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2026-04-07T16:53:45Z
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https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superman_Robots
Superman Robots
2016-03-07T09:49:42Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Superman Robots'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:Robots.gif|center]]<br />
<br />
Almost from the very beginning of his long career, [[Superman]] has employed dummies and robots of [[Clark Kent]] and Superman&mdash;as well as of his loved ones and closest friends&mdash;to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called Super-Robots&mdash;which are housed both at the [[Fortress of Solitude]] and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's [[Metropolis]] apartment;are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. <br />
<br />
In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.<br />
<br />
In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear life-like by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk. (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!")<br />
<br />
As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.<br />
<br />
Arriving as a superman from [[Mercury (Planet)|Mercury]] in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He has to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag...so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He arranges for this robot to appear to defeat himself as Superman so that he can meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").<br />
<br />
In May 1952, a Clark Kent robot appears in the texts that can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump on a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so the [[Man of Steel]] arranges this mishap to seem as if Clark had fainted after seeing a paper dinosaur, and he repairs it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").<br />
<br />
In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9/3: "The Missile of Steel").<br />
<br />
By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot&mdash;kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the [[Daily Planet]]&mdash;is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.<br />
<br />
In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use [[kryptonite]] against me!"<br />
<br />
By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers."<br />
<br />
In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.<br />
<br />
In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with [[Lois Lane]], confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.<br />
<br />
In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274/1: "The Reversed Super-Powers!") <br />
<br />
Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.<br />
<br />
The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.<br />
<br />
The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and [[Lana Lang]], [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto|Krypto the Superdog]], and robots of himself both as the teen-age [[Superboy]] and as a [[Superbaby|super-baby]].<br />
<br />
The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."<br />
<br />
The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.<br />
<br />
Superman can activate and control his robots either with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the [[Superman Emergency Squad]], but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.<br />
<br />
Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.<br />
<br />
Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructible as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a [[Kryptonian]] [[Flame Dragon|flame dragon]], destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by [[Lex Luthor]]'s vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.<br />
<br />
Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.<br />
<br />
Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.<br />
<br />
Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274/1, Mar 1961: "The Reversed Super-Powers!"), [[Superman Robot X-3]] (SGLL No. 30/2: chs 1-2 --"Superman's Secret Family!"; "The Robot Paradise"), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163/1, Aug 1963: "Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis!"), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174/1, Jan 1965: pts. 1-2--"Clark Kent's Incredible Delusion!"; "The End of a Hero!"), [[Powerman]] (WF No. 94, May/Jun 1958: "The Origin of the Superman-Batman Team!") and [[MacDuff]] (S No. 414, Dec 1985: "Revenge is Like -- Death to Superman!").<br />
<br />
Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!"; and others).<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Super-Menace
Super-Menace
2016-03-03T10:22:56Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Super-Menace'''<br />
[[Image:Super-menace.jpg|right]]<br />
An unearthly manifestation of "force" in the exact image of [[Superman]] that came into being completely by chance, many years ago, when the rocket ship carrying the infant Superman away from the exploding planet [[Krypton]] glanced against "the nose-cone of a giant space ship from another universe," accidentally jarring into operation one of its many "weird scientific devices" and, by so doing, bringing about the creation of "a duplicate of the rocket and everything inside it, including the tiny infant," except that the duplicate infant, destined to become known as Super-Menace, was merely "an unearthly force manifested into human form," devoid of either bones, arteries, or blood, but possessing physical features and super-powers identical to Superman's.<br />
<br />
Arriving on Earth near the United States town of [[Brentstock]], the infant Super-Menace was found and taken in by onetime "public enemy" [[Wolf Derek|"Wolf" Derek]] and his wife [[Bonnie Derek|Bonnie]], much as the infant Superman was found and adopted by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], except that whereas the Kents raised Superman to be an implacable foe of evil and enemy of injustice, the Dereks raised Super-Menace "to admire crime, and to hate all that is decent in life," in the hope that one day, when he reached manhood, he would use his mighty super-powers to annihilate Superman and help his evil foster father become "the crime king of Earth.""<br />
Grown finally to manhood under the baleful influence of the Dereks, Super-Menace&mdash;an exact double of Superman except for his narrow black eyemask&mdash;is easily "the world's mightiest criminal,€ a ruthless "super-outlaw" who represents "the most dangerous menace to law-and-order the world has ever known!"<br />
Sent forth finally by Derek to seek out and annihilate Superman&mdash;after Derek has won the agreement of the "crime syndicate" to install him as its president as soon as his foster son has eliminated Superman&mdash;Super-Menace happens to overhear his evil foster father referring to him as a freak and gloating that he and Bonnie have only "pretended to love" him so that they could manipulate him into becoming their instrument for attaining power in the underworld.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, in the titanic battle with Superman that follows, Super-Menace finally emerges triumphant by trapping Superman amidst a swarm of deadly [[Kryptonite]] meteors. It is then, however, with Superman completely helpless and his life ebbing away beneath the baleful rays of the Kryptonite, that Super-Menace, recalling what he has recently learned about “Wolf†Derek’s secret contempt for him, makes a sudden, fateful decision. After first rescuing Superman from the death-dealing Kryptonite by driving it far beneath the ground with mighty puffs of super-breath, Super-Menace races to the Derek’s hideout for a final, dramatic confrontation.<br />
<br />
"I know everything, Wolf!" he cries, "I know how you twisted my mind into ways of crime, I know you secretly loathed me, while pretending fatherly love<br />
<br />
“My life could have been a blessing,†he continues moments later, but you, with your rotten cunning, twisted it into something terrible….â€<br />
And then, suddenly, Super-Menace's form begins to glow and expand, as it turn into pure energy.<br />
<br />
abandon this human form, cries Super-Menace, and return to pure force! And take you two with me!<br />
<br />
Instants later, as Superman arrives on the scene, all he sees is Super-Menace vanishing into nothingness in a blaze of incandescent light, and the Dereks perishing with him in an unearthly explosion of energy, shrieking vainly for mercy.<br />
<br />
“He’s vanishing!†thinks Superman aloud. “There’s…a pathetic quality about…’it’…†(S No. 137, May 1960: chs. I-III&mdash;â€The Super-Brat from Kryptonâ€; “The Young Super-Bullyâ€; Superman vs. Super-Menace!. (TGSB) <br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Villains]]<br />
[[Category:Look-Alikes]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Batwoman
Batwoman
2016-03-01T09:14:16Z
<p>Telle: punctuation</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:B_Woman_WF_104.jpg|thumb|World's Finest Comics No. 104]]<br />
<br />
'''Batwoman'''<br />
<br />
A raven-haired costumed crime-fighter who functions periodically, from July 1956 onward, as the crime-fighting colleague of [[Batman]] and [[Robin]] (first appearance: Detective Comics No. 233, Jul 1956: "The Batwoman"). Batwoman is in reality [[Kathy Kane]], a wealthy heiress and one time "Circus daredevil performer" noted for her outstanding ability both as a trapeze artist and motorcycle stunt rider.<br />
<br />
In September-October 1957, Batwoman whose true identity has by this time been deduced by Batman despite her attempts to keep it secret, apprehends fugitive criminal [[Elton Craig]] at an abandoned chemical factory, but before she has become temporarily endowed with super-powers, as the result of swallowing a special "radioactive capsule" invented long ago by the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]], father of [[Superman]]. After returning the captured Craig to [[Metropolis]] Prison, Batwoman, whose super-powers will not fade away for about 24 hours, meets with Batman, Robin, and Superman and relates what has happened to her.<br />
<br />
Batwoman attempts to use her newly acquired X-ray vision to peer through the [[Dynamic Duo]]'s face masks, but Batman has already taken the precaution of asking Superman to line their masks with [[lead]], which X-rays cannot penetrate. When Superman makes a remark to the effect that Batman has outwitted her, Batwoman becomes furious. "I have got Super-powers for 24 hours," she declares, "and I will use them to discover your secret identities somehow! From now on, I am out to learn your secrets!" <br />
<br />
For the next 24 hours, the temporarily super-powered Batwoman makes a determined effort to uncover the secret identities of Batman, Robin, and Superman, but the three crime fighters manage to outwit her at every turn. Before long, the 24 hours have elapsed, and Batwoman's powers have faded and vanished, without her having learned the secrets she sought (WF No. 90, Sep-Oct 1957: "The Super-Batwoman!").<br />
<br />
In September 1959, Batwoman helps foil a plot by [[Lex Luthor]] to destroy Superman (WF No. 104, Sep 1959: "The Plot to Destroy Superman!").<br />
<br />
In May 1961, Batwoman becomes accidentally endowed with superhuman powers and falls under the control of the diabolical Lex Luthor. She is rescued from Lex's clutches, however, through the heroic efforts of Batman, Robin, and Superman (WF No. 117, May 1961: "The Super-Batwoman and the Super-Creature!"). (TGSB)<br />
<br />
==External Link==<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batwoman Batwoman Entry at Wikipedia]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]] <br />
[[Category:People]] <br />
[[Category:Batman]]<br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Supergirl
Supergirl
2015-03-03T23:22:23Z
<p>Telle: quotes fix 1</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:400px-SupergirlbyJim Mooney.jpg|right|thumb|Art by Jim Mooney Color by Nightwing]]<br />
<br />
'''Supergirl''' <br />
<br />
== Introduction ==<br />
<br />
A lovely blond super-heroine who functions periodically, from May 1959 onward, as [[Superman]]'s companion in super-heroic adventure. She is in reality [[Kara Zor-El]], Superman'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.<br />
<br />
== Origin ==<br />
<br />
Most of what is known concerning Supergirl'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 Superman'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 City's entire population would, within about one month'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 "super-space telescope" 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 Earth's greatest hero was a Kryptonian like them. Kara'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.<br />
<br />
== The Secret Identity ==<br />
<br />
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 Superms insistence, until such time as she could learn to use her super-powers properly.<br />
<br />
Supergirl'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: "The World's Greatest Heroine!"; 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: "The Robot Master"; and others).<br />
<br />
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")<br />
<br />
== The Costumes ==<br />
<br />
Supergirl'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 Superman's own. <br />
<br />
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-left, 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)<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
== The Superpowers ==<br />
<br />
On Earth, like any Kryptonian survivor, Kara acquires super-powers identical to [[Superman]]'s.<br />
<br />
== The Vulnerabilities ==<br />
<br />
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]].<br />
<br />
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]].<br />
<br />
== The Woman herself as Linda Lee Danvers ==<br />
<br />
After exchanging her colorful Supergirl costume for ordinary Earth girls’ 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 “for a long time to come,†he adds, “you’ll live here quietly as an “ordinary†girl until you get used to earthly things!†(Act No. 252: “The Supergirl from Krypton!â€).<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
As an adult, Linda has had several jobs, working at various times as a teacher, guidance counsellor, and politician.<br />
<br />
Linda Lee Danvers has lived in Midvale, California, Florida, and New York 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).<br />
<br />
== The Woman herself as Supergirl ==<br />
<br />
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 father’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.<br />
<br />
In the texts, Supergirl is alternatively referred to as the [[Girl of Steel]]. Action Comics No. 285 describes Superman and Supergirl as “the two mightiest crusaders in the entire universe†(Feb 1962: “The World’s Greatest Heroine!â€). Superman, who has dedicated a room to Supergirl in his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (S No. 142/3, Jan 1961: “Flame Dragon from Kryptonâ€), has described his cousin this way:<br />
<br />
''Physically, she’s the mightiest female of all time! But at heart, she’s as gentle and sweet and is [sic] quick to tears, as any ordinary girt! I guess that’s why everyone who meets her loves her!'' (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: “The World’s Greatest Heroine!â€).<br />
<br />
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: “Supergirl’s Busiest Day!â€).<br />
<br />
== The Pets of the Chronicles ==<br />
<br />
[[Comet]], the Super-Horse is Supergirl’s mighty equine companion. [[Streaky]], the orange cat that acquires temporary super-powers as the result of its exposure to “X-kryptonite,†is Linda Lee Danvers’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.<br />
<br />
== The Men of the Chronicles ==<br />
<br />
[[Image:Mooney sup b5.JPG|thumb|Brainac 5 gives Supergirl a kiss]]<br />
<br />
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?").<br />
<br />
== The Early Adventures ==<br />
<br />
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: “Mighty Maid!â€). During this same period, Supergirl helps Superman convince the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] that his bitter grudge against Superman’s father is completely unfounded (S No. 134, Jan 1960: chs. I-III—â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; “The Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; “The Duel of the Supermen!â€).<br />
<br />
In August 1960, after exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]] has brought about the sudden, accelerated growth of Superman’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: “The Untold Story of Red Kryptonite!â€).<br />
<br />
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 “The Son of Bizarro!â€; “The ‘Orphan’ Bizarro!â€; “The Bizarro Supergirl!â€). <br />
<br />
In January 1961, Supergirl helps Batman, Superman, and Krypto the Superdog carry out an elaborate, and ultimately successful, ruse to protect the secret of Superman’s identity (S No. 142/3: “Flame Dragon from Kryptonâ€).<br />
<br />
In April 1961, at the Fortress of Solitude, Supergirl, Superman, and Krypto the Superdog all experience the same “red kryptonite hallucination†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 Superman’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 “criminal negligence†in the destruction of Earth; stripped of their super-powers by an interplanetary tribunal, the now-powerless heroes are banished to a desolate “primordial planet,†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 “lightning-monster†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: “The Orphans of Space!â€).<br />
<br />
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: “The War Between Supergirl and the Supermen Emergency Squad!â€).<br />
<br />
In July 1961, Supergirl uses a chunk of [[White Kryptonite]] to destroy the diabolical extraterrestrial “plant intelligence†that has seized control of the body of [[Perry White]] (Act No. 278: “The Super Powers of Perry White!â€).<br />
<br />
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: “The 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 “distant solar system,†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: “The One Minute of Doom!â€).<br />
<br />
In February 1962, after keeping Supergirl’s presence on Earth a secret for almost three full years, [[Superman]] proudly proclaims her existence to the world, touring the world with her “to tumultuous applause,†presenting her at the White House to President [[John F. Kennedy]], introducing her at a special session of the United Nations, where she “receives a standing ovation from the distinguished representatives of member nations…â€<br />
<br />
“Everywhere,†notes the text, “millions 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 “Supergirl,†remarks President Kennedy, “I know you’ll use your super-powers not only to fight crime, but to preserve peace in our troubled world!â€<br />
<br />
“Thank you, Mr. President!†replies Supergirl graciously. “... I will!â€<br />
<br />
At the United Nations, Supergirl is presented with a special “golden certificate†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.<br />
<br />
Inside the bottle city of Kandor, the Kandorians celebrate Supergirl’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: “The World’s Greatest Heroine!â€).<br />
<br />
In March 1962, Supergirl soars into outer space with the bottle city of Kandor cradled in her arms after “telling the Kandorians that she would journey to scores of planets in space to find a scientist who could enlarge their miniature city!†(Act No. 286: “The Jury of Super-Enemies!â€).<br />
<br />
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 Supergirl’s arrival on Earth (S No. 152/1: “The Robot Master!â€).<br />
<br />
[[Image:SupergirlFly.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
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 Superman’s senseless acts of destruction by the Kandorian scientist [[Lon-Es]], Supergirl brings about the blue comet’s destruc tion, thereby curing Superman of his insane compulsion (S No. 154/2: “Krypton’s First Superman!â€). (See [[Mag-En]])<br />
<br />
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: “The 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 “super-comradesâ€, including Krypto the Superdog, the Legion of Super-Heroes, the [[Supermen Emergency Squad]], several of Superman’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 “canal system for irrigating desert lands,†to meet mankind’s future needs for arable land; the destruction of a “faraway planet†that would otherwise collide with Earth “in far future timesâ€; the destruction of a “vast cloud of fungus in distant space, that will some day reach Earth and blight all plant lifeâ€; the melting of the Antarctic ice, “to make Antarctica a fit place for millions to live in the future,†thus ensuring “a home for Earth’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 “shrinking formula†so that it will not one day become so terrifyingly gargantuan that it menaces the safety of Earth.<br />
<br />
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]]’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 Superman’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: “The Last Days of Superman!†pts. I-III—â€Superman’s Death Sentence!â€; “The Super-Comrades of All Time!â€; “Super man’s Last Day of Life!â€).<br />
<br />
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 Metropolis’s [[Superman Museum]] (S No.157/3: “Superman’s Day of Doom!â€).<br />
<br />
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: “Superman 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: “Superman Under the Red Sun!â€).<br />
<br />
In August 1963, after exposure to red kryptonite has temporarily transformed Superman into a fearsome Kryptonian “drang†(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: ‘The Monster from Krypton!â€).<br />
<br />
When Metropolis television station [[WMET-TV]] inaugurates its new “Our American Heroes†series with a program honoring Superman, “our greatest American hero,†Supergirl appears on the show along with Superman’s other friends and admirers to help pay tribute to the [[Man of Steel]] (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: ‘The Superman Super-Spectacular!â€).<br />
<br />
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: “The End of Clark Kent’s Secret Identity!â€).<br />
<br />
In March 1965, after members of the Superman Revenge Squad have used a diabolical “cowardice ray†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: “The Coward of Steel!â€).<br />
<br />
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: “Superman’s Day of Truth!â€). (TGSB)<br />
<br />
[[Image:BronzeAgeSupergirl.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
== The Later Adventures ==<br />
<br />
After her original costume is damaged, Supergirl adopts a number of alternative looks. During this time, an encounter with the villain [[Starfire I|Starfire]] and her allies leaves Kara in a state of power flux that lasts for almost two years (Adv No. 404, Mar 1971: "Super-Girl?"). Soon after, she finishes as an undergraduate student and moves to San Francisco to work in various capacities at a television station. There she has frequent encounters with her rival, the unscrupulous [[Nasthalia Luthor]], a woman determined to link Linda Lee Danvers to Supergirl (Adv No. 406, May 1971: "Suspicion"). Streaky is left to reside with Kara's foster parents.<br />
<br />
Kara (as Linda) attends graduate school at [[Vandyre University]] in California (SG No. 1, Nov 1972: "Trail of the Madman!"), and later accepts a job as a teaching assistant and student advisor at the [[The New Athens Experimental School|New Athens Experimental School]], a private school in Florida (SF No. 165, Jun/Jul 1974: "Princess of the Golden Sun!"), as well as engaging in a brief political career. She shares many adventures with [[Zatanna]] and the two even become involved in a romantic dispute over a Peace Corps worker (SG No. 7, Oct 1973: "The Sinister Snowman!"). Among her many exploits in Florida, Supergirl saves students from the energy-draining plans of a female [[Phantom Zone]] villain (SF No. 183, May/Jun 1977: "Shadows of the Phantom!").<br />
<br />
After a dispute with school administration, Linda decides to move to New York City and use her training in drama and television to land a role as the character "[[Margo Hatton]]" in a daytime soap opera (SF No. 208, Jul 1981: "The Super-Switch to New York!"). In New York, she uncovers the evil plans of media personalities and has a protracted encounter with the [[Master Jailer]] (finishing in SF No. 221, Aug 1982: "A Trip on the Light Fantastic!").<br />
<br />
Relocating once again to Chicago (DNAS No. 1, Nov 1982: "A Very Strange and Special Girl!") to study psychology at [[Lake Shore University]], Supergirl encounters new enemies, including the ultra-intellectual scientific villainess [[Blackstarr]] (SG2 No. 13, Nov 1983: "Echoes of Time Gone By!") and she suffers from power losses due to evil radioactive experiments by Lake Shore's [[Professor Drake]]. Supergirl has a reunion with Dick Malverne during this time period and there seems to be a possibility of a future romance (SG2 No. 23, Sep 1984: "The Future Begins Today!").<br />
<br />
(''See also'' [[Super-Girl]]; [[Superwoman]]; [[Power Girl of Earth-2]])<br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
<br />
*[https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/supergirl/ The World of Supergirl at superman.nu]<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supergirl_%28Kara_Zor-El%29 Wikipedia Entry on Supergirl]<br />
*[http://comicboxcommentary.blogspot.com/ Supergirl Comic Box Commentary]<br />
*[http://www.studiosanning.shawbiz.ca/legion_of_super-heroes/membership/supergirl/index.htm Kara's entry at the LSH Clubhouse]<br />
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=321 Supergirl Index by Mike]<br />
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/sgirlind.htm Supergirl Index by Dark Mark]<br />
*[http://supergirl.astraldream.net/issues-kara.html Kara's Page at Supergirl: Maid of Might]<br />
*[http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/2947.htm/ Hero History: Supergirl]<br />
*[http://www.cosmicteams.com/legion/profiles/Supergirl.html Cosmic Teams: Supergirl]<br />
*[http://dccomicsartists.com/superwhoswho/supergirls.html Supergirls]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]] <br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Kryptonians]]<br />
[[Category:House of El]]<br />
[[Category:Superman's Family]]<br />
[[Category:Supergirl]]<br />
[[Category:Legion of Super-Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Aquaman
Aquaman
2015-03-02T03:49:29Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Aquaman'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:DCCP48cover.jpg|thumb|DC Comics Presents No. 48 Art by Gil Kane]]<br />
<br />
''The half-breed son of a lighthouse keeper and a princess of Atlantis, who came to rule the world beneath the waves'' (DCCP No. 48, Aug 1982: "Eight Arms of Conquest!"). <br />
<br />
A costumed super-hero, gifted with the power to survive and breath beneath the ocean's depths, swim at incredible speeds, and communicate telepathically with all forms of sea creatures, Aquaman is the offspring of a lighthouse keeper and a young woman of [[Atlantis]] (first appearance, More Fun Comics No. 73, Nov 1941). Aquaman is a member of the [[Justice League of America]]. Aquaman's sidekick is [[Aqualad]].<br />
<br />
[[Superman]] and Aquaman's first meeting was when both were teenaged heroes, [[Superboy]] and [[Aquaboy]] respectively. In their first meeting, Superboy saved Aquaboy's life when the youth became engulfed in an oil spill caused by a corrupt oil company. Following this, the two heroes teamed up to expose the polluting oil company's corruption (SB No. 171, Jan 1971: "Dark Strangler of the Seas").<br />
<br />
In July 1960, after [[Clark Kent]] has been swallowed by a whale while on an expedition to photograph marine life for the [[Daily Planet]], Aquaman rescues Kent from his predicament so that Kent will not be forced, by rescuing himself, to betray the fact that he is secretly Superman (S No. 138, Jul 1960: "The Mermaid From Atlantis!").<br />
<br />
In January 1961, at the request of Superman, Aquaman assumes the fictitious identity of [[Mental Man]] as part of the Man of Steel's scheme to apprehend the [["Ace" Ruggles]] gang (Act No. 272/1, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!"). <br />
<br />
In October 1961, after an overzealous agent for the Internal Revenue Service has declared Superman delinquent in his income taxes in the amount of $1,000,000,000, Aquaman scours the ocean for the world's biggest oyster as part of Superman's plan to accumulate part of the money by stimulating the oyster to produce the world's largest pearl (S No. 148, Oct 1961: "Superman Owes a Billion Dollars!").<br />
<br />
In November 1963, when Clark Kent is in imminent danger of drowning after an encounter with [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily robbed him of his super-powers, it is Aquaman who finds him and carries him to Atlantis, where "a new form of artificial respiration" is used to save Kent's life (S No. 165, Nov 1963: "The Sweetheart That Superman Forgot!"). (TGSB)<br />
<br />
In October 1968, Aquaman intervenes in a plot by the shape-shifting sea god [[Proteus]] to wreck a U.S. nuclear submarine. As a result. a frustrated Proteus arranges for [[Jimmy Olsen]] to assume Aquaman's powers and then, disguised as Superman, arranges a contest between the two sea kings that results in the apparent death of Aquaman. However, a resourceful Jimmy, in concert with Superman and a revived Aquaman, manage to thwart Proteus's plans for widespread naval destruction (SPJO No. 115: ""Survival of the Fittest!"").<br />
<br />
<br />
In later chronicles, Aquaman's kingdom, [[Poseidonis]], is distinguished from [[Tritonis]], home of mermaids and mermen such as [[Lori Lemaris]] and [[Jerro]] (DCCP No. 5, Jan 1979: "The War of the Undersea Cities").<br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman Aquaman entry at Wikipedia]<br />
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=128 Earth-1 Aquaman Index by Mike]<br />
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/aquamanind.html Aquaman Index by Dark Mark]<br />
*[http://aqua.gjovaag.com/ The Aquaman Website]<br />
*[http://aquamanshrine.blogspot.com/ The Aquaman Shrine]<br />
*[http://thunderblue.webng.com/12/index.html 12 Fathoms--an Aquaman web resource]<br />
*[http://alankistler.squarespace.com/journal/2007/11/27/alan-kistlers-history-of-aquaman-pre-crisis.html Alan Kistler's History of Aquaman]<br />
*[http://www.cosmicteams.com/profiles/aquaman.html Cosmic Teams: Aquaman]<br />
*[http://gayforloislane.blogspot.com/2010/07/really-aquaman-you-too.html Read "Superman's Rival, Mental Man" at the ''Gay for Lois Lane'' blog]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:People]] <br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Atlanteans]]<br />
[[category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Aquaman
Aquaman
2015-03-02T03:48:17Z
<p>Telle: added jimmy story</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Aquaman'''<br />
<br />
[[Image:DCCP48cover.jpg|thumb|DC Comics Presents No. 48 Art by Gil Kane]]<br />
<br />
''The half-breed son of a lighthouse keeper and a princess of Atlantis, who came to rule the world beneath the waves'' (DCCP No. 48, Aug 1982: "Eight Arms of Conquest!"). <br />
<br />
A costumed super-hero, gifted with the power to survive and breath beneath the ocean's depths, swim at incredible speeds, and communicate telepathically with all forms of sea creatures, Aquaman is the offspring of a lighthouse keeper and a young woman of [[Atlantis]] (first appearance, More Fun Comics No. 73, Nov 1941). Aquaman is a member of the [[Justice League of America]]. Aquaman's sidekick is [[Aqualad]].<br />
<br />
[[Superman]] and Aquaman's first meeting was when both were teenaged heroes, [[Superboy]] and [[Aquaboy]] respectively. In their first meeting, Superboy saved Aquaboy's life when the youth became engulfed in an oil spill caused by a corrupt oil company. Following this, the two heroes teamed up to expose the polluting oil company's corruption (SB No. 171, Jan 1971: "Dark Strangler of the Seas").<br />
<br />
In July 1960, after [[Clark Kent]] has been swallowed by a whale while on an expedition to photograph marine life for the [[Daily Planet]], Aquaman rescues Kent from his predicament so that Kent will not be forced, by rescuing himself, to betray the fact that he is secretly Superman (S No. 138, Jul 1960: "The Mermaid From Atlantis!").<br />
<br />
In January 1961, at the request of Superman, Aquaman assumes the fictitious identity of [[Mental Man]] as part of the Man of Steel's scheme to apprehend the [["Ace" Ruggles]] gang (Act No. 272/1, Jan 1961: "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!"). <br />
<br />
In October 1961, after an overzealous agent for the Internal Revenue Service has declared Superman delinquent in his income taxes in the amount of $1,000,000,000, Aquaman scours the ocean for the world's biggest oyster as part of Superman's plan to accumulate part of the money by stimulating the oyster to produce the world's largest pearl (S No. 148, Oct 1961: "Superman Owes a Billion Dollars!").<br />
<br />
In November 1963, when Clark Kent is in imminent danger of drowning after an encounter with [[Red Kryptonite]] has temporarily robbed him of his super-powers, it is Aquaman who finds him and carries him to Atlantis, where "a new form of artificial respiration" is used to save Kent's life (S No. 165, Nov 1963: "The Sweetheart That Superman Forgot!"). (TGSB)<br />
<br />
In October 1968, Aquaman intervene in a plot by the shape-shifting sea god Proteus to wreck a U.S. nuclear submarine. As a result. a frustrated Proteus arranges for [[Jimmy Olsen]] to be granted Aquaman's powers and then, disguised as Superman, arranges a contest between the two sea kings that results in the apparent death of Aquaman. However, a resourceful Jimmy, in concert with Superman and a revived Aquaman, manage to thwart Proteus's plans for widespread naval destruction (SPJO No. 115: ""Survival of the Fittest!"").<br />
<br />
<br />
In later chronicles, Aquaman's kingdom, [[Poseidonis]], is distinguished from [[Tritonis]], home of mermaids and mermen such as [[Lori Lemaris]] and [[Jerro]] (DCCP No. 5, Jan 1979: "The War of the Undersea Cities").<br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaman Aquaman entry at Wikipedia]<br />
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=128 Earth-1 Aquaman Index by Mike]<br />
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/aquamanind.html Aquaman Index by Dark Mark]<br />
*[http://aqua.gjovaag.com/ The Aquaman Website]<br />
*[http://aquamanshrine.blogspot.com/ The Aquaman Shrine]<br />
