Supermanica - User contributions [en]

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2026-04-03T04:55:56Z

Macduff: Typo corrections! Don't do this at home, kids...

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2026-04-03T04:55:24Z

Macduff: updating links

Canonical sources

2025-09-30T00:56:48Z

Macduff: Cleaned up corrupted hyphen

Commonly referred to as '''"The Chronicles"'''

Only occurrences in the following sources are referenced in Supermanica. This list of canonical sources has been agreed on by the current editors of Supermanica.

<table>
<tr><td>'''Abbreviation'''</td><td>''Title'' [issues]</td></tr>
<tr><td>Act</td><td>''Action Comics'' [1-583]</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adv</td><td>''Adventure Comics'' [103-424]</td></tr>
<tr><td>BL</td><td>''Black Lightning'' [1-11] </td></tr>
<tr><td>DCCP</td><td>''DC Comics Presents'' [1-97]</td></tr>
<tr><td>DCCPA</td><td>''DC Comics Presents Annual'' [1-4]</td></tr>
<tr><td>DNAS</td><td>''Daring New Adventures of Supergirl'' [1-12]</td></tr>
<tr><td>LSOK</td><td>''Last Son of Krypton''</td></tr>
<tr><td>LG</td><td>''Luthor's Gift''</td></tr>
<tr><td>MFC</td><td>''More Fun Comics'' [101-107]</td></tr>
<tr><td>MM</td><td>''Miracle Monday''</td></tr>
<tr><td>NSB</td><td>''New Adventures of Superboy'' [1-54]</td></tr>
<tr><td>NYWF</td><td>''New York World's Fair Comics'' [1-2]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SB</td><td>''Superboy'' [1-196]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SG</td><td>''Supergirl'' [1972 series, 1-10]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SG2</td><td>''Supergirl'' [1983 series, 13-23]</td></tr>
<tr><td>S</td><td>''Superman'' [1-423]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SA</td><td>''Superman Annual'' [1-12]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SF</td><td>''Superman Family'' [164-222]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SGLL</td><td>''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' [1-137]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SPJO</td><td>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' [1-163]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SS</td><td>''Superman Special'' [1-3]</td></tr>
<tr><td>STTA</td><td>''Superman Through the Ages!'' [2025 series, 0-1]</td></tr>
<tr><td>WB</td><td>''World's Best Comics'' [1]</td></tr>
<tr><td>WF</td><td>''World's Finest Comics'' [2-323]</td></tr>
<tr><td>WK</td><td>''World of Krypton'' [1-3]</td></tr>
<tr><td>KC</td><td>''The Krypton Chronicles'' [1-3]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SSY</td><td>''Superman: The Secret Years'' [1-4]</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=2>You may also run across:</td></tr>
<tr><td>80PG</td><td>''80 Page Giant''</td></tr>
<tr><td>TGSB</td><td>''The Great Superman Book''</td></tr>
</table>
'''How to use an abbreviation:'''

(WK No. 1, Jul 1979: "The Jor-El Story!")

means

''World of Krypton'' issue #1, cover date July 1979. The name of the story contained in the issue is "The Jor-El Story!"

if a comic book contains more than one story, a / appears after the issue number followed by which story it is in the issue. For example,

(Adv No. 283/1, Apr 1961: "The Phantom Superboy!")

means ''Adventure Comics'' #283, cover date April 1961, from the first story in the issue, "The Phantom Superboy!"

similarly,

(S No. 233/2, Jan 1971: "Jor-El's Golden Folly!")

means ''Superman'' #233, cover date January 1971, from the second story in the issue (in this case, a back-up feature), "Jor-El's Golden Folly!"

----

'''Important''': If you are entering a new article at Supermanica from another source, please only use ''[[The Great Superman Book]]'' or write your own article using the comic books themselves as reference. Do not copy the new article from other online encyclopedias.

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Main Page

2025-09-30T00:55:50Z

Macduff: Time to change the featured article to - Kryptonite!

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Kryptonite.jpg|thumb]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="left" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Kryptonite]]''' 
''"The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet Krypton, the home world of Superman. There are five distinct varieties of Kryptonite (green, red, gold, blue, and white), the first three of which are toxic to Superman...''" (Supermanica editors actually list ''19'' types of Kryptonite in this article.)
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Canonical sources

2025-09-30T00:47:56Z

Macduff: Added 2025 Superman Through the Ages! series; slight re-ordering

Commonly referred to as '''"The Chronicles"'''

Only occurrences in the following sources are referenced in Supermanica. This list of canonical sources has been agreed on by the current editors of Supermanica.

<table>
<tr><td>'''Abbreviation'''</td><td>''Title'' [issues]</td></tr>
<tr><td>Act</td><td>''Action Comics'' [1-583]</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adv</td><td>''Adventure Comics'' [103-424]</td></tr>
<tr><td>BL</td><td>''Black Lightning'' [1-11] </td></tr>
<tr><td>DCCP</td><td>''DC Comics Presents'' [1-97]</td></tr>
<tr><td>DCCPA</td><td>''DC Comics Presents Annual'' [1-4]</td></tr>
<tr><td>DNAS</td><td>''Daring New Adventures of Supergirl'' [1-12]</td></tr>
<tr><td>LSOK</td><td>''Last Son of Krypton''</td></tr>
<tr><td>LG</td><td>''Luthor's Gift''</td></tr>
<tr><td>MFC</td><td>''More Fun Comics'' [101â€“107]</td></tr>
<tr><td>MM</td><td>''Miracle Monday''</td></tr>
<tr><td>NSB</td><td>''New Adventures of Superboy'' [1-54]</td></tr>
<tr><td>NYWF</td><td>''New York World's Fair Comics'' [1-2]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SB</td><td>''Superboy'' [1-196]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SG</td><td>''Supergirl'' [1972 series, 1-10]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SG2</td><td>''Supergirl'' [1983 series, 13-23]</td></tr>
<tr><td>S</td><td>''Superman'' [1-423]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SA</td><td>''Superman Annual'' [1-12]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SF</td><td>''Superman Family'' [164-222]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SGLL</td><td>''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'' [1-137]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SPJO</td><td>''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' [1-163]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SS</td><td>''Superman Special'' [1-3]</td></tr>
<tr><td>STTA</td><td>''Superman Through the Ages!'' [2025 series, 0-1]</td></tr>
<tr><td>WB</td><td>''World's Best Comics'' [1]</td></tr>
<tr><td>WF</td><td>''World's Finest Comics'' [2-323]</td></tr>
<tr><td>WK</td><td>''World of Krypton'' [1-3]</td></tr>
<tr><td>KC</td><td>''The Krypton Chronicles'' [1-3]</td></tr>
<tr><td>SSY</td><td>''Superman: The Secret Years'' [1-4]</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan=2>You may also run across:</td></tr>
<tr><td>80PG</td><td>''80 Page Giant''</td></tr>
<tr><td>TGSB</td><td>''The Great Superman Book''</td></tr>
</table>
'''How to use an abbreviation:'''

(WK No. 1, Jul 1979: "The Jor-El Story!")

means

''World of Krypton'' issue #1, cover date July 1979. The name of the story contained in the issue is "The Jor-El Story!"

if a comic book contains more than one story, a / appears after the issue number followed by which story it is in the issue. For example,

(Adv No. 283/1, Apr 1961: "The Phantom Superboy!")

means ''Adventure Comics'' #283, cover date April 1961, from the first story in the issue, "The Phantom Superboy!"

similarly,

(S No. 233/2, Jan 1971: "Jor-El's Golden Folly!")

means ''Superman'' #233, cover date January 1971, from the second story in the issue (in this case, a back-up feature), "Jor-El's Golden Folly!"

----

'''Important''': If you are entering a new article at Supermanica from another source, please only use ''[[The Great Superman Book]]'' or write your own article using the comic books themselves as reference. Do not copy the new article from other online encyclopedias.

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Kryptonite

2025-09-30T00:42:53Z

Macduff: Adding K-Metal comic

[[Image:Kryptonite.jpg|thumb| Superman No. 227 artwork by Curt Swan & Muphy Anderson]]

'''Kryptonite'''

The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], the home world of [[Superman]]. There are five distinct varieties of Kryptonite (green, red, gold, blue, and white), the first three of which are toxic to Superman.

Green Kryptonite, the only variety potentially fatal to Superman, induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence. Red Kryptonite inflicts bizarre and unpredictable, albeit temporary and nonfatal, symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. Gold Kryptonite would permanently rob Superman of his super-powers were he ever to he exposed to its radiations. These three varieties of Kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton. Blue kryptonite is toxic only to superpowered [[Bizarro]] creatures. White Kryptonite is harmful only to plantlife. (TGSB) Whenever the word Kryptonite appears in the Supermanica without a specific color designation, it is Green Kryptonite, the most common variety, that is being referenced (See [[Superman]] [ [[Superman#Kryptonite|section 7.1, Kryptonite]] ])

'''Full list of every type of Kryptonite that has appeared in the chronicles is as follows:'''

0. '''K-Metal''': A previously undocumented substance from Krypton (told of in a startling originally unpublished text from 1940), it has the same weakening effect on Kryptonians as Green Kryptonite, with the additional ability to temporarily grant tremendous strength (and possibly other super-powers) to humans on Earth (this element may be similar to the X-Kryptonite documented in Superman Family No. 203 in 1980, though no chronicle suggests a relationship). K-Metal appears in STTA No. 0, 2025: "The Secret of the K-Metal"[https://k-metal.art/?page=0].

1. '''[[Green Kryptonite]]''': Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians,
It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence. (TGSB)

2. '''[[Red Kryptonite]]''': Red Kryptonite inflicts bizarre and unpredictable—albeit temporary and non-fatal—symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. (TGSB) Its effects last only 48 hours and are never repeated in the same way on the same [[Kryptonian]] again.

3. '''[[Gold Kryptonite]]''': Gold Kryptonite would permanently rob a Kryptonian of his super-powers were he ever to be exposed to its radiations. [[Phantom Zone]] parolee [[Quex-Ul]] suffered this effect (S No. 157), as did a [[Lex Luthor]]-created Superman clone (Act No. 500).( TGSB)

4. '''[[Blue Kryptonite]]''': Blue Kryptonite is toxic only to superpowered [[Bizarro]] creatures. (TGSB)

5. '''[[White Kryptonite]]''': White Kryptonite is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe. (TGSB)

6. '''[[Jewel Kryptonite]]''': Created by [[Jax-Ur]] of the Phantom Zone ("That chunk of Jewel K in orbit magnifies our mental commands and converts them into energy beams which detonate any explosive material we desire."). Jewel Kryptonite appears in Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six".

7. '''[[X-Kryptonite]]''': Accidentally created by Supergirl, it gives [[Streaky]] the Supercat powers beyond those of mere mortal cats. It is later revealed that X-Kryptonite can weaken super-powered Kryptonians as well (SF No. 203/1, Sep/Oct 1980: "The Supergirl from Planet Earth").

8. '''[[Red-Green Kryptonite]]''': Red-Green Kryptonite first appears in the story "The Menace of Red-Green Kryptonite!" in Act No. 275, Apr 1961.

9. '''Anti-Kryptonite''': A type of Kryptonite that affects only non-superpowered Kryptonians. Later tales recounting the story of Supergirl and her parents document this isotope (namely how the non-superpowered Krypton survivors in [[Argo City]] could be affected by lethal Kryptonite radiation).

10. '''Slow Kryptonite''': Created by [[Metallo (Roger Corben)]]. It is "able to slow down the rate of particle emissions enough to affect humans as it does Kryptonians" (The Brave and the Bold No. 175, Jun 1981: "The Heart of the Monster"). Although the effect on [[Batman]] is agonizing and impressive, the effect (if any) on Kryptonians are not documented.

11. '''Kryptonite-Plus''': A "super-powerful isotope that will finish off Kryptonians in minutes", the substance is documented in Act No. 350, May 1967: "The Secret of the Stone-Age Superman".

12. '''Magno-Kryptonite''': Created by [[Truff]], from the planet [[Pyron]]. "It [clings] with unbreakable force to anything that comes from Krypton" (first appeared in SPJO No. 92/1, Apr 1966: "The Man from S.C.A.R.").

13. '''[[Silver Kryptonite]]''': A fake Kryptonite created by [[Jimmy Olsen]] as a hoax for Superman's Silver Anniversary (SPJO No. 70, Jul 1963: "The Secret of Silver Kryptonite").

14. '''Yellow Kryptonite''': A synthetic Kryptonite made by Lex Luthor as a hoax to mentally torture Superman. Luthor claims to have a machine capable of creating hovering Kryptonite globes of various colors, including this previously unknown yellow variety. All the globes are in fact fakes, though they manage to successfully fool a Superman robot.

15. '''False Kryptonite''': Created by Supergirl from a piece of Green Kryptonite using magic from a wishing well, it is perfectly harmless.

16. '''[[Synthetic Kryptonite]]''': Synthetic versions of Green Kryptonite created in laboratories.

17. '''Mutated Kryptonite''': A white card with a Kryptonian symbol on it used by the villain [[Zo-Mar]] is made from an unnamed form of mutated Kryptonite that robs any Kryptonian of his powers when he or she is very near it, but which is not otherwise harmful and has no permanent effect (DCCP No. 84, Aug 1985: "Give Me Power, Give Me Your World").

18. '''[[Red-Gold Kryptonite]]''': An alloy made of [[Red Kryptonite|red]] and [[Gold kryptonite]]. Its effects are temporary amnesia but no loss of super-powers occur (S No. 178, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!").

==External Links==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/articles/space-colors/ The Colors Out of Space]
*[[encyc:kryptonite#handbook|Kryptonite Handbook]]
*[[encyc:k-metal|Superman.nu Encyclopaedia: K-Metal]]
*[[wikipedia:Kryptonite|Wikipedia Entry on Kryptonite]]
*[[wikipedia:The_Secret_of_The_K-Metal|Wikipedia Entry on K-Metal story]]
*[https://k-metal.art/?page=-2 The Secret of the K-Metal!]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Kryptonite

2025-09-30T00:35:37Z

Macduff: fixed mystery apostrophy

[[Image:Kryptonite.jpg|thumb| Superman No. 227 artwork by Curt Swan & Muphy Anderson]]

'''Kryptonite'''

The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], the home world of [[Superman]]. There are five distinct varieties of Kryptonite (green, red, gold, blue, and white), the first three of which are toxic to Superman.

Green Kryptonite, the only variety potentially fatal to Superman, induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence. Red Kryptonite inflicts bizarre and unpredictable, albeit temporary and nonfatal, symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. Gold Kryptonite would permanently rob Superman of his super-powers were he ever to he exposed to its radiations. These three varieties of Kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton. Blue kryptonite is toxic only to superpowered [[Bizarro]] creatures. White Kryptonite is harmful only to plantlife. (TGSB) Whenever the word Kryptonite appears in the Supermanica without a specific color designation, it is Green Kryptonite, the most common variety, that is being referenced (See [[Superman]] [ [[Superman#Kryptonite|section 7.1, Kryptonite]] ])

'''Full list of every type of Kryptonite that has appeared in the chronicles is as follows:'''

0. '''K-Metal''': A previously undocumented substance from Krypton (told of in a startling unpublished text from 1940[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/k-metal/splash.php]), it has the same weakening effect on Kryptonians as Green Kryptonite, with the additional ability to temporarily grant tremendous strength (and possibly other super-powers) to humans on Earth (this element may be similar to the X-Kryptonite documented in Superman Family No. 203 in 1980, though no chronicle suggests a relationship).

1. '''[[Green Kryptonite]]''': Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians,
It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence. (TGSB)

2. '''[[Red Kryptonite]]''': Red Kryptonite inflicts bizarre and unpredictable—albeit temporary and non-fatal—symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. (TGSB) Its effects last only 48 hours and are never repeated in the same way on the same [[Kryptonian]] again.

3. '''[[Gold Kryptonite]]''': Gold Kryptonite would permanently rob a Kryptonian of his super-powers were he ever to be exposed to its radiations. [[Phantom Zone]] parolee [[Quex-Ul]] suffered this effect (S No. 157), as did a [[Lex Luthor]]-created Superman clone (Act No. 500).( TGSB)

4. '''[[Blue Kryptonite]]''': Blue Kryptonite is toxic only to superpowered [[Bizarro]] creatures. (TGSB)

5. '''[[White Kryptonite]]''': White Kryptonite is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe. (TGSB)

6. '''[[Jewel Kryptonite]]''': Created by [[Jax-Ur]] of the Phantom Zone ("That chunk of Jewel K in orbit magnifies our mental commands and converts them into energy beams which detonate any explosive material we desire."). Jewel Kryptonite appears in Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six".

7. '''[[X-Kryptonite]]''': Accidentally created by Supergirl, it gives [[Streaky]] the Supercat powers beyond those of mere mortal cats. It is later revealed that X-Kryptonite can weaken super-powered Kryptonians as well (SF No. 203/1, Sep/Oct 1980: "The Supergirl from Planet Earth").

8. '''[[Red-Green Kryptonite]]''': Red-Green Kryptonite first appears in the story "The Menace of Red-Green Kryptonite!" in Act No. 275, Apr 1961.

9. '''Anti-Kryptonite''': A type of Kryptonite that affects only non-superpowered Kryptonians. Later tales recounting the story of Supergirl and her parents document this isotope (namely how the non-superpowered Krypton survivors in [[Argo City]] could be affected by lethal Kryptonite radiation).

10. '''Slow Kryptonite''': Created by [[Metallo (Roger Corben)]]. It is "able to slow down the rate of particle emissions enough to affect humans as it does Kryptonians" (The Brave and the Bold No. 175, Jun 1981: "The Heart of the Monster"). Although the effect on [[Batman]] is agonizing and impressive, the effect (if any) on Kryptonians are not documented.

11. '''Kryptonite-Plus''': A "super-powerful isotope that will finish off Kryptonians in minutes", the substance is documented in Act No. 350, May 1967: "The Secret of the Stone-Age Superman".

12. '''Magno-Kryptonite''': Created by [[Truff]], from the planet [[Pyron]]. "It [clings] with unbreakable force to anything that comes from Krypton" (first appeared in SPJO No. 92/1, Apr 1966: "The Man from S.C.A.R.").

13. '''[[Silver Kryptonite]]''': A fake Kryptonite created by [[Jimmy Olsen]] as a hoax for Superman's Silver Anniversary (SPJO No. 70, Jul 1963: "The Secret of Silver Kryptonite").

14. '''Yellow Kryptonite''': A synthetic Kryptonite made by Lex Luthor as a hoax to mentally torture Superman. Luthor claims to have a machine capable of creating hovering Kryptonite globes of various colors, including this previously unknown yellow variety. All the globes are in fact fakes, though they manage to successfully fool a Superman robot.

15. '''False Kryptonite''': Created by Supergirl from a piece of Green Kryptonite using magic from a wishing well, it is perfectly harmless.

16. '''[[Synthetic Kryptonite]]''': Synthetic versions of Green Kryptonite created in laboratories.

17. '''Mutated Kryptonite''': A white card with a Kryptonian symbol on it used by the villain [[Zo-Mar]] is made from an unnamed form of mutated Kryptonite that robs any Kryptonian of his powers when he or she is very near it, but which is not otherwise harmful and has no permanent effect (DCCP No. 84, Aug 1985: "Give Me Power, Give Me Your World").

18. '''[[Red-Gold Kryptonite]]''': An alloy made of [[Red Kryptonite|red]] and [[Gold kryptonite]]. Its effects are temporary amnesia but no loss of super-powers occur (S No. 178, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!").

==External Links==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/articles/space-colors/ The Colors Out of Space]
*[[encyc:kryptonite#handbook|Kryptonite Handbook]]
*[[encyc:k-metal|Superman.nu Encyclopaedia: K-Metal]]
*[[wikipedia:Kryptonite|Wikipedia Entry on Kryptonite]]
*[[wikipedia:The_Secret_of_The_K-Metal|Wikipedia Entry on K-Metal story]]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Kryptonite

2025-09-30T00:33:21Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ updated links

[[Image:Kryptonite.jpg|thumb| Superman No. 227 artwork by Curt Swan & Muphy Anderson]]

'''Kryptonite'''

The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], the home world of [[Superman]]. There are five distinct varieties of Kryptonite (green, red, gold, blue, and white), the first three of which are toxic to Superman.

Green Kryptonite, the only variety potentially fatal to Superman, induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Supermanâ€™s presence. Red Kryptonite inflicts bizarre and unpredictable, albeit temporary and nonfatal, symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. Gold Kryptonite would permanently rob Superman of his super-powers were he ever to he exposed to its radiations. These three varieties of Kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton. Blue kryptonite is toxic only to superpowered [[Bizarro]] creatures. White Kryptonite is harmful only to plantlife. (TGSB) Whenever the word Kryptonite appears in the Supermanica without a specific color designation, it is Green Kryptonite, the most common variety, that is being referenced (See [[Superman]] [ [[Superman#Kryptonite|section 7.1, Kryptonite]] ])

'''Full list of every type of Kryptonite that has appeared in the chronicles is as follows:'''

0. '''K-Metal''': A previously undocumented substance from Krypton (told of in a startling unpublished text from 1940[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/k-metal/splash.php]), it has the same weakening effect on Kryptonians as Green Kryptonite, with the additional ability to temporarily grant tremendous strength (and possibly other super-powers) to humans on Earth (this element may be similar to the X-Kryptonite documented in Superman Family No. 203 in 1980, though no chronicle suggests a relationship).

1. '''[[Green Kryptonite]]''': Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians,
It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence. (TGSB)

2. '''[[Red Kryptonite]]''': Red Kryptonite inflicts bizarre and unpredictable—albeit temporary and non-fatal—symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. (TGSB) Its effects last only 48 hours and are never repeated in the same way on the same [[Kryptonian]] again.

3. '''[[Gold Kryptonite]]''': Gold Kryptonite would permanently rob a Kryptonian of his super-powers were he ever to be exposed to its radiations. [[Phantom Zone]] parolee [[Quex-Ul]] suffered this effect (S No. 157), as did a [[Lex Luthor]]-created Superman clone (Act No. 500).( TGSB)

4. '''[[Blue Kryptonite]]''': Blue Kryptonite is toxic only to superpowered [[Bizarro]] creatures. (TGSB)

5. '''[[White Kryptonite]]''': White Kryptonite is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe. (TGSB)

6. '''[[Jewel Kryptonite]]''': Created by [[Jax-Ur]] of the Phantom Zone ("That chunk of Jewel K in orbit magnifies our mental commands and converts them into energy beams which detonate any explosive material we desire."). Jewel Kryptonite appears in Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six".

7. '''[[X-Kryptonite]]''': Accidentally created by Supergirl, it gives [[Streaky]] the Supercat powers beyond those of mere mortal cats. It is later revealed that X-Kryptonite can weaken super-powered Kryptonians as well (SF No. 203/1, Sep/Oct 1980: "The Supergirl from Planet Earth").

8. '''[[Red-Green Kryptonite]]''': Red-Green Kryptonite first appears in the story "The Menace of Red-Green Kryptonite!" in Act No. 275, Apr 1961.

9. '''Anti-Kryptonite''': A type of Kryptonite that affects only non-superpowered Kryptonians. Later tales recounting the story of Supergirl and her parents document this isotope (namely how the non-superpowered Krypton survivors in [[Argo City]] could be affected by lethal Kryptonite radiation).

10. '''Slow Kryptonite''': Created by [[Metallo (Roger Corben)]]. It is "able to slow down the rate of particle emissions enough to affect humans as it does Kryptonians" (The Brave and the Bold No. 175, Jun 1981: "The Heart of the Monster"). Although the effect on [[Batman]] is agonizing and impressive, the effect (if any) on Kryptonians are not documented.

11. '''Kryptonite-Plus''': A "super-powerful isotope that will finish off Kryptonians in minutes", the substance is documented in Act No. 350, May 1967: "The Secret of the Stone-Age Superman".

12. '''Magno-Kryptonite''': Created by [[Truff]], from the planet [[Pyron]]. "It [clings] with unbreakable force to anything that comes from Krypton" (first appeared in SPJO No. 92/1, Apr 1966: "The Man from S.C.A.R.").

13. '''[[Silver Kryptonite]]''': A fake Kryptonite created by [[Jimmy Olsen]] as a hoax for Superman's Silver Anniversary (SPJO No. 70, Jul 1963: "The Secret of Silver Kryptonite").

14. '''Yellow Kryptonite''': A synthetic Kryptonite made by Lex Luthor as a hoax to mentally torture Superman. Luthor claims to have a machine capable of creating hovering Kryptonite globes of various colors, including this previously unknown yellow variety. All the globes are in fact fakes, though they manage to successfully fool a Superman robot.

15. '''False Kryptonite''': Created by Supergirl from a piece of Green Kryptonite using magic from a wishing well, it is perfectly harmless.

16. '''[[Synthetic Kryptonite]]''': Synthetic versions of Green Kryptonite created in laboratories.

17. '''Mutated Kryptonite''': A white card with a Kryptonian symbol on it used by the villain [[Zo-Mar]] is made from an unnamed form of mutated Kryptonite that robs any Kryptonian of his powers when he or she is very near it, but which is not otherwise harmful and has no permanent effect (DCCP No. 84, Aug 1985: "Give Me Power, Give Me Your World").

18. '''[[Red-Gold Kryptonite]]''': An alloy made of [[Red Kryptonite|red]] and [[Gold kryptonite]]. Its effects are temporary amnesia but no loss of super-powers occur (S No. 178, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!").

==External Links==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/articles/space-colors/ The Colors Out of Space]
*[[encyc:kryptonite#handbook|Kryptonite Handbook]]
*[[encyc:k-metal|Superman.nu Encyclopaedia: K-Metal]]
*[[wikipedia:Kryptonite|Wikipedia Entry on Kryptonite]]
*[[wikipedia:The_Secret_of_The_K-Metal|Wikipedia Entry on K-Metal story]]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2025-09-30T00:27:34Z

Macduff: updating associate sites

* navigation
** mainpage|mainpage
** portal-url|portal
** currentevents-url|currentevents
** recentchanges-url|recentchanges
** randompage-url|randompage
** helppage|help

* SEARCH

* TOOLBOX

* associate sites
** https://k-metal.art/k-metal-from-krypton.php | The K-Metal from Krypton
** https://k-metal.art/?page=-2 | The Secret of the K-Metal
** https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/forum/index.php?board=22.0 | Supermanica Forum
** https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/welcome.php | Superman Through the Ages! - The Website
** https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/the-comic-book/ | Superman Through the Ages! - The Comic Book

Sun-Thrivers

2025-08-07T21:54:05Z

Macduff: Added STTA link to the story

'''The Sun-Thrivers'''

A species of pink telepathic energy-beings that exist within a giant crystal at the heart of [[Krypton]]'s sun.

