette, will cause their
wearers to suffer the same deaths as the persons whose hair they resemble. To lend substance to his theory, the Masquerader, in his true identity of Booth Barry, an actor, plays the part of Alexander Hamilton, uses one of the wigs, and “dies” from a gunshot as Hamilton did after a duel. To investigate the “curse”, Lois puts on several of the wigs and barely escapes doom each time. Finally, the Masquerader gives Lois a wig fashioned to look like Supergirl’s hair. But the real Supergirl has returned from a mission in the future, sees through the hoax, lets Lois in on it, and takes Lois’s place to foil a deathtrap. Then Supergirl captures the Masquerader and takes him to prison.
Action Comics No. 291
August 1962
Cover: Superman taking Kryptonite bullets of hoodlums on his chest //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The New Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #127)
GS: Superman robots, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; next appear in SUPERMAN #156)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #13; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63)
Intro: Mrs. Van Kyle, Prof. Benet (only apperance for both)
Villains: Dude Dunn and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle Zerno in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #127.
Synopsis: Superman is affected by a Red Kryptonite exposure that takes away his vulnerability to Green Kryptonite, but makes him vulnerable to gold, diamonds, silver, and aluminum.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 63
September 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen transforming Supermen Emergency Squad impostorswith Red Kryptonite ray //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The League of Fantastic Supermen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #291)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #291 / 292 (Superman story)), Kandorians (last appearance in issue #60)
Supporting Character: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #290; next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: Superman Robot X-5 (destroyed in this story)
Villains: Supermen Emergency Squad impostors (first and only appearance; four Kandorian criminals), Legion of Super-Villains (Chameleon Chief (first appearance; possibly one of the Durlans from ACTION COMICS #283; last definite chronological appearance in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (3rd series) #21), Sun-Emperor (first appearance; last chronological appearance in LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (3rd series) #21), Lightning Lord, Cosmic King (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #147; both next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #331))
Comment: It is now held that there are two different adult Legions of Super-Villains, and that this grouping is from the “canonical” Legion future.
Synopsis: Four Kandorian criminals gas the population of Kandor into unconsciousness and escape from the city’s bottle. But Jimmy Olsen, visiting in the Fortress of Solitude, uses a Red Kryptonite ray on them, and thus gives the four of them outlandish-appearing heads. Later, the four Kandorians are captured by members of the Legion of Super-Villains who imitate them as part of a plot to free the Phantom Zone villains, but Jimmy, Supergirl, and the Superman robots capture them instead.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Editor-In-Chief” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35; next appears in SUPERMAN #156), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #291; next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: Mr. Giltedge (only appearance)
Villain: Robert Burke (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy and Perry White exchange places as part of Metropolis’s annual Boss For a Day event, and Jimmy sends Perry on assignments that will ensure he cannot smoke his trademarked cigars after he discovers that the stogies have been poisoned.
Story: “The Tom Thumb Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #127; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38)
Villain: Dr. Zarro (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League initiate The Atom and battle Mr. Memory in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14.
Synopsis: Jimmy and Lucy Lane are captured by Dr. Zarro, a criminal scientist who attempts to pry the location of the Fortress of Solitude from Jimmy by appearing to shrink them both to tiny size.
Action Comics No. 292
September 1962
Cover: Superman defending Lex Luthor before a jury of Automs //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “When Superman Defended His Arch-Enemy” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #128)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63; next appears in SUPERMAN #156)
Intro: Automs (a race of robots) and their androids (all next appear in issue #294), an Autom creator (in flashback; only appearance), Autom 4306 (destroyed but rebuilt in this story), Superman Robot X65 (destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight Moose Morans in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #128.
Synopsis: Luthor leaves Earth in a rocket of his own devising, ends up on a world of robots, and is brought in on murder charges when he destroys one of them. Superman defends Luthor at his trial and gets him off when he rebuilds the wrecked robot with parts from one of his Superman robots. However, Superman leaves Luthor stranded on the robots’ world.
Superman No. 156
October 1962
Cover: Superman in isolation booth with last will and testament, and Kandorians, Supergirl, and Krypto coming to his aid //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Last Days of Superman”
Part I: “Superman’s Death Sentence” (9 pages)
Part II: “The Super-Comrades of All Time” (8 pages)
Part III: “Superman’s Last Day of Life” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #128; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #292; next appears in flashback in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64), Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad, Chameleon Boy (all between SUPERBOY #100 / ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Brainiac 5 (between ACTION COMICS #285 / ADVENTURE COMICS #303), Bouncing Boy (between ACTION COMICS #276 / ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Invisible Kid (between ACTION COMICS #267 / ADVENTURE COMICS #304), Sun Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #300 / 301), Triplicate Girl (between ACTION COMICS #287 / ADVENTURE COMICS #301), Shrinking Violet (between ADVENTURE COMICS #301 flashback / 301; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes), Mon-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62), Krypto (next appears in ACTION COMICS #293), the Superman Emergency Squad (next appear in ACTION COMICS #295), Superman robots
GA: Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #128; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #308), Atlanteans
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #35 / 36), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63)
Cameo appearances: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Lyla Lerrol (in flashback)
Intro: Tharb-El (in flashback; only appearance)
Comment: Supergirl is incorrectly depicted as flying back in time and space to pre-exploded Krypton in this story. Since she has no powers under Krypton’s red sun, it’s obvious she had to use a Legion time-bubble or some other sort of protective craft to survive and return.
Lyla Lerrol is incorrectly depicted on page 21, panel 1 with black hair.
The fact that Brainiac 5 cannot find a cure for Virus X indicates that the knowledge that White Kryptonite can be used to destroy the disease has been lost by the 30th Century.
Synopsis: Superman, in the presence of Jimmy Olsen, reads Kryptonese inscriptions on a container from Krypton which has landed on Earth, emitting deadly Green Kryptonite radiation from its shell. The inscriptions note that the container holds deadly Virus X cultures. Superman smashes the container into the Earth with a boulder, but his weakness when Jimmy approaches him convinces him he is dying of Virus X. Superman isolates himself in a glass chamber and begins setting his affairs in order, with the help of Supergirl, the Legion of Super-Heroes, and his
robots. He bids farewell to Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Batman, and Robin. Even Brainiac 5 cannot find a cure for Virus X. But Supergirl goes back in space and time to Krypton, shortly before it exploded, and hears Tharb-El, the biologist, saying he is destroying the sample of Virus X to be included in the space container. Supergirl returns to Earth in 1962 and explains her discovery; thus, Superman knows he is not dying of Virus X. Mon-El, in the Phantom Zone, telepathically informs Saturn Girl that Superman is being weakened by a chunk of Kryptonite which became
lodged in Jimmy Olsen’s camera when Superman smashed the container into the ground. Jimmy finds and disposes of the Kryptonite, and Superman recovers, thanking all his friends for their great aid to him.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 36
October 1962
Cover: Superman III and Lana Lang passing by statues of Superman and Super-Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Day Lois Lane Vanished” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #37; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129)
GS: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #294; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen(last appearance for both in issue #37; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65), Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #37; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64 / 65)
Intro: Warden of Metropolis Prison (a new one), a Lex Luthor impostor (only appearance for both)
Comment: Lois’s comment that Luthor is in “solitary confinement” rather than on another planet indicates that this story takes place after ACTION COMICS #294, in which Luthor returns to Earth.
Synopsis: To see if Lois Lane could stand up to the tricks of enemy spies while working as a foreign correspondent, Superman, Lucy Lane, Lana Lang, and the Daily Planet staff try to convince her that she is really Myrtle Merkin, and that Lois Lane never existed.
Story: “The Madam Jekyll of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #156; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #156; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #63 / 64), Professor Potter (next appears in issue #38)
Intro: The Lois Lane Fan Club (next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65)
Synopsis: The action of a cyclotron’s radiations on a piece of Red Kryptonite Lois is holding causes her to turn into a destructive, hairy woman under the influence of the full moon.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 64
October 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Allura, “Super-Jimmy Olsen” vignette, and Lucy Lane photo //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Hollywood Star” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (2))
GA: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #156; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology), Supergirl (in flashback; last appearance in SUPERMAN #156; next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #293)
Intro: Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45), James Arness, Boris Karloff, Red Skelton, Lloyd Bridges, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Phil Silvers, Mitch Miller, Richard Boone, Elizabeth Taylor, Buddy Hackett, Groucho Marx, Danny Thomas, Alfred Hitchcock (all of Earth-One)
Villains: Rocks Saxon (first and only appearance), Iron Colossus, Space Wolves (both in flashback; first and only appearance for both)
Comment: An undepicted mission of Superman’s and Supergirl’s with the Legion of Super-Heroes is mentioned in this story. Also, a flashback to an adventure Jimmy and Supergirl had with the Space Wolves is depicted, which we have placed just before this story, since Jimmy indicates that it happened recently.
The fact that Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis appear in comics published by DC at this time does not necessarily make them the ones who appear in this story. (Possibly, the characters in ADVENTURES OF BOB HOPE and ADVENTURES OF JERRY LEWIS exist on the Inferior Five’s Earth 12.) On the other hand, Super-Hip, a BOB HOPE character, does appear in DOOM PATROL #104, and Jerry Lewis does appear in stories featuring Superman, Flash, Batman, and Wonder Woman in his own comic. But Jerry is not a Hollywood star in his comic book, so it is probable that it depicts a non-Earth-One Jerry Lewis.
Also, the Earth-One Boris Karloff is not the Gold Key / Whitman Earth Boris Karloff, who hosts BORIS KARLOFF’S THRILLER!
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen faces death in a quicksand trap in Hollywood, but is saved by Boris Karloff, who uses a hangman’s noose to pull him to safetuy.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Fiery Friends” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #293)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Lana Lang (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (2))
Intro: Living flame-creatures (only appearance for all)
Comment: Superman and Supergirl (not depicted) return from their space mission (apparently with the Legion of Super-Heroes) in this story.
Synopsis: Living fire-creatures emerge from an erupting volcano in Voronia, and follow Jimmy Olsen and Lana Lang everywhere, attracted by their red hair.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Super-Romance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #37)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (between second and first stories SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36), Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #293)
Intro: Allura (next appears in issue #77; not to be confused with Allura Zor-El, mother of Supergirl)
Villain: Captain Corbin (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An alien beauty, Allura, falls in love with Jimmy and gives him a “mentor band” that endows him with mental powers. But their romance crashes when he goes to her homeworld and finds that she is a giantess.
Action Comics No. 293
October 1962
Cover: Superman watching Supergirl and Super-Horse battle alien spaceship //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64; next appears in SUPERMAN #157; temporarily split into an evil Superman and a non-powered Clark Kent in this story)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64; next appears in SUPERMAN #157), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #156)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #37), Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64; next appears in SUPERMAN #157)
Comment: This story refers to an unchronicled episode in which Red Kryptonite split Supergirl into a normal Linda Lee Danvers and a super-powered Girl of Steel.
Synopsis: Red Kryptonite splits the Man of Steel into two beings–an arrogant Superman and a non-powered Clark Kent–and, if 72 hours passes without them merging, they will stay apart forever.
Superman No. 157
November 1962
Cover: Perry White watching Superman release Quex-Ul from Phantom Zone //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293; next chronological appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #292)
GA: Mon-El (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293)
Intro: Rondors (in flashback; Kryptonian beasts; die in this story), Gold Kryptonite
Villains: Quex-Ul (first appearance; next appears, as “Charlie Kweskill”, in PHANTOM ZONE #1), Rog-Ar (in flashback; dies before this story begins), Jax-Ur (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), Prof. Vakox, Kru-El (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62)
Synopsis: Phantom Zone prisoner Quex-Ul’s 25-year sentence is up, and Superman releases him from the Zone, to which he was sent for allegedly killing the rondors and stealing their “healing
horns” for use in a medical scam. Quex-Ul promises to destroy Superman with Gold Kryptonite, a new variety that Superman knows nothing about. They battle inconclusively, but Quex-Ul calls a truce so that he can save a man whose life he sees endangered. Using an anti-gravity belt and a space-warp, Superman travels back in time and space to pre-exploded Krypton. There he
witnesses the real slayer of the rondors, Rog-Ar, using a hypno-jewel on Quex-Ul, who had intended to turn him in. Instead, Rog-Ar hypnotically compelled Quex-Ul to front for him with his “hall of healing”, to take the rap if exposed, and not to know of Rog-Ar’s existence. Quex-Ul has already attracted a Gold Kryptonite meteor from outer space, concealed it in a lead box, and trapped a submarine in an undersea crevice near the box, hoping to lure Superman into a trap. Supergirl finds Quex-Ul and reveals the truth of his false imprisonment. Repentant, Quex-Ul frees the sub, accidentally exposes himself to the Gold K, loses his powers, and risks death by drowning and the bends. When he drifts far enough away from the Gold Kryptonite, Supergirl and Superman rescue him. When he revives, Quex-Ul has amnesia from the Gold K exposure. Superman arranges with Perry White to have Quex-Ul, who thinks he is an Earthman, employed in the Daily Planet’s production department.
Story: “The Super-Genie of Metropolis” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #37)
GA: Krypto (next appears in issue #160)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #37)
Villain: A spy (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: To trap a foreign agent, Perry White masquerades as a professor who has discovered the legendary lamp of Aladdin, with Superman disguised as the “genie”.
Story: “Superman’s Day of Doom” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #301)
GS: Supergirl (last chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #293; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70), Lightning Lad (between ADVENTURE COMICS #301 / 303), Cosmic Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #301 / 302), Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #299; next appears in issue #169)
GA: Comet (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #293), Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #301; all next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #134), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41; next appears in ACTION COMICS #302), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #297; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42)
Cameo: Lex Luthor, Luma Lynai
Intro: People of the Cybern galaxy (no appearance; name only mentioned), Steven Snapinn (only appearance)
Villain: A diamond smuggler (first and only appearance)
Comment: It is obvious that Little Leaguer Steven Snapinn in this story is named after a real relative, possibly a son, of letterer Milton Snapinn.
The prediction of Superman marrying an “L.L.” can safely be assumed to be Lois Lane, as shown in SUPERMAN FAMILY #200.
The presence of Comet in this story indicates that it takes place after he regains his memory in ACTION COMICS #301 and after his first mission with the Legion of Super-Pets in ADVENTURE COMICS #293, in which he first meets Krypto. Thus, this story is out of sequence.
Synopsis: Metropolis is set to observe Superman Day with a great parade in which Superman and many of his friends, including Supergirl and some Legionnaires, will participate. Superman is also given a prediction machine from the Cybern Galaxy in return for a good deed he once did them. The machine, which turns up at the Daily Planet, has the power to predict the answers to three
future problems. Since Clark Kent has been threatened by a gangster lately, he asks who will rescue him if he is endangered that day, and the answer comes back: “L.L.” Later, Superman’s
life is endangered when Bizarro leaves him with a “gift” of Green Kryptonite, flying off seconds later. Superman hopes for aid from any of his “L.L.” friends, including Lana Lang, Lois Lane, Lori Lemaris, Lightning Lad, or Linda (Supergirl) Lee Danvers, but none of them are aware of his plight. Finally, Superman is saved in the nick of time by Steven Snapinn, a Little League baseball player. Superman presents Steven and his team for special recognition at the Superman Day rally.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 37
November 1962
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lana Lang, and Lucy Lane at wedding of Lois Lane and Clark Kent; vignette of Lois Lane / Superman wedding //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Forbidden Box” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #293)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (2))
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (2)), Jimmy Olsen, Lana Lang (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
Intro: Ber-Tal (a Kandorian; only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman gives Lois a test, when she claims she is not curious: if she can go almost 24 hours without opening a package he gives her, she will learn what he was conferring with Perry White about. Lois fulfills the conditions of the test, even when the package flies and talks to her. Superman reveals that the contents of the box is a tiny Kryptonian, and that he was talking with Perry White about a present he is giving her…which cannot be opened before her birthday, 8 months away.
Story: “The Immortal Lois Lane” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in first story of last issue), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Mr. Dyke (only appearance), Leonardo Da Vinci (of Earth-One)
Villain: Lucrezia Borgia (of Earth-One; first appearance)
Comment: The “time-trip” that Lois Lane takes in this story may simply be a dream.
Synopsis: At an artists’ ball, Lois Lane is affected by the rays of a meteor and is apparently transported back in time to Italy in 1530, where she meets Lucrezia Borgia (who looks like Lana Lang) and Leonardo Da Vinci, who uses her as the model for his Mona Lisa.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Wedding Day” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in first story of last issue)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in first story of last issue)
Intro: Reverend Bartell, Vince Vigoro (only appearance for both)
Villain: Matt Borsley (first and only appearance)
Comment: Lois Lane gets “married” a third time in this story, to Clark Kent, but the wedding ceremony is invalid and does not constitute a true marriage.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League deal with untouchable aliens in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15.
Synopsis: Investigating a phony sweethearts’ club, Lois arranges to marry Clark Kent, believing the ceremony will be conducted by a phony minister. Unfortunately for her, the club’s owner has learned of her true identity, and has hired a real reverend to do the nuptials. Thus, Lois and Clark are convinced that they are, in truth, married. On their honeymoon train, Clark tries to convince Lois that he is really Superman, but fate conspires against him in his attempts to show his super-powers. Finally, Lois realizes that the marriage is not valid, since the liscence was made under assumed names. Clark and Lois return to the Planet, where Perry and Jimmy tell them that the testimony of one of the club owner’s confederates has landed the owner in jail.
Action Comics No. 294
November 1962
Cover: Lex Luthor and Kryptonite Man vs. Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Kryptonite Killer” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #15; next appears in Supergirl story in last issue)
GS: Automs and their androids (last appearance for all in issue #292; last appearance for all), Autom 4306 (last appearance in issue #292; destroyed in this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #292; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129), Diamond Man, Leadman, Kryptonite Man (first appearance for all three; all destroyed in this story), criminal androids (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s adventure with Comet in the Supergirl stories of last issue and this issue. Then he takes part in a hoax on Lois Lane in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1). After that, he teams with Batman and Robin to fight Lex Luthor and the Joker in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor performs a boon for the Automs, and is rewarded with a laboratory of his own. In it, he fashions three criminal androids into a Diamond Man, a Leadman, and a Kryptonite Man. With their help, he manages to return to his rocket and escapes with all three of them. The foursome begin a spree of space piracy. Superman intervenes and destroys the Diamond Man, but the triple-strength rays of the Kryptonite Man prove too much for him. However, the Lead Man sees a former Superman robot sacrificing itself heroically for its master, has a change of heart, and melts itself over the Kryptonite Man, neutralizing its radiation. Superman captures Luthor and returns him to prison on Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 65
December 1962
Cover: Porcupine-quilled Jimmy Olsen in a freak show, Superman, and Lucy Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Alien Jimmy Olsen Fan Club” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1))
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129), Jimmy Olsen II (last appearance in issue #62)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1))
Intro: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club of Rax (only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen accidentally has his head shaved and lends his signal-watch to his robot double, which convinces the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club of the planet Rax that he is a villain who has somehow done away with the real Jimmy. He is imprisoned and sentenced to be executed.
Story: “The Human Porcupine” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
Intro: Guy Blade, Torchy Cinders (only appearance for both)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #291), Miss Gzptlsnz (last appearance in issue #52; next appears in issue #100)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen refuses again to marry Miss Gzptlsnz, the woman imp from the 5th Dimension. In revenge, she turns Jimmy into a human porcupine, his body studded with long quills, until he agrees to wed her.
Story: “The Mysterious Lord of Devil’s Island” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #129; next appears in ACTION COMICS #295), the Lois Lane Fan Club (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 / 50)
Cameo: Lord L (first and only appearance; a character in Jimmy Olsen’s dream)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League deal with the problem of the Maestro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen eats too much cake at a bake-off contest and has a nightmare that he is on Devil’s Island and must sell his soul to Lord L in order to escape.
Action Comics No. 295
December 1962
Cover: Superman breaking free of Kryptonite chains //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Goes Wild” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #130)
GS: Superman robots, Supermen Emergency Squad (between SUPERMAN #156 / 158)
GA: Mon-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157; next appears in Supergirl story in issue #297), Kandorians (next appear in SUPERMAN #158)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65; all next appear in SUPERMAN #158), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #36 (1) / 38), Lori Lemaris (appears between SUPERMAN #157 (2) / 158)
Villains: Vagu, Dixo (first appearance for both; both die in this story), Superman Revenge Squad (between issues #287 / 300), Jax-Ur (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #62; next appears in SUPERMAN #158)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman, Batman, and Robin encounter a Zelaphod in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #130.
Synopsis: Two members of the Superman Revenge Squad turn Superman into an on-again-off-again menace with a hypnotic ray, but the Man of Steel outfoxes them with a ruse, and the Squad members kill themselves rather than be captured.
Superman No. 158
January 1963
Cover: Superman in Phantom Zone watching Boz-Tol and other Kandorian raiders with bottle city of Kandor //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman In Kandor”
Part 1: “Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men” (9 pages)
Part 2: “The Dynamic Duo of Kandor” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The City of Super-People” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #130; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38; becomes Nightwing for the first time in this story (intro and origin of Nightwing I))
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Flamebird for the first time in this story (intro and origin of Flamebird I)), Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #295; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38), Van-Zee (last appearance in issue #148; becomes Nightwing II for the first time in this story; next appears in ACTION COMICS #336), Sylvia Van-Zee (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70), Lori Lemaris (between ACTION COMICS #295 / 297)
GS: Kandorians, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #295; next appear in issue #160)
Intro: Nor Kann (last chronological appearance in WORLD OF KRYPTON #1; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69)
Cameo: Brainiac, Lyla Lerrol (in flashbacks), Jor-El, Lara (as statues)
Villains: Than Ol, Boz-Tol, and other Kandorian raiders (first and only appearance for all), Jax-Ur (between ACTION COMICS #295 / 297), Prof. Vakox, Kru-El (both next appear in issue #163)
Synopsis: A Kandorian scientist, Than Ol, convinces the people of the bottle city of Kandor that Superman knows how to enlarge Kandor but has refused, and the Man of Steel is declared an enemy of Kandor. Superman and Jimmy Olsen shrink themselves, enter Kandor, and first assume the secret identities of Nightwing and Flamebird to help them in their quest to prove Superman’s innocence, and to show the Kandorians that Than Ol’s enlarging process will not only make them normal-sized, but will also disintegrate them.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 38
January 1963
Cover: Injured Superman in wheelchair, Lois Lane and Lana Lang with faces blocked out //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Invisible Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #36; next appearance in SUPERMAN #160), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158)
Intro: Roy Wilkins (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A potion of Professor Potter’s turns Lois temporarily invisible, in which state she sees Superman changing into his Clark Kent identity. Once she is visible and Clark learns what she has seen, he must convince her that he is really not Superman.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Signal Watch” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #294)
Supporting characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158)
Villains: Muscles, Doc, Mike Kimbo (intro for all)
Comment: Superman is on another mission to Kandor in this story, probably to help in the relief effort after the city was almost destroyed in SUPERMAN #158.
Synopsis: Racketeer Mike Kimbo concocts an elaborate ruse to get Lois Lane to reveal the hidden cache of diamonds stolen by a criminal who, in gratitude for her saving his life, gave her a letter with secret instructions as to its hiding place. The ruse involves making Muscles, a confederate, look like Superman through plastic surgery, having him impersonate the Man of Steel, and giving her a fake “signal watch” that will do nothing more than transmit her whereabouts to the gang. Lois does find the diamonds in a cave, signals “Superman”, and is trapped. But a falling stalactite hits the watch, changes its signal to a frequency Supergirl can hear, and the Girl of Steel is summoned to rescue Lois and capture the crooks. Later, Supergirl confides to Lois that someday she may get a real signal watch like Jimmy Olsen’s.
Story: “The Girl Who Refused To Marry Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #295; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66), Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #295)
Villains: Two crooks (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure makes Superman dream that he has lost his powers and become injured by a grenade blast, and that either Lois or Lana still wants to marry him, while the other one wants no part of him now that he is powerless–but he wakes without learning which one chose him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 66
January 1963
Cover: Aged Jimmy Olsen, baby Perry White, Superman, and Lois Lane in Kryptonian cabinet //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Burglar Kit From the Future” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38), Lucy Lane
Villain: Graxton 4-X, Alibi Al, Count Slade, Mitch Barton (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A burglar from the 31st Century leaves a kit of futuristic burglar tools, which Jimmy appropriates to help him get stories…but the crook has lifted Jimmy’s secret signal-watch.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Last Stand” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Cameo appearances: Sitting Bull, Gen. George Armstrong Custer, Buffalo Bill Cody (as characters in Jimmy Olsen’s dream)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen smokes an Indian peace pipe in an exhibit of life in the Old West, and dreams he has been thrown back in time to Custer’s Last Stand.
Story: “The Cabinet From Krypton” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #296)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #296)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #296), Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (next appears in issue #71), Zan Zoll (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An evolution cabinet from Krypton turns Jimmy into an old man, Perry White into a baby, and Lois Lane into a cat-headed woman, until Superman can trick Mr. Mxyzptlk into restoring their true forms.
Action Comics No. 296
January 1963
Cover: Perry White and Lois Lane watching ant-headed Superman leading giant ants //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Invasion of the Super-Ants” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #66)
Intro: A colony of giant ants, Joyce and her husband (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A colony of giant ants, mutated by a nuclear war on another planet, comes to Earth with a warning, and Superman uses Red K radiation to give himself an ant’s head in order to communicate with them.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 39
February 1963
Cover: Lois Lane throwing dishes at Superman as Superbaby opens safe containing photos of Lyla Lerrol, Lori Lemaris, and Lana Lang //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Romance With Clark Kent” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #296)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #296; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #296), Lana Lang
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight the Tornado Tyrant in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17.
Synopsis: A doctor tells Lois that her hopeless obsession for Superman is making her sick, and that she should transfer her unrequited love for him to someone else. She picks Clark Kent.