*[http://thunderblue.webng.com/12/index.html 12 Fathoms--an Aquaman web resource]<br />
*[http://alankistler.squarespace.com/journal/2007/11/27/alan-kistlers-history-of-aquaman-pre-crisis.html Alan Kistler's History of Aquaman]<br />
*[http://www.cosmicteams.com/profiles/aquaman.html Cosmic Teams: Aquaman]<br />
*[http://gayforloislane.blogspot.com/2010/07/really-aquaman-you-too.html Read "Superman's Rival, Mental Man" at the ''Gay for Lois Lane'' blog]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:People]] <br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Atlanteans]]<br />
[[category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Current_events
Supermanica:Current events
2015-03-02T03:35:06Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>''Old non-current "current events" are archived [[Supermanica:Current_events/Archive_1|here]].''<br />
<br />
==Many Entries have the Quote Marks Replaced by Code==<br />
<br />
I'm afraid they might all have to be changed by hand. See the Superman or Krypton pages for examples.--[[User:MatterEaterLad|MatterEaterLad]] 05:09, 22 October 2008 (UTC)<br />
<br />
This has now been now corrected. --[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 22:55, 24 October 2008 (UTC)<br />
<br />
I think this is still an issue now that the site has relaunched as of 2014/15 --[[User:Telle|telle]] 22:35, 1 March 2015 (EST)<br />
<br />
==Categories==<br />
<br />
I've started a thread on SupermanFan [http://www.supermanfan.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=486&pid=5380&st=0&#entry5380] on Supermanica categories. Please feel free to throw in an opinion. Thanks. --[[User:MatterEaterLad|MatterEaterLad]] 21:49, 21 September 2008 (UTC)<br />
<br />
==Supermanica FAQs/Website Contact==<br />
<br />
Do you have any questions about the Supermanica? Just post them at the current parent site:<br />
[http://www.supermanfan.net/forum/index.php?act=idx SupermanFan.net]<br />
<br />
Important links:<br />
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*https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:About<br />
*https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/wiki/index.php/Add_a_new_article<br />
*https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/wiki/index.php/Canonical_sources<br />
*https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Community_Portal<br />
*https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/wiki/index.php/The_Great_Superman_Book<br />
*https://www.supermanthroughtheages.com/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Help<br />
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Please follow the rules of this site, every rule has been carefully crafted and heavily debated by the most knowledgeable fans in the world. The rules all exist for a reason. Please respect them. If you don't agree, you can always debate them at the forum. But if you decide you somehow know better than everyone else and decide to break them and are told to stop and you keep doing it, you are a troll and you clearly don't belong here, so you will be banned.<br />
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[[Category:Supermanica]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Daily_Planet
Daily Planet
2015-03-01T22:38:42Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Daily Planet'''<br />
[[Image:Planet_Bldg.jpg|left|thumb|Max Fleischer Daily Planet Building]] [[Image:Clark_Kent.jpg|right|]]<br />
<br />
==Overview== <br />
<br />
A crusading metropolitan newspaper located in the city of [[Metropolis]]. Editor-in-Chief [[Perry White]] keeps newshounds [[Clark Kent]] ([[Superman]]), [[Lois Lane]] and [[Jimmy Olsen]] hard at work to find "scoops" (exclusive stories) for the paper. The architecture of the building itself is rather unique as it has a huge globe with the letters "Daily Planet" spanning its circumference. There are also two landing pads for the "[[The Flying Newsroom|Flying Newsroom]]", a helicopter located on the Planet's roof. Another unique feature to the Planet building is its surplus of empty storerooms wherein Kent can change to Superman. <br />
<br />
The ''Daily Planet'' is the metropolitan daily newspaper which employs Clark Kent as a reporter for more than three decades, until January 1971, at which time Kent departs the ''Daily Planet'' to become a fulltime newscaster for Metropolis television station [[WGBS-TV]] (S No. 233: "Superman Breaks Loose"). Described as "the biggest paper in Metropolis" (S No. 73/3, Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!") and as Metropolis’s "leading newspaper" (S No. 6/1, Sep/Oct 1940; and others), the ''Daily Planet'' has an unparalleled reputation for fairness and accuracy (S No. 41/3, Jul/Aug 1946: "A Modern Alice in Wonderland!"; and others) and has "millions of...readers†(S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent&mdash;Convict!"). The newspaper’s precise circulation has never been stated, but in April 1961 the ''Daily Planet'' celebrates the sale of its five-billionth copy (S No. 144/1: "The Super-Weapon!").<br />
<br />
The ''Daily Planet'' is headquartered in the Daily Planet Building (Act No. 36, May 1941; and others), a large skyscraper situated in downtown Metropolis at the center of Planet Square, the so-called "crossroads of the world" (Act No. 77, Oct 1944: "The Headline Hoax!"; and others). Owned at least for a time by Metropolis millionaire [[Ebeneezer Walker]] (Act No. 214, Mar 1956: "Superman, Super-Destroyer"), the building features an electric news-sign that encircles the topmost story (Act No. 229, Jun 1957: "The Superman Satellite") and a "giant globe of the world"&mdash;encircled by a [[Saturn]]-like ring and by giant block letters spelling out the name Daily Planet&mdash;mounted on the roof (Act No. 272, Jan 1961: "Superman’s Rival, Mental Man!"; and others). Extending skyward from the Daily Planet Tower, at the summit of the building, is the broadcast antenna of WPLT, a radio station owned and operated by the ''Daily Planet'' (S No. 39/1, Mar/Apr 1946: "The Big Superman Broadcast!"). Across the street from the Daily Planet Building is a small park, where a marble statue of Superman is unveiled in January-February 1946 (S No. 38/3: "The Man of Stone!"; and others).<br />
<br />
A plaque near the front entrance of the building indicates that the ''Daily Planet'' is published by The Daily Planet Publishing Co., Inc. (WF No. 29, Jul/Aug 1947: "The Books That Couldn’t Be Bound!"; and others), but at least one text asserts that the ''Daily Planet'' is owned by an unnamed company that operates a chain of newspapers, including the ''Gotham Gazette'' (WF No. 75, Mar/Apr 1955: "The New Team of Superman and Robin!"). By the early 1970s, the ''Daily Planet'' has been acquired by the [[Galaxy Broadcasting System]] (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose"; and others).<br />
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==History==<br />
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The date of the ''Daily Planet''’s founding is treated inconsistently in the chronicles. The Daily Planet Publishing Co., Inc., is described as having been established in 1870 in one text (Act No. 194, Jul 1954: "The Outlaws from Krypton!") and as having been established in 1887 in another (WF No. 68, Jan/Feb 1954: "The Menace from the Stars!"). In January-February 1943, editor Perry White refers to the ''Daily Planet'' as being 150 years old (S No. 20/1: "Superman’s Secret Revealed!"), but ''Daily Planet'' staffers celebrate the centennial of the newspaper twice in the chronicles, once in Spring 1944 (WF No. 13: "The Freedom of the Press!") and again in April 1961 (S No. 144/2: "Superboy’s First Public Appearance!").<br />
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Whatever the newspaper’s true age, it apparently originated in the city of San Francisco, as the San Francisco ''Daily Planet'', sometime prior to 1906 (S No. 168, Apr 1964: pts. I-II&mdash;"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!"). In January 1954, an English edition of the ''Daily Planet'' is established in London (S No. 86/1: "The Dragon from King Arthur’s Court!"), and in April 1955 other international editions are launched in Paris and Bombay (Act No. 203: "The International Daily Planet!"). By December 1955, editions of the ''Daily Planet'' are also well under way in Greece, Italy, Holland, and Japan (Act No. 211: "The Superman Spectaculars"). Other editions of the ''Daily Planet'' include ''Ye Daily Planet'', the "world’s first daily newspaper," established by Clark Kent and Lois Lane during a time-journey to the city of London in the year 1606 (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare’s Ghost Writer!"), and the ''[[Daily Solar System]]'', a futuristic descendant of the ''Daily Planet'' in the thirtieth century A.D. (Act No. 215, Apr 1956: "The Superman of Tomorrow").<br />
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==Radio and Television==<br />
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In addition to its chain of newspapers, the ''Daily Planet'' has its own radio stations (S No. 39/1, Mar/Apr 1946: "The Big Superman Broadcast!"), its own television studios (WF No. 52, Jun/Jul 1951: "The Man Who Swindled Superman!"; Act No. 295, Dec 1962: Superman Goes Wild!") and its own mobile television unit for covering fast-breaking news events (S No. 57/1, Mar/Apr 1949: "The Menace of the Machine Men!"). The radio station’s offerings have included an "Adventures of Superman" program (S No. 39/1 Mar/Apr 1946: "The Big Superman Broadcast!"), while the television facilities have been used to air a TV quiz show (WF No. 52, Jun/Jul 1951: "The Man Who Swindled Superman!") and a news program called the "Daily Planet News Flash TV Show" (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!").<br />
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==The Flying Newsroom==<br />
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Another item of news-gathering equipment indispensable to the ''Daily Planet'''s operations is the newspaper's privately owned helicopter (S No. 111/1, Feb 1957: "The Non-Super Superman"), the Flying Newsroom (S No. 115/2, Aug 1957: "Jimmy Olsen’s Lost Pal"; and others), which makes its initial appearance in the chronicles in the late 1950s (Act No. 236, Jan 1958: "Superman’s New Uniform!"; and others). Rendered in various colors, including green (Act No. 236, Jan 1958: "Superman’s New Uniform!"), purple (Act No. 244, Sep 1958: "The Super-Merman of the Sea"), and red (Act No. 249, Feb 1959: "The Kryptonite Man!"; and others), the Flying Newsroom is sometimes portrayed as having one rotor (S No. 111/1, Feb 1957: "The Non-Super Superman"; and others) and sometimes as having two (Act No. 249, Feb 1959: "The Kryptonite Man!"; and others), is occasionally outfitted with pontoons to enable it to land on water (Act No. 244, Sep 1958: "The Super-Merman of the Sea") and, in one text, is described as returning from "foreign shores," implying that it is capable of making a transatlantic flight (S No. 124/2, Sep 1958: "Mrs. Superman").<br />
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==Superman and the Daily Planet==<br />
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Almost from the onset of his super-hero career Superman has been identified with the ''Daily Planet'', not only as Clark Kent, but as Superman as well: helping its reporters achieve sensational scoops, participating in its charity drives, zealously endeavoring to protect its reputation for accuracy (S No. 102/3, Jan 1956: "The Million-Dollar Mistake"; and others). The ''Daily Planet'' has long been the place where strangers attempt to contact Superman (S No. 25/4, Nov/Dec 1943: "Hi-Jack--Jackal of Crime!"; and others), the place where the [[Man of Steel]] picks up his mail and receives his messages (Act No. 161, Oct 1951: "Exit—Superman!"; and others). Indeed, according to Superman No. 117/1, the majority of the Daily Planet's mail is addressed to Superman (Nov 1957: "Clark Kent, Man of Mystery"). "People are always sending his mail here," explains Clark Kent in February 1964, "because they know Clark Kent is his friend!" (Act No. 309: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!"). The Man of Steel's long-term involvement with the ''Daily Planet'' is probably the main reason why the newspapers' photographic files contain "the most complete collection of Superman's feats ever recorded on film..." (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!").<br />
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==The Daily Planet and Philanthropy==<br />
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One reason for Superman's special affection for the ''Daily Planet'', apart from the fact that he is employed there as reporter Clark Kent, is the newspaper's extensive commitment to philanthropic activities, which includes donating "a good percentage" of its profits to charity (WF No. 52, Jun/Jul 1951: "The Man Who Swindled Superman!"). In May-June 1942, the ''Daily Planet'' launches a campaign to build a free vacation resort for underprivileged children (S No. 16/1: 'The World’s Meanest Man"), and in July-August 1945 it holds a drive to raise money for the Metropolis Aid Fund (S No. 35/3: "The Genie of the Lamp!"). By July-August 1946, the Planet Aid Fund has been established to serve as an umbrella for the ''Daily Planet''’s charitable enterprises (S No. 41/2: "Clark Kent's Bodyguard!"; and others), such as the drive to collect money for an orphan asylum conducted in March-April 1948 (S No. 51/3: "The Man Who Bossed Superman!"). Superman gives a demonstration of his awesome super-strength at a benefit performance for the Planet Aid Fund in November 1952 (Act No. 174: "The Man Who Shackled Superman!").<br />
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Later texts make reference to a Daily Planet Charity Fund, which may or may not be the same as the Planet Aid Fund. Once a year, with Superman's help, the employees of the ''Daily Planet'' put on a gala circus extravaganza&mdash;the so-called Daily Planet Charity Show&mdash;to raise money for the Fund (Act No. 212, Jan 1956: "The Superman Calendar"; and others). Superman performs at a benefit for the Daily Planet Charity Fund, held at Metropolis's Ajax Theater, in April 1963 (S No. 160/1: pts I-II&mdash;"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). In February 1957, the Man of Steel excavates a new man-made lake for the Lake Cosmo Children's Camp, a project sponsored by the Daily Planet Aid Branch for the Underprivileged (Act No. 225: "The Death of Superman"). Action Comics No. 226 contains a reference to a Daily Planet Fresh Air Fund (Mar 1957: "The Invulnerable Enemy").<br />
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==The Daily Planet and Contests==<br />
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Both to help it raise money for charity and to boost its circulation, the ''Daily Planet'' frequently conducts imaginative contests. Examples of the contents abound in the chronicles, including the contest for the city's newsboys, held in Summer 1945, with a job as a cub reporter being offered as a prize to the newsboy who brings in the day's best news story (WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!"); the contest to locate "the ideal average American", held in January 1946 (Act No. 92: "The Average American!"); the contest between Superman and [[Nelson Swayne]], held in March-April 1947 (WF No. 27: "The Man Who Out-Supered Superman!"); the contest to locate the owner of the best autograph collection, held in September-October 1947 (S No. 48/2: "Autograph, Please!"); the contest to determine the writer of the most interesting letter accompanying a contribution to the Daily Planet's orphan-asylum fund, held in March-April 1948, with the winner to receive Superman's services, gratis, for a day (S No. 51/3: "The Man Who Bossed Superman!"); the contest among the Daily Planet's own reporters, held in November-December 1948, to determine which of them can write the best story about Superman (WF No. 37: "The Superman Story!"); the contest to select Miss Metropolis of 1950, held in March-April 1950, which offers a prize of $10,000 to the winner and is open only to beautiful girls engaged in perilous occupations (S No. 63/3: "Miss Metropolis of 1950"); the contest, held in July-August 1953, to select the bravest woman in America (S No. 83/2: "The Search for the Bravest Woman!"); the annual contest to select the most "Lovely Child," with the winner to receive a prize of $1,000 and a free sightseeing trip around the world with Superman (S No. 96/1, Mar 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!"); the contest to select the five best letters submitted by ''Daily Planet'' readers in response to the question, "What five feats by Superman would most benefit Metropolis?" with Superman agreeing to perform the five best suggested feats (S No. 104/3, Mar 1956: "The Super-Family from Outer Space"); the contest, held in July 1956, to see which ''Daily Planet'' reader recalls Superman's earliest super-feat (S No. 106/1: "Superman’s First Exploit"); the contest, held in March 1958, to select the best photograph taken by an amateur photographer of Superman in action (S No. 120/2: "The Super-Feats Superman Forgot"); and the "three coins in the fountain" charity contest, held in August 1965, in which Superman picks three coins from a fountain tossed there by charity contributors and grants one wish each to the three persons whose coins he has selected (S No. 179/1: "The Outlaw Fort Knox!").<br />
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==The Daily Planet's Publishers==<br />
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The questions of who published the ''Daily Planet'' is treated inconsistently in the chronicles. Two texts call Perry White the publisher (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; S No. 117/1, Nov 1957: "Clark Kent, Man of Mystery"), but these references are almost certainly erroneous. Other individuals referred to as the Daily Planet's publisher include Burt Mason (S No. 5/2, Sum 1940; ''see also'' S No. 6/2, Sep/Oct 1940); [[J. Wimmer]] (Act No. 139, Dec 1949: "Clark Kent...Daredevil!"); Maxwell Leeds (S No. 73/3, Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!"); [[John Wilton]], although his custodianship of the ''Daily Planet'' is only temporary (S No. 79/2, Nov/Dec 1952: "The End of the Planet!"); Harvey Gray, the brother of [[Griselda Gray]] (S No. 85/2, Nov/Dec 1953: "Clark Kent, Gentleman Journalist!"); and Frank Wells, the uncle of [[Pointdexter Wells]] (S No. 95/2, Feb 1955: "The Practical Joker!"). A Mr. Amesby is referred to as Perry White’s "boss" in Superman No. 105/2, but this need not necessarily be taken as an indication that Amesby is the Daily Planet's publisher (May 1956: "Mr. Mxyztplk’s Secret Identity"). [[Dexter Willis]]'s uncle, Mr. Willis, is described as "a big shot publisher" and one of the Daily Planet's "biggest stockholders" (Act No. 289, Jun 1962: "The Super-Practical Joker!"), and [[Morna Vine]]'s uncle, wealthy Mark Vine, is the newspaper's "chief stockholder" (S No. 181/1, Nov 1965: pts. I-II&mdash;"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine!"; "The Secrets of the New Supergirl!").<br />
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==Perry White and the Daily Planet==<br />
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From the time the name ''Daily Planet'' first appears in the chronicles (S No. 4/1-4, Spr 1940; Act No. 23, Apr 1940) through November 1940 (Act No. 30), [[George Taylor]] is explicitly referred to as the Daily Planet's editor (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Then, in November-December 1940, an editor named White appears (S No. 7/1), and in May-June White’s full name&mdash;Perry White&mdash;is given for the first time in the chronicles (S No. 10/2). Despite the fact that Perry White has now functioned as the ''Daily Planet'' editor for nearly four full decades, however, the chroniclers have not been consistent regarding his precise professional title: he has been referred to as the "editor" in numerous texts (S No. 27/1, Mar/Apr 1944: "The Palace of Perilous Play!"; and others), but he has also been described as the newspaper's "managing editor" (WF No. 13, Spr 1944: "The Freedom of the Press!"; and others), its "city editor" (Act No. 133, Jun 1949: "The World's Most Perfect Girl"; Act No. 136, Sep 1949: "Superman, Show-Off!"), its "chief editor" (S No. 121/3, May 1958: "The Unknown Super-Deeds!"), and its "editor-in-chief" (Act No. 243, Aug 1958: "The Lady and the Lion"). Perry White has also been referred to as the Daily Planet's "editor-publisher" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane") and "publisher" (S No. 117/1, Nov 1957: "Clark Kent, Man of Mystery"), but these designations are contradicted by numerous texts (S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: "The Wrecker"; and others ) and are certainly not accurate.<br />
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==Clark Kent and the Daily Planet==<br />
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The Daily Planet's "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others) is indisputably Clark Kent. Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare’s Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), Kent has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'' including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman’s Identity!"). He is described as the Daily Planet's "foremost reporter" in Superman No. 12/2 (Sep/Oct 1941), and as its "ace reporter" in Action Comics No. 105 (Feb 1947: "The Man Who Hated Christmas!") and in numerous other texts. "To '''Daily Planet''' readers," explains Superman No. 98/2: "the name of Clark Kent signed over a story has always meant integrity and honesty! His newspaper reporting on crime has won him countless awards!" (Jul 1955: "Clark Kent Outlaw!").<br />
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Two separate texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his reporter's job on the ''Daily Planet'', and they contain widely disparate accounts. According to Action Comics No. 144, Clark Kent first decided to become a reporter while still a youngster, after hearing ''Daily Planet'' editor Perry White give a lecture at [[Smallville High School]]. Arriving in Metropolis "years later" in hopes of pursuing a journalist's career, Kent was rejected by White when he applied for a post at the ''Daily Planet'' and was forced to take a series of odd jobs&mdash;from taxi driver to vacuum-cleaner salesman&mdash;until finally, after he had rescued Perry White from death at the hands of syndicate gangsters on several occasions, both as Clark Kent and as Superman, and after he had turned in an exclusive account of Superman's crusade against the syndicate, White finally granted him a job as a reporter (May 1950: "Clark Kent’s Career!"). According to a conflicting account presented in Superman No. 133/2, however, Kent applied for a reporter's job at the ''Daily Planet'', was given a series of trivial "test" assignments&mdash;such as visiting the Metropolis Zoo for a story of an aging gorilla&mdash;by editor Perry White in lieu of an outright brush-off, and finally won his post on the ''Daily Planet'' by using his Superman powers to transform each dull, routing assignment into an electrifying news event and then handing in exclusive accounts of these events as would-be reporter Kent (Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may be safely be regarded as spurious, for Clark Kent really begin his journalistic career on the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet'', by thwarting a lynching at the county jail in his Superman identity and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).<br />
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Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as '''Superman'''" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent’s Career!"; and others). Kent frequently changes to Superman inside an empty "storage closet" (Act No. 181, Jun 1953: "The New Superman") or "store-room" (S No. 145/1, May 1961: "The Secret Identity of Superman!") at the ''Daily Planet'', and by May 1958 he has begin hiding a sophisticated Clark Kent robot behind a secret panel in the Daily Planet's supply room, capable of carrying on his journalistic duties whenever he is needed elsewhere as Superman (Act No. 240: "Secret of the Superman Sphinx").<br />
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==Lois Lane and the Daily Planet==<br />
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Ranking alongside Kent in the Daily Planet's reportorial hierarchy is Lois Lane, "the Daily Planet's star woman reporter" (WF No. 47, Aug/Sep 1950: "The Girl Who Hated Reporters!") and "Clark Kent's rival reporter at the '''Daily Planet'''..." (Act No. 176, Jan 1953: "Muscles for Money"). Described as the newspaper's "sob sister" (S No. 7/1, Nov/Dec 1940; and others) and as its lovelorn columnist (Act No. 44, Jan 1942; and others) in many early texts, Lois Lane has risen through the journalistic ranks to become one of the Daily Planet's "star reporters" (S No. 27/1, Mar/Apr 1944: "The Palace of Perilous Play!"; and others) and, with Clark Kent, one of the newspaper's "two brightest satellites" (S No. 26/2 Jan/Feb 1944: "Comedians' Holiday!"). Particularly adept at covering local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"), she has performed the full range of journalistic duties, including stints as war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940); weather editor, described as "one of the lowliest jobs on any newspaper" (WF No. 26, Nov/Dec 1946: "Mad Weather in Metropolis!"; ''see also'' WF No. 51, Apr/May 1951: "The Amazing Talents of Lois Lane!"); and "acting editor" in the absence of Perry White (S No. 124/1, Sep 1958: "The Super-Sword").<br />
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According to World’s Finest Comics No. 47, Lois Lane began her journalistic career on the ''Daily Planet'' sometime after Clark Kent had already obtained employment there (Aug/Sep 1950: "The Girl Who Hated Reporters!"). This account is undoubtedly erroneous, however, for Lois Lane is portrayed as employed by the ''Daily Star'' in the premiere text of the Superman chronicles (Act No. 1, Jun 1938), and her hiring seems clearly to have preceded Kent's (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). In addition, numerous other texts support the contention that Lois Lane was already plying here trade as a reporter at the time Clark Kent first began his journalistic career (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"; and others).<br />
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==Jimmy Olsen and the Daily Planet==<br />
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After Perry White, Clark Kent, and Lois Lane, the most enduring member of the ''Daily Planet'' staff is Jimmy Olsen, the newspaper's "star cub reporter" (Act No. 238, Mar 1958: "The Super-Gorilla from Krypton"). First introduced in November-December 1941 only as Jimmy, an office boy at the ''Daily Planet'' with a heartfelt longing to become "a real reporter" like his idol, Clark Kent (S No. 13/2), Jimmy is finally referred to by his full name, Jimmy Olsen, in March-April 1942 (S No. 15/1) and continues to be referred to as the ''Daily Planet'''s "office boy" for a number of years (Act No. 71, Apr 1944: "Valentine Villainy!"; and others) until he is finally accorded the status of cub reporter in January 1954 (S No. 86/2: "Jimmy Olsen...Editor!").<br />
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==The Staff of the Daily Planet==<br />
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Other ''Daily Planet'' staffers over the years have included reporter [[Charles Clayton]] (S No. 21/2, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Four Gangleaders"); janitor [[Charlie Frost]] (WF No. 11, Fall 1943: "The City of Hate!"); composing-room foreman Sam Greene, boss pressman Matt Worth, delivery-fleet head Peat Gluyas, ace cameraman Happy, copy-desk chief Sanford, and reporter Honey Dale, the publisher's niece (WF No. 13, Spr 1944: "The Freedom of the Press!"); cub reporter [[Tommy Blake]] (WF No. 18, Sum 1945: "The Junior Reporters!"); columnist Olga Olmstead (WF No. 24, Sep/Oct 1946: "Impossible but True!"); sports editor Jack Donovan, shipping-news reporter Mart Lane, photographer Joey Crane, and political reporter Horace Mills (WF No. 37, Nov/Dec 1948: "The Superman Story!"); a linotyper named Barstow (S No. 57/3, Mar/Apr 1949: "The Son of Superman!"); sports photographer Tom Dodds (S No. 58/2, May/Jun 1949: "Lois Lane Loves Clark Kent!"); business manager Mr. Weems (S No. 63/2, Mar/Apr 1950: "The Wind-Up Toys of Peril!"); Chuck, "the Planet’s star photographer" (S No. 66/2, Sep/Oct 1950: "The Last Days of Superman!"); cub reporter [[Will White]], a son of Perry White (S No. 72/2, Sep/Oct 1951: "The Private Life of Perry White!"); switchboard operator [[Susan Semple]] (Act No. 163, Dec 1951: "The Girl of Tomorrow"); reporter [[Jack Wilde]] (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"); drama reporter [[Great Caesar's Ghost!|Waldo Pippin]] (S No. 91/3, Aug 1954: "Great Caesar’s Ghost!"); staff artist Al Fallon, who draws the comic-strip feature [[Mental-Man]] (Act No. 196, Sep 1954: "The Adventures of Mental-Man!"); editor George Earns (S No. 92/1, Sep 1954: "The Impossible Headlines!"); lovelorn editor Dora Dell (S No. 92/2, Sep 1954: "Superman’s Sweetheart!"); copy boy Tommy Brown (S No. 95/3, Feb 1955: 'Jimmy Olsen, Super-Reporter!"); reporter [[Perry White, Jr.]], a son of Perry White (S No. 108/2, Sep 1956: "Perry White, Jr., Demon Reporter!"); and reporter Morna Vine (S No. 181/1, Nov 1965: pts I-II&mdash;"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine!"; "The Secret of the New Supergirl!").<br />
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Other individuals who, at one time or another, have worked on the ''Daily Planet'' include boy genius Euclid Smith, who becomes a reporter on the newspaper in May-June 1952 as part of Superman's plan for getting the goods on the unscrupulous [[Mr. Fenton]] (WF No. 58: "'Scoop' Smith, Boy Reporter!"); [[Lana Lang]], who is employed by the ''Daily Planet'' during September-October 1952 (S No. 78/3: "The Girls in Superman's Life!"); swindler [[Soapy Martin]], who, under the alias Don Kelton, is employed as the Daily Planet's sports editor during January 1956 (S No. 102/3: "The Million-Dollar Mistake"); [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]], who obtains a reporter's job on the paper under a secret identity in May 1956 (S No. 105/2: "Mr. Mxyztplk’s Secret Identity"); John Corben, alias [[Metallo (John Corben)|Metallo]], who becomes a reporter on the ''Daily Planet'' in May 1959 (Act No. 252: "The Menace of Metallo!"); and [[Hercules]], who, under the pseudonym [[Roger Tate]], obtains employment as a ''Daily Planet'' reporter during a visit to the twentieth century in August 1960 (Act No. 267: "Hercules in the 20th Century!"). Nostradamus, an old hermit who becomes, for a time, the dupe of the archvillainous [[Lex Luthor]], is given a job with the ''Daily Planet'' as a weather forecaster in October 1948 (Act No. 125: "The Modern Nostradamus!"), and [[Quex-Ul]], formerly an inmate of the [[Phantom Zone]], is given a job in the Daily Planet's production department in November 1962 (S No. 157/1: "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!").<br />
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According to World’s Finest Comics No. 47, "the favorite eating place for Metropolis reporters," including those of the ''Daily Planet'', is [[Harry’s Dog House]], a diner specializing in hot dogs located across the street from the Daily Planet Building (Aug/Sep 1950: "The Girl Who Hated Reporters!"). For haircuts, most of the ''Planet'' staffers rely on Tony's barbershop (Act No. 237, Feb 1958: "Superman's Exposed Identity").<br />
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==The Daily Planet's Rival Newspapers==<br />
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Despite the preeminence of the ''Daily Planet'' among Metropolis's newspapers, the ''Planet'' has not been without its competition. Over the years, rival newspapers have included the ''Morning Pictorial'' and the ''Evening Standard'' (Act No. 37, Jun 1941; and others); the ''Metropolis Star'' (S No. 39/1, Mar/Apr 1946: "The Big Superman Broadcast!"; S No. 63/2, Mar/Apr 1950: "The Wind-Up Toys of Peril!"); The ''Evening Gazette'' (S No. 42/3, Sep/Oct 1946: "The Death of Clark Kent!"; S No. 108/2, Sep 1956: "Perry White, Jr., Demon Reporter!"); the ''Eagle'' (S No. 49/2, Nov/Dec 1947: "Clark Kent's Most Dangerous Assignment!"); the ''Examiner'' (S No. 49/3, Nov/Dec 1947: "Lois Lane, Globe-Trotter!"); the ''World'' and the ''Globe'' (WF No. 33, Mar/Apr 1948: "Superman Press, Inc.!"); the ''Metropolis Herald'' (S No. 52/1, May/Jun 1948: "Preview of Plunder"); the ''Daily Dispatch'' (S No. 73/3, Nov/Dec 1951: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!"); the ''Daily Tatler'' (WF No. 58, May/Jun 1952: "'Scoop' Smith, Boy Reporter!"); the ''Evening Compass'' (S No. 89/1, May 1954: "Captain Kent the Terrible!"); and the ''Morning Globe'' (Act No. 237, Feb 1958: "Superman's Exposed Identity").<br />
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==The Texts==<br />
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In June 1938, the date of the premiere text of the Superman chronicles, Clark Kent is portrayed as a reporter for the ''Daily Star'' (Act No. 1), although an expanded version of the same events, published a year later, shows that Kent had obtained employment on the ''Star'' only a short while earlier (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). For almost two full years, through March 1940, Kent's newspaper is referred to as the ''Daily Star'' (Act No. 22). Thereafter, whoever, without any explanation having been given for the changeover, the paper is referred to as the ''Daily Planet'' (S No. 4/1-4, Spr 1940; Act No. 23, Apr 1940), the name it has now retained for nearly four full decades.<br />
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Following its last appearance in November 1940 (Act No. 30), the name of George Taylor&mdash;who had served as editor of the ''Daily Star'' and then of the ''Daily Planet''&mdash;disappears from the chronicles entirely, to be replaced soon afterward by that of editor Perry White (Act No. 35, Apr 1941; and others).<br />
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In Summer 1940, [[Alex Evell]]'s attempt to seize control of the ''Daily Planet'' is thwarted by Superman (S No. 5/2).<br />
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In October 1941, saboteur [[Ralph Cowan]] plants a time bomb at the ''Daily Planet'' while posing as a telephone repairman, but Superman finds and defuses the bomb before it has had time to go off (Act No. 41).<br />
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In May-June 1942, the Daily Planet Building and all its occupants are transported to the fourth dimension by the evil [[Mister Sinister]], but Superman ultimately defeats the villain and restores the "kidnapped" building to the earthly dimension (S No. 16/3: "Case of the Runaway Skyscrapers").<br />
