Superman #243

Superman #243 (On Sale: August 12, 1971), has a classic Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Starry-Eyed Siren of Space" by Cary Bates, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. A female alien intelligence creates a body for herself and is endangered by menaces of her own subconscious creation. Her mate asks Superman to help save her, and then, when she falls for Superman, builds a duplicate Superman body for himself, and attacks him. Eventually, the misunderstanding is cleared and Superman is able to return to Earth via the Timestream. Reprinted in Best of DC #12 (1981).

Next is a World of Krypton tale, "The Death-Trails of Krypton" by Cary Bates, Bob Brown, and Murphy Anderson. 2000 years ago, a Kryptonian chemo-engineer named Dol-Nd discovered that he could create flying wings for himself by using a crystalline element he named Trolium, after Trolius, the mythological lord of Krypton's red skies. However, the Trolium created permanent green death-trails in the sky after his flight, which disintegrated any object that flew into them. After defeating a criminal who tried to steal the wings, Dol-Nd destroyed his invention, but the death trails remained in the sky until Krypton's destruction. Reprinted in Best of DC #40 (1983).

Our reprint is "The Battle of the Atoms" by Don Cameron, Sam Citron, and George Roussos and reprinted from Superman #38 (1946).  Clark and Lois follow up on a tip outside of Metropolis. They discover rocks, trees, and metal bent into odd shapes as if melted. Lois is attacked by three men, but Superman fights them off. The reporters then return to the Daily Planet to file stories.

At the office, the Daily Planet building begins melting as well. Luthor is behind the attack using a newly developed molecular impulsion beam. Superman repairs the building, then stops Luthor's henchmen from robbing a bank.

Superman then pursues Luthor. Luthor's weapon temporarily knocks Superman from the sky, but he is revived by a local power plant. Superman then apprehends Luthor, who tries in vain to kill Superman using a miniature atomic bomb.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Action Comics #404

Action Comics #404 (On Sale: July 29, 1971), has a Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in "Kneel to Your Conqueror, Superman" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman is tricked into the clutches of Rufus Caesar, a "human computer" who uses an apparatus of his own devising to drain the Man of Steel's superpowers and infuse them into his own body.

Our first reprint is the Atom in "The Specter of 3000-Moons Lake" by Gardner Fox, Gil Kane, and Murphy Anderson and reprinted from Atom #5 (1963). Ray Palmer and Jean Loring accompany millionaire Don Morgan to where he keeps his cottage at 3000-Moons Lake. There, a series of strange thefts and supernatural activities have become the subject of debate. Since the grounds are the location of an ancient Indian curse, the people of 3000-Moons Lake are torn between believing in the curse or summing up all the strange happenings as unrelated pranks by local children.

Ray decides to investigate as the Atom, and when another subject of strange supernatural events occurs, the Atom learns that they are really being caused by resident Fred Harris, who is using the old curse to get away with the thefts. However, the Atom tricks him into confessing by pretending to be an ancient Indian spirit (really shrunk down in size and hiding in Harris's ear) and incapacitating him by throwing off his center of balance.

Next, we have Aquaman in "The Coward and the Hero" by Jack Miller and Ramona Fradon and reprinted from Adventure Comics #220 (1956). Aquaman meets Johnny Blake, a former war hero who is now scared of the water. Johnny is humiliated when he won't dive into the water to save his own girlfriend. Aquaman saves her, then doubles as Johnny to save the man's reputation. 

His hoax is soon discovered. Aquaman explains that Johnny crashed into the water during the war and barely survived which has led to his fear. Aquaman then stages an accident where Johnny must enter the water to save him. Johnny unknowingly dives in to save Aquaman and regains his courage.

We end this issue with Superman in "The Day They Killed Clark Kent" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Clark Kent teaches a lesson to a group of fraternity brothers who like to haze new pledges.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman #242

Superman #242 (On Sale: July 13, 1971), has yet another beautiful cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with "The Ultimate Battle" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Jimmy Olsen finds Superman's weakened and injured body in a junkyard, where a paper-created monster inhabited by a spirit from the Quarrm dimension dragged him. Jimmy has the doctors operate on Superman's head injury while two criminals try to take advantage of the monster's abilities before they become its victims. The monster is drawing itself toward where Superman is in order to finish him but finds himself contending with the sand-created Superman figure whose power is partially restored, wondering why he even cares to act on behalf of anyone. 

Superman and the sand-created duplicate work together to bring the spirit inhabiting the monster back to the Quarrm dimension, but now the duplicate wants to take over Superman's role as protector of the planet. Superman fears that he would have to battle this duplicate whose very touch can trigger off a powerful explosion, when I-Ching mysteriously causes such effects to be canceled, which results in a knock-down-drag-out fight between the two Superman which results in the world's destruction. However, this fight turns out to be nothing more than a dream that I-Ching cast both Superman and his duplicate into, to make them realize the futility of such a fight. The duplicate decides to return to the Quarrm dimension, and Superman is left with a third less of his powers than before. Reprinted in Best of DC #32 (1983) and Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Next, we have "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman" by Bill Finger, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #96 (1955). Alice Norton is a young girl who wins a contest and is awarded a sight-seeing trip from Superman. However, Alice is blind and does not believe Superman is real. Superman uses his powers to try and convince the girl that he is real, but she thinks he is using tricks.

Superman then examines the girl's eyes and sees a sliver of glass which is responsible for her blindness. Doctors can't see the glass, so Superman volunteers to do the operation himself. Superman reads every medical book at super speed, then he performs the surgery.

