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.

World's Finest Comics #206

World's Finest Comics #206 (On Sale: August 5, 1971), has a Superman/Batman cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with "The Secret of the Captive Caveman" by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #138 (1963). Batman and Robin attempt to capture an alien being spotted in Gotham City. When the alien realizes his Z-Beam weapon doesn't affect humans he rushes to the Gotham Library to learn why. There Batman and Robin overhear the alien tell its superiors that their weapons cannot affect modern man. Before the two heroes can capture the alien he swallows a pill and dies and his comrades in a ship outside breach the time barrier to escape. 

Seeing a history book opened to the time of pre-historic man, Batman and Robin deduce that the aliens have traveled back in time to try and conquer the human race in the past. Calling Clark Kent at the Daily Planet to tell them of this plot, Clark tells them that he will meet them in the past. Batman and Robin then use Carter Nichols' time machine to travel to the stone age in the hopes of thwarting the alien invasion of the past.

They all arrive in the past before the aliens do and after saving a tribe of cavemen from a sabretooth tiger, Batman, Robin and Superman disguise themselves as cavemen and wait for the aliens to arrive. When the aliens arrive their Z-Rays work at making the early humans their slaves. The three heroes pretend to be enslaved as well so that they can learn of the alien plot. They have the cavemen mine for a rare metal called Drakkium, an ore that -- unrefined -- is harmful to the aliens. The aliens intend to use the unrefined ore to take over the leadership of their race and then refine the ore, which ironically is deadly to humans, and use it to wipe humanity off the face of the Earth and take over the planet.

Batman, Robin, and Superman then free the cavemen and stage a revolt against the alien would-be dictatorship by incapacitating them with chunks of unrefined Drakkium The alien force unconscious, Superman, Batman and Robin then turn the insurgent force over to the alien authorities and launch the remaining unrefined Drakkium ore into space with an alien ship. With the threat over, Batman, Robin, and Superman return to the present.

Next up is "The Creature That Was Exchanged for Superman" by Jerry Coleman, Dick Sprang, and Sheldon Moldoff and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #118 (1961). While on a charity drive for the Heart Fund, Batman, Robin and Superman spot a strange energy beam outside the city and decide to go and investigate. Superman is teleported away and replaced by some strange creature. Concerned about this creature's sudden arrival, Batman and Robin attempt to rope it up, but it breaks free and begins to tunnel into the ground. Batman, spotting a boulder at the top of the hill it's boring into, comes up with an idea of how to attack the creature.

Meanwhile, Superman finds himself transported to the planet Xeron by an alien named Vathgar. Vathgar explains that he transported the creature to Earth, but one drawback to the device was that the transported creature has to swap places with something at its destination. Not wanting Superman, the aliens attack him but he is impervious to their weapons. However, when he uses his heat vision he finds that it freezes things instead of melting them, and his flying powers are wonky and Vathgar manages to get away. 

Flying to a nearby city, Superman sees a runaway vehicle and attempts to stop it by using his super-breath only to find that he has flame breath instead. When the people of Xeron attack him, Superman convinces them to stop to compare notes. He learns that Vathgar is a criminal on this world and that he had captured two Skrans, and the inter-temporal transport device for some unknown purpose. Superman agrees to track down Vathgar to learn his purpose.

While back on Earth, the Skran sent there comes out of its tunnel and no matter what Batman and Robin attempt to do to stop it, some impenetrable force keeps them from stopping the creature. While back on Xeron, Superman tracks down Vathgar and learns that he sent the Skran to Earth because there is an element there that is rare on Xeron that makes the Skran invincible and he intended to use the creatures to overthrow the government and take over his world. Superman is forced to battle the Skran that Vathgar has and realizes that extreme cold renders the creature harmless when he uses his freeze vision on the creature.

Back on Earth, the military fires all their artillery at the Skarn there causing it to split in two. One of the creatures passes through the returning teleportation beam, returning Superman to Earth as well. Superman flies off and comes back with a large chunk of ice to drop on the Skarn to render it harmless. With the beast quelled, the heroes bring it off to the Gotham Zoo to resume the remainder of its docile life.

That brings us to "Riddle of the Four Planets" by Jerry Coleman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #130 (1962). An alien starfish creature lands near Wayne Manor and Batman and Robin go to investigate the creature. An alien ship lands and the aliens explain that the creature is a Zelaphod which they accidentally unleashed. They also explain that the creature grows in strength and size and gains the ability to fire explosive bursts of energy by sapping minerals deep below the surface of a planet and is seemingly indestructible. When Superman arrives, they find that the creature proves impervious to Superman's strength and x-ray vision. The alien tells them of an old poem that itemizes ingredients to a chemical compound that can help them defeat the monster.

Telling them the title of the poem -- Sauk -- contains the first letters in the names of different planets that supposedly have the key ingredients. With this information, they alert Commissioner Gordon of the creature and fly off to the various worlds to collect the ingredients they need.

Superman travels to the planet Sinzar to find "sand from the beach of a waterless sea", and upon freeing a trapped archeologist finds exactly what the poem is talking about: a dried-out beach in front of an ancient city buried underground. On Antella, Superman seeks out "moss from a barking tree", which he finds on that worlds "forbidden forest" region after destroying hallucination inducing plants and finding that the poem verse is not quite literal: He finds the moss in a tree that is defended by a small dog-like creature.

While elsewhere in the universe Batman and Robin arrive with the traveling band of aliens to the planet Unxor. There they agree to put on an acrobatics show when the alien cast comes down with space measles. After putting on the show, the aliens gladly tell them where to find "Ears that hear the music of the morning knell" which turn out to be ear-shaped plants that are around giant singing boulders. When traveling to the planet Karos to collect a "tuft of hair from the mystic Krell" they have to battle a giant reptilian creature - a Krell. Although they are overpowered Superman arrives and lends them a helping hand by taking a tuft of hair from the creature. In the aftermath of the battle, Batman notes that a strange gem is shining energy on a hole in the ground shaped like the Zelaphod creature and deduces that it is the source that makes the creatures a threat to the universe.

Destroying the gem to prevent any more Zelaphod threats in the future, Batman, Robin, and Superman return to Earth with the mixture of items and use it to destroy the Zelaphod that is threatening Gotham City.