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In September-October 1942, after being duped by Nazi agent [[Carl Bland]] into participating in his so-called "mock invasion" of Metropolis, Lois Lane almost succeeds in blowing up the ''Daily Planet'' when she carries a bomb-laden suitcase into the Daily Planet Building unaware that it contains a live bomb. Alerted in the nick of time by Superman, however, Lois drops the suitcase into a nearby river, where it explodes harmlessly (S No. 18/1: "The Conquest of a City").<br />
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In November-December 1942, villains from the ''Daily Planet'''s comic strips are brought to life by [[Funnyface]], who puts them to work committing spectacular crimes. Superman ultimately apprehends Funnyface, however, with some timely assistance from Lois Lane (S No. 19/1: "Case of the Funny Paper Crimes").<br />
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In December 1942, the ''Daily Planet'' announces its plans to publish a comic-strip series by cartoonist [[Al Hatt]] based on the adventures of Superman (Act No. 55: "A Goof Named Tiny Rufe").<br />
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In May-June 1943, after the [[Prankster]] has copyrighted the English alphabet, Perry White finds himself compelled to pay the villain $2,000 per week for permission to publish the ''Daily Planet'' (S No. 22/3: "The Great ABC Panic!").<br />
<br />
In Fall 1943, the [[Skeptic]] attempts to discredit the ''Daily Planet'', only to be thwarted and apprehended by Superman (WF No. 11: "The City of Hate!").<br />
<br />
In Spring 1944, three Metropolis rackets czars (''see'' [[Delmar Dice Dimant|Delmar "Dice" Dimant]]) embark on a campaign of sabotage and terror against the ''Daily Planet'' as part of his elaborate scheme to bilk wealthy "stock manipulator" Amos Amster (Act No. 77: "The Headline Hoax!").<br />
<br />
In January-February 1946, Lex Luthor wreaks havoc at the Daily Planet Building when he makes it the target of his diabolical "molecular impulsion beam" (S No. 38/1: "The Battle of the Atoms!").<br />
<br />
In November-December 1948, five ''Daily Planet'' reporters spend a hectic day with Superman as part of a contest, proposed by Perry White, to see which of them can produce the best story of the day's events. All five reporters turn in excellent stories, but the winner of the contest&mdash;although the named of the winner is never explicitly stated&mdash;is apparently young news photographer Joey Crane, whose "story" consists of pictures of all the happy people Superman helped in the course of his super-heroic day (WF No. 37: "The Superman Story!").<br />
<br />
In September-October 1949, rackets czar [[Hollis Shore]] has his henchmen bomb the ''Daily Planet'''s printing presses in retaliation for a series of exposés written by editor Perry White, but Superman keeps the ''Daily Planet'' in business in spite of the damage by printing the newspaper on a hand press at eye-blurring super-speed (S No. 60/1: "The Two Identities of Superman!").<br />
<br />
In March-April 1950, the [[Toyman (Winslow Schott)|Toyman]] steals a payroll from the ''Daily Planet'' with the aid of an ingenious flying Superman doll, but Superman ultimately outwits the Toyman and takes him into custody (S No. 63/2: "The Wind-Up Toys of Peril!").<br />
<br />
In July-August 1950, when the space capsule carrying [[Mala]], [[Kizo]], and [[U-Ban]] crash-lands in Metropolis, the impact of the landing threatens to topple the Daily Planet Building and numerous other downtown skyscrapers, but, "with a speed that seems to burn up space," Superman repairs the damage before any of the buildings collapse (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").<br />
<br />
In June 1951, [[Joe "The Elephant" Striker]] and his henchmen are apprehended by Superman while attempting to stage a payroll robbery at the ''Daily Planet'' (Act No. 157: "The Superman Who Couldn’t Fly!").<br />
<br />
In November-December 1951, the ''Daily Planet'' merges with its former rival, the ''Daily Dispatch'', after the ''Dispatch'''s stockholders have hastily decided to dispose of their interest in the paper in the wake of the embarrassing revelation that ''Dispatch'' publisher [[Ray Curtis]] is actually [[The Insider|â€The Insider.â€]] The text asserts that the newspaper resulting from the merger is to be called the ''Planet-Dispatch'' (S No. 73/3: "Perry White vs. Clark Kent!"), but the name ''Planet-Dispatch'' never reappears in any subsequent text.<br />
<br />
In November-December 1952, the ''Daily Planet'' is deliberately closed down by publisher John Wilton as part of his scheme to stifle competition among Metropolis's newspapers. Before long, however, the ''Daily Planet'' is back in business, thanks to the perseverance of ''Planet'' staffers and the heroic intervention of Superman (S No. 79/2: "The End of the Planet!").<br />
<br />
In February 1953, the Daily Planet Building is smashed in two by a diabolical "flying wrecking crane" employed by the [[The General|"General,"]] but Superman evacuates the building before anyone is injured, transporting its equipment and personnel to a safe location until he has had time to repair the damage (Act No. 177: "The Anti-Superman Weapon").<br />
<br />
In January 1954, an English edition of the ''Daily Planet'' is established in London (S No. 86/1: "The Dragon from King Arthur's Court!").<br />
<br />
In May 1954, life at the ''Daily Planet'' is made miserable by the relentless insistence on "split-second efficiency" imposed on the staff by efficiency expert [[Jasper Coldstone]] (Act No. 192: "The Man Who Sped Up Superman!"). During this same period, Superman erects a protective metal shield around the Daily Planet Building to protect its occupants from a powerful bomb planted in Metropolis by Lex Luthor (S No. 89/3: "One Hour to Doom!").<br />
<br />
In September 1954, gangster [[Jigger Benson]] concocts a scheme to destroy the ''Daily Planet'''s credibility in order to discredit a series of exposés written by reporter Clark Kent. Benson and his henchmen, however, are ultimately apprehended by Superman (S No. 92/1: "The Impossible Headlines!").<br />
<br />
In April 1955, foreign editions of the ''Daily Planet'' are launched in Paris and Bombay. According to the text, a third international edition is established in London (Act No. 203: "The International Daily Planet!"), but this is inconsistent with the previous establishment of a London edition fifteen months earlier (S No. 86/1, Jan 1954: "The Dragon from King Arthur's Court!"). <br />
<br />
In December 1955, ''Daily Planet'' offices around the world celebrate what is described as "the anniversary of the first '''international editions''' of the '''Daily Planet'''--in France, Greece, Italy, Holland, and Japan!" To help mark the occasion, Superman visits the five countries in turn to pose for a series of front-page anniversary-edition photographs of himself performing to "glorify something [the host] country is famous for," as when the Man of Steel poses on a Paris street while balancing the [[Eiffel Tower]] upside down in one hand. Several days later, when Superman returns to [[Smallville]] for a testimonial dinner in his honor commemorating the anniversary of his arrival on Earth as an infant from the planet [[Krypton]], Perry White is on hand to present the Man of Steel with a special anniversary gift: copies of the editions, each with photographs of Superman's super-feats splashed across its front page, and each with a headline wishing Superman a happy anniversary in its own native language (Act No. 211: "The Superman Spectaculars").<br />
<br />
In March 1956, the Daily Planet Building is one of the buildings destroyed by Superman in order to thwart the interplanetary invasion plot unearthed by [[Ebeneezer Walker]]. Later, with the alien invasion threat safely disposed of, Superman single-handedly constructs a new Daily Planet Building on the site of the old one (Act No. 214: "Superman, Super-Destroyer").<br />
<br />
In July 1960, the giant "Earth-globe" atop the Daily Planet Building is destroyed by [[Titano]], who rips it from its moorings and hurls it into the sea. A new globe fashioned by Superman is later installed in its place (S No. 138/1: "Titano the Super-Ape!").<br />
<br />
In April 1961, Superman poses for a commemorative photograph outside the Daily Planet Building as he purchases, from a newsboy, the five billionth copy of the ''Daily Planet'' (S No. 144/1: "The Super-Weapon!").<br />
<br />
In July 1962, in the pressroom of the ''Daily Planet'', Perry White presents Superman with an honorary plaque in gratitude for his ongoing role in "helping the Planet get many great scoops!" Suddenly, however, Superman goes berserk, "leering malevolently" and smashing apart the ''Daily Planet'''s giant presses "with powerful blows of his mighty fists..." Then, just as abruptly, the bizarre "wrecking spree" ends, and Superman, who is as yet completely unaware of the reason for his insane outburst (''see'' [[Mag-En]]), contritely repairs the damage (S No. 154/2: "Krypton’s First Superman!").<br />
<br />
In December 1962, Superman destroys every single typewriter at the ''Daily Planet'', demolishes the globe atop the Daily Planet Building, and commits other intemperate, often violent, acts after being driven temporarily berserk by a diabolical "telepathic-hypnotic weapon" fired at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. After the villains have been defeated, however, Superman pledges to repair the damage (Act No. 295: "Superman Goes Wild!").<br />
<br />
In July 1963, the roof of the Daily Planet Building collapses into its topmost floor of offices after it has been deliberately sabotaged by a ring of swindlers who have been the target of a series of exposés authored by editor Perry White. Lois Lane is on the verge of being crushed to death by the heavy ''Daily Planet'' globe falling through the caved-in roof when Superman intervenes to catch the globe and rescue Lois from seemingly certain doom (Act No. 302: "The Amazing Confession of Super-Perry White!").<br />
<br />
In May 1964, the mischievous Mr. Mxyzptlk uses his extradimensional magical powers to temporarily transform the large block letters encircling the globe atop the Daily Planet Building so that instead of spelling out the words Daily Planet they spell out the words Daily Liar (S No. 169/1: "The Infernal Imp!"). Soon afterwards, the globe is demolished by [[Bizarro]] and his followers from the planet [[Htrae]]. The destruction of the globe has its beneficial side, however, because, as luck would have it, two of the globe's giant block letters, hurtling toward the sidewalk, knock out two gunmen attempting to seal a ''Daily Planet'' payroll en route from the bank (S No. 169/3, May 1964: "The Bizarro Invasion of Earth!").<br />
<br />
By January 1971, the ''Daily Planet'' has been acquired by the Galaxy Broadcasting System. It is during this period that [[Morgan Edge]], Galaxy's president, removes Clark Kent from the staff of the ''Planet'' and installs him as a full-time newscaster on another Galaxy property, Metropolis television station WGBS-TV, a post Kent holds until the late 1980s (S No. 233: "Superman Breaks Loose"; and others). (TGSB)<br />
<br />
==External Link==<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Planet Wikipedia Entry on the Daily Planet]<br />
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[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]<br />
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[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]<br />
[[Category:LL]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Kal-El
Kal-El
2015-03-01T22:37:38Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Kalel.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
'''Kal-El'''<br />
<br />
[[Superman]]'s [[Kryptonian]] name (S No. 113, May 1957: chs 1-3&mdash;"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present"; and others). (TGSB) <br />
<br />
'''Kal-El''' is ancient Kryptonian for "Star Child" (S No. 257/2, Oct 1972: "The Greatest Green Lantern of All!"; LSOK; and others).<br />
<br />
The [[House of El]] was renowned throughout Kryptonian history for their great achievements in sciences and the arts.<br />
<br />
Although born on [[Krypton]], young Kal-El was rocketed to safety on Earth by his parents, [[Jor-El]] and [[Lara]], before Krypton exploded. Upon his arrival on Earth, Kal-El was adopted by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]] and raised as [[Clark Kent]] in [[Smallville]]. <br />
<br />
Once he was of age, he began his career as [[Superboy]] and then later as [[Superman]].<br />
<br />
(''See also'' [[Kal-L of Earth-2]]) <br />
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[[Category:Entries]] <br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Kryptonians]]<br />
[[Category:House of El]]<br />
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[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
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[[Category:LL]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Valhalla
Valhalla
2015-03-01T22:33:33Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
'''Valhalla'''<br />
<br />
The mythical Hall of Heroes of Norse mythology; a magnificent, huge structure located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Valhalla is referenced at length in both the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, compiled from 13th Century sources. <br />
<br />
Valhalla is the name given to the "mighty metal castle" that serves as the headquarters of the [[Super-Companions]], a group of super-powered aliens from different planets who are gathered together by the scientists of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] creates the sky-castle and throws it into orbit in the skies above Thrann as his final super-feat in a contest among his fellow heroes to see who shall be crowned leader of the group.Valhalla is used as a base of operations and as a place to rest between their great deeds. It is engulfed in flames and falls into the sea when attacked by [[Stormboy]] as part of a ruse to convince the Thrannians that the Super-Companions are at war amongst themselves, resulting in the heroes' return to their individual planets of origin (Adv No. 371, Aug 1968: "When Superboy Walked Out On The Legion").<br />
<br />
On Earth, Valhalla is the name of a Viking colony located in a valley in Northern Maine, hidden from the rest of the modern world by an intense cloud cover but accidentally discovered by [[Superman]], who goes on to have a series of encounters with Valhalla's super-strong champion, [[Valdemor]] (S No. 260, Jan 1973: ""The Keeper of the Eternal Flame!").<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
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<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla Valhalla's Wikipedia entry]<br />
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[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]<br />
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[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]<br />
[[Category:LL]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Valhalla
Valhalla
2015-03-01T22:31:28Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
'''Valhalla'''<br />
<br />
The mythical Hall of Heroes of Norse mythology; a magnificent, huge structure located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Valhalla is referenced at length in both the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, compiled from 13th Century sources. <br />
<br />
Valhalla is the name given to the "mighty metal castle" that serves as the headquarters of the [[Super-Companions]], a group of super-powered aliens from different planets who are gathered together by the scientists of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] creates the sky-castle and throws it into orbit in the skies above Thrann as his final super-feat in a contest among his fellow heroes to see who shall be crowned leader of the group.Valhalla is used as a base of operations and as a place to rest between their great deeds. It is engulfed in flames and falls into the sea when attacked by [[Stormboy]] as part of a ruse to convince the Thrannians that the Super-Companions are at war amongst themselves, resulting in the heroes' return to their individual planets of origin (Adv No. 371, Aug 1968: "When Superboy Walked Out On The Legion").<br />
<br />
On Earth, Valhalla is the name of a Viking colony located in a valley in Northern Maine, hidden from the rest of the modern world by an intense cloud cover but accidentally discovered by [[Superman]], who goes on to have a series of encounters with Valhalla's super-strong champion, [[Valdemor]] (S No. 260, Jan 1973: ""The Keeper of the Eternal Flame!").<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla Eiffel Tower's Wikipedia entry]<br />
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[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]<br />
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]<br />
[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]<br />
[[Category:LL]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Valhalla
Valhalla
2015-03-01T22:30:28Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div><br />
'''Valhalla'''<br />
<br />
The mythical Hall of Heroes of Norse mythology; a magnificent, huge structure located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Valhalla is referenced at length in both the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, compiled from 13th Century sources. <br />
<br />
Valhalla is the name given to the "mighty metal castle" that serves as the headquarters of the [[Super-Companions]], a group of super-powered aliens from different planets who are gathered together by the scientists of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] creates the sky-castle and throws it into orbit in the skies above Thrann as his final super-feat in a contest among his fellow heroes to see who shall be crowned leader of the group.Valhalla is used as a base of operations and as a place to rest between their great deeds. It is engulfed in flames and falls into the sea when attacked by [[Stormboy]] as part of a ruse to convince the Thrannians that the Super-Companions are at war amongst themselves, resulting in the heroes' return to their individual planets of origin (Adv No. 371, Aug 1968: "When Superboy Walked Out On The Legion").<br />
<br />
On Earth, Valhalla is the name of a Viking colony located in a valley in Northern Maine, hidden from the rest of the modern world by an intense cloud cover but accidentally discovered by Superman, who goes on to have a series of encounters with Valhalla's super-strong champion, [[Valdemor]] (S No. 260, Jan 1973: ""The Keeper of the Eternal Flame!").<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla Eiffel Tower's Wikipedia entry]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Geographic Locations]]<br />
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]<br />
[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]<br />
[[Category:LL]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Valhalla
Valhalla
2015-03-01T21:26:53Z
<p>Telle: added category</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
'''Valhalla'''<br />
<br />
The "mighty metal castle" that serves as the headquarters of the [[Super-Companions]], a group of super-powered aliens from different planets who are gathered together by the scientists of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] creates the sky-castle and throws it into orbit in the skies above Thrann as his final super-feat in a contest among his fellow heroes to see who shall be crowned leader of the group.Valhalla is used as a base of operations and as a place to rest between their great deeds. It is engulfed in flames and falls into the sea when attacked by [[Stormboy]] as part of a ruse to convince the Thrannians that the Super-Companions are at war amongst themselves, resulting in the heroes' return to their individual planets of origin.<br />
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<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]<br />
[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Super-Companions
Super-Companions
2015-03-01T21:24:34Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Super-Companions'''<br />
<br />
A six-member team of super-heroes gathered from disparate solar systems and blackmailed into service as the gladiatorial champions of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] is recruited to the group by the Thrannian scientist [[Othar]], who threatens to keep the population of [[Smallville]] permanently sedated with his "sleep ray" if the young hero refuses to comply. After a recruiting tour of five other worlds, the blackmailed heroes compete in a series of super-feats on Thrann, with Superboy eventually being crowned leader of the group. From their headquarters of [[Valhalla]], the homesick Super-Companions conspire to convince their captors of a conflict between themselves and the Boy of Steel, eventually resulting in their return to their individual planets. Besides Superboy, the members of the group are [[Liquidman]], [[Shadowman]], [[Stormboy]], [[Telepathy Man]], and [[Tree-Man]] (Adv No. 371, Aug 1968: "When Superboy Walked Out On The Legion").<br />
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[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Super-Companions
Super-Companions
2015-03-01T21:22:35Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>''Super-Companions''<br />
<br />
A six-member team of super-heroes gathered from disparate solar systems and blackmailed into service as the gladiatorial champions of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] is recruited to the group by the Thrannian scientist [[Othar]], who threatens to keep the population of [[Smallville]] permanently sedated with his "sleep ray" if the young hero refuses to comply. After a recruiting tour of five other worlds, the blackmailed heroes compete in a series of super-feats on Thrann, with Superboy eventually being crowned leader of the group. From their headquarters of [[Valhalla]], the homesick Super-Companions conspire to convince their captors of a conflict between themselves and the Boy of Steel, eventually resulting in their return to their individual planets. Besides Superboy, the members of the group are [[Liquidman]], [[Shadowman]], [[Stormboy]], [[Telepathy Man]], and [[Tree-Man]] (Adv No. 371, Aug 1968: "When Superboy Walked Out On The Legion").<br />
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[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Super-Companions
Super-Companions
2015-03-01T21:20:38Z
<p>Telle: Created page with "''Super-Companions''' A six-member team of super-heroes gathered from disparate solar systems and blackmailed into service as the gladiatorial champions of the planet Thrann...."</p>
<hr />
<div>''Super-Companions'''<br />
<br />
A six-member team of super-heroes gathered from disparate solar systems and blackmailed into service as the gladiatorial champions of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] is recruited to the group by the Thrannian scientist [[Othar]], who threatens to keep the population of [[Smallville]] permanently sedated with his "sleep ray" if the young hero refuses to comply. After a recruiting tour of five other worlds, the blackmailed heroes compete in a series of super-feats on Thrann, with Superboy eventually being crowned leader of the group. From their headquarters of [[Valhalla]], the homesick Super-Companions conspire to convince their captors of a conflict between themselves and the Boy of Steel, eventually resulting in their return to their individual planets. Besides Superboy, the members of the group are [[Liquidman]], [[Shadowman]], [[Stormboy]], [[Telepathy Man]], and [[Tree-Man]] (Adv No. 371, Aug 1968: "When Superboy Walked Out On The Legion").<br />
<br />
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[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Valhalla
Valhalla
2015-03-01T21:17:56Z
<p>Telle: Created page with " '''Valhalla''' The "mighty metal castle" that serves as the headquarters of the Super-Companions, a group of super-powered aliens from different planets who are gathered..."</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
'''Valhalla'''<br />
<br />
The "mighty metal castle" that serves as the headquarters of the [[Super-Companions]], a group of super-powered aliens from different planets who are gathered together by the scientists of the planet Thrann. [[Superboy]] creates the sky-castle and throws it into orbit in the skies above Thrann as his final super-feat in a contest among his fellow heroes to see who shall be crowned leader of the group.Valhalla is used as a base of operations and as a place to rest between their great deeds. It is engulfed in flames and falls into the sea when attacked by [[Stormboy]] as part of a ruse to convince the Thrannians that the Super-Companions are at war amongst themselves, resulting in the heroes' return to their individual planets of origin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Hide-Outs]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superman_Robots
Superman Robots
2009-02-04T05:14:58Z
<p>Telle: typo</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Robots.gif|center]]<br />
<br />
Almost from the very beginning of his long career, [[Superman]] has employed dummies and robots of [[Clark Kent]] and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called Super-Robots - which are housed both at the [[Fortress of Solitude]] and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent’s [[Metropolis]] apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. <br />
<br />
In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.<br />
<br />
In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear life-like by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk. (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!")<br />
<br />
As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.<br />
<br />
Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He has to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He arranges for this robot to appear to defeat himself as Superman so that he can meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").<br />
<br />
In May 1952, a Clark Kent robot appears in the texts that can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump on a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so the Man of Steel arranges this mishap to seem as if Clark had fainted after seeing a paper dinosaur, and he repairs it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").<br />
<br />
In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").<br />
<br />
By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.<br />
<br />
In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"<br />
<br />
By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers."<br />
<br />
In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.<br />
<br />
In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.<br />
<br />
In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274) <br />
<br />
Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.<br />
<br />
The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.<br />
<br />
The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.<br />
<br />
The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."<br />
<br />
The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.<br />
<br />
Superman can activate and control his robots either with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.<br />
<br />
Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.<br />
<br />
Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.<br />
<br />
Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.<br />
<br />
Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.<br />
<br />
Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].<br />
<br />
Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superman_Robot_X-3
Superman Robot X-3
2009-02-04T05:13:23Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Superman Robot X-3'''<br />
<br />
"One of four original atom-powered [[Superman Robots|Superman robots]]," X-3 is struck by a meteor while on a rescue mission in near-Earth orbit. Crash-landing on a distant planet, he is repaired by the mermaid scientist Mooki. After Mooki's death, X-3 creates a robot duplicate of her, and the two artificial creatures live as husband and wife, eventually creating a super-powered robot son, Nipper. In January 1962, [[Lois Lane]] observes the robot family using the "super radio-telescope" of Professor Burke and comes to the mistaken conclusion that [[Superman]] has a secret family. To convince her of his fidelity, the Man of Steel flies her to the tiny planet, where X-3 and his family relate their story (SGLL No. 30/1: "Superman's Secret Family" and "The Robot Paradise").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superman_Robot_X-3
Superman Robot X-3
2009-02-03T08:35:32Z
<p>Telle: initial</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Superman Robot X-3'''<br />
<br />
"One of four original atom-powered [[Superman robots]]," X-3 is struck by a meteor while on a rescue mission in near-Earth orbit. Crash-landing on a distant planet, he is repaired by the mermaid scientist Mooki. After Mooki's death, X-3 creates a robot duplicate of her, and the two artificial creatures live as husband and wife, eventually creating a super-powered robot son, Nipper. In January 1962, [[Lois Lane]] observes the robot family using the "super radio-telescope" of Professor Burke and comes to the mistaken conclusion that [[Superman]] has a secret family. To convince her of his fidelity, the Man of Steel flies her to the tiny planet, where X-3 and his family relate their story (SGLL No. 30/1: "Superman's Secret Family" and "The Robot Paradise").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Jay-Ree
Talk:Jay-Ree
2008-05-13T20:45:00Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>I wonder whatever happened to them?--[[User:Telle|telle]] 16:45, 13 May 2008 (EDT)</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Jay-Ree
Talk:Jay-Ree
2008-05-13T20:44:45Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>I wonder whatever happened to them?</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Lead
Lead
2008-05-13T20:37:41Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>'''Lead'''<br />
<br />
A fairly common metal found on Earth and possessing qualities of extreme density and softness. Its symbol is Pb and its atomic number is 82. Lead is toxic to humans in small amounts and its use is now more restricted, but it remains valuable for screening radiation and is still important in many industrial metal alloys and some paints.<br />
<br />
[[Image:ArgoEnd.jpg|thumb|left|The Lead shielding of Argo City is destroyed]] <br />
<br />
Perhaps no metal on Earth is as important in [[Superman]]'s career as lead. It protects him from the harmful radiation of [[Kryptonite]], (see S No. 92, Sep 1954: "Superman's Last Hour!" and many other references) but at the same time, it blocks all of his extra vision powers, and is resistant to heat vision.<br />
<br />
Many criminals protect their lairs and vehicles with lead to avoid Superman's detection. For example, [[Lex Luthor]] creates laboratory hideouts that are lined with lead to conceal them from Superman's X-ray vision, see [[Luthor's Lair]], [[Luthor's Lair II]], and [[Luthor's Lair No. 5]].<br />
<br />
The good and bad properties of lead as it pertains to Superman are tested by Luthor when he gains the ability to radiate Kryptonite and turns the lead of Earth to glass to eliminate its protective qualities (Act No. 249, Feb 1959: "The Kryptonite Man!"). <br />
<br />
Both the [[Anti-Superman]] and [[Anti-Batman]] use lead-lined masks to prevent Superman from discovering their real identities with his X-ray vision (WF No. 159/1, Aug 1966: "The Cape and Cowl Crooks!"). <br />
<br />
Superman dons a lead suit to ward off the effects of a [[Green Kryptonite]] sword and a [[Red Kryptonite]] spear brandished by a "super Perry White" under the influence of a plant intelligence (Act No. 278, Jul 1961: "The Super Powers of Perry White!"). Earlier, he coats himself in molten lead in order to protect citizens from radiation he absorbs as part of an atomic reactor explosion (Act No. 124, Sep 1948: “A Superman of Doom!â€). In June 1958, Superman wears lead armor while experimenting with kryptonite at his [[Fortress of Solitude]] (Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).<br />
<br />
[[Achilles]] has a lead box covering his foot housing "a powerful anti-magnet device" capable of repelling "all metal objects," thereby rendering Achilles invulnerable to all metal weapons (S No. 148, Oct 1961: "The 20th Century Achilles!").<br />
<br />
Superboy wears lead goggles to block his ability to read a playing card in a gambit for his foster-parent's life (SB No. 148, Jun 1968: "Superboy's Greatest Gamble!"). In his battle with the giant ape [[Titano]], [[Lois Lane]] uses Titano's tendency to imitate the actions of others to get the ape to wear a pair of giant spectacles that Superman has constructed and treated with a lead coating to block Titano's [[Kryptonite]]-vision and thus enable Superman to defeat the great beast (S No. 127/3, Feb 1959: "Titano the Super-Ape"). <br />
<br />
Lead must be abundant on [[Krypton]], because when [[Argo City]] is blown into space during the planet's destruction, the residents pave the ground with lead to protect them against Kryptonite (later accounts say Anti-Kryptonite) radiation (Act No. 252, May 1959: "The Supergirl from Krypton!"). Lead is also effective at blocking the brainwave tracking abilities of Kryptonian [[Telepathic Hounds]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: "Superman in Kandor!").<br />
<br />
Lead is extremely harmful to Daxamites, weakening them and shortening thir lives (SB No. 89, Jun 1961: "Superboy's Big Brother!"; "The Secret of Mon-El!"). As a result, [[Mon-El]] moves to the [[Phantom Zone]] until a temporary remedy devised by [[Saturn Girl]] enables him to join the [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] (Adv No. 300, Sep 1962: "The Face Behind the Lead Mask!"). Later, [[Brainiac 5]] invents an improvement, and makes a serum that Mon-El takes every 48 hours and gives him more permanent protection against lead (Adv No. 316, Jan 1964: "Origins and Powers of the Legion of Super-Heroes!").<br />
<br />
[[Ultra Boy]], a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, has Penetra-Vision, even more powerful than Superboy's and Mon-El's, since unlike their own "super" vision, Ultra Boy's can see through everything, including lead.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Elements]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Mark_Benton
Mark Benton
2008-04-14T06:46:34Z
