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.

Superman #231

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edited for the very last time by Mort Weisinger.

World's Finest Comics #197

World's Finest Comics #197 (On Sale: August 6, 1970) has a Superman/Batman cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.  This is the final issue of World's Finest to feature this team for a couple of years, well, as the regular team at least. Starting next issue, and I could never understand why they did not wait two months for issue #200 to do this, World's Finest will become Superman's Brave and the Bold. That is, starting next issue, they will team up Superman with another character, not just Batman.

This issue is a pile of reprints beginning with the Superman/Batman team in  "The Capture of Superman." This 13-page tale is by
Jerry Coleman, Jim Mooney and Sheldon Moldoff and is reprinted from World's Finest Comics #122. Batman and Robin are forced by an alien, Klor, to capture Superman for crimes committed on his world of Belvos. Superman feels betrayed by his friend, but Batman succeeds in making the capture.

Superman is returned to Belvos to stand trial. He is accused of causing destruction on the planet during a visit there. Superman does not recall ever having been to Belvos and claims he was searching for a strange asteroid at the time.

Klor is secretly behind the destruction. Having found special weapons, he disguised himself as Superman and caused the damage. He wants to get Superman out of the way so he can obtain treasure which will make him master of Belvos. However, the heroes realize that Klor had been to Earth before and was responsible for the crimes. They convince the Belvosian tribunal and capture Klor in the act of robbing a jeweler on Earth.

Next is another Superman/Batman tale, "The Feud Between Batman and Superman," an 18-pager by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and George Klein. When Batman is accidentally shot while pursuing some crooks, he gets an inferiority complex. Superman tries to help Batman by staging a fake menace inside Kandor where he has no super powers. Batman discovers the hoax and becomes angry, challenging Superman to a duel. Batman wins, then storms off.

The fake menace turns out to be real, when Jhan-Ar, the brother of Superman's friend Thar-Ar, becomes a Metalloid. Superman is taken prisoner, forcing Batman and Robin to rescue him. They succeed and defeat Jhan-Ar. Batman's confidence is restored, so he resumes his crime fighting career. This is reprinted from World's Finest Comics #143.

That is followed by Green Arrow in "The Unmasked Archers." This six-page tale is by France Herron, Jack Kirby and Roz Kirby. Oliver Queen and Roy Harper awaken to find that the morning newspaper contains a story revealing their secret identities. Believing their careers are over, they stop a few crooks then return to police headquarters where they unmask in front of the police commissioner.

The commissioner doesn't believe Oliver is the real Green Arrow. When Oliver checks the other newspapers, he discovers that his morning paper was a fake. It was created as part of an initiation prank for his men's club. Oliver then proves to the commissioner that he is not Green Arrow using a specially prepared trick. This is reprinted from World's Finest Comics #98. Hmm, strange how they seem to be reprinting a lot of Jack Kirby this month.

We end with a final Superman/Batman team-up story,  "The Prison for Heroes" from World's Finest Comics #145. This 16-page tale is by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and George Klein. An alien race contacts Batman and brings him to an alien world under the pretense of aiding a great emergency. When he arrives on the alien world, Batman is hypnotized by the aliens into becoming a cruel prison warden. His prisoners are the innocent heroes of many worlds.

Batman then tricks Superman into coming to the planet. The aliens use a filter to cause the sun's rays to become red, removing nearly all of Superman's powers. Superman then becomes a prisoner.

With his last remaining bit of super powers, Superman manages to restore the powers of some of the other prisoners. They break free, help Superman fake his powers, and overthrow Batman. Superman then puts Batman to work as a prisoner.

The aliens discover Superman's escape and return to the planet to investigate. They discover that Superman does not have his powers. However, Superman has helped Batman break the hypnosis. While the aliens are investigating Superman, Batman destroys the red sun filter with the aliens' own ship. Superman's powers are restored. He frees the wrongly imprisoned heroes and ends the aliens' plans to conquer the galaxy.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Superman #227

Superman #227 (On Sale: April 14, 1970) has a cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson on this "All Kryptonite" issue.

We begin with "The Super-Powers of Perry White" by Jerry Coleman, Curt Swan and Stan Kaye and reprinted from Action Comics #278.  After eating the fruit of a strange plant in his garden, Perry White gains super powers which he uses to become Masterman, a new super hero. Eventually his mind is taken over by Xasnu, a plant creature from another world. It was the fruit which allowed him to take over Perry’s mind and the powers were just a side effect. Xasnu, as Perry, attempts to kill Superman, knowing he is the one person who can stop an invasion.

