Supermanica - User contributions [en]

Nightwing

2008-01-29T23:00:14Z

Copperchair:

== Superman as Nightwing ==

[[Image:Nightwing_and_Flamebird_1993.jpg|right|thumb|Nightwing and Flamebird]]

An alternate identity employed by [[Superman]] on those occasions when he and [[Jimmy Olsen]], employing the name [[Flamebird]], participate in adventures together inside the bottle city of [[Kandor]].

The Prussian blue color of Superman's Nightwing costume is reminiscent of the plumage of the nightwing, a Kandorian bird. Superman and Jimmy Olsen first adopt their Nightwing and Flamebird identities during an adventure in Kandor in January 1963 (S No. 158: "Superman in Kandor" pts. I-III; "Invasion of the Mystery Super-Men!"; "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor!"; "The City of Super-People!"). They employ them again during a second adventure, in August 1964 (WF No. 143: "The Feud Between Batman and Superman!" pts. I-II -- no title; "The Manhunters from Earth!"). (TGSB)

== Van-Zee as Nightwing ==

[[Image:Nightwing_Van-Zee.jpg|left|thumb]]

Some time later, [[Van-Zee]], [[Superman]]'s exact double, assumes the mantle of Nightwing, Kandor's protector (SF No. 183/5, May/Jun 1977: "Death Is a Computer"; and others).

== Dick Grayson as Nightwing ==

[[Image:Graysonkwing.gif|left|thumb]]
Later still, [[Dick Grayson]], the original boy wonder [[Robin]], takes the name—but not the costume—of Nightwing as his new heroic identity (Tales of The Teen Titans No. 44, Jul 1984: "There Shall Come a TITAN!").

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[[Category: Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category: Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Batmobile

2008-01-29T22:59:00Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Batcar.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''The Batmobile'''

The unique automobile, specially designed and equipped, which is the principal land vehicle employed by [[Batman]] and [[Robin]]. (TGSB)

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batmobile Wikipedia entry on the Batmobile]
*[http://theages.superman.ws/Encyclopaedia/bat/?entry=batmobile The Bat-Encyclopaedia entry on the Batmobile]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Vehicles]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Batmobile

2008-01-29T22:58:38Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Batcar.jpg|left|thumb

'''The Batmobile'''

The unique automobile, specially designed and equipped, which is the principal land vehicle employed by [[Batman]] and [[Robin]]. (TGSB)

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batmobile Wikipedia entry on the Batmobile]
*[http://theages.superman.ws/Encyclopaedia/bat/?entry=batmobile The Bat-Encyclopaedia entry on the Batmobile]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Vehicles]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Commissioner James W. Gordon

2008-01-29T22:45:08Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Gordon.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Commissioner James W. Gordon'''

Commissioner of the [[Gotham City]] Police Department (first appearance: Detective Comics No. 27, May 1939: "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate"). He is [[Batman]] and [[Robin]]'s link to the police and summons the Caped Crusaders either by the Bat-Hotline or Bat-Signal. His daughter [[Barbara Gordon]] is the costumed hero known as [[Batgirl]].

He is also one of [[Superman]]'s most valued allies as evidenced by intergalactic gamblers [[Rokk and Sorban]]'s high regard for him in "The Super Gamble with Doom!" (WF No. 150, Jun 1965).

(See also [[Anti-Batman]])

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gordon_%28comics%29 Wikipedia entry on Commissioner Gordon]

[[Category:Entries|Gordon, James W. (Commissioner)]]
[[Category:People|Gordon, James W. (Commissioner)]]
[[Category:Batman|Gordon, James W. (Commissioner)]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Gordon, James W. (Commissioner)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Gordon, James W. (Commissioner)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Gordon, James W. (Commissioner)]]

Perry White

2008-01-29T22:44:27Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Perrytoy.jpg|left|thumb]]

Editor-in-chief of the [[Daily Planet]], a great metropolitan newspaper where [[Clark Kent]] ([[Superman]]), [[Lois Lane]] and [[Jimmy Olsen]] work as reporters.

The "gruff" (Act No. 302, Jul 1963: "The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!"), "irrascible" (S No. 49/2, Sep 1947: "Clark Kent's Most Dangerous Assignment!"), "Hard-boiled" (S No. 16/1, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man"; and others), "tough" (S No. 72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"), "dynamic" (S No. 73/3. Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!"), "sentimental" (S No. 16/1, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man"), warm-hearted (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"; and others), "two-fisted crusading editor" (S No. 72/2. Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!") who has been the editor of the Daily Planet for nearly seven full decades (S No. 7/1, Nov/Dec 1940; and many others).

An implacable foe of censorship and defender of press freedom (S No. 11/1, Jul/Aug 1941; and others) whose hard-hitting crime reporting once earned him a Pulitzer Prize, he is a giant of American journalism (S No. 72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"; see also Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), "the best editor in the business," a man whose unique "brand of slam-bang, no-holds-barred journalism has made the Daily Planet the biggest paper in Metropolis!" (S No. 73/3, Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!").

Perry White first appears in the chronicles in November-December 1940, although, in his initial appearances, he is referred to only by his last name (S No. 7/1; and others). In May-June 1941 editor White is referred to by his full name—Perry White—for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 10/2).

Perry White lives with his attractive white-haired wife, [[Alice White]] (SF No. 175, Feb/Mar 1976) in a one-story ranch-style house "on the outskirts of Metropolis" (Act No. 278, Jul 1961: "The Three Super-Powers of Perry White!"). The couple have three sons: [[Will White]], [[Perry White, Jr.]], and [[Hank White]], the youngest of the three (SF No. 175).

Perry White is one of Superman's "best friends" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others). The Man of Steel has dedicated a room to Perry White in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (Act No. 268, Jul 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!"; S No. 152/1, Apr 1962: "The Robot Master!").

In addition to being the editor of the Daily Planet, Perry White is also president of the [[Magazine and News Association]] (Act No. 155, Aug 1958: "The Cover Girl of Mystery!"). A Native American tribe has made him an honorary chief, bestowing upon him the tribal name [[Chief Stony Voice]] (Act No. 200, Jan 1955: "Tests of a Warrior!").

In the course of his long and colorful career, Perry White has assumed a number of alternate identities, including those of [[Masterman]], the [[Great Mento]], [[Anti-Superman]], and [[Professor Von Schultz]].

Interestingly, a number of individuals in various times and places are perfect Perry White look-alikes, including the editor of the [[Daily Zorian]], a so-called "telenewspaper" on the planet [[Zor (1952)|Zor]] (Act No. 168, May 1952: "The Menace of Planet Z!"). [[Parri Wyte]], a "remote descendant" of Perry White, who edits the [[Daily Solar System]] in the thirtieth century C.E. (Act No. 215, Apr 1958: "The Superman of Tommorrow"). [[Ar-Rone]], the reformed criminal who is Perry Whiteâ€™s double in the [[Kandor|Kandorian]] [[Look-Alike Squad]] (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super Spectacular!"); and the Perry White look-alike who is also named Perry White, whom Superman and [[Batman]] encounter during a visit to an extra-dimensional "[[Parallel-Worlds|parallel world]]" (WF No. 148, Mar 1965: "Superman and Batman â€“ Outlaw!"). On the planet [[Oceania]], [[Chester King]]â€™s editor at the [[Oceania Network]] bears a striking resemblance to Perry White (Act No. 265, Jun 1960: "The Superman from Outer Space!"). The [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] employs a life-like Perry White robot as part of an elaborate hoax they play on Superman and [[Supergirl]] (S No. 152, Apr 1962: "The Robot Master!"). Superman also encounters a life-like android of Perry White during a time-journey to Metropolis one million years in the future (Act No. 300, May 1963: "Superman under the Red Sun!").

==Early Career==

[[Image:Perry_White.jpg|left|thumb]]

Perry White's background is treated inconsistently in the chronicles. According to Superman No. 151/1, White spent his boyhood in Metropolis, where he attended Public School No. 84 (Feb 1962: "The Three Tough Teenagers!"). However, two other texts dealing with Perry White portray him as living with his grandfather, steamboat captain [[Josiah White]], in 1906 [[San Francisco]] (S No. 168, Apr 1964: pts I-II--"Luthor --Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!") and as the operator of a shoeshine stand in 1920s [[Chicago]] (S No. 142/2, Jan 1961: "Superman Meets Al Capone!"). All accounts agree, however, that even as a youngster, Perry White had a burning desire to pursue a career in journalism (S No. 142/2, Jan 1961: "Superman Meets Al Capone!"; and others).

==Significant Adventures==

In spite of the fact that Perry White appears in the chronicles more often than any other character besides Superman and Lois Lane, the overwhelming majority of his appearances are inconsequential. Therefore, the article that follows deals only with those adventures in which Perry White plays at least a minimally significnt role.

In November-December 1940 Perry White --referred to in his initial appearance only by his last name-- makes his textual debut as editor of the Daily Planet (S No. 7/1; and others).

In May-June 1941 editor White is referred to by his full name --Perry White-- for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 10/2).

In July-August 1941 Perry White punches [[Rolf Zimba]] in the jaw when the terrorist leader barges into the offices of the Daily Planet and demands the right to censor all forthcoming news stories concerning his [[Gold Badge Organization]] (S No. 11/1).

In May-June 1942, after the Daily Planet Building and all its occupants have been transported to the fourth dimension by the evil [[Mister Sinister]], Perry White and Lois Lane are tied to stakes in an extra-dimensional valley as human sacrifices to a fearsome dinosaur-like "shadow monster". They are rescued by the heroic intervention of Superman, who battles the monster, defeats the villain, and ultimately restores the "kidnapped" Daily Planet Building to the earthly dimension (S No. 16 : "Case of the Runaway Skyscrapers!").

In May-June 1943, after the [[Prankster]] has copyrighted the English alphabet, Perry White finds himself forced to pay the villain $2,000 a week for permission to print the Daily Planet (S No. 22 : "The Great ABC Panic!")

In July-August 1946, after Superman has complained aloud about being forced to "make a career out of saving Lois Lane's life", Perry White hires [[Pat Malarkey]] to serve as a bodyguard to both Lois Lane and Clark Kent (S No. 41 : "Clark Kent's Bodyguard!")

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_White Wikipedia Entry on Perry White]

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

Perry White

2008-01-29T22:43:39Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Perrytoy.jpg|left]]

Editor-in-chief of the [[Daily Planet]], a great metropolitan newspaper where [[Clark Kent]] ([[Superman]]), [[Lois Lane]] and [[Jimmy Olsen]] work as reporters.

The "gruff" (Act No. 302, Jul 1963: "The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!"), "irrascible" (S No. 49/2, Sep 1947: "Clark Kent's Most Dangerous Assignment!"), "Hard-boiled" (S No. 16/1, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man"; and others), "tough" (S No. 72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"), "dynamic" (S No. 73/3. Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!"), "sentimental" (S No. 16/1, May/Jun 1942: "The World's Meanest Man"), warm-hearted (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"; and others), "two-fisted crusading editor" (S No. 72/2. Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!") who has been the editor of the Daily Planet for nearly seven full decades (S No. 7/1, Nov/Dec 1940; and many others).

An implacable foe of censorship and defender of press freedom (S No. 11/1, Jul/Aug 1941; and others) whose hard-hitting crime reporting once earned him a Pulitzer Prize, he is a giant of American journalism (S No. 72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"; see also Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), "the best editor in the business," a man whose unique "brand of slam-bang, no-holds-barred journalism has made the Daily Planet the biggest paper in Metropolis!" (S No. 73/3, Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!").

Perry White first appears in the chronicles in November-December 1940, although, in his initial appearances, he is referred to only by his last name (S No. 7/1; and others). In May-June 1941 editor White is referred to by his full name—Perry White—for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 10/2).

Perry White lives with his attractive white-haired wife, [[Alice White]] (SF No. 175, Feb/Mar 1976) in a one-story ranch-style house "on the outskirts of Metropolis" (Act No. 278, Jul 1961: "The Three Super-Powers of Perry White!"). The couple have three sons: [[Will White]], [[Perry White, Jr.]], and [[Hank White]], the youngest of the three (SF No. 175).

Perry White is one of Superman's "best friends" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"; and others). The Man of Steel has dedicated a room to Perry White in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (Act No. 268, Jul 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!"; S No. 152/1, Apr 1962: "The Robot Master!").

In addition to being the editor of the Daily Planet, Perry White is also president of the [[Magazine and News Association]] (Act No. 155, Aug 1958: "The Cover Girl of Mystery!"). A Native American tribe has made him an honorary chief, bestowing upon him the tribal name [[Chief Stony Voice]] (Act No. 200, Jan 1955: "Tests of a Warrior!").

In the course of his long and colorful career, Perry White has assumed a number of alternate identities, including those of [[Masterman]], the [[Great Mento]], [[Anti-Superman]], and [[Professor Von Schultz]].

Interestingly, a number of individuals in various times and places are perfect Perry White look-alikes, including the editor of the [[Daily Zorian]], a so-called "telenewspaper" on the planet [[Zor (1952)|Zor]] (Act No. 168, May 1952: "The Menace of Planet Z!"). [[Parri Wyte]], a "remote descendant" of Perry White, who edits the [[Daily Solar System]] in the thirtieth century C.E. (Act No. 215, Apr 1958: "The Superman of Tommorrow"). [[Ar-Rone]], the reformed criminal who is Perry Whiteâ€™s double in the [[Kandor|Kandorian]] [[Look-Alike Squad]] (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super Spectacular!"); and the Perry White look-alike who is also named Perry White, whom Superman and [[Batman]] encounter during a visit to an extra-dimensional "[[Parallel-Worlds|parallel world]]" (WF No. 148, Mar 1965: "Superman and Batman â€“ Outlaw!"). On the planet [[Oceania]], [[Chester King]]â€™s editor at the [[Oceania Network]] bears a striking resemblance to Perry White (Act No. 265, Jun 1960: "The Superman from Outer Space!"). The [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] employs a life-like Perry White robot as part of an elaborate hoax they play on Superman and [[Supergirl]] (S No. 152, Apr 1962: "The Robot Master!"). Superman also encounters a life-like android of Perry White during a time-journey to Metropolis one million years in the future (Act No. 300, May 1963: "Superman under the Red Sun!").

==Early Career==

[[Image:Perry_White.jpg|left|thumb]]

Perry White's background is treated inconsistently in the chronicles. According to Superman No. 151/1, White spent his boyhood in Metropolis, where he attended Public School No. 84 (Feb 1962: "The Three Tough Teenagers!"). However, two other texts dealing with Perry White portray him as living with his grandfather, steamboat captain [[Josiah White]], in 1906 [[San Francisco]] (S No. 168, Apr 1964: pts I-II--"Luthor --Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!") and as the operator of a shoeshine stand in 1920s [[Chicago]] (S No. 142/2, Jan 1961: "Superman Meets Al Capone!"). All accounts agree, however, that even as a youngster, Perry White had a burning desire to pursue a career in journalism (S No. 142/2, Jan 1961: "Superman Meets Al Capone!"; and others).

==Significant Adventures==

In spite of the fact that Perry White appears in the chronicles more often than any other character besides Superman and Lois Lane, the overwhelming majority of his appearances are inconsequential. Therefore, the article that follows deals only with those adventures in which Perry White plays at least a minimally significnt role.

In November-December 1940 Perry White --referred to in his initial appearance only by his last name-- makes his textual debut as editor of the Daily Planet (S No. 7/1; and others).

In May-June 1941 editor White is referred to by his full name --Perry White-- for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 10/2).

In July-August 1941 Perry White punches [[Rolf Zimba]] in the jaw when the terrorist leader barges into the offices of the Daily Planet and demands the right to censor all forthcoming news stories concerning his [[Gold Badge Organization]] (S No. 11/1).

In May-June 1942, after the Daily Planet Building and all its occupants have been transported to the fourth dimension by the evil [[Mister Sinister]], Perry White and Lois Lane are tied to stakes in an extra-dimensional valley as human sacrifices to a fearsome dinosaur-like "shadow monster". They are rescued by the heroic intervention of Superman, who battles the monster, defeats the villain, and ultimately restores the "kidnapped" Daily Planet Building to the earthly dimension (S No. 16 : "Case of the Runaway Skyscrapers!").

In May-June 1943, after the [[Prankster]] has copyrighted the English alphabet, Perry White finds himself forced to pay the villain $2,000 a week for permission to print the Daily Planet (S No. 22 : "The Great ABC Panic!")

In July-August 1946, after Superman has complained aloud about being forced to "make a career out of saving Lois Lane's life", Perry White hires [[Pat Malarkey]] to serve as a bodyguard to both Lois Lane and Clark Kent (S No. 41 : "Clark Kent's Bodyguard!")

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_White Wikipedia Entry on Perry White]

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

Supergirl

2008-01-29T22:42:03Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:400px-SupergirlbyJim Mooney.jpg|right|thumb|Art by Jim Mooney Color by Nightwing]]

'''Supergirl'''

== Introduction ==

A lovely blond super-heroine who functions periodically, from May 1959 onward, as [[Superman]]â€™s companion in super-heroic adventure. She is in reality [[Kara Zor-El]], Supermanâ€™s first cousin, the daughter of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Zor-El]] and his wife [[Alura]]. Born and raised on [[Argo City]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] which survived the death of its native planet when it was hurled into outer space, people and buildings alive and intact, by the force of the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton, she was, at the age of fifteen, launched toward Earth in a small rocket ship by her father Zor-El when the city faced extinction due to [[Kryptonite]] poisoning.

== Origin ==

Most of what is known concerning Supergirlâ€™s origin is contained in the Supergirl story in Action Comics No. 252. In May 1959, a small rocket ship crash-lands on the outskirts of Metropolis and a teen-aged girl, clad in a costume clearly modeled after Supermanâ€™s, emerges smiling and unhurt from the wreckage. As Superman listens in amazement to her story, the girl explains that she too is Kryptonian, although she was born on floating Argo City long after the planet Krypton exploded. When, years later, after his young daughter had become a teen-ager, the scientist Zor-El realized that Argo Cityâ€™s entire population would, within about one monthâ€™s time, succumb to deadly kryptonite poisoning, he began desperately racing against time to construct a rocket ship to carry his daughter to another world. It was while scanning the universe through a â€œsuper-space telescopeâ€ in search of a suitable world to which young Kara could be sent that Kara and her mother discovered Earth, became aware of Superman and his exploits, and realized that Earthâ€™s greatest hero was a Kryptonian like them. Karaâ€™s mother decided to send her teen-aged daughter to Earth, clad in a costume that would make her easily recognizable to Superman as a fellow native of Krypton. And so, soon afterward, Zor-El placed his young daughter inside his small rocket ship and launched her toward Earth, while behind her, on Argo City, virtually the entire population lay dead or dying of kryptonite poisoning.

== The Secret Identity ==

She assumed the secret alternate identity of Linda Lee, an orphan at the [[Midvale Orphanage]], concealing her blond hair beneath a brunette wig and functioning as Supergirl only in secret, at Supermanâ€™s insistence, until such time as she could learn to use her super-powers properly.

Supergirlâ€™s alternate identity is a closely held secret, but it is known to Superman, to her foster parents the Danverses (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€; and others), and to the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], of which she served as a member until resigning her membership at the age of twenty-one (S No. 152/1, Apr 1962: â€œThe Robot Master!â€; and others).

On occasion, while living in Midvale, Supergirl makes use of a [[Linda Lee Robot]] to protect her secret identity (Act No.276, May 1961: "Supergirl's Three Super Girl Friends"; and others). Other robots are eventually constructed, once an old Superboy Robot tape is accidentally used to program a Supergirl Robot, causing it to appear at the [[Smallville Orphanage]] and re-live false memories of [[Superboy]]'s life . (Adv No. 396/2, Aug 1970: "The Mystery of the Super-Orphan")

== The Costumes ==

Supergirlâ€™s red, yellow, and blue costume, which was originally fashioned by her mother Alura prior to her flight from doomed Argo City, is a female counterpart of Supermanâ€™s own.

After entering college, Supergirl later wears a number of alternate costumes, presumably made from the same material. She finally settled on a look consisting of a blue blouse with a small red "S" emblazoned on the upper-right, a short cape, red hotpants, and a decorated yellow belt. Initially, the shoes were very low with rolled tops, but in the mid 1970's she abandoned them in favor of her original Superman-style boots. Around that time, she also removed the fringe from her pants. She continued to use this costume until 1983. (See pic below)

In 1983, Supergirl changed her costume for the final time, adding yellow trim to her boots, a red mini-skirt, and a red headband, a symbol of her citizenship of Krypton.

== The Superpowers ==

On Earth, like any Kryptonian survivor, Kara acquires super-powers identical to [[Superman]]â€™s.

== The Vulnerabilities ==

Like all Kryptonian survivors, Supergirl is vulnerable to green, red, and gold kryptonite. She also can fall prey to Kryptonian diseases (such as [[Virus X]]), loses power under the influence of red and orange suns, and has no immunity against [[magic]].

Presumably, like Superman/Superboy, Supergirl can be held by specialized barriers and containment fields, such as the [[Phantom Zone]] or the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].

== The Woman herself as Linda Lee Danvers ==

After exchanging her colorful Supergirl costume for ordinary Earth girlsâ€™ clothing and concealing her blond hair beneath a brown, pigtailed wig, Kara registers at the Midvale Orphanage in the [[Metropolis]] suburb of [[Midvale]], employing the alias Linda Lee. Someday, promises Superman faithfully, the world will learn of her existence, but â€œfor a long time to come,â€ he adds, â€œyouâ€™ll live here quietly as an â€œordinaryâ€ girl until you get used to earthly things!â€ (Act No. 252: â€œThe Supergirl from Krypton!â€).

Adopted by [[Fred and Edna Danvers]], she attended [[Midvale High School]] as [[Linda Lee Danvers]], graduated in 1964, and then went on to attend [[Stanhope College]] on a scholarship, graduating in 1971. Presented to the world by Superman in 1962, she has since that time, performed super-heroic feats openly as Supergirl, while retaining the secrecy of her dual identity.

As an adult, Linda Lee has had several jobs, working at various times as a teacher, guidance counsellor, and politician.

Linda Lee has lived in Midvale and Florida, before finally settling in Chicago, where she rents an apartment at 1537 West Fargo Avenue (DCCP No.86, Oct 1985: "Into the Valley of Shadow...!"; and others).

== The Woman herself as Supergirl ==

It is only as the newly arrived orphan from space concludes her narrative that Superman realizes that she is his cousin, the daughter of Zor-El, his fatherâ€™s brother (see [[Jor-El]]). Overjoyed at having encountered a kinswoman from his native planet, Superman advises her that she can use her super-powers to aid humanity, as he does, but that first she must undergo a prolonged period of training so that she may learn to use her powers wisely.

In the texts, Supergirl is alternatively referred to as the [[Girl of Steel]]. Action Comics No. 285 describes Superman and Supergirl as â€œthe two mightiest crusaders in the entire universeâ€ (Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€). Superman, who has dedicated a room to Supergirl in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (S No. 142/3, Jan 1961: â€œFlame Dragon from Kryptonâ€), has described his cousin this way:

''Physically, sheâ€™s the mightiest female of all time! But at heart, sheâ€™s as gentle and sweet and is [sic] quick to tears, as any ordinary girt! I guess thatâ€™s why everyone who meets her loves her!'' [Act No. 285, Feb 1962: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€].

Supergirl is fully aware that her cousin Superman is secretly [[Clark Kent]]. According to the Supergirl story in Action Comics No. 270, she has also been entrusted with the secret identities of [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] (Nov 1960: â€œSupergirlâ€™s Busiest Day!â€).

== The Pets of the Chronicles ==

[[Comet]], the Super-Horse is Supergirlâ€™s mighty equine companion. [[Streaky]], the orange cat that acquires temporary super-powers as the result of its exposure to â€œX-kryptonite,â€ is Linda Lee Danversâ€™s pet cat. She also has a non-super cat by the name of [[Streaky II]] (DNAS No. 6, Apr 1983: "Battleground O'Hare"!). In her 30th-Century adventures, she also has a pet super-cat named [[Whizzy]] who is the telepathic 30th-Century descendant of Streaky, the Super-Cat.

== The Men of the Chronicles ==

[[Image:Mooney sup b5.JPG|thumb|Brainac 5 gives Supergirl a kiss]]

Among her boyfriends have been [[Brainiac 5]], [[Jerro]], the Merboy from [[Atlantis]], [[Biron]] (in human form), and boy-next-door Richard "Dick" Malverne (see [[Dick Malverne]]). After her death, it was revealed that she had a secret husband named [[Salkor]] (S No. 415, Jan. 1986: "Supergirl: Bride of -- X?").

== The Early Adventures ==

In January 1960, Supergirl assumes the alternate identity of [[Mighty Maid]] in order to help Superman thwart the schemes of a band of extraterrestrial aliens bent on destroying the Earth (Act No. 260: â€œMighty Maid!â€). During this same period, Supergirl helps Superman convince the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] that his bitter grudge against Supermanâ€™s father is completely unfounded (S No. 134, Jan 1960: 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 August 1960, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has brought about the sudden, accelerated growth of Supermanâ€™s hair, beard, and fingernails, Supergirl and [[Krypto]] The Superdog lend the [[Man of Steel]] a helping hand by using the combined power of their X- ray vision to disintegrate the virtually indestructible hair and fingernails, thus restoring Superman to his normal appearance (S No. 139/3: â€œThe Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!â€).

In October 1960, Supergirl becomes embroiled in the bizarre adventure surrounding the infant son of [[Bizarro]] and [[Bizarro-Lois]] (S No. 140: pts. I-III â€œThe Son of Bizarro!â€; â€œThe â€˜Orphanâ€™ Bizarro!â€; â€œThe Bizarro Supergirl!â€).

In January 1961, Supergirl helps Batman, Superman, and Krypto the Superdog carry out an elaborate, and ultimately successful, ruse to protect the secret of Supermanâ€™s identity (S No. 142/3: â€œFlame Dragon from Kryptonâ€).

In April 1961, at the Fortress of Solitude, Supergirl, Superman, and Krypto the Superdog all experience the same â€œred kryptonite hallucinationâ€ simultaneously as the result of their simultaneous exposure to red-kryptonite dust. In the hallucinatory fantasy, which is also referred to as a dream, the Earth is destroyed by a titanic explosion caused by Supermanâ€™s careless tinkering with an extraterrestrial device; Supergirl, Superman, and Krypto, the sole survivors of the cataclysm, are taken into custody by the [[Cosmic Police]], who charge Superman with â€œcriminal negligenceâ€ in the destruction of Earth; stripped of their super-powers by an interplanetary tribunal, the now-powerless heroes are banished to a desolate â€œprimordial planet,â€ inhabited by ferocious prehistoric beasts, where they are forced to live as cave dwellers, in continual terror, until finally Supergirl and Krypto are annihilated by a terrifying â€œlightning-monsterâ€ and the shock of this grisly event brings the nightmarish dream to an end and snaps the three hallucinators back to reality (S No. 144/3: â€œThe Orphans of Space!â€).

In May 1961, Supergirl joins forces with the [[Supermen Emergency Squad]] to carry out an elaborate, and ultimately successful, ruse designed to persuade [[John Kiley]] and his cohorts that Kiley was only experiencing a drug-induced hallucination when he saw Clark Kent change into Superman (Act No. 276: â€œThe War Between Supergirl and the Supermen Emergency Squad!â€).