<p>Telle: The Modern Robin Hood</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Mark Benton, The Modern Robin Hood'''<br />
<br />
The alias of Ronald Van Horton, a wealthy philanthropist, who is an exact double of [[Clark Kent]]. In the guise of [[Robin Hood]], Van Horton/Benton gives away his wealth to the needy people of Hadley, "a small waterfront town."<br />
<br />
[[Lois Lane]] falls in love with Benton while investigating the story of the mysterious "Modern Robin Hood" for the [[Daily Planet]]. However, Lois's suspicions are aroused by Benton's frequent unexplained absences which coincide with reported appearances of Benton's masked alter-ego. Although the romance is secretly encouraged by [[Superman]], Lois's unbridled curiosity leads her to break a promise to Benton and discover his secret identity at thew exact moment he is preparing to propose marriage, thus ending their relationship (SGLL No. 3/2, Jul/Aug 1958: "The Man Who Was Clark Kent's Double").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:People]]<br />
[[Category:Look-Alikes]]<br />
[[Category:Aliases]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Oracle_of_Delphi
Oracle of Delphi
2008-04-14T06:32:31Z
<p>Telle: the an</p>
<hr />
<div>'''The Oracle of Delphi'''<br />
<br />
The Oracle of Delphi was an important soothsayer famous throughout ancient Greece, located near Mount Parnassus and sacred to the god [[Apollo]]. In an incident related in June 1967 but taking place at an unknown time in the past, the Delphic Oracle reveals the future prominence of Superman to the gods of Olympus, resulting in the creation of [[Zha-Vam]] (Act No. 351, Jun 1967: "Zha-Vam the Invincible!").<br />
<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/oracles/ The Oracle of Delphi and Ancient Oracles]<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi Wikipedia entry on Delphi]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:People]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Oracle_of_Delphi
Oracle of Delphi
2008-04-13T21:06:18Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>The Oracle of Delphi was the most important shrine in ancient Greece, located near Mount Parnassus and sacred to the god [[Apollo]]. In an incident related in June 1967 but taking place at an unknown time in the past, the Delphic Oracle reveals the future prominence of Superman to the gods of Olympus, resulting in the creation of [[Zha-Vam]] (Act No. 351, Jun 1967: "Zha-Vam the Invincible!").<br />
<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/oracles/ The Oracle of Delphi and Ancient Oracles]<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi Wikipedia entry on Delphi]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Monuments]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Oracle_of_Delphi
Oracle of Delphi
2008-04-13T21:05:15Z
<p>Telle: enlarged, added reference</p>
<hr />
<div>The Oracle of Delphi was the most important shrine in ancient Greece, located near Mount Parnassus and sacred to the god [[Apollo]]. In an incident recalled in June 1957, the Delphic Oracle reveals the future prominence of Superman to the gods of Olympus, resulting in the creation of [[Zha-Vam]] (Act No. 351, Jun 1967: "Zha-Vam the Invincible!").<br />
<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/oracles/ The Oracle of Delphi and Ancient Oracles]<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delphi Wikipedia entry on Delphi]<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Monuments]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Eiffel_Tower
Eiffel Tower
2008-04-13T20:57:59Z
<p>Telle: punctuation</p>
<hr />
<div>'''The Eiffel Tower'''<br />
[[Image:Eiffel-Tower.gif|left]]<br />
A graceful steel tower in the city of Paris, built by French engineer and bridge builder Alexandre Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889, which stands 1,056 feet high and is one of the world’s great landmarks.<br />
<br />
By July 1954, [[Lex Luthor]] and his henchmen have planted explosives in the Eiffel Tower—and in many other world-famous monuments—as part of an elaborate scheme to extort millions of dollars from the governments of the world (S No. 90/3: “The Titanic Thefts!â€). During this same period, the Eiffel Tower is stolen, along with other world-famous monuments, by the [[Kryptonian]] villain [[Mala]] as part of the villain’s elaborate scheme to wreak vengeance on [[Superman]] by destroying the planet Earth (Act No. 194, Jul 1954: “The Outlaws from Krypton!â€).<br />
<br />
In April 1955, [[Lois Lane]] slips over the edge of a railing atop the Eiffel Tower and plummets toward her doom, only to be rescued in midair by Superman before she can hit the ground (Act No. 203: “The International Daily Planet!â€).<br />
<br />
In December 1955, Superman helps commemorate the anniversary of the French edition of the [[Daily Planet]] by posing for a photograph on a Paris street while balancing the Eiffel Tower upside down in one hand (Act No. 211: “The Superman Spectacularsâ€).<br />
<br />
In December 1962, Superman destroys the Eiffel Tower, and several of the world's famous monuments, after being driven temporarily berserk by a diabolical “telepathic-hypnotic weapon†fired at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. After the villains have been defeated, however, Superman promises to repair the damage (Act No. 295: “Superman Goes Wild!â€).<br />
<br />
In January 1963, Superman uses a model of the tower to demonstrate the harmful effects [[Than Ol]]'s enlarging ray would have on the city of [[Kandor]]. After exposure to the ray, the enlarged tower crumbles in three hours (S No. 158: “Superman in Kandorâ€).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/ The official Eiffel Tower website]<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower Eiffel Tower's Wikipedia entry]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Monuments]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Bonzo_Olsen
Bonzo Olsen
2008-04-13T20:50:50Z
<p>Telle: image</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Bonzojimmy.jpg|left]]<br />
'''"Bonzo" Olsen'''<br />
<br />
When [[Professor Potter]] attempts to demonstrate his new telepathic helmet at the Metropolis Zoo at the same moment that [[Jimmy Olsen]] activates his signal watch, the mind of Jimmy is switched with that of a nearby gorilla. Unable to effect a reversal, [[Superman]] creates a sanctuary for the gorilla-controlled body of Olsen, while the cub-reporter-controlled body of the gorilla resumes Jimmy's journalistic career. Clad in an ill-fitting suit and dubbed "Bonzo" by [[Perry White]], the gorilla reporter covers several ape-themed stories for the [[Daily Planet]], including a wrestling match between Golden George and the hirsute Gorilla, and the premiere of a science fiction film about a simian policeman featuring Zimba, a trained gorilla. Later, "Bonzo" Olsen goes on patrol with Superman and performs several super-feats before The Man of Steel is "struck by a strange idea" and realizes that it was Jimmy's "ultrasonic signal that altered the telepathizer machine and caused the mind-exchange," paving the way for a reversal and a return to normalcy for Olsen (SPJO 24/2, Oct 1957: "The Gorilla Reporter").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries|Bonzo Olsen]] <br />
[[Category:Super-Apes|Bonzo Olsen]]<br />
[[Category:Animals|Bonzo Olsen]]<br />
[[Category:Journalists|Bonzo Olsen]] <br />
[[Category:Heroes|Bonzo Olsen]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Olsen, Jimmy]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/File:Bonzojimmy.jpg
File:Bonzojimmy.jpg
2008-04-13T20:46:51Z
<p>Telle: "Bonzo" Olsen joins the staff of the Daily Planet. Image by Curt Swan.</p>
<hr />
<div>"Bonzo" Olsen joins the staff of the Daily Planet. Image by Curt Swan.</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Bonzo_Olsen
Bonzo Olsen
2008-04-13T20:44:06Z
<p>Telle: the adventures of the gorilla reporter</p>
<hr />
<div>'''"Bonzo" Olsen'''<br />
<br />
When [[Professor Potter]] attempts to demonstrate his new telepathic helmet at the Metropolis Zoo at the same moment that [[Jimmy Olsen]] activates his signal watch, the mind of Jimmy is switched with that of a nearby gorilla. Unable to effect a reversal, [[Superman]] creates a sanctuary for the gorilla-controlled body of Olsen, while the cup-reporter-controlled body of the gorilla resumes Jimmy's journalistic career. Clad in an ill-fitting suit and dubbed "Bonzo" by [[Perry White]], the gorilla reporter covers several ape-themed stories for [[The Daily Planet]], including a wrestling match between Golden George and the hirsute Gorilla, and the premiere of a science fiction film about a simian policeman featuring Zimba, a trained gorilla. Later, "Bonzo" Olsen goes on patrol with Superman and performs several super-feats before The Man of Steel is "struck by a strange idea" and realizes that it was Jimmy's "ultrasonic signal that altered the telepathizer machine and caused the mind-exchange," paving the way for a reversal and a return to normalcy for Olsen (SPJO 24/2, Oct 1957: "The Gorilla Reporter").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries|Bonzo Olsen]] <br />
[[Category:Super-Apes|Bonzo Olsen]]<br />
[[Category:Animals|Bonzo Olsen]]<br />
[[Category:Journalists|Bonzo Olsen]] <br />
[[Category:Heroes|Bonzo Olsen]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Olsen, Jimmy]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Main_Page
Talk:Main Page
2008-04-01T03:11:41Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>The Hulk? What ---?!? Oh, I see. The night of March 31st. :)<br />
--[[User:Telle|telle]] 23:11, 31 March 2008 (EDT)<br />
<br />
==Suggestions==<br />
Possibly you are not aware, but it is possible to edit the side "navigation" toolbar. Just go here: [[MediaWiki:Sidebar]]. I think you have to have admin priviledges though. For help on how to edit, [http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Navigation_bar look here]. But, for example I see that you are only using the community portal page to forward people to the forum. You could delete it and replace with this:<br />
<br />
<nowiki>** http://superman.ws/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=22 |Forum</nowiki><br />
<br />
and that's pretty much how it works.</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Eiffel_Tower
Eiffel Tower
2008-03-08T19:02:18Z
<p>Telle: another adventure</p>
<hr />
<div>'''The Eiffel Tower'''<br />
[[Image:Eiffel-Tower.gif|left]]<br />
A graceful steel tower in the city of Paris, built by French engineer and bridge builder Alexandre Gustave Eiffel for the Paris Exhibition of 1889, which stands 1,056 feet high and is one of the world’s great landmarks.<br />
<br />
By July 1954, [[Lex Luthor]] and his henchmen have planted explosives in the Eiffel Tower—and in many other world-famous monuments—as part of an elaborate scheme to extort millions of dollars from the governments of the world (S No. 90/3: “The Titanic Thefts!â€). During this same period, the Eiffel Tower is stolen, along with other world-famous monuments, by the [[Kryptonian]] villain [[Mala]] as part of the villain’s elaborate scheme to wreak vengeance on [[Superman]] by destroying the planet Earth (Act No. 194, Jul 1954: “The Outlaws from Krypton!â€).<br />
<br />
In April 1955, [[Lois Lane]] slips over the edge of a railing atop the Eiffel Tower and plummets toward her doom, only to be rescued in midair by Superman before she can hit the ground (Act No. 203: “The International Daily Planet!â€).<br />
<br />
In December 1955, Superman helps commemorate the anniversary of the French edition of the [[Daily Planet]] by posing for a photograph on a Paris street while balancing the Eiffel Tower upside down in one hand (Act No. 211: “The Superman Spectacularsâ€).<br />
<br />
In December 1962, Superman destroys the Eiffel Tower, and several of the worlds famous monuments, after being driven temporarily berserk by a diabolical “telepathic-hypnotic weapon†fired at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. After the villains have been defeated, however, Superman promises to repair the damage (Act No. 295: “Superman Goes Wild!â€).<br />
<br />
In January 1963, Superman uses a model of the tower to demonstrate the harmful effects [[Than Ol]]'s enlarging ray would have on the city of [[Kandor]]. After exposure to the ray, the enlarged tower crumbles in three hours (S No. 158: “Superman in Kandorâ€).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
== External Links ==<br />
<br />
*[http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/ The official Eiffel Tower website]<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower Eiffel Tower's Wikipedia entry]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Monuments]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Galactic_Golem
Galactic Golem
2008-01-30T21:20:48Z
<p>Telle: added north pole link</p>
<hr />
<div>'''The Galactic Golem'''<br />
<br />
The Galactic Golem is the monstrous result of [[Lex Luthor]]'s attempt to create life by collecting galactic matter into the form of a man. Infusing his creation with a hunger for the hyper-stellar energy that made its creation possible, Luthor then proceeds to implant that same energy into [[Superman]], unbeknownst to the [[Man of Steel]]. A massive battle ensues, as the Golem ambushes Superman at a celebrity golf tournament. As the Golem saps Superman's very life force, Luthor makes it clear to Superman who was responsible for the assault, via a voicebox embedded within the Golem. <br />
<br />
[[Image:GalacticGolem.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
Finally, after a titanic struggle, Superman discerns the Golem's weak spot, a strange, swirling mark on its forehead. Superman strikes the spot with a massive blow, resulting in a cataclysmic explosion. As Luthor watches on in horror from his headquarters, it appears that the force has not only destroyed Superman, but every other being on the planet!<br />
<br />
Luthor, devastated by the apparent death of his race by his own creation, plans to abandon Earth and its devastated landscape. As he prepares to leave, however, he finds himself under siege by the Galactic Golem! Without Superman around, it has traced back to Luthor the only other source of hyper-stellar energy, the cannon that Luthor had used to irradiate Superman. When it looks as if Luthor has doomed himself, Superman bursts into Luthor's hideout and pries the monster away from Luthor. While the Man of Steel grapples with the Golem, Luthor uses his cannon to imbue a passing meteor swarm with the energy the creature seeks. Superman launches the creature into space, allowing it to pursue its sustenance, ostensibly never to return. As Superman apprehends Luthor, he reveals that, prior to striking the Golem's weak point, he had used the energy emitted by the Golem to vibrate Earth's population to a different dimensional plane, in case the energy released ravaged the planet (S No. 248/1, Feb 1972: "The Man Who Murdered the Earth!").<br />
<br />
Some time later, after depleting his store of energy in outer-space, the Golem is revived by alien scientists who lure him away from their own planet with "energy-charged meteoroids" that eventually find their way to Earth, followed closely by the Golem. Absorbing the energy of several meteors, the Golem seeks out Superman and the two engage in several battles. Finally, using Luthor's cannon to lure the Golem to his [[Fortress of Solitude]], Superman manipulates the Golem over the magnetic [[North Pole]] and encases him in molten iron and nickel from the Earth's core. Encased in "elements highly attracted by magnetism" the Golem is transformed into a virtual statue, rendered immobile by "the magnetic pull of an entire planet" (S No. 258/1, Nov 1972: "Fury of the Energy-Eater!").<br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem Wikipedia Entry on The Traditional Golems of Folklore]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]] <br />
[[Category:Villains]]<br />
[[Category:Lex Luthor]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Batman_of_Earth-2
Talk:Batman of Earth-2
2007-12-18T19:00:37Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>Is there anyway you can word the "note" discussion so as to reflect chronicles and not a "third person" explanation? So far, Supermanica has excluded these kinds of notes.--[[User:MatterEaterLad|MatterEaterLad]] 18:41, 14 December 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
Certainly. I will redo it.--[[User:DrJohnnyDiablo|DrJohnnyDiablo]] 22:56, 15 December 2007 (CST)<br />
<br />
I just changed a few details to make it seem like a character who has uncertain origins rather than a decision of a comics' fit in history. Trying to keep in first person with no trace of comic ages or editor's notes (even if accurate). I tried to do the same thing with Wonder Girl. --[[User:MatterEaterLad|MatterEaterLad]] 00:42, 16 December 2007 (EST)<br />
<br />
I like the way the explanation is worded --using the text to explain discrepencise is a hallnark of Supermanica.--[[User:Telle|telle]] 14:00, 18 December 2007 (EST)</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superman
Superman
2007-11-25T13:57:31Z
<p>Telle: /* Derivation of the Super-Powers */ typo</p>
<hr />
<div>''"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind...and so was created SUPERMAN, champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to those in need."'' -- Action Comics No. 1, 1938<br />
<br />
=Overview=<br />
[[Image:Supermaniconic.jpg|left]][[Image:Super pastel Shuster.jpg|right|thumb|Superman pastel by co-creator Joe Shuster.]]<br />
<br />
'''Superman'''. A world-famous crime-fighter and adventurer who has, for almost seven decades, battled the forces of crime and injustice with the aid of an awesome array of superhuman powers, including X-ray vision, the power of flight, and strength far beyond that of any ordinary mortal. Born on the planet [[Krypton]], the son of the scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife [[Lara]], he was launched into outer space in an experimental rocket ship to enable him to escape the cataclysm that destroyed his native planet, and, arriving on Earth, was taken into the home of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who named him Clark Kent and raised him to manhood as their adopted son. Endowed with mighty super-powers in the alien environment of Earth, this orphan from Krypton--named Kal-El by his parents--has, since mid-1938, battled the forces of evil as Superman, while concealing his true, extraterrestrial identity beneath the alternate identity of Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS-TV]].<br />
<br />
Superman is "Earth's mightiest hero" (S No. 128/1, Apr 1959: chs. 1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen"), a "colorfully-costumed, mighty-sinewed man of might" engaged in "an unrelenting battle against the forces of evil" (S No. 21/4, Mar/Apr 1943: "The Ghost of Superman!"). He is "the world's number one champion of justice and fair play" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!") and "mankind's foremost crusader for good" (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: "The Superman of 2965!"), "a fighting champion of justice who is famous the world over" (Act No. 45, Feb 1942). Described as "the world's most dynamic man" (WF No. 8, Win 1942: "Talent, Unlimited!") and the "world's mightiest mortal" (WF No. 116, Mar 1961: "The Creature from Beyond!"; and others), he is "mankind's greatest friend" (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: "Secret of Kryptonite Six!"), a "mighty foe of all evil" (Act No. 91, Dec 1945: "The Ghost Drum!"), a super-powered "savior of the helpless and oppressed" (Act No. 18, Nov 1939).<br />
<br />
Superman No. 1/1 calls Superman "the greatest exponent of justice the world has ever known" (Sum 1939), and other texts describe him as "the law's most powerful defender" (Act No. 177, Feb 1953: "The Anti-Superman Weapon"), as "the greatest of all heroes" (Act No. 210, Nov 1955: "Superman in Superman Land"), and as a "defender of democracy" (S No. 13/1, Nov/Dec 1941) who has chosen to "dedicate [his] powers to the good of '''all humanity'''!" (S No. 121/1, May 1958: "The Bride of Futureman!"). "There is one man that people throughout the world honor and respect," notes Superman No. 128/1,, "--and that man is '''Superman'''!" (Apr 1959: chs.1-2-"Superman versus the Futuremen"; "The Secret of the Futuremen").<br />
<br />
Superman is "an incredibly muscular figure" (WF<br />
No. 6, Sum 1942: "Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!"), "indestructible and cosmic in his gigantic strength" (Act No. 131, Apr 1949: "The Scrambled Superman!"), a tireless "sentinel for the world" (Act No. 282, Nov 1961: "Superman's Toughest Day!") whose "incredible super-powers. ..have made him a living legend...!" (S No. 160/1, Apr 1963: pts. I-II-"The Mortal Superman!"; "The Cage of Doom!"). He is also the "most famous man in America" (Act No. 143, Apr 1950: "The Bride of Superman!"), "patriot number one" (S No. 12/3, Sep/Oct 1941), the indefatigable "foe of all interests and activities subversive to this country's best interests" (S No. 10/4, May/Jun 1941). Everywhere, "in big cities...small towns...rural villages...the name of '''Superman''' is honored and loved!" (S No. 130/3, Jul 1959: "The Town That Hated Superman!").<br />
<br />
Indeed, "throughout the universe, '''Superman''' is hailed as a mighty champion of justice" (Act No. 319, Dec 1964: "The Condemned Superman!"), as a "champion of the weak and helpless" (Act No. 4, Sep 1938) whose life is a "constant battle against evil. .." (Act No. 280, Sep 1961: "Brainiac's Super-Revenge!"). "Not only on Earth is '''Superman''' the greatest and most acclaimed of heroes," proclaims Superman No.168, "but on many other worlds across the universe as well!" (Apr 1964: pts. I-II-"Luthor--Super-Hero!"; "Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor!").<br />
<br />
"Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is the greatest hero of all time!" states Superman No. 165/1. "A man who can move mountains, even '''planets'''...a man who has defeated the worst villains in history!" (Nov 1963: pts. I-II-"Beauty and the Super-Beast!"; "Circe's Super-Slave").<br />
<br />
"Today ," notes Superman No. 144/2, "'''Superman''' is the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super-powers in behalf of justice" (Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").<br />
<br />
In addition, the texts contain these descriptions:<br />
<br />
Action Comics No. 6, November 1938:<br />
<br />
Dedicated to assisting the helpless and oppressed, is a<br />
mystery-man named '''SUPERMAN'''. Possessing super-strength,<br />
he can jump over a ten-story building, leap an eighth of a<br />
mile, run faster than an express train, lift tremendous<br />
weights, and crush steel in his bare hands!-- His amazing<br />
feats of strength become more apparent day after day!<br />
<br />
Action Comics No. 7, December 1938; and others:<br />
<br />
Friend of the helpless and oppressed is '''SUPERMAN''',<br />
a man possessing the strength of a dozen Samsons! Lifting<br />
and rending gigantic weights, vaulting over skyscrapers,<br />
racing a bullet, possessing a skin impenetrable to even<br />
steel, are his physical assets used in his one-man battle<br />
against evil and injustice!<br />
<br />
Action Comics No. 8, January 1939:<br />
<br />
Leaping over towering buildings, rending steel in his bare<br />
hands, lifting incredible weights high overhead, impervious<br />
to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin, racing at<br />
a speed hitherto unwitnessed by mortal eyes...these are the<br />
miraculous feats of strength which assist '''SUPERMAN''' in<br />
his one-man battle against the forces of evil and oppression!<br />
<br />
Action Comics No. 27 , August 1940:<br />
<br />
Heartless criminals exploit the helpless and unfortunate!<br />
Clark Kent and his dual self, dynamic '''SUPERMAN''', battle<br />
side by side with pretty Lois Lane, courageous girl reporter,<br />
to stamp out the evil geniuses of crime and corruption!<br />
<br />
Superman No. 10/4, May-June 1941:<br />
<br />
Foe of all interests and activities subversive to this<br />
country's best interests, '''SUPERMAN''' loses no time<br />
in going into action when he encounters a menace to<br />
American democracy. Super-strength clashes with evil<br />
super-cunning in another thrilling, dramatic adventure<br />
of today's foremost hero, the daring, dynamic ''MAN OF<br />
TOMORROW--'''''SUPERMAN'''!!<br />
<br />
Superman No. 16/4, May-June 1942: "Racket on Delivery":<br />
<br />
No sterner or more courageous battler in behalf of justice<br />
is there than '''Superman''', amazingly strong champion of<br />
the helpless and oppressed!<br />
<br />
Superman No. 25/1, November-December 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!":<br />
<br />
'''Superman''', amazing nemesis of evildoers, champion of<br />
the helpless and oppressed, comes to the aid of all worthy<br />
individuals in need of assistance.<br />
<br />
Superman No. 64/1, May-June 1950: "Professor Lois Lane!":<br />
<br />
Faster than a speeding bullet! Able to hurdle the highest<br />
mountain! More powerful than an atomic cyclotron! That's<br />
'''Superman''', eternal foe of the underworld, champion of<br />
the underdog!<br />
<br />
Action Comics No. 204, May 1955: "The Man Who Could Make Superman Do Anything!":<br />
<br />
Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive<br />
Able to leap the highest mountain! That's '''Superman'''; the<br />
world's mightiest mortal.<br />
<br />
Superman No. 96/1, March 1955: "The Girl Who Didn't Believe in Superman!":<br />
<br />
From the jungle-wilds of Africa, to the skyscrapers of New York,<br />
the name of '''Superman''' has spread its fame! His Herculean<br />
strength, his super-battles against evil, are familiar to all....<br />
<br />
Superman No. 120/3, March 1958: "The Human Missile":<br />
<br />
Stronger than the very gravity that holds Earth in place...faster<br />
than the swiftest jet...more invulnerable than a mile-thick slab of<br />
steel, the incredible '''Superman''' can scoff at all weapons aimed<br />
at him!<br />
<br />
Superman No. 152/2, April 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!":<br />
<br />
Today the whole world rings with '''Superman''''s fame! In the far<br />
corners of the Earth men tell of how the '''Man of Steel''' uses his<br />
fantastic super-powers to help the forces of law and order against<br />
evildoers!<br />
<br />
Friend and foe alike have paid tribute to Superman's heroism, and the texts have hailed him as "a giant among men" (S No. 70/2, May/Jun 1951: "The Life of Superman!") and as the "mightiest of mortals" (S No. 84/2, Sep/Oct 1953: "A Doghouse for Superman!"). An unidentified U.S. Navy admiral once described Superman as "the greatest hero of all time" (Act No. 284, Jan 1962: "The Babe of Steel!"), and the master of ceremonies on a television special glowingly introduced him as "our greatest American hero" (Act No. 309, Feb 1964: "The Superman Super-Spectacular!").<br />
<br />
"How fortunate we are here in America to have someone of Superman's calibre to aid us!" remarked Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox in March-April 1942. "In my opinion, he's worth several armies and navies!" (S No. 15/2).<br />
<br />
[[Jimmy Olsen]] has called Superman "the champion of justice and the enemy of evil all over the world" (S No. 176/2, Apr 1965: "Tales of Green Kryptonite No. 2"), and [[Lois Lane]] has described him as "the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe" (S No. 176/3, Apr 1965: "Superman's Day of Truth!") and as an "--American crusader, crime's greatest foe, enemy of all injustice, the most powerful force for good the world has ever seen...!" (S No. 17/1, Jul/Aug 1942: "Man or Superman?").<br />
<br />
In May 1962, an unidentified escapee from the [[Phantom Zone]] refers to Superman as "Earth's greatest defender" (S No. 153/3: "The Town of Supermen!"), and in August 1964 the extraterrestrial gambler Rokk (''see'' [[Rokk and Sorban]]) calls Superman the "guardian of Earth" (S No. 171/1: "Super- man's Sacrifice!").<br />
<br />
"Though he wasn't born on this world," notes scientist [[Mel Evans]] at the annual Superman's Earthday celebration in [[Smallville]] in April 1960, "he has become Earth's greatest and most generous citizen!" (S No. 136/2: "The Secret of Kryptonite!").<br />
<br />
Indeed, preliminary indications are that Superman's fame will be even greater in the future than it is today. A scientist of the thirtieth century A.D. has called Superman "the greatest hero in history" (WF No. 91, Nov/Dec 1957: "The Three Super-Sleepers!"), and a man of the fiftieth century A.D. has echoed the sentiment, describing Superman as "the greatest hero in Earth's history" (S No. 122/1, Jul 1958: "The Secret of the Space Souvenirs").<br />
<br />
In the texts, Superman is frequently referred to as the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. He is also referred to as the Action Ace, the Champion of Democracy, and the King of Speed.<br />
<br />
In addition, the texts describe Superman as a "champion of justice" (S No. 9/1, Mar/ Apr 1941), an "amazing champion of the helpless and oppressed" (S No. 13/4, Nov/Dec 1941), "the world's foremost crime crusader" (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"), "the world's foremost justice-dispenser" (S No. 25/1, Nov/Dec 1943: "The Man Superman Refused to Help!"), "Earth's mightiest warrior" (S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: "The Battle of the Atoms!"), "the world's mightiest citizen" (S No. 40/2, May/Jun 1946: " A Modern Marco Polo!"), the "world's<br />
mightiest being" (S No. 65/3, Jul/ Aug 1950: "Three Supermen from Krypton!"), "the world's most famous citizen" (Act No. 150, Nov 1950: "The Secret of the 6 Superman Statues!"), "the most amazing human of our century" (Act No. 171, Aug 1952: "The Secrets of Superman!"), "the world's mightiest defender of justice" (Act No. 178, Mar 1953: "The Sandman of Crime!"), "the mightiest man alive" (Act No. 181, Jan 1953: "The New Superman"), "the world's mightiest man" (Act No. 182, Jul 1953: "The Return of Planet Krypton!"; and others), "Earth's mightiest champion of justice" (Act No. 225, Feb 1957: "The Death of Superman"), the "mightiest human being in all the world" (Act No. 235, Dec 1957: "The Super-Prisoner of Amazon Island"), "Earth's mighty champion" (Act No. 242, Jul 1958: "The Super-Duel in Space"), "the mightiest man on Earth" (Act No. 247, Dec 1958: "Superman's Lost Parents!"; and others), "the Earth's most powerful man" (Act No. 269, Oct 1960: "The Truth Mirror!"), a "famed battler against crime and injustice" (Act No. 287 , Apr 1962: "Perry White's Manhunt for Superman!"), "Earth's protector" and "the heroic champion of Earth " (Act No. 327, Aug 1965: "The Three Generations of Superman!"), "the world's greatest hero" (Act No. 328, Sep 1965: "Superman's Hands of Doom!"), "a defender of the weak and oppressed" and "the mightiest of all men" (S No. 164/1, Oct 1963: pts. I-II-"The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman!"; "The Super-Duel!"), the "greatest lawman of them all" (S No. 178/2, Jul 1965: "When Superman Lost His Memory!"), and as "a defender of the helpless, [and] a champion of the underdog" (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").<br />
<br />
=Origin=<br />
"Out of the infinite reaches of interstellar space came Superman, son of the doomed planet Krypton, to fight the forces of evil upon Earth...!" (Act No. 63, Aug 1943: "When Stars Collide!").<br />
==The Original Account==<br />
[[Image:Action comics 1.jpg|right|thumb|Action Comics No. 1. Art by Joe Shuster.]]<br />
"As a distant planet was destroyed by old age, a scientist placed his infant son within a hastily devised space-ship, launching it toward Earth!<br />
"When the vehicle landed on Earth, a passing motorist, discovering the sleeping babe within, turned the child over to an orphanage.<br />
"Attendants, unaware the child's structure was millions of years advanced of their own, were astounded at his feats of strength.<br />
"When maturity was reached, he discovered he could easily: Leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building...raise tremendous weights...run faster than a express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!<br />
"Early, Clark decided he must turn his titanic strength into channels that would benefit mankind. And so was created...<br />
"SUPERMAN! Champion of the oppressed, the physical marvel who had sworn to devote his existence to helping those in need!" (Act No. 1, Jun 1938).<br />
<br />
==Addenda and Revisions==<br />
Since the appearance of this original account many years ago, the story of Superman's origin has been greatly revised and expanded to accomodate a wealth of new detail. Later texts, for example, gave the name of Superman's native planet as Krypton and described its people and civilization in great detail. Superman's parents, Jor-El and Lara, were introduced, and the events leading up to the cataclysm that destroyed Krypton were extensively chronicled. The "passing motorist" who found the infant Superman became a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who adopted the orphan from space and named him Clark Kent. Conflicting accounts were offered of the infant's brief stay in the orphanage, including how long he remained there and whether his super-powers were actually revealed there. Later texts asserted that Superman embarked on his super-heroic career while still a youngster in Smallville rather than waiting until "maturity was reached." And, finally, the range and extent of his superhuman powers were continually expanded and the explanation of how he aquired them was periodically revised (see section 5, the super-powers). For complete accounts and analyses of all the supplementary data concerning Superman's origin, consult the various entries cross-referenced above.<br />
<br />
=The Secret Identity=<br />
[[Image:Clarkent.jpg|right]]<br />
"The fact that Clark Kent, Newspaper reporter, and Superman, the mighty Man of Steel, are one and the same person, is the most closely guarded secret in the world!" (Act No. 189, Feb 1954: "Clark Kent's New Mother and Father!")<br />
<br />
Within days of his arrival on the planet Earth, the infant Superman had two identities: on the one hand, he was [[Kal-El]], an orphaned native of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], and on the other hand, he was [[Clark Kent]], the adopted son of [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]. It was the Kents, in fact, who urged upon him the importance of keeping his super-powers secret and of using them to aid humanity.<br />
<br />
Now listen to me, Clark!†cautioned Jonathan Kent, while Clark was still a youngster. “This great strength of yours- -you’ve got to hide it from people or they’ll be scared of you!’<br />
“But when the proper time comes,†added Martha Kent, you must use it to assist humanity†(S No. 1/1, Sum 1939).<br />
<br />
