Gregory Reed
Gregory Reed
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 must only pretend. Using a wig and a mask to hide his difigurement, Reed continues his career of playing Superman until, as recounted in July 1972, he is able to use black magic to place a pentagram on his palm which couild cause he and Superman to exchange minds. After inviting Superman to his cliff-top mansion, Reed takes Superman's hand, causing their minds to switch bodies, but Reed is unable to control the super-mass of Superman's Kryptonian body and inadvertently makes himself very heavy causing his house to begin to collapse. Superman tricks Reed into taking his hand again, switching the reversal back to normal. Reed is saved but is unable to prevent his house from falling into the sea. Superman promises to help Reed get plastic surgery and the two shake hands as friends (Act No. 414/1, Jul 1972: "Superman vs. Superstar!").
Superman performs Reed's plastic surgery himself using advanced Kryptonian technology and gives Reed a new face identical to his own. Reed, who even mimicks Superman's voice, dedicates his life to making appearances on behalf of charities. When Superman is unable to visit a sick girl, he gives Reed a pill that lends him some super-powers. In March 1975 Reed is accidentally attacked with a ray by the Superman Revenge Squad, who mistake him for the real Superman. Seeing their error the Squad then apply the same radiation to Superman, intended to kill him after he performs ten super-feats. However, Superman sees through the plan and gives Reed another super-pill so that the two of them can each perform five exploits. Reed then pretends to die, causing the Superman Revenge Squad members to believe that they have succeeded and return home, only to face the wrath of their fellow members when the deception is discovered (Act No. 445/1, Mar 1975: "Count Ten, Superman--and Die!" ).
When Superman is transformed into a double of Terra-Man, Reed once again impersonates Superman with the aid of the Flash and Green Lantern who perform super-feats for Reed invisibly (Act No. 470/1, Apr 1977: "Even Superman Must Die Sometime").
In August 1977 Gregory Reed appears 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, Aug 1977: "Will the Real Superman Please Show Up?").
Appearances
Act No. 414/1, Jul 1972: "Superman vs. Superstar"
Act No. 445/1, Mar 1975: "Count Ten , Superman--and Die!"
S No. 297, Mar 1976: "Clark Kent Forever--Superman Never"
Act No. 470/1, Apr 1977: "Even Superman Must Die Sometime"
Secret Society of Super-Villains No. 7, Jun 1977: "Luthor's League of Super-Villains"
Act No. 474/1, Aug 1977: "Will the Real Superman Please Show Up?"
SF No. 206/1, Mar/Apr 1981: "Strangers at the Heart's Core!"
S No. 396, Jun 1984: "The Battle for Superman's Brain"
DCCPA No. 4, 1985: "Welcome to Luthorcon III"