He learns Superman’s secret identity, but Superman has hypnotized himself not to feel pain when exposed to Kryptonite. Superman is forced to hide at his Fortress of Solitude. Perry attacks him there and nearly kills the Man of Steel. Supergirl arrives just in time to save her cousin by exposing Perry to White Kryptonite, which destroys plant life, including the one controlling Perry. His memory is lost for the entire experience.

Next up is "The Great Kryptonite Mystery" by Jerry Coleman, Curt Swan and Ray Burnley and reprinted from Superboy #58.  Superboy begins deliberately exposing himself to Kryptonite meteors and collecting them in a secure vault. He refuses to tell anyone why he is hurting himself. The continued exposure causes the Boy of Steel to become ill and his powers weaken. After collecting several such meteors, Superboy hides the vault of Kryptonite on the ocean floor. He explains to his foster parents that he hoped to build up an immunity to the Kryptonite meteors, so that he could use them later against ten Kryptonian criminals due to arrive on Earth in 15 years.

This is followed by "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner" by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and George Klein and reprinted from Superman #157. When Phantom Zone criminal Quex-Ul is released from the Zone by Superman, having completed his sentence, he vows revenge against Superman. While Quex-Ul creates a magnet to gather Gold Kryptonite, Superman visits Krypton’s past to learn that Quex-Ul is innocent of his convicted crime.

When Superman returns, Quex-Ul tries to use the Gold Kryptonite against him. Supergirl informs Quex-Ul that he has been cleared of his previous crimes. This revelation causes the former Zone resident to save Superman, sacrificing his own powers to the Gold Kryptonite. The accident gives him amnesia, so Superman gets him a job at the Daily Planet.

Next we have "The Invasion of the Super-Ants" drawn by Al Plastino and reprinted from Action Comics #296. A race of giant ants is spotted outside Metropolis. Superman is unable to approach the ants because of the presence of Green Kryptonite. Instead, he flies into a Red Kryptonite cloud which temporarily gives him an ant head and makes him immune to Green K. He then approaches the ants and communicates with them. He learns that they are from another planet and have come to Earth to warn humans about nuclear destruction. Superman takes their message to the U.N. after the ants have repaired their rocket and left Earth.

We end with  "Secret of Kryptonite Six" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan and George Klein and reprinted from Action Comics #310. Superman releases Jax-Ur from the Phantom Zone on a trial basis when Jax-Ur claims to have a cure for an Atlantean plague. Superman and Jax-Ur use a time-bubble to travel to Krypton prior to its explosion. Jax-Ur retrieves the formula for the cure from an old laboratory in the Jeweled Mountains. He also sets up a device to send a fragment of the Mountain to Earth when Krypton explodes.

When Superman and Jax-Ur return, Superman gives the plague cure to Lori Lemaris and the Atlanteans. Jax-Ur then hypnotizes Jimmy Olsen into uses the Jewel Kryptonite fragments on Superman.

Afterwards, Superman's presence cause fuel to explode when he is near. Superman believes he must leave the Earth, until he deduces that the real cause of the explosions is the fragment of Jewel Kryptonite in Earth's orbit. The Phantom Zone criminals are able to use the Kryptonite to focus their thoughts and cause the explosions. Superman hurls the fragment into the sun, ending the threat and Jax-Ur's scheme.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Superboy #165

Superboy #165 (On Sale: March 5, 1970) has cover by Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson.

This issue begins with "The Super-Dog from Krypton" by Otto Binder, Curt Swan and John Fishetti and reprinted from Adventure Comics #210. This story tells the origin of Krypto, Superboy's dog. Superboy encounters a super powered dog on the streets of Smallville. The dog seems to recognize him and is friendly. Superboy follows the dog to a rocket that has recently crashed on Earth. Inside the rocket he finds papers which reveal that the dog came from Krypton. The dog was sent into space by Jor-El to test a rocket which was deflected by a meteor. The dog, Krypto, belonged to Kal-El as a baby. Krypto's ship eventually made its way to Earth.

Superboy is thrilled to have his dog back. However, Krypto's frisky nature and super powers cause several problems for Superboy including threatening his secret identity. Superboy constructs a super doghouse for Krypto, but the dog is easily able to free himself.

