The Super-Men (and -Women) of All-Planets

[Jim Kelly]

DC COMICS PRESENTS 87 (November 1985)--1st story, "Year of the Comet" by Elliot S! Maggin, Curt Swan and Al Williamson;
SUPERMAN 414 (December 1985)--"Revenger is Life--Death to Superman" by Maggin, Swan and Williamson:

"Year of the Comet" opens with Superman on the Moon, mourning the death of Supergirl [see CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS 7 (October 1985)]. Two Superman Revenge Squad shipmates witness their hated enemy at a vulnerable moment and take advantage of the situation.



Their beam shifts the Caped Kryptonian from Earth-One to Earth-Prime, where a young Clark Kent flies up (for the first time in his life) to meet the World's Greatest Comic Book Hero.

As this Clark is new to being a "Superboy," the Earth-One Action Ace plays the role of teacher. When Superman first tries to return to his Earth, he can't. Later, the two counterparts finally succeed in bridging the barrier between two worlds, with Superboy now on Earth-One. But not for long as young Clark is sucked into a cosmic vortex.



[continued in the next post following . . .]

[Jim Kelly]

While Superman was on Earth-Prime, the two Revengers broke into the Fortress of Solitude to use the super-computer. Unbeknownst to them this causes an emergency coded message to be sent to Van-Zee and Sylvia (the "New Krypton" that the Kandorians made their home when they were enlarged.

Upon Superman's return to Earth-One, he's taken prisoner aboard the Revenge Squad ship which then goes to Rokyn--where the Man of Steel is powerless.



The super-computer formulated the plan to add to Superman's grief by enslaving the Kandorians.



[continued in the next post following . . .]

[Jim Kelly]

However, because of the coded message she got, Sylvia Van-Zee has been carrying a miniature Phantom Zone projector with her at all times since receiving that message. When the enslaved Kandorians are brought aboard the Revenger ship, to witness Kal-El's humiliation, Sylvia passes the projector to the imprisoned Superman, who blasts his captors with it.





This story ends with Kal-El retrieving the body of Kara Zor-El from orbit around the Earth and bringing her to Rokyn; and Superman delivering the bad news to his aunt and uncle that their daughter is dead. It breaks your heart.

Reality Check: The people of Kandor were enlarged and came to Rokyn, which is in another dimension of space, in SUPERMAN 338 (August 1979)--"Let My People Grow." Rokyn means "Gift of Rao."

In DC COMICS PRESENTS 87, the back-up story is "The Origin of Superboy-Prime" by the same creative team as the first story. It's one of the best re-interpretations of the classic origin story--with a touch of Richard Donner's movie thrown in.



Superboy-Prime was written so well here, that it's shocking to think what was done to him years later.

[Vordan]

https://www.dccomics.com/blog/2021/0...-monkey-prince

Pak’s back at DC! He’s writing the Kenan story surprisingly not Yang, who is writing a story about a new character called the “Monkey Prince”. Cool to have Pak back at DC and writing *a* Superman story again.

[Jim Kelly]

A List of Super-Beings and Creations of All-Planets (part 1)
--chronological by cover date of 1st appearance--

▽ indicates a Superbaby/Superboy adventure
✫ honourable mention, questionable status
bolded are prominent entries

1942-49

• Mister Sinister in the 4th Dimension 05-06/42
• Mr. Mxyztplk of Zrfff in the 5th Dimension 04/44--a.k.a. Mxyzptlk, Maxy Z Toplik, John Trix, O’Rourke et al
• The Collector from Another Dimension 03-04/47
• Regor of Uuz (Winki Lamm) 05-06/49

1950-55

• Orson Welles vs. Martler and the Solazis of Mars 01-02/50
• ▽Marsboy of Mars (Sutri a.k.a. Joe Mars) 05-06/51
• Zor, has Z-Rays & thought manipulators, lacks metals--Superman is Klarkash Kenton 05/52
• Halk Kar of Thoron 01-02/53
• Tharka, Superwoman of Zor, mutant ahead of her time 03-04/53
• Ysl and other "Yeast-People" 09-10/53
• ▽ Interplanetary Circus 03/54
• ▽A green shape-shifter from outer space 06/54
• ▽Kral of Titan 10/54
• ▽Superboy searches various worlds for "Impossible Creatures" 11/54
• The alien that said "Krllg" from an unnamed asteroid 01-02/55