There were also other reasons for keeping Clark’s super-powers secret: Jonathan Kent feared that unscrupulous individuals would try “to exploit his super-powers for evil purposes†(WF No.57, Mar 1952: “The Artificial Superman!â€), and Clark himself soon realized that if he used his super-powers openly against the underworld, his foster parents would inevitably become the helpless targets of gangland retribution (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: “The Story of Superman’s Life!â€; and others).<br />
In addition, the use of an alternate identity gives Superman the advantage of surprise over the criminal element and enables him to conduct investigations discreetly as journalist Clark Kent. “If, by accident, [[Lois Lane]] ever reveals my secret to the world,†muses Superman during an anxious moment in October 1960, “my undercover role as Clark Kent will be ruined. I will no longer be able to investigate criminals as ‘meek’ Clark Kent so that they can later be captured by Superman! And it may take me years to set up a new identity!†(Act No. 269: “The Truth Minor!â€).<br />
<br />
And Action Comics No. 61 observes that:<br />
<br />
''The matter of Superman’s secret identity is one of utmost importance. disguised as Clark Kent, the Man of Tomorrow finds it possible, secretly, to ferret out crimes that need solving, and injustices that cry out to be righted [Jun 1943: “The Man They Wouldn’t Believe!â€].''<br />
<br />
=The Costume=<br />
[[Image:Curt-1960.jpg|right]]<br />
<br />
''"Once he is out of view, the timid reporter switches to a colorful costume known with fear, admiration, and respect in every corner of the Globe!"''<br />
<br />
'''The Evolution'''<br />
<br />
Throughout the course of his nearly half-century career, Superman's chroniclers have portrayed him in a wide variety of artistic styles - but the basic details of his costume have remained substantially unchanged. Superman wears a blue costume complemented by red trunks, red boots, and a long, flowing red cape. A yellow belt encircles his waist, and there is a highly stylized Superman insignia - consisting of a large red letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield, which is bordered in red - emblazoned on his chest. The back of Superman's cape bears a similar insignia, except that this one consists of a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield bordered in yellow. <br />
<br />
What minor changes there have been in Superman's costume over the years have generally been in terms of coloring. His boots, for example, which are blue in a number of very early adventures (Act Nos. 4 & 5) and yellow in at least one other (Act No. 7), have been consistently colored red since the end of the 1930s.<br />
<br />
The stylized "S" insignia on Superman's chest, small and sleek in Superman's earliest adventures, soon becomes larger, more highly stylized, and more distinct. In a number of early adventures, the shield is portrayed (in various colors) with a yellow border, but the red border has become standard by the beginning of the 1940s.<br />
<br />
Inconsistencies persist for nearly twenty years, however, regarding the coloring of the insignia on Superman's cape. Missing entirely from Superman's costume in a number of texts, it is sometimes portrayed as a blue "S" on a yellow shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a blue shield, sometimes as a yellow "S" on a red shield, sometimes as a red "S" on a yellow shield, and sometimes as a yellow "S" on a yellow shield.<br />
<br />
Not until the late 1950s does a yellow letter "S" inscribed within a yellow shield become the standardized form of the insignia emblazoned on the back of Superman's cape. <br />
<br />
'''Secret Origin'''<br />
<br />
The origin of Superman's costume has been treated inconsistently in the chronicles, although there is virtually unanimous agreement among the texts that the costume is as indestructible as the Man of Steel himself. In Summer 1940, Superman describes his costume as "constructed of a cloth I invented myself which is immune to the most powerful forces!"<br />
<br />
By the early 1950s, however, the texts have begun to describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned by Martha Kent out of the colored blankets she and her husband found wrapped around the infant Superman when he arrived on Earth in a rocket from the doomed planet Krypton.<br />
<br />
At this point in the chronicles, numerous texts describe Superman's costume as having been fashioned from an inherently indestructible material from Krypton. Superman No. 112 offers this observation: <br />
<br />
''Indestructible as time itself, Superman's costume, woven of a strange cloth from his native planet, Krypton, has aided him in unique ways, many times in the past!''<br />
<br />
More recent texts, however, have greatly modified this position. Although Superman's costume is still described as having been fashioned from a fiber of Krypton, this cloth is now said to have acquired its indestructibility just as Superman acquired his super-powers - as the result of having been transported from the planet Krypton to the vastly different environment of Earth.<br />
<br />
According to Superman No. 146, Martha Kent was moved to fashion a super-playsuit for the infant Superman because the child was constantly destroying his store-bought clothes by engaging in various forms of super-powered play. Fortunately, the Kents had had the foresight to save the three blankets - one red, one blue, and one yellow - in which the infant Superman had been swathed when he arrived on Earth in his rocket. Because the blanket material was indestructible and therefore could not be cut by any scissors, the Kents unraveled some loose ends and then coaxed their super-powered infant into using the heat of his X-ray vision to cut the unraveled thread so that Martha Kent could use it to sew the Kryptonian blankets into a super-playsuit. Years later, Martha Kent unraveled the playsuit and rewove the thread into Superman's now-famous costume. According to one of the stories in Superman Annual No. 8 (1963), the young Superman used "strips of rubber padding" salvaged from the wreckage of his rocket to fashion a pair of bright red boots, while a yellow strap, also salvaged from the rocket, became his belt. <br />
<br />
'''Indestructible'''<br />
<br />
Superman's costume is, by all accounts, absolutely indestructible. Fire cannot burn it, the strongest shears cannot cut it, and neither bullets nor lightning can make a mark on it. Not even the force of six atomic bombs exploding inside it can do harm. (Superman No. 78, 1952)<br />
<br />
So long as it remains on Earth, or in some other environment where Superman would ordinarily have super-powers, Superman's costume retains its indestructibility. This remains true even if, for some reason, Superman has temporarily lost his powers. Similarly, the costume retains its indestructibility even if someone other than Superman wears it, rendering the wearer invulnerable to bullets and other weapons so long as the weapons strike the costume and not the wearer.<br />
<br />
According to the most recent explanation of Superman's powers, Superman derives his super-powers, in part, from the peculiar radiations of Earth's yellow sun. On planets revolving around a red sun, however, such as the planet Lexor, or the planet Krypton before it exploded, Superman has no super-powers. Similarly, on red-sun planets, Superman's costume loses its indestructibility and can be torn and damaged like any ordinary garment on Earth. If Superman's costume is ripped or damaged during a visit to a red-sun world - or during a visit to the bottle city of Kandor, where red-sun conditions prevail - Superman must take care to repair the damage before returning to Earth, where the costume will once again become indestructible and therefore impossible to cut and sew.<br />
<br />
=The Fortress of Solitude=<br />
<br />
[[Image:Fortress.gif]]<br />
<br />
The impenetrable fortress, carved out of a mountainside amidst the barren Arctic wastes, and serving as both as a retreat and a headquarters, it is Superman’s secret sanctuary. Far from civilization with an extraordinary trophy room, it houses the hard won memorabilia of more than a thousand adventures, a workshop and super-laboratory, where Superman labors in search of an antidote to [[Kryptonite]] and performs other experiments and the gymnasium and recreation facilities where Superman exercises, relaxes, and indulges in a variety of super hobbies. It also houses an interplanetary zoo, containing live species of wildlife from distant planets, as well as special rooms and memorials in honor of Superman’s parents, foster parents, and closest friends. The Fortress of Solitude is also home to the amazing bottle city of [[Kandor]], a city of the planet [[Krypton]] that was reduced to microscopic size and stolen by the space villain [[Brainiac]] sometime prior to the death of Krypton. In the Fortress of Solitude, there are also special monitors for communicating with Kandor, the undersea realm of [[Atlantis]], the [[Phantom Zone]], countless distant planets, and alien dimensions. The Fortress of Solitude also houses an incredible collection of Superman-robots, other special equipment, numerous other rooms, exhibits, weapons, machines, and scientific devices. Indeed, since the invasion of the Fortress of Solitude by an outsider could result in the placing of these devices in the hands of evildoers, as well as endanger Superman’s secret identity, the exact location of the Fortress of Solitude remains one of the world’s most closely guarded secrets.<br />
<br />
=The Super-Powers=<br />
"The super-powers of the '''Man of Steel''' are legendary! The whole world marvels at his invulnerability, super-speed, super-strength, and other super-skills" (Act No. 251, Apr 1959: "The Oldest Man in Metropolis!").<br />
==Derivation of the Super-Powers==<br />
Superman's super-powers are by and large, extraordinary magnifications of ordinary human abilities. Just as an ordinary man can hurl a baseball, Superman can hurl an entire planet. Just as an ordinary man can see across the room, Superman can see across the universe. <br />
<br />
Compared with the powers he possesses today, however, the powers employed by Superman in the early texts are modest indeed. Action Comics No. 1 (Jun 1938), the first comic book in which Superman appeared, claimed only that its hero could "leap 1/8th of a mile; hurdle a twenty-story building... raise tremendous weights... run faster than an express train... and that nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin!".<br />
<br />
As the years passed, however, the chroniclers endowed the Man of Steel with ever more spectacular powers to enable him to meet ever more exacting challenges. Today Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun, soar through the air at a speed thousands of times the speed of light, and extinguish a star with a puff of his breath as though it were merely a candle on a birthday cake.<br />
<br />
Along with a steady expansion of Superman's powers has come a series of changing explanations of how he came to acquire those powers. Action Comics No. 1, for example, contains this "scientific explanation of his amazing strength": <br />
<br />
Kent had come from a Planet whose inhabitants' physical<br />
structure was millions of years advanced of our own. <br />
Upon reaching maturity, the people of his race became<br />
gifted with titanic strength!<br />
--Incredible? No! For even today on our world exist creatures<br />
with '''super-strength!'''<br />
The lowly ant can support weights hundreds of times its own. <br />
The grasshopper leaps what to a man would be the space of several<br />
city blocks. {Jun 1938}<br />
<br />
For approximately the first decade of Superman's career, the texts advanced the thesis that Superman's powers were merely those possessed by all the inhabitants of his native Planet. These texts described the men and women of Krypton as a "super-race" (S No. 73/2, Nov/Dec 1951: "The Mighty Mite!") who were gifted with X-ray vision and other powers and who were thousands of eons ahead of earthlings, both mentally and physically. (S No. 53/1, Jul/Aug 1948: "The Origin of Superman!"). <br />
<br />
According to Superman No. 33/1, "...'''Superman'''-- a native of the ill-fated planet of Krypton---is of a different structure than than the natives of Earth! Neither his mind nor his body are susceptible to the influences that can overcome other human beings!" (Mar/Apr 1945: "Dimensions of Danger!").<br />
<br />
"Where we come from," gloats the Kryptonian villian U-Ban in July-August, "'''everyone''' has see-through vision, extra-strength and extra-speed!" (S No. 65/3: "Three Supermen from Krypton!").<br />
<br />
By the late 1940s, however, the texts had begun to describe the people of Krypton as more or less ordinary human beings and to attribute Superman's powers to the vast differences between the gravitational pull and atmospheric conditions of Krypton and those of the Planet Earth. In the words of Superman No. 58, <br />
<br />
Everyone knows that '''Superman''' is a being from another Planet,<br />
unburdened by the vastly weaker gravity of Earth. But not everyone<br />
understands how gravity affects strength! If '''you''' were on a world<br />
smaller than ours, you could jump over high buildings, lift enormous<br />
weights... and thus duplicate some of the feats of the '''Man of Steel!'''<br />
[May/June 1949: "The Case of the Second Superman"].<br />
<br />
Subsequent texts continued to cite the importance of the gravitational difference between Earth and Krypton while laying increasingly greater stress on the significance of Krypton's unique atmosphere in accounting for the awesome powers a Kryptonian acquired once he was free of his native Planet. "Obviously, Krypton is such an unusual Planet," Superman's father, Jor-El, once noted, "that when a native Kryptonian is elsewhere, free of Krypton's unique atmosphere and tremendous gravitational pull, he becomes a '''superman!'''" (Superman No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3-"The Superman of the Past"; "The Secret of the Towers"; "The Superman of the Present").<br />
<br />
Since, according to this theory, Superman owes the existence of his super-powers to the fact that he is no longer on the Planet Krypton, it follows that Superman has no super-powers wherever atmospheric and gravitational conditions prevail that are identical to those of his native planet. <br />
<br />
Indeed during a visit to a man-made duplicate of the planet Krypton, in July 1953, Superman finds that he can no longer fly, "since [the planet's] tremendous gravitational power neautralizes [his] strength!"<br />
<br />
"And because of the greater atmospheric density on this world," notes Superman, "I can't (ugh) use my X-ray vision here either!" And moments later he adds, "I--I could stay under water almost indefinitely on Earth---but not on [the duplicate] Krypton! Because of the greater exertion, I need more oxygen!" (Act No. 182: "The Return of Planet Krypton!").<br />
<br />
An identical loss of super-powers befalls Superman whenever he journeys through the time barrier to Krypton at a time prior to the its destruction or pays a visit to the bottle city of Kandor. "...[W]here '''Krypton''''s non-earthly gravity conditions are in force," muses Superman during a visit to Kandor in October 1958, "I have no super-powers!I-I'm just an '''ordinary man!'''" (Act No. 245: "The Shrinking Superman!").<br />
<br />
According to a revised theory of Superman's powers, first advanced in 1960, the Man of Steel derives his super-powers partly from [the] lesser gravity of Earth and partly from the unique "'''ultra solar rays''' that penetrate Earth day and night."<br />
<br />
"These rays," explains Superman to Supergirl in March 1960, "can only affect people who were born in other solar systems than Earth's! And only yellow stars like Earth's sun emit those super-energy rays! On planets of non-yellow suns, we would not be super-powered, even under the low gravity!" (Act No. 262: "Supergirl's Greatest Victory!").<br />
<br />
This theory is restated in Superman No.141. “What gave me super-powers on Earth,†explains Superman, “was Earth’s lesser gravity and the fact that, unlike '''Krypton’s red''' sun, Earth’s solar system has a '''yellow''' sun....Only yellow stars radiate super-energy rays which give super-powers to people born in other solar systems!†(Nov 1960: pts. I-III-"Superman Meets Jor-El and Lara again!"; "Superman’s Kryptonian Romance!"; "The Surprise of Fate!").<br />
<br />
Superman No. 146/1 refines this theory still further, attributing Superman’s “muscular powers†- super-strength, super-breath, super-speed, and the power of flight – to Earth’s light gravity, and his “super-senses and mental powers†- X-ray vision and other optical powers, super-hearing, and various intellectual powers – to the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun. In a flashback sequence, Superman explains that, as the result of his having been born<br />
<br />
on a giant world with heavy gravity, my muscles automatically<br />
became super-strong in Earth’s light gravity! I’m like the ant,<br />
which, if it were man sized, could carry a locomotive! Grasshoppers<br />
could leap over buildings!<br />
Now notice that Krypton had a red sun…! But only the ultra solar<br />
rays of Earth’s yellow sun can super energize my brain and five senses<br />
to give me the other non-muscular super-powers!<br />
Also, those yellow-sun rays, which only tan Earth people’s skin,<br />
hardened mine like steel! Radium rays…lightning…fire…nothing can harm<br />
me! (Jul 1961: “The Story of Superman’s Life!â€.)<br />
<br />
In the logic of this latest refinement, all Kryptonian objects acquire indestructibility in the yellow-sun environment of Earth, and all native Kryptonians - such as Supergirl or Krypto the Superdog - acquire super-powers identical to Superman's. However, the indestructibility of these objects and the super-powers of the various Kryptonian survivors remain proportional to what they would have been had they remained in their native Kryptonian environment. Superman is stronger than Supergirl, for example, just as an ordinary human male is normally stronger than his female counterpart. Similarly, a Kryptonian gorilla on Earth would be stronger than Superman, just as an ordinary gorilla is more powerful than an ordinary man.<br />
<br />
It is this phenomenon to which Superman refers in February 1962, when, after having been bitten severely on the hand by a Kryptonian “flame dragon†(see [[Flame Dragon]]), he remarks that “The beast’s bite penetrated my skin…which is invulnerable to everything to everything '''except''' the bite of a Kryptonian creature who would have normally been stronger than me if both of us were on '''Krypton''', minus our super-strength!†(S No. 151/3: “Superman’s Greatest Secret!â€.)<br />
<br />
Because Superman is now said to derive his powers, in part, from the ultra solar rays of Earth's yellow sun, he has no powers on any Planet revolving about a red sun, such as the Planet [[Lexor]] (Act No. 318, Nov 1964: “The Death of Luthor!â€; and others) or the world of the [[Thorones]] (Act No. 321, Feb 1965: “Superman—Weakest Man in the World!â€).<br />
<br />
The mighty super-powers that Superman employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning decades of texts. Following is an inventory of Superman's super-powers, along with the history and evolution of each super-power.<br />
<br />
==Super-Speed and the Power of Flight==<br />
In the early years of his super-heroic career, Superman was not endowed with the power of flight. Although he possessed superhuman speed, he moved from place to place by running or by executing gigantic leaps. Month by month, however, Superman's running speed increased, along with the length of his leaps and the complexity of the aerial maneuvers he was able to perform once he had left the ground. The transition from leaping to actual flying was extraordinarily gradual and was punctuated with a great deal of inconsistency. Not until May 1943 is Superman explicitly referred to as a "being who can fly like a bird" and not until later that same year can it be said, without qualification, that Superman actually possesses the power of flight.<br />
<br />
By 1945, Superman is able to fly from Metropolis to Burma in the wink of an eye. "Light travels 186,000 miles a second, but has nothing on Superman," notes the text, "who finds himself hovering over the jungles of Burma in the wink of an eye!"<br />
<br />
[[Image:Superman & Time.jpg|thumb|right|Superman traveling backwards through time.]] <br />
<br />
In November 1946, Superman demonstrates the ability to stand invisibly on one spot by oscillating his body so fast that the human eye cannot see him. During this same period, Superman protects bystanders at a navy yard from the effects of a devastating explosion by spinning around the blast area at super-speed. With the speed of light, Superman makes a wall of his revolving body, through which the expanding gases of the explosive cannot penetrate. Then, funneling upward, Superman directs the blast toward the sky.<br />
<br />
In August 1947, Superman successfully photographs a series of past events by flying into outer space faster than the speed of light and overtaking the light waves leaving Earth which contain the images of the events he wants to record on film.<br />
<br />
Later in 1947, Superman single-handedly constructs an entire underground city in a matter of seconds. (S No. 48) During this same period, Superman uses his command of super-speed to travel through the time barrier into the past.<br />
<br />
Virtually all texts agree that to penetrate the time barrier (travel ''backwards'' through time), Superman must move at a speed exceeding that of light.<br />
<br />
It's often a debated point on who is faster, Superman or the other superhero famous for his speed, [[The Flash]]. The two heroes have frequently explored the question with a number of friendly competitive foot races that all have proved inconclusive. (S No. 199, Aug 1967: "Superman's Race With the Flash!", see [[Flash]] for other references)<br />
<br />
==Super-Strength==<br />
[[Image:Superboytowingplanets.jpg|center]]<br />
<br />
There have been many strong men in the world, but none with the amazing power of Superman, whose rippling steel muscles can blast boulders to dust and move mountains.<br />
<br />
Like Superman's other powers, his strength has been continually magnified over the years.<br />
<br />
In June 1938, Superman, described as a man of titanic strength with the ability to raise tremendous weights, lifts an automobile over his head with one hand, shakes its hoodlum occupants out on the the ground, then smashes the car to bits against the base of a cliff.<br />
<br />
In Spring 1940, when Metropolis is ravaged by a man-made earthquake, Superman supports tottering buildings while terrified occupants dash to safety.<br />
<br />
In 1941, Superman swims through a raging flood using only one hand, while holding a mansion aloft with the other hand. To divert the floodwaters, Superman digs a huge, mile-long ditch with his bare hands in a matter of moments.<br />
<br />
In 1942, Superman seizes a set of brass knuckles and crushes the cowardly instrument in his palm as easily as though the metal were putty; he smashes his way through the side of a mountain; and, while clinging to the side of a moving train, Superman performs an amazing stunt - he opens a Pullman window! By September of the same year, his strength has grown to the point where he can wrench apart a pair of twin mountain peaks with his bare hands.<br />
<br />
In 1943, when Superman acts to avert the collapse of a massive undersea cavern, his mighty shoulders bear the weight of thousands of tons of rock and the terrific pressure of the ocean above it. (Act No. 62, "There'll Always Be a Superman!") He also hits a baseball so hard that it circles the world.<br />
<br />
In 1946, Superman uses his super-strength to mend a gaping hole in the hull of a sunken freighter, welding the torn steel plates into place by rubbing them with his hands until they're white hot. Later texts refer to this process as the application of "super-friction."<br />
<br />
1947 brings us the first time that Superman transforms a lump of coal into a glittering diamond. In the words of the text, "Incalculable tons of pressure exerted by the Man of Steel's mighty fist duplicate the work of eons to fuse the opaque coal carbons into the translucent perfection of a glittering diamond!" (Act No. 115)<br />
<br />
In 1948 he uses the super-pressure of his thumbnail to cut sheet metal.<br />
<br />
By 1949 he has single-handedly created a sun for the Planet Uuz by crashing together its two uninhabited moons and then fueling the resultant atomic blaze with drifting meteors.<br />
<br />
In November 1953, when a great dark star that's rushing through the solar system begins causing the Earth to spin faster on its axis, Superman finds himself confronted by the greatest challenge of his career, that of devising a means of slowing down the Earth. After fashioning a gigantic metal drill from ore-bearing rock, Superman drills through the Earth to the red-hot rocks inside Earth's crust and then, using his own body as a high-speed chisel, gouges a canal from the sea to the hole he has drilled in the Earth. When the seawater rushing through Superman's man-made canal washes over the red-hot rocks at the Earth's core, the result is a continuous blast of steam that makes a great jet-blast, pushing against the rotating Earth to slow it down. When it's back to normal, Superman closes off the canal.<br />
<br />
But by 1957, Superman is able to hurl an uninhabited Planet through space (S No. 110) and in 1958 can produce a small earthquake with a super-clap of his hands.<br />
<br />
In March 1965, Superman seizes a spacecraft manned by members of the Superman Revenge Squad and hurls it into a far distant galaxy light-years away from Earth.<br />
<br />
In July 1967, Superman as Superboy has pulled a chain of a dozen worlds from their own dying galaxy to new suns at the other side of the universe, saving billions of lives (SB No. 140).<br />
<br />
In October 1980, Superman fights the alien villain, [[N'Gon]], who has stolen [[Green Lantern]]'s power ring, one of the most powerful weapon types in the universe. To finally defeat the villain, who has a force field generated from the ring to protect himself, Superman punches the field with all his strength. The blow is so powerful that it creates a massive thundering sonic boom-like sound that overcomes the force field and overwhelms the villain (DCCP No. 26, Oct 1980: "Between Friend and Foe!").<br />
<br />
==Invulnerability==<br />
[[Image:Lightingsuperman.jpg|left]]<br />
Of all the awesome capabilities of Superman, one of the most important is his invulnerability. Fire can't burn him, knives can't cut him, bullets can't hurt him. In fact, there's nothing known to man that can harm even a hair of Superman's head.<br />
<br />
In June 1938, a bullet ricochets off Superman's tough skin and a knife blade shatters when it strikes his body. Nothing less than a bursting shell could penetrate his skin. Subsequent texts describe Superman as possessing a skin impenetrable to even steel and as being impervious to bullets because of an unbelievably tough skin. A text dated January 1945 notes that "Unlike ordinary people, the Man of Steel can do without food if necessary," but a later text contradicts this, noting that Superman could indeed "starve to death."<br />
<br />
In September 1945, Superman holds open an earthquake fissure with his bare hands until Lois Lane has had a chance to climb to safety. "The most powerful muscles on Earth," notes the text, "withstand the tremendous pressure of thousands of tons of rock!" "If the fissure had closed on me," remarks Superman, "the only damage would have been to the rock!"<br />
<br />
In 1946, Superman flies onto an atomic-bomb test site and withstands the successive impact of two atomic bombs. He also withstands the intense heat of the Earth's molten core. (S No. 43)<br />
<br />
In 1950, Superman swims underwater thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, and suffers no ill effects from the crushing water pressure. He withstands the heat at the rim of the sun, estimated at a few billion degrees.<br />
<br />
By 1951, Superman can withstand the heat at the core of the sun. (Act No. 161) By this date, Superman's Herculean body has become immune to all ills and it's impossible for him to get sick. Superman is not immune, however, to certain extraterrestrial illnesses, such as the mysterious space virus that temporarily transforms his X-ray vision into "deep-freeze" vision in November, 1957, and Virus X, native to the Planet Krypton.<br />
<br />
In February 1954, Superman withstands the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, although it does leave him with a slight headache. (S No. 87)<br />
<br />
A text dated April 1960 observes that the rifle-like non-super-ray weapon employed by the Bizarros of the Planet Htrae could permanently rob Superman of his super-powers. Another text for this period strongly implies that Superman is invulnerable to the aging process and therefore immortal (S No. 136, Apr 1960), but Superman No. 181 contradicts this, noting that "Though Superman is the mightiest man on Earth, even he cannot live forever!" (Nov 1965, "The Superman of 2965!")<br />
<br />
A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning, and can remain underwater as long as he wishes.<br />
<br />
Because Superman is invulnerable, he cannot blush and because his skin is never affected by the sun, he is impervious to sunburn.<br />
<br />
Superman's hair is indestructible and can neither be cut nor can it grow in Earth's atmosphere. (S No. 132, Oct 1959)<br />
<br />
Any attempt to cut Superman's hair by ordinary means results only in the shattering of whatever scissors are being used, but Superman can cut his own hair when absolutely necessary by subjecting it to the concentrated power of his own X-ray vision. In a red-sun environment, however, where Superman has no super-powers, his hair loses its indestructibility and begins to grow. If Superman undertakes a mission to a red-sun Planet, it is best for him to shave and trim his hair before returning to the yellow-sun environment of Earth, where his hair will once again become indestructible.<br />
<br />
Similarly, Superman's fingernails and toenails, which are indestructible and do not grow in the earthly environment, do grow and are destructible on Planets revolving about a red sun.<br />
<br />
==X-Ray Vision and the Other Optical Powers==<br />
<br />
[[Image:Superboy98.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
With telescopic vision, he has spanned the solar system - his microscopic vision has seen the tiniest dust particle - while his X-ray vision has pierced every substance except lead.<br />
<br />
Today's Superman possesses a wide range of optical super-powers, including X-ray vision, which enables him to see through all substances except lead; telescopic vision, which enables him to focus on objects millions of miles away; super-vision, a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, which enables him to perform such optical feats as peering through the wall of a house thousands of miles away; microscopic vision, which enables him to examine the tiniest atomic particles; heat vision, which enables him to apply intense heat to any substance except lead; infrared vision, which enables him to see objects lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; radar vision, a term denoting infrared vision used at low power, which enables him to see in pitch darkness; and photographic vision, which enables him to perform such feats as memorizing whole books at a single glance.<br />
<br />
In Superman's earliest adventures, however, he exhibited no special optical powers, and the vision abilities he employs today are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. Tracing the evolution of these abilities is difficult, for the terminology used to describe them is often haphazard and confusing. "Telescopic X-ray vision," for example, used as a general term in many early texts to denote Superman's ability both to see through objects and to see objects from far away, later comes to refer to the use of both of these visions simultaneously.<br />
<br />
"Super-vision," however, both with and without the hyphen, has been employed at various times in the chronicles as a synonym for telescopic vision; as a means of describing Superman's ability to perform some complex optical feat, such as tracing television broadcast signals to their source; and as a term denoting a combination of X-ray vision and telescopic vision, the meaning it has today.<br />
<br />
Similarly, Superman used his X-ray vision to analyze the chemical composition of substances, to melt solid objects, and to see in pitch darkness long before the more specialized terms microscopic vision, heat vision, and radar vision ever appeared in the chronicles.<br />
<br />
Some terms, such as "super-sensory sight," "super-sensory-vision," and "supernormal vision" are used in the texts without ever being defined precisely.<br />
<br />
==Super-Hearing==<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Today Superman's super-hearing - ordinary human hearing multiplied countless thousands of times - enables Superman to detect the footfall of an ant 1,000 miles away or trace the source of sound waves across millions of miles of interstellar space.<br />
<br />
In his very earliest adventures, however, Superman exhibited no special aural powers, and the super-hearing he employs today is the product of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts. The term "super-hearing" first appears in the chronicles in Fall 1939. Nevertheless, during the first two decades of Superman's career, the texts also employ such other descriptive terms as "super-acute hearing," "super-sensitive hearing," "hyper-keen hearing," and "super-keen hearing."<br />
<br />
In January 1939, Superman is described as having "sensitive ears," which enable him to hear things ordinary human beings cannot.<br />
<br />
In November 1940, Superman's super-sensitive ears enable him to pick up radio waves so that he can listen in on a radio news broadcast without a radio. In 1942, his super-sensitive hearing enables him to trace radio waves to their source.<br />
<br />
In June 1946, Superman's hyper-keen hearing enables him to trace a telephone call across the phone wires to its source.<br />
<br />
By 1950, Superman's super-hearing enables him to hear the low humming sound of a machine 1,500 miles away. In 1953, he exhibits the ability to focus his super-hearing so precisely that, while flying high over Metropolis, he can eavesdrop on a conversation taking place in one specific apartment.<br />
<br />
In January 1960, Superman's super-hearing enables him to trace sound waves to their ultimate source: a space ship millions of miles from Earth (Action Comics #260) and by December of the same year, Superman can hear Big Ben chiming the hour in London while he is in the Sahara Desert.<br />
<br />
==Super-Breath and Related Powers==<br />
