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  1. #136
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    Default Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?

    Vartox Redux

    It seems that Vartox led a life that was a series of unfortunate events.

    He makes a final farewell cameo appearance in "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" ACTION COMICS 583 (September 1986) by Alan Moore, Curt Swan and Kurt Schaffenberger. He's shown on page 5 and page 22 of the story--on that last page, he's cradling the dead Lana Lang in his arms.

    There doesn't seem to have been anymore that was done with Karb-Brak or the other super-beings of his unnamed planet. Too bad, as they were funny looking aliens and another planet of super-people could always come in handy.

    Post-Crisis/Post-Flashpoint/Post-Rebirth, there have been a few Vartoxes (or Vartoces?), but I haven't done any deep research on them. They don't have the extreme powers of the original and seem to be boors. In the classic stories, he was a manly man, but he was always a well-mannered fellow when he was in his right mind. Superman had a great respect for him as a hero. It doesn't seem like the various attempts to revive Vartox have demonstrated the same admiration for the character.

    He also seems to have gained a widow's peak; whereas, classic Vartox had a receding hairline with no widow's peak. I can't stress how important this distinctive receding hairline is to the character--it makes him a much more sympathetic person! [It's more of a James Caan receding hairline than a Jude Law receding hairline, if you catch my drift.]

    POWER GIRL (second series) 7 (February 2010) had a cover by Amanda Conner and Paul Mounts that mocks the classic Nick Cardy cover for SUPERMAN 281 (November 1974).



  2. #137
    Astonishing Member Johnny Thunders!'s Avatar
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    I love Vartox and Karb Brak but the names don’t roll off the tongue. Those designs are something else. I’m sure Bates is as much responsible as much as Curt Swan. I know Vartox is based on Sean Connery and a crazy Sci Fi flick but Karb Brak is unreal.

  3. #138
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    Quote Originally Posted by Johnny Thunders! View Post
    I love Vartox and Karb Brak but the names don’t roll off the tongue. Those designs are something else. I’m sure Bates is as much responsible as much as Curt Swan. I know Vartox is based on Sean Connery and a crazy Sci Fi flick but Karb Brak is unreal.
    I can just imagine Cary Bates watching ZARDOZ in the theatre and being so excited by the idea of Connery's character that he had to rush home and write a Vartox story. Curt Swan must've been given some of the promotional art from the movie to come up with his Vartox design.

    The premise--that you have a twin on another planet and when they die you die--sounds like a science fiction story I've heard of before--maybe Julie gave that idea to Cary.

    The way the first Karb-Brak arc ends--with Andrew Meda as a Joe Average who doesn't know he used to be a super-being on another planet--that's stone cold. A lot like Charlie Kweskill. That Clark would have been perfectly fine with leaving Andrew that way didn't speak highly of his character. It's good that they found a way to restore Karb-Brak to his own world.

  4. #139
    Astonishing Member Johnny Thunders!'s Avatar
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    There is a Solomon Grundy story, maybe 2 actually, where Superman makes a decision to do something cruel to stop the threat. Sometimes he reflects on it and feels bad, other times, he winks and smiles.

  5. #140
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    Default Contest of Heroes/Battle of the Super-Heroes/Super-Foes from Planet X

    The alien that said "Krllg"--unnamed asteroid homeworld
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 74 (January-February 1955), "The Contest of Heroes" (Bill Finger/Curt Swan/Stan Kaye), r. 80 PAGE GIANT MAGAZINE No. 15 (October 1965).

    This story seems to be a revarnishing of Finger's "The Thing From 40,000 A.D." in SUPERMAN 87 (February 1954) as some of the same incidents are replayed in this plot, but in this instance the creature isn't from the far future, but from an asteroid world (presumably in our solar system). It hops a ride on board an experimental rocket from Earth and when it lands on our planet, it's perceived to be a hostile menace.

    Although it speaks basic English, it has one alien word in its vocabulary, "Krllg." In the end, Batman deduces that the alien is a child and "Krllg" actually means play. It just wants to play and assumes the forms of Batman and Superman, because it idolizes them. When the "Krllg" loving alien returns home, it takes the shape of the Super-Batman--a half and half appearance, like the later Composite Superman. It seems that all the inhabitants of this asteroid can copy anyone and their abilities.