We end with "The Mirror Batman" by Jerry Coleman and Jim Mooney and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #121 (1961). While attempting to stop some crooks from robbing a warehouse, Batman accidentally falls into a mirror which transports him to another dimension. Robin is unable to bring Batman back, so he contacts Superman for help. Batman emerges from the mirror, altered by it and given bizarre powers.

While Superman and Robin try to corral Batman, the thieves return to steal the mirror, locking in their hide-out safe. Batman is brought down by Superman, but can only be returned to normal by returning to the mirror’s dimension. Finding the mirror missing, Superman and Robin track down the thieves and recover the mirror.

The trio then enters the mirror and meets a strange being responsible for Batman’s transformation. Superman agrees to defeat Xanu, the being's enemy in return for returning the Caped Crusader to normal. Once the task is done, the trio return home, and Superman smashes the mirror.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Girls' Love Stories #162

Girls' Love Stories #162 (On Sale: August 5, 1971), has a cover by Winslow Mortimer.

We begin with "Honeymoon for Three" drawn by Jay Scott Pike and Vince Colletta. Chuck agrees to marry Sally but he is not happy that he also has to raise Billy, her orphaned nephew.

Next up is "Which Girl Am I?" drawn by both Gene Colan and Dick Giordano and reprinted from Young Love #52 (1965). Tomboy Judi gets a makeover, but now she looks just like movie star Didi Taylor and thinks that everyone just wants to meet her because of the resemblance.

That brings us to "The Hard Way" drawn by Winslow Mortimer and Vince Colletta. After Jay breaks up with Liza she has a hard time moving on and treats her next boyfriend badly.

Next, we have "Castle of Love" drawn by Bill Draut and reprinted from Falling in Love #86 (1966). Nolan Grant tries to solve the mystery of "Sleeping Beauty," a girl named Eileen who has cut herself off from the world because of a past heartbreak.

We end with "This Is Our Moment" drawn by John Romita and reprinted from Secret Hearts #109 (1966). Katie always takes advantage of her younger sister Jane but Jane ends up getting the guy they both want.

Edited by Dorothy Woolfolk.

Detective Comics #415

Detective Comics #415 (On Sale: July 29, 1971), has a nice Batman cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with Batman in "Challenge of the Consumer Crusader" by Frank Robbins, Bob Brown, and Dick Giordano. Batman saves a consumer advocate from murder and discovers the extortionist who is shielding herself behind his front by tricking one of his criminal allies into revealing the truth. Batman uses make-up to resemble the man that was marked for murder and he pretends to be his ghost in order to force a confession out of the thug.

After listening to the plan and learning about the master criminal behind it, Batman confronts the woman and his large gang before finally capturing her. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6 TPB (2016).

The backup is Batgirl in "Death Shares the Spotlight" by Frank Robbins and Don Heck. When taken out on a date by Jason Bard to see the play "Invitation to Murder", the couple soon finds themselves entangled in an attempted murder of Hollywood's "Royal Couple" Robbie and Tiz Marlow. Leaving Jason behind to guard the starlets, Barbara goes off to call the police.

After the crime is reported, both Jason and Barbara begin their own investigations. This leads Batgirl to Gotham Arena, which is currently putting on a western exhibition that features Big Chuck Walla, who is responsible for the attempt on the Marlows lives.

Battling Walla, Batgirl and Jason learn that Tiz was secretly going to marry Walla, but left him instead for Barlow and that it was out of jealousy that he attempted to murder the couple. After learning the truth, and that Walla's exhibition gun is loaded with blanks, Jason knocks Walla out with one punch and he and Batgirl turn Walla over to the police. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1 TPB (2007) and Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2018).

Our first reprint features Mysto, Magician Detective in "The Forbidden Trick" by William Woolfolk and Leonard Starr and reprinted from Detective Comics #211 (1954).

We end with "The Case of the Finders Keepers" drawn by John Prentice and reprinted from Gangbusters #54 (1956).

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's Girl Friend Lois Lane #114

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #114 (On Sale: July 22, 1971), has a nice cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with Lois Lane and The Rose and the Thorn in "The Foe of 100 Faces" by Robert Kanigher, Werner Roth, and Vince Colletta, with an inking assist by Murphy Anderson. Lois Lane ventures into a black community to recruit a young black writer to work for the Daily Planet. When she arrives she finds Dave Stevens and his girlfriend Tina in the middle of planning a protest. 

As Lois and Dave walk outside of their building, they are attacked by henchmen from the 100. They are rescued by the vigilante Thorn and proceed to the protest site where they are fighting for better community conditions. Unbeknownst to them, the 100 have planted henchmen to disrupt the protest and violence soon breaks out. 

Thorn and Superman arrive to put down the violence. Superman offers to help with some construction that would be beneficial to office buildings and the community. Superman constructs a housing model and the community comes out to celebrate it. During the celebration, members of the 100 show up and throw a firebomb at the occupants. Lois picks up the bomb and throws it out of harm's way. 

As Lois disposes of the bomb she spots Thorn sneaking into the housing community. She follows and witnesses Thorn battling members of a group known as America Awakes which is a splinter group of the 100. Thorn subdues the gang members and Lois receives medical attention for her burnt hands. Dave Stevens is hired as the first black writer for the Daily Planet and Lois receives love and respect from Dave’s girlfriend Tina.

This issues reprint is "The Reptile Girl of Metropolis" by Leo Dorfman and Kurt Schaffenberger and reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #61 (1965). When Lois attends a nuclear experiment she is transformed by a radioactive accident into a reptilian. The nuclear physicist she was working with is also transformed. However, the scientist and the reporter are really imposters. The real Lois was taken prisoner during the experiment and held captive.

Lois escapes by drugging her guard, then she contacts Lucy and Jimmy. Lucy helps capture her imposter, then she joins the physicist to learn more. When she returns home, Lois discovers that Lucy was overpowered and the imposter escaped.

Lucy and Lois then track down the imposters. They watch as the pair is abducted by tiny aliens. Lois returns to the Daily Planet to report her story and discovers the reptilian imposter at her desk. Both imposters reveal themselves and turn out to be Superman and Supergirl.