1956-57

• Little, green aliens from Thura 01/56
• Vitor Vall of Skar 03/56--Vitar’s wife, son, daughter & parents
• Sharn of Iwo 09/56
• The souvenir crystal brain from another world 09/56
• ▽Power-Boy of Juno (Zarl Vorne) 10/56
• ▽Flying Horse from a planet of intelligent horses 11/56
• Danny the Dinosur, Dinosaur World 04/57
• Queen Latora of Vergo 05/57
• Gollo of Zar 11/57
• Super Youth of Dorth (Jimmy Olsen) 12/57

1958-59

• Skyboy of Kormo (Tharn) 01-02/58
• The Batman of Zur-En-Arrh (Tlano) 02/58
• Kell Orr of Xenon 02/58
• ▽Dworn (a.k.a. Alan) 06/58
• Two gambling co-workers from Xlym (plus their unseen "Supervisor") 07-08/58
• Superman's Solar System 08/58
• The aliens from "Planet-X" 09/58
• The Jovians of Jupiter 10/58
• Lois Lane's ring, Superman made of alien metal 02/59
• ▽Vidal of the Inter-Galactic Patrol (Allen Greene) 05/59
• Superlad of Zollum (Jimmy Olsen) 09/59
• ▽Kosmon the Hunter and the “blob” 11/59
• Khalex from an unnamed planet, the Police Chief of that planet 11/59
• ▽The Super-Aliens of the Superboy Planet 12/59
• ▽Dog-eating plants planetoid; world that worships dogs 12/59

1960

• ▽Shar-La, the Space Traveller 01/60
• Ronal, merman surgeon from a water world 02/60
• ▽Solar Boy (in another galaxy) 02/60
• The unnamed movie mogul from Kzotl 03/60
• The monster world where Jimmy Olsen is a horror picture star 03/60
• Valzorr, Prince of Korvia (a.k.a. Johnny Blank) 04/60
• Hyper-Man of Oceania (Chester King) 06/60
• The robot warrior from an alien world 06/60
• ▽Ral, Jinnia and Varl Quorz of Xenon 06/60
• The mirror-bellied speculator 06/60
• Princess Jena of Adoria 07/60
• Astounding Man of Roxnon 07/60
• ▽6-3KX from Zaron 07/60
• ▽The Kryptonite Kid of Blor and his dog 09/60
• Superman's Pet that said "Gleek" 09/60
• ▽The Leader and his red invaders 10/60
• Superman rebuilds on a faraway planet 11/60
• Alba, leader of the resistance on Zoron 12/60
• Chorn, leader of the Baxian invaders 12/60
• ▽Mighty Boy of Zumoor (Thomas Keith a.k.a. Zarl Kazzan) 12/60

1961-62

• The Space Dragon "asteroid" 01/61
• Marvel Maid & Marvel Man of Terra (Lea Lindy & Ken Clark) 01/61
• Miss Gzptlsnz of Zrfff in the 5th Dimension 04/61
• ▽Kolli of Mogar (Krypto's First Romance); the planet Zena 03/61
• ▽The Red Ones--transplanted to an advanced planet 04/61
• Vathgar and the Skran of another dimension world 06/61
• The Practical-Joke-Planetoid 06/61
• Xasnu, plant intelligence from Zelm 07/61
• ▽Mon-El of Daxam (Lar Gand) 06/61
• Klor of Belvos, Belvos council 12/61
• The green yo-yo giant of an alien world (apocryphal) 12/61
• ▽Wexr II, homeworld of the Superboy Revenge Squad 01/62
• Duplicators of Nyorp: Flame-People of Mringa; the great beast of Lonar, the Infinite Monster from another universe 02/62
• ▽The Brain Globes from Rambat 02/62
• Logi of Durim (a.k.a. "The Alien Super-Boy") and his pet Quisto 03/62
• Princess Ilona of the Sunev galaxy 03/62
• Ilona’s four husbands of the Sunev galaxy 03/62--Vangar, Duran, Rogor and Berek
• ▽The Xnorians of Xnor 03/62
• The alien army from Xar 04/62
• The Superwoman of Staryl (Luma Lynai) 06/62
• Zerno, Sorceror from Ybor, his assistant Sborg 08/62
• Princess Allura of the Ashtar galaxy 10/62
• ▽Valhalla of Super-Companions 12/62--Liquidman, Stormboy, Tree-Man, Telepathy Man, Shadowman
• ▽Othar of Thrann, the Super-World 12/62
• A travelling troupe of alien performers 12/62
• Planets of Sinzar, Antella, Unxar, and Karos 12/62