In July 1961, Supergirl uses a chunk of [[White Kryptonite]] to destroy the diabolical extraterrestrial â€œplant intelligenceâ€ that has seized control of the body of [[Perry White]] (Act No. 278: â€œThe Super Powers of Perry White!â€).

In January 1962 Supergirl joins forces with Superman and Krypto the Superdog to prevent the [[Phantom Zone]] prisoners from escaping the Phantom Zone (Act No. 284: â€œThe Babe of Steel!â€). During this same period, Supergirl, Superman, and [[Krypto]] the Superdog stand before the bottle city of [[Kandor]], in the [[Fortress of Solitude]], and bow their heads solemnly for one full minute of silence to commemorate the anniversary of the destruction of [[Krypton]]. Afterward, the three Kryptonian survivors soar into outer space, where, in a â€œdistant solar system,â€ they use their mighty super-powers to transform an uninhabited planet into an exact duplicate of Krypton and populate it with humanoid androids in the image of [[Jor-El]], [[Lara]] and other Kryptonians, as a planet-sized memorial to their exploded world (S No. 150/1, Jan 1962: â€œThe One Minute of Doom!â€).

In February 1962, after keeping Supergirlâ€™s presence on Earth a secret for almost three full years, [[Superman]] proudly proclaims her existence to the world, touring the world with her â€œto tumultuous applause,â€ presenting her at the White House to President [[John F. Kennedy]], introducing her at a special session of the United Nations, where she â€œreceives a standing ovation from the distinguished representatives of member nationsâ€¦â€

â€œEverywhere,â€ notes the text, â€œmillions eagerly turn out for a glimpse of the two mightiest crusaders in the entire universe! Never before has there been such excitement, as the entire world thrills to the discovery that a girl with super-powers exists on Earth â€œSupergirl,â€ remarks President Kennedy, â€œI know youâ€™ll use your super-powers not only to fight crime, but to preserve peace in our troubled world!â€

â€œThank you, Mr. President!â€ replies Supergirl graciously. â€œ... I will!â€

At the United Nations, Supergirl is presented with a special â€œgolden certificateâ€ identical to one already possessed by Superman, empowering her to enter and leave member countries without a visa and to make arrests wherever she travels.

Inside the bottle city of Kandor, the Kandorians celebrate Supergirlâ€™s public debut by using their tiny rocket ships to skywrite a congratulatory message to her across the Kandorian sky, while in [[Atlantis]], the Atlanteans commemorate the occasion with the unveiling of a gigantic undersea statue of a mermaid Supergirl (Act No. 285: â€œThe Worldâ€™s Greatest Heroine!â€).

In March 1962, Supergirl soars into outer space with the bottle city of Kandor cradled in her arms after â€œtelling the Kandorians that she would journey to scores of planets in space to find a scientist who could enlarge their miniature city!â€ (Act No. 286: â€œThe Jury of Super-Enemies!â€).

In April 1962, the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] play an elaborate hoax on Superman and Supergirl as their playful way of commemorating the anniversary of Supergirlâ€™s arrival on Earth (S No. 152/1: â€œThe Robot Master!â€).

[[Image:SupergirlFly.jpg|left|thumb]]

In July 1962, during a period when Superman is periodically seized by an overpowering compulsion to commit evil acts as the result of the appearance over Earth of a mysterious blue comet, Supergirl, responding to an urgent telepathic summons from [[Lori Lemaris]], races to Atlantis to repair a vital chemical plant demolished by Superman and to prevent the [[Man of Steel]] from wreaking further destruction in the undersea realm. Later, after having been alerted to the true explanation behind Supermanâ€™s senseless acts of destruction by the Kandorian scientist [[Lon-Es]], Supergirl brings about the blue cometâ€™s destruc tion, thereby curing Superman of his insane compulsion (S No. 154/2: â€œKryptonâ€™s First Superman!â€). (See [[Mag-En]])

In October 1962, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily transformed Superman into two separate individuals, a mature, responsible [[Clark Kent]] and an unprincipled, irresponsible Superman, Supergirl is imprisoned in the Phantom Zone by the arrogant Superman in order to prevent her from interfering with his plan to keep the personalities of Clark Kent and Superman separate forever. Ultimately, however, Clark Kent frees Supergirl from the Phantom Zone, and soon afterward, he succeeds in bringing about the reuniting of Clark Kent and Superman into a single individual (Act No. 293: â€œThe Feud Between Superman and Clark Kent!) During this same period, when Superman is believed to be dying of exposure to [[Virus X]], an incurable Kryptonian malady, Supergirl supervises, and joins forces with, the various â€œsuper-comradesâ€, including Krypto the Superdog, the Legion of Super-Heroes, the [[Supermen Emergency Squad]], several of Supermanâ€™s [[Superman Robots]], and Lori Lemaris and the mer-people of Atlantis, in carrying out the gigantic super-tasks that Superman hopes to fulfill as his final legacy to humanity, viz., the construction of an elaborate â€œcanal system for irrigating desert lands,â€ to meet mankindâ€™s future needs for arable land; the destruction of a â€œfaraway planetâ€ that would otherwise collide with Earth â€œin far future timesâ€; the destruction of a â€œvast cloud of fungus in distant space, that will some day reach Earth and blight all plant lifeâ€; the melting of the Antarctic ice, â€œto make Antarctica a fit place for millions to live in the future,â€ thus ensuring â€œa home for Earthâ€™s expanding populationâ€; and 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 â€œshrinking formulaâ€ so that it will not one day become so terrifyingly gargantuan that it menaces the safety of Earth.

Sometime later, the super-tasks completed, Supergirl flashes through the time-space barrier, to the planet Krypton at a time prior to its destruction, in an unsuccessful effort to find a cure for Virus X. Ultimately, however, it becomes clear that Superman is not suffering from exposure to Virus X at all, but rather from the effects of a tiny nugget of kryptonite that has somehow become lodged in [[Jimmy Olsen]]â€™s camera. Once the kryptonite nugget has been removed and Superman is fast on the way to being restored to full health, Supergirl joins forces with Krypto the Superdog to preserve the secret of Supermanâ€™s dual identity by using the awesome power of their combined heat vision to eradicate the name Clark Kent from the farewell message to mankind that Superman had earlier inscribed on the face of the [[Moon]] (S No. 156, Oct 1962: â€œThe Last Days of Superman!â€ pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Supermanâ€™s Death Sentence!â€; â€œThe Super-Comrades of All Time!â€; â€œSuper manâ€™s Last Day of Life!â€).

In November 1962, when Superman Day is celebrated in [[Metropolis]], Supergirl journeys to Metropolis to attend the festivities, bringing with her a life-sized statue of Superman, fashioned out of solid diamond that she has carved in his honor. Plans are made to display the magnificent statue in Metropolisâ€™s [[Superman Museum]] (S No.157/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Doom!â€).

In May 1963, Supergirl helps Superman carry out an elaborate, and ultimately successful, ruse de signed to enable him to preserve the secret of his dual identity (S No. 161/2: â€œSuperman Goes to War!â€). During this same period, Superman makes a time-journey to Metropolis one million years in the future, where he encounters a lifelike Supergirl android created by the people of the far-distant future (Act No. 300, May 1963: â€œSuperman Under the Red Sun!â€).

In August 1963, after exposure to red kryptonite has temporarily transformed Superman into a fearsome Kryptonian â€œdrangâ€ (see [[Krypton]]), and the U.S. Armed Forces, unaware that the hideous monster is actually Superman, are on the verge of destroying it, it is Supergirl who provides Superman with the crucial assistance he needs to alert his attackers to his true identity and get them to hold their fire (Act No. 303: â€˜The Monster from Krypton!â€).

When Metropolis television station [[WMET-TV]] inaugurates its new â€œOur American Heroesâ€ series with a program honoring Superman, â€œour greatest American hero,â€ Supergirl appears on the show along with Supermanâ€™s other friends and admirers to help pay tribute to the [[Man of Steel]] (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: â€˜The Superman Super-Spectacular!â€).

In June 1964, Supergirl rescues [[Batman]], [[Lois Lane]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Jimmy Olsen]], and [[Perry White]] from a cave beneath Metropolis, where they have been imprisoned in a state of suspended animation by the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] (Act No. 313: â€œThe End of Clark Kentâ€™s Secret Identity!â€).

In March 1965, after members of the Superman Revenge Squad have used a diabolical â€œcowardice rayâ€ to transform Superman into a craven coward whenever he is dressed in the clothing of his Clark Kent identity, Supergirl successfully snaps Clark Kent out of his state of artificially induced cowardice by ingeniously creating an elaborate web of circum stances which forces Superman to perform a super-heroic feat while dressed as Clark Kent (Act No. 322: â€œThe Coward of Steel!â€).

In April 1965, Supergirl accompanies Superman to the bottle city of Kandor to take part in the ceremonies marking the Day of Truth (S No. 176/3: â€œSupermanâ€™s Day of Truth!â€).(TGSB)

[[Image:BronzeAgeSupergirl.jpg|left|thumb]]

== The Later Adventures ==

Coming Soon!

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supergirl_%28Kara_Zor-El%29 Wikipedia Entry on Supergirl]
*[http://supermanthrutheages.com/supergirl/ The WORLD of SUPERGIRL!]
*[http://members.shaw.ca/legion_roll_call/legionnaires/supergirl/ Kara's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=sgirl Supergirl Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/sgirlind.htm Supergirl Index by Dark Mark]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
[[Category:Kryptonians]]
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Dynamic Duo

2008-01-29T22:41:03Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Duo.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''The Dynamic Duo'''

The team of [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] (first appearances: (Batman) Detective Comics No. 27, May 1939: "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate"; (Robin) Detective Comics No. 38, Apr 1940: "Robin the Boy Wonder"). Batman and Robin first meet [[Superman]] in May-June 1952 (S No. 76/1: "The Mightiest Team in the World!"), and from mid-1954 on the trio works together regularly (WF No. 71, Jul/Aug 1954: "Batman—Double for Superman!").

[[Category:Entries]]
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[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
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[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Batgirl

2008-01-29T22:40:46Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Batgirlsupergirl.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Batgirl'''

A costumed crime-fighter and valued ally of [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], the [[Dynamic Duo]]. Batgirl is secretly [[Barbara Gordon]], daughter of [[Gotham City]] Police [[Commissioner James W. Gordon]]. [[Supergirl]] is a close friend of Batgirl. Batgirl should not be confused with Bat-Girl (Betty Kane), the niece of [[Batwoman]]. First Appearance: Detective Comics No. 359/1, Jan 1967: "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!"

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Gordon Wikipedia Entry on Barbara Gordon]
*[http://www.canarynoir.com/index.php?page=batgirl Batgirl Profile at CanaryNoir]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/batfamily.html Batgirl (& Other Bat-Family Members) Index by Dark Mark]

Bruce Wayne

2008-01-29T22:40:08Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:WF_No._248.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Bruce Wayne'''

Millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne is secretly the Caped Crusader—The [[Batman]] (first appearance: Detective Comics No. 27, May 1939: "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate").

When young Bruce's parents are gunned down in front of a movie theater by a cheap thug, Joe Chill, Bruce devotes his life to fighting evil as the Batman.

His young ward, [[Dick Grayson]], is secretly [[Robin]], the Boy Wonder. After many years, Dick is succeeded as Robin by [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Jason Todd]].

[[Superman]] and Batman first discover each other's secret identities in Superman No. 76, May/Jun 1952: "The Mightiest Team in the World", and work together on a regular basis from that time on.

[[Category:Entries|Wayne, Bruce]]
[[Category:People|Wayne, Bruce]]
[[Category:Batman|Wayne, Bruce]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Wayne, Bruce]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Wayne, Bruce]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Wayne, Bruce]]

Robin (Jason Todd)

2008-01-29T22:39:32Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Jasontodd.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Robin (Jason Todd)'''

The second of the [[Batman]]'s youthful crimefighting partners to go by the name, following [[Dick Grayson]].

In 1985, on [[Superman]]'s birthday, the second Robin accompanies Batman to the [[Fortress of Solitude]] to bring the [[Man of Steel]] a present: a new breed of rose named after [[Krypton]].

After meeting [[Wonder Woman]] at the entrance to the Fortress, the trio finds Superman in a catatonic state with the [[Black Mercy]] embedded in his chest - the work of the galactic despot [[Mongul]]. Mongul engages Wonder Woman in a prolonged battle while Batman struggles mightily to extricate the Black Mercy from Superman's chest.

Eventually, Batman frees his [[Kryptonian]] friend from the Black Mercy that but not before it had created a realistic simulation of [[Kal-El]]'s life as it might have been if Krypton had never exploded in Superman's unconscious mind.

An enraged Superman faces Mongul, as Robin frees Batman from the Black Mercy that attaches itself onto '''his''' chest! Robin is able to drop the Black Mercy onto Mongul from a hole in the ceiling above the alien's head, ending the confrontation (SA No. 11, 1985: "For the Man Who Has Everything").

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Todd Wikipedia entry on Jason Todd]

[[category:Entries]]
[[category:People]]
[[Category:Batman]]
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Dick Grayson

2008-01-29T22:38:30Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Graysonkwing.gif|right|thumb]]

'''Richard "Dick" Grayson'''

The teen-aged boy who is secretly [[Robin]], the inseparable crime-fighting companion of [[Batman]]. Dick Grayson is the ward of socialite [[Bruce Wayne]], the man who is secretly Batman (S No. 76/1, May/Jun 1952: "The Mightiest Team in the World"; and others). (TGSB)

In the 1980s, Grayson outgrows the Robin identity, passing it to [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Jason Todd]].

Grayson then becomes [[Nightwing]].

Dick Grayson (and Robin) first appear in Detective Comics No. 38, Apr 1940: "Robin the Boy Wonder". Grayson first appears as Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans No. 44, Jul 1984: "There Shall Come a Titan".

[[Category:Entries|Grayson, Dick]]
[[Category:People|Grayson, Dick]]
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[[Category:Batman|Grayson, Dick]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Grayson, Dick]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Grayson, Dick]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Grayson, Dick]]

Elongated Man

2008-01-29T22:19:45Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Elongated-Man.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''The Elongated Man'''

A hero with the ability to super-stretch (first appearance: The Flash No. 112, Apr/May 1960: "The Mystery of the Elongated Man!"), who along with [[Superman]], is a member of the [[Justice League of America]] (DCCP No. 21, May 1980: "The Alien Epidemic!").

Elongated Man is also part of [[The Elastic Four|the Elastic Four]] along with [[Plastic Man]], [[Elastic Lad]], and [[Malleable Man]] (DCCP No. 93, May 1986: "That's the Way the Heroes Bounce!").

== External Links ==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elongated_Man Elongated Man Entry at the Wikipedia]
*[http://www.fanzing.com/dibnydirt/ THE Elongated Man Website, Dibny Dirt!]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=elongated Elongated Man Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/elongatedind.html Elongated Man Index by Dark Mark]

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

Black Canary

2008-01-29T22:16:24Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Canary.jpg|left|thumb]]

[[Image:DCCP_No._30.jpg|thumb|right]]

'''Black Canary'''

A costumed crimefighter adept in martial arts and empowered with a sonic "Canary Cry" (first appearance: Flash Comics No. 86, Aug 1947: "The Black Canary"). Black Canary (a.k.a. Dinah Lance) is a member of the [[Justice League of America]] and partner/paramour of [[Green Arrow]]. Originally a member of the [[Justice Society of America of Earth-2|Justice Society]], she emigrates from [[Earth-2]].

In February 1981, Black Canary visits [[Superman]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]] to ask his help in making contact with the "dream dimension" in the hope that she will find her dead husband, Larry Lance, whose ghost has been appearing to her in her dreams. Using his super-science, Superman builds a portal to this other dimension only to discover that the entire realm is controlled by [[Doctor Destiny]], the skull-faced super-villain. While Superman is weakened by Doctor Destiny's [[Magic|magic]], Black Canary realizes that it is her sonic powers that have made her unconsciously attuned to "Destiny's Dreamworld", and uses her Canary Cry to destroy Destiny's creations while returning the heroes to Earth (DCCP No. 30, Feb 1981: "A Dream of Demons").

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

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Canary Wikipedia Entry on Black Canary]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=blackcanary2 Black Canary Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/greenaind.htm Black Canary and Green Arrow Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.canarynoir.com/index.php?page=blackcanary Black Canary Bio at CanaryNoir]

Firestorm

2008-01-29T22:13:25Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Firestorm.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Firestorm'''

High school student Ronnie Raymond and nuclear physicist Dr. Martin Stein are caught in a reactor meltdown which through some mysterious process allows the duo to fuse together--becoming the superpowered hero called Firestorm (Firestorm No. 1, May 1978: "Make Way for Firestorm!"). Firestorm is a later member of the [[Justice League of America]] and shares adventures with [[Superman]] (for example, DCCP No. 45, May 1982: "The Chaos Network!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firestorm_%28comics%29 Wikipedia Entry on Firestorm]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/firestormind.html Firestorm Index by Dark Mark]

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

Zatanna

2008-01-29T22:11:58Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Zatanna.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Zatanna'''

Like her father, [[Zatara the Magician]], Zatanna Zatara is a stage magician who possesses actual mystical abilties, which she uses to fight crime and the forces of evil. These abilities are usually manifested through spells spoken backward. Zatanna is a member of the [[Justice League of America]]. First Appearance: Hawkman No. 4, Oct/Nov 1964: "The Girl Who Split in Two".

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zatanna Wikipedia Entry on Zatanna]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=zatanna Zatanna Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/zatanna_index.html Zatanna Index by Dark Mark]

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

Hawkman

2008-01-29T22:06:48Z

Copperchair:

[[Hawkman]]
[[Image:Hawkman.jpg|left|thumb]]
A policeman from the planet [[Thanagar]]—he with his wife, Shayera, who is also known as [[Hawkwoman]], fight villainy using the weapons of the past (first appearance, The Brave and the Bold No. 34, Feb/Mar 1961: "Creature of a Thousand Shapes!"). His Earth cover identity is [[Carter Hall]], archaeologist and museum curator. Hawkman is a longtime [[Justice League of America]] colleague of [[Superman]]. Superman and [[Batman]] join Hawkman on Thanagar to help stem an alien invasion (WF No. 278, Apr 1982: "Assault on Thanagar!").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkman_%28Katar_Hol%29 Wikipedia entry on Hawkman]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=hawkman Hawkman Index by Mike]
*[http://www.monitorduty.com/mdarchives/2005/08/everything_you.shtml Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Hawkman by Alan Kistler]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Aliens]]
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Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)

2008-01-29T22:00:58Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Hal.jpg|right|thumb]]

'''Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)'''

After test pilot Hal Jordan is summoned to the side of a dying alien, he assumes the alien's role as protector of Earth and of sector 2814, the sector of the galaxy which contains Earth (Showcase No. 22, Sep/Oct 1959: "SOS Green Lantern").

Hal's power, and that of each member of the 3,600-member interstellar [[Green Lantern Corps]] to which he belongs, is expressed through a power ring. The ring must be recharged by a power battery at least once every 24 hours and cannot directly affect anything colored yellow. [[Superman]] has a deep respect for the might of this weapon and it can even be used against him. For instance, the ring has the ability to create [[Green Kryptonite]] that can incapacitate Superman, although maintaining this effect requires concentration (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

As a founding member of the [[Justice League of America]], Green Lantern has teamed with Superman many times.

==Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) appearances in the Chronicles==

*SGLL No. 74, May 1967: "Superman's Unbeatable Rival"
*Act No. 350/2, May 1967: "The Anti-Supergirl Plot"
*S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race with the Flash"
*Act No. 365, Jul 1968: "Superman's Funeral"
*Act No. 366, Aug 1968: "Substitute Superman"
*WF No. 189, Nov 1969: "The Man with Superman's Heart"
*WF No. 201, Mar 1971: "A Prize of Peril"
*SPJO No. 151, Jul 1972: "Attack of the Locust Creatures"
*Adv No. 423, Sep 1972: "Treachery"
*SGLL No. 128, Dec 1972: "Death Waits to Kiss the Bride"
*Act No. 29, Nov 1973: "The Man Who Wrote Superman's Obituary"
*SG No. 8, Nov 1973: "A Head-Full of Snakes"
*Act No. 437, Jul 1974: "Magic Is Bustin' Out All Over"
*Act No. 443/1, Jan 1975: "At Last! Clark Kent--Superhero!"
*Act No. 444/1, Feb 1975: "Beware the Hero-Killers!"
*SF No. 171/1, Jun/Jul 1975: "Cleopatra, Queen of America"
*SF No. 172/1, Aug/Sep 1975: "The Cheat the Whole World Cheered"
*Act No. 470, Apr 1977: "Even a Superman Must Die Sometime"
*Act No. 473, Jul 1977: "The Great Phantom Peril"
*S No. 311, May 1977: "Plague of Antibiotic Man"
*S No. 312, Jun 1977: "Today the City, Tomorrow the World"
*S No. 314, Aug 1977: "Before This Night Is Over, Superman Will Kill"
*WF No. 246, Aug/Sep 1977: "The Prisoner of the Kryptonite Asteroid"
*Act No. 480, Feb 1978: "Amazo's Big Breakthrough"
*Act No. 481, Mar 1978: "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Supermobile"
*Act No. 483, May 1978: "Sleep No More"
*Act No. 489, Nov 1978: "Krypton Dies Again"
*DCCP No. 6, Feb 1979: "The Fantastic Fall of Green Lantern"
*DCCP No. 26/1, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe"
*S No. 352, Oct 1980: "Superman's Day of Destiny"
*NSB No. 13, Jan 1981: "Superboy's Wild Weekend Out West" (as a teenaged Hal Jordan only)
*S No. 367, Jan 1982: "The Revengers Strike Back"
*DCCP No. 43, Mar 1982: "In Final Battle"
*WF No. 300, Feb 1984: "A Tale of Two Worlds" or, "Planets in Peril"
*WF No. 302, Apr 1984: "No Rest for Heroes"

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hal_Jordan Wikipedia entry on Hal Jordan]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=glan Earth-1 Green Lantern Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/green_lantern_index.html Green Lantern Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://glcorps.dcuguide.com/profile.php?name=greenlantern2 Hal Jordan Bio at the Unofficial Green Lantern Webpage]

[[Category:Entries]]
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Robin

2008-01-29T21:55:59Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Robin.jpg|left|thumb]]

'''Robin the Boy Wonder'''
<br>
Secret Identity: [[Dick Grayson]]

The wisecracking sidekick of [[Batman]], Robin joins in on the fun when Batman and [[Superman]] team up. They are often joined in their epic deeds by [[Jimmy Olsen]].

In May 1964, the [[Olsen-Robin Team]] is formed and they make their headquarters in the [[Eyrie]] (WF No. 141: "The Olsen-Robin Team versus "The Superman-Batman Team!").

Robin is a founding member of the [[Teen Titans]].

In the 1980s, Dick Grayson abandons the Robin identity, leaving it to the young [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Jason Todd]]. Grayson adopts the name [[Nightwing]], inspired by his adventures alongside Superman in the Bottle City of [[Kandor]].

In August 1983, Robin and the rest of the Titans help [[Superman]] and the [[Justice League of America]] battle [[Brainiac]] (Act No. 546: "Showdown").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Grayson Wikipedia entry on Robin/Nightwing]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=nightwing Nightwing/Robin Index by Mike]
*[http://www.titanstower.com/source/whoswho/nightwing.html Dick Grayson Bio at Titans Tower]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Batman

2008-01-29T21:54:38Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Batman logo.gif|right|thumb]]

'''The Batman'''

== Overview ==
[[Image:Batman.jpg |left|thumb]]

A costumed crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for decades, waged an unrelenting battle against the forces of crime, brutality, and evil. He is secretly [[Bruce Wayne]], a millionaire socialite and philanthropist based in [[Gotham City]] who, while still a young boy, vows to dedicate his life to "warring on all criminals" after seeing his parents murdered by a hoodlum on a darkened city street. In April 1940, approximately a year after the onset of his crime-fighting career, Batman trains a young boy named [[Dick Grayson]] to be his partner, conferring on him the name [[Robin]], and thus launching the career of a crime-fighting partnership whose feats have become the stuff of legend. Like Wayne, the Boy Wonder is an orphan, his parents killed when a gangster arranges to have his trapeze-expert parents die in a circus accident. The name Robin refers to the legendary [[Robin Hood]] of English yore. As chronicled in the 1980s, Dick outgrows the Robin identity and passes it the young [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Jason Todd]].

Both Superman and Batman are founding members of the [[Justice League of America]], but following a policy dispute in 1983, Batman leaves to found his own super-team—[[The Outsiders]] (DCCP No. 83, Jul 1985: "The Shadow of the Outsider").

== Origin ==

Batman's own chronicles gradually reveal his origins as time progresses. In his first appearance, he is already established as a mysterious vigilante and [[Bruce Wayne]] is known to [[Commissioner James W. Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]] as a "socialite", perhaps without the sense of responsiblity and philanthropy that later marked his career as a millionaire businessman (Detective Comics No. 27, May 1939: "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate"). He is later joined by [[Robin]] (Detective Comics No. 38, Apr 1940: "Robin the Boy Wonder") and it is also revealed that butler [[Alfred Pennyworth]]'s family has remained in the service of the Wayne family for generations.

It is not until 1948 that the full details of Batman's origin are made known. Vowing revenge on the murderer who killed his parents (Dr. Thomas and Martha Wayne) on a street at night, young Bruce Wayne carefully acquires the skills necessary to fight crime. To do this, he "mastered scientific criminal investigation" and "trained his body to physical and athletic perfection". Wayne takes his crime-fighting name and costume from the bat, a creature of the night that he knows strikes terror in the heart of even hardened criminals. Years later, as Batman, Wayne encounters the hoodlum who shot his parents—Joe Chill—now a criminal boss running a crooked trucking operation. In carrying out his vengeance, Bruce reveals his identity to Chill, but it is Chill's own men who kill him, angry at the revelation that Chill's past homicides actually "created" the Caped Crusader who is persecuting them (Batman No. 47, Jun/Jul 1948: "The Origin of the Batman!").

== The World's Finest ==

[[Image:SupeBat.jpg|right|thumb]]
Batman is a close friend of [[Superman]] and one of the few persons privy to the closely guarded secret of Supermanâ€™s secret identity. From mid-1954 onward, Batman and Superman regularly participate in certain of their adventures together.

'''Battles Against Crime and Villainy'''

In May-June 1952, Superman and Batman meet and team up for the first time ever as they apprehend [[John Smilter]] and learn each other's secret identity while vacationing aboard the coastal cruise ship [[S.S. Varania]] (S No. 76/1: " The Mightiest Team in the World!").

In July-August 1954, Superman joins forces with Batman and [[Robin]] to apprehend a gang of criminals and prevent [[Lois Lane]] from unraveling the secret of his dual identity (WF No. 71: "Batman... Double for Superman!"). Later in 1954, they also bring the [[Heavy Weapons Gang]] to justice (WF No. 72, Sep/Oct 1954: "Fort Crime!") and battle [[The Fang]] (WF No. 73, Nov/Dec 1954: "Batman and Superman, Swamis, Inc!").

In January-February 1955, Batman, Robin and Superman help an extraterrestrial youngster stranded on Earth find his way home again (WF No. 74: "The Contest of Heroes!"). In the same year, they battle the [[Purple Mask Mob]] (WF No. 75, Mar/Apr 1955: "The New Team of Superman and Robin!"), match wits with [[Professor Pender]] (WF No. 77, Jul/Aug 1955: "The Super-Bat-Man!"), and apprehend the [[Varrel Mob]] (WF No. 78, Sep/Oct: "When Supermanâ€™s Identity Is Exposed!").