    Two gambling co-workers from Xlym (plus their unseen "Supervisor")
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 95 (July-August 1958), "The Battle of the Super-Heroes" (Dave Wood/Dick Sprang/Ray Burnley), r. 80 PAGE GIANT MAGAZINE No. 15 (October 1965).

    When Batman suddenly gets super-powers, he becomes the bitter rival of Superman. Robin is at a loss to explain why the two friends are now enemies and he must use subtle manipulation to get them to co-operate with each other. Then the Boy Wonder is transported via a beam (like Adam Strange's Zeta Beam) to the planet Xlym, where two co-workers there had made a bet to see whether Batman or Superman would win in a fair fight.

    They had beamed the World's Finest Duo to their planet, gave Batman powers and subjected both to a hate ray before removing their memory of the experience. When the alien's Superior approaches, the two send Robin back to Earth and everything goes back to normal. The Boy Wonder assumes that the Supervisor reversed the machinations of his underlings.



    The aliens from "Planet-X"
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 96 (September 1958), "The Super-Foes from Planet-X" (Edmond Hamilton/Sprang/Kaye), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 161 [G-28] (October 1966).

    Aliens from an unknown planet--Planet X--release challenges from their world on our planet, to study how Superman, Batman and Robin would handle them. The people of Planet X have become lazy and incompetent, because their machines took care of these natural enemies. But now that most of their machines have broken down, they need to learn how to take care of themselves.


  6. #141
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    Default Alien Superman/Star Creatures/Alien Who Doomed Robin

    Khalex from an unnamed planet, the Police Chief of that planet

    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 105 (November 1959), "The Alien Superman" (Finger/Sprang/Sheldon Moldoff), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 161 [G-28] (October 1966).

    Khalex is an escaped prisoner from an unnamed planet where everyone has super-powers. He embarks on an elaborate scheme to rid himself of a Gargolex meteor, a substance that robs him of his powers no matter where it is on Earth. After Superman, Batman and Robin thwart Khalex's plans, the Man of Steel takes him back to the authorities on his homeworld--and the Caped Kryptonian is rewarded with a framed photo of that planet's police chief. Khalex's powers include flight, super-strength, flaming vision and vibrating vision.



    The movie mogul from Kzotl
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 108 (March 1960), "The Star Creatures" (Jerry Coleman/Sprang/Moldoff), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 170 [G-40] (October-November 1967).

    An alien movie producer uses true-to life robotic copies of creatures from other planets to lure Superman, Batman and Robin into action so he can film their feats for the entertainment of those on his homeworld, Kzotl. The film mogul has access to several advanced gadgets and can also communicate telepathically. But cinema is his greatest power.



    The mirror-bellied speculator
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 110 (June 1960), "The Alien Who Doomed Robin" (Coleman/Sprang/Moldoff), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 161 [G-28] (October 1966).

    A green behemoth with four arms like tentacles arrives on Earth to use a shrink ray to steal some empty buildings. His aim is to take those, along with buildings shrunk on other planets, back to his homeworld and unshrink them for a great exhibit of buildings from other worlds. The lumbering alien can generate a magnetic field, eject fire or jets from his tentacles and has a mirror-like belly which steals part of Robin's life force.


  7. #142
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    Default The Menace of Superman's Pet

    Superman's Pet that said "Gleek"
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 112 (September 1960), "The Menace of Superman's Pet" (Coleman/Sprang/Moldoff), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 170 [G-40] (October-November 1967).

    One day, returning from a mission in outer space, the Man of Steel discovers that a cute, furry space animal has hitched a ride on his cape. The little fellow can only say "Gleek!" It has formed an instant attachment to Superman and copies everything he does, sometimes to disastrous results. And when the Red and Blue Blur leaves him for any amount of time, the little ball of fur grows into a towering menace, creating mayhem.