Eventually Krypto takes off into space to chase meteors. Superboy is happy that he won't have to deal with Krypto's antics anymore, but he is sad that his friend is gone.

Next we have "Superboy's Last Day" by Otto Binder and George Papp and reprinted from Adventure Comics #251. This story tells of Superboy's first encounter with Kryptonite. While cleaning house, Clark Kent recalls how one of his Superboy robots saved his life. Many years before, Pa Kent brought home a green glowing rock for Clark’s mineral collection. Clark immediately took ill and was on his deathbed. To replace him as Superboy, a recently constructed Superboy robot was sent out controlled by Jonathan.

When the robot returned, it inadvertently stepped in front of the Kryptonite. Being made of lead, the robot blocked the radiation. Superboy recovered but relapsed when the robot moved away. Pa Kent realizes that the rock must be responsible and places it inside the robot. Superboy recovers and learns that the rock was Kryptonite, a fragment of his home planet, which is deadly to him.

This is followed by "The Girl Who Saw the Future Superboy" by Jerry Coleman and Al Plastino and reprinted from Superboy #90. While helping her father clean a scientist’s lab, Lana accidentally activates a machine that allows her to see the future. Although the image only lasts for a moment, Lana sees Superman and his girlfriend, Lois Lane. Lana become jealous and tries to alter fate by getting Lois to enter a different career.

Lana visits Lois’s school and tries to sabotage Lois’s attempts to join the school paper. Failing in that, Lana tries to get Lois to pursue a career in science and later, sculpture. Each attempt fails due to the Unbeknownst actions of Superboy and Krypto.

Next we have "The Phantom Superboy" by Robert Bernstein and George Papp and reprinted from Adventure Comics #283. This is the first appearance of the Phantom Zone. Professor Lang discovers a box of Kryptonian weapons which he delivers to Superboy. While Superboy examines and tests the weapons, he is accidentally sent into the Phantom Zone, a dimension which exists near ours in which beings can only exist in a ghostly state. Kryptonian criminals were banished here before the destruction of the planet.

Unable to be seen or heard Superboy can not communicate with anyone in his own dimension. Eventually he discovers that his super thought is enough to activate an electric typewriter on which he types a message to Pa Kent. Jonathan rescues Superboy from the Zone, and then the Boy of Steel disposes of the box of weapons.

We end with "The Death of Ma and Pa Kent" by Leo Dorfman and Al Plastino and reprinted from Superman #161. While on vacation in the Caribbean, Jonathan and Martha Kent find a buried pirate’s treasure. The chest contains a scrap from the diary of Pegleg Morgan and presents them a mystery. Superboy carries them into the past to learn how Pegleg was stranded on the island by Blackbeard the Pirate.

When they return to present-day Smallville, the Kents become ill from jungle fever. Doctors are unable to find the cure, and Superboy is likewise helpless. Superboy tries to send them to the Phantom Zone, but solar flares prevent the projector from functioning.

Without a cure, the Kents die. Superboy blames himself for their deaths and gives up his Superboy career. He donates their money to charity, maintaining their house and store for himself. When searching through his father’s belongings he finds the diary scrap and learns that the chest the Kents found in the sand was the actually source of their illness. Relieved that his time-trip was not responsible for the death of his parents, Superboy resumes his career and treasures the memory of his Earth parents.

Edited by E. Nelson Bridwell.

Superman #206

Superman #206 (On Sale: March 19, 1968) has cover by Neal Adams.

"The Day Superman Became an Assassin" is by Jim Shooter and Al Plastino. Superman attends a celebration for the hero Dyno-Man on the planet Sorrta. During a parade, Dyno-Man is killed in an explosion. Superman is immediately accused of causing the blast. He is taken into custody by Dramon, head of security, and fitted with a red sun energy belt that neutralizes his powers. Superman is then injected with a chemical that causes a fit of rage and a phony confession to the murder.

Superman's case is given to lawyer Rilora Dorc, who soon finds evidence that implicates Dramon in the frame job. Before she can act on the information, Superman is broken out of jail by vigilantes who want to kill him. Rilora is captured by Dramon and nearly executed too.

The back-up is "The Menace of Mr. Mxyzptlk," a reprint from Superman #131 by Jerry Coleman and Al Plastino. Mr. Mxyzptlk returns from the 5th dimension to play tricks on Superman. Superman tries to send Mxyzptlk back home by making him say his name backwards. This time however, the imp has an alarm, that warns him when he is about to say his name backwards.