With the help of [[Professor Carter Nichols]]' time-inducing hypnosis, Batman, Robin, and Superman journey into the past where they encounter the legendary [[Aladdin]] (WF No. 79, Nov/Dec 1955: "The Three Magicians of Baghdad!"). They again go back in time to the era of the [[Three Musketeers]] in a somewhat later adventure (WF No. 82, May/Jun 1956: "The Three Super-Musketeers!"). Other instances where the heroes travel to the past are chronicled in WF No. 107, Feb 1960: "The Secret of the Time Creature!" and WF No. 132, Mar 1963: "Batman and Robin, Medieval Bandits!".

In January-February 1956, Batman, Robin and Superman trap the [[Mole]] (WF No. 80: "The Super-Newspaper of Gotham City!"). Later in 1956, they meet [[Ka Thar]] (WF No. 81, Mar/Apr 1956: "The True History of Superman and Batman!") and are honored guests at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual policemenâ€™s ball (WF No. 83, Jul/Aug 1956: "The Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!"). When in the midst of a hurricane, Batman loses a bat-cape with his real name, [[Bruce Wayne]], sewn inside it, [[Clark Kent]] finds the lost cape and uses his X-Ray vision to burn away the tell-tale writing to help safeguard the secret of Batmanâ€™s identity (Batman No. 101, Aug 1956: "The Great Bat-Cape Hunt!"). In September-October 1956, Batman, Robin and Superman apprehend the [[Thad Linnis]] gang (WF No. 84: "The Super-Mystery of Metropolis!") and in November-December 1956, Batman, Robin and Superman meet [[Princess Varina]] (WF No. 85: "The Super-Rivals!").

In January-February 1957, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the unscrupulous machinations of [[Henry Bartle]] (WF No. 86: "The Super-Show of Gotham City!") and in March-April 1957, Superman narrates the story of a past encounter that he and Batman and Robin had with the villainous [[Elton Craig]] (WF No. 87: "The Reversed Heroes!"). The team become embroiled in an adventure involving the amazing [[Lightning-Man]] (WF No. 89, Jul/Aug 1957: "The Club of Heroes!") and find themselves forced to cope with a super-powered [[Batwoman]] (WF No. 90, Sep/Oct 1957: "The Super-Batwoman!"). In November-December, Batman, Robin and Superman apprehend [[Rick Harben]] and match wits with [[Rohtul]] (WF No. 91: "The Three Super-Sleepers!").

[[Image:FineDanger.jpg|left|thumb|From World's Finest Comics No. 96|thumb]]

In January-February 1958, Batman, Robin and Superman meet [[Skyboy]] (WF No. 92: "The Boy from Outer Space!"), and later Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the schemes of [[Victor Danning]] (WF No. 93 Mar/Apr 1958: "The Boss of Batman and Superman!"). In September 1958, Batman, Robin and Superman help a band of aliens who have journeyed to the planet Earth (WF No. 96: "The Super-Foes from Planet X!"). They return to the fight against crime when they battle [[The Condor Gang]] (WF No. 97, Oct 1958: "The Day Superman Betrayed Batman!") and the [[Moonman]] (WF No. 98, Nov/Dec 1958: "The Menace of the Moonman!"). In February 1959, Batman, Robin and Superman becomes embroiled in an adventure involving the bizarre last will and testament of eccentric millionaire [[Carl Verril]] (WF No. 99: "Batmanâ€™s Super-Spending Spree!"). In later months, they do battle with [[The Atom-Master]] (WF No. 101, May 1959: "The Menace of the Atom-Master!") and apprehend the [[Jo-Jo Groff]] gang (WF No. 102, Jun 1959: "The Caveman from Krypton!").

In August 1959, Batman, Robin and Superman join forces to outwit [[Atkins and Bork]] (WF No. 103: "The Secret of the Sorcererâ€™s Treasure!"). In November 1959, Batman, Robin and Superman match wits with the evil [[Khalex]] (WF No. 105: "The Alien Superman!!") and in December join forces to defeat the [[Duplicate Man]] (WF No. 106: "The Duplicate Man!"). At the suggestion of Batman and Robin, Superman feeds photographic data concerning life on the planet [[Krypton]] into the [[Super-Univac]] in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] together with the question, â€œWhat would Supermanâ€™s other life have been, if Krypton had not exploded?â€ The answer according to the Super-Univac, is that much about Supermanâ€™s might-have-been life would had paralleled his real one, with Superman eventually acquiring super-powers on his native planet and assuming the role of Kryptonâ€™s super-hero (S No. 132, Oct 1959: "Supermanâ€™s Other Life!" pts I-III).

In February 1960, the team of Batman, Robin and Superman annihilates an awesomely destructive "creature of energy" spawned by the "alien gases" of a "strange fireball" from outer space (WF No. 107: "The Secret of the Time Creature!"). They later meet an alien movie producer from the planet [[Kzotl]] (WF No. 108, Mar 1960: "The Star Creatures!") and become embroiled in a bizarre adventure involving a centuries-old trap set by the sorcerer [[Fangan]] (WF No. 109, May 1960: "The Bewitched Batman!"). In June 1960, Superman and Batman team up to battle and defeat an extraterrestrial alien who has stolen part of Robinâ€™s life force (WF No. 110: "The Alien who Doomed Robin!"). In August 1960, Batman, Robin and Superman join forces to apprehend [[Floyd Frisby]] (WF No. 111, Aug 1960: "Supermanâ€™s Secret Kingdom!"). Next, they journey to the planet [[Zoron]] for an encounter with the evil [[Chorn]] (WF No. 114, Dec 1960: "Captives of the Space Globes!").

In February 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart an elaborate scheme by a gang of criminals to steal $500,000 in contributions earmarked for the [[Childrenâ€™s Charity Fund]] (WF No. 115: "The Curse that Doomed Superman!"), then in March 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman encounter the weirdly transformed [[Vance Collins]] (WF No. 116: "The Creature from Beyond!").

In June 1961, Superman employs the alias of [[The Alchemist|the Alchemist]] (Batman No. 140: "{The Charmed Life of Batman!") and joins forces with Batman and Robin to thwart the dictatorial ambitions of [[Vathgar]] (WF No. 118: "The Creature That Was Exchanged for Superman!") and after a weird mixture of "upper atmosphere" gas samples in a Gotham City laboratory has temporarily transformed Batman into a colossal giant, Superman helps Batman protect the secret of his duel identity by disguising himself as Bruce Wayne, Batmanâ€™s alter ego and standing in for Wayne at a community fund dinner (Detective Comics No. 292: "The Colossus of Gotham City!"). In August 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the sinister schemes of [[General Grambly]] (WF No. 119: "The Secret of Tigerman!") and in November 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman battle the villainous [[Xanu]] (WF No. 121: "The Mirror Batman!"). In September 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman defeat an unidentified criminal who has managed to bring to life three enchanted beings, all originally created by the ancient alchemist [[Albertus]], who proceed to temporarily steal several of Supermanâ€™s super-powers (WF No. 120: "The Challenge of the Faceless Creatures!").

In March 1962, Batman, Robin and Superman help the young alien hero [[Logi]] defeat his archenemies [[Hroguth]], [[Sklur]], [[Hansh]] (WF No. 124: â€œThe Mystery of the Alien Super-Boy!â€), and then thwart the sinister machinations of [[Jundy]] (WF No. 125, May 1962: â€œThe Hostages On the Island of Doom!â€). At a later date, Batman, Robin and Superman do battle with [[Zerno]], a sorcerer from another planet (WF No. 127, Aug 1962: â€œThe Sorcerer from the Stars!â€). In September 1962, they team up to do battle with [[Moose Morans]], [[Silky Steve]], [[Sparkles Garnet]] and their gangs while Batman undergoes a bizarre transformation as a result of being exposed to [[Red Kryptonite]] (WF No. 128: â€œThe Power That Transformed Batman!â€). Later, in order to stop a strange star-shaped monster from destroying the Earth, Superman must journey to four different planets while Batman and Robin must join a traveling circus in space (WF No. 130, Dec 1962: â€œRiddle of the Four Planets!â€).

In February 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman do battle with the [[Octopus]] (WF No. 131: â€œThe Mystery of the Crimson Avenger!â€) then in March 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman capture [[Denny Kale]] and [[Shorty Biggs]] (WF No. 132: â€œBatman and Robin, Medieval Bandits!â€) later in June 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman do battle with the [[Band of Super-Villains]] (WF No. 134: â€œThe Band of Super-Villains!â€). The heroes meet [[Jon Durr]] during a time traveling journey into the future (WF No. 135, Aug 1963: â€œThe Menace of Future Man!â€).

In December 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman defeat [[General Grote]] (WF No. 138: â€œThe Secret of the Captive Caveman!â€) and later in February 1964, team up to battle the [[Sphinx Gang]] (WF No. 139: â€œThe Ghost of Batman!â€). In November 1964, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the evil schemes of the masters of the planet [[Vor]] (WF No. 145: â€œPrison for Heroes!â€) and then in December, Batman, Robin and Superman learn the incredible story of [[Dr. Thomas Ellison]] (WF No. 146: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€). In February 1965, Superman and Batman struggle to aid Robin and [[Jimmy Olsen]], whose minds have been taken over and possessed by some weirdly glowing jewels from a distant planet (WF No. 147: â€œThe New Terrific Team!â€ and â€œâ€œThe Doom of Jimmy Olsen and Robin!â€).

In March 1965, Batman and Superman are temporary catapulted into a bizarre â€œParallel-World...a world thatâ€™s almost like Earth in every way, but in which history had a different course than on Earth!â€ On this world, the counterparts of Batman and Superman are master criminals (see below - The Batmen of Parallel-Worlds!).

[[Image:Batwell.jpg|right|thumb]]

In March 1966, [[Bizarro]] creates a [[Bizarro-Batman]] to form the worldâ€™s worst team (WF No.156, Mar 1966: â€œThe Federation of Bizarro Idiotsâ€). In September 1966, Batman and Superman and Robin team up to battle [[Dr. Zodiac]] (WF No. 160: â€œThe Fatal Forecasts of Dr. Zodiacâ€ and â€œThe Unholy Horoscopesâ€). In March 1967, Superman, Batman and Robin defeat the gang lord [[King Wolff]] (WF No. 165: â€œThe Crown of Crimeâ€) then in November 1967, they team up again to thwart the evil plans of [[Victor Stark]] (WF No. 171: â€œThe Executionerâ€™s Listâ€). Later in February 1968, Superman and Batman face off against [[Dr. Arron]], a criminal chemist who creates a formula that turns Batman and Superman into [[Two-Face]] and [[Kralik]] the Conqueror (WF No. 173: â€œThe Jekyll-Hyde Heroesâ€). In March 1968, Superman and Batman do battle with robot versions of themselves (WF No. 174: â€œSecret of the Double Death-Wishâ€) and later fend off the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] and [[Batman Revenge Squad]] (WF No. 175, May 1968: â€œThe Superman-Batman Revenge Squadsâ€).

Batman and Superman turn their attention to the nefarious actions of the Mafia and its local leader, [[Karl Lukas]], in an adventure that puts Robin and [[Jimmy Olsen]] in danger (WF No. 194, Jun 1970: "Inside the Mafia Gang!"; WF No. 195, Aug 1970: "Dig Now, Die Later!"). Soon after, [[K.C. Jones]] and his minions attempt to rob a train hauling [[Kryptonite]] (WF No. 196, Sep 1970: "The Kryptonite Express!") and Batman and [[Lois Lane]] help Superman thwart a criminal hoping to raise an ancient power with the help of a rogue [[Superman Robot 15|Superman Robot]] (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!"). Batman uses his detective abilities to spoil a plan of [[Justice League of America]] adversary [[Dr. Light]] to kill Superman (WF No. 207, Nov 1971: "A Matter of Light and Death!").

Supergirl joins Batman and Superman when a group called the [[Krush]] arrive on Earth to hunt down a criminal whose only crime is dissent with the alien's philosophy of war (WF No. 211, May 1972: "Fugitive from the Stars!"). In 1973, Superman and Batman defeat the mentalist [[Capricorn]] (WF No. 218, Jul/Aug 1973: "Who is Capricorn?") and later stop a criminal from acquiring Nazi gold in South America (WF No. 219, Sep/Oct 1973: "The Prisoner of Rogues Rock!"; WF No. 220, Dec 1973: "Let No Man Write My Epitaph!").

The mighty team travels to Scotland and the home of the ancestral Wayne family to investigate paranormal problems (WF No. 225, Sep/Oct 1974: Bow Before Satans's Children!") and in another adventure, attempt a rescue only to be beaten by [[Metamorpho]] - who has already replicated their abilities within himself (WF No. 226, Nov/Dec 1974: "The Freak Who Never Fails!"). Batman and Superman stop a Tibetan mystic (WF No. 232, Sep 1975: "The Dream Bomb!") and have an adventure in orbit above the earth (WF No. 234, Dec 1975: "The Family That Fled Earth!").

In January 1976, the Caped Crusaders and the [[Man of Steel]] stop the magician known as [[Sagittarius]] from revealing Superman's identity (WF No. 235: "Superman's Stolen Birthday!"). Soon after, they are helped by the [[Atom]] when tiny invaders called "germ people" infect human beings (WF No. 236, Mar 1976: "Killers Come in All Sizes!"). The [[Metal Men]] aid them in July of 1976 (WF No. 239: "The UFOs That Stole the USA!"). In a Kandorian adventure, Superman begins to act so strangely that Batman is asked to kill him (WF No. 240, Sep 1976: "How Do You Kill a Superman?"). Superman and Batman travel with citizens aboard a space ship and even live with them on a new planet for a time (WF No. 241, Oct 1976: "Make Way for a New World!") and are joined by Robin to solve a puzzling problem brought to them by the [[Twelve Immortals]] (WF No. 244, Feb 1977: "We Are Not Alone!"). Batman and Superman next foil an evil plot to kill every living person on Earth (WF No. 244, May/Jun 1977: "Three Billion Targets!").

Superman and Batman uncover a plot to replace the world's most important leaders with clones (WF No. 248, Dec/Jan 1978: "The Lurkers!") and team with the [[Phantom Stranger]] in their next adventure (WF No. 249, Feb/Mar 1978: "The Vampire of Steel!"). The heroes stop the disembodied brain of [[Boss Dyke]] after aliens transplant it into a monster (WF No. 251, Jun/Jul 1978: "Invasion of the Deathless Brain!") and help save the reputation of [[Perry White]] (WF No. 252, Sug/Sep 1978: "Will of the Whisperer!"), and Bruce Wayne is called upon to play the role of a prince in a wedding (WF No. 253, Oct/Nov 1978: "The Third Face is Death!). In February/March 1979, Superman and Batman travel to a small town where evil cult members are summoning a strange and ancient spirit of the bat (WF No. 255, "Thou Shall Have No Other Batman Before Me!"). They then grapple with [[Lar-On]], escaped from the [[Phantom Zone]] and possessing qualities that turn him into a raging beast similar to an earth werewolf (WF No. 256, Apr/May 1979: "The Werewolf from Krypton!"). They later discover that Lar-On has passed his tendency on to others, even changing Batman into a "were-bat" (WF No. 258, Aug/Sep 1979: "The Curse of Krypton!").

Batman helps Superman solve the problem of a homeless [[Metropolis]] woman who gains the power of wish fulfillment (WF No. 257, Jul 1979: "The Innocent Who Hated!") and teams with him again to investigate the mystery of why citizens are fleeing Gotham City for Metropolis (WF No. 259, Nov 1979: Gotham City - Ghost City!"). In their next adventure, Batman is helped by Jimmy Olsen and [[Lois Lane]] in tricking aliens to release a hostage Superman (WF No. 260, Dec/Jan 1980: "The Four Billion Supermen of Earth!"). The heroes team with a young blind girl to stop a criminal with radioactive powers (WF No. 262, Apr/May 1980: "The Power of the Pi-Meson Man!") and later, Batman and Superman rescue Robin from [[Simon Magnus]] (WF No. 265, Nov 1980: "Magic Menace This Way Comes!"). In 1981, Superman and Batman must battle [[Lady Lunar]], an astronaut with the same powers as [[Moonman]] (WF No. 266, Dec/Jan 1981: "The Last Laugh of Lady Lunar!"). The heroes accept the assignment of freeing the [[Challengers of the Unknown]] so that a terrorist can be stopped (WF No. 267, Feb/Mar 1981: When Strikes the Gravity Masters!") and foil the thefts of [[Dr. Zodiac]] (WF No. 268, May 1981: "The Twelve Coins of Power!"). Zodiac returns in a plot that involves not only Batman and Superman, but the entire [[Justice League of America]] (WF No. 285- No. 287, Nov 1982 - Jan 1983: "Deliver Us From Evil"; "When Hell Breaks Loose"; "Within My Heart, The Enemy"). In June/July 1981, Superman and Robin race against time to rescue a trapped Batman (WF No. 269: "Buried Alive!"). Superman and Batman battle a powerful enemy bent on killing Superman after learning that the same villain fought their counterparts on [[Earth-2]] (WF No. 271, Sep 1981: "The Secret Origins of the Superman and Batman Team!"). Next, they face the threat of the [[Weapon-Master]] (WF No. 272-274, Oct-Dec 1981: "Assault on the Fortress of Solitude!"; "Citadel of the Weapon-Master!"; "Greater Love Hath No Man").

The super team joins [[Hawkman]] in an adventure on Thanagar (WF No. 278, Apr 1982: "Assault on Thanagar!") and must face a serious threat when military villains form the [[Army of Crime]] (WF No. 279-281, May-Jul 1982: "Kidnapped!"; "General Scarr's Army of Crime!"; "War in the Streets!"). Batman and Superman travel to the beginnings of human evolution in August of 1982 (WF No. 282: "The Joy-Bringers!") and weird probes from outer space puzzle them until they figure out their true meaning (WF No. 289, Mar 1983: "The Kryll Way of Dying!"). In April and May of 1983 the heroes battle a being of solid rock who wants to activate a volcano (WF No. 290-291: "The Man With the Molten Touch!"; "The Strange Saga of Stalagron!"). The Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader foil a plot to release deadly pathogens (WF No. 292, Jun 1983: "The Anthrax Hotline!") and stop the strange threats of [[Null and Void]] - beings with the power to deaden sound and light (WF No. 293, Jul 1983: "Friends").

'''Confronting the Super-Villains'''

Superman teams with the Dynamic Duo in many exploits against master criminals that usually only plague himself or Batman and Robin in isolation. They foil the plans of the [[The Joker]] and [[Lex Luthor|Luthor]], who appear to have "reformed" but are instead involved in a villainous plan to create plundering robots (WF No. 88, May/Jun 1957: "Superman's and Batman's Greatest Foes!"). Luthor and the Joker attempt another alliance, with no better results ((WF No. 129, Nov 1962: "Joker-Luthor, Incorporated!").

In May-June 1958, Batman, Robin and Superman battle [[Lex Luthor]] (WF No. 94: â€œThe Origin of the Superman-Batman Team!â€). The Caped Crusaders help Superman when Luthor subjugates the people of [[Kandor]] (WF No. 100, Mar 1959: "The Dictator of Krypton City!") and are able to defeat a super-powered [[Batwoman]] empowered during another gambit by Lex Luthor (WF No. 117, May 1961: "The Super-Batwoman and the Super-Creature!"). In September 1959, Batwoman teams with Batman to help derail another plot by [[Lex Luthor]] to destroy Superman (WF No. 104, Sep 1959: â€œThe Plot to Destroy Superman!â€). Luthor also creates a very dangerous enemy, the [[Negative Superman]], that tests the abilities of Superman, Batman, and Robin (WF No. 126, Jun 1962: "The Negative Superman!"). Luthor confounds Batman when he attempts to auction the apparently dead Superman's organs to crime bosses (WF No. 189, Nov 1969: "The Man with Superman's Heart!"). Batman later aids Superman when Luthor tries a strange twist and uses [[Red Kryptonite]] to morph the Man of Steel into a duplicate of himself (SA No. 9, 1983: "Villain, Villain, Who's Got the Villain?").

The heroic team stifles [[Clayface]] (WF No. 140, Mar 1964: "The Clayface Superman!") and is aided by Jimmy Olsen when battling the combination of Clayface and [[Brainiac]] (WF No. 144, Sep 1964: "The 1,001 Tricks of Clayface and Brainiac!"). Clayface menaces the heoes again at a much later date ( WF No. 264, Aug/Sep 1980: "Vengeance of the Altered Man!"). In February 1967, Brainiac creates a female computer-being, [[Genia]], to help him steal five cities of Earth for his collection and to battle Superman, Batman and Robin (WF No. 164: â€œBrainiacâ€™s Super Brain-Childâ€).

Examples of other villains that decide to challenge the combined power of Superman and Batman are [[Parasite]] (WF No. 247, Oct/Nov 1977: "Last Hurrah for a Superman!"), Sinestro (WF No. 254, Dec 1978: "Whom Gods Would Destroy!"), the team of the [[Penguin]] and [[Terra-Man]] (WF No. 261, Feb/Mar 1980: "Showdown at Gotham City!"), [[Metallo (Roger Corben)|Metallo]] (WF No. 270, Aug 1981: "A Hole for Killing!"), and [[Mr. Freeze]] (WF No. 275, Jan 1982: "Summer Nights, Winter Days"). In February of 1982, [[Dr. X]] strikes in an adventure that also involves the [[The Joker| Joker]] and [[Two-Face]] (WF No. 276: "Double X Means Double Death!").

[[Image:Supe-Bat.jpg|left|thumb|At the mercy of the Composite Superman]]

Probably the most fearsome opponent to engage the World's Mightiest Team is the [[Composite Superman]], a transformed mortal with the powers of the entire 30th century [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] at his disposal. Superman and Batman are lucky to defeat this enemy, one of the most powerful known in the chronicles of either hero (WF No. 142, Jun 1964: The Origin of the Composite Superman!â€ and WF No. 168, Aug 1967: "The Return of the Composite Superman!"). Years later, a second Composite Superman, calling himself [[Xan|Amalgamax]], returns and it takes the combination of Superman, Batman, and the Legion of Super Heroes to stop him (WF No. 283, Sep 1982: "Prologue"; WF No. 284, Oct 1982: "I - Amalgamax").

'''The Competitive Spirit Between the Heroes'''

In addition to crushing criminal plans, Superman and Batman also show signs of occasional competitiveness, for example, challenging each other to determine the other's secret identity after being subject to an [[Amnesia Machine]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: "The Game of Super Identities") and an adventure in which Superman dares Batman to discover the true identity of "Nightman" - a fictional character The Man of Steel creates in Batman's mind by using mind-control (WF No. 155, Feb 1966: "Exit Batman - Enter Nightman!"). The partners get in the game when Superman and Jimmy Olsen square off against Batman and Robin in an annual duel of wits competition (WF No. 175, May 1968: â€œThe Superman-Batman Revenge Squadsâ€).

Earlier, Superman engages in a contest with Batman to determine who can do the most super-heroic deeds in a given amount of time (WF No. 76, May/Jun 1955: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€ - see: [[Professor Vohr]]). Once, aliens interested in the relative merits of the two, manipulate Superman and Batman into squaring-off after granting Batman super powers (WF No. 95, Jul/Aug 1958: "The Battle of the Super-Heroes!").

Often, the heroes tease each other with mysteries, for example, in June 1958, Superman begins receiving taunting messages from an anonymous adversary who can enter and leave his [[Fortress of Solitude]] at will and who has clearly penetrated the secret of his duel identity. The mysterious intruder, however, turns out to be none other than Batman, who had decided to present his friend Superman with the enigma of an anonymous adversary as his good-humored way of helping the [[Man of Steel]] celebrate â€œthe anniversary of Supermanâ€™s arrival on Earth from the planet [[Krypton]]!â€ (Act No. 241: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

Batman copes with an inferiority complex at one time - to alleviate this, Superman and Jimmy Olsen take Batman and Robin to Kandor, to fight crime in a place where no one has super powers (WF No. 143, Aug 1964: "The Feud Between Superman and Batman!"). In one instance, Batman and Superman take different sides in an "alien" conflict - with Batman requesting [[Supergirl]]'s help and Superman being aided by [[Batgirl]] - but the entire situation is actually a charade set-up by a dying actor hoping to engineer his greatest performance (WF No. 176, Jun 1968: "The Superman-Batman Split!").

'''The Magical Trouble Makers'''

Superman and Batman are sometimes beset by the mischief of [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] and [[Bat-Mite]], such as when the bothersome imps combine forces and impersonate Supergirl and Batgirl (WF No. 169, Sep 1967: "The Supergirl-Batgirl Plot!").

The magical pests also cause nuisance in earlier adventures (WF No. 113, Nov 1960: "Bat-Mite Meets Mr. Mxyzptlk!"; WF No. 123: Feb 1962: "The Incredible Team of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk!"; and WF No. 152: Sep 1965: "The Colossal Kids!").

== The Batmen of Parallel-Worlds! ==

In September 1963, Batman encounters an extra dimensional Superman during an unplanned visit to a [[Parallel-Worlds|parallel world]] (WF No. 136: â€œThe Batman that Nobody Remembered!â€). (See [[Red Raven]])

In March 1965, Batman and Superman are temporary catapulted into a bizarre â€œParallel-worldâ€¦ a world thatâ€™s almost like Earth in every way, but in which history had a different course than on Earth!â€ On this parallel world, the counterparts of Batman and Superman are master criminals; Robin is Batman partner in crime; [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]] were notorious criminals in their day, as was [[Thomas Wayne]], the father of Batman; Lex Luthor and Clayface are renowned champions of law and justice; Jimmy Olsen is Lex Luthorâ€™s Pal and [[Perry White]] is a prosecuting attorney. During their stay in this parallel world, Batman and Superman help their fellow lawmen, Lex Luthor and Clayface, apprehend the evil Batman and Superman before departing home (WF No. 148: â€œSuperman and Batmanâ€¦ Outlaws!â€).

In December 1965, in an [[Imaginary Stories|imaginary tale]], [[Lois Lane]] appears as the wife of [[Clark Kent]] and [[Kathy Kane]] appears as the wife of [[Bruce Wayne]] (WF No. 154: â€œThe Sons of Superman and Batman!â€ and â€œThe Junior Super-team!â€).

In November 1966, [[The Jousting Master]] tricks Superman and Batman into coming into the past in an alternate time line and parallel Earth to battle so-called alien duplicates of [[King Arthur]] and his [[Knights of the Round Table]]. As it turns out, Superman and Batman instead defeats the originals, which on this Earth, have amazing super-powers. Ultimately, Superman and Batman bring The Jousting Master to justice and restore peace on this Earth (WF No. 162: â€œPawns of the Jousting Masterâ€ & â€œThe Capture of Camelotâ€).

See Also: [[Batman of Earth-E]]

== The Bat-Family ==

[[Image:Batfamily.jpg|left|thumb]]

The Batman Family includes the following heroes: the original [[Robin]] ([[Nightwing]]), the next [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Robin]], [[Batwoman]] and her side-kick Bat-Girl (Betty Kane), [[Ace, the Bat-Hound]], and [[Batgirl]]. [[Alfred Pennyworth|Alfred]] is also a valued member of the team.

Often, the Superman Family, especially [[Jimmy Olsen]] and occasionally [[Supergirl]] participate in the same missions and cases with Batman and those closest to him. Supergirl often teams with Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen and Robin form the [[Olsen-Robin Team]] on many occasions.

