Lois Lane
Superman's Girl Friend, 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, 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 historians relegate the appearances of Susie Topkins to the Earth-2 continuity (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 Plane of 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).
More to come.......