Superman gets Mxyzptlk to remove his hat, where the alarm is stored. However, when Superman and Lois Lane trick him into saying Kltpzyxm, Mxyzptlk’s head cold makes him lose his voice.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

World's Finest Comics #173

World's Finest Comics #173 (On Sale: December 12, 1967) has a Curt Swan and George Klein cover. This is the first issue of World's Finest Comics I purchased.

"The Jekyll-Hyde Heroes" is by Jim Shooter, Curt Swan and George Klein. Dr. Aaron is apprehended by the World's Finest Team for illegal human science experiments. When he gets out of jail, Dr. Aaron decides to take his revenge on Superman and Batman. First he learns which of their villains that they fear the most, then he uses psyche-distorter chemicals on them. The chemicals cause physical and psychological transformations which turn Batman and Superman into Two-Face and the space villain Kralik (being my first issue of World's Finest, I thought Kralik was a well-known and established Superman villain. Only later did I realize that Shooter had invented him for this one story and that he was never heard from again.).

As Two-Face and Kralik, the former heroes begin attacking Metropolis and each other. Robin deduces that the heroes have been turned into villains, but he is captured by Dr. Aaron before he can summon help. However, when Batman in his Two-Face guise decides to kidnap Dr. Aaron himself, the scientist is forced to drink his own chemicals and becomes the Composite Superman.

The back-up story is "The Super-Key to Fort Superman" reprinted from Action Comics #241 and created by Jerry Coleman, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye. While visiting his Fortress of Solitude Superman discovers a message written on the wall which reveals that an intruder has penetrated the Fortress. Superman seals the entrance, but later learns that the intruder has returned.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Superman #201

Superman #201 (On Sale: September 21, 1967) sports a nice cover by Curt Swan and George Klein that looks like an Infantino layout.

"Clark Kent Abandons Superman" is by Cary Bates, Curt Swan and George Klein. Clark Kent joins Professor Steele on an archaeological expedition. When a dangerous creature is unearthed, Superman goes into action. However, Professor Steele is killed.

Superman blames himself for Steele's death. Kandorian psychologists are unable to help him overcome his guilt. Later, when a stray bullet fired by crooks bounces off his chest and nearly wounds Lois Lane, Superman fears that he is a danger to those around him.

Superman decides to leave Earth. He goes to the planet Moxia which has a red sun. Superman then becomes ordinary scientist Clarken. However, when the planet is threatened by Kromn, a man threatening to make himself a dictator, Superman fights back without his powers.

The back-up is "The Jolly Jailhouse" reprinted from Superman #139, by Jerry Coleman and Al Plastino. Superman travels to the island republic of Voroda as Clark Kent. He is arrested by the commandant of a political prison who is trying to establish himself as dictator. While in the Voroda jail, Clark secretly uses his powers to embarrass the Colonel. When some government officials arrive at the prison, Clark further humiliates the Colonel, and in so doing, the political prisoners are freed.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

World's Finest Comics #171

World's Finest Comics #171 (On Sale: September 12, has a cover by Curt Swan and George Klein.

Inside we begin with "The Executioner's List" by Leo Dorfman, Curt Swan and George Klein. After catching crooked gambler Swifty Sloane, Batman switches back to his Bruce Wayne identity. As police take Swifty away, an unseen gunman takes shots at Bruce and Swifty. Later Clark Kent is nearly killed in a helicopter explosion, though as Superman he is able to protect his secret identity and provide an explanation for his survival. Next Perry White and Alfred are each the victims of unexpected attacks. Superman and Batman think someone is going after their friends until Batman finds a death list.

The back-up story is "The Secret of Kryptonite" reprinted from Superman #136 and is by Jerry Coleman and Al Plastino. Superman returns to his hometown of Smallville for a celebration of the day he landed on Earth. While there he recalls how the world learned about Kryptonite. When he was Superboy, he was briefly exposed to some in a planetarium exhibit, and a crook named "Silk" Smith witnessed his weakness. The underworld then tried to find out which mineral in the exhibit weakened him. Superboy was able to trick the crooks into believing they were wrong.