Alice's sight returns. Superman takes her on her sightseeing trip, convincing her that he is real. Alice's father also returns from a self-imposed exile, because he blamed himself for Alice's injury. Mr. Norton learns he wasn't responsible, and the family is reunited.

We end this issue with "The World's Mightiest Weakling" by Otto Binder, Carmine Infantino, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Strange Adventures #54 (1955).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #113

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #113 (On Sale: July 6, 1971), has a cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Unknown Superman" drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger and reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #49 (1964). Lois Lane receives an anonymous tip which eventually leads her to Dr. Drolc who has invented a talent-tracer machine capable of divining unknown talents. Lois tests the machine and is surprised to learn that it works.

One of the tests leads her to a Native American man named Strong Bear who has superpowers. Strong Bear and Lois fall in love, and she accepts his wedding proposal. The tribe gives Lois a ring belonging to Strong Bear. She realizes that Dr. Drolc and the men the talent tracer located all wore the same ring. When Lois breaks the ring, Strong Bear's appearance changes into a deformed blue alien. The alien reveals that he posed as Drolc and the other men to trick Lois. He is the last survivor of a race whose planet was destroyed by nuclear war. The ring allowed him to take human form and survive on Earth. His love for Lois was real, but with the ring destroyed, he dies.

Next up is "The Monster Who Loved Lois Lane" by Edmond Hamilton and Kurt Schaffenberger and is reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #54 (1965). Lois visits the laboratory of scientist Dr. Elder who unveils a new device that penetrates the dimensional barrier, allowing exploration of alien dimensions. On the first test, a monster from the alien dimension comes to Earth. The monster, named Herko, possesses super-strength and invulnerability.

Herko is smitten with Lois. Lois leads the monster away from people, while Dr. Elder repairs the dimension device. Herko tries to protect Lois from Superman and proves equally powerful. When the repairs are finished, Lois leads Herko back to his own dimension through the portal. Herko remains heartbroken because he is separated from Lois.

That brings us to  "The Return of Lois' Monster Sweetheart" by Edmond Hamilton and Kurt Schaffenberger and is reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #57 (1965). Lois decides to check up on Herko, the monster from another dimension who fell in love with her. Lois and Jimmy step through the dimensional portal, but an accident traps them in Herko's dimension. 

Herko resumes his crush on Lois. Lois convinces Jimmy to court Zagga, a female monster who likes Herko. Lois hopes that Herko will become jealous and marry Zagga. Her plan backfires and both Jimmy and Lois are prepared to wed monsters. Lois is saved when her makeup makes Herko sick. Zagga cares for Herko, and the two monsters are joined in marriage. Lois and Jimmy return to their own dimension when Dr. Elder reopens the portal.

Next, we have "The Girl Who Mourned for Superman" by Leo Dorfman and Kurt Schaffenberger and reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #43 (1963). Lois Lane assists the Jimmy Olsen Fan Club in an electrical experiment. Without her knowledge, Lois is transported to a parallel world where she is captured by Lex Luthor. Luthor succeeds in killing the Superman of this world and himself in the process. Superman is subsequently replaced by a robot, then a citizen of Kandor.

Lois finally realizes she is on a different Earth when she meets the ambassador of Atlantis. On this Earth, Atlantis never sank beneath the ocean. Lois visits her counterpart but does not reveal herself. Another accidental electric shock transports her back to her own world.

We end with "Superman's Romance with Lana Lang" drawn by Curt Swan and George Klein and reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #41 (1963). Lois and Lana learn that years ago, they were briefly merged together into a single woman, Lana Lane, by an alien pendant. Believing the merger permanent Superman proposed, but soon learned that the girls would separate and die. One girl could be saved using a magic statue, so Superman is forced to choose when the girls part. Before his choice can be announced, the girls are both saved by radiation from a meteorite. The Man of Steel refuses to reveal who he chose to save.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Adventure Comics #409

Adventure Comics #409 (On Sale: June 29, 1971), has a Supergirl cover by Dick Giordano. This is the only cover of Mike Sekowsky's editorial reign that was not penciled by him. As we will see, he really did not edit this issue despite what the indicia says.

We begin with Supergirl in "Invasion of the Mer-Men Part II" written and penciled by Mike Sekowsky and inked by Dick Giordano. Continuing from the last issue, Supergirl looks underwater for her co-worker Johnny and her captors, the whole time blaming herself for her co-worker's demise. Finally, she finds the secret base of the Mer-Men and discovers they are loading giant "tanker" space-globes with water to be shipped to their home planet.

In the meantime, a coalition of Earth armies launches attack after attack to destroy the globes, but they have force-fields that resist any attempt Earth makes to destroy them. Supergirl locates Johnny as a patrol of Mer-Men attacks her and she lets herself be captured. Once inside the base, she rescues Johnny, gets him out of the water, and then comes back to smash the globes herself, letting them rain their waters back on Earth.

The Mer-Men leader gives up, telling Supergirl that they couldn't load enough water up in time to save his world, anyway. He and the other Mer-Men depart resigned to their eventual extinction. Realizing this, Supergirl cries.

Next is a story already showing the new direction for Supergirl. "Fight with Fire Drake" is by E. Nelson Bridwell, Artie Saaf, and Dick Giordano. Mr. Stanton, the owner of KSF-TV, is throwing a party on his yacht. Freddy Nero, a party-crasher, tries romancing Linda Danvers, much to Geoff's disgust and jealousy. Minutes later, a scuba-costumed, masked villain called Fire Drake, who "breathes fire" with an acetylene torch nosepiece, loots the yacht and its passengers with his gang. Linda changes clothes and attacks the thieves. Supergirl tries to follow them when they run away, but her powers fail and she is repelled by Fire Drake's flame. 