Superman then explains that he found a scout to an invasion fleet, who planned to abduct the physicist. He and Supergirl disguised themselves so that they would be taken instead. Working together, the two heroes were then able to thwart the invasion and return to Earth.

Edited by E Nelson Bridwell.

Batman #235

Batman #235 (On Sale: July 22, 1971), has a  cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "Swamp Sinister" by Denny O'Neil, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. A heavy and large package arrives for Bruce Wayne at the Wayne Foundation Penthouse. Alfred and Bruce manage to open the box and they realize that it is a coffin with a dead body inside. Bruce quickly changes into Batman and prepares to leave with the corpse to the GCPD Headquarters and start an investigation, when suddenly Ra's al Ghul appears and informs Batman that he sent the package because he needs Batman's help.

Ra's tells Batman that Striss, one of the scientists working for him, had developed a formula to alter chemical elements' properties without his permission and that during a confrontation between them, Ra's was knocked by Striss' assistant, Pollard. Ra's was thought to be dead, but with help from his other scientists, Ra's recovered and started looking for Striss. After an extensive search, all his men could find was the dead body of Pollard, the man who attacked Ra's. When they examined the body, they found traces of the formula developed by Striss and also discovered that when humans were exposed to the formula, it turned into a deadly plague, which is what killed Pollard. After telling the story to Batman, Ra's asks the Dark Knight to find and stop Striss from spreading the plague and also save Ra's daughter, Talia, as she had already begun a manhunt for the scientist, unaware of the dangers.

Batman starts his investigation in the house of a notorious chemist, who could provide Striss with the chemical elements he needed to test his formula. When Batman arrives at the place, he realizes that it is too late, as both Striss' men, as well as Talia's henchmen, have arrived before him and someone had kidnapped the chemist. Batman takes down the thugs guarding the house and when he enters the place, he interrogates the housekeeper, who informs Batman that the thugs have taken Mr. London to a "small stream."

Batman deduces that the housemaid refers to the Louisiana swamps and he prepares a flight on Ra's private jet to Louisiana. Batman descends on the marked location and starts following the traces left by Striss' formula until he finds an odd abandoned cabin in the middle of the swamp. When Batman enters the place, he finds a concealed elevator inside and he prepares to descend, unaware of the activities taking place below, where Talia had already caught up with Striss and Mr. London, and she was ready to eliminate the scientist for the murder of her father. Batman arrives in time to stop Talia from killing Striss, but when he is explaining to them about the deadly plague contained in the formula, Striss attacks them and Batman is forced to defend Talia from Striss, who grabs a machine gun and tries to shoot at them. Batman manages to hold Striss' aim away from them, but one of the bullets hits the vial with the formula, spilling the chemical over the desk. Batman punches Striss and the man falls on top of the formula, which starts affecting him immediately. Batman takes Talia and Mr. London out of the room and he seals it completely in order to avoid the plague from spreading away.

Finally, Batman, Talia and Mr. London reach the surface of the swamp, where Ra's is waiting for them and Talia is overjoyed to learn that her father is still alive. Ra's has taken a team of doctors to make sure they are not infected and they prepare to leave the place. Before leaving the swamp, Talia shows her gratitude to Batman by kissing him, but Batman is still shocked at Talia's willingness to kill, which makes him unsure about her last kiss. Reprinted in Saga of Ra's Al Ghul #2 (1988), Batman: Tales of the Demon TPB (1991), Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6 TPB (2016), and Batman: Tales of the Demon HC (2020).

The Robin backup is "The Outcast Society" by Mike Friedrich, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. Continuing from Batman #234, Robin works hard to convince the communards to let him take Pat Whalon, the main suspect of the attack on a police officer, to stand trial. However, Whalon breaks away, confessing his crimes and he runs into the forest, where he causes a brushfire that may destroy the commune. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1 TPB (2008).

Our reprint of this issue is "Castle with Wall-to-Wall Danger" by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Detective Comics #329 (1964). Batman and Robin receive a tip that Pragnel, a wanted criminal, is in England. They fly to England to find Pragnel and extradite him. When they arrive at the castle at which Pragnel was seen, they realize that the castle owner Albert Maunch merely looks similar to the crook. Though their mission seems to have failed, the Dynamic Duo accepts Maunch's invitation to dinner.

While in the castle, several attempts are made to kill Batman and Robin. Soon, they are attacked outright by two thugs and a man in a trenchcoat. When they capture him, the man turns out to be Pragnel, alias Vincent Maunch, Albert's cousin. Pragnel was searching his cousin's castle for hidden Nazi gold and threatened Albert's family to keep him in line. Batman returns to America with Pragnel, and Albert eventually finds the gold.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Young Love #88

Young Love #88 (On Sale: July 20, 1971), has a  cover by Don Heck and Dick Giordano.

We begin with "Take Back Your Love" by Jack Oleck, John Rosenberger, and Vince Colletta. Ellen's boyfriend Clay comes back from the war with serious injuries and refuses to resume their relationship. Ellen can't move on with anyone else until, after Clay's death, she finds proof that he kept on loving her until the end.

Next up is "The Secret of Happiness" drawn by John Rosenberger and reprinted from Girls' Romances#101 (1964). Raven's sister sets her up with Miles, a local widower.

That brings us to "The Sister" penciled by Winslow Mortimer. Penny thinks her sister Wilma is trying to steal her boyfriend but they are only preparing for a surprise party for Penny's birthday.

Next is "Stand-In for Ginny" by creators unknown. Sue believes that she'll never find a guy of her own as long as her more glamorous roommate Ginny is around.

We end with "I'll Find You Again" drawn by Gene Colan and reprinted from Young Love #56 (1966). Nora returns to the site of her summer romance with Lee, which ended when he left in the fall. Though she is nearly overwhelmed with sad memories, she meets Michael again and remembers how kind he was to her after Lee left.

Edited by Dorothy Woolfolk.

Justice League of America #92

Justice League of America #92 (On Sale: July 20, 1971), has a  cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano.

