Supermanica - User contributions [en]

Professor Pepperwinkle

2005-03-22T14:00:56Z

The Starchild: Added info from Act 442/1

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

A "well-known" inventor and apparent acquantaince of both [[Clark Kent]] and [[Superman]] who resides in a "modest suburban home" near [[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''' whever 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 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 Potter considers himself to be the "greatest inventor in the world," while Clark Kent notes that he has "been known to fowl-up occasionally" (S No. 297, Mar 1976: "Clark Kent Forever--Superman Never!").

''(This entry still needs biographic info from S No. 289/1, Jul 1975: "The Phantom Horseman of Metropolis!"; S No. 308, Feb 1987: "This Planet is Mine!")''

[[Category:Entries|Pepperwinkle,Professor]]
[[Category:People|Pepperwinkle,Professor]]

Category:Earth-Prime

2005-03-13T16:43:19Z

The Starchild:

One of the numerous [[Parallel-Worlds]] that [[Superman]] has encountered in his adventures. On this parallel Earth, Superman is considered a fictional character but is still widely known through published adventures in comic books, movies, and other media.

== External Links to Online Comics ==

"I Flew With Superman!" (SA No.9, 1983) [http://superman.ws/tales2/flew/]

"The Secret Message from Earth-Prime" (S No.400, Oct 1984) [[http://theages.superman.ws/400/primelegend/]]

"The Last Earth-Prime Story" (SA No.411, Sep 1985) [http://superman.ws/tales2/lastPrime/]

Michael L. Fleisher of Earth-Prime

2005-03-13T16:40:27Z

The Starchild:

'''Fleisher, Michael L.''' The author of ''The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes''. Chartering a helicopter for the occasion, Fleisher interviewed the busy Man of Steel in the sky over Metropolis Harbor in Spring 1977. The event was recorded (below) for posterity by artist Murphy Anderson (TGSB, 1977). (''See also'' [[Michael Fleischer]])
[[Image:Michael_L.Fleisher.gif|center]]
[[Category:Entries|Fleisher,Michael]]
[[Category:People|Fleisher,Michael]]
[[Category:Earth-Prime|Fleisher,Michael]]

Category:Earth-Prime

2005-03-13T16:38:58Z

The Starchild:

One of the countless [[Parallel-Worlds]] that [[Superman]] has encountered in his adventures. On this parallel Earth, Superman is considered a fictional character but is still widely known through published adventures in comic books, movies, and other media.

== External Links to Online Comics ==

"I Flew With Superman!" (SA No.9, 1983) [http://superman.ws/tales2/flew/]

"The Secret Message from Earth-Prime" (S No.400, Oct 1984) [[http://theages.superman.ws/400/primelegend/]]

"The Last Earth-Prime Story" (SA No.411, Sep 1985) [http://superman.ws/tales2/lastPrime/]

Halk Kar

2005-03-13T04:18:11Z

The Starchild: corrected issue number

[[Image:Halk-Kar.gif|left]]
An alien from the far-distant planet [[Thoron]], once befriended by [[Jor-El]] after crash-landing on [[Krypton]] shortly before that planet exploded, who arrives on Earth in a rocket ship in January-February 1953—afflicted with amnesia and endowed with super-powers similar to, but not nearly as great as, [[Superman]]'s—under circumstances that lead both Halk Kar and Superman to believe, albeit erroneously, that Halk Kar is the eldest son of Jor-El and therefore Superman's big brother. Finally, however, as the result of an electric shock he receives during Superman's battle with the "Wrecker" Ross mob—a gang of extortionists whom Superman ultimately apprehends—Halk Kar recovers his memory , recalls his visit to Krypton and brief friendship with Jor-El, and, soon afterward, bids Superman a fond farewell and blasts off for Thoron, his home planet (S No. 80/1: "Superman's Big Brother!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]

Lucinda Lawrence

2005-03-13T04:15:32Z

The Starchild:

A double of [[Lucy Lane]] who was a witch in Salem Massachusetts in 1692.

In April, 1962, [[Jimmy Olsen]] time travels to Salem Massachusetts in 1692 by using a magic belt given to him by Princess Ilona of the Sunev Galaxy. The wonders he wrought with this belt get him accused of being a demon, but he is then rescued by Lucinda Lawrence, a double of Lucy Lane who turns out to be a ''real'' witch. She returns Jimmy Olsen to his own time, but keeps the Sunevian belt. Ironically, it is that same belt that is used as evidence against her when she is accused of practicing witchcraft. As a result, she is found guilty and hanged (SPJO No. 60/2: "The Girl Who Was Lucy Lane's Double").

[[Category:Entries|Lawrence,Lucinda]]
[[Category:People|Lawrence,Lucinda]]
[[Category:LL|Lawrence,Lucinda]]

Lucinda Lawrence

2005-03-13T04:15:02Z

The Starchild: intial entry from SPJO No. 95

A double of Lucy Lane who was a witch in Salem Massachusetts in 1692.

In April, 1962, [[Jimmy Olsen]] time travels to Salem Massachusetts in 1692 by using a magic belt given to him by Princess Ilona of the Sunev Galaxy. The wonders he wrought with this belt get him accused of being a demon, but he is then rescued by Lucinda Lawrence, a double of Lucy Lane who turns out to be a ''real'' witch. She returns Jimmy Olsen to his own time, but keeps the Sunevian belt. Ironically, it is that same belt that is used as evidence against her when she is accused of practicing witchcraft. As a result, she is found guilty and hanged (SPJO No. 60/2: "The Girl Who Was Lucy Lane's Double").

[[Category:Entries|Lawrence,Lucinda]]
[[Category:People|Lawrence,Lucinda]]
[[Category:LL|Lawrence,Lucinda]]

Louis Lane

2005-03-13T04:03:31Z

The Starchild:

[[Lois Lane]]'s cousin from Pittsdale. (S No. 349: "The Turnabout Trap!")

[[category: Entries|Lane,Loius]]
[[category: People|Lane,Loius]]
[[category: LL|Lane,Loius]]

Louis Lane

2005-03-13T04:01:12Z

The Starchild:

[[Lois Lane]]'s cousin from Pittsdale. (S No. 349: "The Turnabout Trap!")

[[category: Entries]]
[[category: People]]
[[category: LL]]

Superman of Earth-2

2005-03-08T07:31:13Z

The Starchild:

[[Image:Supermen_of_Two_Earths.gif|center]]
[[Image:SE2.gif|left]]
Real name: [[Kal-L]]

Secret Identity: [[Clark Kent of Earth-2]]

An alternate Superman from "Earth-Two"—a "coexisting world in a parallel dimension--not identical, but similar to its twin in many respects" (Act No. 484, Jun 1978: "Superman Takes a Wife!").

The Earth-2 Superman is similar in many details to [[Superman]] as presented in the early chronicles. First introduced as a distinct character in November-December 1977, the existence of the Earth-2 Superman postulated a historical divergence from the events as presented in the middle and late chronicles. These were then said to have occured to the Earth-1 Superman.

Known appearances of Superman as a separate Earth-2 incarnation of himself in the chronicles are:
New Adventures of Superboy #15-16;
Action #484 - Wedding to Lois Lane, 1950's;
Adventure #462 - Cameo, Funeral of the Batman;
Adventure #466 - Cameo, Funeral of Mr. Terrific;
DC Comics Presents Annual #1;
Superman Family #186-187;
Superman Family #195-199 - 1940-50's;
Superman Family #201-222 - 1940-50's;
''(sources for biographic summaries)''

== External Links to Online Comics ==
[http://superman.ws/tales2/wife/ SUPERMAN takes a WIFE! ] (Act No. 484, 1978)<br>
[http://superman.ws/tales2/e2-origin/ The SECRET ORIGIN of the GOLDEN AGE SUPERMAN!]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Earth-2]]

Superman of Earth-2

2005-03-08T07:27:49Z

The Starchild: trying to get an article started here

[[Image:Supermen_of_Two_Earths.gif|center]]
[[Image:SE2.gif|left]]
Real name: [[Kal-L]]

Secret Identity: [[Clark Kent of Earth-2]]

An alternate Superman from "Earth-Two"—a "coexisting world in a parallel dimension--not identical, but similar to its twin in many respects" (Act No. 484, Jun 1978: "Superman Takes a Wife!").

The Earth-2 Superman is similar in many respects to [[Superman]] as presented in the early chronicles. First introduced as a distinct character in November-December 1977, the existence of the Earth-2 Superman postulated a historical divergence from the events as presented in the middle and late chronicles. These were then said to have occured to the Earth-1 Superman.