Billions of years old, the Sun-Thrivers are compelled by their biology to surround themselves with "a vast quantity of solar-spawned gases." Using their mind powers, the beings draw "raw elements from other stars" and ignite themselves, becoming the giant red star known as [[Rao]]. Faced with the consequent problem of maintaining their "internal gravity" and thus keeping their "gases bonded together," the Sun-Thrivers fling off a "cluster of controlled mass" that coalesces in orbit around the sun into a new planetm which the beings identify as Krypton.

Deprived of the gravitational balance provided by Krypton after that planet's destruction billions of years later, the sun is reduced to an Orange Dwarf star, again threatening the health of the Sun-Thrivers. Their one chance of survival is to track down enough of Krypton's original mass and reabsorb it. To this end, the Sun-Thrivers lure [[Superman]] into deep space and tell him of their plight, noting that the remaining ten percent of the required matter, "a huge chunk containing the ruins of a great Kryptonian city," is beyond their reach and guarded by a Cardiac Creature, a huge heart-like alien that "pumps life-sustaining energy from the [[Kryptonite|Green K]]" that the asteroid has been transformed into. Combining forces, Superman and the Sun-Thrivers defeat the creature and the remaining chunk is reabsorbed and then spun out of the sun as another new planet, known as Krypton-Two.

The new Krypton gives the Sun-Thrivers a temporary respite from extinction but the planet is fated like its predecessor to eventually blow up, threatening the existence of it's sun (S No. 255, Aug 1972: "The Sun of Superman!").

==External Link==
*Read the story [https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/tales2/sun/ The Sun of Superman!] from Superman 255

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Jonathan Ross

2017-01-30T22:19:24Z

Macduff: Updated/repaired external link

'''Jonathan "Jon" Ross'''
[[Image:Jonathan_Ross.jpg|thumb|left|Jon Ross and Superman. Art by Curt Swan and Tex Blaisdell, 1976.]]
The young son of [[Pete Ross]] who, like his father, knows the secret of [[Superman]]'s double life as [[Clark Kent]] (Act No. 457, Mar 1976: "Superman, You're Not Clark Kent -- and I Can Prove It!").

Jon occasionally visits Clark Kent in [[Metropolis]], using his knowledge of Clark's alter ego to help Superman in his adventures. Once, Jon is temporarily given Superman's powers as a result of a plan by the [[Parasite]] (S No. 304, Oct 1976: "The Parasite's Prism of Power!"). On another occasion, Jon helps Superman defeat the super-villain [[Blackrock]] (S No. 315, Sep 1977: "Good Evening Superman --I'm Clark Kent ... and You're Not!").

Some time later, Superman is recruited by Pete to rescue his son from the planet [[Nyrvn]] (DCCP No. 13, Sep 1979: "To Live in Peace--Nevermore!"). When Superman is prevented from rescuing the boy, Pete Ross is driven temporarily insane. This situation is remedied when the [[Man of Steel]] ultimately reunites father and son (DCCP No. 25, Sep 1980: "Judgment Night").

==External Link==

*[http://www.superman.nu/nightwing/nightwing/adventures/notclarkkent.htm ''Superman, You're Not Clark Kent--and I Can Prove It!'' at Confessions of a Superman Fan]

[[Category:Entries|Ross, Jonathan]]
[[Category:People|Ross, Jonathan]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Ross, Jonathan]]

Lois Lane

2012-01-19T15:09:18Z

Macduff: Fixed/replaced double-byte characters

[[Image:Lois_lane.jpg|left]]

'''Lois Lane'''

The persistent, curious, impulsive, intelligent, headstrong, audacious, hard-working, ambitious, lovely woman reporter for the [[Metropolis]] [[Daily Planet]] who is, second only to [[Superman]] himself, the single most important person in the chronicled adventures of Superman, fulfilling as she does the tripartite role of [[Clark Kent]]'s journalistic colleague, Superman's romantic pursuer, and the person most tirelessly determined to verify her long-held suspicion that Clark Kent is secretly Superman. Lois Lane appears in the chronicles more often than any other character except Superman, and is the only supporting character to have appeared in the chronicles since their inception in June 1938 (Act No. 1).

== Lois Lane's Personal Life ==

[[Image:LoisLane-Shuster-1.jpg|thumb|right|Lois Lane by Joe Shuster]]

Lois Lane, the daughter of [[Sam and Ella Lane]] (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975), was born on her parents' farm, near the U.S. town of [[Pittsdale]] (SGLL No. 68, Sep/Oct 1966). The month when she was born is impossible to determine, for her birthday is celebrated in the chronicles in September-October (WF No. 36, Sep/Oct 1948: "Lois Lane, Sleeping Beauty"), in November-December (S No. 37/2, Nov/Dec 1945: "Pranks for Profit!"), and in December (Act No. 139, Dec 1949: "Clark Kent...Daredevil!").

Lois appears to have had two sisters: a younger sister, [[Lucy Lane]] (Act No. 272, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!"; and others), and a second sister, whose first name is never given, who married a man named Tompkins and gave birth to a daughter, [[Susie Tompkins]] (Act No. 59, Apr 1943: "Cinderella --a la Superman!"; see also Act No. 98, Jul 1946: "Starring Susie!"), who is Lois Lane's niece. Some accounts attribute the appearances of Susie Tompkins to an [[Earth-2]] reality (See [[Lois Lane of Earth-2]]). The Earth-1 Lois Lane has a cousin named [[Louis Lane]] who resides in Pittsdale (S No. 349, Jul 1980: "The Turnabout Trap").

Lois attended school in Pittsdale (SGLL No. 68, Sep/Oct 1966). Her closest friend in high school was a girl named Helen, who later became the wife of [[Bill Minton]] (WF No. 21, Mar/Apr 1946: "The Planeof Tomorrow!"). Lois's high-school beau was [[Finney Floor]] (S No. 66/3, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Machine that Played Cupid!"). After high school, Lois attended [[Raleigh College]], not far from Metropolis, where she exhibited a keen aptitude for science (S No. 181/1, Nov 1965: ptsI-II --"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine!"; "The Secret of the New Supergirl!"), honed her fledgling journalism skills on the ''[[Raleigh Review]]'' (SGLL No. 68, Sep/Oct 1966), and displayed a sufficient artistic talent to acquire a reputation as the "class artist" (Act No. 272, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!"). Lois's school-mate [[Brett Rand]] had a crush on her during this period, but there is no indication that she ever reciprocated his affections (S No. 139/1, Aug 1960: "The New Life of Super-Merman!").

After graduation (S No. 181/1, Nov 1965: pts. I-II --"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine"; "The Secret of the New Supergirl!"), Lois set out for Metropolis, determined to fulfill her "lifelong ambition" to become "the best reporter in Metropolis" (Act No. 202, Mar 1955: "Lois Lane's X-Ray Vision!"). She may have taken "a course in nursing" during this period (Act No. 191, Apr 1954: "Calling Doctor Superman!") or served a stint as a waitress at [[Harry's Dog House]] (WF No. 47, Aug/Sep 1950: "The Girl Who Hated Reporters!"). Eventually, however, she obtained employment on the [[Daily Star]] (Act No. 1, Jun 1938; and others), followed by employment on its successor in the chronicles, the ''Daily Planet'' (S No. 4/1-4, Spr 1940; Act No. 23, Apr 1940; and others).

Lois Lane resides in apartment #1705 (S No. 40/1, May/Jun 1946: "The Mxyztplk-Susie Alliance!") of the Ritz Plaza Apartments (S No. 47/2, Jul/Aug 1947: "Susie Reforms!"), an elevator apartment building (Act No. 61, Jun 1943: "The Man They Wouldn't Believe!") in Metropolis (S No. 47/2, Jul/Aug 1947: "Susie Reforms!"; and many others) located not far from the home of her friend and colleague Clark Kent (S No. 40/1, May/Jun 1946: "The Mxyztplk-Susie Alliance!"). Described as "a cozy little apartment that is neat as a pin," the apartment is filled with pictures of Superman. Lois customarily rides the subway to and from work, stopping at Crump's Market for groceries on the way home. At various times over the years, she has shared the apartment with her close friend [[Peggy Wilkins]] (S No. 61/2, Nov/Dec 1949: "The Courtship of the Three Lois Lanes!"; see also Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), her friend [[Lorraine Jennings]] (S No. 76/3, May/Jun 1952: "Mrs. Superman!"), her sister [[Lucy Lane]] (S No. 142/1, Jan 1961: "Lois Lane's Secret Helper!"; and others), and journalist [[Lana Lang]] (S No. 78/3, Sep/Oct 1952: "The Girls in Superman's Life!"; Showcase No. 9/1, Jul/Aug 1957: "The Girl in Superman's Past"), who has at times been her rival for the affections of Superman (Act No. 302, Jul 1963: "The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!"; and others). Lois Lane's closest friends are [[Jimmy Olsen]], [[Perry White]], and [[Clark Kent]] (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"; and many others).

Lois Lane has black hair, which she has worn in a wide variety of styles. She has been described as "glamorous" (S No. 34/2, May/Jun 1945: "The Canyon That Went Berserk!"), "lovely" (S No. 68/2, Jan/Feb 1951: "Lois Lane's Royal Romance!"), and "gorgeous" (S No. 138/3, Jul 1960: "The Mermaid from Atlantis!"). In the opinion of the hero [[Hercules]], she is "as pretty as an ancient Roman goddess!" (Act No.267, Aug 1960:"Hercules in the 20th Century!").

According to Superman No. 125/1, Lois Lane has a rare blood type (Nov 1958: "Lois Lane's Super-Dream"). She adores strawberries (S No. 99/3, Aug 1955: "The Incredible Feats of Lois Lane!") and favors "a special lipstick which has a peach flavor" (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: "The Great Superman Impersonation!"). Particularly during the 1940s, Lois displays a fondness for fashionable hats, which Clark Kent is forever making fun of (S No. 24/3, Sep/Oct 1943: "Surprise for Superman!"; and others). Practically any occasion provides Lois with an excuse for buying a new one. "My goodness!" she exclaims in January-February 1949. "The Prankster has outsmarted Superman twice in a row! I'm so upset, I'm going to buy a new hat, that always cheers me up!" (S No. 56/1: "The Prankster Picks a Partner!").

== Lois Lane's Professional Career ==

[[Image:Lois1972.jpg|right]]

Lois Lane is "the Daily Planet's star woman reporter" (WF No. 47, Aug/Sep 1950: "The Girl Who Hated Reporters!"), ranking alongside Clark Kent in the Daily Planet's reportorial hierarchy. Described as the newspaper's "sob sister" (S No.7/1, Nov Dec 1940; and others) and as its lovelorn columnist (Act No. 44, Jan 1942; and others) in many early texts, Lois Lane has risen through the journalistic ranks to become one of the Daily Planet's "star reporters" (S No.27/1, Mar/Apr 1941; "The Palace of Perilous Play!"; and others) and, with [[Clark Kent]], one of the newspaper's "two brightest satellites" (S No. 26/2, Jan/Feb 1944: "Comedians' Holiday!"). Particularly adept at covering local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"), she has performed the full range of journalistic duties, including stints as wan correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940); weather editor, described as "one of the lowliest jobs on any newspaper" (WF No. 25, Nov 1946: "Mad Weather in Metropolis!" see also WF No. 51, Apr/May: "The Amazing Talents of Lois Lane!"); question and answer editor and head of the lost and found department (WF No.51, Apr/May 1951: "The Amazing Talents of Lois Lane!"); editor of the Daily Planet's Paris edition (Act No. 203, Apr'55: "The International Daily Planet staff cartoonist (Act No. 72, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!"); and "acting editor" in the absence of editor [[Perry White]] (S No.1 124/1, Sep 1958: "The Super-Sword!).

The texts describe Lois Lane as a "courageous girl reporter" (Act No. 27, Aug 1940), a "glamorous girl reporter" (S No. 34 2, May/Jun 1945: "The Canyon That Went Berserk!"), "a competent reporter who's always on the job" (S No. 61/2, Nov/Dec 1949: "The Courtship of the Three Lois Lanes!"), "one of Metropolis's smartest reporters" (S No. 68/2, Jan/Feb 1951: "Lois Lane's Royal Romance!"), the "star girl reporter for the Daily Planet" (Act No. 172, Sep 1952: "Lois Lane...Witch!"), the "audacious girl reporter of the Daily Planet" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!"), "the prettiest girl reporter in Metropolis" (Act No. 195, Aug 1954: "Lois Lane Wanted!"), a "well-known newspaperwoman" (S No. 109 Nov 1956: "The Puppet with X-Ray Eyes"), and a "famous reporter" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman").

Lois Lane is also referred to as "Clark Kent's rival reporter at the Daily Planet" (Act No. 176, Jan 1953: "Muscles for Money"). Indeed, the rivalry between these "two famed reporters" (Act No. 58, Mar 1943: "The Face of Adonis!") is a keen one. Lois, in particular, is fiercely, sometimes unscrupulously, competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kent's telephone messages (S No. 14, Jan/Feb 1942; and others), sending him off on wild-goose chases (Act No. 5, Oct 1938; and others), and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops into his drink so that she can cover the story alone(Act No.6, Nov 1938).

Although, particularly after 1940, Lois Lane and Clark Kent develop a friendly working relationship and frequently cover news assignments together, their reportorial rivalry has remained a heated one for four full decades and continues to constitute one of the major themes of the chronicles. The texts repeatedly refer to them as the Daily Planet's "best reporters" (S No. 44/1, Jan/Feb 1947: "Playthings of Peril!"), its "star reporters" (S No. 27/1, Mar/Apr 1944:
"The Palace of Perilous Play!"; and others), and as the "two best-known reporters" in Metropolis (WF No. 23, Jan/Aug 1946: "The Colossus of Metropolis!").

In the largest sense, however, the Lane-Kent reportorial rivalry is a sham, for the headline stories for which they compete so assiduously are invariably stories about Superman, and the outcome of the contest to see which of them can publish a particular story first is just as invariably determined by whether Superman decides to give Lois Lane an exclusive account or to write it up himself as reporter Clark Kent. (TGSB)

Nevertheless, "newspaper reporting is [Lane's] first love" (S No. 58/2, May/Jun 1949: "Lois Lane Loves Clark Kent!"), and she is capable of "running any risk to get a scoop story (WF No. 84, May/Jun 1953: "The Death of Lois Lane"). "... I guess I've got printer's ink in my veins," muses Lois in November-December 1946 ("Lois Lane, Actress!").

Indeed, Lois Lane is renowned "throughout the world" for her "courage and ingenuity in getting scoops" (S No. 181/1, Nov 1965:"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine!"; "The Secret of the New Supergirl"), and her "mania for scoops" or "scoop craziness", has tended to lead her to do almost anything in pursuit of a hot story. In the course of a journalistic career that has spanned four decades, she has scaled [[Mount Everest]] (S No. 49/2, Nov/Dec 1947: "Clark Kent's Most Dangerous Assignment!"); worked as a trapeze artist (S No. 63 Mar/Apr 1950: "Miss Metropolis of 1950") and as a private detective (WF No. 45, Apr/May 1950: "Lois Lane and Clark Kent, Detectives!"); journeyed to sunken [[Atlantis]] (S No. 67/2, Nov/Dec 1950: "The City Under the Sea") and explored the planet [[Venus]] (Act No. 152, Jan 1951: "The Sleep That Lasted 1000 Years"); worked as a policewoman (S No. 84 Sep/Oct 1953: "Lois Lane, Policewoman!") and joined the [[WACS]] (S No. 82/1, May/Jun 1953: "Lois Lane Joins the WACS"); journeyed into outer space as one of the passengers aboard America's first manned spaceship (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"); and been launched alone into Earth orbit in an experimental satellite after being designated "America's first female astronaut" by the National Astronautic Space Administration (S No. 165, Nov 1963: "Beauty and the Super-Beast" and "Circe's Super Slave!").

In recognition of her unexcelled work as a reporter, Lois Lane has received numerous awards, including "the annual trophy for prize reporting," awarded to her at a "newspapermen's banquet" in Metropolis Hall in May-June 1950, and an honorary professor ship in journalism at [[Quinn College]] (S No. 64/1: "Professor Lois Lane!"); the coveted Wilson Award, awarded to her by "well-known civic leader" [[Cyrus Wilson]] in March 1952 for being "the bravest reporter of the year" (Act No. 166: "The Three Scoops of Death!"); and the highly regarded Metropolis Journalism Award, awarded to her in July-August 1953 as Metropolis's most outstanding reporter (WF No. 65; "The Confessions of Superman!"). In May-June 1950, Lois Lane is chosen Metropolis's "Queen of Charities" in recognition of "her many helpful newspaper stories" on behalf of philanthropic causes (S No.64 2: "The Isle of Giant Insects!"), and in July-August 1953, she is chosen as "the bravest woman in America" in a contest sponsored by the Daily Planet (S No. 83/2: "The Search for the Bravest Woman!").

== Lois Lane's other activities ==

In addition to her work at the Daily Planet, Lois Lane is involved in a myriad of other activities. She is chairman of [[The Super-Saved Club]] (WF No. 41, Jul/Aug 1949: "The Discovery of Supermanium!") and the [[Super Sorority]] (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), is the "champion dart-thrower of [her] club" (S No. 143/2, Feb 1961: "Lois Lane's Lucky Day!"), and has a "regular weekly broadcast" on Metropolis radio station [[WCOD]] (S No. 61/1, Nov/Dec 1949: "The Prankster's Radio Program!"). In addition, Lois Lane has served as a beauty-contest judge (S No. 45/3, Mar/Apr 1947: "The Case of the Living Trophies!") and portrayed herself [[Charles Lamont]]'s movie The Life of Superman (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!").

== Lois Lane's obsession with uncovering Superman's secret identity ==

[[Image:Loistape.jpg|left]]

Perhaps the only major news story that has consistently eluded Lois Lane is the secret of
Superman's dual identity, although the texts are inconsistent on the question of whether Lois Lane would actually publish the secret if she were to learn it (S No. 75/3, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Man Who Stole Memories!"; and others) or whether she would keep the secret to herself in order to avoid damaging the [[Man of Steel]]'s super-heroic career.

Clark Kent expresses his own opinion on the question in March 1952: "If Lois exposes my secret identity," he muses, "it will give her the world's greatest scoop! She couldn't resist that!" (S No. 75/3: "The Man Who Stole Memories!").

Although Lois Lane first meets Superman in June 1938 (Act No. 1), it is not until June 1940 that she expresses even a mild interest in learning his secret identity (Act No. 25), and not until November-December 1940 that she expresses a real desire to ferret it out (S No. 7/2). In July-August 1941, for the first time in the chronicles, Lois Lane raises the possibility that Clark Kent might possibly be Superman (S No. 11/1), but not until .July-August 1942 does she actively begin to suspect "that Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same!" (S No. 17/1: "Man or Superman?"). Since that time, the discovery of Superman's secret identity has remained one of Lois Lane's constant preoccupations, and her efforts to learn the secret constitute one of the major themes of the chronicles. Despite her persistent efforts to verify her suspicion that Clark Kent is secretly Superman, however, the Man of Steel has always managed, often through the use of elaborate ruses, to persuade her that her suspicions were groundless, or at the very least not conclusively proven.

By the time of the 1970s chronicles, however, Lois Lane comes to discard this obssession as an inconsiderate invasion of Superman's privacy.

== Lois Lane's Aliases ==
[[Image:Rama.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Lois Lane as the Pseudokryptonian Rama]]
In the course of her lengthy career as a journalist Lois Lane has, for a variety of purposes, often
employed disguises and alternate identities. Among the pen names and aliases employed by Lois Lane are [[Miss Henkel]], [[Miss Andrews]], [[Mrs. Moffatt]], [[Priscilla Rhodes]], [[Rama]], [[Kay Andrews]] and [[Miss Tracy]]. In a series of [[Imaginary Stories]] Lois Lane takes on the personae of [[Krypton Girl]], [[Power Girl (Lois Lane)|Power Girl]] and [[Superwoman (Lois Lane)|Superwoman]].

== Lois Lane: The Feminist ==

[[Image:Feministlois.jpg|left]]
In the texts, Lois Lane is described as "courageous" (Act No. 27, Aug 1940), "headstrong" (Act No. 43, Dec 1941), "reckless" and "stubborn" (Act No. 122, Jul 1948: "The Super Sideshow!"), "audacious" (WF No. 64, May/Jun 1953:"The Death of Lois Lane"), "impetuous" and "impulsive" (Act No. 262, Mar 1960: "When Superman Lost His Powers!"), and "inquisitive" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"). She is outspoken, sometimes to the point of abrasiveness, in defense of her convictions (S No. 16/4, May/Jun 1942: "Racket on Delivery"; and others), and she is adored by her co-workers for her "heart of gold"(WF No. 36, Sep/Oct 1948: "Lois Lane, Sleeping Beauty"). "That Lane dame has more spunk," remarks an anonymous helicopter pilot in November 1963, "than a squad of marines!" (S No. 165/1: pts. I-II—"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

Lois Lane has always harbored strong convictions concerning the equality, if not outright superiority, of women, and has bridled at the suggestion that any reportorial assignment, no matter how hazardous, is "no job for a girl!" (Act No. 5, Oct 1938; and others). These convictions could easily be regarded as hypocritical in light of the constant professional assistance that Lois receives from Superman, but Lois has no apparent difficulty resolving the discrepancy between her independent views and her frequently dependent behavior. In March 1951, for example, when she is on the verge of being disqualified from a Daily Planet sponsored contest designed to determine "who's more able to live alone under primitive conditions: the man or the woman" because of her having accepted unauthorized assistance from Superman, Lois makes this remark: "Wait...! admit getting help from Superman, but.. .that actually proves women's superiority! Don't you see?. ..Women's strength has lain in their ability to get men to help them!" It is a tribute to Lois Lane's persuasive powers that the judges on this occasion withdraw their threat of disqualification and declare her the winner (Act No. 154: "Miss Robinson Crusoe!").

== Lois Lane's penchant for getting into trouble ==

[[Image:Loisindanger.jpg|right]]
Because Lois Lane is fearless to the point of foolhardiness (S No. 21/2, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Four Gang leaders"; and many others), she is forever getting into serious trouble from which only Superman can extricate her, something the Man of Steel has done on easily a thousand occasions. In the words of Superman No. 4 1/2:

''If Superman had a medal for every time he's rescued Lois Lane, he'd have enough metal to build a battleship, for, as all Metropolis knows, these rescues have run the gamut from bandits to burning buildings. Extricating Lois from trouble has become daily routine for Superman! (Jul/Aug 1946: "Clark Kent's Bodyguard!").''

Lois Lane's penchant for "getting into trouble" is alluded to in the chronicles repeatedly. In May-June 1941 Clark Kent describes it as her "favorite sport" S No. 10/3), and in November-December 1952 he muses that Lois "has a genius for getting into trouble!" (S No. 79/2: "The End of the Planet!").

"I can't get to sleep—worrying about Lois," thinks Clark Kent to himself in Spring 1942, "...she has a better aptitude for getting into trouble than anyone I've ever known." (WF No. 5: 'The Case of the Flying Castle").

"If anything happened to Lois," observes Superman wryly in July-August 1942, "I'd have to join the ranks of the unemployed!" (S No. 17/1: "Man or Superman?").

And Superman No. 104/1 contains this comment:
''"Lois Lane seems to have a natural talent for trouble! How often her busy little brain gets her into scrapes where only the Man of Steel can save her!" (Mar 1956: "Lois Lane, Super-Genius").''

When Lois Lane does find herself in jeopardy, it is usually for one of the following reasons:
*(a) In pursuit of a news story, Lois fearlessly, and recklessly, places herself in mortal danger.
*(b) Criminals attempt to harm her in retaliation for her articles exposing their rackets in the pages of the Daily Planet.
*(c) Evildoers kidnap her and attempt to hold her hostage as protection against Superman onto force the Man of Steel to do their bidding
*(d) Evildoers attempt to harm Lois as an indirect means of wreaking vengeance on Superman.

Early on, however, Lois Lane comes to realize that she is under Superman's personal protection and that, no matter how dire her predicament, the Man of Steel will always arrive in time to rescue her. This knowledge has nurtured in Lois a flamboyant self-confidence that borders on the ridiculous.

"For a girl who is in serious danger, you appear singularly unconcerned," remarks the [[Talon]], after he has taken Lois Lane captive in July-August 1942. "Why should I worry," replies Lois smugly, "when Superman has made it his full-time activity to look after helpless me?" (S No. 17/1: "Man or Superman?").

"Luthor will probably kill you the minute he gets here," exclaims one of Lex Luthor's henchmen to a cocky Lois on another, similar occasion, "...yet you have the nerve to grin." "Why shouldn't I?" replies Lois with a smile. "Superman has always managed to show up and save me whenever I was in trouble! I'm sure he won't fail me now!" (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug '42: "When Titans Clash!").

It is this same reckless self-confidence that informs Lois's response on another occasion, in July- August 1943, after she has been taken captive by a hoodlum in the pay of the [[Dude]]. "I don't understand you, lady," remarks the hoodlum. "You should be scared stiff, but you act like you're going to a lawn party!" "Why shouldn't I be cheerful?" laughs Lois. "Just think of the big scoop I'm going to score!" (S No. 23/3: "Fashions in Crime!").

In the early years of her career, Lois Lane frequently carries a small pistol in her purse, both for self-defense and for extorting information from criminals (Act No. 43, Dec 1941; and others). She has apparently abandoned the practice; however, by the end of 1942, perhaps because Superman's constant intervention on her behalf rendered the pistol superfluous.

By the 1970s, Lois Lane eventually learned the Kryptonian marital art of [[Klurkor]] in the city of [[Kandor]] and became formidable in hand-to-hand combat. This skill served her well in later solo accounts chronicled in ''Superman Family'' where her independent investigations led to her defeating numerous criminals without Superman's intervention being necessary.