Concluding from the last issue we have the Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America in "Solomon Grundy -- The One and Only" by Mike Friedrich, Dick Dillin, and Joe Giella. As A-Rym encounters Solomon Grundy on Earth-2, the JLA meets up with the JSA to try and stop A-Rym's rampage. After, the Earth-2 Hawkman sends both Robins away to the Batcave. While there, the Earth-2 Robin gives his Earth-1 doppelganger a new costume designed by "a costume designer named Neal Adams" to replace his damaged one. Meanwhile, the teams realize that if A-Rym and Teppy aren't reunited soon, they'll die, and both teams scramble to reunite them. After A-Rym and Teppy return home, the teams part, with Batman waiting for the League to aid him on his case and the Earth-1 Robin wondering if he should continue to wear his new costume. Reprinted in Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 3 TPB (2004), Showcase Presents: Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1 TPB (2008), Showcase Presents: Justice League of America Vol. 5 TPB (2011), Justice League of America Archives Vol. 10 HC (2012), Justice League of America: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2017), and Justice League of America: The Last Survivors of Earth TPB (2019).

Next, we have "The One-Man Justice League" by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Flash #158 (1966). When the Flash attempts to pursue the Land-Sea-Air Gang he discovers that his costume has been replaced by Green Lantern's. Flash also learns that he no longer has super speed, but he does have GL's powers. As Green Lantern, Flash brings down half the gang, then mysteriously finds himself transformed into Hawkman. The crooks manage to overpower him and escape.

Flash's transformations have been caused by Professor Ivo, who is secretly operating in a Central City laboratory. Ivo has devised a way to transfer the powers of the Justice League to himself. However, an anomaly caused by Flash's protective aura causes him to be the recipient of the powers too.

When Flash recovers from unconsciousness, he has become Aquaman. He continues to pursue the crooks and overtakes their escape boat. The crooks shoot at him as another transformation causes him to become the Atom.

The crooks begin to get the upper hand when Ivo switches his machine to focus on Superman. The Man of Steel's invulnerability protects him and overloads Ivo's machine. Ivo's lab explodes, ending the experiment. Flash returns to normal and defeats the gang with his own powers. Flash does not learn the cause behind his strange transformations. The other Justice Leaguers were not using their powers when Ivo targeted them, so they didn't even notice.

We end with a filler reprint "Space-Enemy Number One" by John Broome and Carmine Infantino and reprinted from Mystery in Space #29 (1955). The Solar Police are searching for Dinagren, a master criminal who can appear to be from several different planets.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

Flash #209

Flash #209 (On Sale: July 20, 1971), has a  cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin this issue with "Beyond the Speed of Life" by Cary Bates, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. The Flash receives a mental picture revealing the whereabouts of the Trickster and Boomerang. He races to the scene but is tripped up by an extended rope set up by the two villains. Flash trips at super speed and his velocity throws him into another dimension. A sentinel voice tells him that he has broken through the speed of life.

In the meantime back in the earthly dimension, Boomerang and Trickster examine Flashes lifeless body which appears to be dead. Back in the alternate dimension, Flash is informed that a being called the Devourer is threatening to eat its way to earth's own dimension and Flash prepares to do battle with it. As Flash battles the Devourer, it changes shape. It even takes the form of Flashes wife Iris. 

Flash battles the Devourer until it devours itself. Back on earth, Grodd the Super Gorilla has appeared and reveals that it was he who mentally controlled the two villains into tripping up the Flash. He subdues the two villains and scoops up Flashes lifeless body for disposal. At that point, Flash’s ghostly figure arrives from the other dimension. He is assisted by the sentinel in reentering his own body and pounds Grodd into the ground.

Next up is Kid Flash in "Coincidence Can Kill" by Steve Skeates, Dick Dillin, and Dick Giordano. Wally West witnesses a robbery as he rounds the corner. He activates his costume ring but instead of his costume appearing, he gets hit with a cloud of gas. He examines the ring and discovers that it isn’t his. He recalls that the only time he took off his ring was to wash his hands in the biology lab. He was washing next to a classmate that he refers to ad Genius George. Fearing that his identity might be compromised, Wally rushes to George’s house to recover his ring but George’s mother informs him that her son has left with an acquaintance to attend a school meeting. 

Wally transforms into Kid Flash and tracks down George's car to a sleazy neighborhood. George is being escorted to see a crime boss who is interested in hiring George to create technical gimmicks to assist them in crimes. George secretly intends to take down the crime boss and turn him in. George deploys his ring and expects to have a gas come out but the Flashes costume comes out instead. 

Kid Flash arrives instantly and subdues the thugs. Flash then talks to George to try to explain why his costume came out of his ring but George himself theorizes that the gas must have leaked out of his ring and that Flash threw the costume out as a distraction. Kid Flash is relieved that he doesn’t have to come up with an explanation himself.

This issue's reprint is "The Elongated Man's Undersea Trap" by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Flash #119 (1961). The Elongated Man, Ralph Dibny, and his new wife Sue are honeymooning in the Caribbean. While skin diving, Ralph disappears. Sue sends a message to the Flash for help. Flash arrives in the Caribbean and begins his search for Ralph. He sees some creatures riding underwater skis. Suddenly, one of the creatures shoots and captures the Flash.

When he regains consciousness, Flash is in a pool with several other missing divers. The Bredans, as the creatures are called, are fishing for the men. Flash is caught and becomes the slave of the capturing Bredan.

Flash plays along with the situation so that he can locate Ralph. He finds Ralph at a construction site, but his friend’s memory is missing. Flash helps Ralph recover his memory, then the two heroes defeat the Bredan slave masters. Flash and Ralph free the other slaves, and Ralph is returned to his honeymoon with Sue.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

DC 100-Page Super Spectacular #6

DC 100-Page Super Spectacular #6 (On Sale: July 15, 1971), has a beautiful wrap-around "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" cover by Neal Adams and Dick Giordano. This is the first issue with a wrap-around cover that would become standard on this title.

We begin with the Justice League of America in "Crisis on Earth-One" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Justice League of America #21 (1963). While the Justice League battles Felix Faust, Chronos, and Dr. Alchemy, who have united as the Crime Champions, they are unaware of a similar struggle taking place on the parallel world of Earth-2 between their counterparts, the Justice Society, and another team of Crime Champions composed of the Wizard, the Icicle, and the Fiddler. Having discovered the existence of the dual Earths, the two teams of villains have schemed to hide out on each other’s worlds after committing crimes. To safeguard their secret, they capture and imprison the two Flashes, who alone know of the alternate worlds and the method of traveling between them.