1963-64

• ✫Super-Turtle (Tur-Tel) from Galapagon [apocryphal?] 01/63
• Mutant super-ants from a nuclear holocaust world 01/63
• Super-Male of Soomar (Irn Brimba) 05/63
• Hajal and other colonists from the planet Zermb 05/63
• Supposed Super-Suitors of Lois Lane 07/63
• Wonder-Man, formerly called Ajax--born a robot, died a man 08/63
• Rona of the Seventh Dimension 12/63
• ▽Super-Youth of Brozz (Frank Merrill) 12/63
• Ardora, Tharla of Lexor 02/64
• Defender of Lexor (Lex Luthor) 04/64
• Shalzor in galaxy K-4L; Paratopia; unnamed outlaw planet 04/64
• The Unknown Superman (Bamor, a.k.a. Strong Bear) 05/64
• Zigi and Zagi from Alpha-Centauri 08/64
• Zyra from Alpha-Centauri, Zigi and Zagi's sister 09/64
• Red Ant-Men, led by Vorax, from a distant world 09/64
• Illena of Kromal, Superman Revenge Squad Agent X9831Q 10/64
• ✫The Honor Team of Thronn 10/64--Energiman, Golden Blade, Strong Girl, Magicko
• Prison for Heroes, on Vor 11/64--Electric Man, Balloon Man, the Freezer, the Flame
• Vel Quennar of Lexor, Superman's attorney 11/64

1965-66

• Herko from another dimension 01/65
• The Four Galatic Thiefmasters 02/65
• Lahla of the Thorone World 02/65
• Miss Platonia, Dialla of Platonia 03/65
• Plim from Antron; a Snork 04/65
• Zagga from another dimension, Herko's girl friend 05/65
• Shara and Gnor from Salan 06/65
• Rogg and Vikk from the Duplor galaxy 07/65
• ▽Bonzor of the Dog Star planet, in the Sirius system 07/65
• The superstitious humanoids of Zhonda, the zig-zag planetoid 02/66
• ▽Chameleon creature on a roving planetoid (Superbaby's alien pet 1) 06/66
• The Peace Vigilantes of Zarria 07/66
• ▽Space Canine Patrol Agents 07/66--Tail Terrier (the Top Dog), Tusky Husky, Chameleon Collie, Hot Dog, Bull Dog, Paw Pooch, Mammoth Mutt (deceased)--from various worlds of intelligent canines
• ▽Space Cat Patrol Agents 07/66--Atomic Tom, Crab-Tabby and Power Puss--from various worlds of intelligent felines
• Galora, the Girl from Mord 09/66
• Jemphis' Collection of Heroes 12/66--Aeroman and Windlass; Solarman; Serpento of Orzak; Dr. Chill of Klon Kado; Zardin the Boy Marvel of Nangar

[Jim Kelly]

A List of Super-Beings and Creations of All-Planets (part 2)