== The Men of the Chronicles ==
[[Image:Loisboyfriends.jpg|left]]
"Everyone knows that the one love of Lois Lane's life is ...Superman!" (S No.61/2, Nov/Dec 1949: "The Courtship of the Three Lois Lanes!"). Indeed, her most heartfelt desire is to become his bride. For years, observes Action Comics No. 206, "the girl reporter has had her heart set upon becoming Mrs. Superman!" (Jan 1960: "Mighty Maid").

Although Lois has tried innumerable ploys to get Superman to marry her, however, and has even come within a hair's breadth of success on several occasions, she has not yet succeeded despite decades of effort in raising her status beyond that of Superman's girl friend (Act No. 75, Aug 1944: Aesop's Modem Fable,"; and many others). Nevertheless Lois Lane's relationship with Superman in his role as Superman and in his role as Clark Kent, remains an intricate and complex one and constitutes one of the major themes of the chronicles (TGSB).

Lois Lane is fiercely loyal to Superman. She is his staunchest supporter and most ardent fan. She is constantly seeing to it that he receives the fullest measure of public credit for his many good deeds (S No. 16, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man''; and many others), and she almost always retains her faith in him even when, for the moment, his motives are suspect or his actions unpopular (WF No.6, Sum 1942: Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!''; and many others). "...of all Superman's fans," notes Superman No.67, Lois Lane has been the most loyal. nay, at times even fanatic!" (Nov/Dec 1950: "Perry Como, I Love You!"), There have indeed been occasions when Superman's character and integrity were so gravely in doubt that even Lois Lane has temporarily lost faith in him (Act No. 75, Jan 1953: "Muscles for Money"; and others), but these occasions have been few and far between and should not be considered as detracting from Lois's fundamental loyalty.

For years, Lois Lane has maintained scrapbooks containing pictures and accounts of Superman's exploits (S No. 17, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?"; and others), one of which she presents to the [[Man of Steel]] as a gift in July-August 1947 (WF No. 29: "The Books That Couldn't He Bound!"). In July-August 1943, she remarks that she is in the process of writing a novel based on her experiences with Superman, but it is not possible to determine whether the work has ever been published (S No. 23/2 "Habitual Homicide'). In January-February 1947, Lois Lane assists Superman in the writing of his autobiography which is published soon afterward by [[Benny Call]] under the title '''The Confessions of Superman''' (WF No. 26: "The Confessions of Superman") Lois Lane has also maintained a personal diary for many years, containing, among other things, an intimate account of her relationship with Superman (S No. 27, Mar/Apr 1944: "Dear Diary"). The diary is kept for safekeeping inside safe-deposit box #113 at the Metropolis Bank (S No. 68, Jan/Feb 1951: "Lois Lane's Royal Romancer"). Superman, for his part, has memorialized his relationship with Lois Lane by dedicating a room to her in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (Act No. 241 Jun: "The Super-Key to Fort Superman" and others). The Fortress also houses at least one Lois Lane robot (Act No 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!).

Despite her renowned involvement, with Superman, however, Lois Lane has been ardently pursued by many other men, including [[Craig Shaw]] (Act No. 61, Jun 1943: "The Man They Wouldn't Believe!"), [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] (S No.51, Mar/Apr 1945: "Mr. Mxyzptlk Seeks a Wife!"), [[Stephen Van Schuyler III]] (S No. 55, Nov/Dec 1949: "The Richest Man in the World!'') [[King Harrup II]] (S No. 68, Jan/Feb: "Lois Lane's Royal Romance!''), [[Bizarro]] (Act No. 254, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!"), [[Hercules]] (Act No. 267, Aug 1960:"Hercules in the 20th Century!"), and [[Brett Rand]] (S No. 139, Aug 1960: "The New Life of Super-Merman").

But in the words of Superman No. 136:

''Again and again [Lois Lane] has refused all other offers of marriage... turning down all kinds of men ... rich, powerful, handsome men... because of her loyal love for the '''Man of Steel!''''' [Apr 1960: "The man who married Lois Lane!]

Lois Lane actually marries the villain [[Zak-Kul]] in October 1958, in the mistaken belief that she is marrying Superman, but the marriage is annulled soon afterward when it is discovered that the bridegroom was a Superman impostor (Act No. 245:"The Shrinking Supernan!'). And in April 1960 Lois Lane marries [[X-Plam]], a warm hearted man from the mid-twenty-fourth century. This marriage is tragically terminated, however, by the death of the groom soon after the wedding (S No. 136: "The Man Who Married Lois Lane!").

By and large, however, Lois Lane has persistently rejected her numerous suitors "because of her optimistic, persistent hope that she will some day become the bride of the Man of Steel!" (S No. 130, Aug 1960: The New Life of Super-Merman!"). (TGSB)

== Lois Lane's Relatives ==

Lois Lane's relatives include her younger sister, [[Lucy Lane]] (Act No. 272, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!"; and others), her aunt [[Bernice Brainard]] (S No. 24/3, Sep/Oct 1943: "Surprise for Superman!"), her niece [[Susie Tompkins]] (Act No.98, Jul 1946: "Starring Susie!"; and others), and her uncle [[Ned Lane]], described as "a famous authority on the legends of King Arthur's court!" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!").

One text contains a reference to a married sister of Lois's who is Susie Tompkins's mother, but this sister never actually appears in the chronicles (Act No. 59, Apr 1943: "Cinderella- -a la Superman!"). Lois Lane's descendants include [[Lois 4XR]], a great-great-great-great-granddaughter—and a perfect Lois Lane look-alike—living in the thirtieth century C.E. (S No. 57/2, Mar/Apr 1949: "Every Man
Superman!").

== Lois Lane's Look-alikes ==

Interestingly, quite a few other women are perfect Lois Lane look-alikes, including actress [[Brenda Manning]] (WF No. 40, May/Jun 1949: "The Two Lois Lanes!"), the [[Tiger Woman]] (Act No. 195, Aug 1954:
"Lois Lane... Wanted!"), and [[Sylvia]], the wife of [[Van-Zee]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. IIII "Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"; and others).

('''see also''' [[Lois Lane of Earth-2]]; [[Lois Lane of Earth-3]])

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lois_Lane Wikipedia Entry on Lois Lane]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=294 Lois Lane Index by Mike]
*[http://www.redboots.net/loislane/llane_index.htm Lois at redboots.net]
*[http://gayforloislane.blogspot.com/ Gay for Lois Lane--A Blog]

[[Category:Entries|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:People|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Journalists|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Heroes|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:LL|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Lois Lane|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Lane, Lois]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Lane, Lois]]

File:Professor Pepperwinkle.jpg

2012-01-18T02:39:46Z

Macduff: Added URL for image source

Image source: [https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/Encyclopaedia/entries/index.php?entry=pepperwinkle from STTA]

Professor Pepperwinkle

2012-01-18T02:38:14Z

Macduff: Added external links

aka '''Professor Jasper J. Pepperwinkle'''

A "well-known" inventor and apparent acquantaince of both [[Clark Kent]] and [[Superman]] who resides with his wife of over 25 years, [[Elaine Pepperwinkle]], in a "modest suburban home" near [[Metropolis]].

The home is outfitted with a number of the Professor's inventions, including a "step-saving compressed air-elevator" and a "time-saving automated coat rack." The professor often writes with his self-invented "non-lead laser retracting pencil" and the couples' car is driven by his "experimental radar attuned electronic-eye robot chauffeur" (S No. 289/1, Jul 1975: "The Phantom Horseman of Metropolis").

In December 1974, Professor Pepperwinkle comes out of retirement to construct his "greatest invention," the "'''sonic-boom-boomer'''" a device which can "simulate a '''boom''' equivalent to a speeding SST breaking the sound barrier," for people who don't live near airports but will now be able to enjoy a '''boom''' whenever the mood hits them. Superman discovers Pepperwinkle's small laboratory in a building in Metropolis which supports the bizarre device on its roof (Act No. 442/1, Dec 1974: "The Midnight Murder Show!").

In July 1975, Professor Pepperwinkle joins forces with [[Inspector Bill Henderson]], Superman, and [[Morgan Edge]] in an attempt to track down the good professor's apparently stolen invention, a "'''tri-dimensional silhouette-projector"''', which has been leading Superman on a wild goose chase by causing 3-dimensional projected phantoms to plague the city. (S No. 289/1, Jul 1975: "The Phantom Horseman of Metropolis!")

In March 1976, Professor Pepperwinkle provides Clark Kent with an anti-gravity "gizmo" that the intrepid reporter, who is now temporarily without his super-powers as the result of a complex scheme instigated by the alien observer [[Mr. Xavier]], uses to defeat a group of [[Inter-Gang]] hoodlums (S No. 297: "Clark Kent Forever--Superman Never!").
[[Image:Professor_Pepperwinkle.jpg|center]]
Professor Pepperwinkle considers himself to be the "greatest inventor in the world," while Clark Kent notes that he has "been known to foul-up occasionally" (S No. 297, Mar 1976: "Clark Kent Forever--Superman Never!").

''(This entry still needs just a bit of biographic info from S No. 308, Feb 1977: "This Planet is Mine!")''

== External Links ==
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/Encyclopaedia/entries/index.php?entry=pepperwinkle The Encyclopædia of Superman: Professor Pepperwinkle]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/phantom/ The Phantom Horseman of Metropolis!]

[[Category:Entries|Pepperwinkle,Professor]]
[[Category:People|Pepperwinkle,Professor]]
[[Category:Scientists|Pepperwinkle,Professor]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Pepperwinkle,Professor]]

Professor Phineas Potter

2012-01-18T02:32:59Z

Macduff: Created External Link section w/ Wikipedia link

[[Image:ProfessorPotter.gif|right]]

'''Professor Potter'''

A brilliant, albeit somewhat eccentric, inventor and friend of [[Superman]] who is forever creating bizarre devices which, while admittedly ingenious, often fail to perform any truly useful function, an example being his machine, invented in April 1965, whose only claim to practicality is that it "can squeeze 2,000 gallons of onion juice in an hour" (S No. 176/3: "Superman's Day of Truth!"). Professor Potter is [[Lana Lang]]'s uncle (Act No. 313, Jun 1964: "The End of Clark Kent's Secret Identity!").

In October 1961, after an overzealous agent for the Internal Revenue Service has declared Superman delinquent in his income taxes in the amount of $1,000,000,000, Superman uses "a special growth serum" developed by Professor Potter to stimulate the world's biggest oyster into producing the world's largest pearl in an effort to accumulate part of the money he needs (S No. 148/3: "Superman Owes a Billion Dollars!"). (''See'' [[Rupert Brand]].)

In April 1963, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily robbed Superman of his invulnerability and super-powers, Professor Potter feeds the relevant data into his new "electronic computer" and correctly informs the Man of Steel that the antidote for the variety of red kryptonite that has affected him on this particular occasion consists of large doses of ascorbic, citric, and acetic acid (S No. 160/1: pts. I-II- "The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!").

When [[Metropolis]] television station [[WMET-TV]] inaugurates its new "Our American Heroes" series with a program honoring Superman, "our greatest American hero," [[Lois Lane]] and Lana Lang attempt to penetrate the secret of Superman's dual identity with the aid of an electronic device they have borrowed from Professor Potter (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

In May 1964 Professor Potter helps [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Robin]] carry out an elaborate ruse designed to trick Superman and [[Batman]] into believing that their two young friends are dead (WF No. 141: "The Olsen-Robin Team versus The Superman-Batman Team!").

In August 1964, after the ruthless "interplanetary gamblers" [[Rokk and Sorban]] have threatened to destroy the Earth unless Superman agrees to commit a wanton murder, Lana Lang sneaks into Professor Potter's laboratory and attempts to commit suicide thereby means of one of Professor Potter's many failed inventions, an "experimental machine for suspended animation" which, instead of performing its intended function, "merely turns people into lifeless crystal"â€”so that Superman can claim he killed her and thereby avert the threat to Earth. Superman rescues Lana in the nick of time, however, and ultimately resolves the agonizing dilemma posed by the aliens by pretending to murder his alter ego, Clark Kent (S No. 171/1: "Superman's Sacrifice!").

In April 1965, when Superman commemorates the Day of Truth, a Kryptonian holiday (''see'' [[Krypton]]), by speaking "nothing but the truth" to the people he encounters, Professor Potter is one of several people who are shocked by the Man of Steel's uncharacteristic bluntness. "As usual," remarks Superman after having viewed the professor's latest useless device, "your invention is a miserable flop!" (S No. 176/3: "Superman's Day of Truth!"). In that same month and year, Jimmy uses a teleportation device invented by Professor Potter to bring [[Titano]] and the [[Flame Dragon]] to Earth for the filming of a new giant monster movie. When the two enormous creatures begin running wild while fighting each other, Jimmy is forced to use the device to send them back where they came from (SPJO No. 84/1, Apr 1965: "Jimmy Olsen's Monster Movie").

== External Link ==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professor_Potter Wikipedia Entry on Professor Potter]

[[Category:Entries|Potter (Professor)]]
[[Category:People|Potter (Professor)]]
[[Category:Scientists|Potter (Professor)]]
[[Category:Jimmy Olsen|Potter (Professor)]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Potter (Professor)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Potter (Professor)]]

Laurel Kent

2012-01-18T02:19:59Z

Macduff: /* External Link */ pluralized

[[Image:Laurel.jpg|left]]

'''Laurel Kent'''

Laurel Kent is a thirtieth century direct descendant of [[Superman]] (first appearance: SB No. 217/2, Jun 1976: "Future Shock for Superboy").

She trains at the [[Legion Academy]] and applies for admittance to the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], but is turned down. Her only power is invulnerability, which is considered a duplicate of other members' powers. Due to her [[Kryptonian]] heritage, she is vulnerable to [[kryptonite]].

When she first encounter's the teenaged [[Superboy]], Laurel uses the alias "Elna" and makes reference to the fact that she strongly resembles the woman Superman is destined to marry (though no account is specific, "Elna" is an anagram of "Lane", a probable reference to [[Lois Lane]]).

At a later time at the Academy, Laurel is shot by a marksman using a kryptonite bullet. This is part of a larger scheme to seek revenge on all of the descendants of the [[Justice League of America]], of which Superman was a founding member, by the League's immortal foe, [[Professor Ivo]] (Legion of Super-Heroes Annual No. 1, 1985: "Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Cold").

==External Links==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales5/future-shock/ Read Future Shock for Superboy!]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Kent Wikipedia Entry on Laurel Kent]

[[Category:Entries|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Heroes|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Aliens|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Kryptonians|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Superman's Family|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:House of El|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Kent, Laurel]]

Laurel Kent

2012-01-18T02:19:40Z

Macduff: Restored STTA link

[[Image:Laurel.jpg|left]]

'''Laurel Kent'''

Laurel Kent is a thirtieth century direct descendant of [[Superman]] (first appearance: SB No. 217/2, Jun 1976: "Future Shock for Superboy").

She trains at the [[Legion Academy]] and applies for admittance to the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], but is turned down. Her only power is invulnerability, which is considered a duplicate of other members' powers. Due to her [[Kryptonian]] heritage, she is vulnerable to [[kryptonite]].

When she first encounter's the teenaged [[Superboy]], Laurel uses the alias "Elna" and makes reference to the fact that she strongly resembles the woman Superman is destined to marry (though no account is specific, "Elna" is an anagram of "Lane", a probable reference to [[Lois Lane]]).

At a later time at the Academy, Laurel is shot by a marksman using a kryptonite bullet. This is part of a larger scheme to seek revenge on all of the descendants of the [[Justice League of America]], of which Superman was a founding member, by the League's immortal foe, [[Professor Ivo]] (Legion of Super-Heroes Annual No. 1, 1985: "Revenge Is a Dish Best Served Cold").

==External Link==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales5/future-shock/ Read Future Shock for Superboy!]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Kent Wikipedia Entry on Laurel Kent]

[[Category:Entries|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Heroes|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Aliens|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Kryptonians|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Superman's Family|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:House of El|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Kent, Laurel]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Kent, Laurel]]

Jonathan and Martha Kent

2012-01-18T01:26:51Z

Macduff: Attempted to fix double-byte characters; added Martha's Story link

[[Image:Superboy53.jpg|thumb|right|Unstuck in time art by Curt Swan from Superboy No. 53]]

'''Jonathan and Martha Kent'''
aka [[Ma and Pa Kent]]

The adoptive Earth parents, now deceased, of [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly [[Superman]].

== Life before the Discovery ==

At the time he proposed marriage to his wife-to-be, Jonathan Kent was "a quiet spoken young farmer" and she was an attractive young brunette (S No. 141, Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton!" pts. I-III—”"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!"; "Superman's Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!"), but by the time the tiny rocket ship bearing the infant Kal-El, son of [[Jor-El]], one day to be known to the world as Superman, soared through Earth's atmosphere and landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"), the Kents were already gray-haired, certainly into late middle-age, perhaps "elderly" (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and others), without children of their own (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!"), working their own modest farm (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others) somewhere "outside of Smallville" (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!").

Actually, the texts are not consistent on the question of where the Kents were living at the time they found the infant Superman: Superman No. 73/2 strongly suggests that the Kents were residing in [[Metropolis]] at the time the rocket landed (Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!"), and Action Comics No. 106 asserts that they came upon the rocket within the Metropolis city limits (Mar 1947: "His Lordship, Clark Kent!"). Numerous other texts, however, state that the rocket landed near Smallville (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others), evidently within short driving distance of the Kent's farm (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others), and this latter version is undoubtedly the correct one.

== A Rocket from Krypton lands on Earth ==

According to Action Comics No. 1, the rocket ship bearing the infant Superman was discovered by "a passing motorist" (Jun 1938), but Superman No. 1/1 (Sum 1939) and numerous other texts assert that the infant was found by the Kents, who happened to be passing by in their car (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"; and others) moments after the rocket landed. The baby was swathed in the blue, red, and yellow blankets that the Kents later used to fashion his Superman costume ( ''see'' [[Superman]] [section C, the costume]). In his hand he clutched the jewel-like iron-destroying "projector" that had been placed inside the rocket by his father, Jor-El (Act No. 172, Sep 1952: "Lois Lane... Witch!"). Scarcely had the Kents removed the infant from the rocket, however, "when the space-ship's metal, foreign to Earth climatic and chemical makeup, burst into flame!" Within seconds, not a trace was left (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

Later texts echo this brief explanation of the rocket's destruction, asserting that the rocket burned because the metal from which it had been fashioned was "a substance alien to our Earth" (Act No. 186, Nov 1953: "Haunted Superman!") or because "its metal [was] alien to our atmosphere!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!"). A more plausible explanation, however, is advanced by Superman No. 146/1, which states that "all people and things from Krypton became invulnerable on Earth" and that "only the explosion of its super-fuel had the power to wreck the rocket" (Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Within a few brief seconds, "not even a trace" of the rocket was left. "If we tell what happened," mused Jonathan Kent aloud, "nobody will believe us!" "We'll say we found an abandoned baby," replied his wife, "...which is true!" (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

== The Adoption of Kal-El ==

It was the Kents who first came upon the infant Superman after the experimental rocket that had borne him safely away from the exploded planet [[Krypton]] had landed on the planet Earth, and it was the Kents who opened their home and their hearts to the tiny orphan from space, who legally adopted him and raised him as their own son, and who imbued him with the urgent desire to use his mighty super-powers to aid the weak, the helpless, and the oppressed. In the texts, they are referred to as "a kindly couple" (Act No. 106, Mar 1947: "His Lordship, Clark Kent!"), and as "two fine people, who gave a loving home to an orphan from space!" (Act No. 288, May 1962: "The Man Who Exposed Superman!"). In the town of [[Smallville], where they lived, they were known as good neighbors and "fine citizens" (S No. 90/2, Jul 1954: "Superman's Secret Past!"). Superman has described them as "the best foster parents who ever lived" (WF No. 69, Mar/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!").

The details of the adoption of infant Kal differ, some accounts tell of a waiting period at Smallville orphanage, and Action No. 1 (1938) tells of the baby being found by a "passing motorist" (also, see [[Smallville Orphanage]]). Most texts agree that the Kents are farmers who later move to [[Smallville]] so that Jonathan can run a small store.

All accounts agree that the Kents turned the infant from space over to an orphan asylum (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939) or foundling home (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!") immediately after having found him. Action Comics No. 288 refers to the orphan asylum as the Smallville Orphanage (May 1962: "The Man Who Exposed Superman!"), while Superman No. 161/1 calls it the Smallville Orphan's Home (May 1963: "The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent!").

Accounts differ, however, on the question of whether the Kents decided to adopt the infant Superman immediately or whether they formulated these plans later. According to Superman No. 1/1, the Kents delivered the baby to the orphanage and then returned sometime later to adopt him only after discovering that they were unable to get the "sweet child" out of their minds (Sum 1939), but Superman No. 53/1 asserts that the Kents applied for adoption immediately and left the infant Superman at the orphanage only temporarily, long enough for their application to be properly investigated. The baby caused such pandemonium at the home, continues this text, with the unrestrained use of his super-powers, that the authorities rushed through the Kent's adoption in record time just so they could be rid of the problem infant (Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

Most texts agree that the Kents decided to adopt the infant Superman the moment they found him (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"; and others). Indeed, the more recent texts state that the Kents, knowing they would be asked to explain the origins of the child if they merely kept him or if they delivered him to the foundling home in person, actually left the baby in a basket at the orphanage doorstep, as though he had been abandoned there, so that they could appear at the following day (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959; "The Town That Hated Superman!")—”or several days later (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!")—”to adopt him for their own.

Once having adopted the youngster, the Kents realized they needed to give him a name. "At last, we've a son of our very own!" exclaimed Jonathan Kent, as he and his wife drove their newly adopted son home from the orphanage. "What shall we call him?"

"We'll name him after your family..." replied his wife. And then she turned to her new son and said, "Hello, son! You have a new name! From now on you'll be Clark...'''Clark Kent!'''" (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

This dialogue exchange is confusing, for it is not at all clear how the name Clark could possibly be the name of Jonathan Kent's family. In all probability, however, this confusion stems from an incorrect placement of word balloons in the original text, thus placing Jonathan Kent's dialogue in the mouth of his wife, and vice versa. This interpretation is strongly supported by Superman No. 146/1, which recounts the orphaning of the infant Superman and his adoption by the Kents. In this text, Jonathan Kent asks his wife to select a name for their newly adopted son, to which Martha Kent replies, "I'll use my former last name before our marriage...'''Clark!''' Our son will be '''Clark Kent!''' (Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

A fairly large number of texts, in recounting the story of Superman's early life, have stated that the Kents decided to adopt the infant Superman immediately upon having removed him from the rocket, and that they selected the name Clark for him even before delivering him to the orphanage and instituting formal adoption proceedings (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"; and others), but these accounts are probably best viewed as attempts to recapitulate the events surrounding the infant Superman's adoption in a briefer, more condensed, form rather than as an alternative version of these same events.

== Growing up Kent ==

Clark Kent's early childhood years following his adoption were spend on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!"; and others). It did not take long for the Kents to discover that their newly adopted orphan from outer space was endowed with extraordinary super-powers, including invulnerability, X-ray vision, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"; Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"; and others). Indeed, it was because the infant Superman kept unintentionally demolishing his conventional baby clothing during energetic bouts of super-powered play that the Kents unraveled the colored blankets which they had found wrapped around him in the rocket and used them to fashion the colorful super play-suit that became the forerunner of his now world-famous costume (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!"; S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

By the time Clark Kent was old enough to attend school, the Kents sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others). According to Superman No. 1/1, "the love and guidance of [Clark Kent's] kindly foster-parents was...an important factor in the shaping of the boy's future." It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon their adopted son the importance of keeping his powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

"Now listen to me, Clark!" cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. "This great strength of yours--you've got to hide it from people or they'll be scared of you!"

"But when the proper time comes," added Martha Kent, "you must use it to assist humanity" (Sum 1939).

There ware also other reasons for keeping Clark's super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try "to exploit his super-powers for evil purposes" (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others). It was the combined impact of all these concerns that led Clark Kent to embark upon his dual life and to use his super-powers openly only as Superman (''see'' [[Superman]] [the secret identity]).

== The Death of the Kents ==

Sometime prior to [[Clark Kent]]'s leaving [[Smallville]] to embark on his career as a newspaper reporter in [[Metropolis]], Jonathan and Martha Kent passed away. The chronicles are vague—”and somewhat inconsistent—”regarding the time and circumstances of their death, but all are generally agreed that Martha Kent died first and Jonathan Kent soon afterward, and that, on his deathbed, Jonathan Kent once again urged his foster son to use his super-powers to fight evil and serve humanity. In general, such inconsistencies as do exist can be attributed to the fact that the early texts portray Clark Kent as having embarked on his super-heroic career as [[Superman]] only after he had reached adulthood, while later texts portray him as having battled crime and injustice as [[Superboy]] prior to embarking on his adult crime-fighting career as Superman.

Superman No. 1/1, the first text to mention the death of the Kents, contains only a scant reference to their passing, although it does portray Clark Kent as having reached adulthood by the time the sad event occurred:

The passing away of his foster-parents greatly
grieved Clark Kent. But it strengthened a determination
that had been growing in his mind.
Clark decided that he must turn his titanic strength
into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was
created—”

SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical
marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to
helping those in need! (Sum 1939).
Superman No. 53/1, also portrays Clark Kent as having already attained manhood by the time of the Kent's death. And, while it is vague concerning the exact chronology of the event, it does establish for the first time that Martha Kent died first as well as chronicling the deathbed conversation between Jonathan Kent and his foster son that would ultimately serve as the model for all future recapitulations of the event.

"No man on Earth has the amazing powers you have," whispered Jonathan Kent, his last strength fast fading. "You can use them to become a powerful force for good!"

"How, Dad?" asked Clark.

"There are evil men in this world," replied Jonathan Kent, "...criminals and outlaws who prey on decent folk! You must fight them...in cooperation with the law!

"To fight criminals best, you must hide your true identity! They must never know Clark Kent is a ... a super-man! Remember, because that's what you are...a '''superman!''' (Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

Action Comics No. 158 recapitulates the deathbed scene, still portraying Clark Kent as "a grown man" at the time of his foster parents' passing but now incorporating the element, inconsistant in the chronicles, of Clark's having already passed his boyhood and adolescence performing super-heroics as Superboy.