Disguising themselves as the Earth-1 villains, the Earth-2 Crime Champions battle and defeat the Justice League, magically trapping them in their Secret Sanctuary. The super-heroes use a crystal ball to contact the missing Flash, who tells them of his adventures on Earth-2, after which they summon the Justice Society to Earth-1.

The JLA then journey to Earth-2 while the two Green Lanterns race to free the captive Flashes, who are trapped in the transition zone between the Earths. This is the first of the yearly team-ups between the Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America. This story continued in the next JLA issue, which follows.

As promised, we next have the Justice League of America in "Crisis on Earth-Two" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs and reprinted from Justice League of America #22 (1963). The combined efforts of the Justice League of America of Earth-One and the Justice Society of America of Earth-Two continue to fail to stop the combined forces of the Crime Champions, a collation of villains from both Earths. The Earth-Two Atom and Hourman go after the Fiddler, robbing a museum; Hawkman and Black Canary go after Wizard; Doctor Fate goes after the Icicle. Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, and the Earth-One Atom go after Felix Faust, Batman and Wonder Woman go after Doctor Alchemy, and Superman and Aquaman go after Chronos who is stealing a clock from a lighthouse.

While both Green Lanterns seek to save the captured Flashes, the pairs and trios of heroes succeed in capturing the various villains. The heroes soon find themselves trapped in cages in space just like the Flashes, due to a trap that is set off by the release of the Flashes, whose energies provide the power needed to spring the trap.

However, their imprisonment is short-lived when the two Green Lanterns are able to shrink themselves down to sub-atomic size to get out of their prison at the Earth-One Atom's suggestion, and then use their combined power rings and the super speed of both Flashes to free the others. The Crime Champions realize what has happened, and the Fiddler thinks there must be an Earth-Three, to which they can escape, but they fail to find one, before the Justice League and the Justice Society defeat the Crime Champions. With their opponents defeated, both groups part company for their own worlds, taking their respective criminals back with them.

That brings us to The Spectre in (Zor) by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily and reprinted from More Fun Comics #55 (1940). Jim Corrigan is called to a bank where the bookkeeper accuses a teller of stealing from the bank, but Corrigan realizes the bookkeeper himself is the thief and becomes the Spectre to frighten a confession from him. Having made the arrest, Corrigan is then hit by a runaway car, but because he's already been killed, is unharmed. He becomes the Spectre again and chases down the drivers, but soon finds himself confronted by a much graver threat: Zor, an evil apparition.

The two ghosts battle and soon enlarge themselves to cosmic size, but Zor's greater experience as a ghost gives him greater power than the Spectre. To torment the avenging spirit Zor changes himself into Jim Corrigan and convinces Clarice Winston to elope with him. Going to see Clarice himself and realizing what happened, the real Corrigan becomes the Spectre once again to chase Zor down, only for the evil spirit to escape with Clarice into another dimension. 

The Voice gives the Spectre the power to track Zor across dimensions to his fortress. The Spectre enters but is paralyzed by a powerful ray projected by Zor, but the Spectre bargains with him for the secret to creating life for his freedom. Once free they scuffle and the Spectre manages to trap Zor in the same ray that held him, then leaves the evil spirit trapped there for eternity.

Next is Johnny Quick in "Stand-In for 100 Convicts" drawn by Ralph Mayo and reprinted from Adventure Comics #190 (1953). In an experimental prison program, 100 men are released from prison without supervision for a few hours. One prisoner, Mauler Murphy, steals some diamonds but is caught by the other prisoners. Johnny Quick allows several prisoners to locate Murphy’s accomplice while he takes their places at the prison. Johnny’s scheme is uncovered by the warden, but the convicts return with the diamonds and Murphy’s partner, proving the experiment a success.

That takes us to the Vigilante in "The Galleon in the Desert" by Joe Samachson and Dan Barry and reprinted from Action Comics #146 (1950). The Vigilante and Stuff stop three criminals from looting the Great Western Exposition.

Our next tale features Wildcat in "Crime Wore a Costume" by Robert Kanigher and Jon Chester Kozlak and is a previously unpublished golden-age story. Wildcat thwarts the Huntress's attempts to kidnap two boxers to prevent the heavyweight title match, whose proceeds were to go to charity.

We end with Hawkman in "Strange Spells of the Sorcerer" by Gardner Fox and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Brave and the Bold #36 (1961). At the Midway City Museum, Mavis Trent and her colleague Konrad Koslak are studying artifacts from the Chaldean empire when they are attacked by a mystical winged buffalo.

In his secret room inside the museum, Hawkman hears the commotion and goes to the rescue. When he attacks the winged creature, it disappears in a puff of smoke. In the aftermath of the battle, Hawkman and Hawkgirl decide to go to Hawk Valley and learn what they can from their birds to see if they know what may have caused things.

Arriving in the valley, they are attacked by the Phoenix bird of myth, it too disappears when they attack it. They also find during the attack that one of the birds that live in the valley had its eggs stolen. Deducing that someone could possibly be getting items for a spell, they check in with Konrad Koslak to see what he can tell them. He informs them of an ancient Chaldean spell that would require a yellow egg, a gold sword (Which they find was stolen in the previous attack in the museum) a Chrysoberyl gem.

When they learn that Mavis, who had a Cat's Eye gem on her ring, they realize that Konrad Koslak is the one responsible for stealing these items and is intending to cast the spell. Rushing to his home, they find that he's already used the spells to create real mythical creatures. However, Hawkman and Hawkgirl easily defeat them all, and capture Konrad Koslak and turn him over to the police. Hawkman then personally returns Mavis her ring.

Entire book reprinted in DC 100-Page Super Spectacular Replica Edition #6 (2004).

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Superboy #177

Superboy #177 (On Sale: July 8, 1971), has a cover by Dick Giordano.

We begin with "Our Traitor Super-Son" by Leo Dorfman, Bob Brown, and Murphy Anderson. Lex Luthor takes on the guise of Cerebron with a mental amplifier that enables him to deduce that the Kents are the foster parents of Superboy. To get them into protective custody without revealing his connection to them, Superboy has them jailed for selling "contaminated" food. 

