A SILVER AGE SUPERMAN FAVORITE by Dave Goode

A SILVER AGE SUPERMAN FAVORITE Dave Goode

Born in 1957 I came to comic books by way of reruns of The Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves as the Man of Steel. One of my favorite stories from the Silver Age of DC was The Tyrant Superman from Superman No.172 (Oct. 1964). This was a 3- art story written by Edmond Hamilton and illustrated by one of my favorite tag-teams, Curt Swan (pencils) and George Klein (inks). The chapters in this story were The New Superman, Clark Kent- Former Superman, and The Struggle of The Two Supermen.

This story is one of the S.W.O.P (Superman Without Powers) tales from the era.
The story begins with a deadly green comet threatening the Earth ,which sort of reminds you of The Adventures of Superman episode Panic In The Sky. Realizing that the comet might kill him he tests two men from the Bottle City of Kandor to see who would make the best replacement as the new Superman. A blond Kandorian named Ar-Val wins the competition. The comet doesn't kill Kal-El. But it does take away his "powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal man".

Soon after taking over his role as the new Superman Ar-Val proves to be an egotistical glory hound. He refuses to go after the Braniac-Luthor team who have kidnapped both Lois Lane and Lana Lang. He begins building monuments to himself and the narcissist even demands a law be passed that no one else can wear a Superman costume or use the name "Superman". Clark Kent is temporarily given the powers of three members of the Legion of Super-Heroes (Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Invisible Kid) and Elastic Lad to become the "Former Superman".

The Former Superman's new super-powers are no match for Braniac and Luthor and he's captured. Ar-Val finally gets around to acting like a hero (only after being blackmailed by Jimmy Olsen). The Former Superman sacrifices himself to save Ar-Val. In gratitude Ar-Val transfers his powers to Kal-El, but is transformed into living stone in the process. The story ends with Kal-El resuming his role as Superman and vowing to someday restore Ar-Val to life.

What always made this story stand out to me was all the Silver Age tropes that were included in this story. There was a flashback to Krypton where we see young Kal-El and his parents Jor-El and Lara. There's the Bottle City of Kandor. There is mention of the Justice League of America and Superman borrowing Green Lantern's power ring. There is the Braniac-Luthor team and both Lois Lane and Lana Lang. There is the Legion of Super-Heroes. All in one comic book. You know if this story was done today it would end up being told in a six issue mini-series.

Dave Goode and Vance Capley discuss their favorite episodes of the classic Adventures of Superman TV show:

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