That night Supergirl's mother, Allura, pays her daughter a visit and both women head to Kandor, where Linda's father Zor-El has some new power-substitution gimmicks for her: a bracelet which can enhance her normal strength when she is depowered, replacing the exo-skeleta cyborg, and her Legion of Super-Heroes flight-ring, to replace her jet-boots.

With her new mechanical powers, Supergirl encounters Fire Drake a second time, captures him, and unmasks him as Freddy Nero.

Our reprint is the Legion of Super-Heroes in  "The Condemned Legionnaires" by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, George Klein, and Sheldon Moldoff and reprinted from Adventure Comics #313 (1963). When most of the female members of the Legion of Super-Heroes (and Night Girl of the Legion of Substitute Heroes) come down with the Crimson Virus, they have to be sent to a quarantine planet. The rest of the female members are hunted down by a mysterious masked villain named Satan Girl, who seems to be infecting the female Legionnaires with the virus.

With the arrival of Supergirl, who is immune to the virus, the male Legion members try to learn the origins of Satan Girl. When she proves immune to Kryptonite, Lead, and an anti-android weapon, the heroes are puzzled to figure out her true identity. Unable to defeat her due to her superior powers, Supergirl has the Legion go and collect the Legion of Super-Pets, as Satan Girl's powers would not affect them. The Super-Pets manage to easily defeat Satan Girl, who is unmasked, revealing that she is really -- Supergirl!? The weakened Satan Girl explains that she is the product of Red Kryptonite, which Supergirl was exposed to upon entering the 30th Century. Knowing that she had only 48 hours of life, she adopted the guise of Satan Girl and created a device that would siphon the Red Kryptonite radiation and infect females with it, in hopes that once she had rid herself of the Red Kryptonite energies she could live past the 48 hour period which Red Kryptonite effects.

With her plan a failure, and the 48 hours running their course, Satan Girl merges with Supergirl. Afterward, the Legion learns that Satan Girl managed to handle Green Kryptonite because she wore a lead suit. After this revelation, although they are victorious and their female members restored to normal, the Legion takes a moment to feel pity for Satan Girl, for all she wanted to do was live.  

Though this book says it is edited by Mike Sekowsky, the internal DC Job Numbers show that only the first story has the  "M-" prefix that designated Mike Sekowsky. The rest of the book, including the cover has a "J-" signifying Joe Orlando who supposedly takes over next issue.

Action Comics #403

Action Comics #403 (On Sale: June 29, 1971), has a Superman cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

We begin this issue with Superman in our cover story, "Attack of the Micro-Murderer" by Cary Bates, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman's body is invaded by a Zohtt, a magical wraith-being that attempts to destroy him, and not even a blood transfusion from most of Metropolis' citizens can save him.

Our backup Superman story is "The Man with the X-Ray Mind" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman learns that a Metropolis University janitor has psychic powers, including precognition, the ability to predict the future -- and that the janitor knows that he is Clark Kent.

Our first reprint is the Vigilante in "The Impossible Legend" by Dick Wood and Bob Brown and is reprinted from Action Comics #176 (1953). Vigilante proves an old legend by capturing criminals, two while deaf, two while he could not speak, and the final two when he could not see.

We end with a Superboy reprint, "When Krypto Was Superboy's Master" drawn by George Papp and reprinted from Adventure Comics #310 (1963). Professor Lang discovers several artifacts within a lost city. When he returns to Smallville his translations of the ancient inscriptions are questioned by the faculty of his school, and they force him to prove their validity in order to get a promotion.

Lang has not had enough time to translate everything, so Superboy pretends that one of the artifacts that the professor has translated switches his mind with Krypto’s. Superboy acts like a dog for a few days in order to convince the members of Lang’s school board. When the professor has completed his work, Superboy drops the act and claims the effect has worn off.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman #241

Superman #241 (On Sale: June 15, 1971), has a cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in "The Shape of Fear" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. The sand creature saga continues as I-Ching helps Superman supernaturally regain his full powers from the sand-created duplicate, causing him to weaken and to open a portal into another dimension. The now-reinvigorated Superman goes back into action once more but becomes more of a nuisance than a help when he builds a prison at super-speed in the middle of rush hour traffic to stop a fleeing burglar, among other things.

 I-Ching tells Superman that the head injury he sustained when he was without his full powers is now made permanent with his powers restored, but Superman doesn't believe him. I-Ching and Diana Prince now go off to find the sand-created duplicate and they discover that he came from the spirit dimension of Quarrm and that he opened a portal to return to that dimension when he let loose another spirit from that realm. That spirit ends up inhabiting a paper-created monster creature from a Chinese parade, and Superman comes to the rescue of a boy being attacked by the monster when he ends up losing his full powers all over again. Reprinted in Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Our first backup is "Superman's Neighbors" by Bill Finger, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #112 (1957). 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.

Our last backup is "Superman's Day of Truth" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and George Klein and reprinted from Superman #176 (1965). Superman and Supergirl astound their friends by speaking only the blunt truth for a day. Superman appears in court and a shady lawyer tries to force the Man of Steel to reveal secret information. Using tricks, Superman answers each question honestly, but without revealing anything critical. Lois and Lana try to get him to reveal which one of them he really loves, but he tricks them as well.