1967-69

• ▽Mammoth Miss and Prophetic Pup, new S.C.P.Agents 03/67
• Rinol-Jag, the sole survivor of Salitar 04/67
• ▽Vau Sulor of Kaprice (a.k.a. Kit-El) 04/67--plus Qor Sulor's family
• The Supreme Brain, a powerful space traveller that is all brain 07/67
• ▽Ron-Avon of Belgor (a.k.a. Ron Avnet) 09/67
• Lloru of Moxia, under a red sun 11/67
• Knarf, the space-hunter 01/68
• ▽Hyperboy of Trombus (a.k.a. Kirk Quentin) 01/68--the Hyper-Family (Mr. & Mrs. Quentin) and Klypso the Hyperdog
• ▽Jolax of Thraxx, in another dimension 03/68
• Dyno-Man of Sorrta 05/68
• ▽Zkor 06/68
• Avian people of Knorr 07/68
• The Sentinels of Sraghalni 10/68
• Kingdom of a red-yellow solar system 11/68
• Nador of the Omega Commandos 02/69
• Rol-Noc, Kal-El's Godfather 07/69
• The Eliminator from Rhadmanth (a.k.a. Phantas) 08/69
• Mr. and Mrs. Superman of Terra, their son Jor, in the mirror dimension 08/69
• The Liquidators, Dorx and Krit, of the Superman Revenge Squad 09/69
• Police from Durla, shape shifters 11/69
• Enforcer NS-II of the Intergalactic Prison Police 12/69

1970-72

• Satdev of Nferino 07/70
• Supro of Morgu, the Execution Planet 08/70
• Althera of Vrandar, a Space-Amazon 12/70
• The Sandman from Quarrm (a.k.a. the Sand Superman) 01/71
• Two sea creatures from Quor, a waterworld 02/71
• The Galactic Golem 02/72
• Terra-Man (Toby Manning) 03/72
• Baby E.T. 05/72
• The Kleth from Belmont in the Betelgeuse star system 07/72
• Xviar from Homeworld (a.k.a. Xavier a.k.a. Mr. X) 07/72
• The Sun-Thrivers of Rao 08/72
• War-Horn 10/72
• The Phantom Planet 10/72

1973-79

• Towbee, the Minstrel of Space (a.k.a. the Master) 01/73
• Space Tunnel 04/74
• Captain Thunder (Willie Fawcett) 06/74
• Vartox of Valeron (Vernon O’Valeron) 11/74
• Karb-Brak from the Andromeda galaxy (Andrew Meda) 06/76
• ✫Ardora Luthor of Lexor (Dora Redson), daughter of Lex and Ardora [apocryphal] 06/76
• ▽Stranded pilot of a space-ship (Superbaby's alien pet 2) 03-04/77
• Jevik of the Klynn 05/77
• Pegleg Portia from Aquaterra in another galaxy; a world of intelligent dogs 12/77
• Aylem of the Zelkot and Islayn of the Volkir 07-08/78
• Miss Bgbznz of Zrfff in the 5th Dimension 05/79
• ▽The Xyth, super-sorcerors in a far star system 05-06/79
• The Orbitrons from Orbitron 07/79
• ▽Klaxxu of Aryll (Philip Mason) 09-10/79

1980-85

• ▽Byrn and Myla, last of their world 01/80
• ▽The two miraculous aliens 05/80
• ▽Romax and Ewula of Vulx (posing as Herb and Lydia Mason) 07/80
• ▽Povla and the Grand Luom of Ulmara 08/81
• ▽Muhr of Baltur 08/81
• ▽Captive of the Red Sun 08/81
• ▽The Phantom from Crystal Lake 09/81
• Many limbed, jaundiced space beast 10/81
• Weapon-Master 1o/81
• Nryana, Superman Revenge Squad Agent 12/81
• ▽Invisible alien invaders 12/81
• ▽Dr. Chaos, a Lord of Chaos 01/82
• ▽Trohnn, the Rogue Revenger 08/82
• ▽Loretta's Magic Book and her imp Gazook 10/82
• A time-space anomaly 02/83
• ▽N'll of Hjlln in the Vgahrt galaxy 04/83
• Robrox 05/83
• Lex Luthor II of Lexor, son of Lex and Ardora 06/83
• Invisible alien visitors 10/83
• ▽"Dave" of Hujor, in another universe 04/84
• ▽Herzz of Drulok 05/84
• The Revenge Squad attack on Rokyn 11/85

