Superman #231

Superman #231 (On Sale: September 17, 1970) has another nice cover by Neal Adams.

This marked the end of an era. Mort Weisinger had been an editor at DC comics since More Fun Comics #71 in 1941, which he not only edited but in which he wrote "The Riddle of the Crying Clown," creating along with artist Chad Grothkopf the character Johnny Quick. He also co-created Aquaman, Green Arrow, and the original Vigilante, served as story editor for the Adventures of Superman television series, and compiled the often-revised paperback 1001 Valuable Things You Can Get Free.  In 1948 Mort would take over the editorial reigns of Superman, guiding the character for the next 22 years. This was the last book to bare his editorial stamp and marked the end of his 29-year career at DC. Mort died after suffering a heart attack on May 7, 1978.

We begin with  "The Wheel of Super-Fortune" by Cary Bates, Curt Swan and Dan Adkins. It is maybe appropriate that Mort Weisinger's last book be an "Imaginary Story" that he seemed to love so much. Continuing from last issue, Superman (Lex Luthor) tries to convince Lois Lane that Clark Kent is a criminal. Despite this, Lois still defends Clark. Meanwhile, Clark visits a mystic who reveals Luthor's origin. Using Lois as a hostage, Clark forces Luthor to let him get away with his crimes.

Eventually, one of Luthor's robots acts against Clark. Kent gets his revenge by kidnapping Lois. Believing Lois dead, Luthor tries to stop Clark when he strikes again. This time Clark destroys a large section of Metropolis, but Luthor evacuated the people. Finally Clark attempts to steal Luthor's powers. He fails and is killed as a result.

I have to say that maybe the most clever thing about this issue is on the cover where the impact from Superman's head hitting the wall, obscures the fact that he is actually bald-headed Lex Luthor.

We end with "Superman's Fatal Costume" by Jerry Coleman and Al Plastino and reprinted from Superman #112. Luthor uses a spectroscope to study Superman’s costume and learn about its special properties. Using a device he created, Luthor causes the costume to give off heat, change metal into wood, and explode. Superman manages to uncover the plot, apprehend Luthor and some escaped prisoners, and take measures to ensure his costume can’t be used against him again.

Edited for the very last time by Mort Weisinger.