Story: “The Kryptonian Courtship” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #295)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67 / 68)
Cameo appearances: Superman, Krypto, Jor-El, Lara, Lyla Lerrol, Lori Lemaris (as characters in Lois’s dream)
Synopsis: On the eve of her birthday, Lois Lane goes to sleep and has a dream in which Supergirl, Krypto, and Superman give her three jewels with recordings of Lara’s courtship of Superman’s father, Jor-El. Unfortunately, none of them work very well on Earth when Lois tries similar tricks in her dream to snare Superman. The dream ends with Lori Lemaris and Lois having botched another attempt to get Superman to tie the knot with her, and Superman leaving in disgust, saying he doesn’t want to see her again.
Then Lois wakes up, looks out the window, and sees Supergirl flying towards her with a birthday present.
Action Comics No. 297
February 1963
Cover: Perry White slashing Clark Kent’s shirt to expose his Superman uniform, statues of King Arthur and Julius Caesar //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man Who Discovered Superman’s Secret Identity” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #131)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67), Mrs. Smith (last appearance in SUPERMAN #126; last appearance)
GS: Superman robots
Intro: Chuck Darren, Steve Bevan, Rand Sterling (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Julius Caesar, King Arthur, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington (as statues)
Villains: Gentleman Jerry, Dirk Denver, the Criminal Bureau of Investigation (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin in their encounter with the Crimson Avenger of Earth-One in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #131.
Synopsis: When Perry White gets a case of amnesia, a crook convinces him to try and discover the secret identity of Superman.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 67
March 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen menaced by Jimmy Olsen dummy and Verro //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Dummy That Haunted Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #297)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #131), a Superman robot
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #39), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #297)
Villains: Varro (an alien) and a Jimmy Olsen dummy (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: An alien tries to lure Superman into a Kryptonite deathtrap by pretending to be a ventriloquist and getting Jimmy to substitute for his dummy, which appears to be alive.
Story: “Leslie Lowe, Girl Reporter” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White, Lois Lane
Intro: Mr. Peters, Judy Jenkins, Hector and his wife (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Sun Boy, Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Chameleon Boy (as statues)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen gets fired from his job as a Planet reporter, he masquerades as a girl to get it back.
Story: “Super Lucy Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #298)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #298), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #160), Lucy Lane
Cameo: Ilona, Allura (in photographs)
Intro: Howard Hume (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America fight Dr. Destiny and the Super-Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane has been given super-powers by a Red Kryptonite meteor, but Superman has to ask Jimmy Olsen to remove them from her.
Action Comics No. 298
March 1963
Cover: Super-powered Lex Luthor smashing Superman statue //Curt Swan / Stan Kaye
Story: “Clark Kent, Coward” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67; next appears in SUPERMAN #160), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #132), Prof. Lewis Lang (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #1; next appears in issue #308)
Intro: Queen Lura (only appearance)
Villains: Prince Vikar and his henchman (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Supergirl in her battle against Lex Luthor and the Phantom Zone villains in this issue, then helps Batman and Robin capture Denny Kale and Shorty Biggs in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #132.
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen are blown in a balloon gondola into the remote kingdom of Mistri-Lor, where Queen Lura falls in love with Clark and wishes to marry him.
Superman No. 160
April 1963
Cover: Superman being gassed in cell as Rocks Haney and the Crime Syndicate toast him //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Mortal Superman” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Cage of Doom” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #132)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in issue #157 (2))
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #132; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #298), Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #38), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #67)
GA: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in issue #158; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68), Superman robots
Intro: Dr. Carew, Frosty Jones (only appearance for both)
Villains: Rocks Haney (first and only appearance), the Crime Syndicate (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #288; next appears in issue #179)
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure takes away Superman’s powers, and the underworld is quick to capitalize on it.
Story: “The Super-Cop of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40)
GS: Krypto
Supporting characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40)
Intro: Mayor of Metropolis (next appears in ACTION COMICS #328)
Villains: Lou, various crooks, spies, and an ambassador (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In order to trap a spy ring, Superman pretends that he has caused the entire police force of Metropolis to become sick, and substitutes for them himself.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 40
April 1963
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane, Hag” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
Suppporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
Intro: Madame Mimi, Rocky Rhodes (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Lucy Lane, Lana Lang (as characters in Lois’s dream)
Villains: Dr. Sharpe and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: While exposing a phony youth-treatment racket, Lois Lane knocks herself unconscious by accident and dreams she has become an old hag overnight.
Story: “Lois Lane, Foreign Correspondent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Cameo appearances: Mad Archer, Phantom Bomber, Masked Patriot (as statues; first and only appearance for all)
Villain: The Hangman of Brozna (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a trip to the nation of Brozna as a foreign correspondent, Lois Lane has a dizzy spell, passes out, and awakens to find that she has apparently been married to a Broznan duke.
Story: “The Lana Lang of 500 B.C.” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68)
GS: Achilles, Circe
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #297)
Intro: Oracle of Delphi (of Earth-One; only appearance?)
Cameo appearances: Apollo, Mercury (as statues)
Villains: Aegisthus and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The chronology for mythological characters such as Achilles and Circe is not yet complete; thus, their appearances cannot yet be tracked.
Synopsis: On a time-trip back to ancient Athens, Lois meets the heroic Achilles and saves him from death.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 68
April 1963
Cover: Helmeted Jimmy Olsen exposing Superman (with devil’s horns) to Red Kryptonite ray //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Human Metal-Eater” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40), Krypto (chronologically between SUPERMAN #157 (3) / 177 (2))
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #40), Lucy Lane
Intro: Officer Dowd (only appearance)
Villains: A gang of spies (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After Jimmy is bitten by a metal-eater in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, he gains the power to eat and digest metal.
Story: “The Richest Boy In Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in issue #62), Lucy Lane, Lois Lane, Perry White
Intro: Marcel (only appearance)
Villains: Swipe Durkin, Monk (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Two villains seek to humiliate Jimmy Olsen by convincing him he has won the Pot-of-Gold Sweepstakes, but they fail to reckon with the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club.
Story: “The Helmet of Hate” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #161)
GS: Superman (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #299), Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41), Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN #161)
Intro: Tom Remson (only appearance)
Cameo: Elastic Lad, Lucy Lane, Brainiac (as statues)
Villains: Grumm and another renegade Coluan (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s adventure in ACTION COMICS #299.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen pretends to be corrupted by a Helmet of Hate and turn Superman into a living devil, to trap two renegade Coluans who are cohorts of Brainiac.
Action Comics No. 299
April 1963
Story: “The Story of Superman’s Experimental Robots” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology; in flashback)
Intro: Three ancient Atlanteans, Tharrlians (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Lois Lane, Lightning Lad, Lana Lang, Lori Lemaris
Villains: LL-35, WK-10, M-26 (Superman robots; first appearance for all; all destroyed in this story), alien invaders (first and only appearance)
Comment: This is an Untold Tale of Superman. See Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology.
Synopsis: At a time in the past, Superman was rewarded with a Superman robot built by the inhabitants of the planet Jax, with a super-computer brain. But alien invaders’ rays turned the robot and two other customized Superman robots against the Man of Steel.
Superman No. 161
May 1963
Cover: Zhorian soldiers shooting at Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #299; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy; see Superboy’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (both die in this story), Lana Lang (all in flashback; see Superboy’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Intro: Dr. Herbert Burke (first appearance; named in his next appearance, issue #362, which is isochronal with this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (in flashback; last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #50; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #1), Blackbeard, Peg-Leg Morgan, and other pirates (all in flashback; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: On a trip to visit Jonathan and Martha Kent’s graves in Smallville, Superman remembers their last days, as both perished from a disease picked up from a buried treasure, and how their deaths almost caused him to abandon his superheroic career from guilt.
Story: “Superman Goes to War” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #299 / 300)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41)
Intro: Mr. Haller (only appearance)
Villains: Zhorians (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent, Perry White, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen are hired to act as extras in Invasion, a World War II epic movie being filmed in the Pacific. Unknown to the reporters and the movie-makers, a contingent of aliens from the planet Zhor have become marooned on Earth when their spacecraft is disabled by a meteor. When they see the “invading” fleet of ships from the movie, they assume they are being attacked, take over Japanese weaponry still left on the island, and try to repel the “invaders”. Clark Kent, to cover for a supposed “injury” done him by a shell and to be able to operate with super-powers in public, summons Supergirl by ventriloquism. She fakes giving Clark temporary super-powers from a blood transfusion. The now openly-powerful Clark Kent defeats the Zhorians. When he hears their story, Superman repairs their ship and helps them take off again. Later, Clark pretends to have gained amnesia about recent events when the transfusion “wears off,” and also pretends not to believe Jimmy and Lois’s stories of his derring-do.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 41
May 1963
Cover: Lois Lane and Lana Lang watching projector slide of Superman slipping engagement ring on Lana Lane’s hand //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Devil and Lois Lane” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #161)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #161)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #161), Lana Lang, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #177 (2))
Intro: Lance Jason and his girlfriend (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: When he overhears Lois Lane saying she would sell her soul to the Devil for the chance to marry Superman, the Man of Steel decides to teach her a lesson by impersonating the Devil and pretending to give her such a choice.
Story: “The Super-Suitor of Soomar” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GA: Superman
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Super-Male (Irn Brimba), Crystal Ganyrog, Super-Clown (a robot; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is taken by spaceship to the planet Soomar, where she meets and briefly substitutes for reporter Crystal Ganyrog, who is pursued by (but doesn’t want) that planet’s hero, Super-Male.
Story: “Superman’s Romance With Lana Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (also appears, in flashback, between issue #9 and ACTION COMICS #252)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19; also appears, in flashback, between issue #9 and ACTION COMICS #252)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #157 (3); also appears, in flashback, between issues #9 / 10)
Cameo appearances: Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen (on projector slides), Malignia (a villainess; first and only appearance)
Intro: Zelda, Hajal (only appearance for both)
Comment: According to this story, Supergirl was revealed to the world on February 20, 1962, and the flashback part of this adventure takes place on May 15, 1959.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight the protectors of Starzl in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19.
Synopsis: After Lois and Lana come upon one of Superman’s projector slides depicting him giving an engagement ring to a woman called Lana Lane in 1959 who looks like a combination of both of them, they ask him to explain. He uses mento-helmets on both of them, which causes them to remember an adventure they shared in a remote valley colonized briefly by aliens. There, a sorceress’s necklace caused both of them to merge into one woman, whom Superman called “Lana Lane”. Superman was so attracted to the merged woman that he proposed marriage, and was accepted. However, Lana Lane soon split back into both Lana and Lois, and one of the aliens informed Superman that one would soon die due to the side-effects of the merging. Thankfully, Superman prevented this from happening, but the radiations of the mineral he used to cure them wiped the memory of the event from their minds…and Superman did not choose to marry either of them.
Action Comics No. 300
May 1963
Cover: Superman with beard on Earth under a red sun //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Under the Red Sun” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #133)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69), Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41)
Intro: Android doubles of Mr. Mxyzptlk, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen, Lex Luthor, and Lois Lane, people of 824,057 A.D. (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Lana Lang, Chief Parker, Jor-El, Lara
Villains: Andl (first and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in issue #295; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69)
Comments: This story confirms once again that Kandor will be enlarged in the future, as it was in SUPERMAN #338.
The last panel of this story asserts correctly that the red-sun future of Earth is only one of many possible futures.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight Dr. Gault and supernatural beasts in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #133.
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad manages to get Superman to strand himself on Earth in the year 1,000,000 A.D., in which the sun has turned red, removing his powers, and on which he is the last living man on the planet.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 69
June 1963
Cover: Nor-Kann (as Thief of Kandor), Jimmy Olsen (as Flamebird), Superman (as Nightwing) //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Dynamic Duo of Kandor” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “The Super-Showdown On Kandor” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #300; appears as Flamebird in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #133; appears as Nightwing in this story), Kandorians
Supporting Character: Nor-Kann (between SUPERMAN #158 / 167; appears as the Thief of Kandor in this story)
Intro: Skal-Var (dies in this story), Dakar-Ra, Jor-Dan (all in flashback), crystal people of Fire Valley (only appearance for all), the Winged One, Nighthound (a telepathic hound; becomes Nightwing’s and Flamebird’s partner; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143), Scarlet Jungle Fever
Villains: The Machine-King (a computer), alien invaders (all in flashback; first and only appearance for all), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #300)
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad tries to lure Superman and Jimmy Olsen into a deathtrap on Kandor by hypnotically causing Nor-Kann to become the disguised Thief of Kandor, stealing historical treasures of Krypton and defying Nightwing and Flamebird to capture him.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Viking Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #301)
GA: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20), Jacqueline Kennedy (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #285)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #179 (2))
Intro: Ron Baxter, Holga (a robot; only appearance for both)
Cameo: Eric the Red (as a character in Holga’s tale)
Comment: Jimmy Olsen becomes engaged to Lucy Lane in this story.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League battle Spaceman X in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20.
Synopsis: Lucy Lane high-hats Jimmy Olsen again, but the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club makes her jealous by giving Jimmy a beautiful girlfriend named Holga who claims to be a time-lost Viking princess, but who is in reality a robot.
Action Comics No. 301
June 1963
Cover: Superman on trial for Clark Kent’s murder as Perry White, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen look on //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Trial of Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #20; next appears in Supergirl story in last issue; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69; all next chronologically appear in SUPERMAN #157 (3))
Intro: Mr. Dreyfus
Villains: Count X and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Shortly after this story Superman enlists the help of Supergirl and Comet on Prince Endor’s behalf in the Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue, then is trapped by Kryptonite in SUPERMAN #157 (3), then helps Batman and Robin fight the Band of Super-Villains in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #134.
Synopsis: To trap a spy, Superman stages the “murder” of Clark Kent and goes on trial for it.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 42
July 1963
Cover: Justice of the Peace, teen-aged Lois Lane, and Superboy //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Girl Who Betrayed Atlantis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #134)
GA: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #134)
Supporting Character: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (3))
Origin: Atlantis (details)
Intro: Klar-Kan (dies in this story), Torr (only appearance), ancient Atlanteans
Villain: Roh-Tul (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: In ADVENTURE COMICS #333, the sinking of another part of Atlantis and the origin of the fish-tailed Atlanteans is revealed.
Synopsis: Lois Lane, visiting Atlantis, is sent back in time by an ancient time-travel belt to the days just before Atlantis’s sinking and becomes involved in an adventure against the tyrant Roh-Tul.
Story: “The Monkey’s Paw” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #134), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69)
Cameo appearance: Captain Marvel, Lana Lang (as characters in Lois’s fantasy)
Comment: The appearance of Captain Marvel on pg. 1, panel 1 and pg. 3, panel 3 as an in-joke by artist Kurt Schaffenberger is the first appearance of Captain Marvel in a DC Comic. His first actual appearance in a DC Comic is in SHAZAM! #1.
This story is based on the famed horror story “The Monkey’s Paw”.
Synopsis: Lois Lane gains the legendary Monkey’s Paw, which can grant three wishes. However, she becomes convinced that she has used up its power and discards it, though, ironically, she hasn’t even used any of her wishes.
Story: “The Romance of Superbaby and Baby Lois” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75 (1))
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s interim appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #134; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70)
Cameo appearance: Kurt Schaffenberger
Intro: An alien scientist (in flashback), Dr. Thorne (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane gets a picture of Superman changing into his secret identity and blackmails him into promising to marry her. But both she and Superman get a shot of rejuvenation spray at the Fortress of Solitude, and begin de-aging to infants.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 70
July 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen exposing Superman to Silver Kryptonite //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Boo Boos” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42)
Villains: Jurgo (first and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (next appears in SUPERMAN #163)
Synopsis: Four teenage members of the Superman Revenge Squad impersonate members of the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club to get Jimmy in trouble with Superman.
Story: “The Human Robot” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in issue #75 (1))
GS: Superman (next appears in issue #75 (1))
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42), Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42; next appears in issue #75 (1))
Villains: Professor Brunt and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: In this story, Lucy Lane breaks her engagement to Jimmy.
Shortly after this story, Jimmy encounters the Brain in issue #75 (1).
Synopsis: In order to set a deathtrap for Superman, Professor Brunt and his gang convince Jimmy that his head has been transplanted onto a robot’s body, which is a metal shell with a Kryptonite bomb concealed inside.
Story: “The Secret of Silver Kryptonite” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #75 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #177 (1))
GS: Superman (last appearance in issue #75 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #177 (1)), Element Lad (between ADVENTURE COMICS #307 / 316)
GA: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (3); next appears in ACTION COMICS #302)
Supporting Characters: Professor Potter, Lori Lemaris (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #302), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (first appearance; next appear in issue #73; including Zol-Lar (Jimmy Olsen’s double, named in issue #73), Vol-Don (Clark Kent’s double, named in SUPERBOY #118; next appears in SUPERMAN #177 (1)), Ar-Rone (Perry White’s double; named in issue #83), Sylvia Van-Zee (Lois Lane’s double; identified in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78), and Ti-Arra (Lana Lang’s double; named in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78)), Perry White, Lois Lane, (last appearance of both in issue #75 (1); both next appear in SUPERMAN #177 (1)), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (3); next appears in ACTION COMICS #302)
Comment: The revelation that Superman has, by this time, spent 25 years in Metropolis is extremely problematic. That would make Superman about 43 years old at the time of this story. But this has to depict the 25th anniversary of something in Superman’s career, or the story must be declared null and void. If it “really” refers to the 25th anniversary of his Superboy / Superman career, he might be 33 years of age here. More probable is that the occasion is the 25th anniversary of Kal-El’s coming to Earth at age 3. That would make Superman 28 years old in this
story. Or it may simply be noncanonical.
The date of June 13th is revealed as an important anniversary in Superman’s career in this story.
In this story, we learn that Perry White’s father was a judge.
Shortly after this story, Superman is caused to speak only Kryptonese by a Red Kryptonite meteor, then copes with a Gold Kryptonite meteor, in SUPERMAN #177 (1) and #179 (2)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Professor Potter spread rumors concerning the existence of Silver Kryptonite, a hitherto unknown variety of Kryptonite. At the same time, Jimmy gathers silver
objects from Perry White, Lois Lane, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, and Lori Lemaris. Finally, Jimmy summons Superman to Prof. Potter’s lab, where they unveil a “meteor” of “Silver Kryptonite”. It
turns out to be a hollow phony, inside which are silver life masks of Jimmy, Clark, Lois, Lori, Perry, and Lana, formed by pouring molten silver from the gathered objects over the faces of
six members of the Kandor Look-Alike Squad who resemble his friends. Element Lad arrives from the 30th Century to turn the table the “meteor” rests on into a silver pedestal.
Superman is dumbfounded as to why he would receive the gift, until Jimmy tells him “It’s the 25th anniversary of the day you adopted Metropolis as your official home, Superman!”
Action Comics No. 302
July 1963
Cover: Perry White in Superman costume with Superman mask, destroying desk before Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #179 (2); next appears in SUPERMAN #163)
GS: Superman robots
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last chronological appearance for all in SUPERMAN #179 (2); all next appear in SUPERMAN #163), Alice White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #157 (3); next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Villains: Three swindlers and a crook (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To save Perry White from a gang of swindlers who seek his life, Superman takes him to the Fortress of Solitude and takes Perry’s place, pretending that Perry White is his secret identity. But when the real Perry escapes from the Fortress and pretends that he has super-powers, things get complicated.
Superman No. 163
August 1963
Cover: Superman, Wonder Man, and Wonder Man poster //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #302)
GA: Superman robots, Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #302; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Villains: Wonder-Man (Ajax; an android and former Superman robot; dies in this story), Zoll, Attal (first and only appearance for both), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; next appears in issue #165), Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox (last chronological appearance for both in issue #179 (2); both next appear in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #304), Kru-El (last appearance in issue #158)
Synopsis: Superman’s place in Metropolis is usurped by a new super-hero, Wonder-Man, who has all of Superman’s powers plus no vulnerability to Kryptonite. Unknown to him, Wonder-Man is formerly one of his Superman robots, whose computer mind was transferred to an android body by members of the Superman Revenge Squad. The Squad attempts to get Wonder-Man to kill Superman, but the android turns against them, even though he dies shortly afterward.
Story: “The Goofy Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #302; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Intro: Inmates of Happy Acres State Sanitarium (including “General Grant”, “Little Lord Fauntleroy”, “Napoleon”, “Lincoln”, “Columbus”, and “King Arthur”; first and only appearance)
Villains: Crump (first and only appearance), the Mad Bomber (first appearance; possibly appears next, behind the scenes, in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Synopsis: After a Red Kryptonite exposure turns Clark Kent into a mental case, he is institutionalized. The Red K wears off, and he decides to teach a super-lesson to the cruel attendant in the asylum.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 43
August 1963
Cover: Lois Lane, Superman, and Paul Hunt in iron lung //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Girl Who Mourned For Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75 (1) / 71)
Intro: Superman of a parallel universe (dies in this story), Perry White, Lois Lane, and Lucy Lane of the parallel universe, an Atlantean ambassador (only appearance for all)
Villain: Lex Luthor of a parallel universe (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is thrown by a lightning strike into a parallel universe in which Superman is killed by Lex Luthor.
Story: “Lois Lane, Volunteer Nurse” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both between ACTION COMICS #302 / 303)
Villains: “General Blair”, Paul Hunt, the 14-Karat Gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: As a volunteer nurse, Lois falls for a handsome patient in an iron lung, not suspecting that he is a member of the deadly 14-Karat Gang.
Story: “The Girl Who Deserted Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #303)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #303)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between ACTION COMICS #302 / 304)
Synopsis: Lana Lang hits her head in an accident and is rendered comatose, dreaming that she is Superman’s wife. To shock her out of the coma, Superman and Lois have to render her dream-world a nightmare.
Action Comics No. 303
August 1963
Cover: Supergirl riding Superman (as a drang) tearing a Superman statue out of its base while soldiers fire Kryptonite at him //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Monster From Krypton” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
GS: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (both in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71), Supermen Emergency Squad (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #179 (2); next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73)
Intro: Drangs (dragons from Krypton; in flashback)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin fight the Future Man in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135.
Synopsis: On Krypton in decades past, Jor-El and other scientists rocketed the eggs of drangs, fearsome dragon-like monsters, away from their planet to an uninhabited world. However, a drang egg passed through the Red Kryptonite cloud in space and landed on Earth. Even though the egg cracked and cannot hatch, Superman, investigating, becomes a drang when affected by the Red K. Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen, and others believe that Superman has been killed by the drang and attempt to destroy it. All of Superman’s attempts to reveal the truth go awry, until he finally rescues Supergirl from a green Kryptonite weapon-burst, pulls up a Superman statue, and scratches out the letters on the base inscription to leave the message: I AM SUPERMAN. The drang-Superman is left unmolested until he can change back to his Superman form when the Red Kryptonite wears off.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 71
September 1963
Cover: Superman and four falling Jimmy Olsens //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Plot Against Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #303)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #135)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #303), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43)
Intro: Three Jimmy Olsen doubles (all destroyed in this story)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between issues #66 / 74)
Synopsis: When Jimmy Olsen bollixes a prank of Mr. Mxyzptlk’s, the Silly Sprite creates three duplicate Jimmys to make his life more difficult.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen Meets Cleopatra” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman
Supporting Character: Professor Potter (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44)
Villains: A gang of spies (including “Cleopatra” and “Mark Anthony”; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story is inspired by the 1963 movie Cleopatra and makes reference to that movie.
Synopsis: To try and get the secret of Professor Potter’s levitator, spies capture him and Jimmy Olsen and attempt to convince them that they have travelled back in time to Cleopatra’s Egypt.
Story: “The Nine Lives of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #164)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #304), Lucy Lane, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44)
Intro: The People of the Cat, Van Amburgh (only appearance for all)
Villains : Two spies (first and only appearance)
Comment: The People of the Cat may be the same tribe who created the magic “nine-lives” fabric that the Cat-Man, Batman’s villain, uses in his costume.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and Justice Society fight the Crime Champions in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21-22.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is given a magic cat’s paw by a grateful African tribe which endows him with nine lives, eight of which he uses up.
Action Comics No. 304
September 1963
Cover: Superman, Borko, and Boscar lifting weights at Interplanetary Olympics //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Interplanetary Olympics” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #22; next appears in SUPERMAN #164)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71; next appears in SUPERMAN #164), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43 / 44)
Villains: Rogan, Boscar, Borko, and other alien criminals (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This is actually the second time Superman has participated in the Interplanetary Olympics. The first time was in issue #220.
Synopsis: Alien criminals attempt to drain some of Superman’s energy for their own purposes by inviting him to compete in an “Interplanetary Olympics,” but Superman sees through the ruse and deliberately refrains from expending his power.
Superman No. 164
October 1963
Cover: Lex Luthor and Superman fighting under a red sun //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Super-Duel” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #304)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #304; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71)
Intro: Lexorians (planet named in issue #168; next appear in issue #167)
Villain: Lex Luthor (last chronological appearance in issue #179 (2); next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137)
Synopsis: Superman accepts the challenge of Lex Luthor to meet and fight on equal terms on a planet with higher gravity under a red sun. Though he takes some punishment due to his tendency to pull a punch, Superman eventually knocks out Luthor. Later, however, he must deal with the problem of the planet’s populance, who have been helped by Luthor and regard him as a hero.
Story: “The Fugitive From the Phantom Zone” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44)
Intro: Lon-Ra, Bor-Ak’s wife (both die in this story), Bor-Ak (all in flashback)
Villains: Ras-Krom (first and only appearance), Jax-Ur (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #304; next appears in issue #167), Prof. Vakox (between ACTION COMICS #304 / 310), Communists
Synopsis: Ras-Krom, a Phantom Zone villain, is freed by the force of an atomic test blast on Earth, but Superman uses Kryptonian superstition against him to put him back in the Zone.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 44
October 1963
Cover: Lois Lane giving Superman “heart-meter” test as Lana Lang watches //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Murder of Lana Lang” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163)
GA: Atlanteans
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #304), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #163), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #303; next appears in SUPERMAN #165)
Intro: Star City’s district attorney, a state governor, a judge, a Lana Lang robot (only appearance for all)
Comment: Though most of the story takes place in Star City, Green Arrow does not appear in it.