Then, after keeping his stash of super-weapons and robots out of Luthor's hands by moving it frequently, he finally defeats Luthor, removes his cerebral amplifier, and convinces him he was wrong about the Kents.

Our new backup is "Plague from the Past" by Leo Dorfman, Bob Brown, and Murphy Anderson. When a plague from a long-unopened pharaoh's coffin unleashes a terrible plague on Smallville, Superboy employs a statue of Anubis to send himself back in time and undo the coffin opening. Reprinted in Best of DC #7 (1980).

The reprint is the Legion of Super-Heroes in "The Revenge of the Knave from Krypton" by Jerry Siegel, John Forte, and inkers Sheldon Moldoff, George Papp, and Al Plastino and reprinted from Adventure Comics #320 (1964). After finishing his homework, Superboy travels to the 30th Century for his regular visit with the Legion of Super-Heroes. There they are alerted by the security system of an intruder and Superboy is shocked to find it is his old tormentor Dev-Em. Capturing Dev-Em, Superboy explains how Dev-Em was a juvenile delinquent on Krypton who was sentenced to suspended animation, survived Krypton's destruction, and was revived on 20th Century Earth. 

Superboy then recounts how Dev-Em managed to trap Superboy in the Phantom Zone and pose as him to cause chaos around Earth. After returning from the Phantom Zone, Superboy was unable to stop Dev-Em who escaped into the distant future. Superboy would finish his story by explaining that the only way he was able to clear his name was with the help of his friend Chief Parker who told everyone Red Kryptonite was the "reason" for Superboy's rampage.

However, it is revealed that Dev-Em has turned over a new leaf in the 30th Century and is a member of the Inter-Stellar Counter-Intelligence Corps. However, when reporting back into the I.C.C., Dev-Em has his mission to stop interplanetary criminal Molock to Superboy. Disguising himself as Dev-Em, Superboy manages to bluff Molock with fake Gold Kryptonite, which is actually Proty II in disguise. After Superboy smashes up Molock's operation and turns him over to the police, the Legion offers Dev-Em membership in the Legion, to which Dev-Em declines, preferring to work with the I.C.C.

Edited by Murray Boltinoff.

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.

Wonder Woman #196

Wonder Woman #196 (On Sale: July 1, 1971), has a cover by Mike Sekowsky and Dick Giordano.

The Sekowsky era ends this month with his last issue of Wonder Woman and this story, "Target for Today?" written and penciled by Mike Sekowsky and inked by Dick Giordano. A man dying of gunshot wounds stumbles into Diana's boutique, reveals that he is a secret agent for a government agency headed by General Stuart, for whom I-Ching also once worked, and tells her that Stuart must learn of an assassination planned on the Koronian ambassador. Then he dies. 

After Diana and Ching defeat two killers seeking the dead agent, Ching goes to Washington to contact Gen. Stuart, and Diana goes to Kennedy Airport, where she stops another apparent assassination attempt on Anatole Karoli, the ambassador from Koronia. 

Karoli insists on taking Diana out and begins romancing her, during which time she foils more attempts on his life. Later, Gen. Stuart and I-Ching meet with Diana. The general tells Diana that she is still in the Army Reserve, even though she has resigned her commission, and he reappoints her lieutenant with the task of keeping Karoli safe from assassination. Diana goes to Washington, D. C. with Karoli and saves him from still more apparent murder attempts. 

But, just after Karoli shakes hands with President Nixon, Diana knocks Karoli down, kicks a pistol he had been packing away from him, and knocks him unconscious. She removes a mask from "Karoli"'s face, explaining to the president that she saw the bottom of the mask poking out from under his collar. The "assassination attempts" were really faked, and the "ambassador" was really an assassin seeking the president's life. Later, the president tells Diana and Gen. Stuart that the killer was an agent of the party out of power in the Koronian government, and their plan was to make it appear that one of the opposition had been guilty of the assassination of the president. Reprinted in Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Vol. 3 TPB (2009) and Wonder Woman Diana Prince: Celebrating the '60s Omnibus HC (2019).

Our reprint is a goody, "Introducing Wonder Woman" by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter and reprinted from All-Star Comics #8 (1941). U.S. Army Intelligence Captain Steve Trevor is forced to crash land on a magical island known as Paradise Island, home of the Amazons. His unconscious body is found by Princess Diana and Mala and brought to the hospital for recovery. Queen Hippolyte agrees to help him recover, but forbids her daughter Diana from contact with the man because she has fallen in love with him.

Hippolyte speaks to Aphrodite and Athena for advice on helping the man. They tell her that she must send the best Amazon to America with the man to help further the cause of freedom. A tournament is held to determine the Amazon who will accompany Trevor. Diana, forbidden to enter the tournament by her mother, enters in disguise and is victorious. She is rewarded with a costume and then entrusted with the mission of returning Steve Trevor to America. This story continues in Sensation Comics #1.

We end with a real treat, "The Stormy Menace of Goblin Head Rock" written and drawn by Harry G. Peter in the 1940s and never printed before. Diana learns that the Cheetah has escaped from Transformation Island but when she goes to tell Steve Trevor, he informs her that Professor Profundo, who was working on a device to control the weather, has disappeared. Meanwhile, Etta and the Holliday Girls are on a cruise ship off the eastern coast and strange weather is causing the ship to head for the rocky coast where a mysterious figure is dancing on the rocks.

When Army Intelligence learns of this and the fact that the ship is carrying gold bullion, Diana changes into Wonder Woman, picks up Steve and they head out in the invisible plane to the site of the shipwreck. Wonder Woman manages to get all the passengers to safety only to find Etta and the girls missing. 

Steve dives down to see if he can retrieve the gold but the Cheetah severs his air hose. Wonder Woman sees the Cheetah and goes after her, but when she sees Steve trapped under the sunk ship the Cheetah escapes. WW and Steve retrieve the gold in WW's plane but it is then pulled by strange weather to the Cheetah. When WW confronts the Cheetah she shows her that she has the Professor, Etta and the girls strapped to a lighthouse and with the push of a button will send a lightning bolt down to kill them all unless Diana surrenders. 