== The Batcave ==

The subterranean cavern, situated beneath the mansion of millionaire [[Bruce Wayne]], which serves as the secret crime fighting headquarters of Batman and [[Robin]]. The [[Batplane]] and the [[Batmobile]] are housed there, along with trophies of the [[Dynamic Duo]]â€™s past cases and a vast array of specialized equipment. (TGSB)

== The Equipment ==

'''Batplane'''

The unique airplane, specially designed and equipped, which is the principal aircraft employed by Batman and Robin. (TGSB)

'''Batmobile'''

The unique automobile, specially designed and equipped, which is the principal land vehicle employed by Batman and Robin. (TGSB)

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman Wikipedia entry on Batman]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=batman Earth-1 Batman Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/batmanind1.html Batman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/superbatind.html Superman/Batman Team-Up Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.goldenagebatman.com The Golden Age Batman Site!]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Batman

2008-01-29T21:53:38Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Batman logo.gif|right|thumb]]

'''The Batman'''

== Overview ==
[[Image:Batman.jpg |left|thumb]]

A costumed crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for decades, waged an unrelenting battle against the forces of crime, brutality, and evil. He is secretly [[Bruce Wayne]], a millionaire socialite and philanthropist based in [[Gotham City]] who, while still a young boy, vows to dedicate his life to "warring on all criminals" after seeing his parents murdered by a hoodlum on a darkened city street. In April 1940, approximately a year after the onset of his crime-fighting career, Batman trains a young boy named [[Dick Grayson]] to be his partner, conferring on him the name [[Robin]], and thus launching the career of a crime-fighting partnership whose feats have become the stuff of legend. Like Wayne, the Boy Wonder is an orphan, his parents killed when a gangster arranges to have his trapeze-expert parents die in a circus accident. The name Robin refers to the legendary [[Robin Hood]] of English yore. As chronicled in the 1980s, Dick outgrows the Robin identity and passes it the young [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Jason Todd]].

Both Superman and Batman are founding members of the [[Justice League of America]], but following a policy dispute in 1983, Batman leaves to found his own super-team—[[The Outsiders]] (DCCP No. 83, Jul 1985: "The Shadow of the Outsider").

== Origin ==

Batman's own chronicles gradually reveal his origins as time progresses. In his first appearance, he is already established as a mysterious vigilante and [[Bruce Wayne]] is known to [[Commissioner James W. Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]] as a "socialite", perhaps without the sense of responsiblity and philanthropy that later marked his career as a millionaire businessman (Detective Comics No. 27, May 1939: "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate"). He is later joined by [[Robin]] (Detective Comics No. 38, Apr 1940: "Robin the Boy Wonder") and it is also revealed that butler [[Alfred Pennyworth]]'s family has remained in the service of the Wayne family for generations.

It is not until 1948 that the full details of Batman's origin are made known. Vowing revenge on the murderer who killed his parents (Dr. Thomas and Martha Wayne) on a street at night, young Bruce Wayne carefully acquires the skills necessary to fight crime. To do this, he "mastered scientific criminal investigation" and "trained his body to physical and athletic perfection". Wayne takes his crime-fighting name and costume from the bat, a creature of the night that he knows strikes terror in the heart of even hardened criminals. Years later, as Batman, Wayne encounters the hoodlum who shot his parents—Joe Chill—now a criminal boss running a crooked trucking operation. In carrying out his vengeance, Bruce reveals his identity to Chill, but it is Chill's own men who kill him, angry at the revelation that Chill's past homicides actually "created" the Caped Crusader who is persecuting them (Batman No. 47, Jun/Jul 1948: "The Origin of the Batman!").

== The World's Finest ==

[[Image:SupeBat.jpg|right|thumb]]
Batman is a close friend of [[Superman]] and one of the few persons privy to the closely guarded secret of Supermanâ€™s secret identity. From mid-1954 onward, Batman and Superman regularly participate in certain of their adventures together.

'''Battles Against Crime and Villainy'''

In May-June 1952, Superman and Batman meet and team up for the first time ever as they apprehend [[John Smilter]] and learn each other's secret identity while vacationing aboard the coastal cruise ship [[S.S. Varania]] (S No. 76/1: " The Mightiest Team in the World!").

In July-August 1954, Superman joins forces with Batman and [[Robin]] to apprehend a gang of criminals and prevent [[Lois Lane]] from unraveling the secret of his dual identity (WF No. 71: "Batman... Double for Superman!"). Later in 1954, they also bring the [[Heavy Weapons Gang]] to justice (WF No. 72, Sep/Oct 1954: "Fort Crime!") and battle [[The Fang]] (WF No. 73, Nov/Dec 1954: "Batman and Superman, Swamis, Inc!").

In January-February 1955, Batman, Robin and Superman help an extraterrestrial youngster stranded on Earth find his way home again (WF No. 74: "The Contest of Heroes!"). In the same year, they battle the [[Purple Mask Mob]] (WF No. 75, Mar/Apr 1955: "The New Team of Superman and Robin!"), match wits with [[Professor Pender]] (WF No. 77, Jul/Aug 1955: "The Super-Bat-Man!"), and apprehend the [[Varrel Mob]] (WF No. 78, Sep/Oct: "When Supermanâ€™s Identity Is Exposed!").

With the help of [[Professor Carter Nichols]]' time-inducing hypnosis, Batman, Robin, and Superman journey into the past where they encounter the legendary [[Aladdin]] (WF No. 79, Nov/Dec 1955: "The Three Magicians of Baghdad!"). They again go back in time to the era of the [[Three Musketeers]] in a somewhat later adventure (WF No. 82, May/Jun 1956: "The Three Super-Musketeers!"). Other instances where the heroes travel to the past are chronicled in WF No. 107, Feb 1960: "The Secret of the Time Creature!" and WF No. 132, Mar 1963: "Batman and Robin, Medieval Bandits!".

In January-February 1956, Batman, Robin and Superman trap the [[Mole]] (WF No. 80: "The Super-Newspaper of Gotham City!"). Later in 1956, they meet [[Ka Thar]] (WF No. 81, Mar/Apr 1956: "The True History of Superman and Batman!") and are honored guests at [[Gotham City]]â€™s annual policemenâ€™s ball (WF No. 83, Jul/Aug 1956: "The Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!"). When in the midst of a hurricane, Batman loses a bat-cape with his real name, [[Bruce Wayne]], sewn inside it, [[Clark Kent]] finds the lost cape and uses his X-Ray vision to burn away the tell-tale writing to help safeguard the secret of Batmanâ€™s identity (Batman No. 101, Aug 1956: "The Great Bat-Cape Hunt!"). In September-October 1956, Batman, Robin and Superman apprehend the [[Thad Linnis]] gang (WF No. 84: "The Super-Mystery of Metropolis!") and in November-December 1956, Batman, Robin and Superman meet [[Princess Varina]] (WF No. 85: "The Super-Rivals!").

In January-February 1957, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the unscrupulous machinations of [[Henry Bartle]] (WF No. 86: "The Super-Show of Gotham City!") and in March-April 1957, Superman narrates the story of a past encounter that he and Batman and Robin had with the villainous [[Elton Craig]] (WF No. 87: "The Reversed Heroes!"). The team become embroiled in an adventure involving the amazing [[Lightning-Man]] (WF No. 89, Jul/Aug 1957: "The Club of Heroes!") and find themselves forced to cope with a super-powered [[Batwoman]] (WF No. 90, Sep/Oct 1957: "The Super-Batwoman!"). In November-December, Batman, Robin and Superman apprehend [[Rick Harben]] and match wits with [[Rohtul]] (WF No. 91: "The Three Super-Sleepers!").

[[Image:FineDanger.jpg|left|thumb|from World's Finest Comics No. 96|thumb]]

In January-February 1958, Batman, Robin and Superman meet [[Skyboy]] (WF No. 92: "The Boy from Outer Space!"), and later Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the schemes of [[Victor Danning]] (WF No. 93 Mar/Apr 1958: "The Boss of Batman and Superman!"). In September 1958, Batman, Robin and Superman help a band of aliens who have journeyed to the planet Earth (WF No. 96: "The Super-Foes from Planet X!"). They return to the fight against crime when they battle [[The Condor Gang]] (WF No. 97, Oct 1958: "The Day Superman Betrayed Batman!") and the [[Moonman]] (WF No. 98, Nov/Dec 1958: "The Menace of the Moonman!"). In February 1959, Batman, Robin and Superman becomes embroiled in an adventure involving the bizarre last will and testament of eccentric millionaire [[Carl Verril]] (WF No. 99: "Batmanâ€™s Super-Spending Spree!"). In later months, they do battle with [[The Atom-Master]] (WF No. 101, May 1959: "The Menace of the Atom-Master!") and apprehend the [[Jo-Jo Groff]] gang (WF No. 102, Jun 1959: "The Caveman from Krypton!").

In August 1959, Batman, Robin and Superman join forces to outwit [[Atkins and Bork]] (WF No. 103: "The Secret of the Sorcererâ€™s Treasure!"). In November 1959, Batman, Robin and Superman match wits with the evil [[Khalex]] (WF No. 105: "The Alien Superman!!") and in December join forces to defeat the [[Duplicate Man]] (WF No. 106: "The Duplicate Man!"). At the suggestion of Batman and Robin, Superman feeds photographic data concerning life on the planet [[Krypton]] into the [[Super-Univac]] in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] together with the question, â€œWhat would Supermanâ€™s other life have been, if Krypton had not exploded?â€ The answer according to the Super-Univac, is that much about Supermanâ€™s might-have-been life would had paralleled his real one, with Superman eventually acquiring super-powers on his native planet and assuming the role of Kryptonâ€™s super-hero (S No. 132, Oct 1959: "Supermanâ€™s Other Life!" pts I-III).

In February 1960, the team of Batman, Robin and Superman annihilates an awesomely destructive "creature of energy" spawned by the "alien gases" of a "strange fireball" from outer space (WF No. 107: "The Secret of the Time Creature!"). They later meet an alien movie producer from the planet [[Kzotl]] (WF No. 108, Mar 1960: "The Star Creatures!") and become embroiled in a bizarre adventure involving a centuries-old trap set by the sorcerer [[Fangan]] (WF No. 109, May 1960: "The Bewitched Batman!"). In June 1960, Superman and Batman team up to battle and defeat an extraterrestrial alien who has stolen part of Robinâ€™s life force (WF No. 110: "The Alien who Doomed Robin!"). In August 1960, Batman, Robin and Superman join forces to apprehend [[Floyd Frisby]] (WF No. 111, Aug 1960: "Supermanâ€™s Secret Kingdom!"). Next, they journey to the planet [[Zoron]] for an encounter with the evil [[Chorn]] (WF No. 114, Dec 1960: "Captives of the Space Globes!").

In February 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart an elaborate scheme by a gang of criminals to steal $500,000 in contributions earmarked for the [[Childrenâ€™s Charity Fund]] (WF No. 115: "The Curse that Doomed Superman!"), then in March 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman encounter the weirdly transformed [[Vance Collins]] (WF No. 116: "The Creature from Beyond!").

In June 1961, Superman employs the alias of [[The Alchemist|the Alchemist]] (Batman No. 140: "{The Charmed Life of Batman!") and joins forces with Batman and Robin to thwart the dictatorial ambitions of [[Vathgar]] (WF No. 118: "The Creature That Was Exchanged for Superman!") and after a weird mixture of "upper atmosphere" gas samples in a Gotham City laboratory has temporarily transformed Batman into a colossal giant, Superman helps Batman protect the secret of his duel identity by disguising himself as Bruce Wayne, Batmanâ€™s alter ego and standing in for Wayne at a community fund dinner (Detective Comics No. 292: "The Colossus of Gotham City!"). In August 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the sinister schemes of [[General Grambly]] (WF No. 119: "The Secret of Tigerman!") and in November 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman battle the villainous [[Xanu]] (WF No. 121: "The Mirror Batman!"). In September 1961, Batman, Robin and Superman defeat an unidentified criminal who has managed to bring to life three enchanted beings, all originally created by the ancient alchemist [[Albertus]], who proceed to temporarily steal several of Supermanâ€™s super-powers (WF No. 120: "The Challenge of the Faceless Creatures!").

In March 1962, Batman, Robin and Superman help the young alien hero [[Logi]] defeat his archenemies [[Hroguth]], [[Sklur]], [[Hansh]] (WF No. 124: â€œThe Mystery of the Alien Super-Boy!â€), and then thwart the sinister machinations of [[Jundy]] (WF No. 125, May 1962: â€œThe Hostages On the Island of Doom!â€). At a later date, Batman, Robin and Superman do battle with [[Zerno]], a sorcerer from another planet (WF No. 127, Aug 1962: â€œThe Sorcerer from the Stars!â€). In September 1962, they team up to do battle with [[Moose Morans]], [[Silky Steve]], [[Sparkles Garnet]] and their gangs while Batman undergoes a bizarre transformation as a result of being exposed to [[Red Kryptonite]] (WF No. 128: â€œThe Power That Transformed Batman!â€). Later, in order to stop a strange star-shaped monster from destroying the Earth, Superman must journey to four different planets while Batman and Robin must join a traveling circus in space (WF No. 130, Dec 1962: â€œRiddle of the Four Planets!â€).

In February 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman do battle with the [[Octopus]] (WF No. 131: â€œThe Mystery of the Crimson Avenger!â€) then in March 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman capture [[Denny Kale]] and [[Shorty Biggs]] (WF No. 132: â€œBatman and Robin, Medieval Bandits!â€) later in June 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman do battle with the [[Band of Super-Villains]] (WF No. 134: â€œThe Band of Super-Villains!â€). The heroes meet [[Jon Durr]] during a time traveling journey into the future (WF No. 135, Aug 1963: â€œThe Menace of Future Man!â€).

In December 1963, Batman, Robin and Superman defeat [[General Grote]] (WF No. 138: â€œThe Secret of the Captive Caveman!â€) and later in February 1964, team up to battle the [[Sphinx Gang]] (WF No. 139: â€œThe Ghost of Batman!â€). In November 1964, Batman, Robin and Superman thwart the evil schemes of the masters of the planet [[Vor]] (WF No. 145: â€œPrison for Heroes!â€) and then in December, Batman, Robin and Superman learn the incredible story of [[Dr. Thomas Ellison]] (WF No. 146: â€œBatman, Son of Krypton!â€). In February 1965, Superman and Batman struggle to aid Robin and [[Jimmy Olsen]], whose minds have been taken over and possessed by some weirdly glowing jewels from a distant planet (WF No. 147: â€œThe New Terrific Team!â€ and â€œâ€œThe Doom of Jimmy Olsen and Robin!â€).

In March 1965, Batman and Superman are temporary catapulted into a bizarre â€œParallel-World...a world thatâ€™s almost like Earth in every way, but in which history had a different course than on Earth!â€ On this world, the counterparts of Batman and Superman are master criminals (see below - The Batmen of Parallel-Worlds!).

[[Image:Batwell.jpg|right|thumb]]

In March 1966, [[Bizarro]] creates a [[Bizarro-Batman]] to form the worldâ€™s worst team (WF No.156, Mar 1966: â€œThe Federation of Bizarro Idiotsâ€). In September 1966, Batman and Superman and Robin team up to battle [[Dr. Zodiac]] (WF No. 160: â€œThe Fatal Forecasts of Dr. Zodiacâ€ and â€œThe Unholy Horoscopesâ€). In March 1967, Superman, Batman and Robin defeat the gang lord [[King Wolff]] (WF No. 165: â€œThe Crown of Crimeâ€) then in November 1967, they team up again to thwart the evil plans of [[Victor Stark]] (WF No. 171: â€œThe Executionerâ€™s Listâ€). Later in February 1968, Superman and Batman face off against [[Dr. Arron]], a criminal chemist who creates a formula that turns Batman and Superman into [[Two-Face]] and [[Kralik]] the Conqueror (WF No. 173: â€œThe Jekyll-Hyde Heroesâ€). In March 1968, Superman and Batman do battle with robot versions of themselves (WF No. 174: â€œSecret of the Double Death-Wishâ€) and later fend off the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] and [[Batman Revenge Squad]] (WF No. 175, May 1968: â€œThe Superman-Batman Revenge Squadsâ€).

Batman and Superman turn their attention to the nefarious actions of the Mafia and its local leader, [[Karl Lukas]], in an adventure that puts Robin and [[Jimmy Olsen]] in danger (WF No. 194, Jun 1970: "Inside the Mafia Gang!"; WF No. 195, Aug 1970: "Dig Now, Die Later!"). Soon after, [[K.C. Jones]] and his minions attempt to rob a train hauling [[Kryptonite]] (WF No. 196, Sep 1970: "The Kryptonite Express!") and Batman and [[Lois Lane]] help Superman thwart a criminal hoping to raise an ancient power with the help of a rogue [[Superman Robot 15|Superman Robot]] (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!"). Batman uses his detective abilities to spoil a plan of [[Justice League of America]] adversary [[Dr. Light]] to kill Superman (WF No. 207, Nov 1971: "A Matter of Light and Death!").

Supergirl joins Batman and Superman when a group called the [[Krush]] arrive on Earth to hunt down a criminal whose only crime is dissent with the alien's philosophy of war (WF No. 211, May 1972: "Fugitive from the Stars!"). In 1973, Superman and Batman defeat the mentalist [[Capricorn]] (WF No. 218, Jul/Aug 1973: "Who is Capricorn?") and later stop a criminal from acquiring Nazi gold in South America (WF No. 219, Sep/Oct 1973: "The Prisoner of Rogues Rock!"; WF No. 220, Dec 1973: "Let No Man Write My Epitaph!").

The mighty team travels to Scotland and the home of the ancestral Wayne family to investigate paranormal problems (WF No. 225, Sep/Oct 1974: Bow Before Satans's Children!") and in another adventure, attempt a rescue only to be beaten by [[Metamorpho]] - who has already replicated their abilities within himself (WF No. 226, Nov/Dec 1974: "The Freak Who Never Fails!"). Batman and Superman stop a Tibetan mystic (WF No. 232, Sep 1975: "The Dream Bomb!") and have an adventure in orbit above the earth (WF No. 234, Dec 1975: "The Family That Fled Earth!").

In January 1976, the Caped Crusaders and the [[Man of Steel]] stop the magician known as [[Sagittarius]] from revealing Superman's identity (WF No. 235: "Superman's Stolen Birthday!"). Soon after, they are helped by the [[Atom]] when tiny invaders called "germ people" infect human beings (WF No. 236, Mar 1976: "Killers Come in All Sizes!"). The [[Metal Men]] aid them in July of 1976 (WF No. 239: "The UFOs That Stole the USA!"). In a Kandorian adventure, Superman begins to act so strangely that Batman is asked to kill him (WF No. 240, Sep 1976: "How Do You Kill a Superman?"). Superman and Batman travel with citizens aboard a space ship and even live with them on a new planet for a time (WF No. 241, Oct 1976: "Make Way for a New World!") and are joined by Robin to solve a puzzling problem brought to them by the [[Twelve Immortals]] (WF No. 244, Feb 1977: "We Are Not Alone!"). Batman and Superman next foil an evil plot to kill every living person on Earth (WF No. 244, May/Jun 1977: "Three Billion Targets!").

Superman and Batman uncover a plot to replace the world's most important leaders with clones (WF No. 248, Dec/Jan 1978: "The Lurkers!") and team with the [[Phantom Stranger]] in their next adventure (WF No. 249, Feb/Mar 1978: "The Vampire of Steel!"). The heroes stop the disembodied brain of [[Boss Dyke]] after aliens transplant it into a monster (WF No. 251, Jun/Jul 1978: "Invasion of the Deathless Brain!") and help save the reputation of [[Perry White]] (WF No. 252, Sug/Sep 1978: "Will of the Whisperer!"), and Bruce Wayne is called upon to play the role of a prince in a wedding (WF No. 253, Oct/Nov 1978: "The Third Face is Death!). In February/March 1979, Superman and Batman travel to a small town where evil cult members are summoning a strange and ancient spirit of the bat (WF No. 255, "Thou Shall Have No Other Batman Before Me!"). They then grapple with [[Lar-On]], escaped from the [[Phantom Zone]] and possessing qualities that turn him into a raging beast similar to an earth werewolf (WF No. 256, Apr/May 1979: "The Werewolf from Krypton!"). They later discover that Lar-On has passed his tendency on to others, even changing Batman into a "were-bat" (WF No. 258, Aug/Sep 1979: "The Curse of Krypton!").

Batman helps Superman solve the problem of a homeless [[Metropolis]] woman who gains the power of wish fulfillment (WF No. 257, Jul 1979: "The Innocent Who Hated!") and teams with him again to investigate the mystery of why citizens are fleeing Gotham City for Metropolis (WF No. 259, Nov 1979: Gotham City - Ghost City!"). In their next adventure, Batman is helped by Jimmy Olsen and [[Lois Lane]] in tricking aliens to release a hostage Superman (WF No. 260, Dec/Jan 1980: "The Four Billion Supermen of Earth!"). The heroes team with a young blind girl to stop a criminal with radioactive powers (WF No. 262, Apr/May 1980: "The Power of the Pi-Meson Man!") and later, Batman and Superman rescue Robin from [[Simon Magnus]] (WF No. 265, Nov 1980: "Magic Menace This Way Comes!"). In 1981, Superman and Batman must battle [[Lady Lunar]], an astronaut with the same powers as [[Moonman]] (WF No. 266, Dec/Jan 1981: "The Last Laugh of Lady Lunar!"). The heroes accept the assignment of freeing the [[Challengers of the Unknown]] so that a terrorist can be stopped (WF No. 267, Feb/Mar 1981: When Strikes the Gravity Masters!") and foil the thefts of [[Dr. Zodiac]] (WF No. 268, May 1981: "The Twelve Coins of Power!"). Zodiac returns in a plot that involves not only Batman and Superman, but the entire [[Justice League of America]] (WF No. 285- No. 287, Nov 1982 - Jan 1983: "Deliver Us From Evil"; "When Hell Breaks Loose"; "Within My Heart, The Enemy"). In June/July 1981, Superman and Robin race against time to rescue a trapped Batman (WF No. 269: "Buried Alive!"). Superman and Batman battle a powerful enemy bent on killing Superman after learning that the same villain fought their counterparts on [[Earth-2]] (WF No. 271, Sep 1981: "The Secret Origins of the Superman and Batman Team!"). Next, they face the threat of the [[Weapon-Master]] (WF No. 272-274, Oct-Dec 1981: "Assault on the Fortress of Solitude!"; "Citadel of the Weapon-Master!"; "Greater Love Hath No Man").

The super team joins [[Hawkman]] in an adventure on Thanagar (WF No. 278, Apr 1982: "Assault on Thanagar!") and must face a serious threat when military villains form the [[Army of Crime]] (WF No. 279-281, May-Jul 1982: "Kidnapped!"; "General Scarr's Army of Crime!"; "War in the Streets!"). Batman and Superman travel to the beginnings of human evolution in August of 1982 (WF No. 282: "The Joy-Bringers!") and weird probes from outer space puzzle them until they figure out their true meaning (WF No. 289, Mar 1983: "The Kryll Way of Dying!"). In April and May of 1983 the heroes battle a being of solid rock who wants to activate a volcano (WF No. 290-291: "The Man With the Molten Touch!"; "The Strange Saga of Stalagron!"). The Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader foil a plot to release deadly pathogens (WF No. 292, Jun 1983: "The Anthrax Hotline!") and stop the strange threats of [[Null and Void]] - beings with the power to deaden sound and light (WF No. 293, Jul 1983: "Friends").

'''Confronting the Super-Villains'''

Superman teams with the Dynamic Duo in many exploits against master criminals that usually only plague himself or Batman and Robin in isolation. They foil the plans of the [[The Joker]] and [[Lex Luthor|Luthor]], who appear to have "reformed" but are instead involved in a villainous plan to create plundering robots (WF No. 88, May/Jun 1957: "Superman's and Batman's Greatest Foes!"). Luthor and the Joker attempt another alliance, with no better results ((WF No. 129, Nov 1962: "Joker-Luthor, Incorporated!").

In May-June 1958, Batman, Robin and Superman battle [[Lex Luthor]] (WF No. 94: â€œThe Origin of the Superman-Batman Team!â€). The Caped Crusaders help Superman when Luthor subjugates the people of [[Kandor]] (WF No. 100, Mar 1959: "The Dictator of Krypton City!") and are able to defeat a super-powered [[Batwoman]] empowered during another gambit by Lex Luthor (WF No. 117, May 1961: "The Super-Batwoman and the Super-Creature!"). In September 1959, Batwoman teams with Batman to help derail another plot by [[Lex Luthor]] to destroy Superman (WF No. 104, Sep 1959: â€œThe Plot to Destroy Superman!â€). Luthor also creates a very dangerous enemy, the [[Negative Superman]], that tests the abilities of Superman, Batman, and Robin (WF No. 126, Jun 1962: "The Negative Superman!"). Luthor confounds Batman when he attempts to auction the apparently dead Superman's organs to crime bosses (WF No. 189, Nov 1969: "The Man with Superman's Heart!"). Batman later aids Superman when Luthor tries a strange twist and uses [[Red Kryptonite]] to morph the Man of Steel into a duplicate of himself (SA No. 9, 1983: "Villain, Villain, Who's Got the Villain?").

The heroic team stifles [[Clayface]] (WF No. 140, Mar 1964: "The Clayface Superman!") and is aided by Jimmy Olsen when battling the combination of Clayface and [[Brainiac]] (WF No. 144, Sep 1964: "The 1,001 Tricks of Clayface and Brainiac!"). Clayface menaces the heoes again at a much later date ( WF No. 264, Aug/Sep 1980: "Vengeance of the Altered Man!"). In February 1967, Brainiac creates a female computer-being, [[Genia]], to help him steal five cities of Earth for his collection and to battle Superman, Batman and Robin (WF No. 164: â€œBrainiacâ€™s Super Brain-Childâ€).

Examples of other villains that decide to challenge the combined power of Superman and Batman are [[Parasite]] (WF No. 247, Oct/Nov 1977: "Last Hurrah for a Superman!"), Sinestro (WF No. 254, Dec 1978: "Whom Gods Would Destroy!"), the team of the [[Penguin]] and [[Terra-Man]] (WF No. 261, Feb/Mar 1980: "Showdown at Gotham City!"), [[Metallo (Roger Corben)|Metallo]] (WF No. 270, Aug 1981: "A Hole for Killing!"), and [[Mr. Freeze]] (WF No. 275, Jan 1982: "Summer Nights, Winter Days"). In February of 1982, [[Dr. X]] strikes in an adventure that also involves the [[The Joker| Joker]] and [[Two-Face]] (WF No. 276: "Double X Means Double Death!").

[[Image:Supe-Bat.jpg|left|thumb|At the mercy of the Composite Superman]]

Probably the most fearsome opponent to engage the World's Mightiest Team is the [[Composite Superman]], a transformed mortal with the powers of the entire 30th century [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] at his disposal. Superman and Batman are lucky to defeat this enemy, one of the most powerful known in the chronicles of either hero (WF No. 142, Jun 1964: The Origin of the Composite Superman!â€ and WF No. 168, Aug 1967: "The Return of the Composite Superman!"). Years later, a second Composite Superman, calling himself [[Xan|Amalgamax]], returns and it takes the combination of Superman, Batman, and the Legion of Super Heroes to stop him (WF No. 283, Sep 1982: "Prologue"; WF No. 284, Oct 1982: "I - Amalgamax").