Known appearances of Superman as a separate Earth-2 incarnation of himself in the chronicles are
New Adventures of Superboy #15-16;
Action #484 - Wedding to Lois Lane, 1950's;
Adventure #462 - Cameo, Funeral of the Batman;
Adventure #466 - Cameo, Funeral of Mr. Terrific;
DC Comics Presents Annual #1;
Superman Family #186-187;
Superman Family #195-199 - 1940-50's;
Superman Family #201-222 - 1940-50's;

== External Links to Online Comics ==
[http://superman.ws/tales2/wife/ SUPERMAN takes a WIFE! ] (Act No. 484, 1978)<br>
[http://superman.ws/tales2/e2-origin/ The SECRET ORIGIN of the GOLDEN AGE SUPERMAN!]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Earth-2]]

Superman Revenge Squad

2005-03-07T14:48:20Z

The Starchild: added illustration

[[Image:Superman-Revenge-Squad.gif]]

A group of alien criminals who bound together to exact revenge upon the Last Son of [[Krypton]] first as the Superboy Revenge Squad and later as the Superman Revenge Squad. It is a loosly knit organization of extraterrestrial villains, founded originally by the warlike inhabitants of the planet Wexr II but now comprised of aliens from many planets, who have for years, ever since [[Superman]] was a teenager, sought to wreak vengeance on the Man of Steel in retaliation for his having repeatedly thwarted their attempts to subjugate peaceful planets and "dominate the universe" (Act No. 287, Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!" and others). In the words of one Squad member:

We of the '''Superman Revenge Squad''' have tried for
decades to get even with '''Superman!''' We have hated him
ever since, as '''Superboy''', he stopped [us] from conquering
peaceful planets in outer space! Our squad has tried
to destroy him many times--but we've always failed! [Act
No. 295, Dec 1962: "Superman Goes Wild!"].

In early chronicles the Revenge Squad members generally appear has humanoids though the text makes it clear that they are all from alien worlds. At one point the members shaved their heads in imitation of [[Superman]]'s greatest foe, [[Lex Luthor]], and donned custumes like the one worn by [[Superman]] himself except that their chest emblems glowed green like [[Kryptonite]]. (WF No. 175/1 May 1968 "The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads"). In later chronicles the Revenge Squad members are typically alien in appearance.

The members of the Superman Revenge Squad are fully aware that Clark Kent is secretly Superman (Act No. 286, Mar 1962: "The Jury of Super-Enemies!"; and others).

Appearances: (as Superboy Revenge Squad) SB Nos. 94, 114, 118, NSB Nos. 32,54 (as Superman Revenge Squad) Act Nos, 287, 295, 300, SPJO Nos. 163, 165, S Nos. 163, 165, Act No. 313, SGLL No. 52, SPJO No. 83, S No. 322, Act No. 343, S. No. 198, WF No. 175, Act Nos. 367, 380, 445, 501, S Nos. 366, 367, 368, DCCP 87, S No. 414

[[Image:Vlatuu_of_Plyrox.gif|center]]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Villains]]

File:Vlatuu of Plyrox.gif

2005-03-07T14:46:38Z

The Starchild: From the 3 part Superman Revenge Squad epic in S No. 366-368

From the 3 part Superman Revenge Squad epic in S No. 366-368

Superman Revenge Squad

2005-03-07T14:23:28Z

The Starchild:

[[Image:Superman-Revenge-Squad.gif]]

A group of alien criminals who bound together to exact revenge upon the Last Son of [[Krypton]] first as the Superboy Revenge Squad and later as the Superman Revenge Squad. It is a loosly knit organization of extraterrestrial villains, founded originally by the warlike inhabitants of the planet Wexr II but now comprised of aliens from many planets, who have for years, ever since [[Superman]] was a teenager, sought to wreak vengeance on the Man of Steel in retaliation for his having repeatedly thwarted their attempts to subjugate peaceful planets and "dominate the universe" (Act No. 287, Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!" and others). In the words of one Squad member:

We of the '''Superman Revenge Squad''' have tried for
decades to get even with '''Superman!''' We have hated him
ever since, as '''Superboy''', he stopped [us] from conquering
peaceful planets in outer space! Our squad has tried
to destroy him many times--but we've always failed! [Act
No. 295, Dec 1962: "Superman Goes Wild!"].

In early chronicles the Revenge Squad members generally appear has humanoids though the text makes it clear that they are all from alien worlds. At one point the members shaved their heads in imitation of [[Superman]]'s greatest foe, [[Lex Luthor]], and donned custumes like the one worn by [[Superman]] himself except that their chest emblems glowed green like [[Kryptonite]]. (WF No. 175/1 May 1968 "The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads"). In later chronicles the Revenge Squad members are typically alien in appearance.

The members of the Superman Revenge Squad are fully aware that Clark Kent is secretly Superman (Act No. 286, Mar 1962: "The Jury of Super-Enemies!"; and others).

Appearances: (as Superboy Revenge Squad) SB Nos. 94, 114, 118, NSB Nos. 32,54 (as Superman Revenge Squad) Act Nos, 287, 295, 300, SPJO Nos. 163, 165, S Nos. 163, 165, Act No. 313, SGLL No. 52, SPJO No. 83, S No. 322, Act No. 343, S. No. 198, WF No. 175, Act Nos. 367, 380, 445, 501, S Nos. 366, 367, 368, DCCP 87, S No. 414

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Villains]]

Superboy Revenge Squad

2005-03-07T14:16:15Z

The Starchild:

#REDIRECT[[Superman Revenge Squad]]

Superman Revenge Squad

2005-03-07T14:15:43Z

The Starchild: integrated first 2 paragraphs of the multi-page entry from TGSB

[[Image:Superman-Revenge-Squad.gif]]

A group of alien criminals who bound together to exact revenge upon the Last Son of [[Krypton]] first as the Superboy Revenge Squad and later as the Superman Revenge Squad. It is a loosly knit organization of extraterrestrial villains, founded originally by the warlike inhabitants of the planet Wexr II but now comprised of aliens from many planets, who have for years, ever since [[Superman]] was a teenager, sought to wreak vengeance on the Man of Steel in retaliation for his having repeatedly thwarted their attempts to subjugate peaceful planets and "dominate the universe" (Act No. 287, Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!" and others). In the words of one Squad member:

We of the '''Superman Revenge Squad''' have tried for
decades to get even with '''Superman!''' We have hated him
ever since, as '''Superboy''', he stopped [us] from conquering
peaceful planets in outer space! Our squad has tried
to destroy him many times--but we've always failed! [Act
No. 295, Dec 1962: "Superman Goes Wild!"].

In early chronicles the Revenge Squad members generally appear has humanoids though the text makes it clear that they are all from alien worlds. At one point the members shaved their heads in imitation of [[Superman]]'s greatest foe, [[Lex Luthor]], and donned custumes like the one worn by [[Superman]] himself except that their chest emblems glowed green like [[Kryptonite]]. (WF No. 175/1 May 1968 "The Superman-Batman Revenge Squads"). In later chronicles the Revenge Squad members are typically alien in appearance.

The members of the Superman Revenge Squad are fully aware that Clark Kent is secretly Superman (Act No. 286, Mar 1962: "The Jury of Super-Enemies!"; and others).

Appearances: (as Superboy Revenge Squad) SB Nos. 94, 114, 118, NSB Nos. 32,54 (as Superman Revenge Squad) Act Nos, 287, 295, 300, SPJO Nos. 163, 165, S Nos. 163, 165, Act No. 313, SGLL No. 52, SPJO No. 83, S No. 322, Act No. 343, S. No. 198, WF No. 175, Act Nos. 367, 380, 445, 501, S Nos. 367, 368, DCCP 87, S No. 414

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Villains]]

Michael L. Fleisher of Earth-Prime

2005-03-06T21:48:22Z

The Starchild:

Preface

2005-03-06T21:42:30Z

The Starchild:

''The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes'' began as something of a lark, and ended as a labor of love.

In early 1969, I was working as a writer/editor for the Encyclopaedia Britannica, writing entries for an encyclopedia that the company intended to market overseas. One afternoon, as a humorous way of relieving the office tedium, one of the other writers composed a short biography of [[Clark Kent]] written in the same stuffy, pedantic style that characterized the biographies of real people in the encyclopedia we were working on. "KENT, CLARK," it began. "United States journalist who is secretly Superman...."

As the bogus entry made its way around the room, the editorial office exploded with laughter. People laughed because, by using a serious, pseudoscholarly style in connection with subject matter generally regarded as frivolous, the author had successfully satirized the pomposity of our encyclopedia.

But I saw the Clark Kent entry in a different light. Already keenly interested in popular culture, I saw it as treating the comic book mythos as other, more "respectable" bodies of mythlc literature have traditionally been treated, as a serious intellectual subject. I also saw that entry as a means of escape from my deadly dull job at the Britannica. "Hey! This is a terrific idea," I exclaimed aloud in the midst of the merriment. "Somebody should do a whole book of these."