[[Image:Andy Warhol breath.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
Like Superman's other super-powers, his super-breath and related powers have undergone continual expansion and magnification.<br />
<br />
A text dated August 1939 notes that Superman can hold his breath for hours underwater.<br />
<br />
In January 1940, he blows out a flaming torch with a powerful puff of his breath.<br />
<br />
A text dated March 1941 notes that Superman's lungs can withstand any air pressure, no matter how great, and a later text observes that Superman can swim thousands of fathoms deep, down to the ocean bed itself, without suffering any ill effects.<br />
<br />
In June 1941 Superman extinguishes a raging fire with a terrific gust of breath and in 1947 he extinguishes a bonfire by inhaling the flames.<br />
<br />
In November 1947, when the Toyman attempts to make good his escape astride a rocket-powered hobbyhorse, Superman draws him back to earth with a deep inhalation of breath.<br />
<br />
In March 1949, after having been locked inside a skyrocket by Lex Luthor, Superman uses his super-breath in place of rocket fuel to launch the skyrocket into the stratosphere. "And with super-breath," notes the text, "the Man of Steel lifts the projectile into the sky!" Superman performs a similar feat in July 1960, climbing into the exhaust apparatus of a jet aircraft disabled in midair and using his superbreath as jet propulsion to guide it to a safe landing.<br />
<br />
In September 1949, Superman extinguishes a chemical fire by inhaling all the air around it. "The deadly flames are no menace to Superman," notes the text, "who smothers them by momentarily drawing all the air in the room into his own mighty lungs!"<br />
<br />
In July 1953, Superman notes that he can stay underwater almost indefinitely.<br />
<br />
In July 1954, Superman paints a house by using his super-breath to blow paint out of a paint bucket onto the house. "Super-breath comes in handy in many ways," muses Superman, "but this is the first time I've used it as a paint sprayer!"<br />
<br />
In August 1954, far out in space, Superman extinguishes a star with a blast of his super-breath. (Superman #91)<br />
<br />
In July 1959, Superman halts a massive tidal wave by freezing it into a solid iceberg with a blast of his super-breath.<br />
<br />
In March 1960, Jimmy Olsen remarks that Superman can live for years underwater.<br />
<br />
In October 1960, after engraving an inscription with his fingernail into the frame of a mirror, Superman blows on the inscription with this super-breath in order to imbue it with an antique appearance. "The force of my super-breath will create an artificial aging effect," observes Superman, "so the writing will appear centuries-old!" (Action Comics No. 269)<br />
<br />
In February 1961, after Mr. Mxyzptlk has loosed a cloud of magic sneezing powder on Metropolis, Superman finds himself forced to give vent to a super-sneeze that literally destroys an entire distant solar system.<br />
<br />
In April 1963, Superman disarms a gang of bank robbers by using his super-cold breath to freeze the air around their guns into clocks of ice. "Puffing my super-cold breath at them," muses Superman, "I've condensed the moisture in the air around their guns into ice! Now that their numb fingers can't pull triggers, innocent bystanders won't get hurt!"<br />
<br />
A text dated April 1965 notes that Superman is invulnerable to drowning and can remain under-water as long as he wishes.<br />
<br />
==Vocal and Ventriloquistic Powers==<br />
Like Superman's other super-powers, his vocal and ventriloquistic powers have been continually magnified and expanded in the course of his career.<br />
<br />
In 1941, Superman employs ordinary ventriloquism to distract the attention of criminals holding Lois Lane.<br />
<br />
In March 1942, Superman exhibits the ability to mimic voices when he expertly disguises his voice so that it sounds exactly like a gang-leader's. In September of the same year, in order to warn the people of Metropolis of a Nazi invasion, Superman shouts a warning in such dynamic tones his voice carries for miles.<br />
<br />
In May 1943 Superman summons police to an underworld hideout by broadcasting his voice with the aid of his super-powers so that it materializes in police radio sets.<br />
<br />
In 1947 Superman shatters a thousand-ton block of ice into tiny fragments with a mighty shout.<br />
<br />
In January 1950, Superman ventriloquizes over a considerable distance in order to make a painted image of himself appear to talk and in order to make his voice materialize from a police-car radio. This technique, which later becomes known as "super-ventriloquism," enables Superman to project his voice over immense distances and yet have his voice heard only by those whom he is directly addressing.<br />
<br />
In July 1950, one of Superman's super-yells is monitored at over 1,000,000 decibles. (S No. 65) One later text notes that "Superman's tremendous shout echoes like a thousand thunderstorms in the sky," while another observes that his "super-voice resounds like 1,000 loudspeakers," enabling everyone within a five-mile radius to hear it.<br />
<br />
In August 1950, while standing with Lois Lane in an office at the Daily Planet, Superman uses ventriloquism to make Clark Kent's voice come over the telephone so that Lois will believe that Kent and Superman are two different men.<br />
<br />
In September 1955, Superman shatters a diamond into powder by using his super-voice to produce extraordinarily high-pitched musical notes.<br />
<br />
In July 1961, Superman converses with Supergirl over an immense distance by means of super-ventriloquism, a voice throwing technique that enables them to converse over long distances without being overheard by anyone in between.<br />
<br />
In July 1962, Superman summons Krypto the Superdog by means of super-ventriloquism, but in November 1963 he speaks of summoning Krypto via supersonic ventriloquism, a technique that enables him to throw his voice at such a high pitch that only Krypto's super-canine hearing could possibly hear it.<br />
<br />
==Mental and Intellectual Powers==<br />
<br />
[[Image:Lab.gif|left]]<br />
<br />
Along with his other super-powers, Superman also possesses a super-intellect and other superhuman mental powers. <br />
<br />
In Spring 1940 Clark Kent exhibits the ability to temporarily halt the beating of his heart. In several occasions in subsequent years, Superman employs this unique ability in order to enable him to feign death. Superman #21 alludes to Superman's having temporarily halted the beating of his heart and put himself into a state of suspended animation, and World's Finest Comics No. 54 cites Superman's ability to control his heart action in order to simulate the signs of death. Control of one's heartbeat would seem to involve mental control of one's physical functions, but in his only clear description of this feat, Superman describes it as one of "super-muscular control." "To make you think I had 'died,'" he remarks to a group of captured criminals in January 1958, "I used super-muscular control to stop my heart from beating - just as I'm doing now to make it beat faster and louder, listen!"<br />
<br />
In Summer 1940, Superman is described as possessing a photographic memory.<br />
<br />
In January 1941 Superman cures Lois Lane of her amnesia by means of hypnosis and a month later, as Clark Kent, he hypnotizes her into forgetting the super-feats he is about to perform so that he can rescue her from a burning cabin in his role as Clark Kent without betraying his dual identity.<br />
<br />
In January 1942, Superman is able to converse fluently with a mermaid despite the fact that her tongue is completely foreign to him because his advanced intellect instantly comprehends her strange language. (S No. 14)<br />
<br />
In July 1943, Superman is described as having a "super-brain," but later texts refer to Superman as having a "super-intellect."<br />
<br />
In January 1945, Superman visits the public library and reads through a mountain of books and articles about himself in only five minutes, and in November 1945, he is described as reading a 500-page book in ten seconds flat.<br />
<br />
In September 1947, Superman is described as having a super-instinct that alerts him to the fact that someone is watching him.<br />
<br />
In July 1948, Superman demonstrates the ability to solve complex mathematical equations with the speed and accuracy of a giant computing machine.<br />
<br />
In July 1950, Superman's super-intellect enables him to solve, in seconds, a complicated mathematical problem that the Metropolis Science Foundation's mighty electronic brain takes ten minutes to solve.<br />
<br />
In July 1951, Clark Kent memorizes a 400-page book in a matter of seconds, and in September of the same year, Superman comments that, for the sake of convenience, he has memorized the entire Metropolis phone book.<br />
<br />
In November 1953, Superman is described as having a "super-memory."<br />
<br />
In March 1954, Superman's super-intelligence enables him to solve a complex equation that involves dealing with mathematical ideas unknown to ordinary men.<br />
<br />
In March 1955, Superman memorizes all the existing books on eye surgery preparatory to performing a complicated eye operation.<br />
<br />
In April 1955, Superman is described as having used his photographic memory to memorize all the files of the Daily Planet.<br />
<br />
In May 1956, Superman is described as being able to recall every action of his life with his "super-human memory." Subsequent texts refer to Superman's "power of total memory" or "total-recall memory," noting that it enables the Man of Steel to remember everything he ever said or did.<br />
<br />
In January 1958, Superman is able to match up a suspect's fingerprints with those on file in Washington, D.C., as the result of having used his super-memory to memorize the entire fingerprint file of the F.B.I.<br />
<br />
In June 1958, while relaxing at his Fortress of Solitude, Superman defeats a great robot he has built in a game of super-chess, despite the fact that the robot - which possesses a super-electronic brain - can think and play with the speed of lightning and plans a million moves at once.<br />
<br />
In November 1960 Superman is described as having mastered Kryptonese, the language of Krypton, through his memory's power of total recall.<br />
<br />
A text dated August 1963 notes that Superman possesses the super-intellect of a score of the world's most brilliant minds put together.<br />
<br />
==Miscellaneous Powers==<br />
In addition to the super-powers enumerated in the foregoing subsections, Superman has displayed other unique abilities that are not readily classifiable.<br />
<br />
Several texts describe Superman as possessing super-senses which, among other things, enable him to sense the presence of an electrical discharge or the close proximity of [[Lori Lemaris]].<br />
<br />
Superman's supersensitive nostrils enable him to detect the faint odor of nitroglycerine in a cache of dynamite or to stand atop a Metropolis skyscraper and pinpoint Lois Lane's exact location by her perfume.<br />
<br />
According to one text, Superman possesses a super-sensitive nerve structure, rendering him extraordinarily sensitive to the effects of cosmic disturbances. Another text notes that Superman's fingers are super-sensitive, enabling him to distinguish between types of metal ores by their touch even when he cannot see them.<br />
<br />
Superman's super-coordination enables him to sign two autographs simultaneously, one with each hand, and a transfusion of his alien blood has the power to make a critically ill person well again within a matter of moments. (S No. 6, 1940)<br />
<br />
Superman No. 133 asserts that Superman could consume virtually endless quantities of food, and Action Comics No. 306 suggests that Superman can perform feats of lovemaking of which an ordinary man would be quite incapable: forced into the position of having to kiss Lois Lane beneath the mistletoe at a Daily Planet Christmas party in 1963, Clark Kent mischievously decides to shock the daylights out of Lois by giving her a super-kiss, in the manner of Superman, instead of the mild-mannered kiss she would be likely to expect from Clark Kent. Indeed, when Kent finally releases Lois from his embrace after giving her a super-soulful kiss, Lois is glassy-eyed and on the verge of swooning.<br />
<br />
"Holy Toledo, Clark," exclaims someone at the party, " - where'd you learn to kiss like that?"<br />
<br />
"Yes," stammers Lois, plainly impressed, "for a while I thought you were - er - someone else! Where'd you pick up this technique?"<br />
<br />
"Maybe it's sort of a hidden talent!" replies Kent. "After all, you don't know everything about me!" And then Kent thinks: "True indeed! Lois would pass out if she knew it was Superman, my other identity, who kissed her!"<br />
<br />
One super-power that has long since been discarded by the chroniclers is Superman's ability, displayed on a number of occasions in the 1940s, to radically alter his facial characteristics and even his size through what was described as "superb muscular control" of his "plastic features."<br />
<br />
=The Vulnerabilities=<br />
Despite his awesome super-powers, Superman continues to be afflicted with certain important vulnerabilities.<br />
==Kryptonite==<br />
The term used to designate any surviving fragment of the exploded planet [[Krypton]], home world of Superman. These varieties of kryptonite are similarly hazardous to [[Supergirl]], [[Krypto]] the Superdog, [[Beppo]] the Supermonkey, and all other surviving natives of Krypton, unless otherwise noted.<br />
===Green Kryptonite===<br />
Green Kryptonite, is fatal to superpowered Kryptonians but harmless to non-superpowered Kryptonians, It induces lassitude and inertia followed by death if not removed in time from Superman's presence.<br />
===Red Kryptonite===<br />
[[Red Kryptonite]] inflicts bizarre and unpredictable—albeit temporary and nonfatal—symptoms, as when it divides Superman into twins or transforms him into an infant or a giant ant. It's effects last only 48 hours and is never repeated on the same Kryptonian again. <br />
===Gold Kryptonite===<br />
[[Gold Kryptonite]] permanently takes away Superman's powers<br />
<br />
===Blue Kryptonite===<br />
[[Blue Kryptonite]] is harmful to [[Bizarro]] Supermen in the same way that Green Kryptonite is to Superman<br />
<br />
===White Kryptonite===<br />
[[White Kryptonite]] is harmful only to plant life, though it can also affect some vareties of microbe.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*For more varieties of kryptonite, please see the [[Kryptonite]] entry.<br />
<br />
==Magic==<br />
Although this subject is not treated in the chronicles with absolute consistency, it is generally agreed that Superman's power of invulnerability does not protect him from [[Magic]]. As Superman notes ruefully in August 1964: "My invulnerability can't protect me from magic or a sorcerer's spell!" (S. No. 171, Aug 1964: "The Curse of Magic!")<br />
<br />
In 1971, Superman consults the wizard, [[Doctor Fate of Earth-2]] to see if he can remove his vulnerability to magic. However upon arrival on [[Earth-2]], the planet is threatened by aliens and defeating them requires that Dr. Fate cast a spell on Superman that allows him to fight them. The Man of Steel then understands that the ability to be helped by magic is a benefit and declines to have Doctor Fate change this fact (WF No. 208, Dec 1971: "Peril of the Planet Smashers").<br />
<br />
==Virus X==<br />
This deadly Kryptonian virus, for which no cure has ever been discovered, is described in Superman No. 156 as "a contagion fatal in 30 days to any native of Krypton...." Because living X viruses&mdash;if, indeed, any survived the destruction of Superman's native planet&mdash;would acquire super-virulence in the alien environment of Earth in the same manner whereby Superman acquired his super-powers, Superman and all other surviving natives of [[Krypton]] are vulnerable to this killer virus just as they would have been had Krypton never exploded and they, and the virus, remained on Krypton.<br />
<br />
In his experiments with Virus X prior to the death of Krypton, the Kryptonian scientist [[Tharb-El]] discovered that he could destroy the virus with "element 202." Because element 202 is fatal to human beings, however, Tharb-El was unsuccessful in his efforts to produce a viable cure (S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III&mdash;"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").<br />
<br />
==Other Vulnerabilities==<br />
<br />
In addition to the vulnerabilities enumerated in the preceding subsections, there remain other situations in which Superman is vulnerable. <br />
<br />
He is susceptible to being overpowered and even destroyed by other Kryptonian survivors or by Kryptonian machinery and weapons to which he would have been vulnerable on Krypton. <br />
<br />
He can be held or destroyed by some aliens and alien monsters, which, because of peculiarities of their own native planets, acquire super-powers even greater than Superman's. One example includes [[Darkseid]]'s Gravi-Guards, ponderous beings able to summon great gravity from heavy mass galaxies (see The Forever People No. 1, Feb/Mar 1971: "In Search of a Dream!"). <br />
<br />
All of his super-vision abilities are blocked by [[lead]] and he cannot melt it with his heat vision.<br />
<br />
Superman loses his super-powers completely upon entering a solar system whose planets revolve about a red sun. In addition, he is susceptible to losing his super-powers completely, or having them drastically curtailed, if he visits a planet revolving about any non-yellow sun, even if that sun’s color has changed from yellow to another color by artificial means, such as by using a colossal blue filter mounted atop a robot-controlled space station to transform yellow sun into a green sun (S No. 155, Aug 1962: "Superman Under the Green Sun!"). Superman can be blocked by powerful temporal barriers and force fields, such as the [[Iron Curtain of Time]].<br />
<br />
In addition, Superman's own mind can be turned against him. For instance, Lex Luthor, using lifelike android duplicates of [[the Flash]] and [[Batman]] as children, once successfully convinces Superman that he has found a way to reduce his age. Superman is subconsciously convinced enough that his body literally de-ages until he realizes the deception (Act Nos. 465-466, Nov 1976-Dec 1976: "Think Young and Die" and "You Can Take the Man Out of the Super, But You Can't Take the Super Out of the Boy").<br />
<br />
Perhaps Superman's greatest vulnerability is that his friends and loved ones do not possess super-powers, a fact which evildoers continually attempt to capitalize on, although invariably without success, in an effort to prevent Superman from apprehending them or to force him to do their bidding.<br />
<br />
Lastly, "...despite all his tremendous super-powers, the Man of Steel has never been able to prevent a tragedy of the past, no matter how much he has tried! Always, fate has successfully resisted his attempts to change history!" (S No. 146, Jul 1961: "Superman's Greatest Feats!").<br />
<br />
=The Equipment=<br />
==Lead Armor==<br />
<br />
In September 1948, after the cataclysmic explosion of an atomic reactor has temporarily rendered Superman so dangerously radioactive the he cannot come close to people without destroying them, the Man of Steel fashions himself a thick lead armor suit out of molten metal to enable him to shield those with whom he comes in contact from the deadly “radioactive rays†emanating from his body.<br />
<br />
I couldn’t permit eye-holes in this suit,†notes Superman as he flies through the air in his armor suit, “… fatal radioactive rays could seep through them. I’ll see with my X-Ray vision!†(Act No. 124. Sep 1948: “A Superman of Doom!â€) Please note that this text clearly ignores the fact that Superman’s X-Ray vision cannot penetrate lead. <br />
<br />
In June 1958, Superman dons a suit of lead armor while experimenting with [[Kryptonite]] at his [[Fortress of Solitude]]. “In this lead armor,†observes Superman, “I’m immune to Kryptonite rays… and can study it to see if I can overcome its dangerous effect on me†(Act No. 241, Jun 1958: The Super-Key to Fort Superman!â€).<br />
<br />
==Dummies, Robots, and Androids==<br />
Almost from the beginning of his long career, Superman has employed dummies and robots of Clark Kent and Superman - as well as of his loved ones and closest friends - to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. The greatest of these so-called "super-robots" - which are housed both at the Fortress of Solitude and behind a secret panel in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment - are immensely sophisticated and complex, possessing mighty super-powers and capable of human emotion, independent thought, and autonomous action. In the early years of the chronicles, however, this was not the case, and the complex robots that exist more recently are the products of a gradual evolution spanning many years of texts.<br />
<br />
In March 1944 Clark Kent uses a Superman dummy to help him outwit [[The Thinker]], employing ventriloquism to make the dummy appear to talk.<br />
<br />
In September 1949, Superman employs a Superman robot in an elaborate scheme to dupe a [[Uranians|band of aliens]] from the planet [[Uranus]] into believing that all earthlings are actually robots. Superman makes his robot appear lifelike by manipulating it like a puppet at invisible super-speed while employing ventriloquism to make it talk (WF No. 42, Sep 1949: "The Alphabetical Animal Adventure!"). <br />
<br />
As the years progress, the Superman robots become progressively more advanced.<br />
<br />
Arriving as a superman from Mercury in February 1952, Superman uses a robot named [[Krag]] which he manipulates "with control buttons and ventriloquism". He had to "switch makeup and costumes with Krag... so that sometimes [he] was Krag and the robot became Superman". He makes this robot defeat Superman so that he could meet the [[Crime Czar]] (Act No. 165, Feb 1952: "The Man Who Conquered Superman!").<br />
<br />
In May 1952, the Clark Kent robot can move by itself, but Superman continues to throw his voice to make it talk. A bump in a boat shakes the robot's mechanism and makes it fail, so he makes it as if Clark had fainted by seeing a paper dinosaur on a ride, se he could be able to repair it later (S No. 75, May 1952: "Mrs. Superman!").<br />
<br />
In December 1955, Superman creates a remote-controlled Superman robot that [[Jimmy Olsen]] can control while he is away in space diverting a runaway planet that was on a crash course with Earth. It was equipped with a "built-in tv screen originally devised by Dr. Ultra" so Jimmy could "see and hear everything, as if [he] was there [himself]." The robot has super-strength and can fly (SPJO No. 9: "The Missile of Steel").<br />
<br />
By May 1958, Superman has succeeded in devising robots so sophisticated that his Clark Kent robot - kept concealed behind a secret panel in a supply room at the Daily Planet - is actually capable of carrying on his duties at the Daily Planet whenever his presence is required elsewhere as Superman. "The robot Clark will replace me here in the office, as usual!" thinks Superman. "Remote-control impulses from my X-ray eyes will guide him and operate his voice box!" Superman also utilizes a sophisticated Superman robot during this period to carry out a mission in outer space.<br />
<br />
In December 1958, Superman has begun housing several Superman robots in a secret closet in Clark Kent's apartment, each equipped to duplicate one of Superman's super-powers, such as super-strength, the power of flight, X-ray vision, or super-breath. "Each is designed to use one of my super-powers when needed!" notes Superman. "I send out the robots when Clark's absence would be suspicious! Or when I suspect that criminals are waiting to use kryptonite against me!"<br />
<br />
By January 1960 Superman has clearly increased the complexity of his robots even further, for he is now quoted in the Daily Planet as saying that "my robots possess all my super-powers." However, as a precaution in case they malfunction, Superman deliberately makes them weaker than himself so he can defeat them if it becomes necessary (WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").<br />
<br />
In February 1960, when Superman conducts guided tours through his Fortress of Solitude for the benefit of charity, two of his Superman robots stand outside, scanning the incoming crowds with their X-ray vision to ensure that no bombs or other dangerous devices are carried into the Fortress. Indications are that the robots are carrying out their duties autonomously, without any outside help from Superman.<br />
<br />
In June 1960, Superman, busily occupied with putting on a demonstration of his super-powers for children at a local hospital, dispatches a Clark Kent robot to keep a lunch date with Lois Lane, confident that the robot is so thoroughly lifelike that Lois will not be able to tell it from a human being.<br />
<br />
In March 1961, one of Superman's Superman-robots, acting entirely on its own volition, carries out an intricately convoluted ruse involving human emotion, sophisticated independent thinking, and the ability to invent and construct complex scientific devices. (Action Comics No. 274) <br />
<br />
Since 1959, Superman's sophisticated super-robots have been housed in two principal locations: The Fortress of Solitude and the secret closet in Clark Kent's Metropolis apartment.<br />
<br />
The closet, which is referred to as a "secret closet," is concealed behind a fake wall which slides open at the touch of a secret button. It also slides open when a special box on Clark Kent's table is opened. In the event an intruder inadvertently activates this sliding-wall mechanism and discovers the secret closet, however, a special security device on the closet door makes the phone in the apartment ring. When the intruder answers, he hears the voice of Superman, on a prerecorded tape, asking Clark Kent to return the robots he has recently "borrowed." This device has many times protected the secret of Superman's dual identity.<br />
<br />
The robots used most often by Superman have been robots of Superman and Clark Kent, but the Man of Steel has also used robots of Lois Lane and Lana Lang, Supergirl, Krypto the Superdog, and robots of himself both as the teen-age Superboy and as a super-baby.<br />
<br />
The robots address Superman as "master" and Superman addresses them, when he addresses them verbally, either by a number, such as "Robot One," or by a letter of the alphabet, such as "Robot Y."<br />
<br />
The chronicles contain little real information concerning the workings of Superman's robots beyond that they run on sophisticated batteries, that they contain complex circuits and energy cells, and that each is controlled by an electronic control center located somewhere in its body.<br />
<br />
Superman can activate and control his robots wither with verbal commands or by means of his X-ray vision. Even from a long distance away, Superman can summon his robots into action either with his X-ray vision or with a ventriloquistic signal. In the event of an emergency, Superman's robots can also be activated by the Superman Emergency Squad, but they will not respond to anyone's voice but Superman's.<br />
<br />
Even if a villain could somehow succeed in commandeering one of Superman's robots, there are indications that the robots, having been created only to do good deeds, would refuse to perform evil ones. In addition, Superman has installed a special self-destruct mechanism in each of his robots - designed to destroy completely any robot that becomes disabled while performing a mission - to prevent unscrupulous individuals from cannibalizing the parts of disabled robots and using the sophisticated circuitry for evil ends.<br />
<br />
Even though Superman's robots possess all of Superman's super-powers, they are not as powerful or as indestructable as Superman himself. Even Superman's best robots have been crushed by undersea water pressure, demolished by the flame-breath of a Kryptonian flame dragon, destroyed by a powerful electromagnet, repelled by a powerful anti-magnetic device, blacked out by sophisticated electronic machinery, shattered by Lex Luthor's vibro-gun, short circuited from sudden sunspot activity, or had their motors destroyed by a super-powered villain's X-ray vision.<br />
<br />
Although Superman's own costume is indestructible, the ones worn by his Superman robots are not.<br />
<br />
Because Superman's robots are not vulnerable to kryptonite, they are extremely useful in certain emergencies in which Superman's life would otherwise be in jeopardy. Superman has programmed his Superman robots to feign vulnerability to kryptonite in public, however, to prevent outsiders from distinguishing the real Superman from his robot surrogates. This programming strategy enables Superman to use his robots to help protect his secret identity by standing in for him as Superman, while preventing anyone from realizing that they are dealing only with a Superman robot. It is common knowledge, however, that Superman has and uses Superman robots. All newly constructed Superman robots are forced to undergo a period of arduous training before they are permitted to work alongside Superman's other robots on an equal footing.<br />
<br />
Over the years, a number of present and former Superman robots have played important roles in the chronicles, including [[Superman Robot Z]] (Act No. 274, May 1961), [[Wonder-Man]] (S No. 163, Aug 1963), [[Adam Newman]] (S No. 174, Jan 1965), [[Powerman]] and [[MacDuff]].<br />
<br />
Superman later retires his robots because of deleterious effects from pollution in the earth's atmosphere (first documented in WF No. 202, May 1971: "Vengeance of the Tomb-Thing!").<br />
<br />
(''see'' also the list of [[:Category:Superman Robots|Superman Robots]])<br />
<br />
==Miscellaneous Equipment==<br />
<br />
In his unceasing war against evil and injustice, Superman has also employed a variety of miscellaneous apparatus.<br />
<br />
In January 1941, Superman has devised the [[Krypto-Raygun]], a "startling invention with which he can snap pictures, they are developed right in the shape of a raygun, and can be flashed upon a wall!" (Act No. 32, Jan 1941: "The Preston Gambling Racket!")<br />
<br />
In August 1948, Superman uses a miniature camera concealed inside a special ring to keep an incriminating photographic record of the attempts on his life made by [[Skid Russell]] and his fellow [[Metropolis]] "crime kings" (Act No. 123, Aug 1948: "50 Ways to Kill Superman!")<br />
<br />
In July 1951, in the course of conducting a series of unsuccessful experiments “to find some way to fight against the power of [[Kryptonite]],†Superman devises a so-called “K-Detector,†which “detects kryptonite as a Geiger counter does Uranium!â€<br />
(Act No. 158, Jul 1951:â€The Kid from Krypton!â€) <br />
This device, which is also referred to as a “kryptonite detector,†is now housed in the [[Fortress of Solitude]] along with Superman’s “red kryptonite detectorâ€.<br />
<br />
During a period when Superman is temporarily bereft of his super-powers, as a result of Earth’s passing through a shower of kryptonite dust in space, the [[Man of Steel]] successfully carries out his customary super-tasks with the aid of an armada of ingenious “Super-Machines†that he had hastily constructed in anticipation of the crisis. Among them are the following:<br />
<br />
*1. An armored tank-like vehicle equipped with a power scoop, a battering ram, and maneuverable mechanical arms<br />
*2. A colossal earth boring machine<br />
*3. A tank-like vehicle equipped with a gigantic electromagnet<br />
*4. A “massive super-insulated suit†designed to render Superman invulnerable to fire and other dangers<br />
*5. A jet-motor harness to endow him with the power of flight<br />
*6. Various telescopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Superman’s super-vision<br />
*7. Various fluoroscopes: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Superman’s super-vision<br />
*8. Various microphone: designed to duplicate as nearly as possible, Superman’s super-hearing<br />
<br />
(S No. 116, Sep 1957: “The Mechanized Superman!â€)<br />
<br />
In December 1959, Superman and [[Batman]] wear special “wrist-radios†designed to enable them to communicate with one another while Superman is in Metropolis and Batman is in [[Gotham City]] (WF No. 106, Dec 1959: “The Duplicate Man!â€).<br />
<br />
In November 1962, during a time-journey to Krypton, Superman wears a special “Anti-Gravity Belt†designed to enable him to escape from the planet so that, once having departed Krypton’s solar system and regained his powers, he can return through the time-barrier at super speed to the year 1962 (S No. 157, Nov 1962: “The Super Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!â€).<br />
<br />
When Superman and [[Jax-Ur]] undertake a time-journey to Krypton in March 1964, they make the trip in a spherical, transparent “Time Capsule†so that they will not become marooned on Krypton after losing their super-powers there (Act No. 310, Mar 1964: “Secret of Kryptonite Six!â€).<br />
<br />
In May 1965, as a means of testing the security of his secret identity, Superman uses an [[Amnesia Machine]] (“selective amnesia-inducerâ€) to erase from the minds of Batman and [[Robin]] the knowledge that [[Clark Kent]] is secretly Superman. Despite this selective loss of memory, the [[Dynamic Duo]] were able to deduce Superman’s secret on their own, but when the roles are reversed, and the device is used to erase Superman’s knowledge of the Dynamic Duo’s identities, Superman is unable to discover, try though he might, that Batman and Robin are secretly [[Bruce Wayne]] and [[Dick Grayson]] (WF No. 149, May 1965: “The Game of Secret Identities!†and “The Super-Dectective!â€)<br />
<br />
Two 1955 texts feature the so-called “Super Signal†a giant searchlight that casts a circle of light against the sky containing a stylized “S†insignia patterned after the one emblazoned on Superman’s Chest.<br />
<br />
In Jan-Feb 1955, Superman refers to it as “the emergency signal Batman and I agreed on in case of a crisis†clearly implying that the super signal is a device with which Batman summons Superman. (WF No. 74: “The Contest of Heroes!â€)<br />
<br />
In May-June 1955, however, [[Lois Lane]] displays the special searchlight to Batman and Robin, describing it as “the S-Signal which we use to call Superman,†clearly suggesting that the Super Signal is a device used by the officials of Metropolis to summon Superman. (WF No. 76: “When Gotham City Challenged Metropolis!â€)<br />
<br />
The Super Signal, in any event, never takes hold as a permanent feature and soon disappears from the chronicles entirely.<br />
<br />
=The Man Himself (as Clark Kent)=<br />
[[Image:Clark_Boring.gif|thumb|right|Clark Kent switches to Superman by artist Wayne Boring]] <br />