Later, Superman and Supergirl visit Kandor where a ceremony is being held. Their "Day of Truth" was in honor of a Kryptonian hero Val-Lor who inspired his people to overthrow invaders called the Vrangs. His willingness to tell the truth, despite the fact that he was killed for it, is honored by Kryptonians. When the ceremony is over, Superman and Supergirl return home to explain their behavior to their friends.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #140

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #140 (On Sale: June 3, 1971), has a cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

We begin the reprintfest with "Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men" by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, and George Klein and reprinted from Superman #158 (1963). Several Kandorian’s have found a way to enlarge themselves to normal size and begin conducting raids on Earth. Superman follows them back to the bottle city of Kandor along with Jimmy Olsen to learn the reason for their attacks. When they arrive in Kandor, Superman finds that he is hated by the Kandorians. They now believe that Superman has been against restoring the city to normal size. To hide from the people, Superman and Jimmy assume the alternate identities of Nightwing and Flamebird, costumed after Batman and Robin.

Superman learns that the leader of the raiders and inventor of the new enlargement ray is Than Ol. The Man of Steel realized that the ray is flawed and will destroy Kandor, but Than Ol will not listen. Superman and Jimmy are able to escape Kandor with the help of Van Zee, but are unable to prevent Than Ol from enlarging Kandor in a remote location on Earth. As predicted by Superman, the city soon begins to disintegrate. Superman returns them to tiny size with Brainiac’s shrinking ray. The Kandorians are grateful that Superman has saved them and realize that he is indeed working in their best interests.

Next up is "The Caped Crimefighters of Kandor" by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, and George Klein and reprinted from Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #69 (1963). Superman and Jimmy visit Kandor and return to their crimefighting identities of Nightwing and Flamebird. They attempt to track down a super-criminal responsible for the theft of rare relics. Superman becomes ill with Scarlet Jungle Fever, so Jimmy is forced to act alone.

Jimmy befriends a telepathic hound whom he names Nighthound, but together they are unable to stop the super-criminal. When Superman recovers, he helps Jimmy capture the criminal, who is revealed to be Nor Kann, a friend of theirs. Nor Kann was hypnotized by the Superman Revenge Squad in their attempt to kill Superman. Once Nor Kann’s mind is restored, Superman and Jimmy return to Earth.

We end with "The World of Doomed Olsens" by Jerry Siegel, Curt Swan, and George Klein and reprinted from Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #72 (1963). Jimmy is abducted by a being calling himself the Collector and taken to an alien world. The Collector claims vibrations from Jimmy’s signal watch have penetrated his dimension and wrecked his cities. In an act of revenge, he creates and unleashes five Olsen duplicates resembling Jimmy’s prior transformations: Turtle Boy, Porcupine Olsen, Fat Olsen, Wolf Boy, and Elastic Lad. The duplicate Olsen’s threaten Jimmy, but he convinces them to rebel against the Collector. The Collector defends himself against the attack and even scares off Superman.

Jimmy soon realizes that he is being hoaxed. The Olsen duplicates and the Collector are all disguised members of the Legion of Super-Heroes. He confronts them with his discovery, and they reveal themselves. The hoax was part of an initiation test designed for Jimmy. Having seen through the hoax, Jimmy is taken to the Legion’s time period and inducted as an honorary member.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Action Comics #402

Action Comics #402 (On Sale: May 27, 1971), has a beautiful Superman cover by Neal Adams. 

We begin with "This Hostage Must Die" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Continuing from last issue, Red Hawk, the leader of the Navarro tribe, has stolen Superman's powers with a mysterious red jewel and takes him captive, intending to trade him for their lost land. Superman discovers that the red jewel is drawing energy from a red sun, and frees himself by blocking out its light. Then he discovers that Frank Haldane has found the treasure of Montezuma, and is attempting to steal it with a mechanical mole of his own design. Superman captures Haldane and turns the wealth over to the Navarros.

In our backup, Superman and Supergirl star in "The Feud of the Titans" also by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman and Supergirl are made hostile to each other and goaded into a feud when fumes from a "brainwash bomb" they are disposing of in the Fortress of Solitude's disintegration pit combine with Kryptonian elements there and make them hate each other. Superman begins to suspect the truth after seeing a two-headed bird's two heads quarrel with each other in the Fortress, and he rescues Supergirl from death when she falls into the disintegration pit. Once outside the Fortress, they regain their senses, and they clean the gas from their headquarters.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff. 

Superman #240

Superman #240 (On Sale: May 13, 1971), has a beautiful cover by Neal Adams. 

We begin with Superman in  "To Save a Superman", the sixth part of the Sandman Saga storyline, by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Dick Giordano. Superman suffers a humiliating loss of face as he fails to stop a burning building from completely collapsing. Yet even as he contemplates letting humanity fend for itself as a way to placate his wounded pride, Superman decides to use what's left of his waning powers to stop a would-be bank robbery by the Anti-Superman Gang. 