"Clark," intoned the dying Jonathan Kent, "your super-powers made you a champion of right as '''''Superboy!''''' Now you must continue your role as '''''Superman'''''--but always keep your true identity hidden!"

"I will!" replied Clark. "I'll keep on wearing these glasses and appear timid, so no one will guess my secret!" (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!").

Superman No. 146/1 confirms, by and large, all the previous accounts, adding only that the Kents died shortly following Clark Kent's return home to Smallville following his graduation from college, and that Martha Kent's death preceded her husband's by several months (Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

The account of the Kents' death contained in Superman No. 161/1 (May 1963: "The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent!") represents a significant break with the earlier chronicles, the Kents are portrayed as having passed away within hours of one another, while Clark Kent was still an adolescent—”shortly after unearthing an early eighteenth-century pirate chest contaminated with the germs of a rare "fever plague" while vacationing on an island somewhere in the Caribbean. Fatally stricken by this "strange malady," a disease for which there is no known cure, the Kents lapse into a coma and die within less than twenty-four hours, although Jonathan Kent does regain consciousness long enough to urge his foster so to "always use your super-powers to do good... uphold law and order, " and then whisper, "Good luck, my son ... and goodbye!" The Kents here show none of the youth bestowed on them in a later story (SB No. 145, Mar 1968: "The Fantastic Faces!").

== The Will of the Kents ==

The will left behind by the Kents bequeathed their home and general store to Clark Kent, and their savings to the Smallville Orphan's Home, where Clark Kent had lived prior to his legal adoption (May 1963: "The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent!").

Martha Kent had always urged her foster son to retain ownership of the Kent home, and, according to Action Comics No. 288, Clark Kent has scrupulously carried out her final wishes. Today, according to this text, it still stands in Smallville, unoccupied since the day Clark Kent moved away to Metropolis following the death of his foster parents, "a shrine to the memory of two fine people, who gave a loving home to an orphan from space!" (May 1962: "The Man Who Exposed Superman!"). This account is contradicted, however, by Superman No. 90/2, which describes the Kent home in Smallville as having been purchased by [[Professor Snelling]] (Jul 1954: "Superman's Secret Past!").

The texts are also inconsistent regarding the final disposition of Jonathan Kent's general store. According to World Finest Comics No. 69, a garage now occupies the site of the general store (Mar/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"), but Superman No. 90/2 asserts that a supermarket now occupies the site (Jul 1954: "Superman's Secret Past!"). The accuracy of these discrepant assertions becomes irrelevant in September 1957, however, when, as a tribute to Superman, the people of Smallville restore all of the landmarks of Superman' youth—”including the Kent's general store—”to the condition that characterized them Superman's boyhood (S No. 116/2: "Disaster Strikes Twice").

In addition to the preservation of their home and general store, the Kents have been memorialized—”by both Superman and the people of Smallville—”in other ways: Smallville has paid tribute to Jonathan and Martha Kent by hanging their portrait in the Smallville City Hall (S No. 90/2, Jul 1954: "Superman's Secret Past!"), and Superman has dedicated a room to them in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others). A "hidden vault deep beneath the fortress" contains, among other "super-secret" possessions and memorabilia, photographs that the Kents took of their foster son and notebooks containing their personal account of how they found him (Act No. 330, Nov 1965: "The Strange —˜S' Spell on Superman!"). While he was still a teen-ager, Superman carved a "spectacular space monument"—”in the form of a gigantic statue of the Kents with himself standing between them—”into the side of a distant asteroid (S No. 161/1, May 1963: "The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent!").

== The Naming of the Kents ==

The early text are inconsistent regarding the first names of Superman's foster parents: referred to only as the Kents (but Ma Kent is called —˜Mary') in Superman No. 1/1 (Sum 1939), they are referred to as John and Mary Kent in Superman No. 53/1 (Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"). Superman's foster father is called Silas Kent in Action Comics No. 132 (May 1949: "The Secret of the Kents!")—”where Superman meets him during an adventure in the past—”but he is consistently referred to as Jonathan Kent from July 1951 onward (Act No. 158: "The Kid from Krypton!"; and others). Superman's foster mother is first called Martha in January-February 1952, a name she retains from that time onward (S No. 74/1: "The Lost Secrets of Krypton!"; and others), with the sole, insignificant exception of Action Comics No. 189, in which her first name is misspelled Marthe (Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!").

Similar confusion exists regarding Martha's Kent's maiden name: given as Martha Hudson in Superman No. 141 (Nov 1960: "Superman's Return to Krypton!" pts. I-III—”"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara Again!"; "Superman's Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!") and as Martha Clark in Superman No. 146/1 (Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"), it has, in later texts, been given as Martha Hudson Clark as a means of rectifying the discrepancy.

== The Kent Family Tree ==

Clark Kent's Kent-family ancestors include Ely Kent, a Colonial-era blacksmith; Captain Joshua Kent, the owner-operator of a barge on the Erie Canal; and inventor Hiram Kent, the father of Jonathan Kent. Clark Kent's living Kent-family relatives include his cousin "Digger" Kent, a gold prospector; his cousin Louis Pasteur Kent, a country doctor; his cousin Titus Kent, a wheelchair-ridden recluse who lost his entire fortune during the great Depression; his first cousin Carol Kent, an actress (Act No. 132, May 1949: "The Secret of the Kents!"); and his aunt [[Minerva Kent]], Jonathan Kent's younger sister (Act No. 160, Sep 1951: "Superman's Aunt Minerva!"). Clark Kent's uncle, merchant seaman George Kent, the brother of Jonathan Kent, died while Clark was still a youngster when the freighter '''Starbuck''', on which George Kent was second mate, sand in the North Atlantic with all hands on board (S No. 111/2, Feb 1957: "Clark Kent's Crooked Cousin"). Clark Kent's first cousin Arthur Kent, a broker, is murdered by Titus Kent's butler, Hubert, in May 1949 (Act No. 132: "The Secret of the Kents!").

== The Adventures of the Kents ==

In May 1949 Superman journeys through the time barrier to the year 1878, where he makes the acquaintance of the youngster who will one day grow up to be his own foster father (Act No. 132: "The Secret of the Kents!").

By May 1956 Clark Kent has received an anonymous letter from a person claiming to have unraveled the secret of his dual identity. Desperate to uncover the identity of the mysterious letter writer and to undo whatever past blunder has been responsible for the betrayal of his secret identity, Superman revisits the site of virtually every super-feat he has ever performed and painstakingly re-examines every detail of his live, only to discover, finally, that the letter was written by Jonathan Kent, who had arranged for the letter to be mailed to his foster son years after his death as his means of inspiring Clark Kent to remain ever vigilant in safeguarding the secret of his double identity (S No. 105/1: "Superman's 3 Mistakes!").

In December 1958 Jonathan and Martha Kent are impersonated by [[Cedric and Millicent Carson]], a pair of "scheming actors" who dupe Superman into believing that they are visiting him from out of his past through the miracle of time travel, all as part of an elaborate scheme to bilk the Man of Steel out of $5,000,000 (Act No. 247: "Superman's Lost Parents!").

In December 1961 Superman enjoys a brief reunion with Jonathan and Martha Kent—”as well with his real parents, Jor-El and [[Lara]]—”after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily endowed him with the power to make his wishes come true and he has wished aloud that his parents were on the scene to advise him how best to use his marvelous new power. Moments later, however, the effects of the red kryptonite wear off, Superman loses his wish-fulfilling power, and his magically materialized parents and foster parents fade and vanish like wraiths (Act No. 283: "The Red Kryptonite Menace!").

In March 1965, during a visit to an extra dimensional "parallel world... a world that's almost like Earth in every way, but in which history had a different course than on Earth," Superman encounters a gray-haired couple—”also named Jonathan and Martha Kent—”who are perfect look-alikes for his foster parents and much like the Kents in other ways. These parallel-world Kents, however, are criminals and have raised their foster son Superman to be a master villain (WF No. 148: "Superman and Batman--Outlaw!" pts. I-II—”"The Evil Superman and Batman"; "The Incredible New Super-Team!").

Later stories document a serum from another dimensional world that restores many years of youth to Jonathan and Martha Kent (SB No. 145, Mar 1968: "The Fantastic Faces!").

Both Jonathan and Martha Kent have, on several occasions, assumed costumed identities to aid Superboy in the course of his super-adventures, including [[Strongman]] (Adv No. 236, May 1957: "Clark Kent's Super-Dad"), the [[Rainbow Raider]] (SB No. 84/1, Oct 1960: "The Rainbow Raider!"; SB No. 164/2, Apr 1970: "The Revolt of Ma Kent"), and the [[Mental Emperor]] (SB No. 111/3, Jan 1964: "The Mental Emperor!").

('''See also''' [[John and Mary Kent of Earth-2]])

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Kent Wikipedia entry on Ma and Pa Kent]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/users/hawkins/martha.php Martha's Story] by Samuel Hawkins

[[Category:Entries|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]
[[Category:People|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]
[[Category:Superman's Family|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Kent, Jonathan and Martha]]

Kryptonite Kid

2012-01-18T01:15:33Z

Macduff: Removed mystery characters

[[Image:Kryptonite_kid.jpg|left|frame|none|Kryptonite personified, the Kid and his evil pet haunt the dreams of Superboy and Krypto. Image by George Papp]]

'''The Kryptonite Kid'''

A juvenile delinquent from the planet [[Blor]] who has the power of [[Green Kryptonite]]. He is the sworn enemy of [[Superboy]] and has battled the [[Boy of Steel]] on several occasions.

In September 1960, the telepathic Kid and his [[Kryptonite Dog]] pass through a green cloud in space, both gaining an emerald hue and the attributes of [[Kryptonite]], deadly to Superboy and all survivors of [[Krypton]]. The duo journey to Earth and use their Midas-like ability to transform everyday objects into Kryptonite, threatening the lives of Superboy and [[Krypto]]--who are only saved at the last minute by the [[Land of Zrfff|5th-Dimensional]] magic of [[Master Mxyzptlk]] (SB No. 83/1: "The Dreams of Doom").

[[Image:99-1.jpg|right|frame|none|The Kryptonite Kid returns, 1962. Image by Curt Swan]]

The Kryptonite Kid returns sometime later, having been released from a 5th-Dimensional prison, and using his Kryptonite touch, he paralyzes Superboy. The Kryptonite Kid gives the Boy of Steel an opportunity to escape by exchanging Kryptoâ€™s life for his own. Superboy finds Krypto and turns him over to the Kryptonite Kid. However, after a short chase, Krypto appears unaffected by the Kryptonite. He then pushes the Kidâ€™s ship into a cloud of [[Red Kryptonite]]. The Red Kryptonite changes his skin color to a reddish hue and causes him to act benevolent and friendly. Superboy explains that Krypto was just a robot, and the events were planned. The Kid leaves Earth, but Superboy realizes that the effects of the Red Kryptonite are only temporary, and his enemy will one day return (SB No. 99/3: "The Kryptonite Kid").

Later, the villain returns to threaten the Man of Tomorrow as an adult, now calling himself the Kryptonite Man (S No. 299, May 1976: "The Double-or-Nothing Life of Superman!").

In a subsequent adventure, a second and different figure, also calling himself the [[Kryptonite Man]] and a refugee from Krypton itself, seeks to destroy the [[Man of Steel]] and [[Supergirl]] (S No. 397, Jul 1984: "The Born-Again Kryptonite Man!", SG2 No. 21, Jul 1984: "Curse of the Kryptonite-Man!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptonite_Man Wikipedia Entry on Kryptonite Kid/Man]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Kryptonite Kid

2012-01-18T01:14:37Z

Macduff: Fixed broken image

â€Ž[[Image:Kryptonite_kid.jpg|left|frame|none|Kryptonite personified, the Kid and his evil pet haunt the dreams of Superboy and Krypto. Image by George Papp]]

'''The Kryptonite Kid'''

A juvenile delinquent from the planet [[Blor]] who has the power of [[Green Kryptonite]]. He is the sworn enemy of [[Superboy]] and has battled the [[Boy of Steel]] on several occasions.

In September 1960, the telepathic Kid and his [[Kryptonite Dog]] pass through a green cloud in space, both gaining an emerald hue and the attributes of [[Kryptonite]], deadly to Superboy and all survivors of [[Krypton]]. The duo journey to Earth and use their Midas-like ability to transform everyday objects into Kryptonite, threatening the lives of Superboy and [[Krypto]]--who are only saved at the last minute by the [[Land of Zrfff|5th-Dimensional]] magic of [[Master Mxyzptlk]] (SB No. 83/1: "The Dreams of Doom").
â€Ž
[[Image:99-1.jpg|right|frame|none|The Kryptonite Kid returns, 1962. Image by Curt Swan]]

The Kryptonite Kid returns sometime later, having been released from a 5th-Dimensional prison, and using his Kryptonite touch, he paralyzes Superboy. The Kryptonite Kid gives the Boy of Steel an opportunity to escape by exchanging Kryptoâ€™s life for his own. Superboy finds Krypto and turns him over to the Kryptonite Kid. However, after a short chase, Krypto appears unaffected by the Kryptonite. He then pushes the Kidâ€™s ship into a cloud of [[Red Kryptonite]]. The Red Kryptonite changes his skin color to a reddish hue and causes him to act benevolent and friendly. Superboy explains that Krypto was just a robot, and the events were planned. The Kid leaves Earth, but Superboy realizes that the effects of the Red Kryptonite are only temporary, and his enemy will one day return (SB No. 99/3: "The Kryptonite Kid").

Later, the villain returns to threaten the Man of Tomorrow as an adult, now calling himself the Kryptonite Man (S No. 299, May 1976: "The Double-or-Nothing Life of Superman!").

In a subsequent adventure, a second and different figure, also calling himself the [[Kryptonite Man]] and a refugee from Krypton itself, seeks to destroy the [[Man of Steel]] and [[Supergirl]] (S No. 397, Jul 1984: "The Born-Again Kryptonite Man!", SG2 No. 21, Jul 1984: "Curse of the Kryptonite-Man!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptonite_Man Wikipedia Entry on Kryptonite Kid/Man]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Kryptonite]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Villains]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

User:Macduff/nav

2012-01-17T04:22:56Z

Macduff: Removed double-byte cruft

<center>
{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;font-size: 76%;border: 1px #eee solid; background: #fafafa;"
|
Macduff@supermanica
''':''' [[User:Macduff|user]]
'''·''' [[User_talk:Macduff|talk]]
'''·''' [[Special:Contributions/Macduff|contributions]]
'''·''' [http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php?title=Special:Log&user=Macduff logs]
|}
</center>

User:Macduff/nav

2012-01-17T04:18:17Z

Macduff: Supermanica no longer at .info

<center>
{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0;font-size: 76%;border: 1px #eee solid; background: #fafafa;"
|
Macduff@supermanica
''':''' [[User:Macduff|user]]
'''Â·''' [[User_talk:Macduff|talk]]
'''Â·''' [[Special:Contributions/Macduff|contributions]]
'''Â·''' [http://supermanica.kinlok.nu/wiki/index.php?title=Special:Log&user=Macduff logs]
|}
</center>

File:Superman-Red and Superman-Blue.jpg

2012-01-17T03:38:42Z

Macduff: Added image source URL

Image source: [https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/ Superman Through the Ages!]

Superman-Red and Superman-Blue

2012-01-17T03:36:43Z

Macduff: Restored previously removed "External Link"

[[Image:Superman-Red and Superman-Blue.jpg|left]]

'''Superman-Red and Superman-Blue'''

Sensational events ensue when the malfunctioning of a complex â€œbrain-evolution machineâ€ in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] accidentally transforms [[Superman]] into two identical super beings, one clad in a blue costume and the other in a red one, each endowed with a super-intellect 100 times as powerful as the original.

Armed with their vastly increased super-powers, the two benevolent Supermen, referred to as '''Superman-Blue and Superman-Red''', set out to fulfill many deeds of importance: together the two Supermen re-create the exploded planet [[Krypton]] to its last topographical detail; alter the atomic structure of [[Kryptonite]], rendering it harmless to [[Kryptonian]]s; enlarge the bottle city of [[Kandor]]; provide a water-world home in outer space for [[Lori Lemaris]] and the other Atlantean mer-people; and bring about the total eradication of crime, warfare, and evil by flooding the Earth with a potent â€œanti-evil rayâ€ of their own invention.

Now with these and other great tasks complete, Superman-Blue and Superman-Red marry [[Lana Lang]] and [[Lois Lane]] respectively and settle down to lives of wedded bliss on Earth ("Blue") and Krypton ("Red") (S No. 162: â€œThe Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue!").

== External Link ==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/redblue/ "The Amazing Story of Superman Red and Superman Blue"]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes Named Superman]]
[[Category:Imaginary Stories]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]

Lori Lemaris

2012-01-17T03:23:17Z

Macduff: Restored missing link

'''Lori Lemaris'''

[[Image:Lori Lemaris.gif|right|"The Girl From Superman's Past" art by Wayne Boring]]

The lovely brown-haired Atlantean mermaid who, prior to her marriage to the extraterrestrial merman surgeon [[Ronal]], was one of [[Superman]]'s love interests and remains to this day one of the [[Man of Steel]]'s most trusted friends. Recalling her wistfully in May 1959, [[Clark Kent]] describes her as the kind of girl he's always dreamed of marrying - a girl of rare beauty and courage with eyes as blue and mysterious as the sea and a voiced tinged with the slightest touch of a foreign accent (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl from Superman's Past").

Residing in the subsea realm of [[Atlantis]] with her husband Ronal and her younger sister [[Lenora Lemaris|Lenora]], Lori Lemaris is a descendant of [[Nar Lemaris]], the Atlantean scientist who performed the miraculous biological conversion that transformed the people of Atlantis into a population of mer-people (S No. 154/1, Jul 1962: "The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk").

Like all Atlanteans, Lori Lemaris has mastered the art of reading minds and of communicating telepathically. She can perform these feats over very long distances, thus enabling her to read Superman's thoughts or summon him by telepathy even while she is in Atlantis and he is in [[Metropolis]], a great distance away. It was by reading Clark Kent's mind that Lori first discovered that Clark Kent is [[Superman]]. Lori Lemaris' extraordinary mental powers also enable her to make sea creatures obey her telepathic commands or to tune in on the thoughts of criminals imprisoned in the [[Phantom Zone]].

Although Lori Lemaris, like other Atlanteans, is physically capable of surviving out of water, to remain in perfect health her body must be immersed in salt water at least ten hours a day. Since walking on land is impossible for a fish-tailed Atlantean, Lori Lemaris has customarily employed a wheelchair during her brief sojourns in the surface world, concealing her mermaid tail beneath a blanket so as not to arouse undue attention.

Lori Lemaris' status among her fellow Atlanteans is not entirely certain. Several texts portray her as an ordinary Atlantean citizen. At least one text, however, describes her as Atlantis' queen (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman") and two others describe her as Atlantis' ruler (S No. 154/1, Jul 1962: "The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk") and Act No. 300, May 1963: "Superman Under the Red Sun").

Once every hundred years, according to Superman No. 129, an Atlantean is chosen by his people to visit the surface world to learn of the surface people's progress during the preceeding century. It was while making one of these visits that Lori Lemaris attended Metropolis University during the period when Clark Kent was a senior there. Kent dated her steadily during this period, captivated by her courage and haunting beauty, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her.

Finally, Kent decided to ask her to marry him, to share with her the secret of his dual identity, and to abandon his super-heroic role as Superman forever in order to live out his life with her as plain Clark Kent. Lori, however, had already divined Clark Kent's secret by means of her telepathic powers, and although she loved him as much as he did her, she felt that marriage between a man and a mermaid was impossible and that her first duty was to return to her people. And so, recalls Clark Kent years later, "soon, under the sea, we kissed - and there never was, or ever will be, such a strange kiss again - the farewell kiss between a Superman and a mermaid!" (TGSB)

Lori's home, [[Tritonis]], is a seperate Atlantean city-state from Aquaman's home, [[Poseidonis]] (DCCP No. 5, Jan 1979: "The War of the Undersea Cities").

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lori_Lemaris Wikipedia Entry on Lori Lemaris]

== External Links to Online Comics ==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/lori/ "The Girl From Superman's Past"] from Superman No. 129

[[Category:Entries|Lemaris, Lori]]
[[Category:Heroes|Lemaris, Lori]]
[[Category:Atlanteans|Lemaris, Lori]]
[[Category:LL|Lemaris, Lori]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Lemaris, Lori]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Lemaris, Lori]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Lemaris, Lori]]

File:Lanahappy.jpg

2012-01-17T03:00:02Z

Macduff: Added image source URL

Lana Lang faces

Image source: [https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/Encyclopaedia/entries/index.php?entry=lana Superman Through the Ages! Encyclopaedia]

Superboy

2012-01-17T02:40:56Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ - restored some missing links

[[Image:Evosuperboy.jpg|left|frame|none|Superboy]]
'''Superboy'''

'''The Adventures of [[Superman]] when he was a boy!''' 
Birth name: [[Kal-El]]
 
Secret Identity: [[Clark Kent]]

= Earliest Adventures =

'''Life on Planet Krypton'''

Superboy is born [[Kal-El]], child of [[Jor-El]] and [[Lara]], on the planet [[Krypton]]. At the time, it is "a planet of giant size," which revolves around a giant red sun. The beings who inhabit Krypton are possessed of high intelligence: they have created technology capable of controlling the planet's weather, have designed robots that perform all hard labor and household chores, and they are ruled by the [[Council of Science]], a group of the planet's most enlightened scientific minds. After ominous tremors (or "krypton-quakes") increase in intensity, Jor-El informs the science council that krypton is doomed, and will eventually explode "like a gigantic atom bomb!" The council believes him mad and does not heed his warning. Jor-El begins testing rockets that can carry Kryptonians to Earth. He at first uses a test rocket to send Kal-El's puppy [[Krypto]] into space, but a drifting meteor knocks the rocket off-course. (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life")

As a toddler on [[Krypton]], Superboy is kidnapped by the villain [[Brainiac]], (prior to Brainiac's theft of the city of [[Kandor]]) who plans to hold baby Kal-El for ransom in exchange for a new weapon that Jor-El has invented called the "21 Y-Ronatort." However, Brainiac and his accomplices have unwittingly brought Kal-El to their hideout in a yellow star system (which causes all natives of Krypton's red star system to gain special powers.) His newfound strength, combined with an awkward, uncontrolled flight ability, causes Superboy to utterly destroy the lair of Brainiac-crashing through buildings, throwing away expensive ships like toys, and crushing all of the jewels from Brainiac's treasure vault to dust. Brainiac tries to shrink the baby and stop his rampage, but he accidentally picks up an enlarging ray instead, and the baby walks all over Brainiac's weapons arsenal, destroying it. Unable to take any more humiliation, Brainiac releases Kal-El back to his parents and vows to return to avenge his humiliation. (SB No. 106, Jul 1963: "The Lair of Brainiac")

While Brainiac does return later, he does not have time to make good his threats on the El family. Krypton begins to break down sooner than expected, so Jor-El immediately uses another small test rocket to send his son hurtling toward planet Earth, his only chance for survival. Seemingly the sole survivor of the planet Krypton, baby Kal-El is found in a crashed rocketship and later adopted by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life")

'''Superboy Comes to Earth'''

"There had been rumors floating around the region about a super-powered tot almost since the day of young Clark's arrival on Earth. At parties, on hayrides, in local newspaper offices and the like, people would swear that they had seen a three-year-old boy punch a timber wolf and fly away. Or people would tell about others they knew who told some such story." (LSOK, Ch. 11)

On Earth, even before he is adopted by the Kents, Superboy demonstrates his amazing strength after they find him and place him in an orphanage. The baby Kal-El wreaks havok in the "orphan asylum," lifting various pieces of heavy furniture. The director of the orphanage breathes a sigh of relief when the Kents finally return to adopt the baby they'd found: "--Whew! Thank goodness they're taking him away before he wrecks the asylum!" (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939.) Various accounts detail the stories of the [[Smallville Orphanage]]).

[[Image:Superbabyactioncomics1.jpg|right]]

As his powers develop, [[Superbaby]] sightings are reported all over the world, but are never confirmed. (LSOK, Ch. 11) Clark continues to grow and his powers become more obvious on the family farm: he gathers eggs at super-speed, pulls up old tree stumps with his bare hands, and survives an attack by an angry bull without even one scratch! The Kents soon find that the blankets he'd been wrapped in when they discovered him are indestructible, and use them to make a playsuit for the mischevious baby. (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life") Superbaby's exploits are numerous, and indeed, his time-shattering trips into the past are often key to the decisions of many historical figures.

The family eventually moves into town, and Pa Kent sells the farm to run a general store. One afternoon the Kents take young Clark to a secluded pond outside of Smallville to play. He begins to chase a bird and loses sight of his parents. This makes him rather upset, so he decides to cross a pond to look for them; however, the "pond" he crosses is actually the Atlantic Ocean, and he soon lands in London. Though gone for a week (while his parents were worried sick) he returns after helping Scotland Yard catch several criminals and spare an innocent man from execution (SB No. 73, Jun 1959: "Superbaby in Scotland Yard").

After two other boys see him lift an automobile over an injured man, a young Clark Kent says "My powers give me the chance to do a lot of good--but I can't let people know that Clark Kent can do these things...the knowledge might be dangerous!" He then begins to wear the "colorful red and blue costume" that is famous today, and Clark adopts the identity of Superboy. (MFC No. 101, Jan/Feb 1945) Most sources elaborate that the Kents design the costume from the materials found in baby Kal-El's rocket, and that Pa Kent guides Superboy's actions during the next few years.

'''Learning to Fly'''

Following an interesting early childhood, the last power that Superboy masters is flight. After presenting him with his costume, Pa Kent reveals to Clark that he often flew when he was a baby, and encourages him to try practicing it again. After his first attempt, he crashes into an oil derrick and ruins it. The next day he designs a box kite with a steel cable and tries again. While he holds on to the inside of the box kite, Pa Kent unwinds the cable, allowing Superboy to stabilize himself in midair. A pilot named [[Captain Burton]] photographs this ridiculous-looking exercise, but Superboy overexposes his film using his x-ray vision. On the third day of practice, his box kite is destroyed by lightning, but by the fourth day Superboy is at last able to control his ability to fly, and flies to the edge of outer space for the first time (SB No. 59, Dec 1958: "How Superboy Learned to Fly!").