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Lana Lang cook up a plot to help build support against Star City’s death penalty by faking Lana’s “murder” at Lois’s hands. But, when Lana goes missing after the killing is staged, Lois finds herself really facing the gas chamber.
Story: “The False Superman” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72)
Intro: Senator Burns (only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Big, Mike Dawson, Hack (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A mob stages a Superman impersonation with a double for the Man of Steel to ferret out an informer, but Lois and Superman foil their plan.
Story: “Superman’s Surprise Choice” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #165)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #165), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71), Professor Potter (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #71; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141)
Intro: Andrew Klopper, Angel La Fleur (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: A device of Professor Potter’s which can measure the degree of love a person holds for another seems to indicate that Superman loves Lana more than Lois, and Lois leaves Metropolis as a result.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 72
October 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Colossal Boy (as “Giant Turtle-Man”), Cosmic Boy (as “Porcupine Olsen”), Proty II (as “Wolf-Boy Olsen”), Chameleon Boy (as “Elastic Lad”), and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The World of Doomed Olsens” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44; appears as Elastic Lad and becomes an honorary member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44), Bouncing Boy, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Lightning Lad (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #315 / 316), Mon-El, Shrinking Violet (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #314 / 316), Sun Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #316 flashback / 316; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes), Fire Lad, Polar Boy, Night Girl, Stone Boy (the Legion of Substitute Heroes; appear between ADVENTURE COMICS #315 / 319), Proty II (first appearance; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #316)
Comment: The Legion’s appearance as a whole in this story takes place between ADVENTURE COMICS #315 / 316.
Synopsis: The Legion of Super-Heroes initiates Jimmy Olsen as Elastic Lad to honorary membership, after first (with Superman’s consent) impersonating former transformed identities of Jimmy as an initiation stunt.
Story: “The Super-Test of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (also appears in flashbacks to indeterminate times)
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Professor Potter (in flashback to indeterminate time)
Intro: Freddy Foster, Wilfred Warder (only appearance)
Villains: Two convicts, Mercurians (in flashback; first and only appearance for all), Slick Smorley (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When a member of the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club accuses Jimmy of being unable to handle anything without Superman’s help, Jimmy relates several exploits he successfully performed while Superman was absent. Then, when a bomber threatens to blow them to bits, Jimmy handles the emergency himself…with a little unseen help from Clark Kent.
Story: “The Secret of Monster Island” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #305)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #305)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44; next appears in ACTION COMICS #305)
Intro: Noah (of Earth-One; in flashback)
Synopsis: After the Flying Newsroom crashes, Jimmy and Perry White find themselves stranded on an isle of monsters.
Action Comics No. 305
October 1963
Cover: Gangsters watching Clark Kent change into Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Why Superman Needs a Secret Identity” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72; next appears in SUPERMAN #165)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #72; both next appear in SUPERMAN #165)
Cameo appearances: Lana Lang, Superboy, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Chief Parker, Lex Luthor, Superman robots, Steve Barnes (first and only appearance; all as characters in imaginary stories)
Villain: Benny the Blaster (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent manages to foil Benny the Blaster’s attempt to kill the Daily Planet staff with a bomb without giving away his secret identity.
Superman No. 165
November 1963
Cover: Saturn Woman (as Circe) giving Superman a lion’s head //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Beauty and the Super-Beast” (Part 1; 7 pages)
Part 2: “Circe’s Super-Slave” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Characters: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #305)
GS: Saturn Woman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #289; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168), Proty II (last chronological appearance in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #8; last chronological appearance), Krypto (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #313)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44 / 45), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #305)
Villains: Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in issue #163; next appears in ACTION COMICS #313), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: In order to help Superman conceal a secret from the Superman Revenge Squad, Saturn Woman impersonates Circe and pretends to have bewitched the Man of Steel.
Story: “The Sweetheart Superman Forgot” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #44; next appears in ACTION COMICS #310), Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45)
Intro: Sally Selwyn, Digby Selwyn, Hawkins (all next appear in issue #169)
GA: Atlanteans
Villain: Bart (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: An exposure to Red Kryptonite robs Clark Kent of his memory and super-powers. He finds himself on the ranch of Digby Selwyn and, calling himself “Jim White”, falls in love with Selwyn’s lovely daughter Sally. Over the course of a week, Clark becomes a ranch hand and he and Sally fall in love. But a rival named Bart arranges for Clark to be crippled in a riding accident and then knocks him into a river. Clark is saved by Aquaman and taken to Atlantis, where he finally regains his memory and powers. But he has no memory of Sally, who believes that “Jim White” committed suicide.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 45
November 1963
Story: “The ‘Superman-Lois’ Hit Record” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in ACTION COMICS #308), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
Intro: Steve Allen (of Earth-One; only appearance?), Don Weeder and his female partner (only apeparance for both)
Cameo: John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Nikita Khruschev (in photos)
Comment: Don Weeder, the comedian in this story, is based on the real-life Vaughn Meader, a comedian and John F. Kennedy mimic who recorded The First Family albums.
Synopsis: Lois Lane is irritated by Please Marry Me, Superman, a comedy album mimicking herself and Superman, and can’t escape its excessive exposure.
Story: “The Girl With the Golden Arm” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165), Perry White
GA: Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope (of Earth-One; last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #64)
Intro: Princess Grace, Prince Ranier (of Earth-One; only appearance for both)
Villains: Ace Bower and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane goes on a gambling spree as a stunt for the Daily Planet, but racks up an incredible streak of wins, all of it part of a gang’s scheme to smuggle out “hot money”.
Story: “Dear Dr. Cupid” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #306)
GS: Superman (next appears in THE ATOM #8 / JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #23)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #306)
Intro: Bill (only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears at a Justice League meeting in THE ATOM #8 / JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #23.
Synopsis: Lois gets saddled with the duties of a lovelorn column for a week, and thinks that Clark Kent is one of her correspondents and is in love with her.
Action Comics No. 306
November 1963
Cover: Gen. Pedro Valdez and Carl watching Clark Kent affected by Kryptonite //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Great Superman Impersonation” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in THE ATOM #8 / JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #23; next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73)
Intro: Manuel Baeza, President Moro (only appearance for both)
Villains: Gen. Pedro Valdez, Carl, Dolores (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s battle with Sklor in the second story of this issue. Then Superman helps Batman and Robin fight Lex Luthor in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137.
In this story, it is revealed that Lois Lane wears peach-flavored lipstick.
Synopsis: Clark Kent is kidnapped by a Latin American general to serve as a double for Superman in a plot to assassinate his country’s president.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 73
December 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen giving “golden touch” to Perry White and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Kid With the Golden Touch” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #306)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137), Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #306)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137), Lucy Lane
Villains: Vostar (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #302; last appearance), Targ (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Vostar, an old enemy of Supergirl’s in disguise, gives Jimmy Olsen the “Midas touch”, enabling him to transform anything he touches into gold, as part of a plot to rob Supergirl of her powers.
Story: “The Five Fantastic Feats of Jimmy Olsen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Superman, Supergirl (next appears in ACTION COMICS #307)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White, Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #303), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (last appearance in issue #70; next appear in ACTION COMICS #309)
Intro: Mickey Mantle (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Villains: Mr. Fix, Shagg, and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To trip up a horse race-fixing hoodlum called Mr. Fix, Jimmy poses as a rajah with uncanny luck, with the help of the Supermen Emergency Squad.
Story: “Jimmy’s Inter-Dimensional Romance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24)
GA: Ultra Boy (between flashback and story proper in ADVENTURE COMICS #316), Supermen Emergency Squad member (next appearance of the Squad in SUPERMAN #167)
Intro: Inter-Dimensional Police (only appearance)
Villain: Rona (first appearance; next appears in issue #100)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America and Adam Strange fight Kanjar Ro in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24.
Synopsis: A beauty from another dimension romances Jimmy and gets him to agree to marriage, but he doesn’t realize she is a serial murderess.
Action Comics No. 307
December 1963
Cover: Superman android and Kandorians at the wedding of Saturn Girl (disguised as Supergirl) and Tor-An //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent–Target For Murder” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #138)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74), Perry White (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73 / 74)
Villains: “King” Kobra, the Executioner, Rocks, Chalky, Hard-Rock Johnny, and other hoods (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this, Superman helps Batman and Robin fight General Grote in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #138.
Synopsis: Clark Kent has a contract put on his head by gang-boss “King” Kobra, and Superman, in disguise, takes the job of rubbing himself out.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 74
January 1964
Cover: Tiger-headed Perry White, miniature Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen floating in air, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Pranks of Jimmy the Imp” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #138)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #307; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #307), Lucy Lane
Intro: The Fifth-Dimension Police (only appearance)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #71; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48)
Synopsis: Mr. Myxzptlk uses a stolen device to dominate Jimmy Olsen and turn him into an imp with magical powers, which are used to transform his friends at the Daily Planet and Lucy Lane into strange forms.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen and the Forty Thieves” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
GA: Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #137; next appears in SUPERMAN #167)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is sent back to the time and setting of the Arabian Nights, where he assumes the identity of Ali Baba and falls in with one Abu Hallam, who is really Lex Luthor.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Secret Love” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Magi the Magnificent for the first time in this story; next appearance in SUPERMAN #167)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #308)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (becomes Sandra Rogers for the first time in this story), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47), Lucy’s boss (first appeaance; next appears in issue #78)
Villain: Slick Eddie (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: While Jimmy Olsen is masquerading as magician Magi the Magnificent to catch a crook, and Lucy Lane is undercover as Sandra Rogers, a glamorous starlet, both meet each other and fall in love.
Action Comics No. 308
January 1964
Cover: Superman and “Hercules” //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Meets the Goliath-Hercules” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74; next appears in SUPERMAN #167)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #45; next appears in SUPERMAN #270 (1)), Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in issue #297; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81)
Intro: Hercules, Jason, Ben-Hur of a parallel Earth (only appearance for all)
Villains: King of Thebes and his advisors (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Superman is thrown by a space-warp into a parallel universe in which he helps Hercules, who looks like Goliath, complete his six labors for the king of Thebes.
Superman No. 167
February 1964
Cover: Brainiac, Lex Luthor, and miniature Superman in bird cage //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Team of Luthor and Brainiac”
Part 1: “The Deadly Duo” (9 pages)
Part 2: “The Downfall of Superman” (9 pages)
Part 3: “The Hour of Kandor’s Vengeance” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #308; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47), Nor-Kann (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #69; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
GS: Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #76), Kandorians (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #308), Coluans, Lexorians (last appearance in issue #164)
Intro: Brainiac 2 (Vril Dox; in flashback), Tharla (only appearance for both)
Cameo: Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Captain Kidd, Al Capone (as statues)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74), Brainiac (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #280; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144; also appears in flashback (his first chronological appearance), isochronally with flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158; next chronological appearance after flashback in SUPERBOY #106; origin revealed in this story), Master Computer One and computer tyrants of Yod (first appearance; appear in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158 within this story; destroyed in this story), Yar-Don (in flashback; first and only appearance), Jax-Ur (last appearance in issue #164; next appears in ACTION COMICS #310), Phantom Zone villains (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #33; next appear in ACTION COMICS #310)
Comment: As explained in this issue’s letter column, Brainiac’s origin is revealed to make him a human-like computer in honor of the Brainiac computer kit.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes from jail, learns Brainiac’s secret origin–that he is a humanoid computer, created by the now-destroyed computer tyrants of Yod–and frees Brainiac from the planet on which Superman had imprisoned him. Together they shrink and defeat Superman, but the Supermen Emergency Squad capture both of them, shrink them, and put them on trial in Kandor. But Superman is in a coma, and Brainiac buys both himself and Luthor their freedom by bringing him out of it. Superman enlarges himself, Luthor, and Brainiac, and sets the latter two free according to the agreement. Brainiac removes Luthor’s knowledge of his computer nature and takes him back to Lexor, where Luthor is embraced by Tharla, a woman who has come to love him.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 47
February 1964
Cover: Lois Lane as Krypton Girl, projecting Clark Kent into the Phantom Zone //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Incredible Delusion” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75 (2)), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74)
Villains: The Kansas Killer, Artie the Actor (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This story makes reference to an untold Superman / Batman adventure.
Synopsis: Lois Lane becomes convinced that Perry White has been replaced by an impostor who is out to murder her.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Jungle Jeopardy” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75 (2))
Intro: Rico (only appearance)
Villain: Stace Lorin (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a leave of abscence from the Daily Planet, Lois joins the Peace Corps to teach in South America and encounters a jewel thief and a shaman who seems to possess super-powers.
Story: “The Super-Life of Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #25)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight Kraad the Conqueror in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #25, then helps Batman and Robin fight the Sphinx Gang in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #139.
Synopsis: In the Fortress of Solitude, Lois Lane asks Superman’s computer to show her what her life would have been like if she had been a Kryptonian come to Earth, rather than Superman. It shows her adopting the costumed identity of Krypton Girl, with Clark Kent as a pest trying to uncover her secret identity.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 75
March 1963
Cover: Jimmy Olsen thinking of Superman carrying Lois Lane and Linda Danvers thinking of Supergirl carrying Jimmy Olsen //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Mystery of Convict 313″ (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (appears between second and third stories in issue #70; also appears, in flashback, chronologically between SUPERMAN #131 and flashback in issue #79; origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (appears between second and third stories in issue #70)
Supporting Characters: Mark Olsen (behind the scenes; in flashback; last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #216; next appears in issue #124), Mrs. Mark Olsen (behind the scenes; last appearance in SUPERMAN #131; dies in this story), Perry White (between second and third stories in issue #70), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #42; next appearance in issue #70 (3)), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in second story in issue #70; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #179 (2))
Villains: The Brain (Mark Olsen; first appearance; dies in this story; not to be confused with the Doom Patrol villain), the Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #152; next appear in issue #85), the Creep, various convicts (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: Dr. Mark Olsen is said to be an engineer in this story, which contradicts all other portrayals of him as an archaeologist.
This story takes place June 10th and 11th. Therefore, it must take place just before the third story in issue #70, which takes place on June 12th and 13th.
This story also makes mention of an untold case of Superman’s and Batman’s.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen lost both his parents in a train wreck near Lincoln City during his childhood. Now he meets a convict with the same name, red hair, and freckles as his father, Mark Olsen, and is appalled to think that “The Brain” might be his long-lost father.
Story: “The Voyage of the Mary Celeste II” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #139; next appears in ACTION COMICS #310)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #47; next appears in ACTION COMICS #310), Lucy Lane
Intro: Edward Moorhouse (only appearance)
Villains: Jeff Conway (first and only appearance), the Fearless Five (first appearance; all die in this story)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is conned into taking a voyage with a crew who turn out to be crooks on the lam over the same part of the Azores in which the Mary Celeste lost its passengers and crew on Dec. 15, 1872.
Story: “When Supergirl Replaced Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #310)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #308; next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #310)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #310), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Cameo: Superman
Villain: Marty Blake (first appearance; dies in this story)
Comment: Linda Danvers’s hair is miscolored black on the cover.
Synopsis: After being exposed to Red Kryptonite in the future, which causes her to become super-powered only as Linda Danvers but powerless as Supergirl, the Girl of Steel returns to 1964. But she accidentally sees an event that will happen 48 hours from her “present”: the death of someone who appears to be Jimmy Olsen in the crash of the Daily Planet helicopter. To save
Jimmy’s life, Supergirl changes to her Linda Danvers identity, gets a job on the Daily Planet, and manages to get Jimmy fired before he can take the helicopter trip. However, she hears the helicopter has crashed and that “Jimmy Olsen” has died in it. Rushing to the scene, Linda discovers the real Jimmy Olsen revealing the corpse to be fugitive criminal Marty Blake, who, in disguise, resembles Jimmy. Perry White hires back Jimmy with a raise, and Linda quits and returns to school
Action Comics No. 310
March 1964
Cover: Superman, Jimmy Olsen, models of Kryptonite meteors, and Prof. Vakox and Jax-Ur in Phantom Zone //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Secret of Kryptonite Six” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75; next appears in Supergirl story in last issue)
GA: Atlanteans, Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75), Lori Lemaris (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #165)
Intro: Vorb-Un (a former Phantom Zoner; only appearance), Jewel Kryptonite
Villains: Jax-Ur (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146; also appears in flashback, his earliest (?) chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #233), Prof. Vakox (last appearance in SUPERMAN #164; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146), Phantom Zone villains (between SUPERMAN #167 / 205)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle Clayface in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140.
Synopsis: Jax-Ur tricks Superman into taking him along on a mission back to old Krypton before its destruction, to gain a cure for an Atlantean plague–and, unknown to the Man of Steel, a form of crystal which is used to form Jewel Kryptonite.
Superman No. 168
April 1964
Cover: Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Luthor–Super-Hero” (Part 1)
Part 2: “Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton (part 1), Leo Dorfman (part 2)
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140; next appears in issue #170 (1))
Villain: Lex Luthor (next appears in ACTION COMICS #309; becomes The Defender for this story)
GS: Lexorians (rename their planet Lexor in this story; last appearance in issue #164; next appear in ACTION COMICS #319), Ardora (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #319)
Intro: Lillian Russell (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Action Comics No. 309
February 1964
Cover: Lori Lemaris, Element Lad, Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Chief Parker, Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen, Robin, Batman, Supergirl, Perry White, Lois Lane, John F. Kennedy disguised as “Clark Kent”, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Superman Super-Spectacular” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1); next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48; also appears in flashback as Superboy, chronologically between SUPERBOY #112 / ADVENTURE COMICS #319)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #170 (1); both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (including Danny; last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #170 (1); all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1); next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Pete Ross (last chronological appearance in flashback in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55 (1); next appears in SUPERMAN #270; also appears in flashback), Chief Parker (last chronological appearance in NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #50; next appears in SUPERMAN #171), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165; next appears in issue #312), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #73 / 83)
GS: Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Lightning Lass, Triplicate Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #316 / 317), Element Lad, Colossal Boy, Invisible Kid (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #316 / 319), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1); next appears in Supergirl story in next issue; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes), Comet, Krypto, Streaky (both next appear in ADVENTURE COMICS #323), Beppo (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #313; all appear as the Legion of Super-Pets), Batman, Robin (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #140; both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #326), John F. Kennedy (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1))
Intro: Producer and host of Our American Heroes (only appearance for both)
Cameo: Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent
Villain: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN #168; next appears in Supergirl story in issue #313)
Comments: Since Lex Luthor is in prison, rather than in space, in this story, it must take place out of sequence and after SUPERMAN #168, in which he returns to Earth.
President Kennedy’s appearance in this story probably takes place after his appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (1), which places that story chronologically just before this one.
Synopsis: When Our American Heroes, a TV show honoring great Americans by reuniting them on air with their old acquaintances, honors Superman in such fashion, he is perplexed as to how he will find someone to portray Clark Kent and thus throw suspicion off his double identity. President John F. Kennedy agrees to do so, and, in a Clark Kent mask and make-up, shakes Superman’s hand on the air. Later, Superman tells JFK that he knows his secret identity is safe with him.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 48
April 1964
Cover: Lois Lane scrubbing floors, Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Superman //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “When Lois Lane Became Cinderella”
Part 1: “Hellene of Troy” (10 pages)
Part 2: “The Courtship of Cinderella Lane” (8 pages)
Part 3: “Florence Nightingale’s Last Stand” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76), Helen of Troy (called Hellene in this story)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76)
Intro: Aeneas (dies in this story), Kallus, Prince Charming, Louis Pasteur (of Earth-One), Father Carlos (only appearance for all)
Villains: Palicles, Cinderella’s mother and stepsisters (first and only appearance for all), Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #74; next appears in SUPERMAN #169), Cadwell (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Superman gives Lois Lane three chances to learn his secret identity, by taking her to three past eras, having her stand in for a famous woman of history, and challenging her to guess what secret identity he will assume in that era. If Lois guesses correctly once, Superman will reveal his present-day secret identity. But even though Lois guesses her best while subbing for Helen of Troy, Cinderella, and Florence Nightingale, she cannot deduce Superman’s identities and thus loses her chance to learn who Superman secretly is.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 76
April 1964
Cover: Superman, Elastic Lad, Saturn Girl, Light Lass, and Triplicate Girl at the Legion clubhouse //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Elastic Lad Jimmy and His Legion Romances” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (as Elastic Lad; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48)
GS: Sun Boy, Light Lass, Triplicate Girl (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #318 / 319), Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #317 / 319; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Villain: A thief (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Light Lass, Saturn Girl, and Triplicate Girl of the Legion of Super-Heroes use a time-scope to see Lucy Lane high-hatting Jimmy Olsen during a dinner date. They concoct a ruse to bring him to the future as Elastic Lad in a time bubble and do heroic feats, which they feel will impress and shame Lucy, who is given a monitor tuned to the future. The girls pretend to fall for Jimmy and have a fight over him before he returns to the 20th Century. Unfortunately, Lucy has fallen asleep in front of the monitor and missed every minute of it.
Story: “The Death March” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Intro: Garver (only appearance)
Synopsis: To win a bet with a rival editor, Perry White concocts a fictitious ancestor of his and determines to clear his name by making Lois, Clark, and Jimmy duplicate an alleged “death march” of Civil War days.
Story: “The Goose With Golden Eggs” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #169)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (including Kenny; betweeen ACTION COMICS #309 / 312), Lucy Lane, Perry White (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (both between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #27 / 71)
GA: Atlanteans
Intro: Amanda (a goose; dies in this story)
Cameo: Superman
Comment: Shortly after this story, Clark Kent, Perry White, and Lois Lane briefly appear in the Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311.
Synopsis: In a wizard’s cave, Jimmy discovers the legendary goose that lays golden eggs, but cannot figure out the magic word to make her lay them.
Superman No. 169
May 1964
Cover: Superman watching Bizarro No. 1 and Bizarros destroy Earth globe held by Atlas statue //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Infernal Imp” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76; next appears in ACTION COMICS #311)
GA: Zrfffians
Intro: Mayor of Zrfff (only appearance)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #48; next appears in issue #171)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk gets a case of lockjaw. Ergo, when he comes to Earth to play pranks, Superman literally cannot trick him into saying his name backwards.
Story: “The Man Who Stole Superman’s Secret Life”
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (also appears, in flashback, as Superboy, between ADVENTURE COMICS #320 / SUPERBOY #119)
Supporting Characters: Sally Selwyn, Digby Selwyn, Hawkins (last appearance for all in issue #165; last appearance for all), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311)
Cameo appearances: Lois Lane, Lana Lang
Villains: Ned Barnes, Big Tony, Gunner (first appearance for all; all die in this story)
Synopsis: Ned Barnes, a double for Clark Kent and a thief, falls into company with Sally Selwyn, who takes him for “Jim White”, the identity under which an amnesiac Superman once fell in love with her.
Story: “The Bizarro Invasion of Earth” (5 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #49)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #311), Lois Lane (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #311; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #49)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in issue #157; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80), Bizarros (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #299; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Villains: Gus and another crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: This story was run as “The Great DC Contest”, in which the letters “D” and “C” were used only once in the story proper…in a “Continued on next page following” label on page 3.
Synopsis: Superman is dismayed when the Bizarros come to Earth saying that they will do him the favor of destroying the planet, not knowing they mean the advertising globe on top of the Daily Planet building.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 49
May 1964
Cover: Bamor and another Zavakian watching Lana Lang, Superman, and Lois Lane on monitor //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Unknown Superman” (Part 1; 7 pages)
Part 2: “The Secret of Strong Bear” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #169)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #169)
Intro: Bamor (dies in this story), Zavakians (in flashback), Metropolis Meteors (a baseball team; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A mutated alien named Bamor comes to Earth, gaining super-powers in its environiment, and transforms himself into a human, hoping to romance Lois Lane.
Story: “Lois Lane, Beauty Queen” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #311)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #27)
Villains: Rex Koven, Diane, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: This story takes place in Central City, even though The Flash does not appear.
Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight “I” in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #27 and monitor Green Lantern’s battle against the Protonic Force in GREEN LANTERN #29.
Synopsis: Lois Lane disguises herself and uses her lip-reading talent to win a beauty contest so that she can interview the judge in the contest, who proves to be a crook.
Action Comics No. 311
April 1964
Cover: Superman on throne before people of Earth //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman, King of Earth” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #29)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #49), Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #169)
GS: Superman robots (destroyed in this story)
Comment: This story is continued in the next issue.
This story mentions an unrecorded adventure of Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Synopsis: Red Kryptonite splits Superman and Clark Kent into two separate beings: a tyrannical Superman who forces the United Nations to declare him king of the world, and a non-super Clark Kent who leads an underground movement against him.
Action Comics No. 312
May 1964
Cover: Metallo Clark Kent vs. crowned Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “King Superman Vs. Clark Kent, Metallo” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (all next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76 / 77), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in issue #309; next appears in the Supergirl story in this issue)
GS: Atlanteans
Cameo appearances: Metallo, Prof. Vale (in flashback)
Villain: Robot from Bxpa (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman, Robin, and Jimmy Olsen to fight Marl and other crooks in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141.
Synopsis: Clark Kent gets turned into a Metallo with a Kryptonite heart after he is mortally wounded by a policeman’s bullet, only to find out that Superman’s “tyranny” has been a ruse to prevent the world from panicking over an alien attack. After the danger is dealt with, Clark remerges with Superman, who gives up his rule over Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 77
June 1964
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as “Colossal Boy”, Lucy Lane, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Colossus of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Other character: Allura (last appearance in issue #64; last appearance)
Cameo: Lois Lane (in flashback)
Villain: Titano (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #295; next appears in issue #84)
Synopsis: Titano comes into the present through a time-warp, and Jimmy Olsen uses an enlarging serum to make himself a “Colossal Boy” to deal with him. Eventually, the giantess Allura comes to Earth and takes Titano back to her world, where he finds and falls in love with a female ape of his size.