Later at the first Superman Earthday celebration, a scientist, Mel Evans gives Superboy a present which is a fragment of Krypton. The fragment is of course Kryptonite, which weakens Superboy.The fragment is taken away, but now the world knows Superboy’s Achilles Heel.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

World's Finest Comics #170

World's Finest Comics #170 (On Sale: August 15, 1967), AKA, 80pg Giant #G-40 has a past-up cover by Curt Swan, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye featuring "Six Startling Sagas!"

Inside we begin with "The Star Creatures" from World's Finest Comics #108 by Jerry Coleman, Dick Sprang and Sheldon Moldoff. Batman and Robin track two missing crooks in an area just outside Gotham City where they vanished into a green mist. There they encounter a strange alien creature, which sends a robot army to attack Gotham. Superman arrives to help take on the creature while Batman stops the army. The creature then disappears in another green mist.

More strange alien creatures appear to confront the heroes. The creatures are robots controlled by an alien film-maker, who is filming Superman and Batman’s exploits. He has captured the two hoods, but an accident allows them to escape. They tie up the alien and use his technology to rob a bank.

Next we have "The Super-Mystery of Metropolis" from World's Finest Comics #84 by Edmond Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye. Small-time crook Thad Linnis tells Superman to leave town for two weeks, or he will expose Superman’s secret identity. When the Man of Steel disappears, Batman is called in to find him. The Caped Crusader tracks down his friend and asks him to explain.

Superman reveals that when he was Superboy, Linnis hired a young boy to learn his secret. The boy followed Clark and Superboy around and eventually got the Boy of Steel’s fingerprints. Superboy was unable to get them back from Linnis and now the crook had cashed in on his knowledge.

Batman explains that he was that young boy. As Bruce Wayne he had come to Smallville to prove himself as a detective.

Next up is "The Menace of Superman's Pet" from World's Finest Comics #112 by Jerry Coleman, Dick Sprang and Sheldon Moldoff. While deflecting a comet in space, Superman encounters an cute alien creature which follows the Man of Steel like a pet. When he returns to Earth to help Batman and Robin, catch a gang of criminals called the Wreckers, the pet imitates Superman’s actions, unknowingly causing destruction.

Superman tries to lose the creature, but it’s powers allow it to follow him. He finally flies away invisibly at high speed. Once out of sight, the creature grows to tremendous size and causes more destruction. When the Man of Steel returns, the creature returns to normal.

The creature’s interference makes it difficult to catch the Wreckers, so Superman decides to search for the pet’s home, while the Dynamic Duo handle the criminals. While searching in space, Superman encounters a large Kryptonite meteor which makes him helpless.

This is followed by "Batman and Superman, Swamis Inc." from World's Finest Comics #73 by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and Stan Kaye. Batman disguises himself as a carnival swami in order to lure a criminal gang leader out of hiding. Superman agrees to help make the swami’s predictions come true. The ruse lures the gang out of hiding, but they capture Robin and use him to lure Batman into a trap.

Next we have "The Boy from Outer Space" from World's Finest Comics #92 by Edmond Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye. Superman finds a boy with amnesia in a crashed spaceship. The boy has super-powers. Superman names him Skyboy and takes him as a junior partner.

Batman and Robin investigate some copper thefts committed by super-powered thieves. They suspect that Skyboy may be working with them. When Skyboy’s fingerprints match those found at the crime scene, he appears to be responsible.

Lastly we have "The Duplicate Man" from World's Finest Comics #106 by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang and Sheldon Moldoff. Batman and Robin encounter a new criminal, Duplicate Man, who can split himself into two people, and then revert back into one. Duplicate Man commits several thefts and is able to avoid capture from Batman and Superman as well.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #77

Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #77 (On Sale: June 29, 1967), AKA 80pg. Giant #G-39, features a Kurt Schaffenberger cover and follows the theme Lois' Greatest Shockers! The release date on this is highly suspect to me, as Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #76 went on sale two days earlier.

Inside we have "The Witch of Metropolis" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #1 by Otto Binder and Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane is exposed to fumes from an experiment by Professor Jason. The fumes cause Lois to change into an old hag each night. Lois thinks she has become a witch, so she casts spells.

Next is "Lois Lane -- Convict" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #6 by Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane takes a bribe from a mob boss. He wants her to hold off writing a story exposing him. She is forced to keep working for the mob when they blackmail Lois with a photo of her taking the bribe. Lois is eventually sent to prison for using marked money from a crime. Lois confesses to taking the bribes.