'''The Competitive Spirit Between the Heroes'''

In addition to crushing criminal plans, Superman and Batman also show signs of occasional competitiveness, for example, challenging each other to determine the other's secret identity after being subject to an [[Amnesia Machine]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: "The Game of Super Identities") and an adventure in which Superman dares Batman to discover the true identity of "Nightman" - a fictional character The Man of Steel creates in Batman's mind by using mind-control (WF No. 155, Feb 1966: "Exit Batman - Enter Nightman!"). The partners get in the game when Superman and Jimmy Olsen square off against Batman and Robin in an annual duel of wits competition (WF No. 175, May 1968: â€œThe Superman-Batman Revenge Squadsâ€).

Earlier, Superman engages in a contest with Batman to determine who can do the most super-heroic deeds in a given amount of time (WF No. 76, May/Jun 1955: â€œWhen Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€ - see: [[Professor Vohr]]). Once, aliens interested in the relative merits of the two, manipulate Superman and Batman into squaring-off after granting Batman super powers (WF No. 95, Jul/Aug 1958: "The Battle of the Super-Heroes!").

Often, the heroes tease each other with mysteries, for example, in June 1958, Superman begins receiving taunting messages from an anonymous adversary who can enter and leave his [[Fortress of Solitude]] at will and who has clearly penetrated the secret of his duel identity. The mysterious intruder, however, turns out to be none other than Batman, who had decided to present his friend Superman with the enigma of an anonymous adversary as his good-humored way of helping the [[Man of Steel]] celebrate â€œthe anniversary of Supermanâ€™s arrival on Earth from the planet [[Krypton]]!â€ (Act No. 241: â€œThe Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).

Batman copes with an inferiority complex at one time - to alleviate this, Superman and Jimmy Olsen take Batman and Robin to Kandor, to fight crime in a place where no one has super powers (WF No. 143, Aug 1964: "The Feud Between Superman and Batman!"). In one instance, Batman and Superman take different sides in an "alien" conflict - with Batman requesting [[Supergirl]]'s help and Superman being aided by [[Batgirl]] - but the entire situation is actually a charade set-up by a dying actor hoping to engineer his greatest performance (WF No. 176, Jun 1968: "The Superman-Batman Split!").

'''The Magical Trouble Makers'''

Superman and Batman are sometimes beset by the mischief of [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] and [[Bat-Mite]], such as when the bothersome imps combine forces and impersonate Supergirl and Batgirl (WF No. 169, Sep 1967: "The Supergirl-Batgirl Plot!").

The magical pests also cause nuisance in earlier adventures (WF No. 113, Nov 1960: "Bat-Mite Meets Mr. Mxyzptlk!"; WF No. 123: Feb 1962: "The Incredible Team of Bat-Mite and Mr. Mxyzptlk!"; and WF No. 152: Sep 1965: "The Colossal Kids!").

== The Batmen of Parallel-Worlds! ==

In September 1963, Batman encounters an extra dimensional Superman during an unplanned visit to a [[Parallel-Worlds|parallel world]] (WF No. 136: â€œThe Batman that Nobody Remembered!â€). (See [[Red Raven]])

In March 1965, Batman and Superman are temporary catapulted into a bizarre â€œParallel-worldâ€¦ a world thatâ€™s almost like Earth in every way, but in which history had a different course than on Earth!â€ On this parallel world, the counterparts of Batman and Superman are master criminals; Robin is Batman partner in crime; [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]] were notorious criminals in their day, as was [[Thomas Wayne]], the father of Batman; Lex Luthor and Clayface are renowned champions of law and justice; Jimmy Olsen is Lex Luthorâ€™s Pal and [[Perry White]] is a prosecuting attorney. During their stay in this parallel world, Batman and Superman help their fellow lawmen, Lex Luthor and Clayface, apprehend the evil Batman and Superman before departing home (WF No. 148: â€œSuperman and Batmanâ€¦ Outlaws!â€).

In December 1965, in an [[Imaginary Stories|imaginary tale]], [[Lois Lane]] appears as the wife of [[Clark Kent]] and [[Kathy Kane]] appears as the wife of [[Bruce Wayne]] (WF No. 154: â€œThe Sons of Superman and Batman!â€ and â€œThe Junior Super-team!â€).

In November 1966, [[The Jousting Master]] tricks Superman and Batman into coming into the past in an alternate time line and parallel Earth to battle so-called alien duplicates of [[King Arthur]] and his [[Knights of the Round Table]]. As it turns out, Superman and Batman instead defeats the originals, which on this Earth, have amazing super-powers. Ultimately, Superman and Batman bring The Jousting Master to justice and restore peace on this Earth (WF No. 162: â€œPawns of the Jousting Masterâ€ & â€œThe Capture of Camelotâ€).

See Also: [[Batman of Earth-E]]

== The Bat-Family ==

[[Image:Batfamily.jpg|left|thumb]]

The Batman Family includes the following heroes: the original [[Robin]] ([[Nightwing]]), the next [[Robin (Jason Todd)|Robin]], [[Batwoman]] and her side-kick Bat-Girl (Betty Kane), [[Ace, the Bat-Hound]], and [[Batgirl]]. [[Alfred Pennyworth|Alfred]] is also a valued member of the team.

Often, the Superman Family, especially [[Jimmy Olsen]] and occasionally [[Supergirl]] participate in the same missions and cases with Batman and those closest to him. Supergirl often teams with Batgirl and Jimmy Olsen and Robin form the [[Olsen-Robin Team]] on many occasions.

== The Batcave ==

The subterranean cavern, situated beneath the mansion of millionaire [[Bruce Wayne]], which serves as the secret crime fighting headquarters of Batman and [[Robin]]. The [[Batplane]] and the [[Batmobile]] are housed there, along with trophies of the [[Dynamic Duo]]â€™s past cases and a vast array of specialized equipment. (TGSB)

== The Equipment ==

'''Batplane'''

The unique airplane, specially designed and equipped, which is the principal aircraft employed by Batman and Robin. (TGSB)

'''Batmobile'''

The unique automobile, specially designed and equipped, which is the principal land vehicle employed by Batman and Robin. (TGSB)

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman Wikipedia entry on Batman]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=batman Earth-1 Batman Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/batmanind1.html Batman Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/superbatind.html Superman/Batman Team-Up Index by Dark Mark]
*[http://www.goldenagebatman.com The Golden Age Batman Site!]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Batcave

2008-01-29T21:51:05Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Batcave.jpg|right|thumb]]

'''The Batcave'''

The subterranean cavern, situated beneath the mansion of millionaire [[Bruce Wayne]], which serves as the secret crime-fighting headquarters of [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] (first appearance: Detective Comics No. 83, Jan 1944: "Accidentally on Purpose"). The [[Batplane]] and the [[Batmobile]] are housed there, along with trophies of the [[Dynamic Duo]]â€™s past cases and a vast array of specialized equipment. (TGSB)

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batcave Wikipedia Entry on the Batcave]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]
[[Category:Batman]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

Bizarro

2008-01-29T21:29:40Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:BizzaroBust.jpg|thumb|Bizarro #1 and Htrae]]

'''Bizarro'''

== Introduction ==

"A grotesque imitation of [[Superman]]" (Act No. 263, Apr 1960: "The World of Bizarros!") "fashioned out of lifeless matter" (Act No. 254, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!"). "Clad in an invulnerable costume just like Superman's" (Act No. 255, Aug 1959: "The Bride of Bizarro!") and endowed with all of his mighty super-powers, (Act No. 254, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!") Bizarro possesses a dim copy of Superman's super-keen mind. (S No. 140, Oct 1960: pts. I-III—"The Son of Bizarro!"; "The 'Orphan' Bizarro!"; "The Bizarro Supergirl!").

His flesh is white, the color of chalk, and his face appears faceted, as though it had been chiseled out of rock. His black hair is matted and unkempt. He is well-meaning but witless, super-powerful but pathetic. His speech is illiterate and ungrammatical. Because Bizarro's mind is an imperfect imitation of Superman's (Act No. 254, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!"), however, he is capable of flights of occasional super-genius. Because he possesses dim duplicate memories of all that Superman knows, he is well aware that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman.

Unlike Superman, Bizarro is immune to [[Green Kryptonite]], but like all Bizarro creatures, he is vulnerable to [[Blue Kryptonite]].

== Creation of Bizarro ==

Brought into being by an ingenious duplicator ray built by [[Lex Luthor]], the renegade scientist who is Superman's bitterest enemy, Bizarro is only lifeless matter in human form—a thing composed of unliving matter. "Me not human... me not creature," moans Bizarro pathetically in July 1959, "... me not even animal!"

Lex Luthor hoped to use the duplicate to attack [[Superman]]. However, this Bizarro did not cooperate and instead tried to emulate Superman. Unfortunately, his attempts to match the original's heroics were clumsy and destructive, and he kidnapped [[Lois Lane]]. Superman resolved this situation by creating a [[Bizarro-Lois]] for Bizarro. Feeling rejected by the people of Earth, he moved to the world of [[Htrae]], which had ancient advanced technology which was used to populate the planet with other Bizarros created in the same manner. Almost everyone on Htrae looked like an ugly Superman (and possessed super powers) or an ugly Lois Lane. It is to distinguish himself from all these other male Bizarros that the original Bizarro has taken to wearing a large medallion around his neck plainly identifying himself as "Bizarro No. 1." When Superman visits Htrae he is arrested for being normal, but he plea bargains a proposal to change the shape of the world into a cube for his release.

Action Comics No. 263 observes that Bizarro "is composed of nuclear matter and isnâ€™t really 'alive,' but it can move and talk and has all [Supermanâ€™s] powers and memories!" (Apr 1960: "The World of Bizarros!"). Bizarro can also think and feel and engage in reproduction: his mate, Bizarro-Lois, gives birth to a baby boy Bizarro in October 1960 (S No. 140: pts. I-III—"The Son of Bizarro!"; "The 'Orphan' Bizarro!"; "The Bizarro Supergirl!") and by February 1961 the couple have acquired a daughter (S No. 143/3: "Bizarro Meets Frankenstein!").

== The History of the Bizarros ==

Indeed, although the name Bizarro is used as a proper noun, designating Bizarro himself, it is also employed in the texts as a general term to designate any Bizarro creature. All Bizarros are imperfect duplicates of other living things; all are illiterate and ungrammatical; and all share the grotesque physical characteristics—including the chalk-white, faceted faces—peculiar to Bizarros. The first Bizarro, in fact, was an imperfect double of [[Superboy]] created by a scientist in [[Smallville]] while [[Superman]] was growing up there. When Superboy first saw the grotesque duplicate of himself, he exclaimed that it was "bizarre"; the witless creature heard him and adopted Bizarro as its name. It is by stealing the plans for the Smallville scientist's original duplicator ray that [[Lex Luthor]] is able to reconstruct the apparatus and create his own Bizarro—this one a grotesque imitation of the adult Superman—in July 1959. It is this Bizarro that is the subject of this article.

In the texts, Bizarro is often referred to as the Thing of Steel. Other texts call him "a blundering menace," "a grotesque, imperfect double" of Superman, a "pathetic, grotesque creature," and "an artificial imitation of the [[Man of Steel]] that came out imperfect!" Superman No. 174 describes him as "the imperfect, unliving duplicate of Superman who does things in a crazily mixed-up manner."

Bizarro, however, thinks of himself somewhat more generously, as the "most famous monster in history," the all-time "champion monster," the "most famous monster of all," and the "scariest monster" of all time. However, he sometimes sees himself as others do: "Me unhappy!" he declares sadly in July 1959, "Me don't belong in world of living people! Me don't know difference between right and wrong—good and evil!" (Act No. 254: "The Battle with Bizarro!")

In July 1959, working from the plans for the original apparatus used to create a [[Bizarro-Superboy]] in Smallville many years ago, renegade scientist Lex Luthor constructs an ingenious duplicator ray, which, "when it is trained on '''any''' object," either animate or inanimate, "can create a molecular duplicate" of that object, although the duplicate is always somehow imperfect, as when it creates a diamond that melts away like ice, or produces an apple weighing hundreds of pounds. "This [[duplicator ray]]," gloats Luthor to his henchman, [[Vekko]], "is going to mean '''the downfall of Superman'''!"

Soon afterward, after donning a disguise to conceal his identity and adopting the pseudonym "[[Professor Clyde]]," Luthor lures Superman to his laboratory on the pretext of having created a device capable of immunizing him against [[kryptonite]], and then bathes the Man of Steel in the ray of his duplicator. Instantly there is a puff of smoke, and when it clears, Superman finds himself confronted by Bizarro, an imperfect duplicate of himself composed of lifeless matter. For Superman, the shock of discovery has barely worn off when "Profesor Clyde" rips away his disguise to reveal the vengeful face of Luthor. "'''Obey your master, Bizarro,'''" shrieks the renegade scientist at his newly created monstrosity, "--'''fight Superman!'''"

But Bizarro does not acknowledge Luthor as his master. Sickened at the ugly countenance he sees staring back at him from the laboratory mirror--"Me not human," he moans pathetically, "...me not creature...me not even animal!"--and enraged at Luthor for having brought him to life, Bizarro shatters the mirror with a mighty blow of his fist and then seizes Luthor and Vekko as they try to escape.

"Me unhappy!" confides Bizarro to Superman as they fly their captives toward the nearest police station. "Me don't belong in world of living people! Me don't know difference between right and wrong--good and evil!"

"I'm glad he recognizes that fact!" thinks Superman to himself. "I'll have to destroy him later! It won't be like 'death' since he's only '''lifeless''' matter in human form!"

Moments later, when Superman races off to rescue a ship trapped in the path of a tidal wave, Bizarro carries Luthor and Vekko the rest of the way to the police station by himself. Pained and saddened by the fear and horror on the policemen's faces when they glimpse his ugly, monstrous face, Bizarro races off, eager to perform some good deed that will persuade people to accept him as a friend and convince them that, at heart, he is not really a monster. He rescues an airliner that has caught fire in midair and helps it land safely, but despite the fact that his selfless heroism has just saved the lives of both passengers and crew, the people on board flee from him in terror when they see that their savior is a horrifying monster.

Saddened by this cruel rebuff from the very people he tried to help, "the friendless, imitation Superman flees in blind sorrow, not watching where he is flying...." When, in his reverie, Bizarro accidentally knocks over a smokestack and a steeple, aircraft of the [[Metropolis]] Civil Defense Command attempt to shoot him out of the sky, but their "rocket-bombs"--and even an atomic bomb--have no effect on his invulnerable body. Finally, realizing how much he is hated and reviled, Bizarro hurls himself against a rocky cliff at awesome super-speed in an attempt at self-annihilation, but all he succeeds in doing is boring through the solid rock like an invulnerable human drill.

Further complications arise when an unfortunate misunderstanding leads Bizarro to the wholly erroneous conclusion that [[Lois Lane]] has fallen in love with him. Overjoyed at having at last come in contact with a person who loves him, Bizarro scoops Lois up in his arms and flies her out over the ocean to a remote, uninhabited island, where he has constructed a ramshackle, tumbledown shack for her in the pathetic belief that he has built her a beautiful "palace." When Lois delicately spurns Bizarro's urgent proposal of marriage on the ground that "'''Superman''' is the '''only''' man I could ever love," Bizarro's grotesque mind conceives a bizarre inspiration: flying swiftly to Metropolis and then returning to a remote corner of his island and returning with Lex Luthor's duplicator, Bizarro bathes himself in its eerie rays, taking care to remain unseen by the still-waiting Lois Lane. "Me figure out simple thing!" thinks Bizarro to himself. "If machine made '''imperfect''' duplicate like me, out of '''perfect Superman''', then it also work '''backwards''' and...make '''perfect Superman''' duplicate out of '''imperfect Bizarro!'''"

Indeed, as the duplicator ray works its electronic magic, Bizarro can see that his bizarre scheme has succeeded: by focusing the duplicator on himself, Bizarro has succeeded in creating an "exact double of '''Superman''', although the new creation "still has the thinking mentality of '''Bizarro'''" as well as Bizarro's illiterate, ungrammatical mode of self-expression. "Me '''[[New Bizarro|new Bizarro]]'''...handsome!" proclaims the newly created Bizarro. "You '''old Bizarro'''...ugly!"

When the so-called "new Bizarro"--which is endowed with the handsome features of Superman--returns to Bizarro's ramshackle "palace" and alights beside Lois, the attractive journalist believes that the real Superman has arrived to rescue her and eagerly accepts his proposal of marriage. "Oh, '''Superman!''' she sighs. "At last...at '''last''' my happiest hour has come! My years of waiting for you are over!"

Meanwhile, however, the real Superman has arrived on the island in time to witness the astounding spectacle of the new Bizarro proclaiming his love for Lois. He is about to show himself and intervene, when suddenly the so-called "old Bizarro" sneaks up behind him and reduces him to a state of helpless near-paralysis with a kryptonite meteor. "Now," says Bizarro with evident satisfaction, "romance of '''new Bizarro''' and Lois Lane go on!" (Act No. 254: "The Battle with Bizarro!").

From a place of concealment, with the pain-wracked Superman lying helpless on the ground beside him, Bizarro looks on happily as, not far away, his Bizarro creation, the so-called "new Bizarro," lovingly embraces the unwitting Lois Lane. "If me can't marry Lois, you not marry her either!" snaps Bizarro to Superman. And to himself he thinks, "Good! She become wife of '''new Bizarro''' before she discover I trapped '''real Superman!'''"

Suddenly, however, Lois becomes aware of the oddly illiterate speech of the man holding her in his arms and realizes that he could not possibly be Superman. And at that moment, Bizarro steps out from his place of hiding, apparently having undergone a change of heart about his plan to trick Lois into marrying the new Bizarro. "Him not real Superman!" cries Bizarro.

"Well, what is difference?" exclaims the new Bizarro to Lois. "Me still handsome! You lucky girl if you marry me!"

"Never, you...you conceited '''thing'''!" fumes Lois. "As a matter of fact, I like the first '''Bizarro better''' than you!"

"Fool girl!" exclaims the new Bizarro. "Even I better than ugly monster like him!"

A furious battle ensues between the two Bizarros, but since both possess all of Superman's mighty super-powers, both combatants remain unharmed. Superman is ultimately rescued from the effects of the paralyzing kryptonite meteor when Bizarro smashes it into powder in hopes of persuading Superman to help him destroy his handsome Bizarro creation creation, and the so-called "new Bizarro" is finally destroyed, although not by either Superman or Bizarro, when airborne dust particles from the pulverized kryptonite meteor fill its lungs and cause it to disintegrate into nothingness. Apparently, explains Superman, the new Bizarro "was such a perfect imitation of me, physically if not mentally, that he, too, was vulnerable to kryptonite!"

Not long afterward, back in Metropolis, Bizarro renews his pathetic attempts to woo Lois Lane, but Lois continues to spurn his affections. Enraged finally by Lois's repeated refusals to marry him, Bizarro carries her away again to his uninhabited island, vowing that "If me can't have you, '''Superman''' not marry you either! Me hold you prisoner at island and fight off '''Superman'''!"

The impasse is finally resolved, however, by the quick-witted Lois Lane, who shrewdly makes use of Lex Luthor's duplicator ray in order to create an imperfect duplicate of herself--a so-called [[Bizarro-Lois]]--as a fitting mate for Bizarro. Indeed, Bizarro falls in love with Bizarro-Lois the moment he sees her.

"Come, dear!" he coos happily, scooping Bizarro-Lois up in his arms and flying off into space with her. "We not be happy on Earth where people fear us! Me take you to live by ourselves on other world in faraway solar system!" (Act No. 255, Aug 1959: "The Bride of Bizarro!").

== Bizarros in Love ==

[[Image:Bizarroandloisno1.gif|thumb|Bizarro and Bizarro-Lois, 1959]]

By April 1960, Bizarro and [[Bizarro-Lois]] have arrived on a world in a far-off solar system and stumbled upon the ruins of an ancient city whose alien population was "wiped out" by some unknown calamity sometime in the distant past. The two Bizarros decide to make their home there, but as time passes Bizarro-Lois becomes lonely for "friends to talk to," and so, to fulfill his mate's need for companionship, Bizarro uses the super-scientific apparatus in the ruins of an ancient laboratory to construct an ingenious "imitator machine" with which he soon creates hundreds of Bizarro-Loises in the exact image of his mate.

Bizarro-Lois's joy at her new-found friendships quickly turns to jealousy, however, as the newly created female Bizarros begin to covet the affections of Bizarro, the only male on the planet. At the insistence of the original Bizarro-Lois, Bizarro focuses the amazing imitator machine on himself, thereby creating a host of Bizarros like himself, one for every Bizarro-Lois. Together the male and female Bizarros--all of them imperfect duplicates of [[Superman]] and [[Lois Lane]]--set about dismantling the crumbling ruins of an ancient alien city and transforming them into "a crude copy of [[Metropolis]]" which "looks like something a mad architect would design". The Bizarros christened their planet [[Htrae]], which is Earth spelled backwards. The original Bizarro became "the tribe's leader," and the original Bizarro-Lois, his consort. Together they rule their Bizarro world from atop stone thrones in a ramshackle "palace" in [[Bizarro City]].

== Birth of the Square World ==

When [[Superman]] visits the planet [[Htrae]] in April 1960 and attempts to improve the lot of its people by neatening and straightening their dilapidated homes, he is promptly arrested by a Bizarro policeman and thrown in jail on the charge of having violated the [[Bizarro Code]], which makes it a "'''big crime''' to make anything '''perfect''' on [the] '''Bizarro''' world!" Most, if not all, of the other inmates in the prison are "freak Bizarros" whose minds were somehow not affected by the imitator machine and who therefore have the physical appearance of Bizarros but think and speak normally. Convict labor consists of smashing the beautiful works of statuary found among the ruins of Htrae's vanished ancient civilization. Escape from the prison is virtually impossible, for each guard wields a rifle-like weapon called a "non-super ray" capable of permanently sapping Superman of his mighty super-powers.

As he sits in his cell awaiting trial for his "crimes," the [[Man of Steel]] receives a visit from [[Bizarro-Lois]], who offers to persuade the jury to find him innocent if he will agree to give her his hand in marriage. Superman, however, declines the offer: "Sorry, Lois!" he snaps. "I'll take my chances in court!"

"You...you beast!" cries Bizarro-Lois angrily as she stalks out of the prison cell. "You turn me down, eh? Then me will get jury to convict you...wait and see!"

Indeed, when Superman finally comes to trial in the Bizarro courtroom, charged with such heinous Bizarro offenses as "fixing houses," being handsome, and speaking "good English," his outlook seems bleak: not only is he denied an attorney and the right to defend himself, but the spurned Bizarro-Lois vindictively incites her fellow jurors into a frenzy against him, making a verdict of guilty a foregone conclusion. Indeed, after having been lambasted by the Bizarro prosecutor for his "terrible crimes" and found guilty on all counts by the prejudiced jury, Superman is sentenced by the court to pay the Bizarros' "supreme penalty": transformation into a Bizarro by means of an awesome "Bizarro ray" (Act No. 263: The World of Bizarros!").

Returned to his prison cell to await his punishment, Superman falls asleep and suffers through a long and torturous nightmare. In it, the sentence of the Bizarro-court is carried out and Superman returns to Earth after having been transformed into a Bizarro; after fashioning a special "headmask and gloves made of plastic asbestos" designed to duplicate his former, handsome appearance and conceal from the world that he is now a Bizarro, Superman resumes his customary functions as Earth's greatest super-hero, only to have an accidental explosion rip his mask and gloves to shreds soon afterwards, exposing his hideous Bizarro features and inspiring panic and revulsion in all who see him. And as the terrifying nightmare continues, its horrific aspects escalate: Superman's closest friends--[[Lois Lane]], [[Jimmy Olsen]], and [[Perry White]]--refuse to believe that the grotesque creature in their midst is really Superman; they accuse him of having murdered the real Superman and of conspiring to impersonate him; Superman is charged with murder and thrown into prison, and the only way he can save himself and establish his innocence is by producing the "real" Superman alive in open court.

Then, mercifully, "the bad dream's twisted ending shocks '''Superman ''' awake," and the Man of Steel realizes that he is still imprisoned in a jail cell on the planet Htrae. Soon afterward, one of the so-called freak Bizarros, a friendly Bizarro-Lois sympathetic to Superman's plight, offers to help Superman escape the prison by posing as the original Bizarro-Lois, the co-ruler of Htrae, and engaging the watchtower guard in conversation while the Man of Steel makes a dash for freedom. The escape plan is thwarted, however, by the unexpected arrival of the real Bizarro-Lois, and before long Superman finds himself being marched into the prison courtyard to have his court-decreed sentence carried out.

At the last possible instant, however, just as the awesome Bizarro ray is about to be used to transform him into a Bizarro, Superman hits upon and ingenious stratagem: after requesting, and being granted, an opportunity to present new evidence in his behalf, Superman tells the Bizarro court that every Bizarro on Htrae is as guilty of violating the Bizarro Code as he is, since every Bizarro has "one perfect thing."

[[Image:BizarroP5.jpg|center|thumb|The Bizarro world is "the strangest, wackiest planet in the universe...!"]]

To prove his thesis, Superman hastily constructs a TV satellite and hurls it into orbit around the Bizarro planet, so that it can begin transmitting back outer-space views of the Bizarro world. Using these satellite views of Htrae as his evidence, the Man of Steel argues that every Bizarro on Htrae is guilty of living on a perfect, round world and is therefore in violation of the Bizarro Code. On the basis of this argument, Superman is acquitted of the charges against him and released from custody, along with the freak Bizarro-Lois who tried to help him break out of prison. Before returning to Earth, Superman constructs a "super-large bulldozer" and, to the great delight of the Bizarro population, transforms their planet from a round world into a cube-shaped one so that each and every Bizarro can feel happier, knowing that he lives on an imperfect world (Act No. 264, May 1960: "The Superman Bizarro!").

== Bizarro's Desert Fortress ==

In October 1960, in the middle of an arid desert somewhere on [[Htrae]], Bizarro constructs his Fortress of Bizarro (Bizarro refers to it as his "[[Fourtriss uv Bizarro]]"), a crude imitation of [[Superman]]'s [[Fortress of Solitude]]. Among other items, this ramshackle secluded retreat contains the "Bizarro ray," once almost used to transform Superman into a Bizarro, and a "collection of worthless junk," analogous to Superman's valuable collection of trophies, accumulated from various parts of the Bizarro world.

== The First Son of Htrae ==

Returning home from the task of building his Fortress, Bizarro finds that, in his absence, [[Bizarro-Lois]] has given birth to a son, the first Bizarro actually born on the planet as opposed to having been artificially created by Bizarro's imitator machine. Bizarro's initial joy at having become a father quickly turns into horror, however, when he sees that his infant son has been born "a freak," a handsome baby, with perfect human features, whose very existence is a violation of the [[Bizarro Code]]. Even Bizarro-Lois finds him ugly, "a disgrace to [the] name of Bizarro!"

Although Bizarro and Bizarro-Lois love their "[[Bizarro Junior|baby Bizarro]]" despite his appearance, his perfect human features inspire loathing and outrage throughout the Bizarro world, and when an angry mob of Bizarros descends on his home, Bizarro hastily departs his planet and hides the youngster inside a "strange metal shell" he finds floating in outer space. Then Bizarro returns home again to protect his mate from the angry mob.