That idea seemed so ridiculous eight years ago that everyone started laughing all over again, but I was already out of the room, down the corridor, slamming that Clark Kent article onto the office copy machine, beginning to dream up the thousands of other articles I would write to go along with it.

I should say here and now that I was neither a comic book fan nor a comic book collector. I had not so much as glanced sideways at a comic book since the wise old age of fourteen, when, in what seemed at the time a decision born of maturity and sound judgment, I had sold my entire collection to a junk lady on Third Avenue for a penny a magazine.

Nevertheless, that night in 1969, using the Xeroxed Clark Kent article as my inspiration and the classic comic book stories reprinted in Jules Feiffer's ''The Great Comic Book Heroes'' as source material, I hammered out a half dozen sample entries and a two-page proposal for a one-volume encyclopedia of the comics. The following afternoon, I showed it all to an acquaintance in publishing, and within four hours he had called me on the telephone to say that his people loved the idea and that we had ourselves a deal.

Only then, after the commitment to write the book had actually been made, did I even begin to ponder the problem of how I was going to gain access to the many old comics that would be necessary to my research. Fortunately for me, the major comic book publishers were all willing to give me access to their extensive files of back issues. Later, a network of fans and collectors would help me acquire the various issues published by companies now defunct.

So it is that, one morning in March 1969, I walked into the offices of National Periodical Publications, Inc., publishers of DC Comics, and was introduced to Gerda Gattel, National's librarian, now retired. Her ring of keys jangling, Mrs. Gattel led me down a carpeted executive corridor to the locked door of the DC Comics Library. She knew that I intended to write a serious reference guide to the literature of the great comic book heroes, and she was proud that her precious library was at last to be used for serious research, rather than merely by client businessmen seeking out action pictures of super-heroes to laminate onto T-shirts and beach blankets.

As she swung open the library door and flicked on the light, I remember that I gasped a little. The library was only a medium-sized room, but its walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves packed with neatly bound volumes of back-issue comic books, thousands upon thousands of them, two copies each of every single comic book National Periodicals has ever published. I had never imagined there would be so many.

Mrs. Gattel noticed my surprise, and her eyes twinkled with the slightly mischievous pleasure of a fabulously wealthy connoisseur showing an astounded visitor through the exquisitely stocked wine cellar. "You said you wanted to study all the heroes," she smiled benignly, taking in the entire room with a sweeping gesture of her arm. "We have dozens of them. Where would you like to begin?"

I began with [[Batman]] and [[Wonder Woman]], whose exploits are chronicled in Volumes 1 and 2 of this encyclopedia, and then I went on to Superman, transported, despite my adulthood and education, into a tantalizingly garish world of magic and enchantment which I thought I had left behind forever at age fourteen.

Few fictional characters of any kind have enjoyed the kind of hold over their reader that the great comic book heroes have exerted for nearly four decades. Their adventures are read by millions of young people in every state of the United States and in dozens of foreign countries. And Superman is the king and father of them all. No other character in the history of comic books has been published continuously for so long a period. More people have thrilled to the exploits of Superman than have ever heard of Hamlet or seen a play by Shakespeare. He is the most famous hero in American fiction.

Yet the adventures of Superman, and the vast popular literature of which they are a part, are already all but lost to us. Destroyed on a massive scale during the paper drives of the 1940s-"Save your scrap to beat the Jap!" admonished one of the popular patriotic slogans appearing in the margins of many comics-and hysterically assailed during the 1950s as a root cause of juvenile delinquency, comic books have been almost universally derided as trash by adults and cherished only by their children.

In the entire world, not one library, university, or public or private institution of any kind has taken the trouble to acquire and preserve a complete set of Superman's adventures for posterity. Nowhere in the world is there a single research facility where the complete adventures of even one major comic book hero have been safely preserved and made available for study. Reasonable people may debate the value of the comics as art or literature, but no one can deny that they constitute the most widely read body of children's literature in the history of the world. Perhaps one day, there will be sufficient serious interest in the comics to warrant their widespread distribution on microfilm to libraries and universities, but as of this writing that day seems along way I off.

The writing of this volume required that Janet Lincoln and I have access to a complete file of
Superman's adventures. Such a file is available in only one place, the corporate library at National Periodical Publications, Inc., and it has been preserved there, along with complete files of the adventures of National's other comic book characters, partially through the foresight of the company's management, but mainly through the efforts of one determined woman.

At the time this project began, Gerda Gattel had been the guardian of the DC Comics archives for twelve years, and involved in comics for more than twenty. During the long years when the comics were regarded as garbage even by most of their creators, when comic books and comic book artwork were routinely destroyed and discarded by their publishers to eliminate the expense of storing them, she fought, and agitated, and cajoled to be allowed to maintain a real library at National, to be provided with bookshelves and storage space, and to be permitted to take occasional time off from her full-time job as the company proofreader in order to keep and maintain the library on her own.

Janet Lincoln and I spent seven full years working on ''The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes''. In that time, we examined more than 10,000 comic book stories and filled approximately 20,000 5" x 8" index cards with detailed notes on what we had read.

As the years passed, my original one-volume project expanded to encompass eight volumes, consuming in the process thirty-one reams of typing paper and producing, in the end, a completed typewritten manuscript of more than two million words. As the project grew in scope, my original publisher lost interest and eventually withdrew, and I am deeply grateful that Warner Books, Inc., has taken an interest in what, from a publishing standpoint, can only be regarded as a difficult and costly project.

''[[The Great Superman Book]]'', which you hold in your hands, is the third volume of the eight-volume "labor of love" that I spoke of in my opening sentence. Other encyclopedias dealing with literary material, such as encyclopedias of Greek mythology or English literature, are able to refer their readers to the literature itself, but, with the exception of the occasional Superman stories reprinted in hardcover volumes, or the Superman comics still surviving in valuable private collections-a copy of Action Comics No.1, for example, the first comic book in which Superman ever appeared, currently brings a price of upwards of $4,000 on the collectors' market-the stories referred to in this volume are not available for examination. For that reason, the material dealt with in this book has been covered in excruciating detail, retaining generous portions of the original dialogue and textual narrative and employing a style designed to present the material clearly while evoking what Jules Feiffer has termed the "florid pre-literacy" of the comics.

As you browse through the pages of this volume, renewing your acquaintance with such classic archetypes of comicdom as [[Lois Lane]], [[Lex Luthor]], and [[Perry White]]-and perhaps meeting for the first time such intriguing lesser lights as [[Adonis]], "a loathsome being intent on robbery and pillage...whose face is born of hideous nightmare"-I hope you too find yourself transported into that world of magic and enchantment I spoke of earlier. And whether you're a serious student of sociology or popular culture-or just a stone Supermaniac with the smell of four-color ink in your nostrils and bits of cheap pulp paper floating like flotsam in your blood-I hope you have a real good time there.

[[Michael L. Fleisher]]

New York City, 1977

[[Category:Supermanica]]
[[Category:The_Great_Superman_Book]]

Supermanica:About

2005-03-06T21:41:18Z

The Starchild:

== The Encyclopedia of Supermanic Biography ==

Founded on and continuing ''[[The Great Superman Book]]'' by Michael L. Fleisher

''[[The Great Superman Book]]'' was published in 1978 and was intended to be a complete biography of everything Superman. Fleisher spent 10 years doing research for the book, however, and by the time it was published it was out of date, covering only material from 1938 to 1964.

The goal of Supermanica is to incorporate, update, and expand the existing Fleisher material to cover the complete history of Superman from 1938 to 1986. Further, instead of limiting the canonical source material to ''Action Comics'', ''Superman'', and ''World's Finest'', all of the existing Superman titles of the time are being used.

The initial list is then

''Action Comics'';
''Adventure Comics'';
''Superboy'';
''Supergirl'';
''Superman'';
''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'';
''Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane'';
and ''World's Finest''. For a more complete list, see [[canonical sources]].

Supermanica is a free and collaborative open-source project, meaning that anyone who visits the site is able to update and edit it. Please use this great power responsibly.

The name "[[The Encyclopedia of Supermanic Biography]]" is the title that the [[Michael L. Fleisher]] of Earth-1, [[Michael Fleischer]], used for his much larger multi-volume version of ''[[The Great Superman Book]]'' (MM).

[[Category:Supermanica]]

Michael L. Fleisher of Earth-Prime

2005-03-06T21:38:04Z

The Starchild:

'''Fleisher, Michael L.''' The author of ''The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes''. Chartering a helicopter for the occasion, Fleisher interviewd the busy Man of Steel in the sky over Metropolis Harbor in Spring 1977. The event was recorded (below) for posterity by artist Murphy Anderson. (''See also'' [[Michael Fleischer]])
[[Image:Michael_L.Fleisher.gif|center]]
[[Category:Entries|Fleisher,Michael]]
[[Category:People|Fleisher,Michael]]

File:Michael L.Fleisher.gif

2005-03-06T21:36:52Z

The Starchild:

Illustration from [[The Great Superman Book]].