The chief protagonist of the Superman chronicles is in one sense really two men. He is, of course, Superman, the world's mightiest hero, but he is also Clark Kent, mild-mannered journalist, for over 45 years the star reporter of the [[Daily Planet]], more recently a full-time newscaster for [[Metropolis]] television station [[WGBS]]-TV (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose!"; and many others).<br />
<br />
'''Appearance'''<br />
Clark Kent has black hair and blue eyes. He is 6'2" tall, with chest measurements of 44" and a waist measurement of 34" (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"; S. No. 178/1, Jul 1965: "Project Earth-Doom!"). According to one text, his blood conforms to '''ALL FOUR''' types!" (S. No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).<br />
<br />
Since Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same man, it is not surprising that some have noticed a strong resemblance between them. In February 1963 [[Perry White]] observes that Clark Kent "strongly resembles Superman" (Act No. 297: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!"), and in November 1963 [[General Pedro Valdez]] informs Kent that "Without glasses and dressed like Superman, you could pass anywhere as his double!" (Act No. 306: "The Great Superman Impersonation!").<br />
<br />
"Hmm ... there is a resemblance!" notes [[Lois Lane]] in December 1965. "That's why I've often suspected Clark might be Superman!" (Act No. 331: "Clark Kent's Masquerade as Superman!"). Despite this perceived resemblance, however, Clark Kent has succeeded in keeping his dual identity one of the world's most closely guarded secrets (see [[Secret Identity]]).<br />
<br />
'''Name'''<br />
The identity of Clark Kent was conferred upon the infant Superman by [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]], who adopted the orphan from the doomed planet [[Krypton]] soon after the rocket that had brought him safely to Earth had landed in an open field (Act No. 141, Feb 1950: "Luthor's Secret Weapon") on the outskirts of [[Smallville]] (WF No. 57, Mar/Apr 1952: "The Artificial Superman!"; and others). The proud foster parents named their new son Clark, which was Martha Kent's maiden name (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"; and others).<br />
<br />
'''Childhood/Education'''<br />
Clark Kent's early childhood years were spent on his foster parents' farm outside of Smallville (S No. 152/2, Apr 1962: "Superbaby Captures the Pumpkin Gang!; and others). By the time Clark was old enough to attend elementary school, the Kents had sold their farm and moved to Smallville, where Jonathan Kent opened up a general store (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!"); and others).<br />
<br />
According to Superman 46/3, Clark Kent attended high school at Metropolis High, where he was nicknamed "Specs" and became known as his class's "quietest boy" (May/Jun 1947: "That Old Class of Superboy's!"). However, numerous other texts assert, far more plausibly, that Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, attending [[Smallville High School]] (WF No. 69, May/Apr 1954: "Jor-El's Last Will!"; and many others) and working afternoons after school in his foster father's general store (S No. 116/2, Sep 1957: "Disaster Strikes Twice"). His high school principal thought of him as "the shyest boy in our graduating class" (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"), but his senior yearbook described him this way: "highest grades --boy most likely to become famous --" (S No. 144/2, Apr 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!").<br />
<br />
Following his graduation from Smallville High School, Clark Kent attended college at [[Metropolis University]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days"; and others). He lived in a dormitory, joined a fraternity (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!"), and yelled his heart out as a cheerleader for the college football team (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days").<br />
<br />
He had already decided upon a career in journalism (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"). Nevertheless, he studied advanced science under [[Professor Thaddeus V. Maxwell]] (S No. 125/2, Nov 1958: "Clark Kent's College Days") and took courses in biology, astronomy, art, music, and other subjects. In his senior year he had a bittersweet romance with [[Lori Lemaris]] (S No. 129/3, May 1959: "The Girl in Superman's Past!").<br />
<br />
'''Employment'''<br />
Following his college graduation, Clark Kent returned to Smallville, but not long afterward, both his foster parents passed away. It was a bereaved Clark Kent who departed Smallville to embark o his chosen career as a newspaper reporter in Metropolis (S No. 146/1, Jul 1961: "The Story of Superman's Life!").<br />
<br />
Kent actually began his career as a reporter for the [[Daily Star]], the forerunner in the chronicles of the ''Daily Planet''. By thwarting a lynching at the county jail as Superman, and then phoning in an exclusive account of the events as would-be reporter Clark Kent, Kent pursuaded the paper's editor to hire him despite his lack of experience (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939). Since the appearance of this early account, however, two other, widley disparate, texts have appeared purporting to tell the true story of how Clark Kent came to acquire his job as a newspaper reporter (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"; S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!"). Both these accounts may safely be regarded as spurious. (See [[Daily Planet]].)<br />
<br />
Working as a reporter for a major newspaper enables Clark Kent to "investigate criminals without their suspecting [he's] really '''Superman'''" (S No. 133/2, Nov 1959: "How Perry White Hired Clark Kent!") and provides him with "the best opportunity for being free to help people as Superman" without having to explain his frequent absences from his place of employment (Act No. 144, May 1950: "Clark Kent's Career!"); and others. "As a reporter," notes Kent in December 1949, "I have a hundred underworld and police contacts that make it easier for Superman to fight crime!" (Act No. 139: "Clark Kent ... Daredevil!").<br />
<br />
Over and above its usefulness to him in his career as Superman, it is clear that Clark Kent values his career in journalism purely for its own sake. "Just remember," exclaims Kent to newsboy [[Tommy Blake]] in Summer 1945, "a good reporter gets the news ... and gets it first! But there's more to being a reporter than that!<br />
<br />
He lives by the deadline! The thunder of <br />
the presses is the pounding of his heart! <br />
And most important --all his personal <br />
feelings remain in the background! It's his<br />
story that counts! Always remember that!"<br />
(WF No. 18: "The Junior Reporters!").<br />
<br />
According to Superman 25/2, Clark Kent tried to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War II, only to be rejected on the grounds of faulty eyesight when, in the midst of his preinduction eye exam, he absent-mindedly peered through the wall of the examining room wth his X-ray vision and, instead of reading aloud the letters of his own eye chart, recited those on a different eye chart posted on a wall in the adjoining room. Kent might have renewed his efforts to join the Armed Forces had he not soon realized that, as Superman, he "could be of more value on the home front operating as a free agent!" (Nov/Dec 1943: "I Sustain the Wings!").<br />
<br />
And so, for more than six continuous decades, Clark Kent has been the ''Daily Planet's'' "star reporter" (Act No. 25, Jun 1940; and others). Renowned for his ability to root out local news (S No. 44/3, Jan/Feb 1947: "Shakespeare's Ghost Writer!"; and others), particularly stories dealing with crime and corruption (S No. 83/3, Jul/Aug 1953: "Clark Kent---Convict!"; and others), he has performed in numerous other capacities for the ''Daily Planet'', including that of war correspondent (Act No. 23, Apr 1940), lovelorn editor (S No. 18/3, Sep/Oct 1942: "The Man with the Cane"; and others), editor of the ''Daily Planet's'' Bombay edition (Act No. 203, Apr 1955: "The International Daily Planet!"), and editor of the entire newspaper in the absence of Perry White (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: "The Man Who Betrayed Superman's Identity!").<br />
<br />
'''Personality'''<br />
<br />
=The Man Himself (as Superman)=<br />
[[Image:Superhead.jpg|right]]<br />
Superman, the world famous crime-fighter and adventurer who masks his true identity beneath the mild-mannered guise of his alter ego, journalist [[Clark Kent]], is the hero of the Superman chronicles and the veteran of well over a thousand adventures. He is the close friend and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Batman]], the cousin and frequent crime-fighting ally of [[Supergirl]], the owner of [[Krypto]] the Superdog, and the close personal friend of [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]].<br />
<br />
Operating from the [[Fortress of Solitude]], his impenetrable secret sanctuary located in the barren Arctic wastes, Superman wages unrelenting warfare against the forces of evil and injustice, aided by his mighty superpowers and a sophisticated arsenal of special equipment.<br />
<br />
Superman's most important relationship is the one he shares with [[Lois Lane]], but Superman has also enjoyed romantic involvements with such beautiful, talented, and fascinating women as [[Lana Lang]], [[Lori Lemaris]], [[Lyla Lerrol]] and [[Sally Selwyn]].<br />
<br />
It is common knowledge in the world of the chronicles that Superman has another identity, but exactly who he is when he is not being Superman is one of the world’s most closely guarded secrets.<br />
<br />
Superman is “over 30 years of age†(S No. 180, Oct 1965: “Clark Kent’s Great Superman Hunt!â€), with black hair and blue eyes (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: “The Man Who Betrayed Superman’s Identity!â€; S No. 178 Jul: “Project Earth-Doom!â€). Described as “an incredibly muscular figure†(WF No. 6, Sum 1942:“Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€) with “a physique of magnificent symmetry†(S No. 54/1, Sep/Oct 1948: “The Wreckerâ€), he is 6’2†tall, with a chest measurement of 44†and a waist measurement of 34†(Act No. 297, Feb 1963: “The Man Who Betrayed Superman’s Identity!â€; S No. 178/1, Jul 1965: “Project Earth-Doom!â€). Because he was born on the distant planet [[Krypton]], “his atomic structure is different from that of ordinary people†(S No. 38/1, Jan/Feb 1946: “The Battle of the Atoms!â€; and others), and his blood, according to one text, “conforms to all ALL FOUR types†(S No. 6/4, Sep/Oct 1940).<br />
<br />
A U.S. Army doctor once described Superman as “the finest physical specimen on Earth†(S No. 133/3, Nov 1959: “Superman Joins the Army!â€), and Lois Lane has referred to him as “the smartest, handsomest, strongest man in the universe†(S No. 176/3, Apr [ “Superman’s Day of Truth!â€).<br />
<br />
The son of the [[Kryptonian]] scientist [[Jor-El]] and his wife, [[Lara]], Superman was born in the Kryptonian city of [[Kryptonopolis]] (SA No. 5, Sum 1962; and others) during the month of October (Act No, 149, Oct ‘1950: “The Courtship on Krypton!â€), in the year 1920 (S No. 181/2, Nov 1965: “The Superman of 2965!â€).<br />
<br />
According to Superman No. 75/1, the proud parents named their son [[Jor-El, 2nd]] (Mar/Apr 1952: “The Prankster’s Star Pupil!â€), but an overwhelming preponderance of texts assert that they named him [[Kal-El]] (S No. 113, May 1957: chs. 1-3—â€The Superman of the Pastâ€; “The Secret of the Towersâ€; “The Superman of the Presentâ€; and others). By all accounts, the dark-haired youngster bore an “unmistakable†resemblance to his father (S No. 77/1, Jul/Aug 1952: “The Man Who Went to Krypton!â€; and others).<br />
<br />
As the newest member of the so-called [[House of El]], Superman was born into a family with a centuries- long heritage of achievement in the fields of science, statesmanship, and exploration. His ancestry teemed with such men of lasting distinction as [[Val-El]], an explorer and discoverer who was the moving force behind Krypton’s great Age of Exploration; [[Sul-El]], the inventor of Krypton’s first telescope, who charted many far-off stars, including Earth’s sun; [[Tala-El]], the author of Krypton’s planet-wide constitution; [[Hatu-El]], a scientist and inventor who discovered the nature of electricity and devised Krypton’s first electromagnet and electric motor; and [[Gam-El]], the father of modem Kryptonian architecture (SF No. 172, Aug/Sep 1975; and others). Superman’s paternal grandfather had pioneered the science of space travel on Krypton by journeying to Earth and back in an experimental spacecraft of his own design (S No. 103/1, Feb 1956: “The Superman of Yesterdayâ€), although knowledge of the craft’s construction had apparently been lost to Kryptonians by the time Superman was born (Act No. 158, Jul 1951: “The Kid from Krypton!â€; and others).<br />
<br />
Superman’s uncle [[Nim-El]], his father’s identical twin brother, was a distinguished weapons scientist. Superman’s uncle [[Zor-El]], another of Jor-El’s brothers, had embarked upon a distinguished career in climatography. Zor-El and the woman he would later marry, [[Alura]], survived the death of Krypton and now reside in Kandor. Their daughter Kara, known to the world as [[Supergirl]], is Superman’s first cousin (Act No. 285, Feb 1962: “The World’s Greatest Heroine!†and others) [[Van-Zee]], “a distant kinsman†of Superman’s resides in [[Kandor]] with his wife [[Sylvia]] (S No. 158, Jan 1963: “Superman in Kandor!â€).<br />
<br />
=The Women of the Chronicles=<br />
<br />
Five women play important roles in the Superman chronicles during the first three decades of Superman’s career. <br />
<br />
==The Relationship with Lois Lane==<br />
<br />
Superman and [[Lois Lane]] first make one another's acquaintance in June 1938 and embark on a neurotic, unfulfilling relationship that has already endured for nearly 50 years.<br />
<br />
Almost from the moment of their 1st encounter, Lois Lane is in love with Superman. For decades, Lois Lane's foremost ambition has been to become the wife of Superman. In an effort to lure Superman into matrimony, Lois Lane has tried virtually every ploy imaginable! All of Lois's stratagems, however have ended in failure.<br />
<br />
Whatever Superman's behavior toward Lois Lane, however, the texts make it abundantly clear that Superman does love her.<br />
<br />
Yet because Superman refuses to respond to her in a normal, healthy way, Lois Lane finds her love for Superman constantly frustrated. As a result, Lois Lane recklessly plunges into danger as her only means of getting Superman to display an interest in her. Although Superman frequently complains at being forced to keep a constant eye on Lois, the evidence is overwhelming that he loves every minute of it.<br />
<br />
“That gal’s a natural for getting involved in mischief, but that’s just what I like about her†– Superman (Act No. 27)<br />
<br />
Lois Lane is well aware that Superman welcomes the opportunity to rescue her. What is more, Lois has correctly perceived, despite Superman’s feigned indifference, that the Man of Steel harbors a strong affection for her.<br />
<br />
Lois Lane’s relationship with [[Clark Kent]] is fraught with hostility. Both are reporters for the same [[Metropolis]] newspaper, and their reportorial rivalry is a keen one. Lois in particular is fiercely, even unscrupulously competitive, resorting to such tactics as intercepting Kent’s telephone messages, sending him off on wild goose chases, and even seducing him into letting her accompany him on an interview and then slipping knockout drops in his drink so that she can cover the story alone.<br />
<br />
In addition to their professional relationship, Clark Kent and Lois Lane share a personal relationship, for although Superman rejects Lois Lane as Superman, he pursues her slavishly in his role as Clark Kent.<br />
<br />
Clark Kent and Lois Lane has dated for five full decades. He is gleeful when she consents to go out with him and forlorn and dejected when she turns him down. Clark has hinted at his desire to marry Lois or proposed outright, but Lois Lane has always rejected his proposals. Lois Lane has also rejected all proposals of married in hopes to marry Superman someday. <br />
<br />
In his contemplative moments, Clark Kent realizes that Lois Lane loves Superman not for his personal qualities, but for the aura of glamour that surrounds his super-heroic feats. <br />
<br />
In the early years, Lois openly despises Clark Kent and is openly contemptuous of him, referring to him as a “spineless, unbearable coward†and a “weak kneed pantywaistâ€. Over the years, Lois’s open contempt for Kent has mellowed into genuine fondness for him, but Lois continues to despise Clark Kent for his cowardice, openly referring to him as a “spineless jellyfishâ€.<br />
<br />
Lois attitude towards Clark Kent’s feelings is somewhat cavalier. “Clark’s nice…! I should treat him better!†she states. “But how can I, when I’m in love with Superman? (Sigh) Superman’s really super!â€<br />
<br />
Despite her romantic interest in Superman and her lack of interest in Clark Kent, however, Lois Lane is extremely possessive of Clark Kent and spitefully jealous of another woman who shows an interest in him. <br />
<br />
Ever since the early 1940s, Lois Lane has struggled to learn the secret of Superman’s identity. Indeed, Lois Lane’s efforts to learn Superman’s secret, and Superman’s constant efforts to protect it, are yet another way in which hostility is expressed in the Superman-Lois Lane relationship.<br />
<br />
Superman’s secret identity is vital to the continuation of his super-heroic career, yet Lois seeks not only to unravel that secret but also to proclaim it to the whole world. Despite Lois Lane’s persistent efforts to learn his secret, however, Superman continually outwits her, often through the use of elaborate ruses.<br />
<br />
Overall, Superman’s relationship with Lois Lane is an exercise in frustration for both parties. Its gratifications are neurotic and almost wholly unconscious. The relationship denies Lois Lane the married life she claims to seek, while denying Superman the joys of ordinary life that he claims to envy.<br />
<br />
==The Relationship with Lana Lang==<br />
<br />
Lovely red-haired [[Lana Lang]], a newscaster for the [[Metropolis]] TV station [[WMET-TV]], is really little more than a psychological carbon copy of Lois Lane. (TGSB)<br />
<br />
Although, as an adult, she appears sporadically in the chronicles as one of Superman’s “best friends†and as Lois Lane’s “arch-rival†for his affections, Lana Lang’s principal relationship with Superman occurred during their teenage years, when as a member of Clark Kent’s class at [[Smallville]] High School. Lana Lang had a crush on [[Superboy]], the teenaged superman, and was alternately friendly to, and contemptuous of, mild mannered Clark Kent, and generally “tormented and pestered†them both in her never-ending quest for the secret of Superboy’s dual identity. One tale does indicate that young Lana cares for Clark Kent as a person, she once asks Superboy to help Clark's self-confidence rather than requesting anything for herself. (SB No. 43/3, Sep 1955: "Clark Kent's Coach")<br />
<br />
Lana Lang’s appearance in the chronicles as one of Superman’s most enduring relationships, second only to Lois Lane, which dramatically attests to the irresistible psychological appeal this type of relationship has for Superman.<br />
<br />
==The Relationship with Lori Lemaris==<br />
<br />
The lovely brown-haired [[Lori Lemaris]], a mermaid from the sub sea realm of [[Atlantis]], first became involved with [[Clark Kent]], the man who is secretly Superman, while both were students at [[Metropolis University]]. Kent “dated her steadily†during this period, falling, day by day, ever more hopelessly in love with her. Finally, Kent decided to ask Lori to marry him. Convinced that it would be impossible for him to assume the responsibilities of marriage while at the same time carrying on his work as Superman, Kent was prepared to abandon his super-heroic role forever and to live out his life with Lori as plain Clark Kent. <br />
<br />
Although, superficially, the love between Clark Kent and Lori Lemaris was mutual, she ultimately rejected this proposal of marriage and in fact, deserted the relationship entirely, on the rather vague and flimsy ground that her duty required her to return to Atlantis (S No. 129, May 1959: “The Girl is Superman’s Past!â€).<br />
<br />
After years of not having seen Lori Lemaris since his senior year at college, Superman initiates the relationship again, once again, Superman proposes marriage, and once again, Lori Lemaris rejects him. Finally, Lori Lemaris succumbs to Superman’s ardor and the lovely mermaid agrees to become his wife. Lori Lemaris’s assent, however, is only the prelude to an even more crushing rejection, for soon afterward, Lori Lemaris becomes hopelessly paralyzed, as the result of a vengeful attack by an evil fisherman, and after Superman has scoured the universe in order to locate a surgeon capable of curing his beloved’s paralysis, Lori Lemaris renounces her engagement to Superman and marries the surgeon (S No. 135, Feb 1960: “Superman’s Mermaid Sweetheart!â€).<br />
<br />
==The Relationship with Lyla Lerrol==<br />
<br />
Superman embarks on a passionate poignant romance with “hauntingly beautiful†[[Kryptonian]] actress [[Lyla Lerrol]] during a time-journey he makes to the planet [[Krypton]] at a time preceding its destruction. It is a relationship of mutual commitment and neither party may fairly be said to reject the other<br />
(S No. 156, Oct 1962: "The Last Days of Superman!" pts. I-III—"Superman's Death Sentence!"; "The Super-Comrades of All Time!"; "Superman's Last Day of Life!").<br />
<br />
==The Relationship with Sally Selwyn==<br />
<br />
Superman falls in love with [[Sally Selwyn]], the lovely blond-haired daughter of an immensely wealthy landowner and industrialist, when after having been temporarily robbed of his powers and afflicted with total amnesia as the result of exposure to [[Red Kryptonite]], he wanders onto the Selwyn estate, clad in the clothing and eyeglasses he customarily wears in his role as Clark Kent.<br />
<br />
The relationship that develops between the amnesic Superman and Sally Selwyn is intense yet affectionate, powerful yet at the same time touchingly romantic. Of all the relationships Superman shares with women during the 1st three decades of his career, this one seems the most mature and genuinely loving (S No. 165/2: "The Sweetheart Superman Forgot!").<br />
<br />
=The Relationship with the Law-Enforcement Establishment=<br />
<br />
“As a champion of justice, Superman has fought the forces of crime! To people everywhere, he is a living symbol of law and order!â€<br />
-S No. 153 May 1962<br />
<br />
Nearly five full decades of super-heroic adventure have made Superman “the most famous crusader in the world, idolized everywhere for unselfishly using his incredible super powers in behalf of justiceâ€<br />
-S No. 144 April 1961<br />
<br />
For years, Superman has worked hand in hand with the police, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, the F.B.I, the Treasury Department, the Secret Service, and several U.S. Presidents. <br />
<br />
Although Superman apparently lacks jurisdiction to apprehend criminals outside Earth’s solar system, he has been awarded honorary citizenship “in all the countries of the United Nationsâ€, along with a special “golden certificate†empowering him to apprehend criminals in U.N. member nations and to travel in and out of those nations without a passport.<br />
<br />
Superman began his relationship with the law-enforcement establishment as a teenage boy when, as [[Superboy]], he aided members of the [[Smallville]] Police during his initial adventures (S No.144/2, April 1961: "Superboy's First Public Appearance!"). [[Police Chief Parker]] of Smallville is among Superboy's closest associates.<br />
<br />
[[Metropolis]] law-enforcement officials can summon Superman into action either with the aid of the “super-signal†or by means of a large loudspeaker mounted atop the roof of police headquarters (S No. 114/1, Jul 1957: "Soundproof Supermanâ€; see also S No. 101/1, Nov “Luthor’s Amazing Rebusâ€), and “every nation knows exactly how to get in touch with Superman through the White House!†(Act No. 306, Nov 1963: “The Great Superman Impersonation!â€).<br />
<br />
Superman has been the recipient of numerous awards, trophies, citations, and other honors, including the commemorative stamp issued in his honor by the U.S. government (S No. 91/1, Aug 1954: "The Superman Stamp!â€), Metropolis’s Outstanding Citizen Award for 1954 (S No. 93/2, Nov 1954: “Jimmy Olsen’s Double!â€), and “the key to the city†presented to him by the mayor of Metropolis in September 1965 (Act No. 328: “Superman’s Hands of Doom!â€).<br />
<br />
Metropolis has celebrated Superman Day on at least two separate occasions (S No. 157/3, Nov 1962: “Superman’s Day of Doom!â€; Act No. 328, Sep 1965:“Superman’s Hands of Doom!â€), and each year, in Superman’s honor, the Metropolis Police Department awards a Superman Medal "to the person whose heroism... helped Superman the most!" during the preceding year (Act No. 207, Aug 1955: "The four Superman Medals!").<br />
<br />
Artistic tributes to Superman include the statue of Superman in the Metropolis Hall of Fame (Act No. 297, Feb 1963: “The Man Who Betrayed Superman’s Identity!â€), the “colossal steel statue of Superman†in Metropolis Park (WF No, 28, May/Jun 1947: “Superman’s Super-Self!â€; and others), the monumental statue of Superman towering over Metropolis Harbor like the legendary Colossus of Rhodes (WF No. 23, Jul/Aug 1946: “The Colossus of Metropolis!â€; see also Act No. 146, Jul 1950: “The Statues That Came to Life!â€), and the marble statue of Superman unveiled in Planet Square in January February 1946 (S No. 38/3: “The Man of Stone!â€; S No. 69 1, Mar/Apr 1951: “The Prankster’s Apprentice!â€).<br />
<br />
Superman has not always enjoyed the approval of established authority, however, although he has generally enjoyed the admiration of the press (Act No. 9, Feb 1939) and of the average policeman (S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941; and others).<br />
<br />
In the early days of his career, Superman was a vigilante “mystery-man†(Act No. 6, Nov 1938; and others) who freely resorted to violence and the threat of violence in order to extort information and confessions from criminal suspects (S No. 1/1, Sum 1939; and many others), demolished private property and committed other gross violations of individual rights (Act No. 12, May 1939; and others), and meted out death to his adversaries whenever he felt the situation demanded it (Act No. 2, Jul 1938; and others).<br />
<br />
Pursued by the police during this early period for flouting the law and working beyond the pale of legitimate authority (Act No. 9, Feb 1939; and others), Superman was sought as a fugitive until mid-1942, by which time, although no explanation for the changeover is actually given, he has clearly won the approval of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 17/4, Jul/Aug 1942: “When Titans Clash!â€; and others).<br />
<br />
Following is a chronological listing of the textual data relating to Superman’s relationship with the law-enforcement establishment.<br />
<br />
In June 1938, having obtained the evidence necessary to exonerate [[Evelyn Curry]] of the charge of murder and rescue her from death in the electric chair, Superman barges into the governor’s home just before midnight, manhandles the governor’s personal servant and smashes down the door to his bedroom, and, with only moments to go before Evelyn Curry’s scheduled execution, persuades the governor to put through a life-saving call to the death house. “Gentlemen,†exclaims the governor to the members of his staff the following morning, “I still can’t believe my senses! He’s not human! Thank heaven he’s apparently on the side of law and order!†(Act No. 1).<br />
<br />
In January 1939 Superman, convinced that juvenile delinquency is caused not so much by bad youngsters as by the stifling slum environment in which many city youths must dwell, overtakes a paddy wagon taking an arrested delinquent to jail and forcibly rescues him from the clutches of the enraged police in a bid to save the boy from a life of imprisonment.<br />
<br />
''“It’s not entirely your fault that you’re delinquent,†remarks Superman, “...it’s these slums—your poor living conditions, if there was only some way I could remedy it!“''<br />
<br />
Then, as luck would have it, the headline on a local newspaper catches Superman’s eye. “Cyclone Hits Florida,†it screams. “Cities Laid Waste!†The story beneath the headline details plans by the U.S. government to erect modern housing projects on the sites of buildings destroyed by the cyclone.<br />
<br />
Inspired by the newspaper article, Superman passes the word to the residents of the city’s slums to gather up their possessions and evacuate their homes immediately. Then, with the dilapidated slum dwellings safely emptied of their occupants, he whirls through the area like “a one-man cyclone,†singlehandedly demolishing every structure in sight with hammer-like blows of his mighty fists. “So the government rebuilds destroyed areas with modern cheap-rental apartments, eh?†says Superman to himself. “Then here’s a job for it!..When I finish, this town will be rid of its filthy crime-festering slums!â€<br />
<br />
Superman’s unorthodox approach to slum clearance, however, does not endear him to the authorities, and as word of his devastation spreads, scores of policemen and firemen, a contingent of National Guardsmen, and finally “a squadron of aerial- bombers†are ordered into the disaster area with orders to annihilate Superman and put an end to the destruction. But the machine-gun bullets of the National Guardsmen merely bounce off Superman’s chest like pebbles, and the bombs unleashed by the bombers serve only to hasten the completion of his remarkable task.<br />
<br />
''Nimbly, he races thru [sic] the streets, explosions dodging his footsteps as the frantic aviators seek desperately to eliminate him....''<br />
<br />
And then finally, his task completed, “SUPERMAN vanishes from sight. Behind him he leaves what formerly were the slums, but now, a desolate shambles...<br />
<br />
Soon afterward, as Superman had anticipated, the federal government initiates a campaign of massive aid in the disaster-stricken area. “Emergency squads commence erecting huge apartment-projects... and in time the slums are replaced by splendid housing conditions.â€<br />
<br />
Officially, of course, this unauthorized act of slum demolition has made an outlaw out of Superman, but even the authorities are privately elated. “... We’ll spare no effort to apprehend SUPERMAN,†vows the police chief, “- -but off the record. ... I think he did a splendid thing and I'd like to sake his hand!" (Act No.8)<br />
<br />
In February 1939 the police chief summons newsmen to his office “to witness an announcement of unusual importance.â€<br />
<br />
''“I’ll come to the point at once!†he remarks. “As you know, a man possessed of super-strength named SUPERMAN has torn down our slum area, causing modern apartments to replace crowded tenements.â€''<br />
<br />
“Good for him!†cries one reporter.<br />
“What the world needs is a couple more guys like him!†exclaims another.<br />
<br />
“Regardless of his motives and our personal approval of them,†scolds the police chief, “the fact remains that he has wantonly destroyed public property and must pay the full penalty to the law just like any other transgressor!â€<br />
<br />
In hopes of apprehending Superman, the police chief has imported, from Chicago, [[Detective Captain Reilly]], a “conceited windbag†who is, nevertheless, famous for having successfully captured every one of the 800 fugitives he has been assigned to track down. Repeatedly outwitted by Superman, however, Reilly suffers his worst humiliation when he lunges headlong at Superman and knocks himself unconscious against Superman’s “super-tough†skin (Act No. 9).<br />
<br />
In March 1939, Superman drags a pusillanimous governor out of bed in the middle of the night so that he can force him to witness, firsthand, the brutal treatment of inmates of the Coreytown prison (Act<br />
No. 10). (See: [[Superintendent Wyman]])<br />
<br />
In May 1939, Superman forcibly smashes his way into a broadcasting studio, shoving aside the startled announcer and seizing control of the microphone. “Attention, citizens of this city!†he proclaims to the city’s stunned radio audience. “A warning from Superman...pay close heed!†And then, Superman issues the following announcement:<br />
<br />
''The auto-accident death rate of this community is one that should shame us all! It’s constantly rising and due entirely to reckless driving and inefficiency! More people have been killed needlessly by autos than died during the World War!<br />
<br />
From this moment on, I declare war on reckless drivers...henceforth, homicidal drivers answer to me!''<br />
<br />
Racing at top speed to the county jail, Superman swoops down on “the great lot where the autos of traffic violators are temporarily stored. Leaping at the massed cars, Superman commences to systematically smash and tear them to a pulp!â€<br />
<br />
“Yes-sir-ee!†exclaims Superman, as he gleefully demolishes the automobiles. “I think I’m going to enjoy this private little war!â€<br />
<br />
Next, Superman visits “a used-car lot which sells completely dilapidated autos.â€â€œYou call these ‘cars’?†he cries to the horrified lot owner. “They’re nothing but accidents looking for a place to happen!...If they weren’t so dangerous they’d actually be funny!†And then, as he wades into the used cars, smashing them into useless scrap with mighty blows of his fists, Superman exclaims, “Sorry if this is tough on your pocketbook, but I’m thinking of the lives to be saved!â€<br />
<br />
Soon afterward, “...the [[Man of Steel]] swoops down from the skies toward the Bates Motor Company’s great factory†and brazenly barges into the office of Mr. Bates himself. “... You use inferior metals and parts so as to make higher profits at the cost of human lives!†accuses Superman. And then, as the flabbergasted automobile magnate looks on in horror, “Gleefully, Superman runs amuck, destroying the factory’s manufacturing equipment†with his bare hands, reducing the entire factory to a mass of rubble.<br />
<br />
A short while later, Superman abducts the city’s mayor and drags him to the city morgue. “By not seeing to it that the speed laws were strictly enforced,†intones Superman, “you doomed many to death!â€<br />
<br />
Indeed, peering through a glass partition inside the morgue, the mayor can see “the bodies of auto victims...maimed...horrible!â€â€œThey,†remarks Superman grimly, “are men you killed!â€<br />
<br />
Jolted out of his complacency by this grisly spectacle, the mayor promises to see to it that the city’s traffic regulations are henceforth strictly enforced, and soon afterward initiates “a great traffic improvement drive...!“ (Act No. 12).<br />
