Given that Captain Comet was a 1950s makeover of the 1930s Superman concept, emphasizing the mental more than the physical, it’s not surprising that the two might meet.
But it was a long time coming — 29 years, in fact (in DC Comics Presents 22, June 1980).
The Captain Comet feature’s emphasis on knowledge and science — or rather pseudo-science — was inevitable, given the world-shaking detonation of the atom bomb six years before.
“Captain Comet was one of those superheroes created in the almost barren 1950s. J’onn J’onzz, Fighting American, and Captain Flash followed Captain Comet by a few years, and then the Flash led the revival,” observed Vincent Mariani. “All of these characters displayed new wrinkles on the superhero concept.
“During the ’50s, there were so many genres being published that the superheroes were just part of a much more diverse business. The idea that superhero comics would ultimately completely dominate mainstream comics publishing was not imaginable to baby boomers who were unfamiliar with the Golden Age.”
But dominate they did by 1986, when the Superman team-up title DC Comics Presents 91 was published.
In The Brains That Stormed Metropolis, the super-villain Axel Storm, a/k/a Brain Storm, used his stellar energy helmet to summon Captain Comet for the purpose of siphoning off his telekinetic powers. Brain Storm had been introduced in Attack of the Star-Bolt Warrior! (Justice League of America 32, Dec. 1964) and had returned in The Case of the Disabled Justice League! (Justice League of America 36, June 1965).
An unexpected side effect of Brain Storm’s attack super-evolves Captain Comet, giving him a bulging head and a chaotic disposition. Enter Superman to clean up the mess.
“When you have superpowers. ” It’s easy to become swell-headed,” Bob Doncaster remarked drily.
Returned to his “normal” state of mutant super-intelligence, Captain Comet tells the Man of Steel, “It was terrible, not being in control. I felt like a small child trying to operate an airliner.”
Then, Captain Comet prepares to use the stellar energy helmet to withdraw Storm’s increased mental abilities. But the experience has had a surprising side effect on the super-villain, too.
“I’m ready, Captain!” Storm says. “But it’s a bit of a pity… With my increased awareness and advanced powers, I seemed to ‘outgrow’ my rather roguish nature! While I had a ‘future mind’, I was a do-gooder!’ I hope that some part of that remains with me…”
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