File:Michael L.Fleisher.gif

2005-03-06T21:36:29Z

The Starchild:

Michael Fleischer

2005-03-06T21:30:11Z

The Starchild:

Creator of the twenty-first-century work, [[Encyclopedia of Supermanic Biography|The Encyclopedia of Supermanic Biography]], presumably available in both a multi-volume edition and in an abridged one volume edition (MM, 1981). (''See also'' [[Michael L. Fleisher]])

[[Category:Entries|Fleischer,Michael]]
[[Category:People|Fleischer,Michael]]

Michael L. Fleisher of Earth-Prime

2005-03-06T21:29:31Z

The Starchild: from TGSB - typo fixes

'''Fleisher, Michael L.''' The author of ''The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes''. Chartering a helicopter for the occasion, Fleisher interviewd the busy Man of Steel in the sky over Metropolis Harbor in Spring 1977. (''See also'' [[Michael Fleischer]])

[[Category:Entries|Fleisher,Michael]]
[[Category:People|Fleisher,Michael]]

Michael L. Fleisher of Earth-Prime

2005-03-06T21:28:54Z

The Starchild: from TGSN

'''Fleisher, Michael L.''' The author of ''The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes''. Chartering a helicopter for the occasion, Fleisher interviewd the busy Man of Steel in the sky over Metropolis Harbor in Spring 1977. (''See also'' [[Michael Fleischer]])

[[Category:Entries:Fleisher,Michael]]
[[Category:People:Fleisher,Michael]]

Add a new article

2005-03-06T21:23:03Z

The Starchild:

The easiest way to add a new article is:

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[[Category:Supermanica]]

Inspector Erskine Hawkins

2005-03-06T21:17:22Z

The Starchild: moved picture

'''HAWKINS, ERSKINE (Inspector).''' A canny and brilliant Scotland Yard detective—described as "the finest sleuth in Europe" (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!")—who, between 1946 and 1952, makes a series of attempts to prove, beyond any doubt, the truth of his long-held conviction that reporter Clark Kent is secretly [[Superman]]. Clark Kent has described Inspector Hawkins as "the world's greatest sleuth," and a fellow Scotland Yard inspector has described his renowned colleague this way: "That man [Hawkins] is incredible! The Yard's never had a sleuth to equal him! Imagine! Hawkins hasn't a single unsolved case on his record in 17 years!" (S No. 69/3, Mar/Apr 1951: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In the words of the textual narrative of Superman No. 69/3:

Watch out for the mild-looking little man in the bowler
hat, for he's not so mild as he looks. In England, he's
known as the scourge of the underworld, for no greater
sleuth has ever come out of Scotland Yard [Mar/Apr 1951:
"The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!"].

[[Image:Hawkins_1946.gif|right]]
Some uncertainty exists regarding Inspector Hawkins's first name. In the first text in which he appears, no first name is given (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!"). In Superman No. 69/3, he is referred to as Erskine Hawkins (Mar/Apr '51: "The Man Who Didn't Know He was Superman!"). In Superman No. 79/3, however, his first name is given as Ernest (Nov/Dec 1952: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!"). Throughout this article, he is referred to as Inspector Erskine Hawkins, since Erskine is the first of the two given names provided for him in the chronicles.

In September 1946 Inspector Hawkins accosts Clark Kent at the [[Daily Planet]] and quietly informs him that he has deduced that Kent is secretly Superman. Seven years previously, Hawkins had retired from his post at Scotland Yard in order to devote himself full time to solving what he regarded as his greatest case: the mystery of Superman's secret identity. Day after day, for seven long years, Europe's finest sleuth had labored at his self-appointed task. He had obtained photographs of Superman and casts of his footprints, subjecting these and other accumulated evidence to careful anatomical study and painstaking scientific analysis. Finally, after seven years of dedicated sleuthing, Hawkins had concluded that Clark Kent is Superman. The famed detective felt, however, that he could not be completely satisfied with the results of his exhaustive investigation until he had gone to America to interview Kent personally and obtain some form of final, incontrovertible proof.

Confronted by Hawkins, Kent nevertheless manages to blurt out a denial that he is secretly Superman. And so, in the days that follow, an elaborate game of cat and mouse ensues, with Inspector Hawkins laying one trap after another for the Man of Steel in an effort to obtain that one final scrap of evidence that will establish conclusively that Clark Kent is Superman, and with Superman using every ounce of his super-ingenuity to outwit the sleuth from Scotland Yard and convince him that his seven years of painstaking deduction have somehow led him to an erroneous conclusion. Finally, unable to obtain the proof he seeks any other way, Hawkins breaks into Clark Kent's apartment in hopes of finding irrefutable evidence linking Clark Kent with Superman. In the apartment, however, Hawkins finds a bogus, artificially aged will, surreptitiously planted there by Superman, in which Clark Kent bequeathes the contents of his personal library "to my friend Superman." The phony will successfully tricks Hawkins into believing that he has made a mistake, and he promptly returns to England, where he confides to a colleague that his trip to America has convinced him beyond the shadow of a doubt that Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (Act No. 100: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!").
[[Image:Hawkins_1951.gif|left]]
Inspector Hawkins apparently rejoins Scotland Yard following his return from America, for by March-April 1951 he has solved the last of the Yard's outstanding unsolved cases and has decided to embark on a short vacation during which he hopes to remove the one blemish on his otherwise perfect record as a sleuth: his failure to solve the secret of Superman's identity. Arriving in [[Metropolis]], Hawkins once again becomes embroiled in a battle of wits with Superman, but a series of complex coincidences—combined with an elaborate ruse devised by Superman—have the effect of convincing Hawkins that Superman is secretly librarian A. Noggle of the Metropolis Public Library. Indeed, Superman cleverly capitalizes on Hawkins's erroneous conclusion by "admitting" that he is really librarian Noggle and begging the Scotland Yard sleuth not to betray his "secret."

"The satisfaction of having cracked this case is enough for me," declares Hawkins reassuringly. "I therefore promise you on my word of honor that your secret '''''shall never pass my lips''!'''"

Soon afterward, Inspector Hawkins returns to Scotland Yard, convinced that he has solved the secret of Superman's dual identity, but vowing never to betray it to anyone else (S No. 69/3: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In November-December 1952 Inspector Hawkins finds himself only three days away from achieving one of his "life's ambitions" by being named the first winner of the renowned Standish Award, an award offered to any Scotland Yard detective who can successfully solve every single case assigned to him over a ten-year period. In an effort to thwart Hawkins's ambition and deny him the award by presenting him with a case within the three-day deadline that he cannot solve, picklock Roddy Greene and other criminals with long-standing grudges against Hawkins carry out a series of bombings in England, leaving behind, at the scene of each bombing, a rhymed note signed with the name of Guy Fawkes, an English conspirator involved in an abortive attempt to blow up King James I and Parliament in the year 1605.

Hawkins ultimately solves the bombing mystery and apprehends Roddy Greene in time to win the coveted Standish Award. In the interim, however, Clark Kent, who has been sent to England by the ''Daily Planet'' to cover the "Guy Fawkes" story, has been placed in the difficult position of having to work surreptitiously as Superman to prevent further bombings while covering the story openly as Clark Kent, so that he will not betray the fact that Kent and Superman are both in England and thus revive Hawkins's dormant suspicions concerning his secret identity. Indeed, despite the fact that Superman contrives to remain unseen when he defuses a bomb at London Bridge and makes it appear that a falling water tower has been responsible for dousing another bomb with water before it can blow up Big Ben, Inspector Hawkins does begin to suspect that Superman is at work behind the scenes preventing the bombings. Ultimately, however, a clever ruse by Superman succeeds in persuading the canny Scotland Yard detective that reporter Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (S No.79/3: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!").

[[Category:Entries|Hawkins,Erskine]]
[[Category:People|Hawkins,Erskine]]

The Archer

2005-03-06T21:14:24Z

The Starchild: added categories

A ruthless extortionist, clad in a green archer's costume, who extorts money from wealthy victims and and murders with his bow and arrow those who refuse to pay. He is in reality Quigley, a "famous big-game hunter" who began hunting people instead of animals because "I-I thought hunting human beings would prove more profitable!" The Archer is apprehended by [[Superman]] in November-December 1941 (S No. 13/2).

The Archer returned many years later seeking vengence but was apprehended by [[Superman]], [[Lois Lane]], and [[Jimmy Olsen]]. (SF No. 221/4 August 1982 "Arrows of Vengeance" a "Mr. & Mrs. Superman" story)

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Criminals]]
[[Category:Villains]]

Humpty Dumpty

2005-03-06T21:13:25Z

The Starchild: added categories

A fat, bald thief with an egg-shaped body who rides on a rocket powered hobby horse and specializes in stealing collectibles. After escaping from [[Superboy]] during their first encounter, he began sending [[Superboy]] clues to his crimes in order to taunt him until [[Superboy]] captured him. (SB No. 6/1 Jan.-Feb. 1950 "The Hobby Robber!")