== Discrepancies in Earliest Accounts ==

In the earliest accounts of [[Superman]]'s adventures (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and others) very little is revealed about Clark Kent's life before adulthood, except that his parents died and he later became known as Superman. However, the chronicles soon begin to reveal that Superman had originally been known as Superboy, an identity that young Clark Kent adopted to keep other children from suspecting that he had abilities far beyond those of normal young men. (MFC No. 101, Jan/Feb 1945; and others) However, in revised accounts appearing a short while later, Clark Kent embarks on his super-heroic career after reaching adulthood, and first learns of his extraterrestrial origins as late as November-December 1949, when, after having already functioned as a super-hero for more than a decade, he journeys through [[Time Travel|the barriers of time and space]] --to the planet Krypton prior to its destruction-- and actually witnesses the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet. He also witnesses the aftermath of that cataclysm, including his arrival on Earth in a rocket and his adoption by the Kents.

"That old couple ... they're my '''foster parents'''!" thinks Superman excitedly as he watches Jonathan and Martha Kent lift his infant self gently from the rocket that has just brough him to Earth. "I'm Clark Kent! Then that's me .. '''that infant is me back in the past!'''

"Now I understand why I'm different from earthmen! I'm not really from Earth at all --I'm from another planet-- the planet Jor-El called Krypton!!"

"So at last," notes the textual narrative, "after all these years, Superman is at last aware of his birthplace, and why he is the strongest man on Earth!" (S No. 61/3: "Superman Returns to Krypton!").

In the years that followed, however, these accounts underwent substantial revision. In the newer version, Superman was again portrayed as having battled crime and injustice as a youngster --as Superboy-- prior to embarking on his adult crime-fighting career as Superman (S No. 72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"; and many others), and he was described as having learned of his extraterrestrial origins while still a boy "by overtaking and photographing light rays that had left Krypton before it exploded" (S No. 132, October 1959: "Superman's Other Life!" pts.1-3 "Krypton Lives On!"; "Futuro, Super-Hero of Krypton!"; "The Superman of Two Worlds!"; and others) In addition, it was stated that "Because of his super-memory, Superman can recall all the incidents of his childhood!" (Act No. 288, May 1962: "The Man Who Exposed Superman!"; and others). However, remembering his life as a toddler sometimes requires great effort, or the assistance of his "mind-prober ray." (SB No. 73, Jun 1959: ""Superbaby in Scotland Yard")

Despite these early revisions, however, all the texts of the Superman chronicles agree that Superman has lived a double life since the onset of his super-heroic career, using his super-powers openly only as Superboy or Superman while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the deceptive guise of mild-mannered Clark Kent.

= Superboy Goes Public: The Boyhood Adventures =

[[Image:Superboy.jpg|right]]

For many years Superboy operates anonymously and in secret. He appears only occasionally as a quickly moving red and blue blur, never revealing himself to those he helps and only rarely to the criminals he hinders. His actions are noticed however, and a legend grows of a kindly spirit who haunts Smallville, performing good deeds and the rare harmless prank.

Superman recalls his first public appearance as Superboy in April, 1961. When young Clark Kent announces that he has spotted a robbery in progress using his x-ray vision, Jonathan Kent declares, "The time has come for you to perform publicly as Superboy! People won't believe you exist at first, but you'll soon convince them! You'll crusade for good!"

Donning his costume, Superboy foils the robbery, after first introducing himself to two Smallville police officers as "Superboy, foe of all criminals." The policemen introduces Superboy to Smallville's Mayor, who in turn introduces him to the Governor. Eventually, Superboy meets the President of the United States, in the process saving the President's life, and is finally revealed to the United States at large through "representatives of the armed services, leading cities, and various charities" for whom Superboy performs special tasks in the following days.

As a teenager, Superman as Superboy, performed numerous heroic exploits in Smallville (S No. 97/3, May 1956: â€œSuperboyâ€™s Last Day in Smallvilleâ€; and others).

As the adult Superman notes, "By now, the entire world knew that a Superboy existed, and the whole Earth was gripped by a thrill of excitement." Indeed, radio broadcasts announce that "A Superboy exists! He can fly! Bullets bounce off him! He has amazing super-vision! He battles for justice!" (S No. 144/2: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

The years that follow this event are perhaps the most well-known of Superboy's chronicles, in which many significant life events occur in the town of Smallville. In the beginning, Clark Kent's circle of friends includes the pretty, blonde-haired [[Margo Griffiths Vaughn|Margo Griffiths]], who would later grow up to be a nurse in [[Metropolis]]. (SB No. 1/1, Mar-Apr 1949: "The Man Who Could See Tomorrow") However, as time passes Clark becomes more well-acquainted with some of his lifelong friends and foes: [[Pete Ross]], the [[Lana Lang|Lang]] family, and [[Lex Luthor]], among others.

==The World of Smallville==

Upon his arrival on Earth from Krypton, the baby Kal-El is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent. At various times, the Kents are farmers, and during the majority of young Clark's school years, owners of a general store in Smallville. Superboy also digs tunnels through his basement floor, including one tunnel that goes to the outside of town, and one that goes to Pa Kent's general store. He also stores many of his trophies and [[Superboy Robots]] in the basement of the house. (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life")

[[Krypto]], Superboy's lost puppy from Krypton, eventually found his way to Smallville and frequently joins Superboy in many of his adventures. He arrived in Smallville after bursting through a dog catcher's truck, and when Clark Kent saw him shot several times and unharmed, Superboy located his Kryptonian rocket and documents that verified that the dog belonged to his father Jor-El. (Adv No. 210, Mar 1955: "The Super-Dog From Krypton!") From time to time, Krypto leaves Smallville to go on long "space-romps," but always returns to his master in the end. More recently, on one of his romps through space, Krypto was anointed king of a distant planet...only to play dead and escape when his new subjects presented him with a shiny new meteor rock-kryptonite, the only substance that can kill the Dog King! (SB No. 77, Dec 1959: "The Space Adventures of Krypto!")

[[Lana Lang]] is the beautiful, red-haired girl next door, the daughter of archaeologist [[Professor Lewis Lang]]...and a pain in Superboy's neck. Clark Kent secretly admires her, and Lana secretly admires Superboy...however, she has eventually come to suspect that Clark Kent and Superboy are one and the same, forcing him to resort to such tricks as using Superboy Robots to allay her suspicions. Pa Kent suspected when Clark was very young that the pair would become interested in one another. (LSOK) Though young Lana can often be self-absorbed and impetuous, it is notable that when she is sick, she tells Superboy that she wants nothing for herself but does wish that Superboy could help Clark to be less shy and meek. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Clark Kent's "only close friend" is [[Pete Ross]]. "Grown-up and logical," he once told Lana Lang that anyone who knew Superboy's secret identity would be in constant peril, and it would therefore be best if no one knew. Several days later, he did find out Superboy's identity, after seeing Clark Kent change to Superboy on a camping trip. He has never told anyone that he knows Clark Kent is Superboy, even Clark himself (S No. 90, Jul 1961: "Pete Ross' Super Secret!").

[[Lex Luthor]] is a farmboy, a huge fan of Superboy who once stored photos and Superboy memorabilia in his barn, but dreams of becoming a scientist. One day he saves Superboy's life by pushing away a rather sizeable kryptonite meteor with a bulldozer, and Superboy repays him by building a state-of-the-art, modern experimental laboratory and presenting it to him as a gift. The two quickly become friends. Luthor immediately begins work in his new laboratory, creating a kryptonite antidote and working on a discovery that he called "the secret of life itself." However, when a lab accident starts a fire, Superboy's super-breath accidentally destroys Luthor's new discoveries, and the fumes from the chemical fire cause Luthor to lose his hair. He blames the act on Superboy's jealousy of his scientific mind, and the two have become competitive foes for the foreseeable future (Adv. No. 271, Apr 1960: "How Luthor Met Superboy!").

When needed by the authorities in an emergency, [[Police Chief Parker]], can summon Superboy by means of an ingenious flashing light system. The town of Smallville has also set aside a special holiday for Superboy. '''Superboy Day''', as it is called, is celebrated annually (S No. 116, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice!").

In May 1955, Superman returns to Smallville to thwart an underworld scheme to recover $1,000,000 in gold which, following its theft many years ago, was hidden in Smallville by the thieves and never recovered (S No. 97/3: â€œSuperboyâ€™s Last Day in Smallvilleâ€).

==Childhood Adventures Beyond Smallville==

'''"Bizarre" Travels'''

Another of Superboy's notable boyhood adventures marks the first appearance of Bizarro. Using a duplicator ray, a scientist accidentally creates a "bizarre" imperfect duplicate of Superboy. The duplicate creature then names himself Bizarro, goes on a mini-rampage on main street, breaks into a farmhouse to tell an older couple "I BE YOUR LOVING SON!", and finally befriends a blind girl who could not be afraid of his chalky white appearance. Superboy apparently destroys Bizarro, but the ensuing vibrations cure his friend's blindness (SB No. 68, Oct 1958: "Bizarro: The Super-Creature of Steel"). (See [[Bizarro-Superboy]]) In July 1959, Lex Luthor creates an adult [[Bizarro]] who subsequently leaves Earth for a new home on a distant planet which he names [[Htrae]], where he uses the duplicator ray to create a whole world of bizarros and proclaims himself "Bizarro No. 1" (Act No. 254/1: "The Battle with Bizarro"; Act No. 255/1, Aug 1959: "The Bride of Bizarro"). Conversely referred to as "The Thing of Steel" or "The Idiot of Steel," he lives with his wife [[Bizarro-Lois]] No. 1. Superboy and Krypto occasional travel to Htrae and ecounter the Bizarros, as seen when they crash through the time barrier in July 1961 (Adv No. 285/2, "The Shame of the Bizarro Family!")

'''Club Membership'''

Superboy also meets the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], a super-hero club founded in his honor, during this time period. Superboy first encounters the Legion in April 1958 when he meets three teenagers in Smallville who inexplicably know his secret identity. In time, the teenagers are revealed to be [[Lightning Lad]], [[Saturn Girl]], and [[Cosmic Boy]], members of a "super-hero club" from the 30th Century called the Legion of Super-Heroes. Acknowledging Superboy as an inspiration, the Legion [[Time Travel|journey back in time]] to recruit Superboy as a member. After a series of tests in the far-future, Superboy is awarded membership and returned to his own time (Adv No. 247/1: "The Legion of Super-Heroes!").

= Adolescence =

'''Krypto's Departure from Smallville'''

Among the many changes that occur during Superboy's teenage years is the absence of his long-time companion, Krypto the Superdog. During one of his space-romps, Krypto encounters the [[Mindbreaker Beast]], a purple, gargoyle-like creature that feeds on the mental energy of the humanoids on which it preys. Krypto challenges the Mindbreaker Beast and sends him hurtling through space; however, Krypto wanders off dazed, an amnesiac. He drifts through space until Clark meets him again in adulthood. (S No. 287, May 1975: "Who Was That Dog I Saw You With Last Night?")

'''Superboy Meets Superman'''

In one undated adventure, a teenage Superboy is transported into the future by a troubled and villainous Pete Ross. Though it is impossible for a person to occupy the same space at the same time, Pete Ross circumvents this rule by taking possession of Superboy's body with a mind-transfer ray, thus enabling Superboy and Superman to exist at the same time. Though Pete captures Superman (using Superman's own powerful, youthful Superboy body) his plan fails because Superboy, trapped in Pete Ross' body, frees both himself and the adult Superman. (DCP No. 14, Oct 1979: "Judge, Jury...and NO JUSTICE!")

'''Superboy's 16th Birthday Celebration'''

By Superboy's 16th birthday, the Kents are shown to be much younger, their faces no longer wrinkled and their graying hair turned reddish-brown, thanks to a chemical from another dimension. Oddly enough, the Kents are also shown placing seventeen candles on Clark's birthday cake. This is revealed to be due to an episode when Clark turned eight years old, when the immortal beings [[Byrn and Myla]] tried to transfer their immortality to Clark so that they could die. Their plan failed, and on Clark's 16th birthday they celebrated the event (of which Clark's memory had been erased) by placing an extra candle on his cake, as a "secret token of our thanks and good luck for the next year!" It is also clear whose company Clark prefers most...he blows out the candles on his cake with the lovely Lana Lang standing by his side. (NSB No. 1, Jan 1980: "The Most Important Year of Superboy's Life!")

'''The Deaths of Martha & Jonathan Kent'''

Less than two years after his sixteenth birthday, the Kents enjoy a vacation in the Caribbean. Superboy drops by to see them, and they reveal that they have found a page from the diary of [[Pegleg Morgan]], dated July 16, 1717, in which he mentions being "driven off the ship by the cruelest pirate of them all!" Martha Kent convinces Superboy to take them to the past to investigate the pirate. He constructs a glass bubble to protect them from friction and takes them back to 1717, where the Kents watch [[Blackbeard]] from a distance, sitting and eating fruit before returning to Smallville.

Alas, the next day, the Kents awaken with raging fevers. The doctors inform Clark that his parents appear to have symptoms of the [[Fever Plague]], a disease that has not existed for for 100 years! Nothing can be done for the Kents, so the doctors suggest that Clark quarantine them and make them comfortable. Lana, who has had some training as a nurse's aide, offers to sit with the Kents while Clark looks for some answers. Several courses of action are attempted: Superboy locates an "orchid tree," said in an old manual to cure the Fever Plague, and gives the sap to his parents. Since Pa Kent is on the prison parole board, Lex Luthor uses his "vibro-health restorer" for an hour trying to cure the Kents (and ultimately receive parole,) but to no avail. Lana reassures him: "Chin up, Clark...maybe Superboy will figure out a cure!" Finally, Clark decides to project the Kents into the [[Phantom Zone]] until he is able to find a cure, as he had previously done when [[Mon-El]] was incurably ill. However, solar flares interfere with the operation of the Phantom Zone Ray, and Ma Kent dies. In his final moments, Clark's father regains consciousness and makes Clark promise to use his super-powers to do good before saying goodbye and passing away.

In their will, the Kents give Clark their home and business, and donate their savings to the Smallville Orphanage. When Clark presents the money to the director of the orphanage, he thanks Clark for his family's support ever since they adopted him. However, Clark Kent believes himself responsible for his parents' deaths and discards his Superboy costume...until it is proven that their trip through time did not cause their deaths; instead, they died from a virus they contracted while rummaging through Pegleg Morgan's chest on vacation. Upon this discovery, Clark says "Dad...Mother...what a relief to know that I'm not responsible for what happened to you! Now I won't be afraid to become Superboy again!" (S No. 161, May 1963: "The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent").

No mention of this story is made elsewhere in the chronicles, and indeed, many place the deaths of Martha and Jonathan Kent at very different times

'''Superboy's Farewell'''

Clark buries his parents, vows not to sell the house and leaves for Metropolis. Years later, Pete Ross attempts to condemn the house to conceal the fact that Clark Kent was Superboy, but changes his mind when he sees how Clark feels about his boyhood home (S No. 270, Dec 1973: "I Can't Go Home Again"). According to a popular legend, Clark returns to Smallville for a second farewell as Superboy. As he is leaving town, the townspeople join hands and form letters visible to the sky: "Farewell Superboy, We'll Never Forget You!" This touches Superboy, and he throws the townspeople a giant farewell party, complete with a giant cake that he bakes for them. Many pieces of the cake are preserved by the townspeople as souvenirs. (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life")

= Transitional Years =

[[Image:Superboy7.jpg|left]]

Clark Kent first "thinks of himself as Superman" in order to evade a lie-detector test given to him by [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]], who suspects that he is Superboy. (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"). Many other accounts state that Clark takes on the Superman identity after leaving his dead adopted father and Smallville and Superman's memories (S No. 129, May 1959: "The Girl from Superman's Past!") also confirm that he is known as Superman during his college years. However, according to another later account (SSY No. 1, Feb 1985: "Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud") Clark still officially goes by the name "Superboy" through most of his college career. Clark Kent and Lana Lang both attend [[Metropolis University]], with Lana eventually transferring to Hudson University to study broadcast journalism. Clark chooses not to play football in college, once commenting: "I could be the world's greatest football player...but I can't join the team and reveal my super-powers! Besides, it would be unfair to win that way...I'll have to pretend I'm "meek" and "unathletic" all my life!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life")

Clark's college roommates include [[Tommy Lee]], [[Dave Hammond]], the alcoholic [[Ducky Ginsberg]], and eventually [[Billy Cramer]], a young man from Smallville whose mother Alice recommends that he either look up Clark or Lana when he arrives at Metropolis University (SSY No. 1, Feb 1985: "Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud", SSY No. 2, Mar 1985: "Reach Out and Touch").

On parents' day during his junior year, Clark travels back in time (becoming a phantom) to witness a family dinner at the Kent home. When he returns to the present he chances upon a horrible car accident. Ducky, upset over the ending of his relationship with his girlfriend Amy, has been drinking excessively and crashes into a tree. Superboy arrives after the police and is able to do nothing... Ducky survives, but is paralyzed and bound to a wheelchair (SSY No. 1, Feb 1985: "Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud"). Following the accident, Billy Cramer is placed in Clark's dorm by the housing dean, and one day they come to the rescue of a "crippled girl" in a wheelchair -- [[Lori Lemaris]], whose beauty leaves Clark speechless (while a previous account suggests that Clark meets Lori Lemaris in his senior year of college -- and alone, SSY No. 2, Mar 1985: "Reach Out and Touch" states that he meets her later in his junior year). Clark and Lori begin dating, but she has many strange habits, including a strict eight o' clock curfew (S No. 129, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"). Meanwhile, Clark reveals to Billy Cramer that he is a super being, and when Pete Ross shows up for a visit, they each suspect that the other knows Clark's secret, covering for him when necessary (SSY No. 2 Mar 1985: "Reach Out and Touch").

After Clark solves the mystery of the [[Bermuda Triangle]] later in the year, he gives Billy a supersonic whistle to contact him in case he is ever in trouble. At this time, Clark also decides to also tell Lori that he is Superman, and proposes to her. She rejects his marriage proposal and reveals that she ''already knew'' that his secret, before saying that she needs some time alone. The well-meaning Billy, sensing that something is wrong, uses his supersonic whistle to summon the Man of Steel, in order to force him to talk about his relationship problems. Superboy becomes so angry at Billy's misuse of the whistle that he threatens to melt it if Billy ever misuses it again, and flies away. Clark then goes to confront Lori Lemaris, discovering that she is a mermaid from [[Atlantis]]. He offers her a ride home, and upon depositing her in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, they kiss the "strangest" goodbye kiss (SSY No. 3, Apr 1985: "Terminus", but see conflicts in this telling and that of S No. 129, May 1959: "The Girl from Superman's Past!")

Not long after he bids Lori farewell, a small island in the south Pacific is threatened by a tidal wave. As Superboy works feverishly to rescue the island, he hears Billy's supersonic whistle, and with his super-vision sees Billy trapped in a burning building after attempting to rescue someone. Clark, forced to choose between his roommate and the populous Pacific island, is unable to make it in time, and Billy tragically dies thinking that Clark is ignoring his whistle, because he "cried wolf" earlier. After Billy's death, Clark is so grief-stricken--having been unable to save his parents, Ducky, or Billy-- that he sheds his identity for a second time, going into exile in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] (SSY No. 3, Apr 1985: "Terminus").

He returns three months later, defeating Lex Luthor and making peace with his friends and his past, as Superman (SSY No. 4, May 1985: "Beyond Terminus"). According to this account, at the time Clark is first announced as Superman by the Daily Planet, he is probably 21 years old, entering his senior year of college. This age is corroborated by an earlier story, in which Clark Kent's early classmate Margo Griffiths is told by a magician that she will die at the age of 21. She is spared from death-at age 21-by Superman. (SB No. 1/1, Mar-Apr 1949: "The Man Who Could See Tomorrow"). On the other hand, the account of of SSY No. 4 reports that [[Perry White]] works for [[George Taylor]] at the Daily Planet, another contradiction to many earlier chronicles, including an account where Superboy helps Perry White get his job on the Planet under editor Mr. Hobb (Adv No. 120, Sep 1947: "Perry White, Cub Reporter"), and a tale in which Perry White is made editor of the Planet during Superboy's youthful career (Adv No. 152, May 1950: "Superboy Hunts for a Job!").

= Superboy Returns: Adventures in the Thirtieth Century =

[[Image:SLSH_No._250.jpg|left|thumb|Superboy and the Legion. Art by Joe Staton and Dick Giordano, 1979.]]

Superboy is also the inspiration for the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]]. Over 1,000 years after entering adulthood, Superboy resurfaces in the 30th Century. He is subsequently initiated as a regular member of the Legion, which later includes his cousin [[Supergirl]]. Superboy serves two terms as Deputy Leader of the Legion, including presiding over the try-outs and induction of [[Princess Projectra]], [[Ferro Lad]], and [[Karate Kid]] (Adv No. 346, Aug 1966: "One of Us is a Traitor!").

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superboy_%28Kal-El%29 Wikipedia Entry on Superboy]
*[http://www.studiosanning.shawbiz.ca/legion_of_super-heroes/membership/superboy/index.htm Kal-El's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=360 Superboy Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/superboyind1.htm Superboy Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/11040.htm/ Hero History: Superboy]

==External Links to Online Comics==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales3/birthOfSuperboy/ The Birth of Superboy] from More Fun Comics No. 101
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/superdog/ "The Superdog from Krypton"] from Adventure Comics No. 210
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/super-teacher/ "The Super-Teacher from Krypton"] from Adventure Comics No. 240
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/lsh/ "The Legion of Super-Heroes"] from Adventure Comics No. 247
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/howluthormetsuperboy/ "How Luthor Met Superboy"] from Adventure Comics No. 271
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales3/first/ "Superboy's First Public Appearance"] from Superman No. 144
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/phantomsuperboy/ "The Phantom Superboy"] from Adventure Comics No. 283
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/mon-el/1/ "Superboy's Big Brother"] from Superboy No. 89
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/ross/ "Pete Ross' Super Secret"] from Superboy No. 90
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/ultra/ "The Boy with Ultra-Powers"] from Superboy No. 98
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/3ages/ "The Three Ages of Superboy"] from Superboy No. 103
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/traitors/ "Superboy and the 5 Legion Traitors"] from Superboy No. 117
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/strangedeath/ "The Strange Death of Superboy"] from Superboy No. 161
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/final/ "Don't Call Me Superboy!"] from DC Super Stars No. 12
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/superboy-lives/takingtime/ "Taking Time"] Unpublished
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/superboy-lives/tomorrows-lesson/ "Tomorrow's Lesson"] Unpublished
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/superboy-lives/visitor/ "Strange Visitor"] Unpublished

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Jimmy Olsen

2012-01-17T02:20:09Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ - restored some missing links

'''Jimmy Olsen'''

== Overview ==

[[Image:Jimmy_Olsen.gif|right]]
The fledgling journalist and friend of [[Superman]] who is the junior colleague of [[Clark Kent]] and [[Lois Lane]] on the [[Metropolis]] [[Daily Planet]]. First introduced in the chronicles in November-December 1941 only as Jimmy, an "office boy" at the Daily Planet with a heartfelt longing to become "a real reporter" like his idol, Clark Kent (S No. 13/2), Jimmy is first referred to by his full name, Jimmy Olsen, in March-April 1942 (S No. 15/1) and continues to be referred to as the Daily Planet's office boy for a number of years (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others) until he is finally accorded the status of "cub reporter" in January 1954 (S No. 86/2: "Jimmy Olsen...Editor!"). Although Jimmy's real name is James Bartholomew Olsen (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"; and others), he is almost always referred to as Jimmy.

In the early texts in which he appears, Jimmy Olsen is portrayed as a youngster about ten years of age (WF No. 6, Summer 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"; and others), but by April 1944 the chroniclers have begun to portray him as a boy of about twelve or thirteen (Act No. 71: "Valentine Villainy!"). More recent texts depict him as an adolescent somewhere in his late teens. In 1971 Jimmy explicitly states, "Huh! You can't call us kids! I'm over 21!" (SPJO No. 137, Apr 1971: "The Four-Armed Terror!")

In the course of his first two decades in the chronicles, Jimmy's hair is variously portrayed as blond (S No. 13/2, Nov/Dec 1941; and others), honey blond (S No. 13/2, Nov/Dec 1941), red (S No. 15/1, Mar/Apr 1942; and many others), light red (Act No. 188, Jan 1954: "The Spectral Superman!"; and others), and brown (S No. 40/3, May/Jun 1946: "There Is No Superman!"; and others). Since mid-1958, however, it, has been consistently rendered a bright red. Jimmy's freckles have been a standard feature of his appearance since 1942 (WF No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"; and many others).

Even during his apprentice years as an office boy, Jimmy Olsen is consumed by a burning ambition to become a real reporter. In November-December 1941 he gets his first byline, when he writes up an account of Superman's capture of the ruthless extortionist known as "[[The Archer]]" (S No. 13/2).

"You're an observant lad!" remarks Clark Kent admiringly after Jimmy has given him an important news tip in Summer 1942. "I hope to be a top-notch reporter like you some day!" beams Jimmy. "Any time you need help, feel free to call on me!" (WF No. 6: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!").

Despite his eagerness, however, and his irrepressible ambition, Jimmy Olsen remains the Daily Planet's office boy for twelve full years (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others), although Lois Lane does refer to him, in one early text, as "Jimmy Olsen, office boy, who sometimes pinch-hits as cub reporter, and may some day be big stuff!" (WF No. 13, Spr 1944: "The Freedom of the Press!").

From January 1954 onward, Jimmy Olsen is regularly referred to as a "cub reporter" (S No. 86/2: "Jimmy Olsen ...Editor!"), a designation that continues to be applied to him until his promotion by [[Perry White]] to the status of "full-fledged reporter" (SPJO No. 124/1, Oct 1969: "Jimmy Olsen's Girl Trouble!"). "Throughout the world," notes Superman No. 181/1, "Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane are known for their courage and ingenuity in getting scoops" (Nov 1965: pts. I-II—"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine!"; "The Secret of the New Supergirl!"). Perhaps Action Comics No. 238 best describes his status during this period when it refers to him as the "star cub reporter of the Daily Planet" (Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton").