Story: “The Kid Who Couldn’t Lose” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #312), Lucy Lane
Intro: “Bet-On-Anything” Wallow, Mr. Dill (only appearance for both)
Villains: Skip Wallow (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: After a teenaged betting whiz wins valuable Superman trophies from the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Jimmy hustles the hustler and wins them back.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Super-Thief” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #313)
GA: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: Shalzorians, Paratopians (only appearance for both)
Villains: Ergnlo and the Red Helmet Greeters (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League battle Headmaster Mind and his minions in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen, on an alien world, breaks his code of ethics and steals several super-scientific gadgets, only to be hailed as a hero. As it turns out, the people of that world value thievery.
Action Comics No. 313
June 1964
Cover: Android Supergirl, android Perry White, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The End of Clark Kent’s Secret Identity” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142)
GA: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue), Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #328)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in Supergirl story in last issue; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #77; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142), Lois Lane (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141 / 142), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: Android doubles of Supergirl, Batman, Lori Lemaris, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, and Perry White (all destroyed in this story)
Villains: The Android Master, the Pirate Gang, and several robbers (first and only appearance for all), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #165; next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin battle the Composite Superman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142.
Synopsis: The Android Master, a member of the Superman Revenge Squad, abducts Superman’s friends and co-workers at the Daily Planet, substitutes android doubles for them, and hopes to break his spirit by having the doubles, whom he will believe are his real friends, betray him. But Superman deduces the truth and foils the plot, and the Android Master dissolves his androids.
Superman No. 170
July 1964
Cover: Lex Luthor, Kal-El in rocket, Lara, and Superman statue on Krypton //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Mission For President Kennedy” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writers: Bill Finger, E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #168; next appears in ACTION COMICS #309)
GS: President John F. Kennedy (appears between ACTION COMICS #285 / 309)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #307 / 308), Supergirl Fan Club (first appearance), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appears in ACTION COMICS #309)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Perry White (next appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #309)
Intro: John Glenn (of Earth-One)
Comment: As President Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, this story was published by request of President Johnson some months after Kennedy’s death. We have placed it the Superman continuity just before President Kennedy’s appearance in ACTION COMICS #309.
Synopsis: At the request of President Kennedy, Superman helps inspire American youth to get into physical fitness.
Story: “If Lex Luthor Were Superman’s Father” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Wedding of Lara and Luthor” (Part 2; 7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: Jor-El , Lara Jor-El, Krypto, and Kryptonians of an alternate universe (first and only appearance for all)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #313; next appears in SUPERMAN #172), Brainiac of an alternate universe (first and only appearance)
Comment: Since Kandor was stolen after the marriage of Jor-El and Lara, in contradiction to what is shown in this story, and since Superman was present at both their marriage and the shrinking of Kandor (as shown in issue #141) but makes no appearance on the Krypton of this story, we are forced to conclude that Luthor has travelled into the past of a divergent universe, though there is no evidence that this is only an “imaginary” story as the cover blurb would indicate.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor travels back in time to an alternate Krypton and tries to romance Lara Lor-Van so that he can become the father of Superman, but Jor-El thwarts his plans. Luthor returns to his normal time and universe and is captured by Superman.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 50
July 1964
Cover: Lois Lane in time bubble, above Superboy and Lana Lang //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Plot Against Lana Lang” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #170 (2); also appears, in flashback, as Superboy, between SUPERBOY #87 and NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #18)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; also appears in flashback, between SUPERBOY #87 and NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERBOY #18), Professor Potter (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #141; next appears in SUPERMAN #181), principal of Smallville High School (in flashback)
Cameo: Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, Groucho Marx, Jimmy Durante, Bob Denver (as Maynard G. Krebs)
Comment: The portion of this story that is in the past takes place from shortly before Christmas (Dec. 25) to January 1st.
Synopsis: Lois Lane goes back in time to try to stop Superboy from falling in love with Lana Lang, but fails.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Unluckiest Day” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Triplicate Girl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #321 / 323) , Phantom Girl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #321 / 322), Shrinking Violet (between ADVENTURE COMICS #321 / 324; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #313; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78), Lois Lane Fan Club (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #65; next appears in issue #62; Carla named in this story)
Intro: Tommy, Dr. Sloan, a Vietnam veteran, Mr. Appleby (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Matter-Eater Lad, Lightning Lad, Light Lass, Star Boy
Synopsis: Three female Legionnaires come back in time to help research a Superman Encyclopedia and, in disguise, help Lois Lane in her rounds as a volunteer nurse.
Story: “The Prophecy of the Oracle Bird” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer:
Penciller: John Forte
Inker:
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #181), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #77 / 78)
Intro: Swami (a Mynah bird), a professor, Mrs. Sims (Lois’s landlady), Daredevil Doran, Joan (first and only appearance for all)
Villains: The Mad Bomber (no actual appearance; possibly the character from SUPERMAN #163, his last previous appearance; last appearance), Needles Blaine (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is convinced her life will end in three days, thanks to the prophetic utterances of a Mynah bird.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 78
July 1964
Cover: Jimmy Olsen fitting Clark Kent suit over Superman stand-up before mobsters //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Revenge of Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Aqualad (between AQUAMAN #16 / 17)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appear in issue #80)
Intro: The Cincinnatti Kid, Stool Pigeon Sneed, and other FBI agents (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The FBI considers Jimmy Olsen for a security check and has Superman and Aqualad run a test on him to prove his loyalty, by disguising Aqualad as a new Jimmy Olsen Fan Club member who “replaces” Jimmy as Superman’s pal.
Story: “The Baby That Saved Metropolis” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN #181), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50)
Intro: A woman from another dimension (only appearance)
Synopsis: When giant toys from another dimension menace Metropolis, Jimmy manages to turn them aside, though he gets dressed up as a baby in the process.
Story: “The Return of Jimmy’s Lost Love” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (also appears as Magi the Magnificent; next appears in SUPERMAN #181)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #314)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (also appears as Sandra Rogers), Lucy’s boss (last appearance in issue #74)
Villain: A thief (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lucy Lane goes undercover as Sandra Rogers again to catch an airmail thief, and Jimmy Olsen, seeing her, becomes Magi the Magnificent once more. Their romance resumes and they catch the thief with Superman’s help. But “Sandra” and “Magi” part, both afraid to reveal their true identities to each other, and both Jimmy and Lucy carry on in silent–and mistaken–sorrow.
Action Comics No. 314
July 1964
Cover: Superman as “The Flash” //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Day Superman Became the Flash” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78; next appears in SUPERMAN #171; also appears in flashback as baby Kal-El; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
GS: Aquaman (between AQUAMAN #16 / 17), the Atom (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #55), Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #142; next appears in BATMAN #165), the Flash (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28; next appears in THE FLASH #146), Green Arrow (between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28 / 31; all appear with Superman as the Justice League of America)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Zhan-Zar (in flashback; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Angra and other Xannians, Valarians, Ntannians, Saruunians, two Gangorians (first and only appearances; as characters in a reality simulation)
Comment: The Justice League of America appears in this story between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #28 / 29.
In this story, it is revealed that Jor-El learned shortly before Krypton’s destruction that Kal-El would become Superman, whom he had met three times before by time-travel.
Synopsis: Superman is summoned by five fellow members of the Justice League to view an artifact they have found. It proves to be a videotape from Jor-El, showing how he ran six different computer simulations on what Kal-El’s life would be, if he was rocketed to any one of six different planets. On each planet, Kal-El would have grown up to be a super-hero–a tiny-sized hero on a world of giants, the hero of a world of mermen, an archer-hero on a red sun world, a costumed detective on a world of night, and a super-fast hero on an Earth-like world. But Jor-El discovers that he would not be happy on any of those worlds, and learns that Kal will become Superman on Earth. As the tape ends, Superman realizes why his five comrades have greeted him–because, on the five other worlds, he would have become a version of the Atom, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Batman, and the Flash.
Superman No. 171
August 1964
Cover: Superman in breechcloth vs. caveman in Superman uniform //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Sacrifice” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #314)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50), Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #50; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Villains: Rokk, Sorban (first appearance for both; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #150)
Synopsis: Two gamblers from outer space force Superman to kill one of his best friends or face having the Earth destroyed, and lay a bet as to who will be the victim.
Story: “The Curse of Magic” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #79), Lois Lane, Chief Parker (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; next appears in issue #284)
Intro: Cecil, Reginald, Henry Rutledge, Darlene Curtis (only appearance for all)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (between issues #169 / 174)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk appears and curses Superman with the power to make any saying he says literally come true.
Story: “The Nightmare Ordeal of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #79), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
Intro: Dr. Luring, a tribe of cavemen (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Jimmy Olsen, Batman, and Robin fight the Metalloids in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143.
Synopsis: Superman is stranded on another planet when the yellow sun it orbits turns red, and he must deal with a tribe of cavemen, one of whom claims his costume.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 79
September 1964
Cover: Superman and ancient Israelites watching Jimmy Olsen in Beatle wig //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy’s Forgotten Girl Friend” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143; also appears in flashback, between flashbacks in issues #75 (1) and #36 (3))
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #171; next appears in ACTION COMICS #315), Perry White (between SUPERMAN #171 / 172), Lucy Lane
Intro: Melvin Shrike, Lisa Vine (only appearance for both)
Villain: Jeanette Clubber (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, Jimmy’s hometown of Mapleton is revealed.
Synopsis: A woman who was scorned by Jimmy Olsen in her youth plans revenge on him, by making him fall for a beautiful actress who pretends to be her.
Story: “The Menace of Insect Island” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Vorax and other ant-men (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy and Lucy Lane are brought to an island of ant-men, where strange white blobs are attacking the inhabitants.
Story: “The Red-Headed Beatle of 1,000 B. C.” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29), Samson (of Earth-One; first chronological appearance; next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #257)
Intro: Ancient Israelites of Earth-One
Villains: Kasmir, Ben-Robba, Delilah (of Earth-One; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and Justice Society defeat the Crime Syndicate of America in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29-30.
Synopsis: When Jimmy is trapped in ancient Israel by a time-travelling villain from the future, he makes a living by fashioning a Beatle wig and performing as a one-man rock-’n’-roll band.
Action Comics No. 315
August 1964
Cover: Superman seeing Zigi and Zagi melting Duke Bragger out of jail //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Juvenile Delinquents From Space” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #30)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #78; next appears in SUPERMAN #172)
GA: Warden of Metropolis Prison
Intro: The Rocket Boys (only appearance), Zigi, Zagi
Villains: Duke Bragger (first and only appearance), Slash Sabre (first appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Zigi and Zagi, two boys from Alpha Centauri, cause trouble for Earth and Superman with their super-scientific gimmicks. But after he convinces them to return to their homeworld, the Man of Steel learns that an escaped convict has stowed away in their spacecraft.
Action Comics No. 316
September 1964
Cover: Supergirl and trapped Superman and Zor-El //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Zigi and Zagi’s Trap For Superman” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144)
GS: Zigi, Zagi (last appearance for both)
GA: Warden of Metropolis Prison
Intro: Zigi’s and Zagi’s parents, Zyra, Dynamax (a robot), Zarthur (only appearance for all)
Villain: Slash Sabre (last appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin defeat Clayface and Brainiac in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144.
Synopsis: Superman tracks Zigi and Zagi back to their homeworld, where the two boys attempt to play matchmaker for Superman and their aunt Zyra.
Superman No. 172
October 1964
Cover: Clark Kent begging Ar-Val (in Superman suit) for help //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The New Superman” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “Clark Kent, Former Superman” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The Struggle of the Two Supermen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52)
GA: Saturn Girl (last appearance in SUPERBOY #125; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #325), Invisible Kid (between ADVENTURE COMICS #324 / 325), Cosmic Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #323 / 325; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #52), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #79; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #315; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Nor-Kann (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #143; next appears in ACTION COMICS #317)
Intro: Dr. Black, Bran-Een (only appearance for both), Ar-Val (briefly becomes the new Superman and dies in this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #170; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #317), Brainiac (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #144; next appears in ACTION COMICS #318)
Comment: The “borrowed” power ring that Superman obtains from Green Lantern in this story is undoubtedly a duplicate created by the original ring, as Green Lantern never voluntarily removes the power ring from his finger.
Synopsis: When a green comet destroys Superman’s powers, the former Man of Steel selects Ar-Ual, a Kandorian he enlarges with a duplicate of Green Lantern’s ring, to take his place as the new Superman. But Ar-Val proves to be egotistical and glory-hungry, and refuses to go after an escaped Brainiac and Luthor. Thus, Clark Kent is temporarily given the powers of three Legionnaires and Elastic Lad and becomes the Old Superman, but his new powers are not up to the test of capturing the two villains. Ar-Val’s life is saved by the Old Superman, almost at the cost of the latter’s life. In gratitude, Ar-Val transfers his powers to the Old Superman, but is turned into unliving stone as a result. Clark Kent resumes his Superman identity.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 52
October 1964
Cover: Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Illena, and Superman //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Pen-Pal Romance” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
Intro: Ben Harper (publisher of the Daily Planet; no appearance; name only mentioned; only appearance?), Miss Frobish, Ray Starr, Cora Starr, and their five children (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane poses as a woman in search of marriage in order to expose a lonely hearts’ club fraud, but does not suspect that the suitor who is courting her is another reporter attempting to do the same thing.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Love Trap” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Clark Kent (Superman)
Intro: Lois Lane (not the featured character), Rafe Nelson (only appearance for both)
Villain: Steve Garff (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane helps another Lois Lane, a smalltown nurse, win the heart of a lumberjack.
Story: “The Lois Lane-Lana Lang Truce” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80)
Intro: Perseus (of Earth-One; in flashback), Lana Lang’s boss (only appearance)
Villain: Ilena (first appearance; dies in this story), Garf (first and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #313; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83), Medusa (of Earth-One; in flashback; first appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane and Lana Lang call a truce to their feud over Superman when a beauty from another world, Ilena, makes a play for him. They discover that Ilena is secretly a Superman Revenge Squad member, and that she intends to turn Superman into stone with a serpentine skullcap made from Medusa’s locks.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 80
October 1964
Cover: Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen emptying wastebasket on desk as Perry White and Superman look on //Curt Swan / George Klein?
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, the Bizarro Boy” (Part 1; 7 pages)
Part 2: “Exiled on the Bizarro World” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Bizarro No. 1 (between SUPERMAN #169 / 174), Bizarros (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #169; next appear in issue #87), Bizarro-Krypto (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #297)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52; next appears in ACTION COMICS #317), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52 / 53), Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN #171), Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in issue #78), Bizarro-Lois Lane No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #298; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #71), Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #298; next appears in issue #87), Bizarro-Perry White No. 1 (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #297; next appears in issue #87), Bizarro-Lucy Lane No. 1, Bizarro-Lana Lang No. 1 (last appearance for both in ADVENTURE COMICS #297; last appearance for both), Bizarro-Lex Luthor (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #297; next appears in SUPERMAN #379), Bizarro-Phineas Potter (first and only appearance)
Intro: Bizarro Beetle Bugs (only appearance), Bizarro-Jimmy Olsens and Bizarro-Lucy Lanes (only appearance for all?)
Synopsis: A strange ray of Professor Potter’s turns Jimmy Olsen into a Bizarro, and Bizarro No. 1 takes Jimmy to live on the Bizarro World. But his mind still retains enough human qualities to get him in trouble, so he creates a Bizarro-Professor Potter with the imperfect duplicator ray. Bizarro-Potter turns him back to normal.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Double-Trouble” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #173)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #317)
GA: Superman robots
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #317)
Villains: Tricker Watkins, Shoulders, Harvey, Hyper-Crook (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is kidnapped by a trio of crooks, one of whom takes his place as a double to lure Superman into a deathtrap.
Action Comics No. 317
October 1964
Cover: Superman turning yellow from fear of Kryptonite, purple with anger over headline, and red with embarrassment from two women kissing him //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Rainbow Face” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in SUPERMAN #173)
Supporting Characters: Nor-Kann (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172; dies in this story), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in SUPERMAN #173), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53)
GA: Kandorians
Intro: The Beatlettes (only appearance)
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure causes Superman’s face to turn different colors in tune with his emotions, which makes it difficult for him to keep his identity secret from Lois Lane.
Superman No. 173
October 1964
Cover: Batman (as Brainiac), Superman (as Lex Luthor), and Jimmy Olsen watching Clark Kent turn into Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The ‘Untouchable’ Clark Kent” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #317)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #317; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53 (2))
Intro: Ed Babson (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent and Lois Lane are mistaken for Dillinger and his moll by Ed Babson, a ‘30′s movie actor whose disturbed mind causes him to think he is an old-time gangster.
Story: “Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 1″ (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superboy (last chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #139 (1); next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #271, pg. 4, panel 5; also appears, in flashback, as baby Kal-El and Superbaby (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
GS: Krypto (also appears in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Super-Monkey (in two flashbacks; one (pg. 1, panel 3) his first chronological appearance, next appears in SUPERBOY #76 (1); second (pg. 2, panel 3-pg. 3, panel 2) between SUPERBOY #76 (1) flashback / SUPERBOY #142), Lex Luthor (not a villain in this story; last chronological appearance in flashback in ACTION COMICS #295; next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #271, pg. 4, panel 5)
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (all in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Prof. Lewis Lang, Lana Lang
Intro: A chunk of Green Kryptonite (next appears in issue #176)
Comment: Though this story bears a Superman logo, it is actually a Superboy story.
The next story in this series appears in issue #176.
Synopsis: A sentient piece of Green Kryptonite tells of how it was originally part of an award given to Jor-El for scientific achievement, only to be transformed into a chunk of Kryptonite by the atomic explosion that destroyed Krypton. On Earth, it first endangered Super-Monkey, then young Clark Kent, and, finally, Superboy, before it was temporarily neutralized and thrown to the Arctic by the Boy of Steel.
Story: “The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53 (2))
GS: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #167; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145)
Intro: Rombo (a robot), aliens (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Clayface, the Joker, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, Chameleon Boy, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Aquaman, Flash
Comment: In this story, Batman’s eyes are revealed to be blue.
Synopsis: After Jimmy Olsen disobeys Superman’s orders about not handling an emergency situation on his own, the Man of Steel and Batman dress up as Lex Luthor and Brainiac, respectively, and try to teach Jimmy a lesson.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 53
November 1964
Cover: Superman and other women at a booth, watching Lois Lane tear up “Superman kiss” tickets //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “How Lois Lane Fell In Love With Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #135 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERBOY #1 (1))
GS: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #135 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #46 (3))
Supporting Character: Perry White (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN #135 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #35)
Villain: The Spider (first and only appearance; in cameo)
Comment: This story takes place one month after Clark Kent was hired by the Daily Planet.
Synopsis: Shortly after Clark Kent is hired by the Daily Planet, he learns that Lois Lane dislikes Superman, saying that anybody could perform his super-feats if he or she had the same powers. But the Man of Steel loses his powers temporarily from a Red Kryptonite exposure and has to use his ingenuity to guard himself and Lois on a deserted island. As a result, Lois falls in love with him.
Story: “Superman’s Home-Town Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #173)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #173; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy, between ADVENTURE COMICS #325 / 326)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #317; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81)
Intro: Lydia Lawrence, Alice Boyd, Cynthia Cole, Mrs. Lawrence, Jerry (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is heartbroken when she discovers that Superman has apparently been in love with a girl named Lydia Lawrence since his Superboy days, but later learns it is a ploy to help Lydia get married to her real sweetheart.
Story: “When Lois and Lana Were Brides” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81)
Intro: Conan (not to be confused with the barbarian created by Robert E. Howard),Valdor (only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League initiate Hawkman in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #31 and attend the wedding of Aquaman in AQUAMAN #18, then helps Batman and other heroes defeat Waraj in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145.
Synopsis: Lois Lane, Clark Kent, and Lana Lang crash-land in an isolated valley populated by archaic descendants of ancient Britons whose law compels all women to marry. Lois Lane marries Clark Kent and Lana Lang marries Superman, but neither marriage is validated before their rescue.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 81
December 1964
Cover: Superman (as demon) and other demons emerging from Pandora’s Box to menace Jimmy Olsen and Lana Lang //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Ransom of Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145), Superman robots
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (Bill named in this story), Lori Lemaris (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #313; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #174)
Villains: Aliens (first and only appearance)
Comment: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club gains its first black member in this story.
In this story, we learn that exposure to a titanic mass of Kryptonite will not affect Superman.
Synopsis: Superman is imprisoned by aliens in a force-cocoon. The ransom for his release, which Jimmy Olsen has to gather, is 1,000 pounds of Kryptonite.
Story: “The Demons From Pandora’s Box” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #53; next appears in SUPERMAN #174), Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #308; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #58)
Cameo: Superman robots, Lori Lemaris, Lenora Lemaris, Jerro, Atlanteans, demons from Pandora’s box (all characters in Jimmy Olsen’s hallucination)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen helps Prof. Lewis Lang and Lana Lang discover a duplicate of Pandora’s box and gains horrible hallucinations from a radiant rock inside it.
Story: “Jimmy’s Indian Super-Pal” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (between WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #145 / 146)
Intro: Mighty Eagle (Broken Spear), a prospector (only appearance for both)
Villains: Black Raven, Wolf Tail (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight Brain Storm in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32.
Synopsis: After losing his memory near an Indian reservation, Jimmy Olsen becomes Flame Hair, the friend and partner of Native American super-hero Mighty Eagle.
Action Comics No. 318
November 1964
Cover: Superman in chains, Lexorian guards, Ardora, Brainiac and other super-villains, Lex Luthor in glass coffin //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Death of Luthor” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32)
Supporting Characters: Ardora (marries Lex Luthor in this story), Lexorians (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #168)
Intro: Living Lake (a giant jellyfish; only appearance), Lar Than, Vel Quennar, Garn Abu
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in flashback in issue #332; marries Ardora in this story), Brainiac (last appearance in SUPERMAN #172; next appears in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149), various super-villains (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor escapes from jail, rockets to the red-sun world of Lexor again, and marries Ardora. Superman follows him there, losing his powers under the red sun, and appears to accidentally kill Luthor in a fight. The Lexorians almost kill Superman in mob violence, but Ardora prevails on them to give Superman a trial, though few believe he can win.
Action Comics No. 319
December 1964
Cover: Superman in Kryptonite chains, being led by Lexorians to a death chamber //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Condemned Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149)
GS: Vel Quennar, Lar Than, Garn Abu (last appearance for all), Ardora, Lexorians (all next appear in issue #332)
Villains: Lex Luthor (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #87), Zin Zabo (first appearance; dies in this story), Lexorian criminals (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman, Batman, and Robin fight Brainiac, as shown in flashback in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149, then investigate Dr. Thomas Ellison in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146.
Synopsis: Even though Superman is losing his trial for murder, his lawyers become convinced of his innocence and help him break out of jail. Once freed, Superman discovers Luthor has placed himself in a death-like coma to get his arch-enemy accused of murder. He revives Luthor, is cleared of the murder charge, and is allowed to return to Earth.
Superman No. 174
January 1965
Cover: Adam Newman (as Superman) saving Clark Kent //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent’s Incredible Delusion” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The End of a Hero” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146; also appears, in flashback, as Superboy, between ADVENTURE COMICS #327 / SUPERBOY #118)
GA: Krypto (in flashback), Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #335)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #146; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54; also appears, in flashback, between SUPERBOY #117 / 119)
Intro: Adam Newman (Android-1; dies in this story), Dr. Hugo Meredith (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent becomes convinced that his life as Superman has been an hallucination and that he has no super-powers, but it is all the plot of an android duplicate of Superman who wishes to take his place.
Story: “Super-Mxyzptlk–Hero” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
GS: Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #80; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #171; next appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152), various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk comes to Metropolis as a crime-fighting super-hero and soon makes Superman seem obsolete.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 54
January 1965
Cover: Superman, Lois Lane, and Herko //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane, Cupid” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #174)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #174)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN #174)
Intro: Oscar (a pressman at the Daily Planet; only appearance)
Villain: A crook (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane tries to convince Lana Lang that Clark Kent is Superman, so that she will marry Clark and leave the real Superman to her…or so she thinks.
Story: “Lois Lane, Daily Planet Editor” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White
Villain: Knuckles Kovik (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: On a “Ladies Day” in which female employees take over for their bosses, editor Lois Lane sends Clark Kent on assignments that she hopes will prove he is Superman.
Story: “The Monster Who Loved Lois Lane” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82)
Intro: Herko (next appears in issue #57), Dr. Elder (only appearance)
Synopsis: A scientist’s dimension-spanning machine releases a monster named Herko who falls in love with Lois Lane.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 82
January 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen wrestling Superman as Perry White and Lois Lane watch //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Magic Gloves” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Intro: Kayo Moran (only appearance)
Villains: The Mystery Strangler, a crook (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Jimmy Olsen retrieves a sword which may be King Arthur’s Excalibur in this story.
Synopsis: The magic gloves of Merlin allow Jimmy to take on the talents of five different people when he uses them, but the sixth skill will be that of a murderer.
Story: “The Wedding of Magi and Sandra” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (becomes Magi the Magnificent again in this story)
GA: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (becomes Sandra Rogers again in this story), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #54)
Intro: A justice of the peace, a resort owner (only appearance for both)
Villains: Plotter Meggs, Duke Zorme, a crook (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy and Lucy Lane encounter each other once again as Magi the Magnificent and Sandra Rogers and want to marry each other. But Jimmy fakes Magi’s death, worried that Sandra would not accept him after she learns his secret. On the rebound, both Lucy and Jimmy decide to marry each other, do so, and, shortly thereafter, discover to their mutual joy that they are “really” Magi and Sandra. Unfortunately, the justice of the peace who married them discovers his liscence had expired, and they are not legally wed. Jimmy and Lucy decide to put off marriage, but are excited by the discovery of each other’s “secret identity”.
