The Best of DC #16 [Direct]

(September 1981)

Best of DC -- Superman (Table of Contents)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Letters:

typeset

Indexer Notes

Inside front cover. Table of contents.

The Origin of Superman! (Table of Contents)

Superman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Bill Finger

Pencils:

Wayne Boring

Inks:

Stan Kaye

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Superman; Jor-El (flashback); Lara (flashback); Lex Luthor (cameo); John Kent (1st named, flashback); Mary Kent (flashback)

Synopsis:

After a prologue which demonstrates Superman's amazing abilities, his origin is recounted. On the scientifically advanced planet of Krypton, Jor-El fails to convince the Council of Five that Krypton is doomed. As Krypton explodes, Jor-El and Lara send their son to Earth, where he is found and adopted by the elderly Kents. As Clark grows to maturity he manifests abilities far beyond that of mortal men. On his deathbed, his father urges Clark to become a powerful force for good as Superman.

Reprinted:

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #53 (July-August 1948)

Indexer Notes

a 10th anniversary story. Name John Kent appears on Superman's father's tombstone. This is the only time this name is used. Kryptonians are shown to have x-ray vision.

The Super-Key to Fort Superman (Table of Contents)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Jerry Coleman

Pencils:

Wayne Boring

Inks:

Stan Kaye

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Superman; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Fortress of Solitude (intro); Batman; Joker (trophy); Green Kryptonite

Synopsis:

Someone has broken into Superman's Fortress of Solitude, so Superman searches the place for clues.

Reprinted:

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #241 (June 1958)

Indexer Notes

A 20th anniversary story.

The War between Jimmy Olsen and Superman! (Table of Contents)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Alvin Schwartz

Pencils:

Curt Swan

Inks:

George Klein

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Superman [Clark Kent]; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Fortress of Solitude; Kandor (unnamed); green kryptonite; El Gar Kur (villain)

Synopsis:

A criminal from Kandor switches places with Jimmy Olsen and forces Superman to reveal the location of his Fortress of Solitude, so he can destroy the bottled city. But scientists in Kandor reverse the switch just in time.

Reprinted:

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #253 (June 1959)

Indexer Notes

A 21st anniversary story.

The Conquest of Superman! (Table of Contents)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Bill Finger

Pencils:

Curt Swan

Inks:

John Forte

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Editing:

Mort Weisinger

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Superman; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Lex Luthor (villain); Green Kryptonite; Red Kryptonite; White Kryptonite; Blue Kryptonite; Yellow Kryptonite (intro); Luthor's Lair; Superman Robot

Reprinted:

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #277 (June 1961)

Indexer Notes

23rd anniversary story. Inker credit confirmed by Pat Lang (April 11, 2004). Inker credit previously given to: George Klein (Gene Reed credit) or Stan Kaye.

The Trial of Superman! (Table of Contents)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Edmond Hamilton

Pencils:

Al Plastino

Inks:

Al Plastino

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Superman; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Green Kryptonite

Reprinted:

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #301 (June 1963)

Indexer Notes

A 25th anniversary story. In this book, the art for this story is incorrectly credited to George Papp. Plastino credit confirmed by Bob Bailey and Gene Reed, March 2008.

The Superman-Batman Split! (Table of Contents)

Superman and Batman / comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Cary Bates

Pencils:

Neal Adams

Inks:

Neal Adams

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Superman; Batman; Robin; Supergirl; Batgirl; James Gordon; Jimmy Olsen; Ronald Jason; Desmond Jason; Kandor; green kryptonite

Synopsis:

Jason Desmond's dying performance is an attempt to fool Superman and Batman into believing he is 2 aliens, one hunting the other. But his story rings false and Superman lets Batman in on the hoax, which ends up fooling Supergirl, Batgirl, Robin, and Jimmy Olsen anyway.

Reprinted:

• from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #176 (June 1968)

Indexer Notes

A 30th anniversary story.

A Tale of 3 Teams (Part II of The Superman-Batman Split) (Table of Contents)

Superman and Batman / comic story / 9 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Cary Bates

Pencils:

Neal Adams

Inks:

Neal Adams

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Reprinted:

• from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #176 (June 1968)

Make Way for Captain Thunder! (Table of Contents)

Superman / comic story / 20 pages (report information)

Credits

Script:

Elliot Maggin

Pencils:

Curt Swan

Inks:

Bob Oksner

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Characters:

Captain Thunder (villain); Superman; Willie Fawcett; Clark Kent; Merokee (flashback); Lois Lane; the Monster League of Evil (flashback); a Dr. Sivana lookalike (flashback)

Synopsis:

Willie Fawcett finds himself lost in Superman's universe and that whenever he changes into his super-powered alter ego of Captain Thunder he becomes evil. Superman helps him figure out the way to return to his universe and shake the evil influence of the Monster League of Evil.

Reprinted:

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #276 (June 1974)

Indexer Notes

A 36th anniversary story.

Happy Anniversary Superman (Table of Contents)

Superman / text article / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

E. Nelson Bridwell (signed)

Letters:

typeset

Content Information

Genre:

superhero

Indexer Notes

Inside back cover.

[Special Anniverary Issue] (Table of Contents)

Superman / foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 1 page (report information)

Credits

Script:

?

Pencils:

?

Inks:

?

Colors:

?

Letters:

?

Content Information

Characters:

Superman; Lex Luthor; Batman; Captain Thunder

Indexer Notes

Back cover. Previews of the stories in the issue.