Unbeknownst to Bizarro, however, the strange metal shell where he hid his son is a space-probe satellite from the planet Earth, and by the time the mob has dispersed and Bizarro flies into space again to retrieve his son, the satellite has been drawn back to Earth by remote control, and the Bizarro baby, who has all the appearance of an ordinary human infant, has been found near the side of the road by a passing couple and entrusted to the care of the [[Midvale Orphanage]], the same orphanage where [[Supergirl]] lives in her [[Linda Lee]] identity.

When Linda Lee discovers that the newly arrived infant is endowed with super-powers, suggesting that he was born on a planet other than Earth, she and [[Superman]] spirit him away to the [[Fortress of Solitude]] so that they can keep a close eye on him while they attempt to unravel his origins. Bizarro, meanwhile, distraught at his child's disappearance, chances to focus his telescopic vision on the planet Earth and sees his infant son romping in the Fortress of Solitude. His immediate impulse is to fly to Earth and reclaim the baby, but Bizarro-Lois tearfully restrains him, arguing that their son will always be branded a freak on [[Htrae]] and is therefore probably better off being allowed to remain on Earth. Soon afterward, however, the Bizarro baby's perfect human features undergo a sudden, dramatic transformation into imperfect, Bizarro features, a transformation typical of all newborn Bizarros, but one with which both Superman and the Bizarros are unfamiliar since this is the first Bizarro infant ever born.

Homing in on Earth once again with his telescopic vision, and seeing that his son has somehow become transformed into a true Bizarro, Bizarro flies earthward to reclaim his son, but a complication has arisen in the form of a newly created [[Bizarro-Supergirl]], a Bizarro duplicate of Supergirl brought into being accidentally when the Bizarro baby inadvertently activated [[Lex Luthor]]'s duplicator ray while it was focused on Supergirl inside the Fortress of Solitude. Her maternal instincts aroused by the Bizarro baby, the Bizarro-Supergirl insists on keeping it for her own, refusing to surrender it to either Bizarro or Superman. Enraged at what he now sees as the kidnapping of his son, Bizarro angrily announces that Htrae has declared war on Earth and then races homeward to assemble a Bizarro army.

As the forces of Htrae streak toward Earth, however, Superman assembles a pile of [[Green Kryptonite]] meteors on an asteroid directly in the path of the advancing Bizarro army and, by means of Lex Luthor's duplicator ray, creates a mound of "Bizarro-kryptonite," or "[[Blue Kryptonite]]," an imperfect form of [[kryptonite]] that is harmless to Superman but deadly to Bizarros. "It's harmful to '''you''', but not '''me'''!" cries Superman, as the demoralized Bizarros begin a hasty retreat back to Htrae to devise a new war plan. "Go back...or else!"

Before the Bizarro army can renew its attack on Earth, however, Superman resolves the conflict and averts further hostilities by using a chunk of the newly created blue kryptonite to sufficiently weaken the Bizarro-Supergirl to enable him to snatch the Bizarro baby away from her and reunite it with its grateful parents on Htrae. The Bizarro-Supergirl suffers a grisly fate soon afterward, however, when, while spying on the Bizarro world in hopes of stealing the baby back again, she unwittingly lands on the asteroid containing Superman's mound of blue kryptonite and is fatally poisoned by its toxic radiations. "Poor creature!" observes Superman grimly. "It's better this way!" (S No. 140: pts I-III—"The Son of Bizarro!"; "The 'Orphan' Bizarro!"; "The Bizarro Supergirl!").

== Bizarro vs. Frankenstein ==

By February 1961 Bizarro and [[Bizarro-Lois]] have apparently acquired a second child, because now they are depicted as having two young children, a boy and a girl. During this period, Bizarro becomes enraged when, while watching a television program beamed from Earth, he sees a promotional announcement for a forthcoming movie that hails the [[Frankenstein Monster]] as the "world's scariest monster." Shaken and humiliated by this challenge to his primacy as history's "champion monster," Bizarro leaves the comfort of his [[Htrae|Bizarro world]] and streaks angrily toward Earth, determined to frighten the wits out of Frankenstein himself if need be in order to establish once and for all, beyond any doubt, that "'''Bizarro Number One''' am also '''Monster Number One!'''"

Arriving in Hollywood, where the forthcoming Frankenstein movie is being filmed, Bizarro sets out to restore his good name by scaring everyone in sight. Despite his hideous appearance and admittedly shuddery demeanor, however, fate keeps stepping in, in the form of misunderstandings and freakish coincidences, to prevent Bizarro from frightening anyone, as when he attempts to terrify a clutch of lovely starlets, only to have them assume he must really be [[Superman]] disguised in a monster-mask and line up eagerly to hug and kiss him. Finally, however, realizing that Bizarro is likely to remain on Earth until he has convinced himself that he has made his point, Superman steps in surreptitiously to make it appear as though Bizarro has succeeded in scaring a host of Hollywood actors out of their skins. Thus reassured of his supremacy as the "scariest monster in history," Bizarro heads homeward toward the planet Htrae, pausing only to acquire a Superman marionette with which to amuse his children, for on the Bizarro world Superman is "the world's worst monster," and a Superman marionette is guaranteed to frighten youngsters out of their wits (S No. 143/3: "Bizarro Meets Frankenstein!").

== Other Adventures ==

[[Image:Bizarroamstoopid.gif|left|thumb|Bizarro praises his written adventures, 2001.]]

In October 1961, when [[Superman]] is put in the almost impossible position of having to pay $1,000,000,000 in income taxes within 24 hours, Bizarro becomes aware of his plight and streaks to his aid, but the witless monster's well-intentioned efforts to help the [[Man of Steel]] only succeed in destroying the millions of dollars' worth of ivory tusks that Superman has gathered from an elephants' graveyard in Africa to help pay his taxes (S No. 148/3: "Superman Owes a Billion Dollars!"). (See [[Rupert Brand]])

In January 1962, when Superman and the other survivors of the exploded planet [[Krypton]]--including [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, the citizens of [[Kandor]], and even the villains imprisoned in the [[Phantom Zone]]--bow their heads solemnly for one full minute of silence to commemorate the anniversary of the destruction of Krypton, Bizarro and all the other Bizarros of [[Htrae]] celebrate the occasion with a full minute of loud, joyously raucous noise, not out of any malice for the doomed millions of Krypton, but only out of the zaniness that characterizes their race.

"Ha, ha!" laughs Bizarro. "'''Is everybody happy?...Yahooo!!!'''"

"Too bad whole universe didn't blow up with it!" chimes in [[Bizarro-Lois]] insanely (S No. 150/1: "The One Minute of Doom!").

In November 1962, when millions flock to [[Metropolis]] from the far reaches of the universe to participate in the city's gala [[Superman Day]] celebration, Bizarro streaks to Earth from his home on Htrae to wish Superman an "unhappy Superman day" and present him with a package containing a chunk of [[Green Kryptonite]]. "Good! cackles Bizarro zanily, as the Man of Steel collapses in agony from the [[kryptonite]] radiations. "'''Superman''' faint for joy when he see present. Me know he like kryptonite the most!"

Lying on the ground, stricken and helpless, unseen by his friends or passersby, Superman is rescued from seemingly certain death by Little Leaguer [[Steven Snapinn]], who spots the Man of Steel in trouble in the nick of time and places the kryptonite in a [[lead]] container where it will be unable to harm him (S No. 157/3: "Superman's Day of Doom!").

In May 1964 Bizarro and his fellow Bizarros invade the Earth, determined to prove to Superman how much they like him. "To prove us like you," announces Bizarro, demolishing a globe on one of Metropolis's statues with a mighty blow of his fist, "us will smash your planet--like so!!"

Before actually getting down to the business of destroying the planet, however, the Bizarros fly around the world performing their own wacky version of good deeds--putting new arms on the [[Venus de Milo]], mending the crack in the [[Liberty Bell]], and straightening the [[Leaning Tower of Pisa]]--all the while congratulating themselves on the gratitude they are undoubtedly earning from Earth people with their acts of goodwill. Horrified that the Bizarros may actually use their super-powers to make good their vow to "smash the planet," Superman is relieved beyond description when the zany monsters finally keep their promise by demolishing the decorative globe atop the [[Daily Planet]] Building before streaking away again into outer space (S No. 169/3: The Bizarro Invasion of Earth!").

In January 1965, during a brief visit to the planet Earth, Bizarro creates a giant statue in the image of [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]] which proves to be the undoing of the mischievous extradimensional imp (S No. 174/2: "Super-Mxyzptlk...Hero!"). (TGSB)

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizarro Wikipedia entry on Bizarro]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=bizarro Bizarro Index by Mike]

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Pests]]
[[Category:Bizarros]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]

General Zod

2008-01-29T21:23:00Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Zod.gif|right|thumb]]
aka '''Dru-Zod (General)'''

[[Kryptonian]] general who, prior to the destruction of the planet [[Krypton]], used a duplicator ray to create a private army of imperfect duplicate robots, similar in appearance and speech pattern to the later [[Bizarro]]s created on Earth, to assist him in his attempt to overthrow the government of Krypton and make himself dictator. (Adv No. 283/1, Apr 1961: "The Phantom Superboy!")

Zod earned his promotion to General for preventing [[Zo-Mar]] from taking [[Fort Rozz]] and enslaving [[Krypton]]. (DCCP No. 84, Aug 1985: "Give Me Power... Give Me Your World!")

While still the Military Director (S No. 233/2, Jan 1971: "Jor-El's Golden Folly!") of "the Kryptonian Space Center," Zod met a promising young scientist named [[Jor-El]], not yet father of [[Superman]], who was just joining the staff. General Zod welcomed him with, "A young man with your talents can make quite a name for himself in rocketry!" (WK No. 1, Jul 1979: "The Jor-El Story!")

Presumably, his role at the Space Center was insufficient for the ambitious General, who decided to populate Krypton with emotionless robot duplicates of himself. Each of the duplicates "emerged from Zod's machine an imperfect duplicate of himself!" wanting to "...overthrow Krypton! Make General Zod dictator!"

After the failed attempt, the jury at his trial condemned Zod to spend 40 years in the [[Phantom Zone]] for his crimes (Adv No. 283/1: "The Phantom Superboy!").

==External Link==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Zod Wikipedia Entry on General Zod]

[[Category:Entries|Zod,General]]
[[Category:Dictators|Zod,General]]
[[Category:Aliens|Zod, General]]
[[Category:Kryptonians|Zod,General]]
[[Category:Villains|Zod,General]]
[[Category:Phantom Zone Inhabitants|Zod, General]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Zod, General]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Zod, General]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Zod, General]]

Superboy

2008-01-29T21:11:45Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Evosuperboy.jpg|left]]
'''The Adventures of [[Superman]] when he was a boy!''' <br>
Birth name: [[Kal-El]]
<br>
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|thumb]]

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|thumb]]

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 noone 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," but 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 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 two immortal beings 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. (Pete Ross attempts to condemn the house years later, 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|thumb]]

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 =

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://members.shaw.ca/legion_roll_call/legionnaires/superboy/ Kal-El's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=sboy Superboy Index by Mike]
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/superboyind1.htm Superboy Index by Dark Mark]

[[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)]]

Krypto

2008-01-29T20:55:28Z

Copperchair:

'''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 [[Space Canine Patrol Agency]], 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|thumb]]
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. 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|thumb]]
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.

Later chronicled exploits include Krypto operating separately from his Kryptonian master, aiding various humans. He aided the Legion of Super-Pets on several occasions, developing a working relationship with [[Comet]], [[Beppo]] and several other superpowered animals (Adv No. 293, Feb 1962: "The Legion of Super-Traitors" and others). Krypto was left without a memory and wandering space for years after a battle with an alien being known as the [[Mindbreaker Beast]] before returning to Earth once more (S No. 287, May 1975: "Who Was That Dog I Saw You With Last Night?").

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krypto Wikipedia Entry on Krypto]
*[http://members.shaw.ca/legion_roll_call/reserve/pets/krypto/ Krypto's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]

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

Lex Luthor

2008-01-29T20:51:21Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:SVow.gif|left|thumb|Luthor's Vow art by Curt Swan]]

'''Lex Luthor'''

"There was a time, years ago, when all young Lex Luthor wanted was to be President of the United States." - ''Miracle Monday''

== Introduction ==

The warped scientific genius who has been [[Superman]]'s most dangerous enemy for over six decades. An evil genius and avowed enemy of humanity, he is the greatest renegade scientist of all time and one of the most dangerous evil-doers in the universe.

In the first encounter with Superman, Luthor describes himself as "Just an ordinary man - but with the brain of a super-genius!" (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), yet the texts portray him as a crazed scientist and master-fiend, a wily scientific genius with a consuming urge to conquer the world.

"A power-mad, evil scientist, Superman's most inveterate hater, is Luthor. He could have been a mighty force for good in the world yet he chose to direct his great scientific brain into criminal channels" (Act No. 47, Apr 1942).

== Appearance ==

The texts describe Lex Luthor as as man of "insane conceit" and "incredible evil features." Particularly in his early appearances, he is unbelievably ruthless.

In his earliest appearances in the chronicles, Luthor has a full head of bright red hair, although in one text his hair is colored a dark, purplish gray. From 1941 onward, however, Luthor is portrayed as completely bald-headed, an aspect of his physical appearance which he retains to this day. In the early 1960s, however, after the history of Luthor's relationship with Superman has been revised in the chronicles to allow for the creation of adventures pitting Luthor against the Man of Steel during the period when both men were teen-agers, it is stated that Luthor's baldness was originally caused by an accidental laboratory explosion that occured while the two were still youngsters in Smallville. "My arch-enemy, Luthor, might have been the world's greatest benefactor!" sighs Superman aloud in November 1962. "But he lost his hair in an accidental explosion and blamed me for his baldness! In his bitterness he became Earth's most evil criminal scientist!"

== Luthor's secret hideouts and headquarters ==

In the course of his villainous career, Luthor has employed numerous secret hideouts and headquarters - places where he could perfect his diabolical inventions and concoct his intricate schemes, safe, at least for a time, from the prying eyes of Superman. Over the years, Luthor's hideouts have included a complex of buildings held aloft by a giant dirigible high above the stratosphere, a glass-enclosed city of ancient, weird design, an abandoned factory, a gigantic man-made meteor floating in outer space, an abandoned barn, a secret underground lab, a giant spaceship, a secret mountaintop laboratory, an electronics firm, a hidden laboratory on the outskirts of Metropolis, a laboratory hideout that has been lined with lead to conceal it from Superman's X-ray vision, a massive fortresslike citadel on a lonely mountaintop north of Metropolis, a lonely farmhouse in the mountains north of Metropolis, a secret lead-lined subterranean hideout built into the side of a grassy hill, and the elaborately equipped [[Luthor's Lair]], [[Luthor's Lair II]], and [[Luthor's Lair No. 5]].

== Luthor's Aliases ==

Aliases and alternate identities employed by Luthor in the course of his villainous career have included [[Zytal]], [[Carlyle Allerton]], [[Mr. Smith]], [[Professor Clyde]], [[Professor Guthrie]], The [[Defender]], and [[Luthor the Noble]].

== Lex Luthor on Lexor ==

[[Image:Action_Comics_544.jpg|right|thumb|Action # 544, Lex Luthor (left) with battlesuit typical of Lexorian technology]]

On the far distant planet of [[Lexor]], the one world in the universe where Luthor is considered a hero, Luthor's exploits have been glorified by the dedication of a [[Luthor Museum]] and by the erection of a gigantic standing statue of Luthor in Lexor's capital city. For his part, Luthor returns the favor to some degree by assisting the Lexorians with their problems while using the planet both as his base of operations and arsenal. In June 1983, Lexor along with its entire population, is inadvertantly and totally destroyed by Lex Luthor in a battle against Superman when an energy blast from Lex's battlesuit accidentally overloads a device called the Neutrarod that he built to quiet the planet's dangerous sesimic activity. Although profoundly aggrieved at the tragedy, Luthor blindly refuses to accept responsibility for it and blames Superman with even greater ferocity. (Act No. 544/1: "Luthor Unleashed")

== Luthor's relatives ==

Luthor's relatives include his late Lexorian wife [[Ardora]], his late son [[Lex Luthor, Jr.]] and his sister [[Lena Thorul]], who is gifted with the power of extrasensory perception. His descendants include an heroic 30th Century namesake, who is a member of the [[Adult Legion of Super-Heroes]], and the ruthless [[Rohtul]], a villain also living in the thirtieth century A.D.

== Lex Luthor Vs Superman ==

[[Image:Luthor.jpg|right|thumb|Luthor has Superman at his mercy by Curt Swan]]

â€œ. . . for years and years, Luthor has been Supermanâ€™s arch-enemy, stooping to any lengths to destroy the Man of Steel he so bitterly hates!â€ (S No. 149, Nov 1961: pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Lex Luthor, Hero!â€; â€œLuthorâ€™s Super-Bodyguard!â€; â€œThe Death of Superman!â€).

Luthorâ€™s lifelong goal has always been â€œmastery of the worldâ€ (Act No. 47, Apr 1942: â€œPowerstoneâ€; and many others) as the first stage of his even grander scheme â€œto dominate the universeâ€ (S No. 43/3, Nov/Dec 1946: â€œThe Molten World!â€; and others). Described as â€œthe mad scientist who plots to dominate the Earthâ€ (S No.4, Spr 1940), and as â€œthe super- scientist who aspires to world dominationâ€ (Act No. 42, Nov 1941), Luthor has a driving â€œambition to rule the Earthâ€ (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€) and to establish himself as undisputed â€œworld dictatorâ€ (S No. 48/1, Sep/Oct 1947:
â€œThe Man Who Stole the Sun!â€). â€œ. . [B]efore Iâ€™m done,â€ vows Luthor in November 1962, â€œthe universe will tremble at the name of Lex Luthor!â€ (Act No. 294: â€œThe Kryptonite Killer!â€).

On more than hundreds of separate occasions, Superman has intervened valiantly to thwart Luthor's seething ambition for power.

Although Superman clearly considers Luthor one of the world's greatest scientists, despite the fact that he is a criminal, the Man of Steel has also described Luthor as a "madman" and a "fiend" and numbered him among the world's worst villains. "With that fantastic brain of his," reflects [[Clark Kent]] in September 1962, "Luthor is a menace to the entire universe!"

"Of all Superman's foes," notes ''Action Comics'' No. 294, "none is more relentless than Luthor, Earth's most evil criminal scientist! Luthor's driving ambition has always been to enslave the Earth, but Superman has always stood in the way!"

"For years, Lex Luthor has been Superman's arch-foe! Time and again has this master-criminal used his scientific genius to aid the forces of evil! But in spite of the incredible dangers, Superman has always managed to bring Luthor to justice!" (Act No. 292, Sep 1962: "When Superman Defended his Arch-Enemy")

In his effort to destroy Superman and thereby pave the way for his conquest of the universe, Luthor has created "Luthorite," synthesized [[kryptonite]], and produced dozens of extraordinary inventions. He has, however, despite his genius, shown scant insight into the vast difference in values that sets him irrevocably apart from his super-powered opponent.

Luthor has fought more than one hundred separate battles with Superman. Superman's mementos of these mighty battles - including confiscated weapons, inventions, and other devices - are on display in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] and in the [[Superman Museum]]. At least one of Luthor's inventions - a device designed to summon beings from the fourth dimension - is on display in the Fortress of Solitude's forbidden weapons of crimedom exhibit, while four of his super-scientific weapons - a money magnet, a vault-blaster, an earthquake maker, and an atomic death ray - are on display, along with a bust of Luthor, in the Fortress's wax museum of crime.

In addition to the hatred he harbors for Superman, Luthor also seethes with hostility toward Supermanâ€™s friends. â€œIâ€™m also going to . . . destroy Clark Kent!â€ he vows in March 1952, unaware that [[Clark Kent]] and Superman are one and the same man. â€œHeâ€™s the one who exposes all my rackets in his newspaper articles... !â€œ (Act No. 166: â€œThe Three Scoops of Death!â€).

Although Superman first encounters Luthor in April 1940, when both men are full-grown adults, the later chronicles extend the relationship between the two adversaries all the way back to their boyhood in Smallville, where Superman and Luthor were close boyhood friends until the day when Luthor lost his hair in an accidental laboratory mishap that he misguidedly blamed on the teen-aged Superman. In his bitterness, Luthor became Earth's most evil criminal scientist and the greatest enemy Superman has ever known.

"Ever since they first clashed as boys in Smallville,"'' notes Superman No. 170, ''"Superman has time and again thwarted the evil schemes of his arch-foe, Lex Luthor."

[[Category:Entries|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:People|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Scientists|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Villains|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Lex Luthor|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:LL|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Luthor, Lex]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_Luthor Wikipedia Entry on Lex Luthor]
*[http://members.shaw.ca/legion_roll_call/future/lex_luthor/ Entry for the heroic 30th Century Lex Luthor at the LSH Clubhouse]

Green Kryptonite

2008-01-29T20:41:54Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Kfear.jpg|right|thumb]]

'''Green Kryptonite'''

"What poison is to the average human being, Green Kryptonite is to [[Superman]]! Indeed, the only thing the [[Man of Steel]] has to fear in the entire universe is the ghastly green substance which was flung into space when the planet [[Krypton]] exploded!" (Act No. 291/1, Aug 1962: "The New Superman!").

When the planet Krypton exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planet's core, all of Krypton's atomic elements "fused to become one deadly compound," a compound later to become known as [[Kryptonite|kryptonite]] (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: 'Superman Returns to Krypton!"). Sent hurtling into outer space by the force of the cataclysm, these "dazzling particles" of the demolished planet, all "laden with cosmic energy," were scattered throughout the far reaches of the universe in the form of meteors and meteoric fragments, emitting a deadly radiation to which only [[Kryptonian]] survivors are vulnerable (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"), "When a radioactive chain reaction exploded my native planet Krypton, long ago," notes Superman in August 1960, "chunks of Green Kryptonite were formed! They scattered throughout space as meteors Their peculiar radioactive rays can bring kryptonite-fever and death to any person from Krypton...but are harmless to Earth people!" (S No. 139/3: "The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!").

In the texts, Green Kryptonite is referred to as "the strange element given off by the explosion of the planet Krypton" (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"); "the deadly rock-like element from the exploded planet Krypton whose radiations can paralyze Superman" (Act No. 142, Mar 1950: "The Conquest of Superman!"); "the one substance.., that can overpower the Man of Steel" (Act No. 152, Jan 1951: "The Sleep That Lasted 1000 Years"); "the rare element, whose mysterious radiation is the only known force capable of overcoming Superman" (WF No. 50, Feb/Mar 1951: "Superman Super-Wrecker"); "a baleful new element whose rays affect only natives of Krypton" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"); "the meteor metal caused by the explosion of Superman's native planet" (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Superman Pageant!"); "the rare element from the shattered planet Krypton whose radiations have a deadly effect on Superman" (Act No. 174, Nov 1952: "The Man Who Shackled Superman!"); the "one element in all the universe can overcome" Superman (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman"); "the one substance that can destroy" Superman (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"); "the one substance in the universe feared by Superman" (Act No, 236, Jan 1958: "Superman's New Uniform!") and "Superman's one fatal flaw" (S No. 136/2, Apr 1960: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

In the words of Superman No. 84/2 -- "Kryptonite, the radioactive particles of the former planet Krypton on which Superman was born, and which later exploded, is the one substance in the universe that can affect the mighty Man of Steel! Since kryptonite fragments still float in space after the explosion of the planet, some particles often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors" [Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"].

"Bullets! ... Fire! ... Bombs!... Acid! I'm immune to them all!" muses Superman ruefully in July 1959. "But kryptonite is my [[Achilles]] heel ... the only substance in the universe that can harm me! It was originally formed years ago...when the planet Krypton, the world on which I was born, blew up! A nuclear chain-reaction converted every chunk of the exploding world into glowing Green Kryptonite!" (S No. 130/1: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

Recent texts assert that the entire planet Krypton and every single thing on it was transformed into kryptonite by the force of the cataclysm (Act No. 314/1, Jul 1964: "The Day Superman Became the Flash!"; and many others). Numerous earlier texts, however, maintain that whereas the planet itself was transformed into kryptonite, its buildings and other artifacts of civilization were not (S No. 74/1, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Lost Secrets of Krypton!"; and many others).

Green Kryptonite is a radioactive (S No. 89/3, May 1954: "One Hour to Doom!") metal (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Superman Pageant!") which is characterized by a distinctive "greenish glow" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"; and others) and "has certain properties similar to [[radium]]" (Act No. 167, Apr 1952: "The Machines of Crime!"). Colored red in its initial textual appearance (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"), Green Kryptonite has been colored green in every text since then. Although Action Comics No. 158 states flatly that "No substance will screen kryptonite's rays...not even [[Supermanium]]" (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), innumerable texts have maintained since then that Green Kryptonite radiations are unable to penetrate [[Lead|lead]] (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!"; and many others). It is interesting that though Superman may not be able to resist the effects of Green Kryptonite, or make himself generally immune to it as a substance, one account tells of [[Superboy]] gathering very specific pieces of Green Kryptonite so that he gains immunity to at least those particular chunk's deadliest effects -- in this case so he might use them to later battle Kryptonian criminals exiled in space before the [[Phantom Zone]] was used (SB No. 58/3, Jul 1957: "The Great Kryptonite Mystery").

In March-April 1954, Superman neutralizes the radioactivity of a Green-Kryptonite meteor merely by plunging it into the ocean (WF No. 69: "Jor-El's Last Will!"), but the notion that the baleful effects of kryptonite can be neutralized by seawater is contradicted by numerous other texts: "Ah! My X-ray vision shows a kryptonite meteor that fell to the sea bottom!" muses Superman in December 1958. "But to pick it up, I'll need the protection of lead, which alone can stop the deadly radiations!" (Act No. 247: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and many others).

According to Action Comics No. 158, powerful acids and even man-made lightning cannot destroy Green Kryptonite (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), but Superman has successfully melted the substance with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"; and others) and Green Kryptonite meteors dissolve completely when subjected to the searing heat at the core of the sun (WF No. 61, Nov/Dec 1952: "Superman's Blackout"; see also Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exitâ€”Superman!"). The reason Green-Kryptonite meteors do not burn up from air friction when they enter Earth's atmosphere is that "kryptonite can't combine chemically with oxygen, which causes combustion!" (S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!"; see also Act No. 267/1, Aug 1960: "Hercules in the 20th Century!").

Assuming that the necessary advanced technology were available to utilize it, Green Kryptonite could become an invaluable source of atomic power. It retains its radioactivity "for centuries" (Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exitâ€”Superman!") and is described as a more potent power source than uranium (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"). Its principal drawback appears to be that it "crumbles and destroys any generator" in which it is utilized (Act No. 224, Jan 1957: "The Secret of Superman Island!"), but this has not prevented at least one group of extraterrestrial aliens from developing a powerful "rocket fuel composed of liquid Green Kryptonite" (Act No. 296/1, Jan 1963: "The Invasion of the Super-Ants!"). Green Kryptonite also has properties that nourish the development of certain forms of plant life (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: "Caveman Clark Kent!"). It also proves to be a key ingredient in the formula devised by [[Brainiac 5]] for a serum that helps [[Mon-El]] survive exposure to lead (Adv No. 316/2, Jan 1964: "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes!").

[[Image:Yumsyums.gif|thumb|Superman eats a now-inert piece of kryptonite.]]