1989-94

• Draaga 05/89
• Maxima of Almerac 09/89
• Kismet (Sharon Vance a.k.a. Strange Visitor) 09/92
• ✫Icon of Terminus (Arnus a.k.a. Augustus Freeman IV) 05/93
• Alpha Centurion of the Vimuru homeworld (Marcus Aelius) 09/94

[Jim Kelly]

SUPERMAN 164 (October 1963)--1st story, "The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman" by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and George Klein; r. SUPERMAN 239 [G-84] (June-July 1971)
SUPERMAN 167 (February 1964)--"The Team of Luthor and Brainiac" by Hamilton, Swan and Klein; r. SUPERMAN 245 [DC-7] (December 1971 - January 1972)
SUPERMAN 168 (April 1964)--1st story, "Luthor--Super-Hero" by Hamilton, Swan and Klein; 2nd story, "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor" by Leo Dorfman, Swan and Klein:


Lexor is one of the more important planets in the classic adventures of Superman and it was introduced in one heck of a story.



SUPERMAN 164 has Lex Luthor issue a challenge to his mortal enemy that they settle their dispute once and for all on neutral ground. The Man of Steel chooses a planet for their fight with conditions similar to that of Krypton (red sun, heavy gravity), so he will have no super-powers there.



After the first round of their bare-knuckle brawl, the adversaries are separated and Lex discovers a city where the inhabitants have reverted to a primitive existence, yet there's ample evidence of a once mighty civilization with great scientific achievements.

Luthor activates a treasure trove of technical marvels. However, despite his best efforts to find water on the desert planet, there's no hope of saving the inhabitants from an environmental catastrophe.

[Jim Kelly]

When Superman arrives in the city and the two childhood friends renew their duel, Lex ends up throwing the fight.





The Action Ace pilots their rocketship back to Earth, with Luthor in his custody. However, once beyond the red sun, with the Big Red S back at full strength, the defeated desperado begs the Man of Tomorrow to land on a frozen world and use his super-strength to pitch masses of ice toward the dying planet.

On Earth and returned to prison, Lex is visited by his former pal who shows him that a statue has been erected in his honour by the inhabitants of the one world where he is a hero.

[Jim Kelly]

Note: Swan and Klein give Lex a more athletic build, making it credible that he would be a match for a powerless Superman. When "The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman" was adapted in the Sunday strip, that same year, Wayne Boring rendered Luthor as the bulky boss he had been in the 1950s.



Luthor revisits this planet in SUPERMAN 167, having teamed up with Brainiac for revenge on the Metropolis Marvel. When they land there, Lex is hailed by the citizens as their hero. A young woman steps forward and introduces herself as "Tharla". She asks him to stay and gives him a kiss, but Luthor must continue with Brainiac in their vendetta against the Defender of Truth.

[Jim Kelly]

The Deadly Duo are unsuccessful in their revenge plot, but escape punishment at the end of this epic adventure and Brainiac's saucer ship returns Luthor to his world of admirers as "Tharla" rushes to greet her champion.



Their love story picks up in the next issue (168) and now "Tharla" is called Ardora. Obviously they just forgot her name and gave her a different one in this story, but a fan theory is that "Tharla" isn't Ardora's name but means something else in her native tongue. Tharla could mean a young woman who is ready for a mate or it could be an honorific distinguishing her high position in society.



In tribute to their saviour, the world is renamed Lexor. What it was called before this is never revealed.

On a secret mission to find Lex Luthor and bring him back to Earth, the Man of Might arrives on Lexor. As he creeps into a museum dedicated to Luthor, the Man of Tomorrow comes across multi-coloured crystals, used by Lexorians for illumination.



The Caped Kryptonian decides to steal the crystals rather than capture Lex, but he’s caught in the act by Ardora.

[Jim Kelly]

Kal-El makes a run for it. Meanwhile, Luthor has perfected a special ray that gives him super-powers. In the guise of the Defender, he hunts down his hated enemy and the Metropolis Marvel lands in a prison cell.