She and Steve are tied up to the lighthouse with Diana's own magic lasso, but when the Cheetah sends a bolt of lightning down it is absorbed by the lasso. They escape and take on the Cheetah and her gang, but rather than be caught, the Cheetah appears to jump to her death. Reprinted in Wonder Woman Diana Prince: Celebrating the '60s Omnibus HC (2019).

Edited for the final time by Mike Sekowsky.

Detective Comics #414

Detective Comics #414 (On Sale: June 29, 1971), has a stunning Batman cover by Neal Adams.

We begin this issue with Batman in "Legend of the Key Hook Lighthouse" by Denny O'Neil, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. Batman has followed a mob of gun-runners, who are providing weapons for a dictator, but one of the members of the gang decides to help Batman capture the war criminal in exchange for protection. Batman agrees and he is taken to a nearby lighthouse, where the exchange is supposed to take place. 

When General Ruizo and his men arrive, Batman takes them by surprise and finds a way to round up Ruizo's henchmen, but the General manages to escape. Batman is able to follow the General on his boat and witnesses how the army man is struck by the light coming from the lighthouse and driven mad by a supernatural presence. 

When Batman investigates the lighthouse, he is unable to find any evidence of anybody activating the light and he suspects that he has been helped by a powerful entity. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6 TPB (2016).

The backup is Batgirl in "Invitation to Murder" by Frank Robbins and Don Heck. On the night of the anniversary of their first meeting, Jason Bard takes Barbara Gordon to go see the play "Invitation to Murder." The two are shocked to find that they are the only two people in the audience. When spotting a rifle set to shoot one of the actors, Jason stops the gunman but is knocked out. Changing into Batgirl in the darkness, Barbara tries to stop the shooter but the gunman still manages to get away. Changing back into her civilian guise, Babs checks on Jason and finds that he is all right.

Realizing that the wild shot must have hit somebody, they find that it winged Robbie Marlow who was viewing the play with his wife Tiz (both are referred to as the "Royal Couple" of Hollywood.) After questioning the couple they find out that they were given the tickets to a sold-out showing of the play by an anonymous admirer, and the only reason why Jason and Barbara happened to be there is because of a mix-up with the date they were going to see the show. Finding it all suspicious, Babs tells Jason to keep an eye on the couple while she goes to "call the police". This story continues next issue and was reprinted in Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1 TPB (2007) and Batgirl: The Bronze Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2018).

The reprints begin with  "The Australian Code Mystery" by David V. Reed, Alex Toth, and Sy Barry and reprinted from World's Finest Comics #66 (1953).

We end with "Private Eye of Venus" by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino and reprinted from Strange Adventures #83 (1957).

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

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.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #112

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #112 (On Sale: June 24, 1971), has a cover by Dick Giordano.

This issue begins with Lois Lane in "A Tree Grows in Metropolis" by Cary Bates, Werner Roth, and Vince Colletta. Superman saves an alien tree, the last remaining life-form on its planet, by bringing it to Earth and planting it in Metropolis Park. However, the "tree" is really a female alien who wants Superman for herself and tries to kill Lois.

Our reprint is "Superman's Secret Family" drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger and reprinted from Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #30 (1962). Lois Lane visits the lab of Professor Burke, an astronomer who has invented a powerful telescope. Viewing distant worlds, Lois sees Superman with a mermaid wife and son. When he returns to Earth, Lois is upset that he did not tell her about his secret family.

Superman investigates and brings Lois to the small planet. They soon meet the mermaids and another Superman who turns out to be a robot. The robot explains that he is a damaged Superman robot X-3 that crashed on this world. A dying mermaid woman, Mooki, repaired him partially, but he was stranded on the planet. When Mooki died, X-3 built a robot Mooki and a son Nipper and lived as a family. Superman and Lois wish them well and return to Earth.

Our backup story is The Rose and the Thorn in "Rock and Rose" by Robert Kanigher and Dick Giordano. The Thorn saves her would-be assassin, Leo Lester, Jr., when the 100 turns on him, then she helps him start on the right path.  

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Batman #234

Batman #234 (On Sale: June 10, 1971), has a wonderful cover by Neal Adams proclaiming the return of Two-Face after a 17-year hiatus.

We begin with "Half an Evil" by Denny O'Neil, Neal Adams, and Dick Giordano. When a parade balloon is stolen in broad daylight, Commissioner Gordon lights up the Bat-Signal at night to contact Batman, despite the disapproval of Arthur Reeves. When Batman arrives at the GCPD Headquarters, they start investigating the mysterious robbery, but they are suddenly interrupted by an officer informing them about a crime at the Nautical Museum. Gordon and his men get going, but Batman arrives first by his own means. Once inside, he confronts a couple of masked thugs, the same that stole the parade balloon. After taking one of them down, Batman interrogates the second thug and learns that he doesn't know who is the man he is working for, but that he always keeps his face concealed while tossing a coin.

After leaving the criminals for the police, Bruce Wayne returns to his penthouse at the Wayne Foundation building and he informs Alfred that his long-time enemy, Two-Face is back on crime. After remembering how the former District Attorney, Harvey Dent became Two-Face and turned to crime, Bruce investigates some of the clues provided by the thugs he captured. Searching a book about ocean and ships, Bruce learns that Two-Face is looking to strike on a boat docked at the Marina across Gotham River and he goes to stop the master criminal.

When Batman arrives at the scene, he takes down a couple more of Two-Face henchmen and he discovers that Two-Face's plan is to steal, sink, and raise an old two-masted ship belonging to Captain Bye, seeking a cache of gold doubloons Bye had hidden in the vessel. Following the ship to a dark swamp, where Two-Face has planned that it would emerge, Batman finally confronts the criminal, unaware that while on the rising, the ship has carried a homeless man to the top of the mast. Batman is distracted trying to save the man and Two-Face takes the opportunity to attack Batman and tie him to the ship's mast. After stealing the historic doubloons, Two-Face gets ready to leave, but Batman tricks him into using his coin in order to decide to save the homeless man or not. When the good side of the coin shows up, Two-Face is compelled to save the man and Batman takes the chance to free himself and capture Two-Face while also saving the homeless man. Reprinted in Best of DC #14 (1981), Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told HC (1988), Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told TPB (1989), Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 3 HC (2006), Batman Vs. Two-Face TPB (2008), Batman Illustrated by Neal Adams Vol. 3 TPB (2013), Batman Arkham:Two-Face TPB (2016), Showcase Presents: Batman Vol. 6 TPB (2016), Batman by Neal Adams Omnibus HC (2016), Two-Face: A Celebration of 75 Years HC (2018), and Batman by Neal Adams Vol. 3 TPB (2020).