Humpty Dumpty escaped from prison and began stealing dolls. As before he left clues for [[Superboy]] which ultimately allowed the Boy of Steal to capture him. (SB No. 7/2 Mar.-Apr. 1950 "Dolls of Danger!")

Humpty Dupty escaped again and began stealing flags, this time with the assistance of two armed thugs. They forced [[Superboy]] to promise not to contact the policy in anyway not even with signal flags by threatening the shoot a hostage in the head. [[Superboy]] tricked Humpty Dumpty into believing that he'd gone back on his word by hoisting a hospitality flag which caused nearby ships to start sailing for Humpty Dumpty's ship; Humpty Dumpty mistakenly believed that these ships were law enforcement vessels and fled. He was soon caputed by [[Superboy]] and returned to prison. (SB No. 8/2 May-June 1950 "The Flags of Crime!")

Humpty Dupty escaped yet again and began steeling model boats before being recaptured by [[Superboy]]. (SB No. 9/3 July-Aug. 1950 "Ship Ahoy, Superboy!"

Upon his next escape Humpty Dumpty began stealing "famous first." As usual he was captured and returned to prison by [[Superboy]]. (SB No. 11/3 Nov.-Dec. 1950 "The Famous First Crimes!")

Humpty Dumpty was not seen for many years before finally returning to face [[Superboy]] yet again as the Curator. (NSB No. 24/1 December 1981 "Blind Boy's Bluff")

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Criminals]]
[[Category:Villains]]

Gregory Reed

2005-03-06T21:12:21Z

The Starchild: added categories

The actor famous for his portrayals of [[Superman]] on television and the silver screen. After becoming disfigured in a fire during filming, Reed blames [[Superman]] and becomes insanely jealous that he has real powers while Reed can only pretend. Using a wig and a mask to hide his difigurement, Reed continued his career of playing [[Superman]] until in July 1972 he was able to use black magic to place a pentagram on his palm which would cause he and [[Superman]] to exchange minds after they touched palms. After inviting [[Superman]] to his cliff-top mansion, Reed shook [[Superman]]'s hand causing their minds to switch bodies, but Reed was unable to control the Super-mass of [[Superman]]'s [[Kryptonian]] body and inadvertently made himself very heavy causing his house to begin to collapse. [[Superman]] tricked Reed into taking his hand, and the pentagram once again switched their minds giving [[Superman]] his own body back. He saved Reed but was unable to prevent Reed's house from falling into the sea. [[Superman]] promised to help Reed get plastic surgery and the two shook hands as friends. (Act No. 414/1 July 1972 "Superman vs Superstar!")

[[Superman]] performed Reed's plastic surgery himself using advanced [[Kryptonian]] technology and gave Reed a new face identical to his own. Reed, who even mimicked [[Superman]]'s voice, dedicated his life to making apperances on behalf of charities. When [[Superman]] was unable to visit a sick girl, he gave Reed a pill that gave him some super-powers for 12 hours so he could perform super-feets for the girl.

In March 1975 Reed was accidentally attacked with a ray by the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] who mistook him for the real [[Superman]]. Seeing their error the Squad then shot [[Superman]] with the ray which would cause him to die after he performed ten super-feets. However, Superman was on to their plan and gave Reed another super-pill so he could perform five feets for Superman while [[Superman]] performed five of his own. Reed then pretended to die causing the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] members to believe that they have suceeded, and they returned home where they were killed for their failure by other members of the Squad. (Act No. 445/1 March 1975 "Count Ten, Superman... and Die!" )

When [[Superman]] was transformed into a double of [[Terra-Man]], Reed once again impersonated [[Superman]] with the aid of the Flash and Green Lantern who performed super-feets for Reed invisibly. (Act No. 470/1 April 1977 "Even Superman Must Die Sometime")

In August 1977 Gregory Reed appeared on an episode of the Midnight Show with Johnny Nevada as one of seven guests who'd all been believed to be [[Superman]] at one time. (Act No. 474/1 August 1977 "Will the Real Superman Please Show Up?")

Appearances:
Action Comics #414,
Action Comics #445,
Secret-Society of Super-Villains #7,
Superman #297,
Action Comics #470,
Action Comics #474,
Superman Family #206,
Superman #396,
DC Comics Presents Annual #4

[[Category:Entries|Reed,Gregory]]
[[Category:People|Reed,Gregory]]

Wanda Nordo

2005-03-06T21:10:33Z

The Starchild: added categories

Mistress of [[Lex Luthor]] after the death his wife [[Ardora]]. (S No. 385 July 1983 "Luthor Rises Again!")

(Appearances S Nos. 385, 386, 401, 410, 412, 413, and SA No. 12).

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]

John Achilles

2005-03-06T21:08:58Z

The Starchild: added categories

A self-proclaimed descendant of the legendary Achilles, his right foot encased in a thick steel box for the ostensible protection of his Achilles' heel, who establishes himself as the leader of [[Metropolis]]'s most notorious criminals by claiming to possess the near-invincibility of his ancient ancestor and by demonstrating his apparent invulnerablity to their knives and guns. In reality, however, John Achilles is merely an archaeologist turned criminal, and the steel box covering his right foot merely the housing for an ingenious "magnetic repeller" whose powerful "magnetic field repels all metal missiles," thereby rendering Achilles invulnerable to all metal weapons. Cornered finally by [[Superman]] in March-April 1950, Achilles drowns when he leaps into a river and is dragged beneath the surface by the weight of the metal box attached to his foot (S No. 63/1: "Achilles ''versus'' Superman!").

Superman No. 148/1 (October 1961: "The 20th Century Achilles!") is in many respects similar to this story. (See [[Achilles]].)

[[Category:Entries|Achilles,John]]
[[Category:People|Achilles,John]]
[[Category:Criminals|Achilles,John]]

Achilles

2005-03-06T21:08:17Z

The Starchild: added categories

The alias employed by a modern-day criminal, one foot encased in a heavy lead box for the ostensible protection of his Achille's heel, who establishes himself as the leader of a gang of [[Metropolis]] bank robbers by claiming to possess the near-invincibility of his ancient namesake--the result, he claims, of having been dipped, at infancy, in a fountain of "magic water" from the River Styx--and by demonstrating his apparent invulnerability to their tommy guns, knives, axes, and crowbars. In reality, however, Achilles is merely an ordinary criminal, and the lead box covering his foot merely the housing for "a powerful anti-magnet device" capable of repelling "all metal objects," thereby rendering Achilles invulnerable to all metal weapons. Aided by members of the Metropolis Police Department, [[Superman]] apprehends Achilles and his cohorts in October 1961 (S No. 148/1: "The 20th Century Achilles!"). The story is in many respects similar to Superman No. 63/1 (Mar/Apr 1950: "Achilles ''versus'' Superman!"). (''See'' [[John Achilles]].)

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Criminals]]

Adonis

2005-03-06T21:07:06Z

The Starchild: added categories

A terrifying but tragic villain with a sickeningly "loathsome countenance" who matches wits with [[Superman]] in March 1942. The text describes him as "a loathsome being intent on robbery and pillage...a creature whose face is as horrible as his acts--a face born of hideous nightmare--a visage once seen, never forgotten." He is in reality James Trevor, a movie and matinee idol adored by millions until his flawless features began to fall prey to the deteriorating effects of advanced age, who has been transformed into a gruesome caricature of his former self and forced into a life of crime through the sinister machinations of a villainous plastic surgeon know as Dr. Menace.

Despondent and out of work since advancing age began "sabotaging [his] magnificent profile" as "women film fans [began] turning to newer and younger screen heroes," Threvor responds with enthusiasm in March 1943 when Dr.Menace visits his home and promises to restore "the face that caused millions of feminine hearts to beat quicker" through the miracle of plastic surgery.

The all-important operation is performed soon afterwards, and Trevor exults when he finally removes the bandages and views the handsome, youthful face beneath them. Trevor's joy is short-lived, however, for the handsome face he sees before him is only a lifelike rubber mask, and when "the mask drops off--and...the vain actor sights the features beneath the mask reflected in the mirror, a scream like the shriek of an animal in pain leaves his startled lips...." Recoiling in abject horror, Trevor sees that the evel Dr. Menace rubs his hands gloatingly:

"As you can guess, my real vocation is crime. I have placed a substance of my own discovery upon your face that transforms it hideously. Only I can remove is without injuring your features permanently.