Story: “The Unbeatable Jimmy Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #320)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #320)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #320), Professor Potter (next appears in SUPERMAN #176), Lucy Lane
Intro: Lionel the Lion-Man (only appearance)
Villains: Two crooks, a masher (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is convinced that Professor Potter’s “super-strength serum” has made him stronger than Superman, not knowing the “Superman” he wrestles in the ring is Potter in disguise.
Action Comics No. 320
January 1965
Cover: Atlas, Samson, and Hercules vs. Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Three Super-Enemies” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Pencillers: Curt Swan (pg. 1 only), Al Plastino (pgs. 2-14)
Inkers: George Klein (pg. 1 only), Al Plastino (pgs. 2-14)
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55)
GA: Kandorians
Villains: Hercules, Samson, and Atlas of a parallel Earth (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Clark Kent summons Hercules,. Samson, and Atlas to help save Metropolis in an emergency when he is otherwise occupied, but does not suspect that he has summoned the evil counterparts of these heroes from a parallel Earth.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 55
February 1965
Cover: Supergirl (in disguise), Superman, robot “super-children”, Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s College Scoops” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #320; also appears, in flashbacks, chronologically between SUPERBOY #90 / issue #17 (2) flashback; origin details revealed)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #320; also appears in flashback, chronologically between pages 21 / 22 of SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #3)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #320), Pete Ross (in flashback; last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS #3; next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #309)
Villain: Aliens from the Serpent Planet (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story we learn that Lois and Pete Ross attended Raleigh College, where both of them made the fencing team and Lois was named co-editor of the school newspaper, the Raleigh Review.
Synopsis: Lois Lane goes to a class reunion at her alma mater, Raleigh College, along with Superman and Jimmy Olsen. She tells her classmates that she got her first scoops without the help of Superman, but Superman confides to Jimmy that, coincidentally and secretly, he did help her get those three scoops.
Story: “Superman’s Secret Wife” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman, Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #320 / 321)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81), Ronal (last appearance in SUPERMAN #146; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #5), Lori’s and Ronal’s children (first and only appearance for both), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83)
Synopsis: Supergirl encounters a Red Kryptonite meteor in space that causes her to hate the last person she saw before her mission–Lois Lane. Thus, she concocts an elaborate plan to break Lois’s heart. The plan involves her masquerading as Circe the Sorceress to convince Lois that Superman is secretly married and has two children by an unknown wife. Supergirl has already
made Superman her pawn by hypnosis, and poses in disguise as his “wife”. The children are robots. In her regular guise, Supergirl pretends to help Lois investigate Lana Lang and Lori
Lemaris to see if either is Superman’s secret wife. Finally, she “reveals” herself as the “wife” of Superman and tries to freeze Lois in suspended animation with her super-cold breath. But
Superman snaps out of his hypnotic spell, the Red K effect wears off on Supergirl, and Lois is rescued. Supergirl apologizes, and Lois forgives her.
Story: “The Fingergirl of Death” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #321)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #321)
Intro: Monk and another FBI agent (only appearance for both)
Villains: Roger “Rajah” Drake (no appearance; name mentioned, and impersonated in this story; first and only appearance), Martin and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight the Alien-Ator in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33.
Synopsis: While Lois Lane is masquerading as the moll of gangster “Rajah” Drake, she witnesses the apparent murders of Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and Clark Kent.
Action Comics No. 321
February 1965
Cover: Superman being tossed around by Thorone children //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman–Weakest Man In the World” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, LOIS LANE #83)
Intro: Lahla (only appearance)
Villains: The Four Galactic Thiefmasters, Chief Governor Rastann, other Thorones (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman and Batman battle a mind-controlled Jimmy Olsen and Robin in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147.
Synopsis: Superman is stranded by super-villains on a red-sun world where he has no powers, but the inhabitants all have super-powers in sunlight.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 83
March 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen menacing members of the Kandor Look-Alike Squad with Kryptonite; Superman picture on the wall //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Nostradamus of Metropolis” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #147; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #321)
Intro: Napoleon Bonaparte (of Earth-One; in flashback; cameo appearance)
Villains: Knuckles Kling and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League fight Dr. Destiny in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34.
Synopsis: Knuckles Kling, an old henchman of Luthor’s, masquerades as a returned Nostradamus and uses Luthor’s superscientific gimmicks to make his “prophecies” come true.
Story: “The Great Miss Universe Contest” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Roffe
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Intro: Dialla (next appears in issue #100), other Platonians, and other contestants for Miss Universe (only appearance for all)
Comment: Lucy Lane represents Metropolis in the Miss Universe contest.
Synopsis: By accident, Jimmy Olsen gets to be a judge in the Miss Universe contest, in which one of the contestants is from another world.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Captive Double” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #322)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #322), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #55; next appears in SUPERMAN #176), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (Ar-Rone named in this story; last appearance in ACTION COMICS #309; Lucy Lane double introduced in this story)
Villains: Ar-Rone (reformed in this story), Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #52; two members next appear in ACTION COMICS #322; Lois Lane and Lana Lang doubles next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60 (3))
Synopsis: When Perry White’s double on the Kandor Look-Alike Squad sells out to the Superman Revenge Squad, Jimmy and the rest of Superman’s friends help the other Look-Alikes set a trap for him.
Action Comics No. 322
March 1965
Cover: Superman backing away in fear from bank robbers //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Coward of Steel” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Supergirl story in last issue; next appears in SUPERMAN #176)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83; both next appear in SUPERMAN #176), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148)
Intro: Loretta Land (only appearance)
Villains: Evilo (in flashback), Trok, Graz (two Superman Revenge Squad members; last appearance of the Squad in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83; next Squad appearance in ACTION COMICS #343), the Purple Mob (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and the Clayface and Luthor of a parallel Earth fight the criminal Superman and Batman of that Earth in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148.
Synopsis: Trok and Graz, two members of the Superman Revenge Squad, hit Clark Kent with a ray made by a machine constructed with Kryptonian components. The ray causes Clark Kent to become a coward, but, in his Superman guise, he is his usual courageous self. Superman gets around the problem for a while by adopting the new secret identity of Brad Dexter. However, Supergirl snaps him out of his fear-spell by secretly having him wear a non-invulnerable Superman costume over his Clark Kent clothes. The costume is burned off by friction, and, when Superman sees he is doing a super-feat while in his Clark Kent identity, his fear fades. Superman then throws Trox and Graz’s spacecraft into the midst of a space police parade, and the two villains are nabbed.
Superman No. 176
June 1965
Cover: Superman writing his secret identity on a blackboard in a courtroom while Lois Lane looks on //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Revenge of the Super-Pets” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #148)
GS: Comet (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #321; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56), Beppo (between Supergirl stories in ACTION COMICS #318 / 323), Krypto (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #322), Streaky (last seen in ADVENTURE COMICS #322; next appears in ACTION COMICS #323; all appear as the Legion of Super-Pets)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #322)
Intro: Mark Dane (in a painting; cameo appearance; dead before this story begins), Mark Dane’s relatives, Henry Bergh (of Earth-One; only appearance for all)
Villain: Cyrus Atwill (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: To learn why the late Mark Dane left his fortune to be used for an animal shelter to atone for his uncle Cyrus Atwill’s unnamed wrongs, Superman takes the Legion of Super-Pets back to the 1960′s where they learn of Atwill’s abuses against animals and help teach him a lesson, with the help of SPCA founder Henry Bergh.
Story: “Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2″ (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (also appears as Superboy, in flashback to issue #173; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
GS: A chunk of Green Kryptonite (becomes Red Kryptonite in this story; last appearance in issue #173)
Intro: Professor Clyde (only appearance)
Comment: This story continues from issue #173 and continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: The chunk of Green Kryptonite goes on to relate how, after a planeful of journalists had engine trouble in the Arctic, Clark Kent was briefly weakened by the Green K and later decided to construct his permanent Fortress of Solitude there. Later, a professor learned how to make Kryptonite non-deadly to Superman by a radiation treatment. However, the treatment was only temporarily effective, and would make the treated Kryptonite deadly to normal humans. Thus, Superman destroyed the professor’s apparatus and used giant tongs to throw the Green Kryptonite into space. It passed through the red cosmic cloud that transformed it into Red Kryptonite and sent it hurtling back towards Earth.
Story: “Superman’s Day of Truth” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in Superman story in ACTION COMICS #322; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #322; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56), Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83), Kandorians, Atlanteans, Supergirl Fan Club (last appearance in issue #170; last appearance, but a Supergirl Fan Club is formed at Stanhope College in ACTION COMICS #388), Professor Potter (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #82 / 84), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84)
Intro: Val-Lor (in flashback; dies in this story)
Villains: The Vrangs (first appearance; in flashback; appear isochronically with KRYPTON CHRONICLES #2; next appear in ACTION COMICS #548), Spade and his lawyer (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Superman and Supergirl win no popularity contests in Metropolis or Midvale when, for one 24-hour period, they tell the unvarnished truth or give their honest opinion whenever asked. When Superman has to testify at a trial, the lawyer for the plaintiff insists on having him write his secret identity’s name on a blackboard–which he does, then wipes away before anyone can see it. When asked to give the location of his Fortress of Solitude, Superman gives the coordinates for his long-abandoned underwater Fortress. Finally, Supergirl and Superman shrink themselves and go to Kandor, where they and the Kandorians celebrate the Day of Truth. This is a holiday observed in honor of the ancient hero Val-Lor, who spoke up boldly against the Vrang invaders who oppressed Kryptonians, died for his words, and sparked a revolt that liberated Krypton. Later, Superman and Supergirl reveal what they had to do to their friends, and are forgiven.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 56
April 1965
Cover: Superman as “Ideal-Man”, Lana Lang, Lois Lane, and Superman picture //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Snoopiest Girl In History” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176)
Intro: Prometheus, Epimetheus, the Hydra, the Phoenix, the Chimera, the Griffin (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is catapulted back in time to the Golden Age of Greece and becomes the Pandora of legend when she opens the box of all evils.
Story: “Lois Lane, Super-Telepath” (8 pages)
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84), Supergirl (last appearance in SUPERMAN #173; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #322), Saturn Girl (last chronological appearance in KARATE KID #13; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #330), Comet (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176; next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84), Lori Lemaris (next appears in SUPERMAN #204)
Villains: “Long Odds” Larkin, Trixie, Butch and other gangsters (first and only appearance for all), Mole Murdock (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Lois Lane poses as “Miss Telepath”, a girl with supposed psychic powers, in a plot to trap gang boss “Long Odds” Larkin and his mob. Jimmy Olsen has lent her his Superman signal
watch. But unknown to them both, Superman is in space at the time and cannot hear its signal. Captured by Larkin, Lois is forced to “psychically” detect secrets that will aid his robberies…and every one of them comes out correct! Superman finally returns from space and rescues her. When it is determined that neither Supergirl, Lori Lemaris, Comet, or a time-travelling Saturn Girl was helping her, Superman and Lois determine that Lois merely made four lucky guesses in a
row…with odds of 326,454,839,047 to 1 against her doing so.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Super-Gamble” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36)
GS: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8; next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #36), Lana Lang (chronologically between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #8 / 10)
Comment: This story takes place shortly after Lana Lang gets her TV job in Metropolis.
Synopsis: Superman poses as Ideal-Man, an alien super-hero, to teach Lana and Lois a lesson about their rivalry over him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 84
April 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Superman, Titano, and flame dragon //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Monster Movie” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176), Professor Potter (last appearance in SUPERMAN #176; next appears in issue #87), Lucy Lane
Intro: Ron Wyck, Watugi tribe (only appearance)
Villains: Titano (last appearance in issue #77; next appears in SUPERMAN #226), the flame-dragon (last appearance in SUPERMAN #151; last appearance)
Comment: This story is undoubtedly inspired by the movie, King Kong Vs. Godzilla.
Synopsis: A Hollywood movie producer challenges Jimmy to come up with a horror movie. To help things along, Jimmy teleports Titano and a Kryptonian flame-dragon to an island to have a fight.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Day of Disgrace” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #323), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56; next appears in ACTION COMICS #323), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, Lucy Lane
Intro: Plim and other Antroneans (only appearance for all)
Villains: Rocky Steele, Bruiser Barnes, Al Kimbo (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place during the last part of March and April 1st.
Synopsis: When Jimmy is given the duties of newsboy by Perry White to teach him some humility, a fan of his from another planet helps him nab some crooks.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Female Fan” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (Harry Halstead (who makes his last appearance), Tommy Todd, Dick Selby, Joe Bogg, Ed Dunn named in this story; Hank White, Perry’s son, named; last appearance for Hank in issue #40; next appears in ACTION COMICS #461)
Cameo appearances: Perry White, Lois Lane, Lucy Lane, Professor Potter, Clark Kent, Superman, Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1, Elastic Lad
Comment: Dates are given to several key events in Jimmy Olsen’s life in this story. The date of June 3rd for Jimmy meeting Superman, however, may be in error. Clark Kent didn’t get his job at the Daily Planet until some weeks after graduation from Metropolis University in late May, which would place it later in June, and he got his job there after Lois Lane but before Jimmy Olsen. July 3rd or even August 3rd would be a more realistic date.
This would also tend to put the date of Jimmy’s “first scoop” much later than June 15th, unless he had to wait a year before getting his first scoop, which is unlikely.
The dates given are:
June 3rd: Jimmy Olsen meets Superman (unlikely)
Nov. 17th: unexplained significant date
Mar. 22nd: unexplained significant date
Aug. 5th: unexplained significant date, possibly the date on which Jimmy first became Elastic Lad (see page 6, panels 3-4)
May 24th: creation of Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1
June 15th: Jimmy Olsen’s first scoop (questionable)
Apr. 29th: Jimmy Olsen meets Lucy Lane
Synopsis: The president of the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club moves away, and Jimmy declares the others must choose a new president by competition, with exhibits. Then he masquerades as the first female applicant to the club, passes initiation, and is apparently chosen “president” by Jimmy. But Tommy Todd sees through her imposture, and is thus chosen as president by Jimmy.
Action Comics No. 323
April 1965
Cover: Prison warden, guard, and Clark Kent in convict suit, changing into Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent In the Big House” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #84; all next appear in SUPERMAN #177)
Intro: Warden Bancroft (next appears in SUPERMAN #182), governor of Metropolis State
Villains: Blacky Blake and his gang, Larceny Luke Damon, various convicts (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Supergirl battle the Sisterhood of Evil in the Supergirl story in this issue.
Synopsis: Clark Kent poses as a convicted criminal to learn where a prisoner stashed a million dollars in loot, only tofind the prison warden and even his friends have turned against him.
Superman No. 177
May 1965
Cover: Cops and another man trying to pull Superman away from It //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Kryptonese Curse” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; next chronological appearance in issue #179 (2))
GS: Krypto (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #68; next chronological appearance in issue #179 (2)), a chunk of Red Kryptonite (last seen in issue #176; next appears in issue #179 (2); becomes Gold Kryptonite in this story), Superman robot, Supergirl robot, Clark Kent robot (destroyed in this story)
Supporting Characters: Vol-Don (chronologically between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70 / 73), Jimmy Olsen (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70; next chronological appearance in issue #179 (2)), Perry White, Lois Lane (last chronological appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #70;
both next appear in issue #179 (2))
Comment: This story continues from issue #176 and continues in issue #179.
Synopsis: The Red Kryptonite chunk returns to Earth and causes Superman to be able to speak or write only in Kryptonese. The Man of Steel copes with this problem with some help from Krypto, but, while he is doing so, a ray enters the Fortress of Solitude and changes the Red Kryptonite into Gold Kryptonite.
Story: “The Menace Called It” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #323), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #323; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Intro: It and other inhabitants of Its dimension (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A strange, whirling glob-being comes to Metropolis with an insatiable appetite for things green, until Superman discovers that what it is really looking for is green vegetation to consume.
Story: “When Jimmy Olsen Stole Krypto From Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel?
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
GS: Krypto (next appears in ACTION COMICS #323)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #323; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Cameo: Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Synopsis: Krypto has a nightmare in which Jimmy Olsen steals Superman’s powers.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 57
Cover: Lois Lane and Lana Lang trying to spank Superbaby of a parallel Earth; Superman in pictures //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane–Super-Babysitter” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #177)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #177)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #177), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #177; next appears in ACTION COMICS #324)
Intro: Superman (also appears as Superbaby), Lois Lane, and Lana Lang of a parallel Earth (only appearance for all; all get married in this story)
Comment: This story takes place from April 14-19, and reveals that the Daily Planet was established on April 19.
Synopsis: Superman appears to become a Superbaby, and both Lois and Lana try post-hypnotic suggestion on him to make him fall in love with them both when the effect wears off. Unfortunately for them, he is the Superman of a parallel Earth, and returns to his home dimension when he becomes an adult again, to marry both the Lois and Lana of his homeworld.
Story: “The Return of Lois’s Monster Sweetheart” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Herko (last appearance in issue #54; last appearance; marries Zagga in this story)
GA: Dr. Elder (last appearance in issue #54; last appearance)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen
Intro: Zagga (marries Herko in this story), Herko’s mother (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane, feeling guilty over having “jilted” Herko, enters the monster’s dimension with Jimmy Olsen and both of them manage to get Herko hitched with Zagga, a female of his own kind.
Story: “The Camera From Outer Space” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #85)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #324)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #85)
Intro: A Genie Guard (only appearance)
Villains: Dutch O’Brien, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane finds a space probe from another world which releases an invisible crime-fighting genie that responds to her wishes.
Action Comics No. 324
May 1965
Cover: Superman blinded by ghostly hands, “devilish” Supergirl stirring cauldron with pitchfork //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Secret Life of Clark Kent” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last apeparance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Intro: Peter Fry, Elizabelle, Luke Robb, Dan Robb (only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman appears in the Supergirl story in this issue, then plays a secret identities game with Batman and Robin in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149.
Synopsis: A balloon mishap throws Clark Kent into a hidden valley populated by isolated Quakers, in which he does not have to pretend to be a weakling anymore.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 85
June 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen on Olsen Island with giant Jimmy statue, catapulting Kryptonite at Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Love Me, Love My Beast” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Shara (an android; destroyed in this story)
Villain: Gnor (first appearance; dies in this story)
Synopsis: Jimmy feels honored when a beautiful alien girl comes to Earth and chooses him for her personal escort, despite the presence of her beastly companion…not knowing that the “girl” is really an android and the alien is a parasite.
Story: “The Adventures of Chameleon-Head Olsen” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GA: Saturn Girl, Sun Boy (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #332 / 333), Chameleon Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #334 flashback / 334), Cosmic Boy (between ADVENTURE COMICS #334 flashback / 335; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes), Superman
Villains: The Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in issue #75; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60; Ratsy and Mugsy named in this story)
Synopsis: Chameleon Boy gives Jimmy a serum with the power to change his head into any form he desires, which he puts into use when the Anti-Superman Gang targets him for a hit.
Story: “King Olsen’s Private Island” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #178)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #36)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #178), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #57)
Villain: An alien (first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, we learn that Gold Kryptonite weighs three times as much as ordinary gold.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League fight Brain Storm in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #36.
Synopsis: An alien enemy of Superman’s masquerades as an Earth sailor and deeds Jimmy an entire island, which he professes to rule like a king, but only to keep Superman away from a Gold Kryptonite trap on it.
Action Comics No. 325
June 1965
Cover: Giant Baby Kal-El reaching for aircar on Krypton, while Jor-El yells in his ear //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Skyscraper Superman” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #36; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #150; also appears as Baby Kal-El 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)
GA: Krypto (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Villains: Xardo and other aliens (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps Batman and Robin fight Rokk and Sorban in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #150.
Synopsis: When aliens’ Red Kryptonite makes Superman grow into a giant, he recalls another such incident when he was enlarged into a giant baby on Krypton accidentally by Jor-El’s growth ray.
Superman No. 178
July 1965
Cover: Clark Kent falling onto power wires and exposing his Superman costume //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Project Earth-Doom” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #150)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #85)
Intro: Rogg, Vikk (both die in this story), John Gray, Martin Thayer, Benjamin Dale (only appearance for all)
Villains: Torr the Terrible (first and only appearance), Duplorians (first and only appearance; some die in this story)
Synopsis: Two aliens from the planet Duplor die giving Superman a warning about “Earth-Doom”, a plot by their ruler to destroy humanity.
Story: “When Superman Lost His Memory” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, LOIS LANE #58)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #85; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #58), Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #58), Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #86)
Villains: A gang of thieves (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A freak Kryptonite exposure robs Clark Kent of his memory, and the world thinks Superman is dead.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 58
July 1965
Cover: Superman, Prince Ali, and Lois Lane in a scale //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Great Houdini Trick” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #178)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #178)
Intro: Mrs. Archer, Mrs. Appleby (only appearance for all), Gabby Bolton (in cameo; dead before this story begins)
Villains: Swami Vudu (Voodoo Vickers) and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois Lane helps trip up a former gangster turned medium.
Story: “Lois Lane, Spy-Hunter” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #178; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #86)
Villains: The Octopus (Max Mordo) and his spy ring (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Lois tries to put the skids on a spy ring disguised as a carnival outfit, but seems to fail when her evidence disappears.
Story: “The Captive Princess” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #326)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in issue #60), Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #81; next appears in issue #79)
Intro: Prince Ali (only appearance)
Villains: Fatima and her father (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: On a dig in Arabic country, Lois and Lana are stranded by a sandstorm in the realm of Prince Ali, who wants to marry first Lois, then Lana.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 86
July 1965
Cover: Brainiac, Jimmy Olsen with computer brain, and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, Ape Man” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #178)
GS: Congorilla, Congo Bill (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #280; next appearance for both in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27), Janu (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #283; next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #27)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club, African Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (intro; Juma named in this story; only appearance), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #178; next appears in ACTION COMICS #326), Lucy Lane (next appearance in SUPERMAN #179)
Villains: Gallin, Creel (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Tipped off by the African Jimmy Olsen Fan Club that two criminal scientists are planning a “Project: Kryptonite” there, Jimmy is lent Congo Bill’s magic ring and transfers his mind into Congorilla’s body to stop the pair.
Story: “Jimmy’s D-Day Adventure” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #326)
GA: Dwight D. Eisenhower (of Earth-One; first (?) chronological appearance; next appears in issue #38)
Villains: Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goering, Josef Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler (all of Earth-One; first appearance for all?), Gen. Fritz, Lotte Lutz (first and only appearance for both), Nazis
Comment: Not enough research on appearances of the “real” historical characters on Earth-One has been done to accurately track them at this point.
The World War II portion of this story takes place from June 6-July 20, 1944.
Synopsis: Jimmy sees his image on a captured Nazi film with Adolf Hitler, and goes back in time to World War II to learn how he once met Der Fuehrer.
Story: “The Team of Olsen and Brainiac” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151; next appears in next issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151; next appears in next issue)
Supporting Character: Perry White
Cameo: Jax-Ur, Prof. Vakox, an unnamed Phantom Zone villain
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #149), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Jimmy suffers a brain injury during a bombing incident, and Superman agrees to a one-hour truce with Brainiac when the latter offers to save Jimmy’s life. Brainiac gives Olsen a computer brain under his control, and uses him to lure Superman into a trap.
Action Comics No. 326
July 1965
Cover: Superman vs. giant insects //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Legion of Super-Creatures” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #58; next appears in SUPERMAN #179)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #58; both next appear in SUPERMAN #179), Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #86; both next appear in SUPERMAN #179)
Villains: Death-worshipping aliens, Giantian insects (first appearance for all; all die in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s encounter with Al Mintor in the Supergirl story in this issue.
Synopsis: Superman is apparently stymied by giant insects who come from a world even larger than Krypton, and who have more power than he does.
Superman No. 179
August 1965
Cover: Superman bringing money into Outlaw Fort Knox //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Outlaw Fort Knox” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #326)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #326; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #326), Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #86; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #59)
Villains: Pete Corey (first and only appearance), the Crime Syndicate (last appearance in issue #160; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #132)
Synopsis: Gangster Pete Corey fixes and wins a Superman charity contest, and is awarded three wishes by the Man of Steel, all of which involve getting him money for an outlaw treasury.
Story: “The Menace of Gold Kryptonite” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last chronological appearance in issue #177 (1); next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #302)
GS: Krypto (last chronological appearance in issue #177 (1); next chronological appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #313), a chunk of Gold Kryptonite (last appearance in issue #177 (1); last appearance), Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lois Lane (last chronological appearance for all in issue #177 (1); next chronological appearance for all in ACTION COMICS #302), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #75 (1); next chronological appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #43), Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #41; next chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #303)
Intro: Jay-Ree, Joenne (two Kandorians; only appearance for both)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last chronological appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #298; next chronological appearance in issue #164), Jax-Ur (last chronological appearance in ACTION COMICS #298; next chronological appearance in issue #163), Prof. Vakox (chronologically between issues #158 / 163), Spike (first appearance; next appears in ACTION COMICS #328)
Comments: This is the last Tale of Kryptonite and continues from issue #177.
Despite Jax-Ur’s words in this story, the Gold Kryptonite which is transported into the Phantom Zone has no effect whatever on their powers.
Since acquired characteristics cannot be passed on, Jay-Ree’s and Joenne’s fears that they will pass on their lack of powers to their descendants is undoubtedly unfounded. Also, given the fact that their doll house and existence is never again referred to, they probably return to Kandor.
Jay-Ree and Joenne are named after scripter Jerry Siegel and his wife Joanne.
Synopsis: The chunk of Red Kryptonite is changed into Gold Kryptonite, capable of removing a Kryptonian’s super-powers permanently, by an atomic ray from a satellite’s battery. Jay-Ree, a member of the Supermen Emergency Squad, and his lover Joenne send the Gold Kryptonite into the Phantom Zone, but are exposed to it and lose their powers. For a time, they are given housing by Jimmy Olsen. Then they are married by Superman and are kept in a doll house in Clark Kent’s apartment.