Indeed, despite his youth, Jimmy Olsen has acquired experience and responsibility far surpassing that of most cub reporters. When Metropolis celebrates Boy's Day in January 1954, for example, Jimmy takes over the Daily Planet's managing editor's desk for twenty-four hours, performing his duties with remarkable professionalism. "That boy will be a good newspaperman someday!" remarks Clark Kent proudly (S No. 86/2: "Jimmy Olsen ...Editor!"). A year later, when the Daily Planet launches its new international editions, Jimmy Olsen is appointed editor of the Daily Planet's London edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!").

In the texts, Jimmy Olsen is described as "observant" (WF No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "irrepressible" (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others), "conceited" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), "impulsive," and "happy-go-lucky" (S No. 187/3, May 1965: "When Jimmy Olsen Stole Krypto from Superman"). Particularly when in pursuit of a hot news story, Jimmy is inclined to be "very curious and impulsive," a combination of traits which, notes Superman No. 173/3, "has often landed him in hot water!" (Nov 1964: "The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac!"). Jimmy also tends to be egotistical and boastful, often to the point of stretching the truth—bragging about his friendship with Superman, claiming as personal accomplishments things that happened by accident (Act No. 253, Jun 1959: "The War Between Superman and Jimmy Olsen!"; and others), often altering his account of events so as to place himself in the best possible light (S No. 171/3, Aug 1964: "The Nightmare Ordeal of Superman"; and others).

Jimmy Olsen is a close friend of Superman, although he does not know that Superman is secretly Clark Kent (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!"; and others). The texts repeatedly refer to Jimmy Olsen as Superman's "pal" (Act No. 198, Nov 1954: "The Six Lives of Lois Lane!"; and others), his "young pal" (Act No. 231, Aug 1957: "Sir Jimmy Olsen, Knight of Metropolis"; and others), and his "best pal" (S No. 131/3, Aug 1959: "The Unknown Super-Deeds!"; and others). Action Comics No. 210 counts him, along with Lois Lane and Perry White, among Superman's "close friends" (Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and other texts list him among Superman's "best friends" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others).

"[[The Thinker]]" has described Jimmy Olsen as "Superman's best friend" (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: "Jimmy Olsen's Double!"), and [[Jax-Ur]] has referred to him as Superman's "best pal" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"). Jimmy himself has referred to Superman as "my best pal" (Act No. 302, Jul 1963: "The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!") and "my best friend" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!").

"Superman has a warm spot in his heart for many people," notes Superman No. 93/2, "--but an especially warm one is reserved for his young pal, Jimmy Olsen!" (Nov 1954: "Jimmy Olsen's Double!").

Jimmy Olsen is fiercely loyal to Superman, retaining his faith in his "super-idol" even when, for the moment, the Man of Steel's motives are suspect or his actions unpopular (Act No. 312, May 1964: "King Superman versus Clark Kent, Metallo"; and others).

Over the years, Jimmy has built up an extensive (S No. 111/1, Feb 1957: "The Non-Super Superman"; and others)—and valuable (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: "Jimmy Olsen's Lost Pal")—collection of Superman trophies and souvenirs, a collection to which Superman continually adds with exotic gifts from distant planets and other exciting memorabilia (WF No. 147 , Feb 1965: "The Doomed Boy Heroes!" pts. I-II—"The New Terrific Team!"; "The Doom of Jimmy Olsen and Robin!"; and others).
[[Image:Signal_Watch_Summons.gif|right]]
In addition, Superman has dedicated a room to Jimmy Olsen in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (Act No.
241, Jun 1958: "The Super-Key to Fort Superman"; and others) and has provided him with a "special wristwatch" [see: [[Jimmy Olsen's Signal-Watch]]] with which the young reporter can "set off [an] ultrasonic signal"—audible only to Superman' s super-hearing—to summon the Man of Steel to his rescue. Even if Jimmy activates the ultrasonic signal on a distant continent, Superman can hear the signal and race to Jimmy's aid (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton"; and many others). The ultrasonic signal broadcast by the "signal-watch" will not, however, travel through outer space (Act No. 262, Mar 1960: "When Superman Lost His Powers!").

Jimmy Olsen's friendship with Superman has had the effect of making the young journalist something of a celebrity (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"; and others). [[The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club]] meets monthly in Metropolis (Act No. 286, Mar 1962: "The Jury of Super-Enemies!"; and others), and Jimmy has, on at least one occasion, been mobbed by well-wishers and autograph seekers (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"). In addition to relishing the attention he receives as the result of being Superman's pal, Jimmy clearly envies
Superman his super-powers and wishes he had them, at least in part because he feels that having super-powers would be likely to make him more successful with women (Act No. 283, Dec 1961: "The Red Kryptonite Menace!").

Jimmy Olsen lives alone in a Metropolis apartment (S No. 144/1, Apr 1961: "The Super-Weapon!"; and others). On one wall is a collection of large pictures illustrating Superman's origin (''see'' [[Superman]] [section 2, [[Superman#Origin|origin]]]), including the explosion of the planet [[Krypton]] and the infant Superman's escape to Earth in a tiny rocket (S No. 123, Aug 1958: chs. 1-3—"The Girl of Steel"; "The Lost Super-Powers"; "Superman's Return to Krypton").

Over and above his skills as a journalist, Jimmy Olsen is an avid bowler (Act No. 317, Oct 1964: "Superman's Rainbow Face!"), can pilot a helicopter (Act No. 290, Jul 1962: "Half a Superman!"), and is fluent in Kryptonese, the language of [[Krypton]], which is now spoken only in the bottle city of [[Kandor]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III—"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"; and others). Jimmy's principal romantic involvement has been with [[Lucy Lane]], the lovely blond sister of Lois Lane (S No. 147/1, Aug 1961: "The Great Mento!"; and others).

Jimmy Olsen's known relatives include his father, the explorer [[Mark Olsen]].

In addition to the various undercover identities that he has concocted with the aid of the "trunkful of disguises" he keeps in his apartment, including a number of female disguises (WF No. 144: Sep 1964: "The 1,001 Tricks of Clayface and Brainiac!" pts. I-II—no title; "The Helpless Partners!"; and others), Jimmy Olsen has a pair of important, alternate identities: as [[Flamebird]], he functions as Superman's partner on those occasions when he and Superman, employing the name [[Nightwing]], undertake adventures together inside the bottle city of Kandor (S No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III—"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"; see also WF No. 143, Aug 1964: "The Feud Between Batman and Superman!" pts. I-II—no title; "The Manhunters from Earth!"). As [[Elastic Lad]], Jimmy serves as an honorary member of the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] (S No. 172, Oct 1964: pts. I-III—"The New Superman!"; "Clark Kent—Former Superman!"; "The Struggle of the Two Supermen!"; and others). Interestingly, Jimmy is also, by virtue of his ancestry, the rightful king of the once-proud ancient kingdom of [[Vumania]], although all that remains of Vumania in modern times is a barren desert island
(Act No. 231, Aug 1957: "Sir Jimmy Olsen, Knight of Metropolis").

Occasionally, Jimmy Olsen and Superman undertake adventures with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], with Jimmy aiding Superman much as Robin aids Batman. In May 1964 Jimmy Olsen and Robin establish a secret headquarters together in an abandoned observatory which they dub the [[Eyrie]] (WF No. 141: "The Olsen-Robin Team versus 'The Superman-Batman Team!'"). The Eyrie is intended to serve as their base of operations on those occasions when they undertake joint adventures as the so-called "Robin and Olsen team" (WF No. 147, Feb 1965: "The Doomed Boy Heroes!" pts. I-II—"The New Terrific Team!"; "The Doom of Jimmy Olsen and Robin!"). In September 1964, as his way of rewarding Jimmy for being "such a loyal friend" to Superman, Batman entrusts Jimmy with the secret of his dual identity, pulling back his batlike cowl to reveal the face of millionaire socialite [[Bruce Wayne]] (WF No. 144: "The 1,001 Tricks of Clayface and Brainiac!" pts. I-II—no title; "The Helpless Partners!").

A number of individuals in various times and places are perfect Jimmy Olsen look-alikes, including the hoodlum [[Baby-Face]] (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: "Jimmy Olsen's Double!"), the Kandorian "criminal scientist" [[El Gar-Kur]] (Act No. 253, Jun 1959: "The War Between Superman and Jimmy Olsen!"), and [[Zol-Lar]], Jimmy Olsen's double in the Kandorian [[Look-Alike Squad]]. Superman and Batman encounter a Jimmy Olsen look-alike—also named Jimmy Olsen—during a visit to an extradimensional "parallel world" in March 1965 (WF No.148: "Superman and Batman--Outlaw!" pts. I-II—"The Evil Superman and Batman"; "The Incredible New Super-Team!"). The Legion of Super-Heroes employ a lifelike Jimmy Olsen robot in April 1962 as part of an elaborate hoax they play on Superman and [[Supergirl]] (S No. 152/1: "The Robot Master!"), and Superman encounters a lifelike android of Jimmy Olsen during a time-journey to Metropolis one million years in the future (Act No. 300, May 1963: "Superman Under the Red Sun!").

== Early Adventures (1938-1955) ==

[[Image:Early Jimmy.gif|left]]
In November-December 1941, the date of his textual debut, Jimmy, the ''Daily Planet'''s office boy,
rescues Lois Lane from death at the hands of "The Archer" by pushing her out of the way of one of the villain's arrows (S No. 13/2).

In March-April 1942, after Lois Lane has been taken captive by racketeer [[Bill Talley]], Jimmy summons Metropolis police [[Sgt. Bob Branigan]] to Lois's rescue. In this text, Jimmy is referred to by his full name—Jimmy Olsen—for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 15/1).

In January 1954 Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane are taken captive by the [[Cushions Raymond]] gang and held hostage aboard the villains' getaway helicopter while the criminals rob the Metropolis Bank. Jimmy
and Lois are rescued by the Metropolis police, however, after the gang's helicopter has been forced to the ground by Superman (Act No. 188: "The Spectral Superman!"). During this same period, when the city of Metropolis celebrates Boy's Day and Jimmy Olsen is appointed managing editor of the ''Daily Planet'' for twenty-four hours, Jimmy assigns Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Perry White the task of solving the famous Hinkley Jewel Collection robbery, which has remained unsolved for seven years. Together the three reporters crack the baffling case, and when the villains invade the offices of the ''Daily Planet'' and hold Jimmy Olsen and Perry White hostage in the managing editor's office, Superman apprehends the criminals and rescues his friends from the criminal's clutches. "It's fantastic, '''Superman!'''" exclaims Perry White afterward. "Jimmy Olsen became editor...and solved the biggest crime in Metropolis records! I must be dreaming! '''I must be!'''" (S No. 86/2, Jan 1954: "Jimmy Olsen...Editor!").

In November 1954, Jimmy Olsen is kidnapped by a gang of criminals headed by The Thinker and replaced at the Daily Planet by one of the villain's henchman, a Jimmy Olsen lookalike named Baby-Face. Baby-Face comes within a hair's breadth of murdering Jimmy, but Superman apprehends the criminals and rescues his young pal from their clutches (S No. 93 Nov 1954: "Jimmy Olsen's Double!")

In February 1955, Superman sets out to teach Jimmy Olsen a well-deserved lesson in the follies of showing off, only to have his well-intentioned effort backfire when a series of bizarre coincidences combine to convince Jimmy—as well as his employers on the Daily Planet—that he has somehow become endowed with the extraordinary abilities and intuition of a "super-reporter", enabling him to unravel unsolved crimes and perform other journalistic miracles by means of his remarkable, inexplicable "sixth sense" for news. Unwilling to publicly humiliate Jimmy, Superman feels obligated, for a time, to make his young palâ€™s wildly improbable news "hunches" appear to come true, as when he surreptitiously entices a Metropolis numbers racketeer into making an attempt on the life of a city councilman after Jimmy has predicted that such an attempt will take place, Ultimately, however Superman confides to Jimmy that it in he who has been responsible for Jimmyâ€™s reportorial super-feats, and, although the two friends never divulge the truth to Jimmyâ€™s colleagues on the Daily Planet, it is clear that Jimmy has learned a much-needed lesson in humility (S No. 95/3: "Jimmy Olsen, Super-Reporter!").

In April 1955, after having been appointed editor of the Daily Planetâ€™s new London and Paris editions respectively, Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane set out to launch their new foreign editions by obtaining exclusive interviews with [[Pietro Paresca]], "the most notorious smuggler in all Europe." Taken captive by Paresca and his henchmen aboard their sloopâ€”and told that they will be put to death as a grisly lesson to other snooping reporters, Jimmy and Lois are rescued soon afterward through the heroic intervention of Superman (Act No. 203: "The International Daily Planet!").

In May 1955, [[Dan Wheeler]] and his henchmen attempt to make Jimmy Olsen their dupe in a scheme to lure Clark Kent to his doom in retaliation for Kentâ€™s Daily Planet exposÃ©s of their various swindles. Captured by the criminals and locked in an animal cage, Jimmy manages to escape on his own, and Wheeler and his cohorts are apprehended by Super man (S No. 97/2: â€œThe Big Game Hunt of Metropolis!â€).

In July 1955, after Clark Kent has infiltrated the â€œBig Guyâ€™sâ€ mob by posing as a safecracker, the criminals take Jimmy Olsen captive and order Kent to murder Olsen to prove he is really a criminal. Through a ruse, Kent pretends to kill Jimmy and then secretly engineers his escape, and soon afterward, as Superman, he apprehends the â€œ[[Big Guy]]â€ and his henchmen (S No. 98/2: â€œClark Kent Outlaw!â€).

In November 1955, Jimmy Olsen is among the throng of merrymakers who attend the gala opening of [[Superman Land]] (Act No. 210: â€œSuperman in Superman Landâ€).

== Later Adventures (1956-1970) ==

[[Image:Jimmy72.jpg|left]]
As Jimmy becomes older, his drive, curiosity, and imagination lead him into a series of incredible adventures (see his stories as [[Elastic Lad]]; and his heroic service as [[Flamebird]]), romances, detective scenarios, and sticky situations. Olsen can be naive, ambitious, and self-sacrificing depending on the situation. Serums transform him into Elastic Lad, a wolf boy (SPJO No. 44, Apr 1960: "The Wolf-Man of Metropolis!") and give him the colossal size and power to necessary to defeat [[Titano]] (SPJO No. 77, Jun 1964: "The Colossus of Metropolis"). Jimmy also becomes a giant super-turtle (SPJO No. 53, Jun 1961: "The Giant Turtle Man!") and gains porcupine-like spines (SPJO No. 65, Dec 1962: "The Human Porcupine!").

Olsen has an interesting relationship with the similarly-aged [[Supergirl]], initially he does not believe in her existence (see [[Colonel Colby]]), but it is the Girl of Steel's kiss that initially breaks the spell of the wolf boy, and her kiss again that fails to break it the second time when the werewolf spell is cast by [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] (SPJO No. 52, Apr 1961: "Jimmy Olsen, Wolf-Man!").

Ambitions for fame result in Jimmy dating beautiful young starlets (SPJO No. 56, Oct 1961: "Jimmy Olsen's Sweethearts!"), meeting celebrities and starring in movies (SPJO, No. 64, Oct 1962: "Jimmy Olsen, Hollywood Star!"), becoming the leader of a rock-and-roll band with a smash hit single (SPJO No. 88, Oct 1965: "The Swinging Superman!"), and lead to his attempts to make motion picture films (SPJO No. 84, Apr 1965: "Jimmy Olsen's Monster Movie!").

Many of these exploits are aided by his friendship with [[Professor Potter]], who lends Jimmy inventions that further his plans. Despite Jimmy Olsen's increased independence and impact on the world, it still falls to Superman to remedy most of the bizarre situations he gets involved in.

Jimmy is also well-known as the de facto leader of [[The Jimmy Olsen Fan Club]], an organization of young boys dedicated to celebrate his many astounding adventures, and takes an active interest in the leadership of the group.

In October 1969, Jimmy is promoted to the status of "full-fledged reporter" (SPJO No. 124/1: "Jimmy Olsen's Girl Trouble!").

== Latest Adventures (1971-1986) ==

[[Image:Jimmyolsenbyjackkirby.jpg|right]]

In his latest adventures, Olsen matures considerably and becomes quite serious and competent, perhaps moving away from his previous lifestyle of glamour and sometimes somewhat accidental bumbling. He becomes involved with the new [[Newsboy Legion]] and the secret research complex, [[The DNA Project]] that often leads to him playing a key role in opposing the minions of the villainous New God, [[Darkseid]].

Although that association eventually falls away, Olsen becomes an investigative reporter of considerable skill. Unfortunately by this time, his signal watch has become well-known and criminals capturing him often take the precaution of removing it to prevent Superman from rescuing him. Fortunately, Olsen has grown much more resourceful and formidable in combat, so he is often able to engage criminals without any help. Examples of the new Jimmy Olsen, a true "Mr. Action", include his adventures with the Metropolis police (SPJO No. 159/3, Aug 1973: "The Day They Unmasked Mr. Action!") and his helping inner city children triumph over crooked politicians (SPJO No. 155, Jan 1973: "The Downfall of 'Judas' Olsen!").

In other exploits, Olsen goes on to: battle [[Diana Savage]] in a race to recover stolen paintings (SF No. 167, Oct/Nov 1974: "A Deep Breath for Mr. Action!"), stand up to evil magicians (SF No. 170, Apr/May 1975: "The Kid Who Adopted Jimmy Olsen!"), go undercover to investigate the murder of a country-western singer (SF No. 176, Apr/May 1976: "Jimmy Olsen, Nashville Superstar!"), team with Lucy Lane to thwart aliens using Superman as a pawn (SF No. 179, Sep/Oct 1976: "I Scared Superman to Death!"), and break up a nefarious diamond smuggling operation (SF No. 183/2, Jun 1977: "Short-Circuit a Smuggler!").

(''See also'' [[Jimmy Olsen of Earth-2]])

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Olsen Jimmy Olsen Wikipedia entry]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=423 Earth-1 Jimmy Olsen Index by Mike]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/Encyclopaedia/signal-watch.php Jimmy Olsen's Signal-Watch]

==External Links to Online Comics==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales3/firstmet/ "How Jimmy Olsen First Met Superman!"] from Superman's Pal
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/phantompal/ "Superman's Phantom Pal!"]
*[http://www.tgfa.org/comics/jimmy_olsen/jimmy_olsen.htm Presented here are four complete stories from the Jimmy Olsen comic featuring the young photographer showing his feminine side.]

[[Category:Entries|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:People|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:Journalists|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:Heroes|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:Jimmy Olsen|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Olsen, Jimmy]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Olsen, Jimmy]]

Main Page

2012-01-12T19:24:26Z

Macduff: Changed featured article to SUPERMAN!

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|thumb]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="left" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Superman]]''' 
''A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal...''
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Superman

2012-01-12T19:18:57Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ Confessions classic back online

''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938

=Overview=
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]

'''Superman'''

A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].

Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).

Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").

Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").

Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").

"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").

"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:

Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:

Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!

Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:

Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle
against evil and injustice!

Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:

Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!

Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:

Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!

Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:

Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time
in going into action when he encounters a menace to
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!

Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":

No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of
the helpless and oppressed!

Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":

'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy
individuals in need of assistance.

Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of
the underdog!

Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the
world's mightiest mortal.

Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":

From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....

Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":

Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed
at him!

Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":

Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against
evildoers!

Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").

"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).

[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").

In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").

"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.

In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

=Origin=
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").
==The Original Account==
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).

==Addenda and Revisions==
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.

=The Secret Identity=
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")

Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.

Now listen to me, Clark!â€ cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. â€œThis great strength of yours- -youâ€™ve got to hide it from people or theyâ€™ll be scared of you!â€™
â€œBut when the proper time comes,â€ added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanityâ€ (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).

There were also other reasons for keeping Clarkâ€™s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try â€œto exploit his super-powers for evil purposesâ€ (WF No.57, Mar 1952: â€œThe Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€; and others).
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. â€œIf, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,â€ muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, â€œmy undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as â€˜meekâ€™ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!â€ (Act No. 269: â€œThe Truth Minor!â€).

And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:

''The matter of Supermanâ€™s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: â€œThe Man They Wouldnâ€™t Believe!â€].''

=The Costume=
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]

''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''

'''The Evolution'''

Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow.

What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.

The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.

Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.

Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape.

'''Secret Origin'''

The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"

By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.

At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation:

''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''

More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.

According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt.

'''Indestructible'''

Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)

So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.

According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.

=The Fortress of Solitude=

[[Image:Fortress.gif]]

The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Supermanâ€™s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Supermanâ€™s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Supermanâ€™s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

=The Super-Powers=
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe.

Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".

As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.

Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength":

Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical
structure was millions of years advanced of our own.
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became
gifted with titanic strength!
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures
with '''super-strength!'''
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own.
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several
city blocks. {Jun 1938}

For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!").

According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").

"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").

By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58,

Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].

Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").

Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet.

Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"

"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").

An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").

According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."

"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").

This theory is restated in Superman No.141. â€œWhat gave me super-powers on Earth,â€ explains Superman, â€œwas Earthâ€™s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Kryptonâ€™s red''' sun, Earthâ€™s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!â€ (Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Supermanâ€™s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").

Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Supermanâ€™s â€œmuscular powersâ€ - super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight â€“ to Earthâ€™s light gravity, and his â€œsuper-senses and mental powersâ€ - X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers â€“ to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born

on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically
became super-strong in Earthâ€™s light gravity! Iâ€™m like the ant,
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers
could leap over buildings!
Now notice that Krypton had a red sunâ€¦! But only the ultra solar
rays of Earthâ€™s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth peopleâ€™s skin,
hardened mine like steel! Radium raysâ€¦lightningâ€¦fireâ€¦nothing can harm
me! (Jul 1961: â€œThe Story of Supermanâ€™s Life!â€.)

In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.

It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian â€œflame dragonâ€ (see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that â€œThe beastâ€™s bite penetrated my skinâ€¦which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!â€ (S No. 151/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Greatest Secret!â€.)

Because Superman is now said to derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: â€œThe Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: â€œSupermanâ€”Weakest Man in the World!â€).

The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.

==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.

By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"

[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]]

In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.

In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.

Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.

Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.

It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)

==Super-Strength==
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]

There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.

Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.

In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.

In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.

In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.

In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.

In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.

In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."

1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)

In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.

By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.

In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.

But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.

In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.

In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).

In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

==Invulnerability==
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.

In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."

In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"

In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)

In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.

By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.

In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)

A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.

Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.

Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)

Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.

Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.

==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==

[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]

With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.

Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.

In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.

"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.

Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.

Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.

==Super-Hearing==

Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.

In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."

In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.

In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.

In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.

By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.

In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.

==Super-Breath and Related Powers==
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]

Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.

A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.

In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.

A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.

In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.

In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.

In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.

In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"

In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.

In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"

In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)

In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.

In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.

In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)

In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.

In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"

A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.

==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.

In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.

In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.

In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.

In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.

In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.

In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.

In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.

In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.

In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.

In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.

==Mental and Intellectual Powers==

[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]

Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers.

In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"

In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.

In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.

In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)

In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."

In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.

In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.

In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.

In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.

In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.

In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."

In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.

In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.

In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.

In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.

In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.

In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.

In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.

A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.

==Miscellaneous Powers==
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.

Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].

Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.

According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.

Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)

Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.

"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"

"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"

"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"

One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."

=The Vulnerabilities=
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.
==Kryptonite==
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.
===Green Kryptonite===
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.
===Red Kryptonite===
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictableâ€”albeit temporary and nonfatalâ€”symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again.
===Gold Kryptonite===
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers

===Blue Kryptonite===
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman

===White Kryptonite===
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.

*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.

==Magic==
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")

In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").

==Virus X==
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses—if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet—would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.

In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==Other Vulnerabilities==

In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable.

He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonian survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton.

He can be held or destroyed by some aliens and alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Superman's. One example includes [[Darkseid]]'s Gravi-Guards, ponderous beings able to summon great gravity from heavy mass galaxies (see The Forever People No. 1, Feb/Mar 1971: "In Search of a Dream!").

All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.

Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sunâ€™s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman Under the Green Sun!"). Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Lex Luthor, using lifelike android duplicates of [[the Flash]] and [[Batman]] as children, once successfully convinces Superman that he has found a way to reduce his age. Superman is subconsciously convinced enough that his body literally de-ages until he realizes the deception (Act Nos. 465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: "Think Young and Die" and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy").

Superman has been infected with other Kryptonian biological threats like the deadly [[Bloodmorel]] spore from the [[Scarlet Jungle]] of Kryption which nearly kills him. However in this case, it was successfully countered by the heroic plant monster, [[Swamp Thing]], who uses his power over plants to stop the infection and cure Superman (DCCP No. 85, Sep 1985: "The Jungle Line!").

Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.

Lastly, "...despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!").

=The Equipment=
==Lead Armor==

In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly â€œradioactive raysâ€ emanating from his body.

I couldnâ€™t permit eye-holes in this suit,â€ notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, â€œâ€¦ fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. Iâ€™ll see with my X-Ray vision!â€ (Act No. 124. Sep 1948: â€œA Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Supermanâ€™s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead.

In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. â€œIn this lead armor,â€ observes Superman, â€œIâ€™m immune to Kryptonite raysâ€¦ and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on meâ€ (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.

In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.

In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!").

As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.

Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").

In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").

In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").

By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.

In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"

By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.

In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.

In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274)

Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.

The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.

The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.

The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."

The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.

Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.

Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.

Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructible as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision. This partially by design so if a robot goes rogue, Superman can defeat it with reasonable ease.(WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.

Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.

Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].

Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").

(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])

==Miscellaneous Equipment==

In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.

In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")

In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")

In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments â€œto find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],â€ Superman devises a so-called â€œK-Detector,â€ which â€œdetects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€)
This device, which is also referred to as a â€œkryptonite detector,â€ is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Supermanâ€™s â€œred kryptonite detectorâ€.

During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earthâ€™s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious â€œSuper-Machinesâ€ that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:

*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms
*2. A colossal earth boring machine
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet
*4. A â€œmassive super-insulated suitâ€ designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-vision
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Supermanâ€™s super-hearing

(S No. 116, Sep 1957: â€œThe Mechanized Superman!â€)

In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special â€œwrist-radiosâ€ designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: â€œThe Duplicate Man!â€).

In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special â€œAnti-Gravity Beltâ€ designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Kryptonâ€™s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: â€œThe Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).

When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent â€œTime Capsuleâ€ so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: â€œSecret of Kryptonite Six!â€).