"Wearing the rubber mask, you will continue your everyday existance, gaining access to the homes of your wealthy friends. But whenever I command, off comes the mask and you do my bidding as ''ADONIS''. Obey me for one month, and at the close of your servitude I will actualy give you the handsome features you desire."

And so, in the days that follow, Trevor--his "terrible face" concealed beneath his rubber mask--attends a series of lavish social gathering at the homes of his wealthy movie-colony friends and, at an opportune moment, taking care not to be observed, doffs his mask and civilian clothing so that he can plunder the homes of his hosts as the hideous, loincloth-clad Adonis.

Overtaken finally by Superman while fleeing the scene of a robbery with a priceless Rembrandt painting, Adonis is shot from a place of concealment be Dr. Menace, who is determined to prevent Trevor from revealing their involvement in the recent wave of crimes. Adonis, however, now mortally wounded, sneaks up behind the unsuspecting Dr. Menace and, with his last remaining vestige of strength, strangles the surgeon who destroyed him before collapsing, dead, atop the surgeon's corpse (Act No. 58: "The Face of Adonis!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Villains]]

Johnny Aesop

2005-03-06T21:05:52Z

The Starchild: added categories

The leader of a gang of criminals who commit a series of crimes based on Aesop's fables until they are finally apprehended by [[Superman]] in August 1944. When Superman learns that Aesop's history of criminal behavior began soon after a fall from a horse, however, he skillfully massages the base of aesop's skull, thereby relieving the "pressure" that made him a criminal and transforming him back into the responsible citizen he was up to the time of his riding mishap (Act No. 75: "Aesop's Modern Fables").

[[Category:Entries|Aesop,Johnny]]
[[Category:People|Aesop,Johnny]]
[[Category:Criminals|Aesop,Johnny]]

The Thing

2005-03-06T21:03:51Z

The Starchild: Added categories

The name bestowed, for want of a better one, on "a shapeless protoplasm" capable of assuming any form it pleases and of duplicating, down to the most minute detail, the characteristics of whatever being it has choosen to impersonate—which arrives in the twentieth century in February 1954, after having been banished from its own era—the year 40,000 A.D.—by a populace that had grown afraid of it. Temporarily stranded in the twentieth century, "The Thing" takes on the from of various individuals—including [[Superman]]—as part of its elaborate scheme to steal the advanced technological compontents necessary for the construction of a "time machine," with which is intends to return to its own era and set up a dictatorship. Superman ultimately destroys the creature, however, by luring it into the midst of a hydrogen-bomb explosion. "'''Whew!''' That H-bomb gave me a slight headache!" muses Superman. "But it finished my rival--completely! He couldn't adapt himself to an explosion of such magnitude!" (S No. 87/1: "The Thing from 40,000 A.D.!").

In January 1986 [[Superman]] teams with the Omega Men to again face The Thing. (DCCP No. 89/1: "Metropolis Wasn't Built in a Day... or Was It?")

[[Category:Entries|Thing,The]]
[[Category:Villains|Thing,The]]

File:Hawkins 1951.gif

2005-03-06T20:59:11Z

The Starchild:

Illustration from [[The Great Superman Book]].

File:Hawkins 1946.gif

2005-03-06T20:58:53Z

The Starchild:

Illustration from [[The Great Superman Book]].

Inspector Erskine Hawkins

2005-03-06T20:58:24Z

The Starchild:

[[Image:Hawkins_1946.gif|right]]
'''HAWKINS, ERSKINE (Inspector).''' A canny and brilliant Scotland Yard detective—described as "the finest sleuth in Europe" (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!")—who, between 1946 and 1952, makes a series of attempts to prove, beyond any doubt, the truth of his long-held conviction that reporter Clark Kent is secretly [[Superman]]. Clark Kent has described Inspector Hawkins as "the world's greatest sleuth," and a fellow Scotland Yard inspector has described his renowned colleague this way: "That man [Hawkins] is incredible! The Yard's never had a sleuth to equal him! Imagine! Hawkins hasn't a single unsolved case on his record in 17 years!" (S No. 69/3, Mar/Apr 1951: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In the words of the textual narrative of Superman No. 69/3:

Watch out for the mild-looking little man in the bowler
hat, for he's not so mild as he looks. In England, he's
known as the scourge of the underworld, for no greater
sleuth has ever come out of Scotland Yard [Mar/Apr 1951:
"The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!"].

Some uncertainty exists regarding Inspector Hawkins's first name. In the first text in which he appears, no first name is given (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!"). In Superman No. 69/3, he is referred to as Erskine Hawkins (Mar/Apr '51: "The Man Who Didn't Know He was Superman!"). In Superman No. 79/3, however, his first name is given as Ernest (Nov/Dec 1952: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!"). Throughout this article, he is referred to as Inspector Erskine Hawkins, since Erskine is the first of the two given names provided for him in the chronicles.

In September 1946 Inspector Hawkins accosts Clark Kent at the [[Daily Planet]] and quietly informs him that he has deduced that Kent is secretly Superman. Seven years previously, Hawkins had retired from his post at Scotland Yard in order to devote himself full time to solving what he regarded as his greatest case: the mystery of Superman's secret identity. Day after day, for seven long years, Europe's finest sleuth had labored at his self-appointed task. He had obtained photographs of Superman and casts of his footprints, subjecting these and other accumulated evidence to careful anatomical study and painstaking scientific analysis. Finally, after seven years of dedicated sleuthing, Hawkins had concluded that Clark Kent is Superman. The famed detective felt, however, that he could not be completely satisfied with the results of his exhaustive investigation until he had gone to America to interview Kent personally and obtain some form of final, incontrovertible proof.

Confronted by Hawkins, Kent nevertheless manages to blurt out a denial that he is secretly Superman. And so, in the days that follow, an elaborate game of cat and mouse ensues, with Inspector Hawkins laying one trap after another for the Man of Steel in an effort to obtain that one final scrap of evidence that will establish conclusively that Clark Kent is Superman, and with Superman using every ounce of his super-ingenuity to outwit the sleuth from Scotland Yard and convince him that his seven years of painstaking deduction have somehow led him to an erroneous conclusion. Finally, unable to obtain the proof he seeks any other way, Hawkins breaks into Clark Kent's apartment in hopes of finding irrefutable evidence linking Clark Kent with Superman. In the apartment, however, Hawkins finds a bogus, artificially aged will, surreptitiously planted there by Superman, in which Clark Kent bequeathes the contents of his personal library "to my friend Superman." The phony will successfully tricks Hawkins into believing that he has made a mistake, and he promptly returns to England, where he confides to a colleague that his trip to America has convinced him beyond the shadow of a doubt that Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (Act No. 100: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!").
[[Image:Hawkins_1951.gif|left]]
Inspector Hawkins apparently rejoins Scotland Yard following his return from America, for by March-April 1951 he has solved the last of the Yard's outstanding unsolved cases and has decided to embark on a short vacation during which he hopes to remove the one blemish on his otherwise perfect record as a sleuth: his failure to solve the secret of Superman's identity. Arriving in [[Metropolis]], Hawkins once again becomes embroiled in a battle of wits with Superman, but a series of complex coincidences—combined with an elaborate ruse devised by Superman—have the effect of convincing Hawkins that Superman is secretly librarian A. Noggle of the Metropolis Public Library. Indeed, Superman cleverly capitalizes on Hawkins's erroneous conclusion by "admitting" that he is really librarian Noggle and begging the Scotland Yard sleuth not to betray his "secret."

"The satisfaction of having cracked this case is enough for me," declares Hawkins reassuringly. "I therefore promise you on my word of honor that your secret '''''shall never pass my lips''!'''"

Soon afterward, Inspector Hawkins returns to Scotland Yard, convinced that he has solved the secret of Superman's dual identity, but vowing never to betray it to anyone else (S No. 69/3: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In November-December 1952 Inspector Hawkins finds himself only three days away from achieving one of his "life's ambitions" by being named the first winner of the renowned Standish Award, an award offered to any Scotland Yard detective who can successfully solve every single case assigned to him over a ten-year period. In an effort to thwart Hawkins's ambition and deny him the award by presenting him with a case within the three-day deadline that he cannot solve, picklock Roddy Greene and other criminals with long-standing grudges against Hawkins carry out a series of bombings in England, leaving behind, at the scene of each bombing, a rhymed note signed with the name of Guy Fawkes, an English conspirator involved in an abortive attempt to blow up King James I and Parliament in the year 1605.

Hawkins ultimately solves the bombing mystery and apprehends Roddy Greene in time to win the coveted Standish Award. In the interim, however, Clark Kent, who has been sent to England by the ''Daily Planet'' to cover the "Guy Fawkes" story, has been placed in the difficult position of having to work surreptitiously as Superman to prevent further bombings while covering the story openly as Clark Kent, so that he will not betray the fact that Kent and Superman are both in England and thus revive Hawkins's dormant suspicions concerning his secret identity. Indeed, despite the fact that Superman contrives to remain unseen when he defuses a bomb at London Bridge and makes it appear that a falling water tower has been responsible for dousing another bomb with water before it can blow up Big Ben, Inspector Hawkins does begin to suspect that Superman is at work behind the scenes preventing the bombings. Ultimately, however, a clever ruse by Superman succeeds in persuading the canny Scotland Yard detective that reporter Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (S No.79/3: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!").