Story: “Private Kent, the Fighting Marine” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #59)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #59)
Intro: Gen. Jackson, Sgt. Buck Brewster (only appearance for both)
Synopsis: For a story, Clark Kent is allowed to undergo basic training in the U.S. Marine Corps, with a D.I. that wants to beat his time with Lois Lane.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 59
August 1965
Cover: Lara, Lois Lane, and Jor-El on Krypton; Superman and Batman vignettes //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Perfect Crime” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #179)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #179)
Intro: Glowria, Larko Gyrupp (only appearance for both)
Cameo: Lana Lang (in Lois’s dream)
Synopsis: Two aliens give Lois a serum that endows her with invulnerability, but she takes the antidote after having a vision in which it induces her to kill Superman and frame Lana Lang.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Romance With Jor-El” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Intro: Lois Lane of Earth-B (only appearance)
GS: Superman of Earth-B (last appearance in SUPERBOY #137; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #101)
Intro: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #101), Professor Potter of Earth-B (only appearance), Jor-El and Lara Jor-El of Earth-B (die after flashback portion of this story)
Villains: Brainiac and Jax-Ur of Earth-B, Marok, Zan-Ar, Ran-Zo, an unnamed Phantom Zone prisoner (all of the Earth-B universe; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story cannot have taken place in the canonical Earth-One universe. Lois Lane is never depicted as present during the events surrounding Brainiac’s shrinking of Kandor, as shown in SUPERMAN #141. Jor-El and Lara marry before the abduction of Kandor in SUPERMAN #141, not afterward as shown here. Superman was present as an assistant to Jor-El during these events, and is not depicted on Krypton in this story. Finally, if Lois was sent into the Phantom Zone by Jor-El when Kal-El was a toddler, as shown in this story, she would have had to spend over 20 years in the Zone and would have been seen by Superboy or Superman some time during that period. Thus, this story must be declared non-canonical.
Synopsis: Lois Lane borrows a time-machine from Professor Potter, goes back to Krypton before its destruction, and tries to romance Jor-El before he can marry Lara.
Story: “Superman and Batman’s Joke on Lois Lane” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151)
GS: Superman (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151), Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #173; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #342)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #179)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman and Batman cope with evolutionary changes in themselves in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151.
Synopsis: While Batman is doubling for Superman in the latter’s abscence, Lois sees him change into his Bruce Wayne identity, concludes that Bruce is Superman, and connives to marry him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 87
September 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen with Kryptonite, Superman, Saturn Queen, Cosmic King, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Lightning Lord //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Arena of Doom” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in last story of last issue)
GS: Superman (last appearance in last story of last issue)
GA: Kandorians
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in last story of last issue; next appears in ACTION COMICS #332), Lex Luthor (between ACTION COMICS #319 / 332), Cosmic King, Lightning Lord, Saturn Queen (the Legion of Super-Villains; last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #331; next appear in ACTION COMICS #332; all form the Cosmic Anti-Superman Gang in this story)
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
In this story, Superman learns that Braniac is a computer.
Synopsis: Superman escapes Brainiac’s initial trap, but Brainiac offers to replace Olsen’s human brain if he is allowed to go unharmed. Superman agrees, and Brainiac restores Jimmy’s human brain, but summons Luthor and the adult Legion of Super-Villains to his side and has Saturn Queen mentally control Jimmy. Olsen then signals Superman with his watch, and, when the Man of Steel arrives, appears to destroy him with Kryptonite. But the Kryptonite is fake, and the people of Kandor help Superman trap the villains. Jimmy is released from Saturn Queen’s domination.
Story: “Bizarro-Jimmy, Rock-’n’-Roll Star” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Forte
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman, Bizarros (last appearance in issue #80; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
Supporting Characters: Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1 (last appearance in issue #80; last appearance), Bizarro-Perry White (last appearance in issue #80; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151)
Intro: Eddie and the Schemers (only appearance; based on Freddie and the Dreamers, a rock band from Earth-Real)
Synopsis: Bizarro-Jimmy Olsen No. 1 comes to Earth in search of a scoop, and Jimmy Olsen suggests he become a rock ‘n’ roll star. He becomes a big hit, even though his guitar-smashing bit is vaguely derivative of The Who.
Story: “‘Oracle’ Olsen’s Future Scoops” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #328)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152), Lois Lane (last apparance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #151; next appears in ACTION COMICS #328), Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #84)
Villains: Joe and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears with the Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38.
Synopsis: When Jimmy gets hit over the head with a flower pot containing a rare Egyptian flower, it gives him the power of prophecy.
Action Comics No. 328
September 1965
Cover: Two hoods watching Superman in atomic ruins of Metropolis //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Hands of Doom” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance of both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #87; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152)
GS: Mayor of Metropolis (last appearance in SUPERMAN #160; next appears in issue #340)
Intro: Penny Dare (only appearance)
Villains: Spike (last appearance (?) in SUPERMAN #179 (2); last appearance), Rocky, Fingers, Mr. Gimmick, and other gangsters (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin deal with Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152.
Synopsis: By covertly applying one set of nuclear chemicals to one of Superman’s hands and another set to Superman’s other hand, a gang hopes to make the Man of Steel destroy Metropolis in an atomic blast when he claps his hands afterwards.
Superman No. 180
October 1965
Cover: Superman vs. Orella as Amazons watch //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent’s Great Superman Hunt” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88), Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60)
GA: Superman robot, Clark Kent robot
Intro: Hal Farnum, Frank Hailey, Hank Fane, Fred Healy, Henry Fletcher, Mrs. Farley, Hugh Farley, Ferdinand Hawk, Fang Hogan (only appearance for all)
Villains: The Wheel (Herb Farr) and his gang, various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: In order to save the life of Lois Lane, Clark Kent agrees to a gangleader’s demand to try and discover the secret identity of Superman.
Story: “The Girl Who Was Mightier Than Superman” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60)
Intro: Orella, Sophroni, Mavis, Zelda, and other women of Matrion (only appearance for all), men of Matrion (flashback; only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is trapped on an island of Amazons from another planet and forced to face Orella, one of their number, in three tests of strength–all of which he loses. For his loss, Orella insists he marry her.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 60
October 1965
Cover: Superman beholding Lois Lane and Lana Lang frozen in suspended animation //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Amazing Hydro-Girl” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #180)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #180)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #180)
Intro: Dr. Mason (only appearance)
Villains: Anti-Superman Gang (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #85 / 88)
Synopsis: Lois Lane takes an experimental serum that will let her breathe underwater, but unless she reaches moisture once an hour, she will die…and the Anti-Superman Gang wants to make sure she does.
Story: “Get Lost, Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88; also appears in flashback as Superboy, between SUPERBOY #124 / ACTION COMICS #329 flashback)
GA: Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #58; also appears in flashback, between SUPERBOY #124 / 127), Jimmy Olsen, Lucy Lane (both next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88), Sylvia Van-Zee, Ti-Arra (members of the Kandor Look-Alike Squad; last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83; next appearance of both in SUPERMAN #185)
Comment: This story takes place on Aug. 15-16, 1965.
Synopsis: When Superman gets exasperated with Lois’s and Lana’s rivalry over him while all three are at the Fortress of Solitude, the girls play a trick on him with the help of their doubles on the Kandor Look-Alike Squad, and convince him they have frozen themselves in suspended animation for 5,000 years.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 88
October 1965
Cover: Superman dancing, Jimmy Olsen on guitar, rock drummer, and Perry White with screaming kids //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Swinging Superman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60)
Intro: Rick Rock and his Rolling Romeos, the Jimmy Olsen Band (only appearance of all these cool cats)
Cameo: Jor-El, Lara
Villains: Bruce Bailey and another saboteur (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: When Lucy Lane takes up with a rock band’s leader, Jimmy gets his own band together and lays down “The Krypton Crawl”, a dance tune that even has Superman shakin’ all over. It turns out to be a Commie plot.
Story: “The Riddle of the Olsen Statue” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (next appear in issue #94)
Intro: A race of giant insects (only appearance)
Synopsis: The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club is trapped by giant insects on an island, and Jimmy and Superman go to investigate.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen, World’s ‘Heavyweight’ Champ” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: John Forte
Inker: Sheldon Moldoff
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #329
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #329)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (between SUPERMAN #180 / 181), Lucy Lane, Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #329), Professor Potter (next appears in issue #93)
Cameo: Star Boy (origin retold in flashback)
Villains: Anti-Superman Gang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60 / 69), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story is similar to the one in issue #26 (1).
Synopsis: A serum of Professor Potter’s is intended to give Jimmy Olsen Star Boy’s weight-inducing power, but instead makes him super-heavy.
Action Comics No. 329
October 1965
Cover: Superman wielding sword and shield //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Ultimate Enemy” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88; next appears in SUPERMAN #181; also appears in flashback as baby Kal-El (see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), as Superboy (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60 (3) flashback / ADVENTURE COMICS #337), and as Superman (see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology))
Supporting Characters: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88; both next appear in SUPERMAN #181)
Intro: Hab-Rull (in flashback; only appearance; dies before this story begins), the Super-Sword of Krypton (next appears in issue #333)
Villains: Jon Smatten (first and only appearance), a Kryptonian-metal robot (first appearance; destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: Jon Smatten creates a “knight” which is really a robot made of Kryptonian metal and sends it against his old enemy, Superman.
Superman No. 181
November 1965
Cover: Superman of 2465; Klar Ken T-5477 vignette //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine” (8 pages)
Part 2: “The Secret of the New Supergirl” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #329; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61), Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance of both in ACTION COMICS #329; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61)
GA: Superman robots
Intro: Dr. Dane, Prof. Morgan, Bud Gary, Morna Vine, Mr. Vine, Mark Vine (only appearance for all), Superman Robot X-35 (destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: After a Superman robot is destroyed on an underwater mission, undersea explorer Mark Vine salvages its super-sensory apparatus, fashions them into gadgets his daughter Morna can use, and enables her to become a star reporter for the Daily Planet.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 61
November 1965
Cover: Superman between Lois Lane and fat woman, both armed with Superman “money” //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Superman’s Marriage Money” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #181)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #181)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #181), Lucy Lane, Lana Lang (hair incorrectly colored blonde in this story)
Villain: Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #152)
Synopsis: In return for helping Superman in an emergency, Mr. Mxyzptlk is allowed to distribute Superman money, entitling the bearer to whatever favor the bills require Superman to do…including marriage.
Story: “The Reptile Girl of Metropolis” (Part I; 8 pages)
Part II: “The Secret of the Reptile Girl” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #330)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #40), Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #328 / 329)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Lucy Lane (all next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #89)
Intro: Dr. Price, Dr. Benton, Mr. Plumpton, Gil Grady (only appearance for all)
Villains: Yarr (first appearance; dies in this story), the Tangs (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League deal with Andrew Helm’s conscience machine in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #40.
Synopsis: When a tiny invader from the world of Tang dies in the Fortress of Solitude, he reveals to Superman that his band of space-pirates intend to kidnap several scientists in Earth’s dimension, including a Dr. Price, and to use them as components in a living computer. With his dying breath, Yarr, the Tangian, tells Superman that his powers would be reduced to half-efficiency in their dimension. Accordingly, Superman summons Supergirl, creates an elaborate ruse in which both he and she impersonate Dr. Price and Lois Lane, fake being given reptilian skin and Lois’s i.q. being boosted by a radiation experiment gone awry, and arrange to both be kidnapped by the Tang pirates. In that dimension, Superman’s and Supergirl’s powers are reduced, but their combined power is enough to defeat the Tangians. On Earth, the real Lois has been kidnapped by Superman and Supergirl to keep her out of harm’s way (while Price has himself gone into hiding). Lois escapes and tries to solve the mystery on her own, but is told the truth by Superman and Supergirl when they return to Earth’s dimension. Supergirl explains that, since the Tang had telepathic powers that could read Lois’s mind, but not super-minds like hers and Superman’s, they had to keep her in the dark.
Action Comics No. 330
November 1965
Cover: Drang the Destroyer, Superman holding Execution Bird, and Supergirl //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Strange ‘S’ Spell on Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #40; appears isochronally with the Supergirl story in this issue; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #63)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in ADVENTURE COMICS #337; next appears in SUPERMAN #195)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61)
Cameo: Columbus, John Smith, Robin Hood, El Cid (as statues)
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears during Supergirl’s and Wonder Woman’s encounter with Multi-Face in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #63.
Synopsis: A Red Kryptonite exposure causes Superman to act like Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, and gangsters capitalize on this by posing as paupers.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 89
December 1965
Cover: Jimmy Olsen using flashlight-parachute and using “super-survival kit” devices on Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Infamous Four” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61; next appears in ACTION COMICS #331)
Cameo: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Superman, John F. Kennedy
Villains: The Infamous Four (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is transported to Nov. 22, 2063 by the power of a magic Indian peace pipe, where he encounters a band of space-pirates called the Infamous Four. The latter are apprehended when they fail to observe the five minutes of silence and stasis on the anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Story: “Olsen’s Super-Survival Kit” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #63; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #41)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #61)
Intro: Prof. Juarez, Rosita Juarez, Sam Connally (Earth-One version of Sean Connery; only appearance for all)
Villains: Carmenita (first appearance; dies in this story), Agent Zero-Zero (Gen. Pedro) and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League battle the Key in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #41.
Synopsis: Armed with a brace of secret gadgets created by Professor Potter, Jimmy Olsen goes undercover as a self-styled “Agent Double-Five” to rescue a scientist in a South American country.
Action Comics No. 331
December 1965
Cover: Superman with Clark Kent glasses, falling towards street //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent’s Masquerade As Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #41; next appears in SUPERMAN #182)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #89)
Intro: Head pressman of the Daily Planet (only appearance)
Villains: Iron Ike and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A gag headline story in the Daily Planet claiming that Clark Kent is really Superman causes the Man of Steel some real problems when people at large fail to realize it was meant as a gag.
Superman No. 182
January 1966
Cover: Superman shaking money out of armored truck at Toyman’s command //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The New Lives of Superman”
Part 1: “Blind Clark Kent” (9 pages)
Part 2: “Clark the ‘K’” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #331)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #89; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #62), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #331; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155), Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #331; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #62)
Intro: General Baxter, Freddy Barnes, the Mutations, Mr. Lloyd-Lloyd, Clive Duncan (only appearance for all)
Villains: Mr. and Mrs. Raffles Slyke, Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Fenton, Limehouse Lew, Picadilly Jailhouse Trio (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A flash of light that would have blinded a normal man forces Clark Kent to pretend he has been blinded, leave the Daily Planet, and try his hand a being a butler and an English disc jockey.
Story: “The Menace of the Terrible Toyman” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #62)
GA: Warden Bancroft (between ACTION COMICS #323 / 363)
Intro: Metropolis police commissioner (next appears in ACTION COMICS #367)
Villains: The Toyman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #9 flashback; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159), Robo-Toy (a robot), various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Toyman gets out of jail and uses a Superman robot to commit crimes, pretending that the real Superman has been mesmerized by tiny Superman dolls he is selling.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 62
January 1966
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane campaigning against each other for senator //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Anti-Superman Campaign” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “Mr. Mxyzptlk’s Election Magic” (8 pages)
Part 3: “The Super-Election” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #182; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #91)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #182; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #90)
Supporting Characters: Van Benson (first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #91), Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #182; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #90), Lana Lang, Lois Lane Fan Club (last appearance in issue #50; last appearance)
Intro: Tommy, Dr. Davids, Sen. Barton Schlumm, Ruth Kelso (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Henry Clay, John F. Kennedy, Abraham Lincoln
Villains: Mr. Mxyzptlk (next appears in issue #73), Loot, Incorporated, alien raiders (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Perry White is appointed Senator in this story and the Daily Planet editorship is given to Van Benson.
Synopsis: Superman is drafted to run for senator, and his campaigning so disgusts Lois Lane that she decides to run against him.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 90
January 1966
Cover: Silk Benson and Jimmy Olsen watching Big Jimmy demolish Superman jack-in-the-box //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Brainwashing of Big Jimmy” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:Jerry Siegel
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #182)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Cameo appearance: Superman
Intro: Big Jimmy (an android), Nik-Wik and another alien (only appearance for all)
Villains: Silk Benson, Ratsy Moggs (also known as Mole; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen is befriended in a futuristic, deserted city by a 12-foot chameleon android who fashions his own face to resemble Jimmy’s, but both are threatened by a pair of crooks.
Story: “Mr. Mxyzptlk’s Partner In Crime” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: George Papp
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #184)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #62; next appears in SUPERMAN #184)
Villains: Kayo Kane, Dutch (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: After ex-boxer and gangster Kayo Kane punches out Jimmy, the red-headed reporter masquerades as Mr. Mxyzptlk, deceives him, and leads him into Superman’s clutches.
Superman No. 184
February 1966
Cover: Superman tied to post and threatened by radium from Zhondans //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Demon Under the Red Sun” (Part 1; 11 pages)
Part 2: “The Test of the Talisman” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #90; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #42)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #90; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155)
Intro: Maj. Bob Burke, Miss Todd, Jaymarr, Themis, and other Zondans (only appearance for all), the Last Engineer (in flashback; dies before this story opens)
Villains: Chief Thongarr, Gonar (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League and Metamorpho battle the Unimaginable in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #42, then helps Batman and Robin solve the mystery of Nightman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155..
Synopsis: Superman investigates the phenomenon of Zonda, a world which zig-zags through space, but is trapped on it among its primitive people when it chances to near a red sun.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 91
March 1966
Cover: Superman threatening biker-clad Jimmy Olsen as Dragons motorcycle gang watches //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Dragon Delinquent” (Part 1; 11 pages)
Part 2: “The Secret of the Traitor Thefts” (6 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155), Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #179; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #43), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #179; next appears in TEEN TITANS #2)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Van Benson (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #62; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #335)
Intro: Mr. Benson, Dr. Warren, Rena Starling, Happy Harry (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Perry White (appointment to Senator revealed in this story)
Villains: Mr. Traitor, Quasimodo, a Superman robot, a criminal scientist, the Dragons motorcycle gang (including Chip and Rockets Reagan; only appearance for all)
Comment: Perry White’s appointment to Senator is only temporary, probably to fill out a predecessor’s unexpired term.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen goes back to his hometown of Mapleton to infiltrate the Dragons, a teenage motorcycle gang, and gets some help from Superman, Batman, and Robin.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Magic Manacles” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #333)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #43)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: Sandy (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Hafiz, Badur, a wizard (as characters in Jimmy’s story; first and only appearnace for all)
Villains: Jackpot Judson and his henchman (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League battle the Royal Flush Gang in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #43.
Synopsis: In order to win back the money crooked gambler Jackpot Judson has taken from some Vietnam vets, Jimmy Olsen and Superman run a sting operation on him with some “magic” manacles.
Action Comics No. 332
January 1966
Story: “The Super-Vengeance of Lex Luthor” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #43)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #155), Ardora (between issues #319 / 335)
Other Characters: Lexorians (between issues #319 / 365), Lyndon Baines Johnson (between issues #285 / 335), Atlanteans (in flashback; some die in this story)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #87; also appears, in flashback, between Supergirl story in issue #317 / 318), Brainiac (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #87; next appears in issue #335), Cosmic King, Saturn Queen, Lightning Lord (the Legion of Super-Villains; last appearance for all in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #87; appear, with Luthor and Brainiac, as the Cosmic Anti-Superman Gang), various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story Ardora learns of Lex Luthor’s criminal past.
Synopsis: Superman learns that Lex Luthor has escaped his prison planet and has gone to Lexor. Ardora learns from a mento-tape of Lex’s criminal past, and is anguished. Maddened by the revelation, Luthor returns to Earth and safeguards Superman secretly from other crooks’ attempts on his life, bent on saving Superman for his personal vengeance.
Action Comics No. 333
February 1966
Cover: Superman inside dragon illusion, melting bronze scroll with heat-vision //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Super-Boo-Boos” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in issue #335)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #91), Perry White
GS: Super-Sword of Krypton (last appearance in issue #329)
Intro: The Daily Standard (a rival Metropolis newspaper)
Villains: Lex Luthor and his gang (all next appear in issue #335), Tom Vance (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in issue #335.
Synopsis: Lex Luthor plays mind games with Superman, getting him to flub his super-tasks, so that he is too confused to act when he sees Luthor and his men threatening Metropolis with glaciers.
Action Comics No. 335
March 1966
Cover: Superman smashing wooden dummies of Lex Luthor and Brainiac as a satellite taunts him //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Luthor’s First Victory Over Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in issue #333; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
Supporting Characters: Ardora (last appearance in issue #332; next appears in issue #365), Van Benson (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #91; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #63), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #91; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156), Perry White (last appearance in issue #333; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #63), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in issue #333; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
GA: Lyndon Baines Johnson (last appearance in issue #333; next appears in issue #341)
Intro: General Blade (only appearance)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in issue #333; next appears in SUPERBOY #135) and his gang, Brainiac (between issues #332 / 339 (Supergirl story))
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin combat the Joker, Bizarro No. 1, and Bizarro-Batman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156.
Synopsis: Superman pretends to be rattled to lure Lex Luthor and Brainiac into letting their guard down. When they do, he throws both of them back to Lexor, but doses Ardora with amnesium gas that causes her to forget Lex’s criminal past. Luthor admits to himself that Superman has squared himself for this time, but vows to resume their feud in the future.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 63
February 1966
Cover: Van Benson as “Superman” with Clark Kent clothes, confronting Lana Lang and Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger / Wayne Boring
Story: “The Satanic Schemes of S.K.U.L.” (Part 1; 13 pages)
Part 2: “Lois Teams Up With Lana” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156)
Supporting Characters: Van Benson, Perry White (last appearance for both in ACTION COMICS #335), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156; next appears in SUPERMAN #185), Lana Lang, Sam (a pressman; first appearance; next appears in SUPERMAN #186)
Cameo: Supergirl, Batman
Villains: S.K.U.L. (Superman Killers Underground League; including Tamara; first appearance for all)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Lois Lane infiltrates SKUL, the Superman Killers Underground League, after she learns Van Benson is a member of the group. Later, she and Lana learn that Benson is secretly an FBI agent, and they team with him against SKUL.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 64
April 1966
Cover: Lexo, Clark Kent, Perry White, and Lois Lane //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Prisoner of S.K.U.L.” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #185)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #185)
Supporting Characters: Van Benson (last appearance), Lana Lang, Perry White (both next appear in SUPERMAN #185)
Cameo appearances: Cary Grant, Lorne Greene, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Elizabeth Taylor
Villains: S.K.U.L. (including Tamara; last appearance for all)
Comments: This story continues from the last issue.
Perry White resumes his editorship of the Daily Planet in this story.
Synopsis: With help from Superman and Van Benson, Lois Lane and Lana Lang bring down the SKUL cabal.
Superman No. 185
April 1966
Cover: Superman with hand in metal box, two crooks shooting poisoned arrow at him //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Achilles Heel” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #64)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #63; next appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #92), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #64)
GS: Achilles (in flashback; dies in this story)
Intro: Ajax, Achilles’s mother (both in flashback; both of Earth-One; only appearance for both)
Villains: Gat Gronn and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When one part of his body is made vulnerable by a Red K exposure, Superman is targeted for death–literally–by gangland assassins.
Story: “Target: Superman” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “The Irresistable Clark Kent” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #92)
Supporting Characters: Kandor Look-Alike Squad (including Vol-Don; last appearance of Lois Lane and Lana Lang doubles in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #60; last appearance of all else in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #83; all next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78), Lois Lane (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #336), Lana Lang, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #64)
GA: Superman robots
Intro: Superman Robot XM21, Jose Rivera, Dolores Rivera, Manuel (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Though South American multimillionaire Jose Rivera wants his daughter Dolores to marry Superman, she is attracted to Clark Kent…and Clark’s double on the Kandor Look-Alike Squad steps in to woo her.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 92
April 1966
Cover: Jimmy Olsen vs. Batman-X and Superman-X //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man From S.C.A.R.” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “The Fire Man From Pyron” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #185)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #185)
GA: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #350)
Cameo appearances: Supergirl, Comet, Streaky
Villains: Mr. Nero (Truff; first appearance; dies in this story), Mr. Rembrandt, Olsen-X, Robin-X, Batman-X, Supergirl-X, Lois Lane-X, Clark Kent-X, Superman-X, Perry White-X, and other agents of S.C.A.R. (Society for Conquest And Ruin; first and only appearance for all), Pyronians (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen stumbles onto a plot by SCAR, a secret organization, to replace Superman and his close friends with doubles and then incinerate the Earth.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Journey To Nowhere” (7 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Jim Mooney
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #186)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #336)
Intro: Vikkor and other Robanians (only appearance for all)
Comment: It is possible the Robanian civilization is part of the “inner world” of Skartaris within Earth shown in THE FLASH #? and in the WARLORD series.
This story is based on the Tommy Tomorrow story “Destination Unknown” in ACTION COMICS #246.
Synopsis: Jimmy is teleported into a strange world inside the Earth, under a green sun.
Action Comics No. 336
April 1966
Cover: Bizarro-Supergirl on Comet, keeping Superman out of Fortress of Solitude //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man From the Phantom Zone” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #335; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Van-Zee (last appearance in SUPERMAN #158; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #240), Ak-Var (first appearance; next chronological appearance, as Flamebird II, in SUPERMAN FAMILY #185), Thara Gem-Zee (first appearance; last name revealed in KRYPTON CHRONICLES #3; next appears in Nightwing and Flamebird story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #186)
GS: Kandorians
Intro: Sirma Sen (only appearance), Zim-Ra, Val-Kon, Dru-Mar (in flashback; ancient Kryptonian heroes; only appearance for all)
Villains: Jax-Ur (between issues #321 (Supergirl story) / 352; also appears in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Prof. Vakox (between issue #321 (Supergirl story) / 341; also appears in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), General Zod, Kru-El (both in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology), Brenn-Bir, Vas-Quor, Kyl-Ibo (first appearance for all; all next appear in KRYPTON CHRONICLES #1)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman encounters a Bizarro-Supergirl in the Supergirl story in this issue.
