Superman in the Forties

([December] 2005)

Superman in the Forties (Table of Contents: 1)

credits, title page / 1 page (report information)

Pencils

Fred Ray

Inks

Fred Ray

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Characters

Superman [Clark Kent]

Indexer Notes

Title page.

Table of Contents (Table of Contents: 2)

table of contents / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Letters

typeset

When the World Needed a Champion, Superman Showed Us What One Looked Like (Table of Contents: 3)

foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 3 pages (report information)

Script

Bob Hughes

Pencils

Ed Dobrotka (Toyman vignette); Wayne Boring (Superman punching vignette); ? (Superman carrying boy vignette)

Inks

George Roussos (Toyman vignette); Stan Kaye (Superman punching vignette); ? (Superman carrying boy vignette)

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Characters

Superman [Clark Kent]; Toyman

Indexer Notes

Illustrated with a Toyman vignette from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #64, an image of Superman punching from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #58, and an image of Superman carrying a boy from an unidentified source.

Milestones (Table of Contents: 4)

text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Joe Shuster (Action #1); Leo O'Mealia (Superman #1); Jack Burnley (New York World's Fair #2); Henry Boltinoff (More Fun #104)

Inks

Joe Shuster (Action #1); Leo O'Mealia (Superman #1); Jack Burnley (New York World's Fair #2); Henry Boltinoff (More Fun #104)

Colors

?

Letters

?; typeset

Characters

Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Superboy [Clark Kent]; Superman [Clark Kent]; Dover; Clover

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1 (June 1938)
• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #[1] ([Summer 1939])
• from New York World's Fair Comics (DC, 1939 series) #[2] ([July] 1940)
• from More Fun Comics (DC, 1936 series) #104 (July-August 1945)

Indexer Notes

Introduction to this segment of the book which features such milestones as Superman's first appearance, his first origin, and the first appearance of a character named Supergirl.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 5)

Superman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Joe Shuster

Colors

?

Letters

Joe Shuster

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane (last name not given); Superman [Clark Kent]; George Taylor (unnamed); Evelyn Curry; Butch Matson; Senator Barrows; Alex Greer

Synopsis

After a brief explanation of Superman's great abilities, Superman delivers a witness to the governor to stop an execution. Then Superman stops a wife-beater. Later Superman, as Clark Kent goes out with Lois, but she earns the wrath of Butch Matson and Superman must save her. Finally, Clark is assigned a story on the South American republic of San Monte. He heads to Washington DC to find out who is behind Senator Barrows pushing legislation which will embroil the United States in a war in Europe by grabbing lobbyist Alex Greer and scaring the truth out of him.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #1 (June 1938), #1 (June 1938)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 6)

Superman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Joe Shuster

Colors

?

Letters

Joe Shuster

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; George Taylor (unnamed); Alex Greer; Emil Norvell; Lola Cortez

Synopsis

Superman forces Alex Greer to give him the name of the munitions producer, Emil Norvell, behind the effort to draw the U.S. into war. Superman forces Norvell to board a ship for San Monte, on which Lois and Clark are also travelling. In San Monte Superman forces Norvell to change his mind about producing weapons and saves Lois from a firing squad after a stolen document is planted in her room.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #2 (July 1938)

Lois Lane Loves Clark Kent (Table of Contents: 7)

Superman / comic story / 8 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Woolfolk

Pencils

Wayne Boring

Inks

Stan Kaye

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; Perry White

Synopsis

Lois' doctor advises her to try to transfer her love for Superman to a normal human, but her attempt to fall in love with Clark fails.

Reprints

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #58 (May-June 1949)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 8)

Superman / text story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Joe Shuster

Colors

?

Letters

typeset

Genre

superhero

Characters

Superman; Sergeant Blake; Biff Dugan

Synopsis

After Superman eludes Sergeant Blake by changing to Clark Kent, Clark blackmails the detective into allowing him a jailhouse interview with Biff Dugan. When Dugan escapes, Clark switches to Superman and returns Dugan to his cell.