Meanwhile, Diana Prince's mentor I-Ching comes on the scene to help Superman, as he suspects that Superman's loss of powers may be of a supernatural cause. Just as I-Ching is about to put Superman into a sleep, Anti-Superman Gang members break into I-Ching's basement residence and club Superman in the head. Though suffering a head injury and now down to merely regular human strength, Superman prevails in defeating the gangsters. Reprinted in Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Our back-up from the World of Krypton is "The Man Who Cheated Time" by Cary Bates and Michael William Kaluta. Under the Scarlet Jungle of Krypton lies a condemned device, with which scientist Mal-Va planned to send his assistant Zol-Mar into the past and then return him after 10 minutes. However, Zol-Mar had ambitions of his own and sabotaged the machine, intending to stay in the past and be acclaimed for his mastery of the technologically advanced devices he carried with him. But the experiment, and Zol-Mar's plans, went horribly wrong when the time travel machine sent Zol-Mar in the wrong direction. Reprinted in Best of DC #40 (1983), Superman: The World of Krypton TPB (2008), and Superman: The Many Worlds of Krypton TPB (2018),

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Action Comics #401

Action Comics #401 (On Sale: April 29, 1971), has a cover by Carmine Infantino, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. They say that Swan made extensive corrections to the Superman figure.

We begin with Superman in "Invaders Go Home" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman becomes embroiled in a conflict between Navarro Indians, who want to reclaim their land, and Frank Haldane, who has built a missile manufacturing site on it. But Red Hawk, the leader of the Navarro tribe, steals Superman's powers with a mysterious red jewel. The natives take him captive, intending to trade him for their lost land. This story is concluded next issue.

The backup Superman story is "The Boy Who Begged to Die" by Cary Bates, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman must decide between the life of one orphan or the lives of an entire town.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman #238

Superman #238 (On Sale: April 15, 1971), has a nice cover by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "Menace at 1000 Degrees" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. In the fifth part of the Sandman Saga storyline, Superman must now deal with having abilities much closer to his original 1940s self when he comes to the rescue of a freighter that is under attack from modern-day pirates. His powers are still weakened following his encounter with the sand Superman but he still manages to defeat the pirates.  

Superman learns that the attack was merely a decoy that allowed a terrorist named Quig to take control of a government drilling site that has been bringing molten magma to the surface. Superman attempts to stop the terrorists, but he is hit by a magma-powered weapon. In his weakened state Superman is forced to break off his assault.

The terrorists then issue demands including the delivery of hostages and a hydrogen bomb. Seeking a new story, Lois Lane volunteers as a hostage. Superman has donned a disguise and is pretending to be one of the hostages. When Lois provokes the terrorists, Superman is forced to reveal himself. He saves the hostages and stops the bomb. After the incident is resolved, Lois asks Superman why it took so long for him to intercede. Superman remains silent about his recently weakened condition. Reprinted in Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

The backup story is from the World of Krypton. "A Name Is Born" is by Cary Bates and Gray Morrow. On the planet Krypton years before its eventual destruction, a teacher consults with her colleague Du-Vor. She seeks a way to control her younger students. Du-Vor offers her a story to keep them entertained.

The story begins before Krypton was inhabited. An alien explorer found the new planet and landed his ship on the surface. Although he thought he would be the first person on the planet, he soon meets another alien who has been shipwrecked. A lack of common language and a misunderstanding leads to a conflict between the two aliens. Eventually, they make peace. When they return to the alien's ship, they find it has been rendered inoperative, stranding them both. Then the aliens remove their protective helmets and meet face-to-face. 

The newly arrived explorer reveals that his name is Kryp. The shipwreck survivor is a woman named Tonn. The two never did leave the planet. Instead, they settled the world which would become named for them. This classic tale has been reprinted in Best of DC #40 (1983), Superman: The World of Krypton TPB (2008), and Superman: The Many Worlds of Krypton TPB (2018).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Superman #239

Superman #239 (On Sale: April 6, 1971), has a cover featuring "Superman's Greatest Battles" by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "Hercules in the 20th Century" by Otto Binder, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Action Comics #267 (1960). Lex Luthor constructs a device that brings Hercules into the present. Luthor tricks Hercules into helping him break out of jail and rob Fort Knox. Hercules learns that he has been duped and recaptures Luthor.

Superman arranges a secret identity for Hercules, Roger Tate. He gets Roger a job as a reporter for the Daily Planet. He falls for ace reporter Lois Lane and tries to impress her. Lois only has eyes for Superman though, so Hercules speaks to the ancient Gods. The Gods give Hercules a portion of their power which he can use only once. Hercules then goes to prove he is superior to the Man of Steel.

This story continues in "Superman's Battle with Hercules" by Otto Binder, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Action Comics #268 (1960). Having gained superpowers from the Gods, Hercules tries to humiliate Superman before engaging him in a duel for Lois Lane. As the duel begins, Hercules uses his magic weapons against Superman. The weapon Superman fears the most is a tiny bow and arrow which causes Lois to fall in love with the first man she sees. After having hit Lois with the arrow, Hercules thinks he has won, but she was looking at a picture of Superman and falls for him instead.

Hercules then uses the flute of Apollo to put Superman to sleep for a hundred years. When Lois willingly sacrifices herself for Superman’s well-being, the Goddess Venus arrives to stop Hercules. Superman awakens and lures back to his own time, where his memory is erased. He remains in the past, without any knowledge of the events which just occurred.

Next up is "Titano the Super-Ape" by Otto Binder, Wayne Boring, and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Superman #127 (1959). Lois Lane befriends a performing chimpanzee, Toto. Toto is launched into space as part of an experiment. During his space flight, a uranium and Kryptonite meteor collide near his capsule. When Toto returns to Earth, he grows to giant size. Lois Lane dubs him, Titano.

Titano is still an innocent monkey, but his great size makes him a menace. Superman can not get near him because Titano possesses Kryptonite vision. The government decides to execute the super-ape. Lois is appalled but leads Titano into a trap.