    As much as he loves his little green pet, Superman realizes that it can't remain on Earth, so they return to outer space. However, Superman gets caught in a meteor storm and is struck down by a large Kryptonite meteor. Now lying on a dead planet, his life in peril, the Man of Tomorrow is rescued by his adorable companion, who has the power to absorb the lethal radiation from the Kryptonite, saving Superman but killing his pet.


  8. #143
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    Default Captives of the Space Globes/Creature...Exchanged for Superman

    Alba, leader of the resistance on Zoron
    Chorn, leader of the Baxian invaders
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 114 (December 1960), "Captives of the Space Globes" (Coleman/Sprang/Moldoff).

    Batman and Robin are abducted to the planet of Zoron, to be held as hostages by the resistance force there (led by Alba), so that Superman might fight off their Baxian invaders. However, with that world's strange green mist (not Kryptonite, but a substance like it), the Man of Steel has no power.



    Ironically, once freed, the Dynamic Duo have the powers of Superman on Zoron--whether that's due to the purple sun, the green mist or a combination of both, none may know. Zoron once had mighty war machines and the leader of the Baxians--Chorn--exhumes such ancient artifacts to put them back into use. However, from outside the Zorian atmosphere where he still has powers, Superman hurls a great meteor down to smash Chorn's armoured vehicle and thwart the Baxian attack.


    Vathgar and the Skran of an extra-dimension world
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 118 (June 1961), "The Creature That Was Exchanged for Superman," (Coleman/Sprang/Moldoff), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 206 [G-88] (October-November 1971).

    In a bid to conquer his world in another dimension of the space-time continuum, Vathgar exchanges Superman for a Skran (a large orange beast, akin to Gritty from the Philadelphia Flyers). On the other world, Superman's powers work differently--super-breath is flame breath and heat vision is ice vision--while in our world, when the Skran consumes iron ore it displays magnificent powers of its own.


  9. #144
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    Default Capture of Superman/Sorceror from the Stars

    Klor of Belvos, Belvos tribunal
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 122 (December 1961), "The Capture of Superman" (Coleman/Jim Mooney/Moldoff), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 197 [G-76] (October-November 1970).

    Batman and Robin trap Superman and take him to the planet Belvos to face a tribunal there, where he is accused of committing acts of destruction on their world. However, in truth it was Klor who framed Superman and convinced both the tribunal and the Dynamic Duo to arrest Superman, while he went to Earth to steal giant gems, posing as the Man of Steel.



    Zerno, Sorceror from Ybor, his assistant Sborg
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 127 (August 1962), "The Sorceror from the Stars" (Coleman/Mooney/Moldoff).

    Zerno, a Sorceror from the planet Ybor, plunders the Earth and the World's Finest are frustrated in their efforts to capture him, by Robin's fumbles. But the truth is Zerno's assistant Sborg has taken Robin's place. Zerno has a weakness for bronze.


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    Default Riddle of the Four Planets

    A travelling troupe of alien performers
    Planets of Sinzar, Antella, Unxar, and Karos
    WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 130 (December 1962), "Riddle of the Four Planets" (Coleman/Mooney), r. WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 206 [G-88] (October-November 1971).

    The Earth is menaced by a giant starfish--very much resembling Starro the Conqueror--which is here called a Zelaphod. Having attached itself to the hull of spaceship, it was unwittingly brought to our world by a troupe of alien performers.





    The World's Finest must set out across the cosmos to the four planets of Sinzar, Antella, Unxar, and Karos, where they hope to find the needed ingredients to destroy the Zelaphod.


  11. #146
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    Adding more to the list of . . . Super-Beings of All-Planets;
    a chronological list by cover date of first meeting--

    ▽ indicates a Superboy adventure
    ✫ honourable mention
    bolded are top draft picks

    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

    1951-54

    • ▽Marsboy of Mars (Sutri a.k.a. Joe Mars) 05-06/51
    • The Menace of Zar 05/52--Klarkash Kenton (Superman)
    • Halk Kar of Thoron 01-02/53
    • ▽ 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