[[Category:Entries|Hawkins,Erskine]]
[[Category:People|Hawkins,Erskine]]

Inspector Erskine Hawkins

2005-03-06T20:57:39Z

The Starchild: added illustrations

[[Image:Hawkins_1946.gif|right]]
'''HAWKINS, ERSKINE (Inspector).''' A canny and brilliant Scotland Yard detective-described as "the finest sleuth in Europe" (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!")—who, between 1946 and 1952, makes a series of attempts to prove, beyond any doubt, the truth of his long-held conviction that reporter Clark Kent is secretly [[Superman]]. Clark Kent has described Inspector Hawkins as "the world's greatest sleuth," and a fellow Scotland Yard inspector has described his renowned colleague this way: "That man [Hawkins] is incredible! The Yard's never had a sleuth to equal him! Imagine! Hawkins hasn't a single unsolved case on his record in 17 years!" (S No. 69/3, Mar/Apr 1951: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In the words of the textual narrative of Superman No. 69/3:

Watch out for the mild-looking little man in the bowler
hat, for he's not so mild as he looks. In England, he's
known as the scourge of the underworld, for no greater
sleuth has ever come out of Scotland Yard [Mar/Apr 1951:
"The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!"].

Some uncertainty exists regarding Inspector Hawkins's first name. In the first text in which he appears, no first name is given (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!"). In Superman No. 69/3, he is referred to as Erskine Hawkins (Mar/Apr '51: "The Man Who Didn't Know He was Superman!"). In Superman No. 79/3, however, his first name is given as Ernest (Nov/Dec 1952: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!"). Throughout this article, he is referred to as Inspector Erskine Hawkins, since Erskine is the first of the two given names provided for him in the chronicles.

In September 1946 Inspector Hawkins accosts Clark Kent at the [[Daily Planet]] and quietly informs him that he has deduced that Kent is secretly Superman. Seven years previously, Hawkins had retired from his post at Scotland Yard in order to devote himself full time to solving what he regarded as his greatest case: the mystery of Superman's secret identity. Day after day, for seven long years, Europe's finest sleuth had labored at his self-appointed task. He had obtained photographs of Superman and casts of his footprints, subjecting these and other accumulated evidence to careful anatomical study and painstaking scientific analysis. Finally, after seven years of dedicated sleuthing, Hawkins had concluded that Clark Kent is Superman. The famed detective felt, however, that he could not be completely satisfied with the results of his exhaustive investigation until he had gone to America to interview Kent personally and obtain some form of final, incontrovertible proof.

Confronted by Hawkins, Kent nevertheless manages to blurt out a denial that he is secretly Superman. And so, in the days that follow, an elaborate game of cat and mouse ensues, with Inspector Hawkins laying one trap after another for the Man of Steel in an effort to obtain that one final scrap of evidence that will establish conclusively that Clark Kent is Superman, and with Superman using every ounce of his super-ingenuity to outwit the sleuth from Scotland Yard and convince him that his seven years of painstaking deduction have somehow led him to an erroneous conclusion. Finally, unable to obtain the proof he seeks any other way, Hawkins breaks into Clark Kent's apartment in hopes of finding irrefutable evidence linking Clark Kent with Superman. In the apartment, however, Hawkins finds a bogus, artificially aged will, surreptitiously planted there by Superman, in which Clark Kent bequeathes the contents of his personal library "to my friend Superman." The phony will successfully tricks Hawkins into believing that he has made a mistake, and he promptly returns to England, where he confides to a colleague that his trip to America has convinced him beyond the shadow of a doubt that Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (Act No. 100: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!").
[[Image:Hawkins_1951.gif|left]]
Inspector Hawkins apparently rejoins Scotland Yard following his return from America, for by March-April 1951 he has solved the last of the Yard's outstanding unsolved cases and has decided to embark on a short vacation during which he hopes to remove the one blemish on his otherwise perfect record as a sleuth: his failure to solve the secret of Superman's identity. Arriving in [[Metropolis]], Hawkins once again becomes embroiled in a battle of wits with Superman, but a series of complex coincidences—combined with an elaborate ruse devised by Superman—have the effect of convincing Hawkins that Superman is secretly librarian A. Noggle of the Metropolis Public Library. Indeed, Superman cleverly capitalizes on Hawkins's erroneous conclusion by "admitting" that he is really librarian Noggle and begging the Scotland Yard sleuth not to betray his "secret."

"The satisfaction of having cracked this case is enough for me," declares Hawkins reassuringly. "I therefore promise you on my word of honor that your secret '''''shall never pass my lips''!'''"

Soon afterward, Inspector Hawkins returns to Scotland Yard, convinced that he has solved the secret of Superman's dual identity, but vowing never to betray it to anyone else (S No. 69/3: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In November-December 1952 Inspector Hawkins finds himself only three days away from achieving one of his "life's ambitions" by being named the first winner of the renowned Standish Award, an award offered to any Scotland Yard detective who can successfully solve every single case assigned to him over a ten-year period. In an effort to thwart Hawkins's ambition and deny him the award by presenting him with a case within the three-day deadline that he cannot solve, picklock Roddy Greene and other criminals with long-standing grudges against Hawkins carry out a series of bombings in England, leaving behind, at the scene of each bombing, a rhymed note signed with the name of Guy Fawkes, an English conspirator involved in an abortive attempt to blow up King James I and Parliament in the year 1605.

Hawkins ultimately solves the bombing mystery and apprehends Roddy Greene in time to win the coveted Standish Award. In the interim, however, Clark Kent, who has been sent to England by the ''Daily Planet'' to cover the "Guy Fawkes" story, has been placed in the difficult position of having to work surreptitiously as Superman to prevent further bombings while covering the story openly as Clark Kent, so that he will not betray the fact that Kent and Superman are both in England and thus revive Hawkins's dormant suspicions concerning his secret identity. Indeed, despite the fact that Superman contrives to remain unseen when he defuses a bomb at London Bridge and makes it appear that a falling water tower has been responsible for dousing another bomb with water before it can blow up Big Ben, Inspector Hawkins does begin to suspect that Superman is at work behind the scenes preventing the bombings. Ultimately, however, a clever ruse by Superman succeeds in persuading the canny Scotland Yard detective that reporter Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (S No.79/3: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!").

[[Category:Entries|Hawkins,Erskine]]
[[Category:People|Hawkins,Erskine]]

File:Hawkins 1951.gif

2005-03-06T20:54:03Z

The Starchild:

File:Hawkins 1946.gif

2005-03-06T20:53:47Z

The Starchild:

Inspector Erskine Hawkins

2005-03-06T20:32:12Z

The Starchild: from TGSB

'''HAWKINS, ERSKINE (Inspector).''' A canny and brilliant Scotland Yard detective-described as "the finest sleuth in Europe" (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!")—who, between 1946 and 1952, makes a series of attempts to prove, beyond any doubt, the truth of his long-held conviction that reporter Clark Kent is secretly [[Superman]]. Clark Kent has described Inspector Hawkins as "the world's greatest sleuth," and a fellow Scotland Yard inspector has described his renowned colleague this way: "That man [Hawkins] is incredible! The Yard's never had a sleuth to equal him! Imagine! Hawkins hasn't a single unsolved case on his record in 17 years!" (S No. 69/3, Mar/Apr 1951: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In the words of the textual narrative of Superman No. 69/3:

Watch out for the mild-looking little man in the bowler
hat, for he's not so mild as he looks. In England, he's
known as the scourge of the underworld, for no greater
sleuth has ever come out of Scotland Yard [Mar/Apr 1951:
"The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!"].

Some uncertainty exists regarding Inspector Hawkins's first name. In the first text in which he appears, no first name is given (Act No. 100, Sep 1946: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!"). In Superman No. 69/3, he is referred to as Erskine Hawkins (Mar/Apr '51: "The Man Who Didn't Know He was Superman!"). In Superman No. 79/3, however, his first name is given as Ernest (Nov/Dec 1952: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!"). Throughout this article, he is referred to as Inspector Erskine Hawkins, since Erskine is the first of the two given names provided for him in the chronicles.