In January 1971, [[Professor Bolder]] attempts to harness a "super chain-reaction" in kryptonite in order to to generate electrical power. He fails and the uncontrolled feedback changes much of the Green Kryptonite on Earth to iron (S No. 233/1: "Superman Breaks Loose"). However, [[Synthetic Kryptonite]] and the many fragments of the material still in space remain.

Although numerous texts describe Green Kryptonite as an exceedingly rare substance (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman"; and many others), noting that â€œkryptonite meteors that [fall] on Earth are rareâ€ (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton"), other texts, admittedly fewer in number, maintain that "kryptonite meteors often fall from space" (S No. 134, Jan 1960: chs. I-IIIâ€”"The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"; "The Revenge Against Jor-El!"; "The Duel of the Supermen!") and that "particles [of kryptonite] often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors!" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). On balance, however, the evidence of the texts is that Green Kryptonite is "very rare" and not easily acquired (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. I-IIâ€”"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"; and others).

It is presumably the scarcity of Green Kryptonite, combined with its crushingly debilitating effect on Superman, that has motivated a number of villains to find ways to synthesize it. [[Lex Luthor]] creates the first synthetic kryptonite in February 1950 by ingeniously fusing together "a mammoth pearl from one of the giant oysters miles down under the sea"; "a couple of handfuls of dust from the dark side of the [[Moon|moon]]â€; "pollen from the man-eating homocessandi plant deep in the Asiatic jungles"; and "a bit of the rare chemical binarium, preserved in the soil by a thousand years of glacial frost" (Act No. 141: "Luthor's Secret Weapon").

[[Dr. Vallin]] devises a formula for synthesizing Green Kryptonite in January-February 1952 that calls for stockpiling [[gold]], silver, lead, and bismuth and then "fusing the...ore with acid and crackling electricity" (WF No. 56: "The Superman Pageant!").

A third method of synthesizing kryptonite, successfully employed by Lex Luthor in August 1953, is based on Luthor's observation that:

''Each piece of metal that strikes Superman's invulnerable body undergoes a slight chemical change! To a minute degree, it acquires the properties of kryptonite, but its presence is so faint that it can only be detected by means of a spectroscope!''

''Kryptonite is the one material that can harm Superman! By refining tons of this metal, I'll be able to extract kryptonite---just as radium is obtained by refining tons of uranium ore!'' [Act No. 183: "The Perfect Plot to Kill Superman!"].

In addition, a [[Green Lantern Corps|Green Lantern]]'s power ring can create Green Kryptonite, but maintaining its existence and its radioactivity requires concentration by the ring's wielder (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Image:Green-Kryptonite.jpg|thumb|Green Kryptonite Rocks]]

Whether the kryptonite is natural or synthetic, however, its effects on Superman are devastating, although they do vary according to the amount of kryptonite involved and Superman's distance from it. Large meteors produce the worst effects, but close proximity to even a small quantity of Green Kryptonite, such as a piece the size of a large decorative gem, is sufficient to make Superman feel "like a feeble old man," incapable of even touching the kryptonite without losing consciousness (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!").

"As soon as I approach kryptonite," observes Superman in April 1952, "I become weak!" (Act No. 167: "The Machines of Crime!"). Other texts refer to such symptoms as "dizzy spells," exhaustion, and grogginess (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: "Caveman Clark Kent!"; and many others); nausea (S No. 81/2, Mar/Apr 1953: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Superman"); loss of consciousness (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"; and many others); and temporary impairment—or even complete loss—of memory (S No. 71/1, Jul/Aug 1951: "Clark Kent's Super-Masquerade!"; and others). Typically, Superman's pupils become dilated, his pulse rate falls below normal, and his respiratory rate is reduced by half (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!").

If lured to within close proximity of a fairly large chunk of Green Kryptonite, such as a meteoric fragment about the size of a basketball, Superman suffers a nearly total loss of his super-strength accompanied by an agonizing semi-paralysis, referred to in the texts as a "kryptonite paralysis" (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: "The Super-Ape from Krypton"; and others) and the drastic diminution of all his super-powers.

For the effects of the kryptonite to prove fatal may take hours (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!"; and others) or even days, but gradually, under "constant exposure" to the kryptonite radiations, Supermanâ€™s "mighty body becomes emaciated and his keen mind grows dim.. ." (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Greatest Pitcher in the World!"; and others).

As the last vestiges of his mighty powers begin slowly waning, Superman "begins to feel pain from the steady exposure to the kryptonite," and he lapses into a potentially fatal "kryptonite fever," similar in many respects to that which afflicts ordinary people who have been "over-exposed to radium rays!" Even if drugs were available to treat the illness, they could not be injected, for "the hypodermic needles [would] only bend" against Superman's invulnerable skin.

"The kryptonite radiations will soon penetrate my otherwise invulnerable skin and change the red corpuscles of my bloodstream to green!" thinks Superman desperately in July 1959 as he suffers the agonizing effects of exposure to a Green-Kryptonite meteor. "I'll become a victim of blood-poisoning!" (S No. 130/1: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, if Superman were not rescued from the baleful radiations in time, his body would begin to exude a greenish glow, like that of the deadly kryptonite itself, and he would lapse into a coma and die. Superman has never succumbed to this terrible fate, but other Kryptonian survivors have, including [[King Krypton]] (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton") and virtually all the inhabitants of [[Argo City]] (Act No. 252/2, May 1959: "The Supergirl from Krypton!").

Superman has, however, amazing recuperative powers. Although, on a number of occasions, he has remained physically weak for a short time after having suffered the effects of kryptonite exposure (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"; and others), in the vast majority of cases he recovers his full powers within moments after the debilitating kryptonite has been removed from his presence (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"; and many others).

The texts are divided, however, on the question of whether Green-Kryptonite radiations are capable of weakening Superman to the point of robbing of him of his invulnerability—thereby rendering him vulnerable to guns, bombs, and other ordinary weapons (WF No. 87, Mar/Apr 1957: "The Reversed Heroes!"; and others), or whether, as most texts dealing with this question contend, Superman retains his invulnerability despite prolonged exposure to kryptonite and can only be killed by the kryptonite itself (Act No. 299/1, Apr 1963: "The Story of Superman's Experimental Robots!"; and many others).

In situations in which Superman has no superpowers, such as that which exists in October 1964, after the Man of Steel has been stripped of his powers by the baleful radiations of a mysterious green comet, he becomes immune to Green-Kryptonite radiations until such time as his super-powers have been restored to him (S No. 172: pts. I-IIIâ€”"The New Superman!"; "Clark Kentâ€”Former Superman!"; "The Struggle of the Two Supermen!"; and others).

Once having been lured into a kryptonite deathtrap, Superman has coped with the deadly substance in a variety of ways, such as by using his waning X-ray vision to melt an object containing lead around the kryptonite, thereby shielding himself from its radiations (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!"), or by burning a hole in the floor with his weakened X-ray vision in order to make the kryptonite fall safely out of life-threatening range (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Greatest Pitcher in the World!"). On one occasion, Superman successfully wards off the agonizing pain induced by Green Kryptonite exposure—albeit only for a few crucial moments—by literally hypnotizing himself into not feeling the pain (Act No. 278/1, Jul 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!").

Superman has had some success with melting small chunks of kryptonite with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"), but this technique is inadequate for dealing with larger masses of the substance, such as, for example, an entire kryptonite meteor or meteorite (Act No. 254/1, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!"; S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

[[Image:GreenKimmunity.jpg|left|thumb]]

Because Green Kryptonite is the bane of his existence, Superman has conducted numerous experiments in search of an antidote, but all his efforts have ended in failure (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"; and others). He has also experimented with building up an immunity to the substance through controlled exposure to it, but these attempts, too, have been unsuccessful (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). Superman has, however, successfully devised a suit of special lead armor to enable him to experiment with the substance (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: "The Super-Key to Fort Superman"; Act No. 249, Feb 1959: "The Kryptonite Man!") as well as a special "kryptonite detector" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"), also referred to as a "K-detector", which "detects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does uranium" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!").

For handling Green Kryptonite without his special lead armor, Superman has employed remote-controlled robots (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), gigantic shovels (S No. 71, Jul/Aug 1951: "Clark Kent's Super-Masquerade!") and tongs (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present"; and others), and other special tools (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: "Jimmy Olsen's Lost Pal"; and others) designed to enable him to handle, or dispose of, the kryptonite without venturing too close to it. According to Superman No. 130/1, Superman remains safe from harm as long as he remains "at least 100 feet from the radiations ..." (Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

In April 1958, Superman finds the secret of his dual identity in jeopardy after a bizarre series of circumstances, culminating in the explosion of an experimental atomic generator, has cause tiny fragments of kryptonite to become embedded in his forehead, spelling out the name of [[Clark Kent]].

For a time Superman is compelled to hide his face, first with cloth bandages and later with a metal mask, to avoid people seeing it and learning his secret. Ultimately, he succeeds in burning the kryptonite particles out of his skin by deliberately exposing himself to an awesome atomic explosion in space, described by the text as "the mightiest atomic explosion of all time" (Act No. 239: "Superman's New Face!"). (TGSB)

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

Green Kryptonite

2008-01-29T20:39:34Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Kfear.jpg|right|thumb]]

'''Green Kryptonite'''

"What poison is to the average human being, Green Kryptonite is to [[Superman]]! Indeed, the only thing the [[Man of Steel]] has to fear in the entire universe is the ghastly green substance which was flung into space when the planet [[Krypton]] exploded!" (Act No. 291/1, Aug 1962: "The New Superman!").

When the planet Krypton exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planet's core, all of Krypton's atomic elements "fused to become one deadly compound," a compound later to become known as [[Kryptonite|kryptonite]] (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: 'Superman Returns to Krypton!"). Sent hurtling into outer space by the force of the cataclysm, these "dazzling particles" of the demolished planet, all "laden with cosmic energy," were scattered throughout the far reaches of the universe in the form of meteors and meteoric fragments, emitting a deadly radiation to which only [[Kryptonian]] survivors are vulnerable (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"), "When a radioactive chain reaction exploded my native planet Krypton, long ago," notes Superman in August 1960, "chunks of Green Kryptonite were formed! They scattered throughout space as meteors Their peculiar radioactive rays can bring kryptonite-fever and death to any person from Krypton...but are harmless to Earth people!" (S No. 139/3: "The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!").

In the texts, Green Kryptonite is referred to as "the strange element given off by the explosion of the planet Krypton" (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"); "the deadly rock-like element from the exploded planet Krypton whose radiations can paralyze Superman" (Act No. 142, Mar 1950: "The Conquest of Superman!"); "the one substance.., that can overpower the Man of Steel" (Act No. 152, Jan 1951: "The Sleep That Lasted 1000 Years"); "the rare element, whose mysterious radiation is the only known force capable of overcoming Superman" (WF No. 50, Feb/Mar 1951: "Superman Super-Wrecker"); "a baleful new element whose rays affect only natives of Krypton" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"); "the meteor metal caused by the explosion of Superman's native planet" (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Superman Pageant!"); "the rare element from the shattered planet Krypton whose radiations have a deadly effect on Superman" (Act No. 174, Nov 1952: "The Man Who Shackled Superman!"); the "one element in all the universe can overcome" Superman (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman"); "the one substance that can destroy" Superman (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"); "the one substance in the universe feared by Superman" (Act No, 236, Jan 1958: "Superman's New Uniform!") and "Superman's one fatal flaw" (S No. 136/2, Apr 1960: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

In the words of Superman No. 84/2 -- "Kryptonite, the radioactive particles of the former planet Krypton on which '''Superman''' was born, and which later exploded, is the one substance in the universe that can affect the mighty '''Man of Steel'''! Since kryptonite fragments still float in space after the explosion of the planet, some particles often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors" [Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"].

"Bullets! ... Fire! ... Bombs!... Acid! I'm immune to them all!" muses Superman ruefully in July 1959. "But kryptonite is my [[Achilles]] heel ... the only substance in the universe that can harm me! It was originally formed years ago...when the planet Krypton, the world on which I was born, blew up! A nuclear chain-reaction converted every chunk of the exploding world into glowing Green Kryptonite!" (S No. 130/1: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

Recent texts assert that the entire planet Krypton and every single thing on it was transformed into kryptonite by the force of the cataclysm (Act No. 314/1, Jul 1964: "The Day Superman Became the Flash!"; and many others). Numerous earlier texts, however, maintain that whereas the planet itself was transformed into kryptonite, its buildings and other artifacts of civilization were not (S No. 74/1, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Lost Secrets of Krypton!"; and many others).

Green Kryptonite is a radioactive (S No. 89/3, May 1954: "One Hour to Doom!") metal (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Superman Pageant!") which is characterized by a distinctive "greenish glow" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"; and others) and "has certain properties similar to [[radium]]" (Act No. 167, Apr 1952: "The Machines of Crime!"). Colored red in its initial textual appearance (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"), Green Kryptonite has been colored green in every text since then. Although Action Comics No. 158 states flatly that "No substance will screen kryptonite's rays...not even [[Supermanium]]" (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), innumerable texts have maintained since then that Green Kryptonite radiations are unable to penetrate [[Lead|lead]] (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!"; and many others). It is interesting that though Superman may not be able to resist the effects of Green Kryptonite, or make himself generally immune to it as a substance, one account tells of [[Superboy]] gathering very specific pieces of Green Kryptonite so that he gains immunity to at least those particular chunk's deadliest effects -- in this case so he might use them to later battle Kryptonian criminals exiled in space before the [[Phantom Zone]] was used (SB No. 58/3, Jul 1957: "The Great Kryptonite Mystery").

In March-April 1954, Superman neutralizes the radioactivity of a Green-Kryptonite meteor merely by plunging it into the ocean (WF No. 69: "Jor-El's Last Will!"), but the notion that the baleful effects of kryptonite can be neutralized by seawater is contradicted by numerous other texts: "Ah! My X-ray vision shows a kryptonite meteor that fell to the sea bottom!" muses Superman in December 1958. "But to pick it up, I'll need the protection of lead, which alone can stop the deadly radiations!" (Act No. 247: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and many others).

According to Action Comics No. 158, powerful acids and even man-made lightning cannot destroy Green Kryptonite (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), but Superman has successfully melted the substance with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"; and others) and Green Kryptonite meteors dissolve completely when subjected to the searing heat at the core of the sun (WF No. 61, Nov/Dec 1952: "Superman's Blackout"; see also Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exitâ€”Superman!"). The reason Green-Kryptonite meteors do not burn up from air friction when they enter Earth's atmosphere is that "kryptonite can't combine chemically with oxygen, which causes combustion!" (S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!"; see also Act No. 267/1, Aug 1960: "Hercules in the 20th Century!").

Assuming that the necessary advanced technology were available to utilize it, Green Kryptonite could become an invaluable source of atomic power. It retains its radioactivity "for centuries" (Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exitâ€”Superman!") and is described as a more potent power source than uranium (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"). Its principal drawback appears to be that it "crumbles and destroys any generator" in which it is utilized (Act No. 224, Jan 1957: "The Secret of Superman Island!"), but this has not prevented at least one group of extraterrestrial aliens from developing a powerful "rocket fuel composed of liquid Green Kryptonite" (Act No. 296/1, Jan 1963: "The Invasion of the Super-Ants!"). Green Kryptonite also has properties that nourish the development of certain forms of plant life (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: "Caveman Clark Kent!"). It also proves to be a key ingredient in the formula devised by [[Brainiac 5]] for a serum that helps [[Mon-El]] survive exposure to lead (Adv No. 316/2, Jan 1964: "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes!").

[[Image:Yumsyums.gif|thumb|Superman eats a now-inert piece of kryptonite.]]

In January 1971, [[Professor Bolder]] attempts to harness a "super chain-reaction" in kryptonite in order to to generate electrical power. He fails and the uncontrolled feedback changes much of the Green Kryptonite on Earth to iron (S No. 233/1: "Superman Breaks Loose"). However, [[Synthetic Kryptonite]] and the many fragments of the material still in space remain.

Although numerous texts describe Green Kryptonite as an exceedingly rare substance (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman"; and many others), noting that â€œkryptonite meteors that [fall] on Earth are rareâ€ (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton"), other texts, admittedly fewer in number, maintain that "kryptonite meteors often fall from space" (S No. 134, Jan 1960: chs. I-IIIâ€”"The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"; "The Revenge Against Jor-El!"; "The Duel of the Supermen!") and that "particles [of kryptonite] often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors!" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). On balance, however, the evidence of the texts is that Green Kryptonite is "very rare" and not easily acquired (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. I-IIâ€”"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"; and others).

It is presumably the scarcity of Green Kryptonite, combined with its crushingly debilitating effect on Superman, that has motivated a number of villains to find ways to synthesize it. [[Lex Luthor]] creates the first synthetic kryptonite in February 1950 by ingeniously fusing together "a mammoth pearl from one of the giant oysters miles down under the sea"; "a couple of handfuls of dust from the dark side of the [[Moon|moon]]â€; "pollen from the man-eating homocessandi plant deep in the Asiatic jungles"; and "a bit of the rare chemical binarium, preserved in the soil by a thousand years of glacial frost" (Act No. 141: "Luthor's Secret Weapon").

[[Dr. Vallin]] devises a formula for synthesizing Green Kryptonite in January-February 1952 that calls for stockpiling [[gold]], silver, lead, and bismuth and then "fusing the...ore with acid and crackling electricity" (WF No. 56: "The Superman Pageant!").

A third method of synthesizing kryptonite, successfully employed by Lex Luthor in August 1953, is based on Luthor's observation that:

''Each piece of metal that strikes Superman's invulnerable body undergoes a slight chemical change! To a minute degree, it acquires the properties of kryptonite, but its presence is so faint that it can only be detected by means of a spectroscope!''

''Kryptonite is the one material that can harm Superman! By refining tons of this metal, I'll be able to extract kryptonite---just as radium is obtained by refining tons of uranium ore!'' [Act No. 183: "The Perfect Plot to Kill Superman!"].

In addition, a [[Green Lantern Corps|Green Lantern]]'s power ring can create Green Kryptonite, but maintaining its existence and its radioactivity requires concentration by the ring's wielder (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Image:Green-Kryptonite.jpg|thumb|Green Kryptonite Rocks]]

Whether the kryptonite is natural or synthetic, however, its effects on Superman are devastating, although they do vary according to the amount of kryptonite involved and Superman's distance from it. Large meteors produce the worst effects, but close proximity to even a small quantity of Green Kryptonite, such as a piece the size of a large decorative gem, is sufficient to make Superman feel "like a feeble old man," incapable of even touching the kryptonite without losing consciousness (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!").

"As soon as I approach kryptonite," observes Superman in April 1952, "I become weak!" (Act No. 167: "The Machines of Crime!"). Other texts refer to such symptoms as "dizzy spells," exhaustion, and grogginess (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: "Caveman Clark Kent!"; and many others); nausea (S No. 81/2, Mar/Apr 1953: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Superman"); loss of consciousness (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"; and many others); and temporary impairment—or even complete loss—of memory (S No. 71/1, Jul/Aug 1951: "Clark Kent's Super-Masquerade!"; and others). Typically, Superman's pupils become dilated, his pulse rate falls below normal, and his respiratory rate is reduced by half (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!").

If lured to within close proximity of a fairly large chunk of Green Kryptonite, such as a meteoric fragment about the size of a basketball, Superman suffers a nearly total loss of his super-strength accompanied by an agonizing semi-paralysis, referred to in the texts as a "kryptonite paralysis" (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: "The Super-Ape from Krypton"; and others) and the drastic diminution of all his super-powers.

For the effects of the kryptonite to prove fatal may take hours (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!"; and others) or even days, but gradually, under "constant exposure" to the kryptonite radiations, Supermanâ€™s "mighty body becomes emaciated and his keen mind grows dim.. ." (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Greatest Pitcher in the World!"; and others).

As the last vestiges of his mighty powers begin slowly waning, Superman "begins to feel pain from the steady exposure to the kryptonite," and he lapses into a potentially fatal "kryptonite fever," similar in many respects to that which afflicts ordinary people who have been "over-exposed to radium rays!" Even if drugs were available to treat the illness, they could not be injected, for "the hypodermic needles [would] only bend" against Superman's invulnerable skin.

"The kryptonite radiations will soon penetrate my otherwise invulnerable skin and change the red corpuscles of my bloodstream to green!" thinks Superman desperately in July 1959 as he suffers the agonizing effects of exposure to a Green-Kryptonite meteor. "I'll become a victim of blood-poisoning!" (S No. 130/1: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, if Superman were not rescued from the baleful radiations in time, his body would begin to exude a greenish glow, like that of the deadly kryptonite itself, and he would lapse into a coma and die. Superman has never succumbed to this terrible fate, but other Kryptonian survivors have, including [[King Krypton]] (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton") and virtually all the inhabitants of [[Argo City]] (Act No. 252/2, May 1959: "The Supergirl from Krypton!").

Superman has, however, amazing recuperative powers. Although, on a number of occasions, he has remained physically weak for a short time after having suffered the effects of kryptonite exposure (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"; and others), in the vast majority of cases he recovers his full powers within moments after the debilitating kryptonite has been removed from his presence (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"; and many others).

The texts are divided, however, on the question of whether Green-Kryptonite radiations are capable of weakening Superman to the point of robbing of him of his invulnerability—thereby rendering him vulnerable to guns, bombs, and other ordinary weapons (WF No. 87, Mar/Apr 1957: "The Reversed Heroes!"; and others), or whether, as most texts dealing with this question contend, Superman retains his invulnerability despite prolonged exposure to kryptonite and can only be killed by the kryptonite itself (Act No. 299/1, Apr 1963: "The Story of Superman's Experimental Robots!"; and many others).

In situations in which Superman has no superpowers, such as that which exists in October 1964, after the Man of Steel has been stripped of his powers by the baleful radiations of a mysterious green comet, he becomes immune to Green-Kryptonite radiations until such time as his super-powers have been restored to him (S No. 172: pts. I-IIIâ€”"The New Superman!"; "Clark Kentâ€”Former Superman!"; "The Struggle of the Two Supermen!"; and others).

Once having been lured into a kryptonite deathtrap, Superman has coped with the deadly substance in a variety of ways, such as by using his waning X-ray vision to melt an object containing lead around the kryptonite, thereby shielding himself from its radiations (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!"), or by burning a hole in the floor with his weakened X-ray vision in order to make the kryptonite fall safely out of life-threatening range (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Greatest Pitcher in the World!"). On one occasion, Superman successfully wards off the agonizing pain induced by Green Kryptonite exposure—albeit only for a few crucial moments—by literally hypnotizing himself into not feeling the pain (Act No. 278/1, Jul 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!").

Superman has had some success with melting small chunks of kryptonite with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"), but this technique is inadequate for dealing with larger masses of the substance, such as, for example, an entire kryptonite meteor or meteorite (Act No. 254/1, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!"; S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

[[Image:GreenKimmunity.jpg|left|thumb]]

Because Green Kryptonite is the bane of his existence, Superman has conducted numerous experiments in search of an antidote, but all his efforts have ended in failure (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"; and others). He has also experimented with building up an immunity to the substance through controlled exposure to it, but these attempts, too, have been unsuccessful (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). Superman has, however, successfully devised a suit of special lead armor to enable him to experiment with the substance (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: "The Super-Key to Fort Superman"; Act No. 249, Feb 1959: "The Kryptonite Man!") as well as a special "kryptonite detector" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"), also referred to as a "K-detector", which "detects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does uranium" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!").

For handling Green Kryptonite without his special lead armor, Superman has employed remote-controlled robots (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), gigantic shovels (S No. 71, Jul/Aug 1951: "Clark Kent's Super-Masquerade!") and tongs (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present"; and others), and other special tools (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: "Jimmy Olsen's Lost Pal"; and others) designed to enable him to handle, or dispose of, the kryptonite without venturing too close to it. According to Superman No. 130/1, Superman remains safe from harm as long as he remains "at least 100 feet from the radiations ..." (Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

In April 1958, Superman finds the secret of his dual identity in jeopardy after a bizarre series of circumstances, culminating in the explosion of an experimental atomic generator, has cause tiny fragments of kryptonite to become embedded in his forehead, spelling out the name of [[Clark Kent]].

For a time Superman is compelled to hide his face, first with cloth bandages and later with a metal mask, to avoid people seeing it and learning his secret. Ultimately, he succeeds in burning the kryptonite particles out of his skin by deliberately exposing himself to an awesome atomic explosion in space, described by the text as "the mightiest atomic explosion of all time" (Act No. 239: "Superman's New Face!"). (TGSB)

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

Green Kryptonite

2008-01-29T20:37:27Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Kfear.jpg|right|thumb]]

'''Green Kryptonite'''

"What poison is to the average human being, Green Kryptonite is to [[Superman]]! Indeed, the only thing the [[Man of Steel]] has to fear in the entire universe is the ghastly green substance which was flung into space when the planet [[Krypton]] exploded!" (Act No. 291/1, Aug 1962: "The New Superman!").

When the planet Krypton exploded into fragments as the result of a cataclysmic chain reaction originating at the planet's core, all of Krypton's atomic elements "fused to become one deadly compound," a compound later to become known as [[Kryptonite|kryptonite]] (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: 'Superman Returns to Krypton!"). Sent hurtling into outer space by the force of the cataclysm, these "dazzling particles" of the demolished planet, all "laden with cosmic energy," were scattered throughout the far reaches of the universe in the form of meteors and meteoric fragments, emitting a deadly radiation to which only [[Kryptonian]] survivors are vulnerable (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"), "When a radioactive chain reaction exploded my native planet Krypton, long ago," notes Superman in August 1960, "chunks of Green Kryptonite were formed! They scattered throughout space as meteors Their peculiar radioactive rays can bring kryptonite-fever and death to any person from Krypton...but are harmless to Earth people!" (S No. 139/3: "The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!").

In the texts, Green Kryptonite is referred to as "the strange element given off by the explosion of the planet Krypton" (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"); "the deadly rock-like element from the exploded planet Krypton whose radiations can paralyze Superman" (Act No. 142, Mar 1950: "The Conquest of Superman!"); "the one substance.., that can overpower the Man of Steel" (Act No. 152, Jan 1951: "The Sleep That Lasted 1000 Years"); "the rare element, whose mysterious radiation is the only known force capable of overcoming Superman" (WF No. 50, Feb/Mar 1951: "Superman Super-Wrecker"); "a baleful new element whose rays affect only natives of Krypton" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"); "the meteor metal caused by the explosion of Superman's native planet" (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Superman Pageant!"); "the rare element from the shattered planet Krypton whose radiations have a deadly effect on Superman" (Act No. 174, Nov 1952: "The Man Who Shackled Superman!"); the "one element in all the universe can overcome" Superman (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman"); "the one substance that can destroy" Superman (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"); "the one substance in the universe feared by Superman" (Act No, 236, Jan 1958: "Superman's New Uniform!") and "Superman's one fatal flaw" (S No. 136/2, Apr 1960: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").

In the words of Superman No. 84/2 -- "Kryptonite, the radioactive particles of the former planet Krypton on which '''Superman''' was born, and which later exploded, is the one substance in the universe that can affect the mighty '''Man of Steel'''! Since kryptonite fragments still float in space after the explosion of the planet, some particles often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors" [Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"].

