DC Comics 45 Years Ago

DC Special #14 (On Sale: July 1, 1971), has a Wanted: World's Most Dangerous Villians cover by Murphy Anderson proving that DC 100-Page Super Spectacular was not the only book named for the company that would be the launching pad for new titles.

We begin with Superman in "The Toyman's Castle" by Don Cameron, Ira Yarbrough, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #47 (1947). While in prison, the Toyman is allowed to create toys that discourage crime. However, his toys are actually robbery plans for his gang. Though Superman is able to stop the robbery, the Toyman is able to escape jail.

Toyman then creates a party machine designed to tell fortunes. His real plan is to steal the signatures of wealthy party guests. Lois sees him, so the Toyman takes her prisoner. When Superman catches him, he uses Lois as a hostage. Superman foils Toyman's plans using a toy jack-in-the-box and then sends the crook back to prison.

From 1943 to 1948, Ira Yarbrough drew 77 Superman stories and worked closely with Superman creator Joe Shuster.

Next up is the Flash in "The Heat Is On... for Captain Cold" by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Flash #140 (1963). Flash is asked by Henry Willens, an attorney, to search for a missing girl. The girl was lost in an accident many years before. Her father has died recently and his dying wish was to locate the girl. A diamond-shaped birthmark is the only clue Flash has to her identity.

While searching for the girl, Flash learns that Captain Cold has broken jail. He quickly catches up to Cold but is preventing from making the capture by a new villain, Heat Wave. Heat Wave teams temporarily with Cold, but the two have a dispute over the affections of a TV model, known as Dream Girl. The two crooks compete in a crime spree to win Dream Girl. They halt their rivalry again when Flash shows up. Flash is able to overcome both opponents and turn them into the authorities.

Learning of the crooks' passion for Dream Girl gives Flash an idea. He meets Dream Girl who turns out to be Priscilla Varner, the missing girl. Flash is able to take her to Mr. Willens to receive her inheritance.

We end this issue with Batman in "The Bird Sayings Crimes" by William Woolfolk, Lew Sayre Schwartz, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #55 (1951). On his birthday, the Penguin receives presents containing mocking bird sayings from other criminals. For this reason, Penguin decides to use those same sayings as inspirations for crimes, and thus dispose of Batman and Robin, but as usual, he ends up captured by the Dynamic Duo.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.