In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (â€œselective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Supermanâ€™s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Supermanâ€™s knowledge of the Dynamic Duoâ€™s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: â€œThe Game of Secret Identities!â€ and â€œThe Super-Dectective!â€)

Two 1955 texts feature the so-called â€œSuper Signalâ€ a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized â€œSâ€ insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Supermanâ€™s Chest.

In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as â€œthe emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisisâ€ clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: â€œThe Contest of Heroes!â€)

In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as â€œthe S-Signal which we use to call Superman,â€ clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)

The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.

=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]]
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).

'''Appearance'''
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").

"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).

'''Name'''
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).

'''Childhood/Education'''
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).

According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").

Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").

He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

'''Employment'''
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").

Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)

Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").

Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!

He lives by the deadline! The thunder of
the presses is the pounding of his heart!
And most important --all his personal
feelings remain in the background! It's his
story that counts! Always remember that!"
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").

According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").

And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").

'''Personality'''

=The Man Himself (as Superman)=
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].

Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.

Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].

It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the worldâ€™s most closely guarded secrets.

Superman is â€œover 30 years of ageâ€ (S No. 180, Oct 1965: â€œClark Kentâ€™s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Described as â€œan incredibly muscular figureâ€ (WF No. 6, Sum 1942:â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with â€œa physique of magnificent symmetryâ€ (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: â€œThe Wreckerâ€), he is 6â€™2â€ tall, with a chest measurement of 44â€ and a waist measurement of 34â€ (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: â€œProject Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], â€œhis atomic structure is different from that of ordinary peopleâ€ (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: â€œThe Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, â€œconforms to all ALL FOUR typesâ€ (S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).

A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as â€œthe finest physical specimen on Earthâ€ (S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: â€œSuperman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as â€œthe smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universeâ€ (S No. 176/3, Apr [ â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).

The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct â€˜1950: â€œThe Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: â€œThe Superman of 2965!â€).

According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Towersâ€; â€œThe Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an â€œunmistakableâ€ resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: â€œThe Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).

As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Kryptonâ€™s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Kryptonâ€™s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earthâ€™s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Kryptonâ€™s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Kryptonâ€™s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Supermanâ€™s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: â€œThe Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craftâ€™s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: â€œThe Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).

Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Nim-El]], his fatherâ€™s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Supermanâ€™s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-Elâ€™s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Supermanâ€™s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€ and others) [[Van-Zee]], â€œa distant kinsmanâ€ of Supermanâ€™s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: â€œSuperman in Kandor!â€).

=The Women of the Chronicles=

Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Supermanâ€™s career.

==The Relationship with Lois Lane==

Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.

Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.

Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.

Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.

â€œThat galâ€™s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but thatâ€™s just what I like about herâ€ â€“ Superman (Act No. 27)

Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Supermanâ€™s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.

Lois Laneâ€™s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kentâ€™s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.

In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.

Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday.

In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats.

In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a â€œspineless, unbearable cowardâ€ and a â€œweak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Loisâ€™s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a â€œspineless jellyfishâ€.

Lois attitude towards Clark Kentâ€™s feelings is somewhat cavalier. â€œClarkâ€™s niceâ€¦! I should treat him better!â€ she states. â€œBut how can I, when Iâ€™m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Supermanâ€™s really super!â€

Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him.

Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity. Indeed, Lois Laneâ€™s efforts to learn Supermanâ€™s secret, and Supermanâ€™s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.

Supermanâ€™s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Laneâ€™s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.

Overall, Supermanâ€™s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.

==The Relationship with Lana Lang==

Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)

Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s â€œbest friendsâ€ and as Lois Laneâ€™s â€œarch-rivalâ€ for his affections, Lana Langâ€™s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kentâ€™s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally â€œtormented and pesteredâ€ them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboyâ€™s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")

Lana Langâ€™s appearance in the chronicles as one of Supermanâ€™s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.

==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==

The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent â€œdated her steadilyâ€ during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent.

Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: â€œThe Girl is Supermanâ€™s Past!â€).

After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Supermanâ€™s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemarisâ€™s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his belovedâ€™s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: â€œSupermanâ€™s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).

==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==

Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with â€œhauntingly beautifulâ€ [[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-IIIâ€”"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==

Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.

The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").

=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=

â€œAs a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€
-S No. 153 May 1962

Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman â€œthe most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€
-S No. 144 April 1961

For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents.

Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earthâ€™s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship â€œin all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.

Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.

[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the â€œsuper-signalâ€ or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov â€œLuthorâ€™s Amazing Rebusâ€), and â€œevery nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!â€ (Act No. 306, Nov 1963: â€œThe Great Superman Impersonation!â€).

Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolisâ€™s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: â€œJimmy Olsenâ€™s Double!â€), and â€œthe key to the cityâ€ presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€).

Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:â€œSupermanâ€™s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Supermanâ€™s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").

Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: â€œThe Man Who Betrayed Supermanâ€™s Identity!â€), the â€œcolossal steel statue of Supermanâ€ in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: â€œSupermanâ€™s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: â€œThe Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: â€œThe Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: â€œThe Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: â€œThe Pranksterâ€™s Apprentice!â€).

Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).

In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante â€œmystery-manâ€ (Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).

Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€; and others).

Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Supermanâ€™s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.

In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governorâ€™s home just before midnight, manhandles the governorâ€™s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curryâ€™s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. â€œGentlemen,â€ exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, â€œI still canâ€™t believe my senses! Heâ€™s not human! Thank heaven heâ€™s apparently on the side of law and order!â€ (Act No. 1).

In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.

''â€œItâ€™s not entirely your fault that youâ€™re delinquent,â€ remarks Superman, â€œ...itâ€™s these slumsâ€”your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!â€œ''

Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Supermanâ€™s eye. â€œCyclone Hits Florida,â€ it screams. â€œCities Laid Waste!â€ The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.

Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the cityâ€™s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like â€œa one-man cyclone,â€ singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. â€œSo the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?â€ says Superman to himself. â€œThen hereâ€™s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€

Supermanâ€™s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally â€œa squadron of aerial- bombersâ€ are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Supermanâ€™s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.

''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''

And then finally, his task completed, â€œSUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...

Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. â€œEmergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€

Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. â€œ... Weâ€™ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,â€ vows the police chief, â€œ- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)

In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office â€œto witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€

''â€œIâ€™ll come to the point at once!â€ he remarks. â€œAs you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''

â€œGood for him!â€ cries one reporter.
â€œWhat the world needs is a couple more guys like him!â€ exclaims another.

â€œRegardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,â€ scolds the police chief, â€œthe fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€

In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a â€œconceited windbagâ€ who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Supermanâ€™s â€œsuper-toughâ€ skin (Act No. 9).

In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])

In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. â€œAttention, citizens of this city!â€ he proclaims to the cityâ€™s stunned radio audience. â€œA warning from Superman...pay close heed!â€ And then, Superman issues the following announcement:

''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! Itâ€™s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!

From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''

Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on â€œthe great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€

â€œYes-sir-ee!â€ exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. â€œI think Iâ€™m going to enjoy this private little war!â€

Next, Superman visits â€œa used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these â€˜carsâ€™?â€ he cries to the horrified lot owner. â€œTheyâ€™re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they werenâ€™t so dangerous theyâ€™d actually be funny!â€ And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, â€œSorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but Iâ€™m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€

Soon afterward, â€œ...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Companyâ€™s great factoryâ€ and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. â€œ... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!â€ accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, â€œGleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factoryâ€™s manufacturing equipmentâ€ with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.

A short while later, Superman abducts the cityâ€™s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. â€œBy not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,â€ intones Superman, â€œyou doomed many to death!â€

Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see â€œthe bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,â€ remarks Superman grimly, â€œare men you killed!â€

Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the cityâ€™s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates â€œa great traffic improvement drive...!â€œ (Act No. 12).

In September 1939, convinced that â€œgambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,â€ Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czarâ€™s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of â€œfluttering billsâ€ raining down on the grateful inhabitants of â€œa poor section of the city.â€

When he learns that the cityâ€™s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (â€œCommissioner, youâ€™re a clever man,â€ threatens Superman, â€œand so I wonâ€™t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolisâ€™s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his officeâ€”and the gamblers into leaving townâ€”by threatening to track down any man who remains behind â€œ... and end his life with my own hands!â€ (Act No. 16).

In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. â€œRemember!â€ warns Superman as he makes his exit. â€œIf you donâ€™t confess, Iâ€™ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!â€ (S No. 2/3: â€œSuperman and the Skyscrapersâ€).

In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly â€œpurple plagueâ€ unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. â€œHere are the chemicals. . .â€œ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. â€œNever mind how I got them! Get to work!â€ (Act No. 19).

In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).

In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).

In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).

In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).

In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).

In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).

In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailantâ€™s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )

In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaireâ€™s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. â€œIt would be useless to attempt to reason with them!â€ thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2).

During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, â€œIf we could only draft you into the force!â€ (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).

In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the cityâ€™s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1).

Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).

In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:

â€œHow fortunate we are here in America,â€ he remarks, â€œto have someone of Supermanâ€™s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, heâ€™s worth several armies and navies!â€ (S No. 15/2).

In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bankâ€™s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: â€œPowerstoneâ€).

In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: â€œMan of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).

In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthorâ€™s henchmen and turns them over to the police. â€œIf you keep up this super crook- catching,â€ remarks one officer, â€œthe force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!â€ replies Superman (S No. 17/4: â€œWhen Titans Clash!â€).

In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]â€™s having copyrighted the English alphabet. â€œ... What can I do?â€ thinks Clark Kent helplessly. â€œThe Prankster has the law on his side, and I wonâ€™t flout justice at any cost!...â€ (S No. 22/3: â€œThe Great ABC Panic!â€).

In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. â€œ... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!â€ thinks Superman proudly. â€œItâ€™s the grandest tribute Iâ€™ve ever had!â€ (S No. 23/1: â€œAmericaâ€™s Secret Weapon!â€).

In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of â€œweird raysâ€ from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:
â€œWhen Stars Collide!â€).

In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: â€œThe People vs. Superman!â€).

In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: â€œThe City That Exiled Superman!â€).

In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: â€œMuscles for Moneyâ€).

In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: â€œSuperman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).

In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earthâ€™s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steelâ€™s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a â€œJekyll-Hyde personalityâ€ that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: â€œThe Two Faces of Superman!â€).

In July-August 1956, Superman is an â€œhonored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual police ball (WF No. 83: â€œThe Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).

In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical â€œfuturemenâ€ from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive â€œrenegade scientistâ€ from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2â€”â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; â€œThe Secret of the Futuremenâ€).

When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemenâ€™s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: â€œThe Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).

In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-IIIâ€”â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; â€œThe Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; â€œThe Duel of the Supermen!â€).

In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into â€œthe most feared and hated person on Earthâ€ when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical â€œtelepathic-hypnotic weaponâ€ beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: â€œSuperman Goes Wild!â€).

In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolisâ€™s police force (S No. 160/2: â€œThe Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).

In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kentâ€™s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: â€œThe Trial of Superman!â€).

In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:
â€œSuperman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a â€œpower-hungry madmanâ€ as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: â€œKing Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)

(''See also'' [[Superman of Earth-2]])

=External Links=

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=1 Earth-1 Superman Index by Mike]
*[http://dccomicsartists.com/superart/superart.html Who Drew Superman?]
*[http://www.supermanartists.comics.org/superwhoswho/Superframe.htm Who's Whose in DC Comics: Superman]
*[http://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php Superman Homepage: Pre-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews]
*[http://supermanfan.nu/nightwing/ Confessions of a Superman Fan]
*[http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/yeung/actioncomics/cover.html Read Action Comics #1 Online]
*[http://allthingsger.blogspot.com/2011/10/small-super-package-friday-comic-book.html Read an unpublished Superman vs. Luthor story from the 1940s]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/tales.php Read More Superman Comics Stories Online at Superman Through the Ages]
*[http://thedailysuperman.wordpress.com/ The Daily Superman Blog]
*[http://www.cosmicteams.com/jla/_docs/awdc_members.html#superman Cosmic Teams: Superman (Pre-Crisis)]
*[http://dccomics.com/dcu/heroes_and_villains/?hv=origin_stories/superman&p=1 Superman's Origin at dccomics.com]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes Named Superman]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:House of El]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Krypto

2012-01-12T03:53:52Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ Legion Clubhouse page has moved - updated link

''This article is about Krypto the Superdog. The term Krypto can also refer to [[Krypto Mouse]].''

'''Krypto the Superdog'''

The super-powered white dog from the planet [[Krypton]] that is the pet and canine companion of [[Superman]]. A member of the [[Legion of Super-Pets]], and [[The Space Canine Patrol Agents|Space Canine Patrol Agents]], Krypto wears a yellow dog collar and a flowing red cape emblazoned with a yellow '''"S-"''' Symbol identical to Superman's. The text frequently refer to Krypto as the Dog of Steel.

[[Image:Kalel.jpg|right]]

As a puppy on the planet Krypton, where he had no super-powers, Krypto was the playful pet of baby [[Kal-El]], the infant Superman (Adv No. 210, Mar 1955: "The Super-Dog from Krypton!"; and others). But as the hour of Krypton's doom drew ever closer, Superman's father, [[Jor-El]], nursing the faint hope that his ongoing "experiments with small rockets" might yet save his son, launched Krypto into outer space in a tiny rocket as a final trial run, intending for the dog-carrying rocket to return safely to Krypton after making one or more orbits of the planet. "By a cosmic mischance," however, "a meteor struck the trial rocket out of orbit" and sent it careening into space, and although Jor-El did succeed in launching his infant son toward Earth in the final moments of the cataclysm, Krypto appeared lost forever in the interplanetary void. For years, the rocket bearing Krypto drifted through space, ultimately to arrive on Earth, where, like any native of Krypton, Krypto acquired super-powers like Superman's and was happily reunited with his beloved master, who was at that time a teen-ager growing up in [[Smallville]] in the home of his foster parents, [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]].

[[Superboy]]—the teenaged Superman—fashioned a cape for Krypto modeled after his own, and Krypto, now grown into a fully developed "superdog," became his frequent companion in super-heroic adventures.

[[Image:Krypto_in_flight.JPG|left]]

Krypto's super-powers—including X-ray vision, super-strength, invulnerability, and the power of flight—are similar, if not identical, to Superman's own, although his strength is undoubtedly not as great as Superman's, just as the strength of an ordinary dog is not as great as that of an ordinary man. On the other hand, however, Krypto's super-hearing and "super-keen sense of smell" are probably more acute as a canine than in an ordinary human being. Like any surviving native of Krypton, Krypto the Superdog is vulnerable to [[kryptonite]].

Described as Superman's "faithful pet super-dog", Krypto is fully aware that his master, Superman, is also [[Clark Kent]].

Krypto loves to romp and play in outer space, visiting distant worlds; cavorting in and about his [[Doghouse of Solitude]], a large floating doghouse which he has constructed out of meteoric fragments; and mischievously chasing comets, "just as Earth-dogs chase cars!"

In order to summon Krypto home from his distant wanderings, Superman either signals him by whistling at a highly pitched supersonic frequency which only Krypto's ears can hear, or else summons him by means of "super-ventriloquism," a ventriloquistic technique that enables Superman to throw his voice over exceedingly long distances. On at least one occasion, when absolute secrecy is called for, the Man of Steel employs "supersonic ventriloquism," a form of super-ventriloquism in which Superman's voice is pitched so high that only Krypto can hear it.

Krypto, for his part, communicates with Superman by means of a special "barking code"—similar to Morse code—taught to him by Superman when the Man of Steel was a teenager. (TGSB)

Later chronicled exploits include Krypto operating separately from his Kryptonian master, aiding various humans. He aids the Legion of Super-Pets on several occasions, developing a working relationship with [[Comet]], [[Beppo]] and several other super-powered animals (Adv No. 293, Feb 1962: "The Legion of Super-Traitors"; and others). Krypto is left without a memory and wanders space for years after a battle with an alien being known as the [[Mindbreaker Beast]] before returning to Earth once more (S No. 287/1, May 1975: "Who Was That Dog I Saw You With Last Night?").

Krypto has a number of adventures after his return, including a turn on [[Johnny Nevada]]'s late night program and extended adventures traveling around the United States with new companion [[Ed Lacy]] (starting in SF No. 185/4, Sep/Oct 1977: "The Stray Superdog!").

==External Links==

*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/starwinds-howl/ ''Starwinds Howl'' by Elliot S! Maggin]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krypto Wikipedia Entry on Krypto]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=466 Krypto Index by Mike]
*[http://www.studiosanning.shawbiz.ca/legion_of_super-heroes/membership/super-pets/krypto/index.htm Krypto's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Super-Animals]]
[[Category:Krypton]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Pets]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Wonder-Man

2012-01-12T03:38:26Z

Macduff: Corrected/updated URL for external link to comic

[[Image:wonderman.jpg|left]][[Image:Superman 163.jpg|right|thumb|Superman No. 163. Art by Curt Swan and George Klein.]]
A mysterious new super-hero who appeared in August 1963 and was seemingly intent on replacing [[Superman]] as the champion of [[Metropolis]].

'''Powers:''' Wonder-Man possessed super-powers that were identical to those of Superman. Among his abilities were super-strength, super-speed, invulnerability to physical harm, the power of flight, super-breath, super-senses and a number of super-vision abilities that included X-ray, heat, telescopic, microscopic and infrared. Unlike the Man of Steel, Wonder-Man was invulnerable to the effects of [[Kryptonite]] radiation.

'''Biography:''' Originally, Wonder-Man had been the strongest of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman's Robots]], whom the Man of Steel named [[Ajax]] and appointed the guardian of the [[Fortress of Solitude]]. On one occassion, while Superman had to prevent a severe earthquake in Canada, the Man of Tomorrow ordered Ajax to deal with a meteor shower that was about to endanger Earth. While dealing with this outer space threat, Ajax assisted a stranded alien spacecraft that was secretly controlled by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]], who used their ship's technology to cause a meteor fragment to collide with Ajax and damage his robotic systems. As part of a plot by the Revenger leader [[Attal]], Ajax's robotic consciousness was transferred into an incredibly lifelike chemically-made android body (complete with super-powers identical to Superman's) that had a different appearance than his previous Superman-like robot form, and was renamed Wonder-Man. Although the Revengers attempted to maneuver Wonder-Man into killing Superman and replacing him as Earth's mightiest champion (even going so far as to equip him with a chunk of Green Kryptonite), Wonder-Man discovered the aliens' true intentions and pretended to go along with their plan in order to help his former master. When Wonder-man arrived in Metropolis, he began to perform super-feats that were apparently meant to outshine the Action Ace, all the while displaying ever-increasing signs of intense jealousy of the Caped Kryptonian's fame (all this being part of his secret plan to help Superman against the Revengers). In the process, Wonder-Man became thrilled at the fact that he was able to think and feel exactly like a living human being, even going so far as to express affection for [[Lois Lane]]. During a battle between Superman and Wonder-Man for control of the Fortress of Solitude, Wonder-Man pretended to leave the Metropolis Marvel to die from Kryptonite radiation exposure as a plan to flush out the Revengers. Doing away with the Kryptonite, Wonder-Man teamed up with Superman and the two champions made short work of the Revengers by hurling them and their craft into deep space. However, Wonder-Man later died as a result of a failsafe mechanism that the Revengers implanted into his android body, which was designed to cause him to expire not long after he murdered Superman so that he would not turn against them. Wonder-Man was buried on Earth, his gravesite marked by a large tombstone that read "Wonder-Man, formerly called Ajax. He was born a robot ... but he died a man." (S No. 163/1, Aug 1963: "Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis!").

== External Links to Online Comics ==
[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales3/wonder/ '''Read the complete story!''']

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Robots]]
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]

Miracle Monday

2011-05-15T19:51:35Z

Macduff: (spacing)

'''Miracle Monday'''

[[Image:MMdinner.jpg|Superman shows up for a Miracle Monday Dinner|center]]

The third Monday of every May and a holiday whose origins were unknown for some time, it commemorates [[Superman]]'s triumph over [[C.W. Saturn]]. The first Miracle Monday was in 1981, making 2005 the 25th Miracle Monday. (MM)

The holiday is celebrated by preparing the Miracle Monday Dinner, which is made available to people in need. An extra place is set at the table in honor of Superman. (S No. 400, Oct 1984)

== External Links ==

[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/thebook/mm_contents.php '''MIRACLE MONDAY"''' by Elliot S! Maggin]- "the second in a series" of Warner Superman novels, 1981.

[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/400/dinner/ '''The Miracle Monday Dinner''' by Elliot S! Maggin and Klaus Janson] from Superman No. 400, 1984.

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Theoretical Concepts]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Miracle Monday

2011-05-15T19:50:18Z

Macduff: Restored (and updated) missing links

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2011-04-14T12:34:00Z

Macduff: Changed URLs

George Washington

2011-03-28T19:05:41Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ Updated/corrected external link URL

'''George Washington (1732-1799)'''

The first President of the United States. [[Superman]] meets General George Washington and facilitates his famous crossing of the Delaware River by breaking up the ice on the river, during a time-journey to the year 1776 (S No. 48/2, Sep/Oct 1947: "Autograph, Please!").

Superman meets George Washington a second time, during a time-journey to the year 1779, while searching for an explanation behind a series of murder attempts on the lives of members of the Kent family (see [[Ely Kent]]) (Act No. 132, May 1949: "The Secret of the Kents!"). (TGSB)

The history of the George Washington depicted in Action Comics No. 399/1 was that of a different reality and the man lived a very different life (Apr 1971: "Superman, You're Dead...Dead...Dead!"). (See [[Superman I]], [[Superman II]], and [[Superman III (1971)|Superman III]])

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington Wikipedia Entry on George Washington]
*[http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gw1.html Biography of George Washington]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales3/imp-missing/ One of Our IMPS is MISSING! by Elliot S! Maggin and Curt Swan, 1975]

[[Category:Entries|Washington, George]]
[[Category:People|Washington, George]]
[[Category:Historical Figures|Washington, George]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Washington, George]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Washington, George]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Washington, George]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Washington, George]]

Atlantis

2011-03-15T13:54:55Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ added link to online tale

'''Atlantis'''

A legendary island in the Atlantic Ocean which, according to Plato, was the site of a powerful kingdom more than 11,000 years ago before it sank to the bottom of the sea. In the [[Superman]] chronicles, Atlantis is described as a sunken city, kingdom, or continent nestled on or beneath the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, and is inconsistently portrayed either as the site of a thriving undersea civilization or as that of an extinct civilization whose inhabitants--variously referred to as Atlanteans (WF No. 29, Jul/Aug 1947: "The Books That Couldn't Be Bound!"; and others), Atlantides (S No. 139/1, Aug 1960: "The New Life of Super-Merman!"; and others), and Atlantites (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: "The World's Greatest Heroine!")--have long since perished or fled (SB No. 13/1, May 1950: "The Boy From Mars"). (TGSB)

== Varying depictions of Atlantis in the Chronicles ==

[[Image:AtlantisEnd.jpg|right]]

In Superman No. 67/2, Atlantis is portrayed as the site of a thriving glass-domed subsea kingdom--characterized by "fabulous streets" and "glittering towers"--located beneath the floor of the Atlantic Ocean "forty fathoms below the [ocean] surface...." Populated largely by handsome, muscular men who make even Superman seem "ordinary," the undersea realm is ruled by the lovely [[Queen Paralea]] (Nov/Dec 1950: "The City Under the Sea!").

Sunken Atlantis, as it is described in Action Comics No. 230, is apparently no longer inhabited. According to Superman, "Strange experiments, conducted centuries ago on Atlantis, imparted an incredible power to that land...the ability to give '''super-powers''', exactly like mine, to anyone subjected to its radiance!" This phenomenon produces grave problems for Superman when an "underwater earthquake [forces] a fragment of the old island of Atlantis to rise from the sea bottom" ( see [[Bart Wellins]]) (Jul 1957: "Superman Loses His Powers"). In Superman No. 122/1, Atlantis is described as the home of an extinct super-scientific race whose members were only six inches tall (Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In Superman No. 129/3 (May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), however, and in more than a score of other texts (S No. 135/2, Feb 1960: "Superman's Mermaid Sweetheart!"; and others), Atlantis is portrayed as the home of a "race of mermen and mermaids" (S No. 129/3, May 1959: The Girl in Superman's Past!")--collectively referred to as "mer-people" (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III---"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!")--who inhabit a thriving "sub-sea kingdom" (Act No. 300, May 1963: "Superman Under the Red Sun!"; and others) nestled on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean (S No. 157/2, Nov 1962: "The Super-Genie of Metropolis!"; and others).

== The Living People of Atlantis ==

The citizens of Atlantis include [[Lori Lemaris]], her husband [[Ronal]] and younger sister [[Lenora Lemaris]], and the merman [[Jerro]], who "adores" [[Supergirl]] (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: "The World's Greatest Heroine!").

According to Superman No. 129/3, the mer-people of Atlantis--who have the tails of fish and the heads and torsos of human beings--were ordinary humans in the days when ancient Atlantis existed on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. When Atlantean scientists discovered that their island was sinking into the sea, they erected a glass dome to keep out the ocean and enable their civilization to survive beneath the ocean surface. "Then, one day," Lori Lemaris once explained to Superman, "our scientists found a way to convert us into a race of mermen and mermaids--and so we truly became a new race under the sea!" (May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"). A later text ascribes this miracle of biological conversion to Atlantean scientist Nar Lemaris, an ancestor of Lori Lemaris (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: "Krypton's First Superman!").

In contrast, another tale directly involves the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] in the city's early fate (Adv No. 333, Jun 1965: "The War Between Krypton and Earth!"; "The Civil War of the Legion!") and states that Atlanteans were actually humanoid aliens from the planet [[Vrunn]], eventually forced to the sea because of trace gases in the Earth's atmosphere.

As soon as the biological transformation had been completed, the Atlanteans smashed the glass dome surrounding their city and began life anew as true sea dwellers. An Atlantean sea-person is physically capable of surviving out-of-water, but "...to remain in perfect health, [his] body must be immersed in salt water at least ten hours a day...!" Walking on land is, of course, impossible for a fish-tailed Atlantean, which is why Lori Lemaris has customarily employed a wheelchair during her brief sojourns in the surface world, concealing her mermaid tail beneath a blanket so as not to arouse undue attention (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"; see also S No. 135/2, Feb 1960: "Superman's Mermaid Sweetheart!").