After breaking out of prison, the powerless Superman is once more apprehended by the Defender. Unmasking himself, Lex intends to exterminate the Action Ace. However, the Champion of the Oppressed pleads his case--that he stole the crystals because they emit rays that dull brain activity, which helps to explain the primitive state the Lexorians had reverted to after being such an advanced society.



Luthor then allows his foe to leave Lexor with the crystals, so Superman might destroy them.

[Jim Kelly]

In the next part, a month later on Lexor, Luthor is brooding over Earth's Greatest Super-Hero. Ardora begs him to be happy on her world with his palace, his splendid laboratory and her. But Lex can’t be at peace until he’s destroyed his nemesis.



Having created an artificial red Kryptonite, the scientist intends to use it against his adversary. Luthor rockets from Lexor to Earth, but his ship accelerates too fast, sending him back into Earth’s past, in the year 1906.

The rest of the story is set in San Francisco and Lex is unable to return to the woman he loves.

[Jim Kelly]

ACTION COMICS 318 (November 1964) - 319 (December 1964)--1st stories, "The Death of Luthor"; "The Condemned Superman" by Hamilton, Swan and Klein; r. THE BEST OF DC 27 (August 1982):

In ACTION COMICS 318, Luthor once more escapes incarceration on Earth and rockets back to his adopted world. Lexor holds a great celebration in his honour. Following the ancient traditions of the planet, Lex Luthor and Ardora are joined as husband and wife.

[Jim Kelly]

Of course, the Big Red S comes to Lexor again, to hunt down his fugitive foe. On his way to the main city, the enemy of the people is recognized by a hunter in the planet’s weird jungle. This Lexorian attempts to lead the stranger into a trap, but a Truth Beast forces the hunter to confess. The All-Star Alien finally arrives in the great city, in an area decorated with megalithic statues, where Luthor confronts him.

Lex has promised Ardora that he will not kill the Kryptonian. As the two fight, the Metropolis Marvel lands a blow that sends his former friend to the ground, hitting his head on a statue. Seeing that their hero is dead, an angry mob attacks Luthor's killer, pelting him with the carved stones from the Field of Gods. Kal-El falls into the Living Lake, where the crowd would leave him to die.



However, Ardora, always the voice of reason and justice, begs for his life to be spared so he might be held to account for his crimes in a court of law.

In keeping with the U.S.S.R. style imagery of these stories--such as the statue of Luthor seen in every adventure that resembles statues of Lenin in the Soviet bloc--the body of Luthor is put in a glass coffin, like that which holds Lenin. The universe’s worst criminals (including Brainiac) come to pay homage to the great leader as he lies in state.



Meanwhile, the Caped Kryptonian is bound over for trial and Vel Quennar is assigned to defend him. The lawyer is reluctant to plead the alien assassin's case, yet still believes in the rule of law and that everyone is entitled to a fair trial. With the Action Ace now in custody for Luthor’s murder, his trial adjourns until the next issue.

[Jim Kelly]

The next issue (319) begins as Kal-El goes on trial. A boy, an adult woman, and an old man sit on the jury, so whatever age of the accused, there is one juror in the same stage of life. The prosecution witnesses give their testimony, then Vel Quennar puts his client on the stand. The accused tells the truth as he knows it--that he came to their world to take the fugitive back to prison--but the Lexorians refuse to believe Lex is a criminal.





His trial adjourned for the day and back in his cell, Kal-El sees a prisoner led to the Stone Room for execution, where the convict is turned to stone.

The next day, the accused alien has a chance to lie and say that he was under the influence of a Madness Flower, but the Kryptonian speaks the truth. This convinces Vel Quennar that his client really is innocent. That evening Vel goes to Kal-El's cell, where he allows himself to be overpowered by the prisoner, who escapes in the guise of his lawyer.

Gaining access to Luthor’s laboratory, the fugitive crime-fighter finds coma drugs and a shock restorative chemical. Putting two and two together, he realizes that the rogue scientist faked his death. At the glass coffin, Clark uses the shock restorative chemical to revive Lex.