    1955-57

    • The alien that said "Krllg" from an unnamed asteroid. 01-02/55
    • 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
    • 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
    • Hyper-Man of Oceania (Chester King) 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
    • 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
    • ▽Mon-El of Daxam (Lar Gand) 06/61
    • Klor of Belvos, Belvos council 12/61
    • Marvel Maid & Marvel Man of Terra (Lea Lindy & Ken Clark) 02/62
    • ▽The Brain Globes from Rambat 02/62
    • Logi of Durim (a.k.a. "The Alien Super-Boy") 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

    • 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
    • Rona of the Seventh Dimension 12/63
    • ▽Super-Youth of Brozz (Frank Merrill) 12/63
    • 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
    • [b]Zigi and Zagi from Alpha-Centauri 08/64[b]
    • 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 10/64
    • ✫The Honor Team of Thronn 10/64--Energiman, Golden Blade, Strong Girl, Magicko
    • Prison for Heroes 11/64--Electric Man, Balloon Man, the Freezer, the Flame

    1965-66

    • Herko from another dimension 01/65
    • 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
    • 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

    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
    • ▽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)
    • Dyno-Man of Sorrta 05/68
    • ▽Zkor 06/68
    • The Sentinels 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
    • Police from Durla, shape shifters 11/69
    • Enforcer NS-II of the Intergalactic Prison Police 12/69

    1970-76

    • Satdev of Nferino 07/70
    • Althera of Vandara, a Space-Amazon 12/70
    • The Sandman from Quarrm (a.k.a. the Sand Superman) 01/71
    • Captain Thunder (Willie Fawcett) 06/74
    • Vartox of Valeron (Vernon O’Valeron) 11/74
    • Karb-Brak from the Andromeda Galaxy (Andrew Meda) 06/76

    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
    Last edited by Jim Kelly; 10-22-2020 at 09:25 AM. Reason: revision

  12. #147
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    Default Unwanted Souvenirs and Super-Pets

    SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 15 (September 1956)--3rd story, "Unwanted Superman Souvenirs" by Otto Binder, Curt Swan and Ray Burnley; r. SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 131 [G-74] (August-September 1970):

    One day, Jimmy Olsen shows off his collection of Superman souvenirs to his friend Clark Kent, including the latest addition, a crystal object that the Man of Steel brought from another planet for his pal. However, immediately after this, Jimmy begins tossing out his collectables in different places around the city. Superman is heartbroken, but he soon figures out a pattern to Jimmy's behaviour. In fact, the other world crystal is not a lifeless object but a brain. It wants to be returned to its own planet, but can only communicate indirectly through telepathic suggestion. Finally understanding that he had taken this being from its home, Superman returns it to the world it came from.



    SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 20 (April 1957)--1st story, "Jimmy Olsen's Super-Pet" (Binder/Swan/Burnley):

    Jimmy's new pet, Danny the Dinosaur, is born from an egg that Superman found in a glacier.



    The fast growing dino proves too much for the cub reporter and in the end, when it pines for others of its kind, Superman takes the reptile to a Dinosaur World, so it won't be lonely. However, it turns out Danny was a she, as she has left behind an egg for Jimmy (seems to me this egg would be unfertilized, given Danny was the only dinosaur of her kind after she was hatched).


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    Default Second Superboys

    SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 25 (December 1957)--2nd story, "The Second Superboy" (Binder/Swan/Burnley):

    Before Jimmy was Superlad of Zollum--in “The Superlad of Space,” SUPERMAN’S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN No. 39 (September 1959), already covered on this thread--he was Super Youth of Dorth.

    Professor Potter builds a rocketship for Jimmy to travel to the planet Dorth, where he has super-powers. He calls himself Super Youth, but pursued by robot cops, he's adopted by Dad Krezz, who gives him a wig and caped costume so he'll fit in as just a normal boy on Dorth, with the name Jimmy Krezz. Olsen doesn't realize that his adoptive father is really a criminal bent on overthrowing the democratic robot government.



    Speaking of "Second Superboy" stories, I recently re-read the first Mon-El story and I realized something I had missed before in “Superboy’s Big Brother”/“The Secret of Mon-El” by Robert Bernstein and George Papp, SUPERBOY 89 (June 1961); r. SUPERBOY 129 [G-22] (May 1966).