In September 1946 Inspector Hawkins accosts Clark Kent at the [[Daily Planet]] and quietly informs him that he has deduced that Kent is secretly Superman. Seven years previously, Hawkins had retired from his post at Scotland Yard in order to devote himself full time to solving what he regarded as his greatest case: the mystery of Superman's secret identity. Day after day, for seven long years, Europe's finest sleuth had labored at his self-appointed task. He had obtained photographs of Superman and casts of his footprints, subjecting these and other accumulated evidence to careful anatomical study and painstaking scientific analysis. Finally, after seven years of dedicated sleuthing, Hawkins had concluded that Clark Kent is Superman. The famed detective felt, however, that he could not be completely satisfied with the results of his exhaustive investigation until he had gone to America to interview Kent personally and obtain some form of final, incontrovertible proof.

Confronted by Hawkins, Kent nevertheless manages to blurt out a denial that he is secretly Superman. And so, in the days that follow, an elaborate game of cat and mouse ensues, with Inspector Hawkins laying one trap after another for the Man of Steel in an effort to obtain that one final scrap of evidence that will establish conclusively that Clark Kent is Superman, and with Superman using every ounce of his super-ingenuity to outwit the sleuth from Scotland Yard and convince him that his seven years of painstaking deduction have somehow led him to an erroneous conclusion. Finally, unable to obtain the proof he seeks any other way, Hawkins breaks into Clark Kent's apartment in hopes of finding irrefutable evidence linking Clark Kent with Superman. In the apartment, however, Hawkins finds a bogus, artificially aged will, surreptitiously planted there by Superman, in which Clark Kent bequeathes the contents of his personal library "to my friend Superman." The phony will successfully tricks Hawkins into believing that he has made a mistake, and he promptly returns to England, where he confides to a colleague that his trip to America has convinced him beyond the shadow of a doubt that Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (Act No. 100: "The Sleuth Who Never Failed!").

Inspector Hawkins apparently rejoins Scotland Yard following his return from America, for by March-April 1951 he has solved the last of the Yard's outstanding unsolved cases and has decided to embark on a short vacation during which he hopes to remove the one blemish on his otherwise perfect record as a sleuth: his failure to solve the secret of Superman's identity. Arriving in [[Metropolis]], Hawkins once again becomes embroiled in a battle of wits with Superman, but a series of complex coincidences—combined with an elaborate ruse devised by Superman—have the effect of convincing Hawkins that Superman is secretly librarian A. Noggle of the Metropolis Public Library. Indeed, Superman cleverly capitalizes on Hawkins's erroneous conclusion by "admitting" that he is really librarian Noggle and begging the Scotland Yard sleuth not to betray his "secret."

"The satisfaction of having cracked this case is enough for me," declares Hawkins reassuringly. "I therefore promise you on my word of honor that your secret '''''shall never pass my lips''!'''"

Soon afterward, Inspector Hawkins returns to Scotland Yard, convinced that he has solved the secret of Superman's dual identity, but vowing never to betray it to anyone else (S No. 69/3: "The Man Who Didn't Know He Was Superman!").

In November-December 1952 Inspector Hawkins finds himself only three days away from achieving one of his "life's ambitions" by being named the first winner of the renowned Standish Award, an award offered to any Scotland Yard detective who can successfully solve every single case assigned to him over a ten-year period. In an effort to thwart Hawkins's ambition and deny him the award by presenting him with a case within the three-day deadline that he cannot solve, picklock Roddy Greene and other criminals with long-standing grudges against Hawkins carry out a series of bombings in England, leaving behind, at the scene of each bombing, a rhymed note signed with the name of Guy Fawkes, an English conspirator involved in an abortive attempt to blow up King James I and Parliament in the year 1605.

Hawkins ultimately solves the bombing mystery and apprehends Roddy Greene in time to win the coveted Standish Award. In the interim, however, Clark Kent, who has been sent to England by the ''Daily Planet'' to cover the "Guy Fawkes" story, has been placed in the difficult position of having to work surreptitiously as Superman to prevent further bombings while covering the story openly as Clark Kent, so that he will not betray the fact that Kent and Superman are both in England and thus revive Hawkins's dormant suspicions concerning his secret identity. Indeed, despite the fact that Superman contrives to remain unseen when he defuses a bomb at London Bridge and makes it appear that a falling water tower has been responsible for dousing another bomb with water before it can blow up Big Ben, Inspector Hawkins does begin to suspect that Superman is at work behind the scenes preventing the bombings. Ultimately, however, a clever ruse by Superman succeeds in persuading the canny Scotland Yard detective that reporter Clark Kent could not possibly be Superman (S No.79/3: "The Revenge That Took 300 Years!").

File:Lexor.gif

2005-03-06T20:11:01Z

The Starchild:

Illustration from [[The Great Superman Book]].

Lexor

2005-03-06T20:05:45Z

The Starchild:

[[Image:Lexor.gif|center]]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Planets]]

File:Lexor.gif

2005-03-06T20:04:51Z

The Starchild:

Category:LL

2005-03-06T18:02:40Z

The Starchild:

[[Image:204.JPG|left|thumb|Cover to Superman No.204 by Neal Adams]]

This is a page for all the amazing, coincidental people with the initals L.L. that have appeared in
Superman's life.
[[Category:People]]

Hawkins

2005-03-06T16:43:18Z

The Starchild: from TGSN

The butler at the Selwyn mansion (S No. 165/2, Nov 1963: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!"; S No. 169/2, May 1964: "The Man Who Stole Superman's Secret Life!"). (''See'' [[Digby Selwyn]]; [[Sally Selwyn]].)

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]

Smallville High School

2005-03-06T15:28:04Z

The Starchild: Added info from S No. 420

'''Smallville High School'''

The high school located in [[Smallville]] that [[Clark Kent]], [[Lana Lang]] and [[Pete Ross]] attended in their youth.

Clark Kent's "buddy" [[Wayne King]] was a fellow Smallville High School student who, by June 1986; after Clark Kent had moved to [[Metropolis]] and become a reporter for the [[Daily Planet]]; became social studies teacher at the school. Courses that he teaches include Fourth Period American History. The school Principal at this time is Mr. Herman (S. No. 420: "...and We are the Dreamers of the Dreams!").

By June 1986, the Audio-Visual Department at the High School has used a federal grant to install a complex system of cameras throughout the school building that can by used from a central location in the Audio-Visual room to see events that take place within the school (S. No. 420: "...and We are the Dreamers of the Dreams!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Locations]]

Wayne King

2005-03-06T15:12:17Z

The Starchild:

A social studies teacher at [[Smallville High School]] in [[Smallville]] who was friends with the young [[Clark Kent]] when they were both high school students themselves. Wayne King does not know that Clark Kent and [[Superboy]] were one and the same nor that Clark Kent is now secretly [[Superman]].

In June 1986, the King household in Smallville is visited by a returning Clark Kent, now "an ace newspaperman for the [[Daily Planet]] in [[Metropolis]]" and an "old friend," who visits Mr. King's classroom to speak to the students about journalism. "My buddy Wayne King and his family stayed in Smallville and he teaches social studies at our old high school," reminisces Clark Kent to himself.

Wayne King is disillusioned with his job as teacher and attempts to resign his position in order to pursue a more exiciting career. Superman and [[Chris Parker Hunt]], a student in Wayne King's class, successfully combine forces to make him realize that only he can transform "these little monsters" into "citizens to be proud of." Mr. King remains on as "the best teacher in the school." (S. No. 420: "...and We are the Dreamers of the Dreams!")

Although the texts inconsistently refer to Wayne King as either Wayne King or Wayne Kling, the preponderance of evidence is with the first of the two names and it is the preferred choice among informed Superman scholars.

[[Category:Entries|King,Wayne]]
[[Category:People|King,Wayne]]

Wayne King

2005-03-06T15:11:59Z

The Starchild: Added smallville high link

A school social studies teacher at [[Smallville High School]] in [[Smallville]] who was friends with the young [[Clark Kent]] when they were both high school students themselves. Wayne King does not know that Clark Kent and [[Superboy]] were one and the same nor that Clark Kent is now secretly [[Superman]].

In June 1986, the King household in Smallville is visited by a returning Clark Kent, now "an ace newspaperman for the [[Daily Planet]] in [[Metropolis]]" and an "old friend," who visits Mr. King's classroom to speak to the students about journalism. "My buddy Wayne King and his family stayed in Smallville and he teaches social studies at our old high school," reminisces Clark Kent to himself.

Wayne King is disillusioned with his job as teacher and attempts to resign his position in order to pursue a more exiciting career. Superman and [[Chris Parker Hunt]], a student in Wayne King's class, successfully combine forces to make him realize that only he can transform "these little monsters" into "citizens to be proud of." Mr. King remains on as "the best teacher in the school." (S. No. 420: "...and We are the Dreamers of the Dreams!")

Although the texts inconsistently refer to Wayne King as either Wayne King or Wayne Kling, the preponderance of evidence is with the first of the two names and it is the preferred choice among informed Superman scholars.

[[Category:Entries|King,Wayne]]
[[Category:People|King,Wayne]]