Synopsis: Superman releases Ak-Var, a repentant Phantom Zone prisoner who has done his time, into Kandor. But Ak-Var’s old partners frame him for a series of crimes they commit using super-powers.
Superman No. 186
May 1966
Cover: “Ghosts” of Superman and Clark Kent appearing to Lois Lane, Lana Lang, Sir Seer, and others at a seance //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Two Ghosts of Superman” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #336)
GA: Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #180; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #44), Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #336 / 337)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #336), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66)
Cameo: Jor-El, Queen Isabella, Captain Kidd, Jesse James
Villains: Sir Seer, Flashy Fisher, Duke Cooper, and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: To trap a phony mystic and his gang, Superman causes him to believe he really has psychic powers…and that he has correctly predicted Superman’s death.
Story: “Clark Kent, Gangster” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #44)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (both next appear in ACTION COMICS #337), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #92; next appears in ACTION COMICS #337), Sam (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #63)
Villains: Pete the Penman, Pills Paley, Nitro Nick, Mr. Kreep, Kid Spade, and other members of Larceny, Incorporated (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League battle the Unimaginable in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #44.
Synopsis: During a time when the Daily Planet is shut down by a strike, Superman assumes the secret identity of Pete the Penman, an underworld forger, and cleans up on Larceny, Incorporated.
Action Comics No. 337
May 1966
Cover: Superman with cane, clobbering crook near his limousine; Superman cooking stew outside a shack (two vignettes) //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “From Riches To Rags” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #44; next appears in DOOM PATROL #104; also appears in flashback as Superbaby; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #186; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #93), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #186; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #186 / 188), Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent (both in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Jenkins, Sir Jeffrey Winston, Princess Pale Flower, Dr. Stacey, Dr. Vaughn
Villains: The Tiger Gang, Gunner Murdock, Steve and his accomplice (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman appears with the Justice League at the wedding of Elasti-Girl and Mento in DOOM PATROL #104, then appears briefly during their battle with Shaggy Man in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #45, then helps Batman, Robin, and Jimmy Olsen in their encounter with Brainiac A in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158.
Synopsis: The recurrence of a comet’s appearance which Superman saw as a child leads him to assume the roles of a rich man, a poor man, a beggarman, a thief, a doctor, a lawyer, and an Indian chief.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 93
June 1966
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as Steel-Man, vs. The Luthar League //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Batman-Superman of Earth-X” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “Steel-Man’s Last Stand” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Bill Finger
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #337; becomes Steel-Man for this one story only)
Supporting Character: Professor Potter (last appearance in issue #88; next appears in ACTION COMICS #342)
Intro: Perry White of an alternate Earth (dies in this story), Professor Potter, Lucy Lane of an alternate Earth (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Solarman, Mystic Man, Storm King (first and only appearance for all; characters in Clark Kent’s stories), Superman
Villains: The LUTHAR League (League Using Terror, Havoc, And Robbery), Clark Kent of the alternate Earth (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The alternate Earth in this story is referred to as “Earth-X” only in the title. Since another Earth has been designated as Earth-X in the DC multiverse (containing duplicates of the heroes of Quality Comics), we will not give the Earth in this story that designation.
Synopsis: A device of Professor Potter’s throws Jimmy Olsen into the Earth of another dimension, where he gains super-powers and fights the evil LUTHAR League as the hero, Steel-Man.
Story: “Sergeant Olsen–Toughest Man In the Marines” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane
Intro: General Crane, Cole, Baron (only appearance for all)
Cameo: Superman
Villain: An enemy agent (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen becomes a tough Marine drill instructor to ferret out an enemy agent.
Superman No. 188
July 1966
Cover: Galaxy Crimeteers vs. Superman android //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The School For Superman Assassins” (Part 1; 14 pages)
Part 2: “Zunial’s Secret Weapon” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (killed and revived in this story; last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #337; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66)
Intro: A Superman android (destroyed in this story), Peace Vigilantes (only appearance)
Villains: Kangor (the Kill Kid), Zunial (Murder Man), Oral, and other members of the Galaxy Crimeteers (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Galaxy Crimeteers, a group of interplanetary assassins who practice on a Superman android, send Zunial to Earth to kill Superman. He succeeds, and brings Superman’s Kryptonite-irradiated body back to his homeworld. But the Superman android empathizes with his counterpart, and takes the radiation into his own body. It destroys the android and revives Superman who, with the help of the Peace Vigilantes, brings in the Crimeteers.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 66
July 1966
Cover: Superman and Lois Lane with feline legs, walking tightrope //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “They Call Me the Cat” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #186)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #186)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #158; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #337; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94)
Intro: Dr. Leroux, Mr. Trimble (only appearance for both)
Villain: Princess Zerna, Arctorians (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Princess Zerna of the planet Arctor tries to take over Lois Lane’s body to win Superman, but at first only succeeds in giving Lois her cold temperament, her appetite for flowers, and her clawed, catlike feet.
Story: “Lois Lane, Witch-Doctor” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer:
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (last appearance in SUPERMAN #186)
Intro: Dr. Adams (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Vona, Mohu (characters in Lois’s dream; first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: On assignment in Africa, Lois Lane is struck by a sleeping sickness and dreams that Superman has married Lana Lang.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 94
July 1966
Cover: Jimmy Olsen and crowd watching Josh Oberlin pull truck over Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Insect-Olsen Vs. the Bug Bandits” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Penciller: George Papp
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #338 / 339)
GA: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66 / 69; appears as Insect Queen in flashback; origin of Insect Queen retold)
Villains: The Bug and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: The Bug steals the master print of “the Beatles’ latest movie” in this story. Unless this is just a promo film (such as the one they did for Penny Lane / Strawberry Fields Forever), it has no counterpart in our universe.
Synopsis: While Superman is on a space mission, The Bug, a super-villain who uses large robot “insects” for his crimes, terrorizes Metropolis. Lana Lang gives Jimmy Olsen her Insect Queen ring so that he can change into a bug-form she has already used that day (she cannot repeat a change for 24 hours) and save a falling man. Jimmy goes on to use the ring’s power, changing
himself into insect forms to battle The Bug. In the end, Lana Lang gets in touch with Supergirl, she assumes an “insect-Olsen” disguise, easily endures a deathtrap The Bug had set up for Jimmy, and captures the villain.
Story: “The Kid Who Replaced Jimmy Olsen” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #67)
GS: Superman (next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #339)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #66), Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69), Jimmy Olsen Fan Club (last appearance in issue #88; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160)
Intro: Sophia Bardot, Josh Oberlin (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Collector and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman goes on an unchronicled mission in space with the Justice League of America, as shown in the Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #339.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen’s ego appears to be overinflated by a television show based on his adventure, and Superman appears to take on a new kid partner named Josh Oberlin, but it’s all a trap to bag a criminal called the Collector.
Superman No. 189
August 1966
Cover: Superman in ruins of false Krypton, facing android Krypto //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Krypton Lives Again” (Part 1; 13 pages)
Part 2: “Krypton’s Second Doom” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #339; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #67; origin retold in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance of both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #67), Jor-El, Lara (in flashback; see Comment under MORE FUN COMICS #101 for chronology)
Intro: Los Angeles Dodgers (of Earth-One; only appearance?), android duplicates of Jor-El, Krypto, Lyla Lerrol, Zik-Tul, Kir-Du, and other Kryptonians (all destroyed in this story)
Cameo appearance: Lana Lang
Villains: Alien invaders (first appearance for all; all die in this story; in flashback)
Synopsis: Superman investigates a rogue planet nearing the solar system and discovers it is a duplicate of his homeworld of Krypton…except all the people there are androids.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 67
August 1966
Cover: Lois Lane as queen, ordering executioner to guillotine Superman //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane–Queen and Superman–Commoner” (16 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #189; next appears in ACTION COMICS #340)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #189; next appears in ACTION COMICS #340)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #189; next appearance in ACTION COMICS #340 ), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159)
Cameo appearances: Ivan the Terrible, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, Cleopatra, Helen of Troy, Marie Antoinette, Lady Macbeth, King Arthur, Napoleon, Catherine the Great, Guinnevere (as statues), Christopher Columbus, Queen Isabella, Lucy Lane
Villain: Mr. Alias (Ned King), Clarice Van Dorn (first and only appearance for both)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is convinced that a gangster named Mr. Alias holds her sister Lucy prisoner, and, to save her life, pretends that the “cursed” dagger of Lady Macbeth gives her spells of insanity in which she masquerades as famous queens from history.
Action Comics No. 340
August 1966
Cover: Superman vs. The Parasite //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Power of the Parasite” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #67; next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #67; both next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159), mayor of Metropolis (last appearance in issue #328; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #76)
Villain: The Parasite (Maxwell Jensen; first appearance; next appears in issue #361)
Comments: Even though the Parasite explodes in this story, his essence reforms in issue #361.
This issue also contains a two-page Superman pin-up by Curt Swan and George Klein.
Shortly after this story, Superman helps Supergirl preserve her secret identity in the second story in this issue, then helps Batman and Robin deal with Anti-Superman and Anti-Batman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159.
Synopsis: Maxwell Jensen experiences an accident at an atomic laboratory, and is altered into a parasitic being who can sap the strength, intelligence, and even life of a person he targets. But, since he burns up energy at an incredible rate, he chooses Superman for his victim, and leaches away the Man of Steel’s power until he bursts, unable to handle the overload.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 96
September 1966
Cover: Superman, Galora, and onlookers watching Jimmy Olsen defeat the Fiend and the Vile Viking //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Prize Is a Planet” (Part 1; 13 pages)
Part 2: “To Win a World” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159; next appears in ACTION COMICS #341)
Supporting Character: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #159; both next appear in ACTION COMICS #341)
Intro: Tigor, the Three Monitors, Galora, Valinor, Silban, Vinar, and other Mordians (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Supergirl, Batman, Lucy Lane, Jimmy Olsen Fan Club
Villains: Kid Steele, the Fiend, the Cavemen, the Vile Viking, a crooked wrestling promoter, the Ape Mob, Krimm, Klonians (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A female secret agent from the world of Mord brings Jimmy Olsen to her homeworld to do single combat against a champion from an opposing world, with the fate of their planet in the balance.
Action Comics No. 341
September 1966
Cover: Superman and Professor Vakox as “Clark Kent” throwing cannonballs at each other //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman Versus Super Clark Kent” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #96; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160)
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #96; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69), Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #96; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160)
GA: Lyndon Baines Johnson (last appearance in issue #335; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71)
Cameo: Jax-Ur, Kru-El (as an hallucination)
Villains: Baron X, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all), Prof. Vakox (between issues #336 / 352)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to battle Dr. Zodiac in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160.
Synopsis: Prof. Vakox gets out of the Phantom Zone thru an atomic blast and dresses as Clark Kent to make Superman think the explosion has split him into two beings.
Superman No. 190
October 1966
Cover: Superman vs. The Element Enemies //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Four Element Enemies” (Part 1; 12 pages)
Part 2: “Fight With the Fearsome Foursome” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #160)
Villains: Amalak (first appearance; next appears in issue #195), Earth, Air, Water, Fire (the Element Enemies; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Amalak, a planetary conqueror, endows four humans with the power to transform themselves into solid matter, liquid matter, vaporous matter, or radiation, and programs them to destroy Superman.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 69
October 1966
Cover: Lance Fortune, Lois Lane, and image of Superman //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Beware of the Bug-Belle” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #341; becomes Bug Belle in this story only)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #190), Insect Queen (Lana Lang; last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94; origin retold in flashback)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #190)
Cameo appearance: The six-limbed alien (in flashback)
Villains: Velvet O’Mara, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all), Anti-Superman Gang (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #88; next appears in ACTION COMICS #376)
Comment: This story mentions an unchronicled space mission of Superman and Supergirl’s, probably in Gamma 12, which she is mentioned as still being on in the next story.
Synopsis: While rooming with Lana Lang, Lois Lane uses her bio-ring to transform herself into the Bug-Belle to rescue a child. She keeps the identity to patrol Metropolis in Superman’s abscence, but a female agent of the Anti-Superman Gang steals the ring and uses it to transform herself into a super-powered Kryptonian insect form.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Last Chance” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97), Lana Lang (next appears in issue #71), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #94 / 98)
Intro: Lance Fortune, Penny and her mother, Steve and his mother (only appearance for all)
Synopsis: When Lois Lane sees her old classmates from college as already married and having children, she gets a severe case of “wedding bell blues”. Superman snaps her out of it by masquerading as tycoon Lance Fortune and attempting to romance her.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 97
October 1966
Cover: Tal-Var vs. Jimmy Olsen in Fortress of Solitude //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Fortress Death-Trap” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69), Superman robots (destroyed in this story, probably rebuilt later)
GA: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #340 / 342)
Villain: Tal-Var (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Taken to the Fortress of Solitude for a visit, Jimmy Olsen is left there by Superman when the latter goes to help Supergirl, and must face the super-villain Tal-Var alone when he makes a surprise attack.
Story: “His Highness, Jimmy Olsen” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #191)
GS: Superman (next appears in ACTION COMICS #342)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69; next appears in SUPERMAN #191), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69; next appears in ACTION COMICS #342)
Intro: Prince Sumi, King Vonar (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Black Clan (including Morina, A-7 and Y-23; first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen waits on a prince hand and foot to get an interview, but must also protect him from a team of assassins.
Action Comics No. 342
October 1966
Cover: Superman with bomb on his belt behind force-field created by Grax //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Super-Human Bomb” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97; next appears in AQUAMAN #30)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97; next appears in SUPERMAN #191), Professor Potter (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #93 / 107)
Villains: Brainiac (last appearance in Supergirl story in issue #339; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164), Grax (first appearance; next appears in issue #417)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman and the Justice League of America attend the mock funeral of Aquaman in AQUAMAN #30.
Synopsis: Grax, a new enemy of Superman’s, binds a bomb to his body that will destroy the Earth, and only Brainiac can help the Man of Steel save the planet.
Superman No. 191
November 1966
Cover: Superman chained before Dr. Demo and DEMON agents //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Prisoner of DEMON” (Part 1; 12 pages)
Part 2: “Demo the Diabolical” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in AQUAMAN #30; next appears in BLACKHAWK #228)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #342; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #70), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97 / 98), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #97; next appears in ACTION COMICS #343)
Intro: Maharajah of Sinsubhani, Prince Krishna (only appearance for both)
Villains: Dr. Demo (in flashback; first appearance; dies in this story), DEMON (Destruction, Extortion, Murder, Overthrow of Nations; first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League judge the Blackhawks in BLACKHAWK #228-229 and fight Felix Faust in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #49.
Synopsis: The Maharajah of Sinsubhani gives Superman a power-jewel formed at the heart of the universe, and bids him wear it to keep it from the evil organization DEMON, which seeks to claim it.
Action Comics No. 343
November 1966
Cover: Superman battered by Eterno’s fist //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Eterno the Immortal” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #49; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #162)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #191)
Intro: The Xan (in flashback; only appearance)
Villains: Eterno (first and only appearance), Superman Revenge Squad (Arl, Garan, and another member named in this story, all of whom die in this story; last appearance in issue #322; next appear in SUPERMAN #198)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman and Batman fight the Jousting Master in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #162.
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad find a towering ancient super-robot named Eterno, with powers beyond even Superman’s, and set him against the Man of Steel.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 98
December 1966
Cover: Superman and Lucy Lane at wedding of Jimmy Olsen (in animal-skin outfit) to an ape //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Four Clocks of Doom” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Clock Strikes–Doomsday” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #191)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #162; also appears in flashback; see Superman’s Interim Appearances for chronology)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #69)
Cameo: Mrs. O’Leary (in a painting)
Villains: Tempus (first appearance; next appears in issue #105), the Crazy Caper Gang (in flashback; first and only appearance)
Comment: In this story, it is established that Krypton blew up at 6:57 A.M.
Synopsis: To get revenge on Superman for accidentally destroying a rare clock of his years ago, a villain called Tempus uses a sorceror’s clock to reenact famous disasters in Metropolis.
Story: “The Bride of Jungle Jimmy” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #70)
GS: Superman (next appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (next appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71)
Intro: Bruna (an ape), Von Spitz, Rick Barton (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: King Kong, Ann Darrow (in a movie)
Comments: In this story, Jimmy is revealed to have done a bit part in a movie, Sinister Safari, which also starred Superman.
Shortly after this story, Superman briefly appears with the Justice League of America in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50.
Synopsis: Jimmy goes to the jungle where a new movie is being shot, only to have a sacred gorilla fall in love with him.
Action Comics No. 344
December 1966
Cover: Clark Kent dreaming of multiple Supermen in glass coffins and a crystal man //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Nightmare Dreams” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163)
GS: Batman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #50; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #70)
Cameo appearances: Catwoman, Riddler, Joker, Mad Hatter, Penguin, Robin
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman and Batman battle Jemphis in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163.
Synopsis: After an experiment in which his mind is briefly put into Batman’s body and vice versa and a brief exposure to Red Kryptonite, Superman has recurring dreams which symbolize Batman, Robin, and their arch-foes.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 70
November 1966
Cover: Lois Lane vs. Catwoman, with Superman (as a black cat) in a Kryptonite cage; Penguin vignette //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Catwoman’s Black Magic” (Part 1; 8 pages)
Part 2: “The Catwoman Gets the Bird” (8 pages)
Part 3: “Superman’s Cat-Astrophe” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #191)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163)
GA: Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #163), Robin (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #358)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #344), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #98 / 99)
Intro: Lady Bird Johnson, Linda Bird Johnson, Lucy Baines Johnson (of Earth-One; only appearance for all?)
Villains: The Catwoman (of Earth-One; Selina Kyle; first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in BATMAN #208) and her gang, the Penguin (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #68; next appears in BATMAN #190)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: While Batman and Robin take care of an escaped Penguin, the Catwoman hypnotizes Lois Lane into becoming her costumed ally for awhile. Later, she uses the wand of Circe to transform Superman into a super-powered black cat, whom she cages in Kryptonite.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 71
January 1967
Cover: Blindfolded Lois Lane giving money to Superman //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Bad Luck For a Black Super-Cat” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane
GS: Superman
GA: Batman, Robin (both next appear in DETECTIVE COMICS #359), Lyndon Baines Johnson (between ACTION COMICS #341 / 356)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang (between issues #69 / 73)
Villains: Catwoman (next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #369) and her gang (last appearance)
Synopsis: Batman and Robin capture the Catwoman, but Superman must remain a cat until a magical cat’s paw from an Egyptian tomb changes him back to normal.
Story: “Hush Money, Sweet Lois–Or Else” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in ACTION COMICS #345)
GS: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #99)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #345), Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #98 / 99), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (both between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #76 / 100)
Intro: Sheriff of Pittsdale, Miss Plunkett (only appearance for both)
Villains: Roger Madison (first and only appearance), alien criminals (in flashback; first appearance; all die in this story)
Comment: In this story we learn that Lois Lane is about 30 years old and was a star student, a Girl Scout, and the winner of a beauty contest and the “Ideal Girl” contest while attending school at Pittsdale.
Synopsis: A blackmailer bleeds Lois of money and then tries to force her to marry him, rather than release a film which supposedly shows Superman disintegrating a shipful of sailors.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 99
January 1967
Cover: Jimmy Olsen with Lightning Lad, Element Lad, and Sun Boy costumes, battling Weapons Wizard’s weapons; Superman vignette (four vignettes) //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The One-Man Legion” (Part 1; 10 pages)
Part 2: “The Other Element Lad” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #70; next appears in ACTION COMICS #345)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71; next appears in ACTION COMICS #345)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71)
Intro: Rhona (only appearance)
Villains: The Weapons Wizard and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: This story takes place on Jimmy Olsen’s birthday.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen uses the powers and uniforms of Element Lad, Lightning Lad, and Sun Boy to fight the Weapons Wizard and his henchmen.
Action Comics No. 345
January 1967
Cover: Clark Kent changing into Superman in front of Allen Funt and a CBS television camera //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Day Candid Camera Unmasked Clark Kent’s Identity” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #99; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #72)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71 / 72), Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #99 / 100)
Intro: Allen Funt (of Earth-One; host of TV’s Candid Camera program; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Batman, John L. Sullivan, Jake Kilrain, Diamond Jim Brady
Villains: Various crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: First Perry White is set up for a Candid Camera gag by Allen Funt and Superman. Next, Clark Kent is to be the butt of Funt’s prank…and is caught changing into a Superman costume in a rigged phone booth.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 72
February 1967
Cover: Clark Kent and Lois Lane on raft, watching flying fish form a Superman figure //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Lois Lane’s Aquaman Tricks” (17 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #345)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #345; next appears in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52)
Intro: Lew, Artis, Benny, Gus Franklin, and other students at Pacific University, Prof. Trenton Thorne (only appearance for all), Ina Lemaris (Lori Lemaris’s sister)
Villains: Big-Mouth Benny, Artie the Ape, Kid Gloves Carey, Harry, Jud, and other crooks (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman twice battles the “Cube-Creatures”, with Batman in the first encounter, in flashback in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52.
In this story we learn that Lois Lane was a member of a sorority when she attended Raleigh College.
Synopsis: Lois Lane, lecturing at Pacific University, meets Professor Thorne, a wheelchair-bound icthyologist and falls for him. Later, after both have had an adventure with Superman, she learns that he is really an Atlantean merman, and is betrothed to Lori Lemaris’s sister.
Action Comics No. 346
February 1967
Cover: Two crooks watching Supergirl vs. phony “Superman” on viewscreen //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Man Who Sold Insurance To Superman” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #52 (flashback); next appears in Supergirl story in this issue)
GA: Supergirl (between Supergirl stories in last issue and this issue)
Supporting Character: Perry White
Intro: Terry Mason, Jewel Cartier, Ricky Candell, Mia Doran, Photo Finish Farrell, Dr. Payne (only appearance for all)
Villains: Mr. Cartier, the Renegade Raiders, Surranians (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Supergirl in her battle against the Professor in the Supergirl story in this issue, then helps Batman and Robin battle Brainiac and Genia in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164.
Synopsis: An insurance salesman sells Superman a policy guaranteeing $100,000,000,000 against his death or disappearance from the Earth.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 100
March 1967
Cover: Superman, Sam and Ella Lane, Lana Lang (hair miscolored), Lois Lane, Perry White, and Clark Kent robot at wedding of Jimmy Olsen and Lucy Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Jimmy Olsen’s Weirdo Wedding” (22 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #345; next appears in SUPERMAN #195; briefly marries Lucy Lane in this story)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #164; next appears in ACTION COMICS #348), Cosmic Boy, Duo Damsel, Sun Boy (all between ADVENTURE COMICS #353 / 356), Saturn Girl (between ADVENTURE COMICS #353 / 357), Light Lass, Invisible Kid (both between ADVENTURE COMICS #353 / 355; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (briefly marries Jimmy Olsen in this story; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73), Perry White, Lois Lane (both between ACTION COMICS #345 / 348), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (both between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71 / 73), Alice White (between ACTION COMICS #302 / 461)
Intro: Vince (only appearance)
Cameo appearance: Allura
Other Characters: Dialla (last appearance in issue #83; last appearance), Interdimensional Police (last appearance in issue #73; last appearance)
Villains: Miss Gzptlsnz (last appearance in issue #65; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73), Rona (last appearance in issue #73; last appearance), a gang of crooks (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen and Lucy Lane finally wed, but the jealous Miss Gzptlsnz hexes the couple so that Superman turns into a super-mole whenever they kiss. When Jimmy’s old flames (and sometimes old enemies) start turning up, Lucy decides she’s had enough, and both annul the marriage.
Action Comics No. 348
March 1967
Cover: Superman catching falling rocket; Clark Kent machine-gunning enemy helicopter (two vignettes) //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent, Fighting Federal Agent” (16 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #165)
Supporting Characters: Perry White, Lois Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73)
Intro: Director of the FBI, James McDonald (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Acid Master (John Henry Master) and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman and Robin battle King Wolff in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #165.
Synopsis: To nail an enemy agent called the Acid Master, the FBI turns to and trains an outsider, Clark Kent, not suspecting he is Superman.
Superman No. 195
April 1967
Cover: Superman weakened by Kryptonite gas, and Kandor, Krypto, and Supergirl imprisoned in tubes //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Fury of the Kryptonian-Killer” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #165; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73)
GS: Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #348 / 349), Krypto (between ACTION COMICS #330 / 349), Kandorians
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73)
Cameo: Jor-El, Lara
Villains: Amalak (between issues #190 / 299), Rinol-Jag (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Amalak brainwashes Rinol-Jag, last survivor of a planet which was destroyed by a planet-sized chunk of Kryptonite, into hating all things Kryptonian. Rinol-Jag goes
on a hate crusade against the survivors of Krypton, destroying monuments to Superman, Supergirl, Jor-El and Lara, breaking into the Fortress of Solitude to capture the bottle-city of Kandor, and then using Kryptonite to capture Superman, Supergirl, and Krypto. But when Amalak tries to activate a device that will explode the Earth, Rinol-Jag questions his actions, and is shot by Amalak’s ray-gun. Falling, Rinol frees Superman, who is wounded by Amalak but nevertheless manages to knock him out and short-circuit his bomb. Later, Amalak is imprisoned, and Rinol-Jag makes friends with Superman and Supergirl.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 73
April 1967
Cover: Superman in Kryptonite manacles, watching Lois Lane lash Superman puppet //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Dummy and the Damsel” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #348)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #195)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (between SUPERMAN #195 / 196), Perry White (between ACTION COMICS #348 / 349), Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #71)
Villain: An alien being (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: When an evil alien possesses Superman’s body, he and Lois manage to “exorcise” it by a trick and send it into the Phantom Zone.