The mob springs Lois from jail and takes her to the mob leader, Baldy Pate. Pate forces Lois to tell him where the evidence she was going to expose is located.

Next we have "The Six Lives of Lois Lane" from Action Comics #198 by William Woolfolk, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye. After Lois Lane witnesses Superman change into Clark Kent in front of a mirror, Lois’s mind goes into shock. For the next few days, Lois believes she is a different historical figure. Lois takes on the personas of Betsy Ross, Florence Nightingale, Annie Oakley, Madam Curie, Barbara Frietchie, and Queen Isabella of Spain. Superman seeks to restore Lois’s mind, but is fearful she will remember discovering his secret.

The next story is "The Mad Woman of Metropolis" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #26 by Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane receives a tip to meet one of Clark Kent’s informants. When she arrives she is knocked unconscious. She revives, but Clark can not back up her story, so she thinks the bump on the head causes her imagination to go wild.

Later, Lois is convinced that she has unconsciously destroyed a Superman poster. Worried about her erratic behavior, Lois visits a psychiatrist who convinces her to read a book to take her mind off her problems. Lois feels better, but when Clark looks at the book it has blank pages.

Lois is convinced she has gone crazy, and a voice tells her to kill herself.

Next is "Lois Lane's X-Ray Vision" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #22 by Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois Lane’s sunglasses become exposed to some strange electrical energy which enables the wearer to gain x-ray vision. Lois uses the ability to get a scoop, but the new power allows her to see Superman’s costume under Clark Kent’s clothing. Superman learns of the ability of the enhanced glasses and arranges for Lois to lose them.

Later at the Daily Planet office, Superman, as Clark, pretends to have found them. Just as Lois begins accusing Clark of being Superman, an escaped con bursts in and shoots Clark.

Next we have "The Ghost of Lois Lane" from Superman #129 by Jerry Coleman, Wayne Boring and Stan Kaye. While Lois is in Professor Grail's laboratory covering a story, Superman uses his X-ray vision to find the Professor. His X-Ray vision sets off a machine that sends Lois into the 4th dimension. The machine explodes leading Superman to believe Lois is dead.

Every time Superman uses his X-ray vision he can now see Lois. He believes that Lois is haunting him because of what he did.

Next is "Lois Lane's Darkest Secret" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #25 by Kurt Schaffenberger. While trailing a movie actress, Lois Lane learns that the employees of a hair salon are using truth gas on their customers and then blackmailing them with their secrets. Lois contacts the actress, Sandra Thorne, and tries to catch the crooks in the act. However, they do not show up forcing Lois to return to the salon.

Lois undergoes the truth gas treatment, but she has taken the antidote. She tries to trick the blackmailers but they learn of her plot. The crooks gas her at her home and force her to reveal the existence of a Kryptonite meteor.

The final story is "The Fattest Girl in Metropolis" from Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #5 by Otto Binder and Kurt Schaffenberger. Lois is the only witness to a murder. She is unable to identify the killer from mug shots, so she fears he will come after her. While visiting Professor Colby, Lois is exposed to a growth ray that causes her to become fat. Lois is embarrassed by her weight and avoids Superman.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.

World's Finest Comics #168

World's Finest Comics #168 (On Sale: June 13, 1967) has a cover by Curt Swan and George Klein. Strange that the Composite Superman is not featured or even mentioned on the cover.

Inside we have the cover story "The Return of the Composite Superman" by Cary Bates, Curt Swan and George Klein. Xan, the son of a space criminal, travels to Earth to avenge his father who died in space prison after being captured by Superman and Batman. Xan duplicates the accident that turned Joe Meach into the Composite Superman by causing artificial lightning to strike a group of Legion statuettes in the Superman Museum. Joe once again becomes the Composite Superman with all the powers of the Legion.

Meach then attacks the World's Finest team. Superman manages to escape and follow clues in the Museum. He learns how his foe got his powers and who he really is. Batman also makes the deduction, but is captured along with Robin.

Superman consults briefly with the Adult Legion of Super-Heroes then returns to the present where he destroys the Legion statuettes. He then confronts Joe, but loses. This was reprinted in Super-Team Family #6.

The book has a Robotman back-up story, "The Testing of Robotman" by Jerry Coleman and Frank Bolle, which is reprinted from Detective Comics #176.

Edited by Mort Weisinger.