Lois fears for the monkey’s life and is able to get Titano to put on some lead glasses. This allows Superman to get close enough to hurl Titano into the past. Titano survives on prehistoric Earth with the dinosaurs. I guess time-travel paradoxes did not exist at DC in the 1950s.

We end with "The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman" by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan, and George Klein and reprinted from Superman #164 (1963). Luthor escapes jail and challenges Superman to a fair fight without superpowers. Superman agrees and takes Lex to a planet with a red sun. They battle but are temporarily separated.

Lex discovers a native civilization and befriends the people, convincing them that Superman is evil. He promises to find them a new water supply but fails. When Superman and Luthor clash again, Luthor throws the fight. Superman returns to Earth, but Luthor talks him into sending the planet water for the people. Though he is returned to prison, Luthor is happy to have helped the people of the planet, and they consider him a hero.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Action Comics #400

Action Comics #400 (On Sale: March 30, 1971), has a nice Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in  "My Son... Is He Man or Beast?" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman attends the funeral of scientist Jan Nagy. Superman once prevented a disaster caused by Nagy's experiments with metamorphon, an artificial element. However, Nagy's son Gregor was accidentally exposed. Gregor now transforms into beasts uncontrollably. Gregor hates Superman for his affliction and is further disturbed when his father's will appoints Superman as his guardian.

Superman attempts to help Gregor use his abilities for good. However, the boy's contempt for the Man of Steel remains. When showing Gregor his Fortress, Superman is forced to leave to repair a satellite. An emergency call is received moments later and Gregor leaves to help a damaged submarine. However, his transformation does not last long enough and he is soon exposed to the crushing pressure of the ocean depths. As Superman carries the dying boy ashore, Gregor reconciles and makes peace with his guardian.

The backup is Superman in "Duel of Doom" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Two Kandorian students Arvor and Yllura compete during their final examinations to make a great discovery. Yllura discovers a hidden cavern in the Crystal Hills carved by a prehistoric cult known as the Torgs. Arvor creates an infra-scope that provides him with x-ray vision. 

However, an accident causes Arvor to become lost in the caverns. Yllura's presence has triggered a booby trap. Working together, Arvor and Yllura avoid the traps and escape the tunnel. Their success and teamwork are awarded at a graduation ceremony attended by Superman and Supergirl. Reprinted in Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies HC (1971).

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman #237

Superman #237 (On Sale: March 16, 1971), has a nice cover by Neal Adams.

This issue features "Enemy of Earth" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Continuing the Kryptonite Nevermore story-line, Superman rescues a test pilot only to find that the man has contracted a terrible disease that turns his skin green. While Clark Kent is reporting the story, the sand creature approaches and saps energy from Superman. The Man of Steel confronts the creature which results in an explosion. People near to Superman also contract the disease making Superman believe he caused it.

Lois calls for help while stranded on assignment in South America. Superman is afraid to help fearing he will pass on the plague. When he sees the sand creature again, he approaches which triggers an even larger explosion. Although weakened, Superman is no a danger to those around him. He rescues Lois. Then he meets the sand creature again. It can now speak. It tells Superman that he is a being created from him. He fears that one of them may not survive. Reprinted in Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Superboy #174

Superboy #174 (On Sale: March 9, 1971), has a Super-Animals cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

We begin with "The Colossal Superdog" by Otto Binder and George Papp and reprinted from Adventure Comics #262 (1959). While romping through space, Krypto encounters a Kryptonite meteor fused with another meteor. The radiations of the new meteor cause Krypto to grow to gigantic size and develop super-rabies upon entering Earth’s atmosphere.

As Krypto causes mass destruction, Superboy tries to stop his pet. The rabies eventually paralyzes Krypto. Superboy sets Krypto up as a living statue. He then discovers the meteor and exposes himself to it.

Superboy grows to gigantic size as well. The increased power of Superboy’s X-ray vision cures Krypto. Then he uses lead mirrors to turn the X-rays on himself, which restores the Boy of Steel to normal.

Next up is "The Gorilla with Super-Eyes" by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, and John Fischetti and reprinted from Adventure Comics #219 (1955). Superboy assists Professor Lang in the capture of a giant gorilla named Chandu. They return to Smallville with the gorilla who is put on display. Ex-con Doc Baird sees the gorilla on display and discovers that Chandu possesses X-ray vision.

Baird and his men steal Chandu and use his power for crime. The X-rays are triggered by lightning, so when lightning strikes the crooks are able to melt bank walls and start fires.

Professor Lang believes that Chandu got his powers from a pond in Africa containing Kryptonite. The gorilla's X-ray vision is also Kryptonite based which weakens Superboy. Despite the gorilla's advantage, Superboy overcomes him and the crooks. The effect of the contaminated water soon wears off, restoring Chandu to normal.

That is followed by "The Super-Zoo from Krypton" by Otto Binder and John Sikela and reprinted from Superboy #53 (1956). Professor Lang discovers a rocket containing several alien eggs. Superboy reads the text contained within the rocket and discovers that the eggs are from Krypton. The eggs begin hatching, releasing several unusual Kryptonian animals. 

A crook named Blacky Stone hides Kryptonite in a fake egg. Superboy is exposed to the Kryptonite, but he manages to escape with the aid of one of the Kryptonian creatures. After apprehending Blacky, Superboy takes the animals to an uninhabited world where they can live without endangering anyone.