"Bullets! ... Fire! ... Bombs!... Acid! I'm immune to them all!" muses Superman ruefully in July 1959. "But kryptonite is my [[Achilles]] heel ... the only substance in the universe that can harm me! It was originally formed years ago...when the planet Krypton, the world on which I was born, blew up! A nuclear chain-reaction converted every chunk of the exploding world into glowing Green Kryptonite!" (S No. 130/1: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

Recent texts assert that the entire planet Krypton and every single thing on it was transformed into kryptonite by the force of the cataclysm (Act No. 314/1, Jul 1964: "The Day Superman Became the Flash!"; and many others). Numerous earlier texts, however, maintain that whereas the planet itself was transformed into kryptonite, its buildings and other artifacts of civilization were not (S No. 74/1, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Lost Secrets of Krypton!"; and many others).

Green Kryptonite is a radioactive (S No. 89/3, May 1954: "One Hour to Doom!") metal (WF No. 56, Jan/Feb 1952: "The Superman Pageant!") which is characterized by a distinctive "greenish glow" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"; and others) and "has certain properties similar to [[radium]]" (Act No. 167, Apr 1952: "The Machines of Crime!"). Colored red in its initial textual appearance (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!"), Green Kryptonite has been colored green in every text since then. Although Action Comics No. 158 states flatly that "No substance will screen kryptonite's rays...not even [[Supermanium]]" (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), innumerable texts have maintained since then that Green Kryptonite radiations are unable to penetrate [[Lead|lead]] (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!"; and many others). It is interesting that though Superman may not be able to resist the effects of Green Kryptonite, or make himself generally immune to it as a substance, one account tells of [[Superboy]] gathering very specific pieces of Green Kryptonite so that he gains immunity to at least those particular chunk's deadliest effects -- in this case so he might use them to later battle Kryptonian criminals exiled in space before the [[Phantom Zone]] was used (SB No. 58/3, Jul 1957: "The Great Kryptonite Mystery").

In March-April 1954, Superman neutralizes the radioactivity of a Green-Kryptonite meteor merely by plunging it into the ocean (WF No. 69: "Jor-El's Last Will!"), but the notion that the baleful effects of kryptonite can be neutralized by seawater is contradicted by numerous other texts: "Ah! My X-ray vision shows a kryptonite meteor that fell to the sea bottom!" muses Superman in December 1958. "But to pick it up, I'll need the protection of lead, which alone can stop the deadly radiations!" (Act No. 247: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and many others).

According to Action Comics No. 158, powerful acids and even man-made lightning cannot destroy Green Kryptonite (Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), but Superman has successfully melted the substance with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"; and others) and Green Kryptonite meteors dissolve completely when subjected to the searing heat at the core of the sun (WF No. 61, Nov/Dec 1952: "Superman's Blackout"; see also Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exitâ€”Superman!"). The reason Green-Kryptonite meteors do not burn up from air friction when they enter Earth's atmosphere is that "kryptonite can't combine chemically with oxygen, which causes combustion!" (S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!"; see also Act No. 267/1, Aug 1960: "Hercules in the 20th Century!").

Assuming that the necessary advanced technology were available to utilize it, Green Kryptonite could become an invaluable source of atomic power. It retains its radioactivity "for centuries" (Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exitâ€”Superman!") and is described as a more potent power source than uranium (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"). Its principal drawback appears to be that it "crumbles and destroys any generator" in which it is utilized (Act No. 224, Jan 1957: "The Secret of Superman Island!"), but this has not prevented at least one group of extraterrestrial aliens from developing a powerful "rocket fuel composed of liquid Green Kryptonite" (Act No. 296/1, Jan 1963: "The Invasion of the Super-Ants!"). Green Kryptonite also has properties that nourish the development of certain forms of plant life (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: "Caveman Clark Kent!"). It also proves to be a key ingredient in the formula devised by [[Brainiac 5]] for a serum that helps [[Mon-El]] survive exposure to lead (Adv No. 316/2, Jan 1964: "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes!").

[[Image:Yumsyums.gif|thumb|Superman eats a now-inert piece of kryptonite.]]

In January 1971, [[Professor Bolder]] attempts to harness a "super chain-reaction" in kryptonite in order to to generate electrical power. He fails and the uncontrolled feedback changes much of the Green Kryptonite on Earth to iron (S No. 233/1: "Superman Breaks Loose"). However, [[Synthetic Kryptonite]] and the many fragments of the material still in space remain.

Although numerous texts describe Green Kryptonite as an exceedingly rare substance (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman"; and many others), noting that â€œkryptonite meteors that [fall] on Earth are rareâ€ (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton"), other texts, admittedly fewer in number, maintain that "kryptonite meteors often fall from space" (S No. 134, Jan 1960: chs. I-IIIâ€”"The Super-Menace of Metropolis!"; "The Revenge Against Jor-El!"; "The Duel of the Supermen!") and that "particles [of kryptonite] often find their way to Earth embedded in meteors!" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). On balance, however, the evidence of the texts is that Green Kryptonite is "very rare" and not easily acquired (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. I-IIâ€”"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"; and others).

It is presumably the scarcity of Green Kryptonite, combined with its crushingly debilitating effect on Superman, that has motivated a number of villains to find ways to synthesize it. [[Lex Luthor]] creates the first synthetic kryptonite in February 1950 by ingeniously fusing together "a mammoth pearl from one of the giant oysters miles down under the sea"; "a couple of handfuls of dust from the dark side of the [[Moon|moon]]â€; "pollen from the man-eating homocessandi plant deep in the Asiatic jungles"; and "a bit of the rare chemical binarium, preserved in the soil by a thousand years of glacial frost" (Act No. 141: "Luthor's Secret Weapon").

[[Dr. Vallin]] devises a formula for synthesizing Green Kryptonite in January-February 1952 that calls for stockpiling [[gold]], silver, lead, and bismuth and then "fusing the...ore with acid and crackling electricity" (WF No. 56: "The Superman Pageant!").

A third method of synthesizing kryptonite, successfully employed by Lex Luthor in August 1953, is based on Luthor's observation that:

''Each piece of metal that strikes Superman's invulnerable body undergoes a slight chemical change! To a minute degree, it acquires the properties of kryptonite, but its presence is so faint that it can only be detected by means of a spectroscope!''

''Kryptonite is the one material that can harm Superman! By refining tons of this metal, I'll be able to extract kryptonite---just as radium is obtained by refining tons of uranium ore!'' [Act No. 183: "The Perfect Plot to Kill Superman!"].

In addition, a [[Green Lantern Corps|Green Lantern]]'s power ring can create Green Kryptonite, but maintaining its existence and its radioactivity requires concentration by the ring's wielder (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").

[[Image:Green-Kryptonite.jpg|thumb|Green Kryptonite Rocks]]

Whether the kryptonite is natural or synthetic, however, its effects on Superman are devastating, although they do vary according to the amount of kryptonite involved and Superman's distance from it. Large meteors produce the worst effects, but close proximity to even a small quantity of Green Kryptonite, such as a piece the size of a large decorative gem, is sufficient to make Superman feel "like a feeble old man," incapable of even touching the kryptonite without losing consciousness (S No. 61/3, Nov/Dec 1949: "Superman Returns to Krypton!").

"As soon as I approach kryptonite," observes Superman in April 1952, "I become weak!" (Act No. 167: "The Machines of Crime!"). Other texts refer to such symptoms as "dizzy spells," exhaustion, and grogginess (Act No. 169, Jun 1952: "Caveman Clark Kent!"; and many others); nausea (S No. 81/2, Mar/Apr 1953: "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with Superman"); loss of consciousness (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"; and many others); and temporary impairment—or even complete loss—of memory (S No. 71/1, Jul/Aug 1951: "Clark Kent's Super-Masquerade!"; and others). Typically, Superman's pupils become dilated, his pulse rate falls below normal, and his respiratory rate is reduced by half (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!").

If lured to within close proximity of a fairly large chunk of Green Kryptonite, such as a meteoric fragment about the size of a basketball, Superman suffers a nearly total loss of his super-strength accompanied by an agonizing semi-paralysis, referred to in the texts as a "kryptonite paralysis" (Act No. 218, Jul 1956: "The Super-Ape from Krypton"; and others) and the drastic diminution of all his super-powers.

For the effects of the kryptonite to prove fatal may take hours (S No. 92/3, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!"; and others) or even days, but gradually, under "constant exposure" to the kryptonite radiations, Supermanâ€™s "mighty body becomes emaciated and his keen mind grows dim.. ." (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Greatest Pitcher in the World!"; and others).

As the last vestiges of his mighty powers begin slowly waning, Superman "begins to feel pain from the steady exposure to the kryptonite," and he lapses into a potentially fatal "kryptonite fever," similar in many respects to that which afflicts ordinary people who have been "over-exposed to radium rays!" Even if drugs were available to treat the illness, they could not be injected, for "the hypodermic needles [would] only bend" against Superman's invulnerable skin.

"The kryptonite radiations will soon penetrate my otherwise invulnerable skin and change the red corpuscles of my bloodstream to green!" thinks Superman desperately in July 1959 as he suffers the agonizing effects of exposure to a Green-Kryptonite meteor. "I'll become a victim of blood-poisoning!" (S No. 130/1: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

Indeed, if Superman were not rescued from the baleful radiations in time, his body would begin to exude a greenish glow, like that of the deadly kryptonite itself, and he would lapse into a coma and die. Superman has never succumbed to this terrible fate, but other Kryptonian survivors have, including [[King Krypton]] (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton") and virtually all the inhabitants of [[Argo City]] (Act No. 252/2, May 1959: "The Supergirl from Krypton!").

Superman has, however, amazing recuperative powers. Although, on a number of occasions, he has remained physically weak for a short time after having suffered the effects of kryptonite exposure (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"; and others), in the vast majority of cases he recovers his full powers within moments after the debilitating kryptonite has been removed from his presence (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon"; and many others).

The texts are divided, however, on the question of whether Green-Kryptonite radiations are capable of weakening Superman to the point of robbing of him of his invulnerability—thereby rendering him vulnerable to guns, bombs, and other ordinary weapons (WF No. 87, Mar/Apr 1957: "The Reversed Heroes!"; and others), or whether, as most texts dealing with this question contend, Superman retains his invulnerability despite prolonged exposure to kryptonite and can only be killed by the kryptonite itself (Act No. 299/1, Apr 1963: "The Story of Superman's Experimental Robots!"; and many others).

In situations in which Superman has no superpowers, such as that which exists in October 1964, after the Man of Steel has been stripped of his powers by the baleful radiations of a mysterious green comet, he becomes immune to Green-Kryptonite radiations until such time as his super-powers have been restored to him (S No. 172: pts. I-IIIâ€”"The New Superman!"; "Clark Kentâ€”Former Superman!"; "The Struggle of the Two Supermen!"; and others).

Once having been lured into a kryptonite deathtrap, Superman has coped with the deadly substance in a variety of ways, such as by using his waning X-ray vision to melt an object containing lead around the kryptonite, thereby shielding himself from its radiations (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!"), or by burning a hole in the floor with his weakened X-ray vision in order to make the kryptonite fall safely out of life-threatening range (S No. 77/2, Jul/Aug 1952: "The Greatest Pitcher in the World!"). On one occasion, Superman successfully wards off the agonizing pain induced by Green Kryptonite exposure—albeit only for a few crucial moments—by literally hypnotizing himself into not feeling the pain (Act No. 278/1, Jul 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!").

Superman has had some success with melting small chunks of kryptonite with his X-ray vision (Act No. 252/1, May 1959: "The Menace of Metallo!"), but this technique is inadequate for dealing with larger masses of the substance, such as, for example, an entire kryptonite meteor or meteorite (Act No. 254/1, Jul 1959: "The Battle with Bizarro!"; S No. 130/1, Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

[[Image:GreenKimmunity.jpg|left]]

Because Green Kryptonite is the bane of his existence, Superman has conducted numerous experiments in search of an antidote, but all his efforts have ended in failure (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"; and others). He has also experimented with building up an immunity to the substance through controlled exposure to it, but these attempts, too, have been unsuccessful (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). Superman has, however, successfully devised a suit of special lead armor to enable him to experiment with the substance (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: "The Super-Key to Fort Superman"; Act No. 249, Feb 1959: "The Kryptonite Man!") as well as a special "kryptonite detector" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"), also referred to as a "K-detector", which "detects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does uranium" (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!").

For handling Green Kryptonite without his special lead armor, Superman has employed remote-controlled robots (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: "The Kid from Krypton!"), gigantic shovels (S No. 71, Jul/Aug 1951: "Clark Kent's Super-Masquerade!") and tongs (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3â€”"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present"; and others), and other special tools (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: "Jimmy Olsen's Lost Pal"; and others) designed to enable him to handle, or dispose of, the kryptonite without venturing too close to it. According to Superman No. 130/1, Superman remains safe from harm as long as he remains "at least 100 feet from the radiations ..." (Jul 1959: "The Curse of Kryptonite!").

In April 1958, Superman finds the secret of his dual identity in jeopardy after a bizarre series of circumstances, culminating in the explosion of an experimental atomic generator, has cause tiny fragments of kryptonite to become embedded in his forehead, spelling out the name of [[Clark Kent]].

For a time Superman is compelled to hide his face, first with cloth bandages and later with a metal mask, to avoid people seeing it and learning his secret. Ultimately, he succeeds in burning the kryptonite particles out of his skin by deliberately exposing himself to an awesome atomic explosion in space, described by the text as "the mightiest atomic explosion of all time" (Act No. 239: "Superman's New Face!"). (TGSB)

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

Luthor's Lair II

2008-01-29T20:33:57Z

Copperchair:

The abandoned astronomical observatory—situated "on a lofty hill near Metropolis"—that serves as [[Lex Luthor]]'s hideout and base of operations during February 1964. Lined with lead to safeguard its secrets against [[Superman]]'s penetrating X-ray vision, Luthor's Lair II retains several features of the original [[Luthor's Lair]], including a Reminder Room papered with crossed-out calendar pages to remind Luthor of the many years he has spent in prison because of Superman ("My hate is even stronger when I look at this!" muses Luthor) and a bizarre Hall of Heroes lined with full-color, life-sized statues of men Luthor calls "My heroes...the greatest marauders of the ages," men such as Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Captain Kidd, and [[Al Capone]].
[[Image:S_Heroes.gif|center|thumb|Luthor's Hero Worship]]
"I dreamed of being as great as they and I would be," seethes Luthor, "if Superman didn't always stop me!" (S No. 167: "The Team of Luthor and Brainiac!" pts. I-III—"The Deadly Duo!"; "The Downfall of Superman!"; "The Hour of Kandor's Vengeance!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]
[[Category:Lex Luthor]]
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]

Luthor's Lair

2008-01-29T20:32:34Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:Luthor'slair.jpg|thumb|left]]
The abandoned museum—situated "smack in the middle of [[Metropolis]]"—that serves as [[Lex Luthor]]'s hideout and base of operations during June 1961 (Act No. 277: "The Conquest of Superman!") and September 1962. "Just as Superman has his [[Fortress of Solitude]]," notes Luthor, "I have my own headquarters! Luthor's Lair!" (Act No. 292: "When Superman Defended His Arch-Enemy!").

Described as "a building that was once a great museum--but is now ignored and abandoned," Luthor's Lair was purchased by Luthor "long ago," under an alias, and transformed into a gigantic, elaborately equipped headquarters, its hallways lined with lead to shield its secrets against [[Superman]]'s penetrating X-ray vision.

The building itself is an imposing two- or three- story affair, fronted by a colonnaded entranceway adorned with a statue of Julius Caesar. Shaking the hand of the statue releases a secret mechanism which opens the building's massive front door. Mounted atop the building is a gigantic statue of classical design (Act No. 277 , Jun 1961: "The Conquest of Superman!") which is actually the "first stage" of a rocket ship capable of carrying Luthor on journeys into outer space (Act No. 292, Sep 1962: "When Superman Defended His Arch-Enemy!"). Inside the building, a special "tele-screen tuned to hidden cameras in the eyes of the colossal statue" enables Luthor to scan the surrounding city for the possible approach of Superman or other intruders.

Elsewhere in the interior of the building is a bizarre [[Hall of Heroes]], lined with full-color, life-sized statues of Luthor's personal heroes, evildoers such as Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Captain Kidd, [[Al Capone]] (Act No. 277, Jun 1961: "The Conquest of Superman!"), Nero, Blackbeard, and Benedict Arnold (Act No. 292, Sep 1962: "When Superman Defended His Arch-Enemy!"). "Many times when I've felt discouraged," remarks Luthor to one of his henchmen in June 1961, "I've come here--and gone away uplifted, inspired to go on with my work!"

Just as Superman's [[Fortress of Solitude]] contains the famed bottle city of [[Kandor]], "so does Luthor's Lair contain a bottled land," a primeval jungle, filled with all sorts of weird flora and fauna, which Luthor "once captured and reduced. ..after probing into another dimension!"

Other features of Luthor's Lair include Luthor's elaborately equipped workshop, where, in Luthor's words, "I invent my great machines for crime--and for my forthcoming conquest of Superman," and a special Reminder Room papered with crossed-out calendar pages. "Those crossed-out calendar days remind me how many years I've spent in prison because of Superman," explains Luthor, "--and that I must never lag in my war against him!" (Act No. 277, Jun 1961: "The Conquest of Superman!").

When members of the Metropolis Police Department attempt to break into Luthor's Lair in September 1962, they are stymied by an impenetrable barrage of "colored rays" forming "a web of pure force" about the building. "[[Brainiac]] let me copy that web-ray from one of the super-weapons in his arsenal!" gloats Luthor. "The effect is only temporary! But it gives me a chance to make my getaway!" (Act No. 292: "When Superman Defended His Arch-Enemy!").

[[Category:Entries]]
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]
[[Category:Lex Luthor]]
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]

Lex Luthor

2007-02-19T16:45:14Z

Copperchair:

[[Image:SVow.gif|left|Luthor's Vow art by Curt Swan]]

"There was a time, years ago, when all young Lex Luthor wanted was to be President of the United States." - ''Miracle Monday''

== Introduction ==

The warped scientific genius who has been [[Superman]]'s most dangerous enemy for over six decades. An evil genius and avowed enemy of humanity, he is the greatest renegade scientist of all time and one of the most dangerous evil-doers in the universe.

In the first encounter with Superman, Luthor describes himself as "Just an ordinary man - but with the brain of a super-genius!" (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), yet the texts portray him as a crazed scientist and master-fiend, a wily scientific genius with a consuming urge to conquer the world.

"A power-mad, evil scientist, Superman's most inveterate hater, is Luthor. He could have been a mighty force for good in the world yet he chose to direct his great scientific brain into criminal channels" (Act No. 47, Apr 1942).

== Appearance ==

The texts describe Lex Luthor as as man of "insane conceit" and "incredible evil features." Particularly in his early appearances, he is unbelievably ruthless.

In his earliest appearances in the chronicles, Luthor has a full head of bright red hair, although in one text his hair is colored a dark, purplish gray. From 1941 onward, however, Luthor is portrayed as completely bald-headed, an aspect of his physical appearance which he retains to this day. In the early 1960s, however, after the history of Luthor's relationship with Superman has been revised in the chronicles to allow for the creation of adventures pitting Luthor against the Man of Steel during the period when both men were teen-agers, it is stated that Luthor's baldness was originally caused by an accidental laboratory explosion that occured while the two were still youngsters in Smallville. "My arch-enemy, Luthor, might have been the world's greatest benefactor!" sighs Superman aloud in November 1962. "But he lost his hair in an accidental explosion and blamed me for his baldness! In his bitterness he became Earth's most evil criminal scientist!"

== Luthor's secret hideouts and headquarters ==

In the course of his villainous career, Luthor has employed numerous secret hideouts and headquarters - places where he could perfect his diabolical inventions and concoct his intricate schemes, safe, at least for a time, from the prying eyes of Superman. Over the years, Luthor's hideouts have included a complex of buildings held aloft by a giant dirigible high above the stratosphere, a glass-enclosed city of ancient, weird design, an abandoned factory, a gigantic man-made meteor floating in outer space, an abandoned barn, a secret underground lab, a giant spaceship, a secret mountaintop laboratory, an electronics firm, a hidden laboratory on the outskirts of Metropolis, a laboratory hideout that has been lined with lead to conceal it from Superman's X-ray vision, a massive fortresslike citadel on a lonely mountaintop north of Metropolis, a lonely farmhouse in the mountains north of Metropolis, a secret lead-lined subterranean hideout built into the side of a grassy hill, and the elaborately equipped [[Luthor's Lair]], [[Luthor's Lair II]], and [[Luthor's Lair No. 5]].

== Luthor's Aliases ==

Aliases and alternate identities employed by Luthor in the course of his villainous career have included [[Zytal]], [[Carlyle Allerton]], [[Mr. Smith]], [[Professor Clyde]], [[Professor Guthrie]], The [[Defender]], and [[Luthor the Noble]].

== Lex Luthor on Lexor ==

[[Image:Action_Comics_544.jpg|right|thumb|Action # 544, Lex Luthor (left) with battlesuit typical of Lexorian technology]]

On the far distant planet of [[Lexor]], the one world in the universe where Luthor is considered a hero, Luthor's exploits have been glorified by the dedication of a [[Luthor Museum]] and by the erection of a gigantic standing statue of Luthor in Lexor's capital city. For his part, Luthor returns the favor to some degree by assisting the Lexorians with their problems while using the planet both as his base of operations and arsenal. In June 1983, Lexor along with its entire population, is inadvertantly and totally destroyed by Lex Luthor in a battle against Superman when an energy blast from Lex's battlesuit accidentally overloads a device called the Neutrarod that he built to quiet the planet's dangerous sesimic activity. Although profoundly aggrieved at the tragedy, Luthor blindly refuses to accept responsibility for it and blames Superman with even greater ferocity. (Act No. 544/1: "Luthor Unleashed")

== Luthor's relatives ==

Luthor's relatives include his late Lexorian wife [[Ardora]], his late son [[Lex Luthor, Jr.]] and his sister [[Lena Thorul]], who is gifted with the power of extrasensory perception. His descendants include an heroic 30th Century namesake, who is a member of the [[Adult Legion of Super-Heroes]], and the ruthless [[Rohtul]], a villain also living in the thirtieth century A.D.

== Lex Luthor Vs Superman ==

[[Image:Luthor.jpg|right|thumb|Luthor has Superman at his mercy by Curt Swan]]

â€œ. . . for years and years, Luthor has been Supermanâ€™s arch-enemy, stooping to any lengths to destroy the Man of Steel he so bitterly hates!â€ (S No. 149, Nov 1961: pts. I-IIIâ€”â€Lex Luthor, Hero!â€; â€œLuthorâ€™s Super-Bodyguard!â€; â€œThe Death of Superman!â€).

Luthorâ€™s lifelong goal has always been â€œmastery of the worldâ€ (Act No. 47, Apr 1942: â€œPowerstoneâ€; and many others) as the first stage of his even grander scheme â€œto dominate the universeâ€ (S No. 43/3, Nov/Dec 1946: â€œThe Molten World!â€; and others). Described as â€œthe mad scientist who plots to dominate the Earthâ€ (S No.4, Spr 1940), and as â€œthe super- scientist who aspires to world dominationâ€ (Act No. 42, Nov 1941), Luthor has a driving â€œambition to rule the Earthâ€ (S No. 170/2, Jul 1964: pts. I-IIâ€”â€If Lex Luthor Were Supermanâ€™s Father!â€; â€œThe Wedding of Lara and Luthor!â€) and to establish himself as undisputed â€œworld dictatorâ€ (S No. 48/1, Sep/Oct 1947:
â€œThe Man Who Stole the Sun!â€). â€œ. . [B]efore Iâ€™m done,â€ vows Luthor in November 1962, â€œthe universe will tremble at the name of Lex Luthor!â€ (Act No. 294: â€œThe Kryptonite Killer!â€).

On more than hundreds of separate occasions, Superman has intervened valiantly to thwart Luthor's seething ambition for power.

Although Superman clearly considers Luthor one of the world's greatest scientists, despite the fact that he is a criminal, the Man of Steel has also described Luthor as a "madman" and a "fiend" and numbered him among the world's worst villains. "With that fantastic brain of his," reflects [[Clark Kent]] in September 1962, "Luthor is a menace to the entire universe!"

"Of all Superman's foes," notes ''Action Comics'' No. 294, "none is more relentless than Luthor, Earth's most evil criminal scientist! Luthor's driving ambition has always been to enslave the Earth, but Superman has always stood in the way!"

"For years, Lex Luthor has been Superman's arch-foe! Time and again has this master-criminal used his scientific genius to aid the forces of evil! But in spite of the incredible dangers, Superman has always managed to bring Luthor to justice!" (Act No. 292, Sep 1962: "When Superman Defended his Arch-Enemy")

In his effort to destroy Superman and thereby pave the way for his conquest of the universe, Luthor has created "Luthorite," synthesized [[kryptonite]], and produced dozens of extraordinary inventions. He has, however, despite his genius, shown scant insight into the vast difference in values that sets him irrevocably apart from his super-powered opponent.

Luthor has fought more than one hundred separate battles with Superman. Superman's mementos of these mighty battles - including confiscated weapons, inventions, and other devices - are on display in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] and in the [[Superman Museum]]. At least one of Luthor's inventions - a device designed to summon beings from the fourth dimension - is on display in the Fortress of Solitude's forbidden weapons of crimedom exhibit, while four of his super-scientific weapons - a money magnet, a vault-blaster, an earthquake maker, and an atomic death ray - are on display, along with a bust of Luthor, in the Fortress's wax museum of crime.

In addition to the hatred he harbors for Superman, Luthor also seethes with hostility toward Supermanâ€™s friends. â€œIâ€™m also going to . . . destroy Clark Kent!â€ he vows in March 1952, unaware that [[Clark Kent]] and Superman are one and the same man. â€œHeâ€™s the one who exposes all my rackets in his newspaper articles... !â€œ (Act No. 166: â€œThe Three Scoops of Death!â€).

Although Superman first encounters Luthor in April 1940, when both men are full-grown adults, the later chronicles extend the relationship between the two adversaries all the way back to their boyhood in Smallville, where Superman and Luthor were close boyhood friends until the day when Luthor lost his hair in an accidental laboratory mishap that he misguidedly blamed on the teen-aged Superman. In his bitterness, Luthor became Earth's most evil criminal scientist and the greatest enemy Superman has ever known.

"Ever since they first clashed as boys in Smallville,"'' notes Superman No. 170, ''"Superman has time and again thwarted the evil schemes of his arch-foe, Lex Luthor."

[[Category:Entries|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:People|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Scientists|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Villains|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Lex Luthor|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:LL|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Superboy Era|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Luthor, Lex]]
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Luthor, Lex]]

==External Links==

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_Luthor Wikipedia Entry on Lex Luthor]
*[http://members.shaw.ca/legion_roll_call/future/lex_luthor/ Entry for the heroic 30th Century Lex Luthor at the LSH Clubhouse]

== External Links to Online Comics ==

*[http://superman.ws/tales2/howluthormetsuperboy/ '''"How Luthor Met Superboy"'''] from Adventure Comics No. 271
*[http://superman.ws/tales3/showdown/ '''The Showdown between Luthor and Superman'''] from Superman No. 164
*[http://superman.ws/tales2/luthorandbrainiac/ '''The Team of Luthor and Brainiac'''] from Superman No. 167
*[http://superman.ws/tales2/luthorandbrainiac/'''Lex Luthor --Super Hero!''' ] from Superman No. 168
*[http://superman.ws/tales2/einstein/ '''The Einstein Connection'''] from Superman No. 416