<br />
In September 1939, convinced that “gambling is a parasitic vice that has no place in a decent town,†Superman launches a one-man crusade against illegal gambling, single-handedly demolishing virtually every crooked casino in Metropolis. Tearing open the safe in one gambling czar’s office, Superman seizes the hoard of cash inside and, soaring high into the air with it, sends an armful of “fluttering bills†raining down on the grateful inhabitants of “a poor section of the city.â€<br />
<br />
When he learns that the city’s big-time gamblers are receiving protection from a corrupt police commissioner, Superman confronts the official (“Commissioner, you’re a clever man,†threatens Superman, “and so I won’t bandy words...Either do as I tell you, or prepare to meet your end!â€), forces him to call a mass meeting of Metropolis’s gambling czars, and then terrorizes the commissioner into resigning his office—and the gamblers into leaving town—by threatening to track down any man who remains behind “... and end his life with my own hands!†(Act No. 16).<br />
<br />
In Fall 1939, Superman strangles [[Nat Grayson]] by the throat until he agrees to make a full confession of his crimes and then departs through an open window to avoid a run-in with arriving police. “Remember!†warns Superman as he makes his exit. “If you don’t confess, I’ll come back and dish out the justice you deserve with my bare hands!†(S No. 2/3: “Superman and the Skyscrapersâ€).<br />
<br />
In December 1939, when a chemical company refuses to sell [[Professor Henry Travers]] the chemicals he needs to carry on his experiments in search of a cure for the ghastly “purple plague†unleashed against [[Metropolis]] by the [[Ultra-Humanite]], Superman breaks into the chemical plant at night and steals the materials Travers needs. “Here are the chemicals. . .“ exclaims Superman to the astonished young scientist. “Never mind how I got them! Get to work!†(Act No. 19).<br />
<br />
In February 1940, Superman becomes embroiled, against his will, in a pitched battle with Metropolis police and National Guardsmen when circumstances force him to steal a display of priceless crown jewels in an attempt to ransom captive scientist [[Terry Curtis]] from the clutches of the Ultra-Humanite (Act No. 21).<br />
<br />
In September-October 1940, after [[Lois Lane]] has been wrongfully charged with murder and placed under arrest, Superman swoops down on the police car carrying her to jail and races away with her amid a fusillade of police bullets (S No. 6/1).<br />
<br />
In October 1940, an unidentified policeman attempts to place Superman under arrest, but Superman easily makes good his escape (Act No. 29).<br />
<br />
In January-February 1941, after Superman has helped thwart a robbery, a policeman on the scene attempts to arrest him, but Superman easily escapes (S No. 8/4).<br />
<br />
In June 1941, Superman is apparently still being sought for working outside the law, for [[Sergeant Casey]] makes an unsuccessful attempt to take him into custody (Act No. 37).<br />
<br />
In July 1941 Sergeant Casey, suspicious that Superman may somehow be implicated in a recent wave of mysterious robberies (see [[Harold Morton]]), attempts to place him under arrest, but the Man of Steel easily shatters his handcuffs and escapes, and by the conclusion of the adventure his innocence has been clearly established (Act No. 38).<br />
<br />
In August 1941, after a dying watchman, mortally wounded by a mysterious bandit, has muttered something about his assailant’s having been invulnerable to bullets, Sergeant Casey attempts to arrest Superman for the crime. The Man of Steel escapes, however, and ultimately succeeds in proving his innocence (Act No. 39). (See [[Brett Bryson]] )<br />
<br />
In November-December 1941, while searching for clues at the home of a recently murdered millionaire, Superman is surprised by the police, who attempt to arrest him in the apparent belief that he may have been responsible for the millionaire’s murder. Superman eludes his would-be captors, however, by burrowing beneath the ground like a human drill and then returning to the surface at a different spot and flying away. “It would be useless to attempt to reason with them!†thinks Superman to himself (S No. 13/2). <br />
<br />
During this same period, however, when Superman turns a captured foreign spy chief over to the police, one of them remarks admiringly, “If we could only draft you into the force!†(S No. 13/3, Nov/Dec 1941).<br />
<br />
In January-February 1942 Superman traces the license number of [[Rudolph Krazinski]]'s automobile by surreptitiously breaking into the city’s Auto License Bureau and rifling the files, a certain indication that Superman does not yet enjoy the cooperation of the law-enforcement establishment (S No. 14/1). <br />
<br />
Moreover, during this same period, Superman abruptly breaks off his interrogation of [[Jim Bladwin]]'s hired henchmen and flees through an open window in order to avoid a run-in with arriving police (S No. 14/2, Jan/Feb 1942).<br />
<br />
In March-April 1942, after Superman has thwarted an attempt by [[Napkan]] saboteurs to sink a newly christened American battleship, Secretary of the Navy Hank Fox pays the Man of Steel this tribute:<br />
<br />
“How fortunate we are here in America,†he remarks, “to have someone of Superman’s calibre to aid us! In my opinion, he’s worth several armies and navies!†(S No. 15/2).<br />
<br />
In April 1942, when Superman attempts to thwart [[Lex Luthor]]'s robbery of a [[Metropolis]] bank, policemen arriving on the scene begin shooting at Superman in the belief that he must have been responsible for setting off the bank’s alarm. Superman easily eludes the police, but Luthor capitalizes on the confusion in order to make good his escape (Act No. 47: “Powerstoneâ€).<br />
<br />
In Summer 1942, after [[Metalo]] has used his awesome super-strength to steal an entire mail car from the Metropolis train terminal, Superman is accused of having committed the crime. Superman ultimately defeats Metalo, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 6: “Man of Steel versus Man of Metal!â€).<br />
<br />
In July-August 1942 Superman apprehends a group of Lex Luthor’s henchmen and turns them over to the police. “If you keep up this super crook- catching,†remarks one officer, “the force will have to retire!â€â€œAlways glad to help the police!†replies Superman (S No. 17/4: “When Titans Clash!â€).<br />
<br />
In May-June 1943, the nation is plunged into chaos as the result of the [[Prankster]]’s having copyrighted the English alphabet. “... What can I do?†thinks Clark Kent helplessly. “The Prankster has the law on his side, and I won’t flout justice at any cost!...†(S No. 22/3: “The Great ABC Panic!â€).<br />
<br />
In July-August 1943, Superman, by now clearly an American hero, is cheered enthusiastically by American troops when he makes an appearance at a U.S. army base. “... American soldiers cheering me, when all the civilized peoples in the world are cheering them!†thinks Superman proudly. “It’s the grandest tribute I’ve ever had!†(S No. 23/1: “America’s Secret Weapon!â€).<br />
<br />
In August 1943, while suffering from temporary amnesia induced by a shower of “weird rays†from outer space, Superman commits a series of criminal acts under the evil influence of [[Professor Praline]]. For a time, the authorities are convinced that Superman has joined forces with the underworld, but Superman ultimately regains his memory and apprehends Praline and his henchmen (Act No. 63:<br />
“When Stars Collide!â€).<br />
<br />
In January-February 1950, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kent’s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the [[Metropolis]] police to apprehend [[The Ace]] (S No. 62/2: “The People vs. Superman!â€).<br />
<br />
In December 1951-January 1952, Superman is exiled from Metropolis by the Metropolis city council after the [[Dude Vorman]] gang has framed him for a series of irresponsible acts. Superman ultimately apprehends the Vorman gang, however, and establishes his innocence (WF No. 55: “The City That Exiled Superman!â€).<br />
<br />
In January 1953, Superman astounds the authorities by greedily demanding fees and rewards for what have hitherto been his gratuitous services. Superman is only feigning avarice, however, as part of his plan for apprehending the [[Million-Dollar Marvin]] gang (Act No. 176: “Muscles for Moneyâ€).<br />
<br />
In September-October 1953, Superman is widely suspected of being a Metropolis gang czar as the result of an elaborate scheme devised by gangster [[Harry King Saphire]]. Superman ultimately exonerates himself of the charge, however, and apprehends Saphire (WF No. 66: “Superman, Ex-Crimebuster!â€).<br />
<br />
In May-June 1954, during a period when Super man is blacking out for an hour every afternoon as the result of the presence in Earth’s solar system of [[Kryptonite]]-laden asteroid, a pair of criminals named Benny and Red begin capitalizing on the Man of Steel’s daily blackouts in order to implicate him in a series of crimes. For a time, Superman is widely believed to have developed a “Jekyll-Hyde personality†that causes him to turn evil for an hour each day, but Superman ultimately establishes his innocence, destroys the kryptonite-laden asteroid, and apprehends the criminals (WF No. 70: “The Two Faces of Superman!â€).<br />
<br />
In July-August 1956, Superman is an “honored guestâ€, along with [[Batman]] and [[Robin]], at [[Gotham City]]’s annual police ball (WF No. 83: “The Case of the Mother Goose Mystery!â€).<br />
<br />
In April 1959, [[Vard]] and Boka, a pair of diabolical “futuremen†from the year 2000 A.D., successfully trick the F.B.I. and other law-enforcement authorities into believing that Superman is actually a fugitive “renegade scientist†from their own future era. The villains plan to make Superman their unwilling ally in a heinously vicious scheme to blackmail the Earth, but the Man of Steel ultimately defeats the futuremen and exonerates himself of the bogus charges against him (S No. 128/1: chs. 1-2—â€Superman versus the Futuremenâ€; “The Secret of the Futuremenâ€).<br />
<br />
When the Metropolis Police Department stages its gala Policemen’s Benefit Show at Metropolis Stadium, Superman contributes a dazzling performance of super-powered feats (S No. 133/1, Nov 1959: “The Super-Luck of Badge 77â€).<br />
<br />
In January 1960, the name of Superman becomes anathema to the people of Earth when the [[Kandor]]ian scientist [[Kull-Ex]] impersonates him while committing a series of insanely destructive acts. Superman ultimately prevails upon Kull-Ex to confess his misdeeds, however, and the Man of Steel is exonerated of any wrongdoing (S No. 134: chs. I-III—â€The Super-Menace of Metropolis!â€; “The Revenge Against Jor-El!â€; “The Duel of the Supermen!â€).<br />
<br />
In December 1962, Superman becomes transformed from a beloved hero into “the most feared and hated person on Earth†when he commits a series of insanely destructive acts while under the baleful influence of a diabolical “telepathic-hypnotic weapon†beamed at him by members of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]]. Superman ultimately defeats the villains, however, and exonerates himself of any wrongdoing (Act No. 295: “Superman Goes Wild!â€).<br />
<br />
In April 1963, at the ceremonies marking Police Day at Metropolis Stadium, Superman is on hand to present a gigantic police badge to the heroic police men who make up Metropolis’s police force (S No. 160/2: “The Super-Cop of Metropolis!â€).<br />
<br />
In June 1963, Superman is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of [[Clark Kent]], but the [[Man of Steel]] is exonerated when it becomes clear that he only faked Kent’s death as part of an elaborate ruse to enable the Metropolis police to apprehend [[Count X]] and his underworld cohorts (Act No. 301: “The Trial of Superman!â€).<br />
<br />
In the spring of 1964 Superman astounds the world by demanding that the United Nations agree to crown him King of Earth (Act No. 311, Apr 1964:<br />
“Superman, King of Earth!â€), but the Man of Steel has only assumed the pose of a “power-hungry madman†as part of his plan to thwart an impending alien invasion from the planet [[Bxpa]] (Act No. 312, May 1964: “King Superman versus Clark Kent, Metalloâ€). (TGSB)<br />
<br />
=External Links=<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman Wikipedia entry on Superman]<br />
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/supermanind1.htm Superman Index by Dark Mark] <br />
*[http://www.dcindexes.com/indexes/indexes.php?character=superman Superman Index by Mike]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Heroes]]<br />
[[Category:Aliens]]<br />
[[Category:Kryptonians]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Kobra
Kobra
2007-11-25T07:24:40Z
<p>Telle: clarity</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Kobra.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
'''Kobra'''<br />
<br />
Kobra is the reptilian-garbed villain who uses his vast arsenal of alien weapons to wreak havoc all over the Earth with the intent of benefiting from the resulting chaos.<br />
<br />
A Siamese-twin, Kobra shares a psychic bond with his brother, Jason Burr. Separated shortly after birth, the twins are sworn opponents, Jason having sided with law and order and his sibling having been raised in the ways of evil by a cobra cult (Kobra No. 1, Feb/Mar 1976: "Fangs of the Kobra!").<br />
<br />
As [[Batman]] tells [[Superman]], "Kobra is one of the deadliest men alive! I've seen his operations--and I tell you, this guy is practically the Devil himself! He can destroy entire continents...raise the dead...and I don't know what else!" According to [[Aquaman]], Kobra is "more slippery than a hundred eels!" (S No. 327, Sep 1978: "The Sandstorm That Swallowed Metropolis!").<br />
<br />
Superman first encounters Kobra after the masked criminal breaks into the apartment of [[Clark Kent]] to retrieve a teleportation device confiscated from the [[Atomic Skull]]. Surprising a groggy Kent, Kobra learns of Kent's dual identity of Superman (S No. 326, Aug 1978: "A Million Dollars a Minute!").<br />
<br />
Subsequently, Kobra and his gang cover [[Metropolis]] with sand and force Superman to vacuum it up in order to filter out a deadly nerve toxin that has been spread over the city causing the [[Man of Steel]] to muse, "you delight in creating disasters--which you then profit from!" Superman agrees to help Kobra after the villain kidnaps [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]] from the past and threatens to kill them, potentially altering the "personal history" of Superman. Through a series of subterfuges, Superman is able to rescue his imprisoned parents while destroying Kobra's filtration device. Frustrated, Kobra escapes in his giant invisible ark, presumably to plan another incredibly complex crime (S No. 327, Sep 1978: "The Sandstorm that Swallowed Metropolis!").<br />
<br />
==External Links==<br />
<br />
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobra_%28comics%29 Wikipedia Entry on Kobra]<br />
*[http://darkmark6.tripod.com/demon.html#kobra Kobra Index by Dark Mark]<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]] <br />
[[Category:People]]<br />
[[Category:Scientists]] <br />
[[Category:Villains]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Big_Sister_Sybil_of_Earth-E
Talk:Big Sister Sybil of Earth-E
2007-08-14T09:18:33Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>those Super Sons get into the weirdest scrapes!--[[User:Telle|telle]] 05:18, 14 August 2007 (EDT)</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Army_of_Tomorrow
Talk:Army of Tomorrow
2007-08-14T09:16:26Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>this is a beautiful entry! --[[User:Telle|telle]] 05:16, 14 August 2007 (EDT)</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Morgan_Edge_II
Morgan Edge II
2007-08-11T22:59:10Z
<p>Telle: tense</p>
<hr />
<div>The evil clone of millionaire [[Morgan Edge]] who, as an agent of [[Intergang]] and [[Darkseid]], plots to destroy [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Clark Kent]] on several occasions (SPJO No. 133, Oct 1970: "The Newsboy Legion").<br />
<br />
[[Category: Entries|Edge, Morgan, II]]<br />
[[Category: People|Edge, Morgan, II]]<br />
[[Category: Villains|Edge, Morgan, II]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)|Edge, Morgan, II]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)|Edge, Morgan, II]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/WGBS
WGBS
2007-08-11T22:58:19Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>The [[Metropolis]]-based television station owned by [[Morgan Edge]]'s media conglomerate, '''Galaxy Broadcasting System'''. Among its hundreds of workers, WGBS has employed at various times [[Clark Kent]] as anchorman, [[Lana Lang]], [[Steve Lombard]], and [[Jimmy Olsen]] (S No. 233, Jan 1971: "Superman Breaks Loose"; and many others).<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Galaxy_Communications
Galaxy Communications
2007-08-11T22:56:44Z
<p>Telle: clarity?</p>
<hr />
<div>'''Galaxy Communications'''<br />
<br />
The corporate global news and entertainment monolith owned by [[Morgan Edge]].<br />
<br />
Among its many holdings, Galaxy owns both the [[Daily Planet]] and television network [[WGBS]], for which [[Clark Kent]] has worked as a newscaster. <br />
<br />
Galaxy is headquartered in the [[Galaxy Building]] in [[Metropolis]].<br />
<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Groups and Organizations]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/WHIZ
WHIZ
2007-08-11T22:53:14Z
<p>Telle: changed internal links for readability</p>
<hr />
<div>The famed radio station of [[Earth-S]] located and broadcast out of [[Fawcett City of Earth-S|Fawcett City]]. [[Billy Batson of Earth-S|Billy Batson]] who is secretly the superhero known as [[Captain Marvel of Earth-S|Captain Marvel]] is employed by WHIZ.<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Parallel-Worlds]]<br />
[[Category:Earth-S]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superboy_Robots
Superboy Robots
2007-08-11T22:50:39Z
<p>Telle: syntax</p>
<hr />
<div>Extremely complex and highly sophisticated robots employed by [[Superboy]] to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. These so-called Super-Robots, which were constructed to resemble the [[Boy of Steel]] himself, as well as [[Clark Kent]], were housed behind a secret panel in the basement of the Kent house in [[Smallville]] (when Superboy becomes Superman, most of the Superboy Robots are de-activated or destroyed, see: [[Superboy Robot-6]]).<br />
<br />
[[Image:Peterobot.jpg|left|thumb|Pete Ross lets his curiosity get the better of him, damaging a Superboy robot. Image by George Papp.]]<br />
<br />
In January 1954, [[Superboy]] controls and speaks from inside a giant Superboy robot in order to befriend a giant baby that has ingested a growth serum (SB No. 30, Jan 1954: "The Giant Who Came to Smallville!"). He later uses this same robot to convince [[Professor Tinker]] that his growth serum really worked, and show him how a giant human creates more problems than it solves. This way he convinces the professor to apply his genius on more worthwhile inventions (SB No. 50, Jul 1956: "The Super Giant of Smallville").<br />
<br />
In October 1962, while exploring Superboy's secret trophy room in the Kent basement, [[Pete Ross]] accidentally damages the only Superboy robot left behind in Smallville while Superboy is off on a mission to the future. When a call comes in from [[Police Chief Parker]], Pete dons an anti-gravity belt and a Superboy costume to respond to the emergency. For the next day, disguised as a Superboy Robot and using his own ingenuity to simulate Superboy's powers, Pete impersonates the robot in a variety of situations, rescuing people from disasters large and small. Finally, just before Superboy's return, [[Mon-El]] journeys from the future and repairs the damaged robot in time for it to put out a fire in the Kent's kitchen (SB No. 100/5: "The Day Pete Ross Became a Robot!").<br />
<br />
Many years after the time of active Superboy Robots, an old Superboy Robot tape is accidentally used to program a Supergirl Robot (see "[[Linda Lee Robot]]"), causing it to journey to [[Smallville Orphanage]] and have confused memories of Superman's past (Adv No. 396/2, Aug 1970: "The Mystery of the Super-Orphan").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Superboy_Robots
Superboy Robots
2007-08-11T22:48:03Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>Extremely complex and highly sophisticated robots employed by [[Superboy]] to help him carry out his customary super-tasks and protect the secret of his dual identity. These so-called Super-Robots, which were constructed to resemble the [[Boy of Steel]] himself, as well as [[Clark Kent]], were housed behind a secret panel in the basement of the Kent house in [[Smallville]] (when Superboy becomes Superman, most of the Superboy Robots are de-activated or destroyed, see: [[Superboy Robot-6]]).<br />
<br />
[[Image:Peterobot.jpg|left|thumb|Pete Ross lets his curiosity get the better of him, damaging a Superboy robot. Image by George Papp.]]<br />
<br />
In January 1954, [[Superboy]] controls and speaks from inside a giant Superboy robot in order to befriend a giant baby that has ingested a growth serum (SB No. 30, Jan 1954: "The Giant Who Came to Smallville!"). He later uses this same robot to convince [[Professor Tinker]] that his growth serum really worked, and show him how a giant human creates more problems than it solves. This way he convinces the professor to apply his genius on more worthwhile inventions (SB No. 50, Jul 1956: "The Super Giant of Smallville").<br />
<br />
In October 1962, while exploring Superboy's secret trophy room in the Kent basement, [[Pete Ross]] accidentally damages the only Superboy robot left behind in Smallville while Superboy is off on a mission to the future. When a call comes in from [[Police Chief Parker]], Pete dons an anti-gravity belt and a Superboy costume to respond to the emergency. For the next day, disguised as a Superboy robot and using his own ingenuity to simulate Superboy's powers, Pete impersonates the robot in a variety of situations, rescuing people from disasters large and small. Finally, just before Superboy's return, [[Mon-El]] journeys from the future and repairs the damaged robot just in time for it to put out a fire in the Kent's kitchen (SB No. 100/5: "The Day Pete Ross Became a Robot!").<br />
<br />
Many years after the time of active Superboy Robots, an old Superboy Robot tape is accidentally used to program a Supergirl Robot (see "[[Linda Lee Robot]]"), causing it to journey to [[Smallville Orphanage]] and have confused memories of Superman's past (Adv No. 396/2, Aug 1970: "The Mystery of the Super-Orphan").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superboy Era]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]<br />
[[Category:Bronze Age (1971-1986)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Clark_Robot_Number_Two
Talk:Clark Robot Number Two
2007-08-11T22:45:07Z
<p>Telle: </p>
<hr />
<div>Do we need a separate entry on the Clark Kent robots (or other robot duplicates of Superman's friends) or is this handles sufficintely in the article [[Superman Robots]]?--[[User:Telle|telle]] 18:45, 11 August 2007 (EDT)</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Talk:Clark_Robot_Number_Two
Talk:Clark Robot Number Two
2007-08-11T22:44:45Z
<p>Telle: separate entry?</p>
<hr />
<div>Do we need a separate entry on the Clark Kent robots (or other robot duplicates of Superman's friends) or is this handles sufficintely in the article [[Superman Robots]]?</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Hambone
Hambone
2007-08-11T22:37:40Z
<p>Telle: added first paragraph</p>
<hr />
<div>[[Image:Hambone.jpg|left]]<br />
<br />
The [[Superman Robots|Superman Robot]] with a super-vaudevillian ability.<br />
<br />
Hambone took part in one of the many ploys to try to make [[Sad Sam Smith]] laugh by [[Superman]] in order to have Sad Sam donate $1,000,000,000 to the Metropolis Orphan Fund as promised, if any man in [[Metropolis]] can make him laugh.<br />
<br />
Superman introduces Hambone to Sad Sam: "This is Hambone, one of my robots, with a terrific yen to get into show biz! He wants to become a famous tap dancer!"<br />
<br />
As Hambone begins his tap dance and song routine, he begins to fall apart as part of the gag: "Tapping Feet.. Yah da-da, Vo-Dee-oh.. Opps, Lost an arm!"<br />
<br />
As part of the act, Superman yells at him: "Hambone! Cut it Out Hambone!"<br />
<br />
But Hambone keeps dancing, singing and falling apart: "Oh-Oh! Lost the other arm! "tch!" Now I lost me legs.."yipes!".. and my head! Doggone those loose screws! And this is my big break, yet!"<br />
<br />
Superman yells at him "Beat it, Hambone!" and blows him out of the room with his super breath.<br />
<br />
Sadly the act fails to make Sad Sam Smith laugh (S No. 136/3, Apr 1960: “The Super-Clown of Metropolis!").<br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries]]<br />
[[Category:Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Superman_Robots]]<br />
[[Category:Silver Age (1956-1970)]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Madame_Nicolai
Madame Nicolai
2007-08-10T08:00:10Z
<p>Telle: ed</p>
<hr />
<div>The world-famous atomic scientist that the U.S. government invited to America in order to "experiment with atomic energyâ€. In order to be protected from spies, she takes on the alias of the “European glamor girl†[[Nikki Larue]], who announces to the press that she has become [[Superman]]'s fiancee as part of a ruse so that Superman “could guard [her] constantly without arousing suspicion†during her prolonged stay in the United States (Act No. 143: “The Bride of Superman!â€). <br />
<br />
[[Category:Entries|Nicolai, Madame]]<br />
[[Category:People|Nicolai, Madame]]<br />
[[Category:Scientists|Nicolai, Madame]]<br />
[[Category:Golden Age (1938-1955)|Nicolai, Madame]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Current_events
Supermanica:Current events
2007-08-09T07:17:35Z
<p>Telle: coming soon</p>
<hr />
<div>==Approaching 1500 Entries!==<br />
<br />
Supermanica is approaching 1,500 entries. As of August 9, 2007 there are 1490 entries. What will be the 1500th entry?<br />
<br />
== Supermanica FAQs ==<br />
<br />
Do you have any questions about the Supermanica? Just post them at this thread here:<br />
http://superman.ws/smf/index.php?topic=3205.0<br />
<br />
== Please read the front page and the threads at the Supermanica Forum! ==<br />
<br />
Important links:<br />
<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:About<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Canonical_sources<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Community_Portal<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/The_Great_Superman_Book<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Help<br />
<br />
Please follow the rules of this site, every rule has been carefully crafted and heavily debated by the most knowledgeable fans in the world. The rules all exist for a reason. Please respect them. If you don't agree, you can always debate them at the forum. But if you decide you somehow know better than everyone else and decide to break them and are told to stop and you keep doing it, you are a troll and you clearly don't belong here, so you will be banned. <br />
<br />
== Monster of the Week ==<br />
<br />
Happy Halloween! It's October so every week this month Supermanica will be featuring a different monster-themed entry on the [[Main Page]].<br />
<br />
It's super-spooky!<br />
<br />
As well, we are busily adding to our [[Magic]] entry. Please feel free to help out by contributing to this entry and to entries about magical or supernatural people/things in the chronicles.<br />
<br />
hehehehe that's right kiddies!! Just in case you missed it, last week's Monster was [[Shark|The Shark]], who makes that Jaws fellow look like a guppy! --[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 17:58, 11 October 2006 (EDT) aka Keeper of the Crypt<br />
<br />
== '''One Thousand''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
As of June 21, 2006 Supermanica contains over 1000 entries. Congratulations to all contributors!<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<br />
''Previous and current events:''<br />
<br />
== Project 800 ==<br />
<br />
The great 800-entry push is on!<br />
<br />
The Supermanica team is hard at work in an attempt to add new entries totalling 800 before December 31st, 2005. And we need '''your''' help to make it happen!<br />
<br />
Supermanica is less than one year old and already there are over 750 articles about Superman and his world. This amazing achievement only gets better every day with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers made up of Superman scholars, ranging from the casual fan to the professional.<br />
<br />
Please join us in our task by creating a new entry. Go to our [[Main Page]] to learn more about Supermanica and how to create entries!<br />
----<br />
Congratulations! As of December 20th, we now have 800 articles at Supermanica! Project 800 is complete!<br />
<br />
The latest article is [[Rainbow Canyon]], a fitting subject for such a landmark celebration, Rainbow Canyon is a place of great wonder and beauty, located on Superman's home planet of Krypton!<br />
<br />
Please stay tuned for our next major Supermanica project and other current events!<br />
<br />
== High Profile Entries that need a lot of work ==<br />
<br />
The following important articles are incomplete, some more than others:<br />
<br />
*[[Superman]] <br />
*[[Lois Lane]] <br />
*[[Jimmy Olsen]] <br />
*[[Supergirl]] <br />
*[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]<br />
*[[Lex Luthor]]<br />
<br />
So I encourage all to add to them whenever they can.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
--[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 12:43, 26 February 2006 (EST)<br />
<br />
<br />
== Update ==<br />
<br />
Both the [[Superboy]] and [[Supergirl]] entries have received huge updates, so if you haven't already take a look at them. The [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], [[Lex Luthor]] and [[Superman]] entries have also gotten big updates.<br />
<br />
Right now we are working on the [[Lois Lane]] and [[Jimmy Olsen]] entries. Everyone is welcome to add info to these entries.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
--[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 13:31, 10 June 2006 (EDT)<br />
<br />
[[Category:Supermanica]]</div>
Telle
https://www.daughterofkrypton.com/supermanica/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Current_events
Supermanica:Current events
2007-08-09T07:14:28Z
<p>Telle: /* Supermanica:Community Portal Emergency Forum */ removed this temporary message</p>
<hr />
<div><br />
<br />
== Supermanica FAQs ==<br />
<br />
Do you have any questions about the Supermanica? Just post them at this thread here:<br />
http://superman.ws/smf/index.php?topic=3205.0<br />
<br />
== Please read the front page and the threads at the Supermanica Forum! ==<br />
<br />
Important links:<br />
<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:About<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Canonical_sources<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Community_Portal<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/The_Great_Superman_Book<br />
*http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Supermanica:Help<br />
<br />
Please follow the rules of this site, every rule has been carefully crafted and heavily debated by the most knowledgeable fans in the world. The rules all exist for a reason. Please respect them. If you don't agree, you can always debate them at the forum. But if you decide you somehow know better than everyone else and decide to break them and are told to stop and you keep doing it, you are a troll and you clearly don't belong here, so you will be banned. <br />
<br />
== Monster of the Week ==<br />
<br />
Happy Halloween! It's October so every week this month Supermanica will be featuring a different monster-themed entry on the [[Main Page]].<br />
<br />
It's super-spooky!<br />
<br />
As well, we are busily adding to our [[Magic]] entry. Please feel free to help out by contributing to this entry and to entries about magical or supernatural people/things in the chronicles.<br />
<br />
hehehehe that's right kiddies!! Just in case you missed it, last week's Monster was [[Shark|The Shark]], who makes that Jaws fellow look like a guppy! --[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 17:58, 11 October 2006 (EDT) aka Keeper of the Crypt<br />
<br />
== '''One Thousand''' ==<br />
<br />
<br />
As of June 21, 2006 Supermanica contains over 1000 entries. Congratulations to all contributors!<br />
<br />
----<br />
<br />
<br />
''Previous and current events:''<br />
<br />
== Project 800 ==<br />
<br />
The great 800-entry push is on!<br />
<br />
The Supermanica team is hard at work in an attempt to add new entries totalling 800 before December 31st, 2005. And we need '''your''' help to make it happen!<br />
<br />
Supermanica is less than one year old and already there are over 750 articles about Superman and his world. This amazing achievement only gets better every day with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers made up of Superman scholars, ranging from the casual fan to the professional.<br />
<br />
Please join us in our task by creating a new entry. Go to our [[Main Page]] to learn more about Supermanica and how to create entries!<br />
----<br />
Congratulations! As of December 20th, we now have 800 articles at Supermanica! Project 800 is complete!<br />
<br />
The latest article is [[Rainbow Canyon]], a fitting subject for such a landmark celebration, Rainbow Canyon is a place of great wonder and beauty, located on Superman's home planet of Krypton!<br />
<br />
Please stay tuned for our next major Supermanica project and other current events!<br />
<br />
== High Profile Entries that need a lot of work ==<br />
<br />
The following important articles are incomplete, some more than others:<br />
<br />
*[[Superman]] <br />
*[[Lois Lane]] <br />
*[[Jimmy Olsen]] <br />
*[[Supergirl]] <br />
*[[Legion of Super-Heroes]]<br />
*[[Lex Luthor]]<br />
<br />
So I encourage all to add to them whenever they can.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
--[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 12:43, 26 February 2006 (EST)<br />
<br />
<br />
== Update ==<br />
<br />
Both the [[Superboy]] and [[Supergirl]] entries have received huge updates, so if you haven't already take a look at them. The [[Legion of Super-Heroes]], [[Lex Luthor]] and [[Superman]] entries have also gotten big updates.<br />
<br />
Right now we are working on the [[Lois Lane]] and [[Jimmy Olsen]] entries. Everyone is welcome to add info to these entries.<br />
<br />
Thank you,<br />
--[[User:Super Monkey|Super Monkey]] 13:31, 10 June 2006 (EDT)<br />
<br />
[[Category:Supermanica]]</div>
Telle