    That story opens with Clark and the Kents on their way home (as by then they were living in town and not on the farm), when Clark sees the rocketship landing nearby. This is almost the same as the opening for "The Journey of the Second Superboy," by Bill Finger, Curt Swan and Sy Barry, where Clark meets Kral from Titan, in ADVENTURE COMICS 205 (October 1954), r. 80 PAGE GIANT MAGAZINE 10 (May 1965).



    The story follows a similar direction, as the Kents take in both Kral and Mon-El alike, and both second superboys help out our Superboy. The difference is that Kral really is trying to deceive Clark, where Mon-El is innocent. In fact, it's only because Superboy has jumped to so many conclusions about Mon-El that he feels betrayed and stupidly gets his "big brother" killed (or as good as), while with Kral he was too trusting.

    From an in-story perspective, if Clark recalls how he was betrayed before by another brother, that might explain his behaviour toward Mon-El (but even so, I find his treatment of Lar Gand inexcusable). From a real world perspective, if Bernstein was using the original story as his road map and trying to hit the same story beats, it explains why Superboy's actions are so forced and out of character.

    Edmond Hamilton and Al Plastino--in "Superman's Big Brother," SUPERMAN 80 (January-February 1953)--certainly provided the main idea for the Mon-El story but "Journey of the Second Superboy" must have had a big influence also.

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    Default Son, Sun, Jovian

    SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 30 (August 1958)--1st story, "Superman's Son" (Binder/Swan/Burnley); r. 80 PAGE GIANT MAGAZINE No. 2 (September 1964):

    One day, the Man of Steel decides to adopt the orphan Jimmy as his son, for a thirty day trial period. And as they now share a life together (although he keeps his Clark Kent identity a secret), the Man of Tomorrow gives Jimmy a tour of the Fortress of Solitude--including a super-mural of a new solar system that the Action Ace created.



    However, Superman's disposition changes and he begins to treat Jimmy with contempt. Soon enough, Jimmy decides to cancel the adoption process. Only then does he find out that his would-be father had become a cranky-pants to push Jimmy away, because the super-calculator in the Fortress predicted Superman would destroy his son. Olsen realizes that the Man of Steel misunderstood and it's actually the Superman's sun. Which is what happens--the sun is a dead star and must be destroyed to be replaced by a hot, new star.



    SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 32 (October 1958)--3rd story, "The Jimmy Olsen from Jupiter" by Alvin Schwartz, Swan and Burnley; r. 80 PAGE GIANT MAGAZINE No. 2 (September 1964):

    For one week, Jimmy has been selected by the people of Jupiter to metamorphose into a Jovian, which gives him mind reading powers. Jimmy reads Clark Kent's mind and finds out that he's Superman. After he has changed back into a regular Earthling, Jim asks the Jovians to confirm Superman's secret identity, but they will not do so, because the Man of Tomorrow once did their planet "a great service! Hence there stands on Jupiter a monument of Superman." One wonders what this untold tale of Superman on Jupiter was about.


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    Default Jimmy Olsen's Private Monster

    SUPERMAN'S PAL, JIMMY OLSEN 43 (March 1960)--3rd story, "Jimmy Olsen's Private Monster" by Jerrry Siegel, Curt Swan and John Forte, cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye; r. 80 PAGE GIANT MAGAZINE 6 (January 1965):



    An explosion changes the settings on Jimmy's signal watch and opens a space warp through which an odd-looking alien creature comes to Earth. Everyone on Earth is disgusted by Jimmy's friend and the cub reporter is desperate to get rid of the creature. The so-called monster makes a deal with Jimmy to leave him alone if he will agree to come to the alien's homeworld for two hours. There it's Jimmy who disgusts everyone. The alien's scheme was to get Jimmy there so they could film his horrifying appearance and profit thereby.



    In issue 47 (September 1960)--3rd story, "The Monsters from Earth" (Siegel/Swan/Forte)--we see what happened next as the alien's movie is shown to audiences on their world, where the sight of Olsen shocks the movie-goers. Desperate to make a sequel, they construct robot duplicates of Superman and Jimmy for a new movie. But when the shoot wraps, the Olsen robot devises a plan to escape to Earth and take Olsen's place.


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