Because it is impossible to speak underwater, the "sea-people" of Atlantis have mastered the art of reading minds and of communicating telepathically (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"; and others). They can perform these feats over very long distances, thus enabling Lori Lemaris to read Superman's thoughts (S No. 135/2, Feb 1960: "Superman's Mermaid Sweetheart!") or summon him by telepathy (S No. 146/2, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!") even while she is in Atlantis and he is in [[Metropolis]], a great distance away. It was by reading Clark Kent's mind that Lori first discovered that Clark Kent is Superman (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and, since all Atlanteans can perform this feat, it is possible that every Atlantean is privy to Superman's secret identity. Lori Lemaris also possesses the power to make sea creatures obey her telepathic commands (S No. 154/1, Jul 1962: "The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk!"; and others).

In addition to being the custodians of an "ancient wisdom" long lost to the people of the surface world (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: "Krypton's First Superman!"), the mer-people of Atlantis are a race characterized by extraordinary scientific achievements: special "Earth monitors" enable them to observe events in the surface world (Act No. 312, May 1964: "King Superman versus Clark Kent, Metallo"; and others), and an arsenal of super-scientific weaponry safeguards their civilization against attack (S. No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III--"Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"). According to Superman No. 154/2, a highly advanced "chemical plant reduces the amount of salt in the water so that the Atlantides--who once had bodies like surface-world people before Atlantide scientist Nar Lemaris transformed them into mermen and mermaids--can continue to survive in these oceanic depths!" (Jul 1962: "Krypton's First Superman!").

At the undersea temple of Ilena, Lori Lemaris and the other Atlantean mermaids gather to worship "their mermaid goddess," whose shrine consists of a gigantic statue of a mermaid reclining atop a seashell and holding aloft, in her right hand, a torch whose crimson "flame" is composed of some sort of glowing mineral substance (S No. 154/2, Jul 1962: "Krypton's First Superman!"). Atlanteans marry as surface people do, but in the event a mermaid becomes a widow, she must make a brief pilgrimage to Heartbreak Rock—a craggy rock jutting above the surface of the ocean—a week following her husband's death to wish for renewed happiness (S No. 139/1, Aug 1960: "The New Life of Super-Merman!").

Although one text clearly suggests the primacy of "the elders" in Atlantean life (S No. 135/2, Feb 1960: "Superman's Mermaid Sweetheart!") and several portray Lori Lemaris as an ordinary Atlantean citizen (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"; and others), a number of later texts refer to Atlantis as a "kingdom" and to Lori as its "queen" (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!") or "ruler" (S No. 154/1, Jul 1962: "The Underwater Pranks of Mr. Mxyzptlk!"; Act No. 300, May 1963: "Superman Under the Red Sun!").

In addition to making occasional visits there, Superman keeps track of events in Atlantis by means of the "Atlantis monitor" in his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"). Once every hundred years, according to Superman No. 129/3, an Atlantean is chosen to visit the surface world "to learn of the surface people's progress" during the preceding century. It was while making one of these visits that Lori Lemaris attended [[Metropolis University]] during the period when Clark Kent was a senior there (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

[[Aquaman]], the costumed super-hero who is the product of a union between a lighthouse keeper and a young Atlantean woman, has, over the years, occasionally resided in Atlantis and even served as its ruler. The inhabitants of Aquaman's Atlantis, however, are completely humanoid in appearance, and the evidence of the chronicles, taken as a whole, strongly suggests that the Atlantis where Aquaman has lived and ruled is a different place entirely, or else a separate region or city of the same undersea continent.

This is confirmed in January 1979, when Aquaman's home city is identified as Poseidonis, one of the two principal cities of Atlantis (DCCP No. 5: "The War of the Undersea Cities").

Aquaman's sidekick [[Aqualad]] also lives in this city (Act No. 272, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!").

== Appearances of Atlantis in the Chronicles ==

[[Image:Atlantis.jpg|left]]

In July-August 1947 [[Superman]] journeys to sunken Atlantis in order to obtain "an insoluble synthetic invented by the Atlanteans" for use as bookbinding material by [[Barney Vellum]] (WF No. 29: "The Books That Couldn't Be Bound!).

In November-December 1950 Superman has an adventure in the Atlantean realm of [[Queen Paralea]] (S No. 67/2: "The City Under the Sea!").

In July 1957, after an "underwater earthquake [has] forced a fragment of the old island of Atlantis to rise from the sea bottom," Superman finds himself confronted with a dual dilemma: exposure to the Atlantis fragment has temporarily endowed unscrupulous seaman [[Bart Wellins]] with super-powers, and, in addition, has temporarily multiplied Superman's own powers " a thousandfold," to the point where Superman cannot even control them (Act No. 230: "Superman loses his powers").

By November 1957 [[Clark Kent]]'s eyeglasses have become contaminated by a bizarre somnabulism-inducing radiation emitted by a relic recovered from sunken Atlantis, with the result that, for a time, Superman becomes a sleepwalker while in his Clark Kent identity and, as Superman, suffers complete amnesia concerning the thoughts and actions of his alter ego Clark Kent (S No. 117/1: "Clark Kent, Man of Mystery").

In July 1958 Superman journeys to the ruins of sunken Atlantis to obtain a "flying-saucer ship" made of pure gold, one of a series of so-called "space trophies" which the Man of Steel gathers for inclusion in a time capsule which the [[Metropolis]] Museum plans to bury in the ground as a gift for the people of the fiftieth century A.D. (S No. 122/1: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").

In May 1959 Clark Kent recalls his senior year at [[Metropolis University]] and his first meeting with the Atlantean mermaid [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").

In February 1960 Superman has a loving reunion with Lori Lemaris and visits the Atlantis inhabited by Lori and her fellow mer-people for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 135/2, Feb 1960: "Superman's Mermaid Sweetheart!").

In July 1960, over the objections of her husband [[Ronal]], Lori Lemaris sets in motion an elaborate and somewhat foolish scheme designed to trick Superman into proposing marriage to [[Lois Lane]]. (S No. 138/3: "The Mermaid from Atlantis!").

In August 1960, Superman sets in motion an elaborate charade designed to make Lois Lane believe that he has decided to marry Lori Lemaris and live in Atlantis so that Lois will feel free to accept the proposal of marriage made to her by [[Brett Rand]] (S No. 139/1: "The New Life of Super-Merman!").

In July 1961, in response to an urgent telepathic summons from Lori Lemaris, Superman races to Atlantis to rescue the sunken kingdom from being destroyed by "a new super-atomic, underwater depth-bomb" being tested in the area by the U.S. Navy (S No. 146/2: "Superman's Greatest Feats").

In October 1961 Lori Lemaris indicates that she and her fellow Atlanteans intend to use a hoard of gold from a sunken Spanish treasure ship to fashion solid gold statues of [[Jor-El]] and [[Lara]] as a surprise gift for Superman in gratitude for his past efforts in aiding Atlantis' mer-people (S No. 148/3: "Superman Owes a Billion Dollars!").

In February 1962, when Superman proudly announces [[Supergirl]]'s existence to the world, the citizens of Atlantis commemorate the occasion by unveiling a gigantic undersea statue of a mermaid Supergirl (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: "The World's Greatest Heroine!").

In July 1962, during a period when Superman is periodically seized by an overpowering compulsion to commit evil acts, the Man of Steel demolishes the shrine of Atlantis' mermaid-goddess and is on the verge of annihilating the mer-people by destroying the vital chemical plant that regulates the amount of salt in their undersea environment when Supergirl, summoned to Atlantis by a desperate telepathic call from Lori Lemaris, arrives on the scene to repair the chemical plant and prevent Superman from wreaking further destruction (S No. 154/2: "Krypton's First Superman!"). (See [[Mag-En]])

In October 1962, when Superman is believed to be dying of an incurable malady, Lori Lemaris and the mer-people of Atlantis join forces with [[Krypto]] the Superdog, Supergirl, and the [[Supermen Emergency Squad]] to carry out one of the gigantic super-tasks that Superman hopes to fulfill as his final legacy to humanity , viz., the injection of a colossal sea monster—which has been growing to ever more titanic size due to the stimulation of undersea radioactivity—with a special "shrinking formula" so that it will not one day become so terrifyingly gargantuan that it menaces the safety of the Earth (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").

In November 1962 Lori Lemaris and her fellow Atlanteans help Superman locate and recover a space capsule that has recently fallen into the Atlantic. The recovery of the lost space capsule is one of the stunts that Superman performs while posing as the genie of [[Aladdin]]'s magic lamp as part of his scheme to apprehend a notorious "international spy" (S No. 157/2: "The Super-Genie of Metropolis!"). (See [[Professor Von Schulz]])

In December 1962, during a period when Superman is suffering occasional bouts of mental instability inflicted on him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]], the Man of Steel maliciously gives the [[Moon]] a super-powered shove which, in addition to causing massive tidal waves on Earth, produces devastating tides on the ocean floor and wreaks disaster in the undersea realm of Atlantis. Once the insane episode is past, however, Superman restores the moon to its proper location in space and repairs the damage to Atlantis caused by the temporary dislocation (Act No. 295 "Superman Goes Wild!").

In November 1963, when Clark Kent has lost consciousness and almost drowned after an encounter with [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily robbed him of his super-powers, it is the Atlanteans who revive him with "a new form of artificial respiration" after [[Aquaman]] finds him and brings him to Atlantis (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!"). (See [[Sally Selwyn]])

In March 1964 the mer-people of Atlantis are menaced by a "deadly spotted plague" which threatens to decimate their entire population, but the plague victims are ultimately cured by means of a rare "spore antidote" native to [[Krypton]]'s [[Scarlet Jungle]] (Act No. 310: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"). (See [[Jax-Ur]])

In the spring of 1964, after exposure to Red Kryptonite has temporarily transformed Superman into two completely different people, a super-powered Superman and a non-super Clark Kent (Act No. 311, Apr 1964: "Superman, King of Earth!"), and Kent has been mortally wounded by a policeman's bullet, it is "the skilled surgeons of Atlantis" who perform the "delicate operation" necessary to save Kent's life (Act No. 312, May 1964: "King Superman versus Clark Kent, Metallo").
(TGSB)

One account tells that millions of years ago, the Earth was colonized and fought for by a renegade band of [[Kryptonian]]s and the ancestors of citizens of Atlantis, as [[Superboy]] and the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] later discover (Adv No. 333, Jun 1965: "The War Between Krypton and Earth!"; "The Civil War of the Legion!"). This chronicle ties the Legion to the transformation of Atlanteans to mer-people and for sinking the city itself into the sea. It also differs in stating that Atlanteans were, in fact, alien colonists themselves - from the planet [[Vrunn]].

In January 1979, it is clarified in the chronicles that there are two primary sections of Atlantis. One is the city of [[Tritonis]] where the race of mer-folk including Lori Lemaris, her husband Ronal and [[Jerro]] live. Aquaman comes from a different Atlantean city with a considerable population, [[Poseidonis]] (DCCP No. 5: "The War of the Undersea Cities"). Equally adapted to life underwater, residents of Poseidonis do not possess the fish scales and other exterior anatomical features of the mermaids and mermen of Tritonis.

In November 1984, Superman meets the Atlantean sorcerer [[Arion]], a time-traveler from an era long before the sinking of Atlantis (DCCP No. 75: "Partners in Time!").

A 1985 chronicle of Superman's early career suggests that Clark Kent may have met Lori Lemaris a few months earlier than previously thought, while still calling himself Superboy. Clark's roommate [[Billy Cramer]] insists that Clark talk to him about his relationship troubles with Lori—not suspecting the root of the problem is, of course, that Lori is a mermaid who can not stay on the surface-world (SSY No. 3, Apr 1985: "Terminus").

(''See also'' [[Pacifo]])

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis Wikipedia entry on Atlantis]
*[http://www.cosmicteams.com/profiles/atlantis.html Cosmic Teams: Atlantis]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/lori/ The Girl in Superman's Past] by Bill Finger and Wayne Boring
[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]
[[Category:Atlanteans]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Main Page

2011-03-15T13:51:39Z

Macduff: Changed featured article from Forgotten Heroes to Atlantis

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Atlantis.jpg]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="center" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Atlantis]]''' 
''Discover the secrets of the ancient Lost City...''
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Krypto Mouse

2011-03-12T15:05:15Z

Macduff: STTA comic link

''This article is about Krypto Mouse. The term Krypto can also refer to [[Krypto|Krypto the Superdog]].''

[[Image:KryptoMouse.gif|left]]

'''Krypto Mouse'''

Krypto Mouse is secretly Fuzzy, little [[Tommy Ewell]]'s pet mouse, who grows large as a result of an experiment by [[Professor Egglehead]] and gains super powers but keeps his mouse personality. Krypto Mouse patrols [[Smallville]] for a time, causing some to confuse him at a distance with [[Superboy]]. Eventually, Krypto Mouse's abilities fade away and he returns to normal (SB No. 65/3, Jul 1958: "The Amazing Adventures of Krypto Mouse").

==External Link to Online Comic==

[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales4/kryptomouse/ Read "The Amazing Adventures of Krypto Mouse"]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Super-Animals]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2011-03-08T01:40:59Z

Macduff: New URL again

Curt Swan of Earth-Prime

2011-02-22T15:15:37Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ minor - corrected site name

'''Curt Swan (of Earth-Prime)'''

[[Image:SupermanandCurtSwan.jpg]]

''"My name is Curt Swan. I'm an Artist..."''

One of the greatest artists in the history of [[Superman]]! Curt Swan drew Superman, [[Superboy]], [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] comic book adventures on [[Earth-Prime]] (SA No. 9/2, 1983: "I Flew with Superman").

[[Category:Entries|Swan, Curt (of Earth-Prime)]]
[[Category:People|Swan, Curt (of Earth-Prime)]]
[[Category:Historical Figures|Swan, Curt (of Earth-Prime)]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds|Swan, Curt (of Earth-Prime)]]
[[Category:Earth-Prime|Swan, Curt (of Earth-Prime)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Swan, Curt (of Earth-Prime)]]

== External Links ==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Swan Wikipedia entry on Curt Swan]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/swan.php ''Drawing Superman'' by Curt Swan (1986) at Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://supermanfan.nu/artists/sm-curtswan.htm ''Curt Swan!'' at Confessions of a Superman Fan]
*[http://dccomicsartists.com/superart/CURTSWAN.HTM Curt Swan info at Who Drew Superman?]

Main Page

2011-02-21T13:29:12Z

Macduff: Changed featured article from Yellow Lantern to Forgotten Heroes

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Forgottenheroes.jpg|125px]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="center" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Forgotten Heroes]]''' 
''Forgotten league of super-adventurers, including Rip Hunter, Cave Carson, Animal Man, and more...''
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Supermanica:Community Portal

2011-02-14T18:00:55Z

Macduff: Link directly to Supermanica section; as it once was, as it is now, and as it shall be again.

[[Image:SupermanCommunity.jpg|right]]

This page's '''[[Supermanica_talk:Community_Portal|discussion tab]]''' is used to talk about community issues:

*'''[[Supermanica_talk:Community_Portal|Community Issues]]'''

Most Community Members also gather at the [http://forum.superman.nu/index.php?board=22.0 Supermanica Forum], where Supermanica discussion takes place and technical updates have been known to be posted.

See also: [[Supermanica:Administrators|Supermanica Administrators]]

[[Category:Supermanica]]

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2011-02-14T02:03:13Z

Macduff: minor adjustement to stta link

MediaWiki:Sidebar

2011-02-14T01:57:18Z

Macduff: updated sidebar links

Superman of Earth-2

2011-02-02T23:48:06Z

Macduff: /* External Links */ - updated URLs/page names

[[Image:Supermen_of_Two_Earths.gif|center]]
[[Image:SE2.gif|left]]

'''Superman (of Earth-2)'''

*'''Real name''': [[Kal-L]]
*'''Secret Identity''': [[Clark Kent of Earth-2|Clark Kent]]
*'''Birth Parents''': [[Jor-L of Krypton-2|Jor-L]] and [[Lora of Krypton-2|Lora]]
*'''Adoptive Parents''': [[John and Mary Kent of Earth-2|John and Mary Kent]]
*'''Wife''': [[Lois Kent of Earth-2|Lois Kent]] ''(see [[Lois Lane of Earth-2]])''
*'''Other known relatives''': Uncle [[Zor-L of Krypton-2|Zor-L]], Aunt [[Allura of Krypton-2|Allura]], and Cousin [[Kara Zor-L]] aka [[Karen Starr]] aka [[Power Girl of Earth-2|Power Girl]]

An alternate [[Superman]] from [[Earth-2]]: a "co-existing world in a parallel dimension—not identical, but similar to its twin in many respects" (first appearance: Justice League of America No. 73, Aug 1969: "Star Light, Star Bright -- Death Star I See Tonight!" and referred to earlier in the Justice League of America chronicles - though some texts claim Action Comics No. 1, June 1938 as this character's first appearance - see note below). The Earth-2 Superman's powers are the result of his [[Kryptonian]] birth, his power of flight being limited to very long leaps (at least in the beginning). This Superman lives a life similar if not identical to what is referred to later storied as the "Golden Age" Superman, in the city of [[Metropolis]] with a secret mountain retreat located outside the city known as [[The Secret Citadel]] (Act No. 484, Jun 1978: "Superman Takes a Wife!"; and others). Kal-L is a founding member of the [[Justice Society of America of Earth-2|Justice Society of America]], but he elects to remain a reservist for the first several years of the team's existence (DC Special No. 29, Aug/Sep 1977: "The Untold Origin of the Justice Society"; and others). Superman is a close friend and ally of the [[Batman of Earth-2]] (SF No. 211/2, Oct 1981: "The Kill Kent Contract!"; and others). He eventually marries [[Lois Lane of Earth-2|Lois Lane]] (Act No. 484, Jun 1978: "Superman Takes a Wife!").

By January-February 1976, Superman of Earth-2 finds a spacecraft, which turns out to be from his home planet of [[Krypton-2|Krypton]]. This spacecraft was built and sent by Kal-L's uncle, [[Zor-L of Krypton-2|Zor-L]], and contains his long-lost cousin, [[Kara Zor-L]]. Superman educates and trains Kara Zor-L in the use of her super-powers and she ultimately became the superheroine known as [[Power Girl of Earth-2|Power Girl]] (Earth-2's equivalent of [[Supergirl]]) (All-Star Comics No. 58, "All Star Super Squad"; and others). The significantly older Superman goes into semi-retirement after Power Girl's arrival on the scene.

Clark Kent is promoted from senior reporter to editor-in-chief of the [[Daily Star]] in the early 1950's when [[George Taylor]] retires. Kent is promoted to this post over [[Perry White of Earth-2|Perry White]] (SF No. 197/2, Sep/Oct 1979: "Clark Kent's Mynah Dilemma").

In 1982, Kal-L assists his Earth-1 counterpart in preventing [[Alexei Luthor of Earth-2|Alexei Luthor]], [[Lex Luthor]], and [[Ultraman of Earth-3|Ultraman]] from annihilating both Earth-1 and Earth-2. The two Supermen are aided in their battle against the three villains by [[Alexander Luthor of Earth-3]] in his first outing as a superhero (DCCPA No. 1: "Crisis on Three Earths!").

''(Note: The Earth-2 Superman is similar in many respects to [[Superman]] as presented in the early chronicles. First introduced as a distinct character in Superman's own chronicles in the 1970s, the existence of this Superman postulates a historical divergence from the events as presented in the middle and later chronicles. Some are then said to have occurred to the [[Earth-1]] Superman.)''

[see [[Parallel-Worlds]]]

==External Links==
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/theages/History/e2-superman.php The Earth-2 Superman at Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://kal-l.nu/secret.php Secret Files and Origins the Unofficial Golden-Age Superman Site]
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/tales2/e2-origin/ Read the Secret Origin at Superman Through the Ages!]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_(Earth-Two) Wikipedia Entry on Kal-L]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=3 Earth-2 Superman Index by Mike]
*[http://my.execpc.com/~icicle/SUPERMAN.html Superman Bio at the JSA Fact File]
*[http://blaklion.best.vwh.net/timeline2.html Earth-2 Timeline]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Heroes Named Superman]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-2]]
[[Category:Lois Lane]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Superbaby

2010-05-25T00:03:54Z

Macduff: minor

[[Image:Superbaby.jpg|left]]

'''The Babe of Steel'''

The infant [[Kal-El]]. Although tales of [[Superman]]'s early life are now referred to as "Superbaby stories," Superbaby was not his official name at the time, and his presence was generally unknown; [[Clark Kent]]'s first secret identity was [[Superboy]]. He is also sometimes refered to as [[Super-Tot]].

Reference and Usage:

"There had been rumors floating around the region about a super-powered tot almost since the day of young Clark's arrival on Earth. At parties, on hayrides, in local newspaper offices and the like, people would swear that they had seen a three-year-old boy punch a timber wolf and fly away. Or people would tell about others they knew who told some such story.

With each rash of new super-baby sightings there invariably seemed to follow an outbreak of tales of a werewolf in some cavern, or a 100-year-old Indian medicine man who hid out in the woods, or the old reliable flying saucers." (LSOK, Ch. 11)

== Some of Superbaby's appearances ==

*(SB No. 8, May-Jun 1950: "When Superboy was a Superbaby!")
*(S No. 73, Nov-Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!")
*(SB No. 26, Jun-Jul 1953: "The Super-Tot of Smallville!")
*(S No. 90, Jun 1954: "Superman's Secret Past!")
*(Adv No. 221, Feb 1956: "The Babe of Steel!")

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Superboy Era]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Main Page

2009-05-19T21:43:10Z

Macduff: Yellow Lantern featured article

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Yellow_Lantern.jpg|125px]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="center" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Yellow Lantern]]''' 
''In blackest day, in brightest night...''
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Main Page

2009-01-23T17:59:26Z

Macduff: Kamandi

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Kamandi.jpg|125px]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="center" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Kamandi]]''' 
''The Last Boy on Earth!''
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Captain Marvel of Earth-S

2009-01-08T15:30:36Z

Macduff: So did the imp intend difficulty, or did he intend no difficulty?

[[Image:Bluecheese.jpg|thumb|All New Collectors' Edition No. C-58: Superman Vs. Captain Marvel]]

'''Captain Marvel of Earth-S'''

When the young boy [[Billy Batson of Earth-S|Billy Batson]] says the name of the ancient wizard [[Shazam of Earth-S|Shazam]], he is transformed into the mighty Captain Marvel (first appearance: Whiz Comics No. 2, Feb 1940: "Introducing Captain Marvel"). Captain Marvel is the greatest hero on [[Earth-S]]. Captain Marvel's nicknames include "The World's Mightiest Mortal" and "The Big Red Cheese". Captain Marvel is part of the [[Marvel Family of Earth-S|Marvel Family]] along with [[Captain Marvel, Jr. of Earth-S|Captain Marvel, Jr.]], [[Mary Marvel of Earth-S|Mary Marvel]], [[Uncle Marvel of Earth-S|Uncle Marvel]], and [[Hoppy the Marvel Bunny]]. His greatest enemies include [[Doctor Sivana of Earth-S|Dr. Sivana]], [[Mr. Mind of Earth-S|Mr. Mind]] and [[Black Adam of Earth-S|Black Adam]].

Captain Marvel derives his powers from the following gods and heroes:

*'''S'''olomon: Wisdom
*'''H'''ercules: Strength
*'''A'''tlas: Stamina
*'''Z'''eus: Power
*'''A'''chilles: Courage
*'''M'''ercury: Speed

As such, his set of powers are very similar to Superman's basic ones such as great strength, speed, flight and resistance to injury, but are based on magic. In May, 1981, [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] takes advantage of this by magically exchanging the costumes and powers of the two heroes, thus creating a situation where Superman is confused at this change. However, Superman's new powers are familiar enough for him to set out to meet Captain Marvel on Earth-S about this siuation with little difficulty as the imp intended. (DCCP No. 33, May 1981: "Man and Supermarvel!")

== Captain Marvel has appeared in the following Superman Tales ==

'''With [[Superman]] of [[Earth-1]]'''
*(All New Collectors Edition No. C-58, May 1978 "When Earths Collide!")
*(DCCP No. 33, May 1981 "Man and Supermarvel!")
*(DCCP No. 34, Jun 1981 "The Beast-Man That Shouted "Hate" at the Heart of the U.N.!")
*(DCCP No. 49, Sep 1982 "Black Adam!")
*(DCCPA No. 3, 1984 "With One Magic Word")
*(Act No. 583, Sep 1986 "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?")

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Marvel_%28DC_Comics%29 Wikipedia article on Captain Marvel]
*[http://marvelfamily.com/WhosWho/whoswho.asp?castid=1 Cap's entry at the Marvel Family Web]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=271 Captain Marvel Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/shazam_index.html SHAZAM! Index by Dark Mark]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]
[[Category:Earth-S]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Main Page

2008-12-31T21:46:41Z

Macduff: Bouncing Boy; used full-size image since gifs don't thumb well.

<center>''As of {{CURRENTDAYNAME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} we are currently working on a total of {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} articles!''
</center>
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| align="center" |
[[Image:Supermanicalogo.jpg]] 
a free and collaborative open-source project that '''you''' can participate in!
|
{| border=0 cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" align="center"
| style="background:silver; color:white" align="center" |
[[Image:Bouncingboy.gif|250px]]
|style="background:silver; color:black" align="center" |
'''Featured article:''' 
'''[[Bouncing Boy]]''' 
''Unforgettable member of the Legion of Super-Heroes!''
|}
|}
----
A [[Supermanica:About|bit of an explanation]] about Supermanica.

Browse the [[:Category:Entries|Supermanica entries]] to date, or see the more complete listing of [[Special:Allpages|all the articles]] on this website.

Interested people are [[Supermanica:About|welcome to contribute]].

The more people who help out, the more information will be in Supermanica and the better structured it will be. In order to participate, please [[Special:Userlogin|create an account]]. You may find the [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/MediaWiki_User's_Guide user's guide] to be very helpful. If you do choose to participate, '''please confine your additions to those characters, events, and locations contained in Superman related comic books published from 1938 to 1986'''.

Please [[canonical sources|cite your references]] in the articles. Information with no source reference is likely to be removed.

Any questions? Please visit the [[Supermanica:Community_Portal|Supermanica Community Portal]].

[[Category:Supermanica]]