Next is "The Bird with Super-Powers" by Alvin Schwartz, Curt Swan, and John Fischetti and reprinted from Adventure Comics #225 (1956). Professor Lang brings a talking mynah bird back from Africa. The bird displays amazing intelligence and super powers. The mynah bird escapes and begins aiding an escaped convict in crime. Superboy and Professor Lang determine that the bird's powers originate from a water source in Africa contaminated by Kryptonite. This same water source was responsible for creating a gorilla with X-ray vision.

Superboy and the mynah bird match each other in battle. The bird learns Superboy's secret identity and threatens to expose him. This forces Superboy to use Kryptonite against the bird. The overdose of Kryptonite radiation restores the bird to normal, and his convict partner is apprehended.

We end with "The Superdog That Was Greater Than Krypto" by Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino and reprinted from Superboy #105 (1963). Superboy rescues a dog, Swifty, from his mean master. Swifty follows the Boy of Steel back to Smallville and meets him again. Impressed by Swifty’s intelligence, Superboy uses a serum invented by Roz-Em to give Swifty super-powers. 

Krypto becomes jealous of the new super-dog, but when Swifty’s powers disappear suddenly Krypto comes to the rescue. Superboy tells Krypto that he intended Swifty to be a playmate for Krypto, making the super-dog ashamed of his jealousy.

edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Super DC Giant S-24

Super DC Giant S-24 (On Sale: March 4, 1971), featuring Supergirl has a cover by Curt Swan, Murphy Anderson, Mike Sekowsky, and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Girl with the X-Ray Mind" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #295 (1962). Linda Danvers's friend Lena Thorul has ESP powers and wants to join the FBI, but she has no verifiable past and cannot be accepted. Supergirl investigates and finds the reason why: Lena is really the younger sister of Lex Luthor and gained ESP powers through contact with a "space-brain" brought to Earth by Superboy.

Because of the Luthor family disgrace, Lena and her parents were forced to move from Smallville and change their last names to Thorul, though Lena never learned of her brother's criminal past and was told he died in an accident, not long before her parents died in a very real accident.

When the FBI learns the truth, they are adamant about not hiring her. Lena, however, pretends to infiltrate Bank Busters, a gang of bank robbers, and to use her powers on their behalf. When Luthor hears of it, he tells all to Supergirl and pleads with her to keep Lena from a life of crime. However, Lena was only playing along with the crooks to catch them in the act and helps Supergirl and the police capture the Bank Busters. Supergirl promises to tell the FBI about the case, in hopes that they will reconsider hiring her. But she gets nervous when Lena admits that she has Supergirl telepathically linked with Linda Lee Danvers and keeps Lena's family connection secret.

Next, we have "The Girl Who Was Supergirl's Double" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #296 (1963). When Lena Thorul attends a costume ball dressed as Supergirl, a soiree also attended by Dick Malverne and Linda Lee Danvers, Dick is convinced by Lena's resemblance to the Girl of Steel and by the real Supergirl's appearance when thieves attempt a jewel robbery there, that Lena is really Supergirl. 

Other circumstantial evidence, later on, hardens Dick's mistaken belief. Linda becomes jealous when Dick's affections are turned to Lena. Lex Luthor, in the meantime, asks Supergirl to give Lena some diamonds he created from coal lumps, as a secret birthday gift. When Dick sees one of the diamonds fallen into the coal-scuttle at Lena's house, he is finally convinced beyond any doubt that Lena is Supergirl. Lena finally "admits" that she is the Princess of Power, and the real Supergirl, listening in with super-hearing, wonders why Lena has told a lie. This story is continued.

That is followed by the continuation of the story, "The Forbidden Weapons of Krypton" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #297 (1963). Lena Thorul actually told Dick Malverne that she had super-powers because her mind was controlled by a device operated by Lesla-Lar, who has recently broken jail in Kandor. Using her teleport ray, Lesla exchanges places with Lena, and imitated her, convincing Supergirl that a special serum had given her super-powers.

Later, Lesla-Lar used a Phantom Zone Projector to free Jax-Ur, Kru-El, and General Zod from the Zone. The threesome armed themselves with a cache of forbidden Kryptonian weapons and repaid her by destroying her with a disintegrator gun. Since Superman was in another time-era on a mission, the three villains set up a force-field that blocked time-travel, and the people of Kandor were made prisoners of their bottle. 

Both Supergirl and the villains were stalemated when they tried to use their powers on each other, but the weapons gave the villains the edge. Kru-El infected Supergirl with a disease that turned living creatures near her into plants. But, when Supergirl told Lex Luthor that Lena was a prisoner in Kandor, he agreed to help her battle the three Kryptonians. This story is also continued.

We end with the story's final chapter, "The Super-Powers of Lex Luthor" by Leo Dorfman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from Action Comics #298 (1963). The warden of Metropolis prison refuses to believe Lex Luthor when he says that Supergirl wants him as an ally, so Luthor throws in with the Phantom Zone villains. Kru-El gives Luthor super-powers with a ray device, and, later, demonstrates a mind-over-matter helmet to him.

The Zoners, in a private conversation, plan to use Luthor to construct a magnet that will attract Gold Kryptonite to permanently remove Superman's and Supergirl's powers, but they also intend to strip away Luthor's new super-powers as well when they have it. Unknown to them, however, Luthor is listening with his super-hearing, and, once Kru-El drops the force-field so as to lure Superman into their trap, he switches sides again by using a fake Gold K meteor.