Story: “Lois Lane’s Fairy Godmother” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN #196)
GS: Superman (next appearance in ACTION COMICS #349)
Supporting Character: Lana Lang
Cameo appearances: King Kong, Al Capone, Ben Hur, Harry Houdini (as statues)
Villains: Miss Gzptlsnz (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100; last appearance), Mr. Mxyzptlk (last appearance in issue #62; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169)
Synopsis: Lois Lane appears to aquire a fairy godmother who fulfills her every wish, but the granted wishes have a penchant for going awry.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 101
April 1967
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Baby Kal-El, Krypto, Jor-El, and Lara //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Olsen’s Time-Trip To Save Krypton” (Part 1; 12 pages)
Part 2: “Krypton’s Last Chance” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Robert Bernstein
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen of Earth-B (first appearance)
GS: Superman of Earth-B (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #59; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #223)
Intro: Dr. Zak-Lor, Miri (both die in this story), Perry White, Supergirl, Krypto, Lucy Lane, Kandorians of Earth-B
Villains: Jor-El and Prof. Vakox of Earth-B (first and only appearance for both), Brainiac of Earth-B
Comment: This story is probably not a canonical Superman story. As shown in issue #36 (3), Jimmy Olsen was already on Krypton for some time prior to its destruction, and escaped from it by a time-machine just minutes before that event. Since Jimmy Olsen was shown getting his signal-watch during that story, it is most probably the more canonical of these two stories. As has been shown in other stories, if a time-traveller in the Earth-One (or Earth-Two) universe goes to a time-period in which he already exists, he either becomes a phantom or his “self” from that time is thrown into the time-period from which his later self left. Also, though Jimmy Olsen had been Kal-El’s babysitter for some time (as shown in issue #36 (2)), Jor-El does not recognize him in this story. Also, Kal-El is shown with Krypto only days before Krypton’s destruction (though, admittedly, no count of days is given on pg. 23, panel 4), even though he had been rocketed into space a long enough time beforehand for Jor-El to have had to create a robot dog named Spot, who is not the dog shown in this story. Therefore, the entire story has to be moved to Earth-B.
Action Comics No. 349
April 1967
Cover: Superman and mummified Dr. Kryptonite //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Face of Fear” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman?
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73; next appearance possibly in ADVENTURE COMICS #354)
GS: Krypto (last appearance in SUPERMAN #195; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #107)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73; next appears in SUPERMAN #196)
Intro: Flordisians, Kid Vampire, Boris the Beast, Iron-Man Monigan (only appearance for all)
Villains: Dr. Kryptonite (Dr, Kane; first and only appearance), Intercrime (first appearance; next appears in issue #351)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman may join the Legion of Super-Heroes to fight the Legion of Super-Villains in ADVENTURE COMICS #354-355, although this may take place in a time-line foreign to that of canonical Earth-One.
Synopsis: Dr. Kane, a criminal scientist working with the criminal cabal Intercrime, gives himself the power to radiate Green Kryptonite rays. Calling himself Dr. Kryptonite, he traps Krypto and lures Superman into his clutches.
Superman No. 196
May 1967
Cover: Superman vs. The Thing //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Star of Steel” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance possibly in ADVENTURE COMICS #355; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen (both between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73 / 74), Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #349; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74)
Intro: Lyrica Lloyd, Alistair Wight (both die in this story), Marcus Moller (only appearance)
Synopsis: Clark Kent plays Superman in a movie and falls in love with an actress who is doomed to die.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 74
May 1967
Cover: Lois Lane and Superman vs. Hero //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “Superman’s Unbeatable Rival” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN #196 / 198)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #196; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53)
GA: Flash (last appearance in FLASH #170; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53), Green Lantern (last appearance in GREEN LANTERN #51; next appears in ACTION COMICS #350), Green Arrow (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #71; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53), Hawkman (last appearance in HAWKMAN #19; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53), Atom (last appearance in ATOM #30; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53), Aquaman (last appearance in AQUAMAN #33; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53), Wonder Woman (between WONDER WOMAN #169 / 170; all appear, with Superman, as the Justice League of America), Bizarro No. 1 (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156; next appears in SUPERMAN #305), Bizarro-Batman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156; next appears in SUPERMAN #379), Bizarros (last seen in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #156; next appear in ACTION COMICS #365)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN #196; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #102), Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #196; next appears in ACTION COMICS #350 ), Lana Lang
Intro: Hero (becomes Bizarro-Flash; next appears in SUPERMAN #379)
Villain: Chopper Blade (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League in their battle against “the Mastermind” in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53.
Synopsis Bizarro No. 1 attempts to create a Bizarro-Flash. Unfortunately, he creates a handsome, heroic-looking “reverse-Flash” who calls himself Hero and comes to Earth to romance Lois Lane.
Action Comics No. 350
May 1967
Cover: Perry White and Superman looking at caveman skeleton wearing Superman costume //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Secret of the Stone-Age Superman” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #53; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #102)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #73; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #102)
Intro: Virra and her family and tribe, Clark Kent robot K-31 (only appearance for all)
Villain: Guarr (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: To solve the mystery of a caveman skeleton in a Superman suit, Superman goes back over a million years into the past.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 102
June 1967
Cover: Superman putting strait-jacketed Jimmy Olsen into asylum //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Superman’s Greatest Double-Cross” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #350; next appears in SUPERMAN #198), a Superman robot
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #350)
Villain: Spade Felton and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen becomes convinced that Clark Kent is trying to become Superman’s best pal in his stead. Later, when gangsters try to pry the secret of Superman’s identity out of him, Jimmy gives them the name of the one man he is sure cannot be Superman–Clark Kent.
Story: “Jimmy Olsen–Campus Hero” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN #198)
GS: Supergirl (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #350; next appears in SUPERMAN #199)
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN #198), students and faculty at Stanhope College
Intro: President of Stanhope College (only appearance)
Villains: Homicide, Inc., Nick Harkins, Mr. Quick (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: In this story Linda is revealed to be a member of the Stanhope cheerleaders’ squad.
Synopsis: After Jimmy Olsen’s testimony sends a murderer to jail, his gang, Homicide, Inc., targets Olsen for death. Several attempts are made on Jimmy’s life, and Perry White gets him a
cover identity as “Jeff Ogden”, a student at Stanhope College. Linda Danvers recognizes Jimmy, but agrees to help him carry off the ruse. She also covertly guards him against assassination
attempts made by Mr. Quick, the syndicate’s killer in disguise. Supergirl finally succeeds in capturing Mr. Quick, and Jimmy reveals his true identity to the faculty and students.
Superman No. 198
July 1967
Cover: Clark Kent android exposing Clark Kent as Superman before Perry White //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Real Clark Kent” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #102)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #102), Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #74 / 75)
Villains: Superman Revenge Squad (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #343; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #175; several members die in this story), a Clark Kent android, a Superman android, and other androids (first appearance for all; all destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: The Superman Revenge Squad attempts to lure the Man of Steel into an other-dimensional trap with a Clark Kent android.
Story: “The Fate of the Super-Super-Superman” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Characer: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #75)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #103), Perry White
Intro: The Supreme Brain (only appearance)
Synopsis: In gratitude for a deed of kindness, an alien being magnifies Superman’s powers beyond his ability to control them.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 75
July 1967
Cover: Superman with rifle and Lois Lane as “General Tigre” at execution of Vargas //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Lady Dictator” (23 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisigner
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #198; next appears in ACTION COMICS #352)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #198; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #103)
Supporting Characters: Lucy Lane (between SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100 / 107), Sam Lane, Ella Lane (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #100; both next appear in issue #82)
Intro: Mr. and Mrs.Vargas and their son, General Tigre (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Jor-El, Lara (in flashback)
Villains: The Maestro and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: The Maestro, a criminal scientist, gives Superman amnesia and forces Lois Lane to convince him that he is really a criminal and in thrall to her, while the Maestro makes her pose as General Tigre, dictator of a South American nation.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 103
July 1967
Cover: Superman showing Clark Kent’s clothes to Jimmy Olsen (who hides bomb behind his back) //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Murder of Clark Kent” (21 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appearance in SUPERMAN #199)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #75; next appears in SUPERMAN #199)
Intro: Dr. Denise Dunois (only appearance), Paul Revere (of Earth-One; in flashback)
Cameo appearances: Mata Hari, Lucrezia Borgia, John Dillinger, Adolf Hitler, Caesar Nero, Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar, Cassius, Brutus, John Wilkes Booth, Mahatma Gandhi, John F. Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy (as statues)
Villains: Maximo, Assassins Anonymous (first and only appearance for all; one dies in this story)
Synopsis: A band of assassins tries to make Jimmy and a lady scientist murder Superman with Kryptonite.
Superman No. 199
August 1967
Cover: Superman and Flash racing as Robin, Batman, the Atom, Green Lantern, J’onn J’onzz, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Hawkman, and Wonder Woman watch //Carmine Infantino / Murphy Anderson
Story: “Superman’s Race With the Flash” (Part 1; 12 pages)
Part 2: “Faster Than a Speeding Bullet” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #103; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168)
GS: Flash (between FLASH #172 / 173), Aquaman (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #73; next appears in AQUAMAN #35), Green Arrow (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #350; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55), Green Lantern (between GREEN LANTERN #54 / 55), J’onn J’onzz (between HOUSE OF MYSTERY #168 / 169), Batman (last appearance in BATMAN #194; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #356), Hawkman (between HAWKMAN #21 / 22), Atom (between ATOM #32 / 33; all appear as the Justice League of America, between JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54 / 55), Robin (last appearance in BATMAN #194; next appears in TEEN TITANS #11), Supergirl (between ACTION COMICS #350 / 353)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (next appears in ACTION COMICS #351), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #103; next appears in ACTION COMICS #351), Iris West (between FLASH #172 / 173)
Intro: Secretary-General of the United Nations (only appearance?)
Villain: Mr. Vincent, an American gambling syndicate, Werner Von Broder, Mr. DePaul, Dr. Robert Carson, the Continental Crime Syndicate, Lorenzo, Nails (first and only appearance for all)
Comments: This is the first of three Superman / Flash races. The second appears in THE FLASH #175.
Shortly after this story Superman teams with Batman and Robin to fight the Composite Superman in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168.
Synopsis: Superman and The Flash agree to a race around the world to benefit the United Nations. But two rival gambling syndicates set traps for the hero that they have individually bet against.
Action Comics No. 351
June 1967
Cover: Zha-Vam shoving Superman into mountainside //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Zha-Vam the Invincible” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #168)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #199; next appears in issue #354), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN #199; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #105)
Villains: Zha-Vam (first appearance; last chronological appearance in flashback in issue #353), Intercrime (last appearance in issue #349), the Golden Bandits, the Trigger Mob, the Purple Gang, Murder, Inc. (first appearance for all; all, with Intercrime, compose the United Crime Syndicate (first appearance))
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: A new super-villain, Zha-Vam, uses a belt that gives him the powers of the legendary gods to lead a criminal syndicate, and to best Superman in battle.
Action Comics No. 352
July 1967
Cover: Policemen trying to break Superman out of stone shell //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Victory of Zha-Vam” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Lois Lane (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #75 / 76)
Villains: Zha-Vam, Jax-Ur (last appearance in issue #336; next appears in SUPERMAN #205), Prof. Vakox (last appearance in issue #341; next appears in SUPERMAN #205)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Superman is consistently bested and humiliated by Zha-Vam, who dares the Man of Steel to find his secret weakness.
Action Comics No. 353
August 1967
Cover: Zha-Vam vs. Atlas as Superman looks on //Wayne Boring / George Klein
Story: “The Battle of the Gods” (16 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Otto Binder
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #105)
GS: Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury, Vulcan, Apollo, Prometheus, Pluto, Neptune
Intro: the Delphic Oracle (only appearance?)
Villain: Zha-Vam (origin revealed in flashback, his first chronological appearance; turned to clay in this story)
Comments: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Superman goes back in time to ancient Olympus, where he witnesses the Delphic Oracle prophesizing the advent of the Man of Steel. Jealous that they will be forgotten in favor of Superman in the future, the deities of Olympus create a being with the powers of Zeus, Hercules, Apollo, Vulcan, Achilles, and Mercury, and call him Zha-Vam. They also equip him with the belt that can summon the powers of other mythical gods and heroes, and send him to the future to battle Superman. But the Kryptonian hero persuades Neptune to make him a power-belt akin to Zha-Vam’s, and uses it to summon Atlas to help him defeat the villain. He then takes Zha-Vam back to ancient Olympus, where Prometheus turns their champion back into lifeless clay.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 105
September 1967
Cover: Jimmy Olsen vs. android duplicates of Wolf-Boy Jimmy Olsen, fat Jimmy Olsen, porcupine Jimmy Olsen, Elastic Lad, Superman, and other Jimmy Olsens //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The World of 1,000 Olsens” (Part 1; 12 pages)
Part 2: “Jimmy Against the Olsens” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writers: Otto Binder, E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #351; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169)
GS: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #353; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55)
Intro: Prof. Worthington (dies in this story)
Villains: Tempus (last appearance in issue #98; last appearance), android duplicates of Superman and Jimmy Olsen (including Turtle-Man Olsen, Elastic Lad, Human Octopus Olsen, Human Porcupine Olsen, Wolf-Boy Olsen, Agent Double-5, and a female Jimmy Olsen; first appearance for all; all destroyed in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps the Justice League and Justice Society battle the black-sphered villains in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #55-56.
Synopsis: Tempus finds an asteroid, populates it with android doubles of Jimmy Olsen, lures the real Jimmy there, and plans to crash it into Earth and destroy the planet.
Action Comics No. 354
September 1967
Cover: Superman vs. Captain Incredible //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Captain Incredible” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates?
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #56; next appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in issue #351; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169)
Intro: Captain Incredible (a robot), Dr. Dane Gnorr (only appearance for both)
Villains: Lex Luthor (last appearance in SUPERBOY #135; next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #61) and his gang, an alien (first and only appearance)
Comment: Shortly after this story, Superman helps Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and Supergirl against Mr. Mxyzptlk and Bat-Mite in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169.
Synopsis: A scientist of the 27th Century creates a super-robot named Captain Incredible, with powers that exceed those of Superman, to be his aide, but the stress of travelling back to the 20th Century turns the robot into Superman’s enemy.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 76
August 1967
Cover: Lois Lane in leopard bikini, holding Vitar in bottle as Superman flies down //Kurt Schaffenberger
Story: “The Demon In the Bottle” (Part 1; 12 pages)
Part 2: “The Double-Crossing Demon” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #352; next appears in issue #78)
GS: Superman (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169; next appears in issue #78)
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (next appears in issue #78), mayor of Metropolis (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #340), Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #167; next appear in issue #78), Don-El (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #60; next appears in issue #78)
Intro: Elke Lisi (only appearance), Hap-El and his wife, Vitar (all three next appear in issue #78)
Synopsis: Vitar, a member of Kandor’s Emergency Squad, has been in love with Lois Lane and Lana Lang from afar for months. With the help of an enlarging gas, he leaves the bottle, masquerades as a genie and as Superman, and tries romancing both women. Superman exposes his imposture, but Lois and Lana agree to go back to Kandor with him and see if either one of them can find happiness with Vitar.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 78
October 1967
Cover: Superman seeing gangster’s bullets ricochet off Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Courtship, Kryptonian Style” (16 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Kurt Schaffenberger
Inker: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in issue #76; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #106)
GS: Superman (last appearance in issue #76; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #106), Kandorians
Supporting Characters: Lana Lang (last appearance in issue #76), mayor of Metropolis (between issues #76 / 81), Don-El (last appearance in issue #76; next appears in SUPERMAN FAMILY #190), Supermen Emergency Squad (last appearance in issue #76; next appear in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #130), Vitar, Hap-El (last appearance for both in issue #76; last appearance for both), Kandor Look-Alike Squad (last appearance in SUPERMAN #185; Ti-Arra, Lana Lang’s double, named and Sylvia Van-Zee identified as Lois Lane’s double in this story; Sylvia Van-Zee’s next appearance in Nightwing and Flamebird story in SUPERMAN FAMILY #186; last appearance for the rest of the group)
Villains: Serena Vol, the Sky Thief (first and only apperance for both)
Comment: Lois Lane learns Klurkor, the Kryptonian martial art, in this story.
Synopsis: Lois and Lana try to acclimate to life in Kandor, with the former becoming a detective and the latter becoming an archaeologist. But their minds are still on Superman, and, after Vitar decides to marry an old flame of his, both of them ask Superman to get them out of the bottle and back in the outer world.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 106
October 1967
Cover: Jimmy Olsen trying to get Superman to walk under ladder //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Lone Wolf Legionnaire Reporter” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Jim Shooter
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169; appears as Elastic Lad in this story)
GS: Duo Damsel, Brainiac 5 (between ADVENTURE COMICS #360 / 361), Mon-El (between ADVENTURE COMICS #360 / 362), Element Lad (between ADVENTURE COMICS #360 / 363; all appear as the Legion of Super-Heroes)
Villains: The Uniform Gang (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Legion of Super-Heroes summon Jimmy to the 30th Century and assign him to write up news for their next issue of the Legion Bulletin. Jimmy, using his Elastic Lad abilities, thinks he strikes out on all counts. But unknown to him at the time, he saves an experimental child-robot, cracks a “burglarproof” safe, and captures the Uniform Gang. Duo Damsel learns of his exploits, photographs them using time-travel, and writes them up to fill the next edition of the Bulletin.
Story: “Superman’s Unluckiest Day” (10 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #79)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78; next appears in SUPERMAN #201)
Supporting Characters: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #169; next appears in SUPERMAN #201), Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #78; next appears in SUPERMAN #201)
Villains: Aliens from Dimension Corridor 349 (first and only appearance for all; one dies in this story)
Comment: This story takes place on Thursday the 12th and Friday the 13th.
Synopsis: To be able to intercept a bomb sent by other-dimensional aliens, Superman pretends to be scared by superstitions.
Superman No. 201
November 1967
Cover: Clark Kent and Superman //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent Abandons Superman” (Part 1; 9 pages)
Part 2: “New Life, New Love, New Danger” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #106; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #79)
Supporting Characters: Lois Lane, Perry White (last appearance for both in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #106; both next appear in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #79)
GS: Kandorians
Intro: Prof. Steele (dies in this story), Super-Robot, Lloru (only appearance for both)
Villains: An arm-monster, Rolgar, a gang of crooks (first and only appearance for all), Kromn (a robot; destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: A death that Superman is unable to prevent leads him to reconsider his role as a super-hero and build a new life as Clarken, a scientist, on a red-sun world. But, when he has to defeat a would-be dictator on that planet, he remembers the thrill of battle and decides to return to Earth.
Superman’s Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 79
November 1967
Cover: Superman at the wedding of Lois Lane and Titanman //Neal Adams
Story: “The Bride of Titanman” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Richard Hughes
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN #201)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #201)
Supporting Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #106)
Intro: Twiggy (of Earth-One; only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Titanman (first and only appearance; a character in Lois’s dream)
Villain: An assassin (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Lois Lane is struck by the reflection of a crook’s ray-weapon bouncing off Superman, and has a dream in which she is thrown into another dimension and consents to become the bride of Titanman, the hero of that realm.
Story: “Checkmate For Lois” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Kurt Schaffenberger
Feature Character: Lois Lane (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171)
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #57)
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen, Perry White (last appearance in SUPERMAN #201; next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171), Lana Lang (next appears in SUPERMAN #204), Prof. Lewis Lang (last appearance in issue #58; next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #117)
Intro: The “Mystery Millionaire”, Bill Packer, Rex Gavin, Chief Kicking Horse, Liada (only appearance for all)
Villains: Lediv, Rantyr, Goz (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears with the Justice League in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #57, then helps Batman and Robin defeat Victor Stark in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171, then races the Flash in THE FLASH #175.
Synopsis: Lana Lang, her father, Superman, and several others are possessed by the spirit of an ancient sorceress and her followers, Lois is taken over by the spirit of the sorceress’s foe, and both fight against each other.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 107
December 1967
Cover: Jimmy Olsen as tour guide and Superman as street sweeper //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Rise and Fall of Superman” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #79)
GS: Superman (last appearance in THE FLASH #175), Krypto (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #349; next appears in ADVENTURE COMICS #364)
Supporting Character: Professor Potter (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #342; next appears in issue #124)
Intro: Junn, the Ultimate One, and other Pelgarians (only appearance for all)
Villain: Roxx-Torl (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman stops an alien bounty-hunter from killing a murderer of his world, and, as a result, is sentenced by the alien’s court to do menial jobs until the killer is caught.
Story: “The Captive of the Spiderman” (11 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Richard Hughes
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #59)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #75)
Intro: Mr. Marionette (only appearance)
Cameo appearances: Batman, King Arthur (as puppets)
Villains: The Spidermen (first appearance; all die in this story)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman helps the Justice League of America fight the Contras in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #59.
Synopsis: Jimmy, Lucy Lane, and a puppeteer are taken prisoner on an island by mutated spider-beings who intend to conquer the Earth after destroying Superman.
Action Comics No. 355
October 1967
Cover: Superman watching Annihiliator in phone booth //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Mighty Annihilator” (12 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #59)
Supporting Character: Perry White (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171)
Intro: Saar-Penn (in flashback; dead before this story opens), the One-Punch Kid (only appearance)
Villains: The Annihilator (Karl Keller; first appearance), prison guards at an Iron Curtain prison camp (first and only appearance)
Comment: This story continues in the next issue.
Synopsis: Karl Keller, a prisoner in an Iron Curtain camp, blames Superman for his plight. He discovers explosive chemicals from Krypton in a crashed rocket, gives himself superhuman power by ingesting them, and comes to America. There he becomes The Annihilator, a costumed super-villain, and threatens to destroy the Earth and Superman with it if the Man of Steel opposes him.
Action Comics No. 356
November 1967
Cover: Superman and Annihilator watching Annihilator, Jr. smash Washington Monument //Neal Adams
Story: “The Son of the Annihilator” (14 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman
Supporting Character: Perry White (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #80)
GS: Superman robots (destroyed in this story, probably rebuilt later), Lyndon Baines Johnson (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #71)
Villains: The Annihilator, Annihilator, Jr. (Pocketbook Pete; first appearance; super-villain name given in next issue)
Synopsis: Superman finds himself unable to oppose the Annihilator, who adopts a juvenile delinquent, Pocketbook Pete, as his “son”. However, Superman soon learns that the Annihilator’s powers have worn off, but Pete, who has taken a dose of the explosive chemicals, now possesses the same powers.
Action Comics No. 357
December 1967
Cover: Superman surrounded by Annihilator, Jr. and the Skulls motorcycle gang //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Kryptonite Rumble” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Wayne Boring
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN #203)
GS: Lyndon Baines Johnson (next appears in SUPERMAN #205)
Villains: The Annihilator, Annihilator, Jr. (last appearance for both), the Skulls (a motorcycle gang; Creep and Specs named; first and only appearance)
Synopsis: The Annihilator and his “son” take over Washington, D.C., but the former discovers that the Kryptonian chemicals are weakening his heart, even as Superman embarks on a desperate plan to defeat them both.
Superman No. 203
January 1968
Cover: Superman watching rays from his “S” shield striking Perry White and Lois Lane //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “Clark Kent’s Biggest Day” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #357)
Intro: Diana Adair and her editor (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Long-Hair Gang (first and only appearance)
Comment: During this story, Clark Kent never changes into his Superman identity.
Synopsis: While a magazine reporter is spending a day with him as an assignment, Clark Kent avoids assassination attempts by the Long-Hair Gang and delivers them into the hands of the police.
Story: “When Superman Killed His Friends” (9 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Artist: Pete Costanza
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN #108)
Intro: Knarf, a race of aliens (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearances: Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Perry White (as characters in Superman’s dream)
Villain: The Doom Demon (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Superman is exposed to a piece of Red Kryptonite which gives him a prophetic dream, enabling him to capture a deadly organism that would have destroyed his friends.
Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen No. 108
January 1968
Cover: Jimmy Olsen and Superman amid stacks of money //Curt Swan / George Klein
Story: “The Midas of Metropolis” (15 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Jack Abel
Feature Character: Jimmy Olsen (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #80)
GS: Superman (last appearance in SUPERMAN #203; next appears in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #358)
Supporting Character: Lucy Lane (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #80)
Intro: Ron Hilton (dead before this story begins; as a voice and an image), Myron Hawke, Frank Sinatra (of Earth-One; first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Superman briefly appears with Supergirl in the Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #358.
Synopsis: Jimmy Olsen will earn a million dollars inheritance from a dead playboy he once criticized if he can spend another million within 24 hours.
Superman No. 204
February 1968
Cover: Superman felled by two flaming “LL” letters //Neal Adams
Story: “The Case of the Lethal Letters” (13 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Ross Andru
Inker: Mike Esposito
Feature Character: Superman (last appearance in Supergirl story in ACTION COMICS #358; also appears in flashbacks to indeterminate times)
Supporting Characters: Lori Lemaris (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #56; next appears in ACTION COMICS #365; also appears in flashback to indeterminate time), Lana Lang (between SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #79 / 80; also appears in flashback to indeterminate time), Lois Lane (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #171; next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #80; also appears in flashback to indeterminate time)
Villains: Lorraine Lewis (first appearance; dies in this story), Bal-Gra, a madman (first and only appearance for both; in flashback)
Comment: In this story, it is revealed that Perry White won a Pulitzer Prize before hiring Clark Kent.
Synopsis: Lorraine Lewis, a female scientist who had been in love with Superman but who found herself blocked by his three “LL” sweethearts, lures him into a deathtrap by capturing Lori Lemaris, Lana Lang, and Lois Lane.
Story: “The Fortress of Fear” (8 pages)
Editor: Mort Weisinger
Writer: Cary Bates
Artist: Al Plastino
Feature Character: Superman (next appears in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #80)
Intro: Gnor-Ax (only appearnace)
GA: Kandorians
Villain: A Plutonian being (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: A being from Pluto comes to Earth, possesses Superman’s entire Fortress of Solitude, and turns it against him.