Our fist backup is Robin in "Vegeance for a Cop" by Mike Friedrich, Irv Novick, and Dick Giordano. A police officer is brutally attacked outside of the Hudson University and Robin starts investigating the crime in order to bring the attacker to justice.

In search of the assailant, Robin joins a commune and finds the shooter among a group of hippies, but he is not allowed to leave with him as they all get ready to confront the Teen Wonder. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Robin the Boy Wonder Vol. 1 TPB (2008).

Our bigger and better reprint is Batman in "Trail of the Talking Mask" by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Detective Comics #335 (1965). Batman and Robin attempt to stop a jewel robbery, but the three perpetrators escape without noticing the Dynamic Duo. Batman suspects the crooks were automatons controlled via remote. He was tipped off to the robbery by private investigator Hugh Rankin. Rankin has followed the crooks himself, and in so doing, leaves a trail for Batman to follow.

Ranking arrives at the crooks' hide-out first. He is quickly apprehended by the gang's boss the Make-Up Man. When Batman arrives, a trap has been prepared to kill them. Batman escapes the trap and defeats the gang. Rankin is released, but Batman then realizes he is an imposter. The Make-Up Man is captured, and the real Rankin is found.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.

All-Star Western #7

All-Star Western #7 (On Sale: June 8, 1971), has a beautiful Outlaw, Billy the Kid, cover by Tony DeZuniga.

We begin with Outlaw, Billy the Kid, in "Bullet for a Gambler" by John Albano and Tony DeZuniga. After being saved twice by a man named Ace, from attacking Indians, Billy the Kid agrees to go with Ace to be safe from further attacks. Ace has a case of tuberculosis and is dead set on killing any Indian that happens on his path. However, the two are surrounded soon after Ace indiscriminately kills a hunting party.

However, the Indians let Billy go, as Billy tried to stop Ace from killing the Indian chief's son. Not wishing to be burned alive, Ace demands that Billy pay his debt, and reveals that he was the killer of Billy's father and that he knows that Billy is really a girl. Billy agrees to kill Ace in a draw only, and Ace tricks Billy into shooting him by not drawing when it's time to shoot. Reprinted in Jonah Hex and Other Western Tales #1 (1979) and Showcase Presents Jonah Hex Vol. 1 TPB (2006).

Next up is Davy Crockett in "The Challenge of Black Warrior" drawn by John Prentice and reprinted from Frontier Fighters #1 (1955).

That is followed by Buffalo Bill in "The Tenderfoot Caravan" by Dave Wood and Joe Kubert and reprinted from Frontier Fighters #1 (1955).

We end with El Diablo in "The Gypsy Curse" by Robert Kanigher, Alan Weiss, and Dick Giordano. Santano, a gypsy king, is convicted of crimes and sentenced to death by hanging. He issues a curse on those who persecuted him. 

Princess Nurka, Santano's daughter mourns the loss of her father and El Diablo tries to comfort her, but the other gypsies chase him away. Later Santano's curse unfolds, as the judge and sheriff are murdered. El Diablo is accused of the crime and thrown in jail. Nurka rescues him. That night Hutton, the man who hung Santano is killed. El Diablo catches the killer only to discover it is Nurka. She is arrested. As El Diablo rides out of town Nurka lays a curse on him, but El Diablo knows that he is already cursed.

Edited by Joe Orlando.

Flash #208

Flash #208 (On Sale: June 3, 1971), has a beautiful cover by Neal Adams.

We begin with the Flash in "A Kind of Miracle in Central City" by Robert Kanigher, Irv Novick, and Murphy Anderson. The Flash rescues a teenage boy from a fall off a rooftop. Vic, the boy, claims it was an accident, but the Flash suspects otherwise. Vic was thrown off the roof by a gang leader known as the Chief. Vic had been working for the gang, but he was made expendable when his sister Anne alerted her fellow nuns to the presence of the crooks in the church.

Since Vic won't accept outside help, the Flash uses his super speed to remain invisible. He then helps Vic and protects him from the gang. Vic makes things right, and the Chief and his partners are apprehended without anyone knowing that the Flash is involved.

The new backup is the Elongated Man in "Malice in Wonderland" by Len Wein and Dick Giordano. As Ralph Dibny is passing through the town of Dodgson it is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. When he enters town Ralph is given a copy of Alice in Wonderland. While pausing to read the book, he sees a white rabbit. His curiosity is aroused and he follows, only to lose the rabbit in traffic.

The Elongated Man then meets a man dressed as the Mad Hatter. The man explains that his uncle who founded the town was a relative of Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland. The town is celebrating by dressing as characters from the book. Ralph still wants to catch up to the rabbit, who steals a rare first edition of the book on display at the town civic center. The Elongated Man tracks down the rabbit and his partners and retrieves the stolen book. He was tipped off by the fact that the criminal dressed like the movie version of the rabbit, instead of the original book version.

The reprint backup is the Kid Flash in "The Flash's Sensational Risk" by John Broome, Carmine Infantino, and Joe Giella and reprinted from Flash #149 (1964). A large explosion near Blue Valley draws the attention of Wally West aka Kid Flash. Kid Flash examines a crater created by the explosion and is transported to the other-dimensional world of Ikora. Kid Flash then discovers explosives used by Ikoran criminals are responsible for the damage on Earth. Kid Flash attempts to apprehend the criminals, but he is struck by one of their weapons.

Kid Flash returns to Earth to gain the aid of the Flash. After relating his story, Kid Flash loses his memory as a delayed side-effect of the ray weapon. Flash fails to restore Wally's memory until he devises a way to unmask on TV at super-speed. Wally's memory is shocked back to normal by the surprise.

Flash and his protégé return to Ikora and defeat the K-10 Gang. After turning them into Ikoran authorities, the speedsters return to Earth. Flash explains that because he unmasked at super-speed, only Wally's super-speed vision could identify his real face.

Edited by Julius Schwartz.