Supergirl, Superman, and Luthor triumph sending the Kryptonian villains back to the Phantom Zone destroying the weapons (and thus removing Luthor's powers and Supergirl's plant scourge), releasing Lena Thorul from Kandor, and returning Luthor to prison.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Action Comics #399

Action Comics #399 (On Sale: February 25, 1971), has a Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "Superman, You're Dead... Dead... Dead" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. While attempting to stop an out-of-control solar furnace, Superman is transported through time, landing in a crystalline dome with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and George Custer. Superman escapes the dome and finds himself in a 24th Century museum. The researchers at the museum brought the historical figures into their time moments before their own deaths. Superman is told that he is actually the third Superman. Two others had died previously. He sees their bodies (Once again, the outrageous DC cover is actually a real scene from the story).

Superman is convinced by the researchers who then send Superman back to his own time. He believes he will die stopping the solar furnace, but he doesn't. Superman then realizes that the research lab must have existed on a parallel Earth. Some of their facts such as Washington freeing the slaves were clearly wrong indicating that their history was different. On his Earth, Superman is the only Superman, and he is still alive. Reprinted in Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies HC (1971), Best of DC #12 (1981), and Superman from the 30s to the 80s HC (1983).

Our backup is "Superbaby's Lost World" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. When Clark is a toddler, the Kents visit an amusement park where Clark gets separated from his foster parents. Two jewel thieves, Connie and Hyde, offer to help Clark, but they are really using him as a cover to hide from the police. When Clark begins using his powers, the thieves nearly drown. Clark then takes them to a fake volcano, where the smoke nearly kills them. Clark uses his super-breath to cause the crooks to fall from the top of the volcano into the waiting hands of the police. No one believes their story about there being a super-child. The Kents are able to find Clark and take him home.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

Superman #236

Superman #236 (On Sale: February 9, 1971), has a cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with Superman in "Planet of the Angels" by Denny O'Neil, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. After teaming up with Batman to catch a gang of criminals, Superman returns to his Fortress where he begins work on a brain-wave scanner. During a test of the device, Superman suddenly finds himself surrounded by flames and attacked by devils. He easily beats them. He then meets three angels, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. They inform him that he has crossed into the afterlife.

The angels enlist Superman to kill the devils. However, Superman suspects something is fishy. When he meets the devils again, he snaps a hypnotic suggestion and sees them as they really are, law officers from an alien world. The angels are criminals. Superman then turns on the angels. One of them tries to attack Earth, but Superman stops him too. Reprinted in Best of DC #12 (1981) and Superman: Kryptonite Nevermore HC (2009).

The back-up is a World of Krypton story, "The Doomsayer" by Denny O'Neil and Dick Giordano. Superman joins Green Arrow and Black Canary for a picnic. When Green Arrow sees a factory dumping waste into the nearby river he begins preaching about saving the environment. Black Canary is skeptical regarding Ollie's view that the planet is in danger. Superman then tells them a story about Krypton.

Twenty years before the destruction of the planet in the city of Surrus, Dr. Mo-De discovered that Krypton's core was unstable. He developed a plan to save the planet. However, the Surrusans were reluctant to listen to his warnings for they were enchanted with beautiful flowers that produced music.

Determined to get his point across to the people Mo-De began destroying a field of flowers. When faced with the possible loss of their music, the townspeople beat Mo-De. When he asks why they won't listen, they tell him they only want to hear beautiful things. To punish Mo-De they lock him in a room surrounded by the flowers. Eventually, Mo-De becomes enchanted with them too. The Surrusans return to their happy ways until their planet explodes twenty years later.

Inspired by the story, Black Canary leaves the picnic to talk with the factory owner about handling the waste more responsibly. Reprinted in Best of DC #40 (1983) and Superman: The World of Krypton TPB (2008).

Edited by Julius Schwartz,

Action Comics #398

Action Comics #398 (On Sale: January 28, 1971), has a Superman cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

This issue begins with Superman in "The Pied Piper of Steel" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Morgan Edge assigns Clark Kent to drive a mobile newsroom so that he can report news live from the scene. Clark's first report comes from a rock concert. During the show, the audience is compelled to dig. Superman is forced into action to prevent a nearby hotel from being destroyed. The strange behavior of the crowd remains unexplained.

Clark then reports on another concert. This time the crowd begins fighting each other in order to obey a command to drink. Superman again intervenes.

Suspecting something might happen again, Superman uses Kryptonian recording technology at the next show. When the audience is commanded to tear down a building, Superman is affected too. However, when his Kryptonian recorder is knocked loose, he regains his senses. He then finds that the concert promoter has been using a device to brainwash the crowds. Superman destroys the device and apprehends the promoter. This was reprinted in Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies HC (1971) and Superman from the 30s to the 80s HC (1983).

Our backup Superman story is one of the Untold Tales of the fortress, "Spawn of the Unknown" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan, and Murphy Anderson. Superman is summoned to a volcanic crater in Africa where the botanist Professor Bruno was conducting experiments with plant life. An accidental explosion has compromised the experiment. When Superman arrives he sees several animals that have been transformed into strange plants. He then sees that Supergirl has also been affected.

Superman tries to help his cousin, but the plant wraps its branches around him. When Superman struggles to free himself, Supergirl's arms are ripped off. He is shocked. Suddenly, the real Supergirl arrives. She explains that that plants merely imitate other life forms. She then shows him another one that has taken his form. The Kryptonians then take the plants to another world where they can continue their existence. The Superman and Supergirl plants are put on display in the Fortress. This has never been reprinted.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.