The Silver State Chronicles

Superman is letting himself go a bit

Behold, “The Two Ton Superman!”

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Featuring Jon Hamm

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This just blows my mind

The Man of Steel is firmly established as Earth’s greatest superhero. The Last Son of Krypton has faced many challenges in his 70 year career, and each time he has persevered and triumphed.

Which makes the cover of Superman # 261 all the more puzzling. This 1973 comic presents such a striking and startling image that I had to add it to our collection of Greatest Comic Covers.

WOW! I never thought I would ever see such a scene! And I think that’s Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen in the lower right, equally astonished!

Needless to say, this cover makes my mind race at about 200 MPH! After a quick drink and cigarette, my wits are usually restored. The baddie is none other than the forgettable Star Sapphire, and she seems to take a perverse delight in getting The Man of Steel to worship her boots. And heaven help us, it doesn’t appear that ol’ Superman is entirely against the concept!

I must confess that Star Sapphire does have lovely long legs and very nice boots! Mother of Mercy!

In any event, I have no doubt that this cover warped the sensibilities of tens of thousands of youth back in the early 1970s. I know that’s how it worked out for me.

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Truth, Justice, & The American Way

Back in a time before angst and self loathing became the dominant cultural theme, Superman was a shining icon for patriotism. He didn’t take a backseat during World War 2, fighting Nazis and Japanese whenever he could!

This leads us to one of the great, classic comic book covers of the 1940s – Superman # 14, dated January-February 1942. The Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor and the USA shifted from a peacetime to wartime economy.

The nation was mobilizing, and the Man of Steel was along for the ride!

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Man of Steel & Man of Mirth

Yes, way back in 1968 Marvel Comics was setting new standards in comic books – dynamic characters, innovative stories, and fantastic art. Indeed, in many ways 1968 was the peak of the Marvel Age of Comics!

Yet down the street, DC was still stuck somewhere in the early 1950s. Standalone stories, stale characters, dull situations, and absurd contrivances. DC seemed pleased to appeal to 8 year olds and not look beyond that narrow vision. I can’t say it wasn’t successful – I believe DC had the edge in sales into the 1970s. The crew in charge just figured if it wasn’t broken, there was no need to fix it.

That brings us to this classic comic book cover – The Adventures of Jerry Lewis # 105! This classic comic features the long-awaited team up between Superman and ol’ Jerry!!!

Evidently, Roger C Carmel decided to wear some tight purple pants and a strange green shirt and hold up poor Jerry with a Tommy Gun! And somehow, he has surmised that Superman’s secret identity is indeed movie funnyman Jerry Lewis.

Lets just say Marvel’s bad guys were a lot more on the ball!

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Kryptonite Nevermore!

DC was making changes back in the late 60s and early 70s, a welcome development since they honestly hadn’t made many changes since the 1940s. Their comic line was old, stale, and boring, clearly geared to youngsters. Marvel Comics, on the other hand, had made great strides in the 60s and created a vibrant product that appealed to both children and adults.

One of DC’s changes was tweaking Superman a bit. No longer just a reporter for the Daily Planet, he did double duty as a news anchor on TV station WGBS His regular cast of characters was expanded a bit. Oh, and in Superman #233 they got rid of Kryptonite as the weakness of The Man of Steel.

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The Halloween Pranks of the Bizarro Supermen!

What’s Bizarro’s idea of a bunch of precocious tricks designed to confound a poor dog? Well, pick up this copy of ‘Adventure Comics # 294′ to find out!

I think this is a good time for us to remember ands honor the Bizarro code:

“We do opposite of all earthly things! Us hate beauty! Us love ugliness! Is big crime to make anything perfect on Bizarro World!”

Works for me! Amazing how this comic considers our cast of characters wearing masks of JFK, Marilyn Monroe, and of all people Jerry Lewis as hilariously funny tricks played on Krypto! Maybe you just had to be there!

Speacial Thanks to ‘Broadway’ Joe P. for supplying the cover for this issue! Excelsior!

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Lois Lane’s Strangest Adventure Ever!

Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane # 106 presents one of the strangest adventures ever for the star reporter!

After going to the Metropolis neighborhood ‘Little Africa’ to do a story, she grows frustrated by the cool reception from the locals. She encounters a militant ‘Black Power’ character straight out of 1970 and becomes unnerved by his comments disparaging “Whitey” as the “enemy.” (p. 4)

She somehow concocts a plan to transform herself as a black woman to get her story. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will admit this is one of my favorite comic book covers of all time! Mindblowing!

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Dig Now, Die Later!

One of the most morbid covers I have ever seen is the cover of Worlds Finest # 195, featuring The Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Detective forcing young Jimmy Olsen and Robin the Boy Wonder to dig their own graves!

I can’t say I know what this whole thing is about, but knowing DC comics of the era a bit, no doubt it’s some trick to fool some crooks for some reason. DC went to that well very very often in the 1960s and 1970s, and this looks like another instance!

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Superman’s Pal, Don Rickles?

Well, I decided to make December ‘Greatest Comic Book Covers Month,’ and we will start off with a bang!

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