Reprints

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #[1] ([Summer 1939])

The Origin of Superman (Table of Contents: 9)

Superman / comic story / 10 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Wayne Boring

Inks

Stan Kaye

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Jor-El; Lara; Lex Luthor (cameo); Superman [Clark Kent] (also as a baby, birth name not yet revealed); John Kent (per his tombstone); Mary Kent (per her tombstone)

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.

Reprints

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

Superman Returns to Krypton (Table of Contents: 10)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Al Plastino

Inks

Al Plastino

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Jor-El; Lois Lane; Lara; Superman [Clark Kent] (also as a baby, birth name not yet revealed); Perry White; Swami Riva [Dan Rivers]

Synopsis

Superman tails Lois as she investigates Swami Riva. When the swami hexes Superman, he appears to weaken, and the swami begins to sell his ability to hex Superman to members of the underworld. Superman traces the gem in the swami's turban to a meteorite, then follows the path of the meteorite back in time and across space to the planet Krypton, which he surveys as a phantom. He learns how Jor-El failed to convince his people of their impending down and sent his son to Earth where he was adopted by the elderly Kents. Superman returns to the present and puts Swami Riva out of business.

Reprints

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #61 (November-December 1949)

Superboy Meets Supergirl! (Table of Contents: 11)

Superboy / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Woolfolk

Pencils

John Sikela

Inks

Ed Dobrotka

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Superboy [Clark Kent]; Queen Lucy [also as Lucy Regent]; Duke Norvello; Elena

Synopsis

Queen Lucy of Borgonia enrolls in school in Smallville incognito, where her athletic ability and intelligence alienate her from all of the students except Clark Kent. When she helps Superboy stop some thieves, the mayor asks her to appear in a benefit with Superboy as Supergirl where Superboy makes it appear that she can perform the same sort of feats that he can. Lucy is kidnapped back to Borgonia by Duke Norvello who attempts to discredit her in the eyes of her people. Superboy arrives and reveals Duke Norvello's duplicity and Lucy takes her place as queen of her people.

Reprints

• from Superboy (DC, 1949 series) #5 (November-December 1949)

Indexer Notes

Inking ID from Bob Hughes; credited to John Sikela on item.

Opponents (Table of Contents: 12)

text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Fred Ray (#43 & 47); John Sikela (#57); Wayne Boring (#112)

Inks

Fred Ray (#43 & 47); John Sikela (#57); Stan Kaye (#112)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Characters

Lex Luthor; Mr. Mxyztplk; Superman [Clark Kent]; The Prankster

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #43 (December 1941), #47 (April 1942), #57 (February 1943), #112 (September 1947)

Indexer Notes

Introduction to this segment of the book which features the Superman's classic vilains from the 1940's.

[Superman Meets the Ultra-Humanite] (Table of Contents: 13)

Superman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Paul Cassidy

Inks

Paul Cassidy ?

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Superman [Clark Kent]; City Inspector Hughes; Lyons; Ultra-Humanite

Synopsis

While investigating the collapse of a subway tunnel Superman encounters the Ultra-Humanite, a bald, evil genius bent on world domination.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #14 (July 1939)

Indexer Notes

Title from table of contents. Art credited to "Joe Shuster, Paul Cassidy, and Paul J. Lauretta" on item.

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 14)

Superman / comic story / 13 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Paul Cassidy

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Lex Luthor (no first name given in this story); Superman [Clark Kent]; General Lupo

Synopsis

While on assignment with Lois Lane as Clark Kent, Superman investigates the conflict between Galonia and Toran and finds munitions manufacturer Luthor behind it. When Lois is kidnapped and taken to Luthor's colossal dirigible, Superman follows and puts an end to Luthor and the war.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #23 (April 1940)

The Terrible Toyman (Table of Contents: 15)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron (ghosted for Jerry Siegel)

Pencils

Sam Citron (ghosted for Joe Shuster)

Inks

Don Komisarow

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; The Toyman

Synopsis

The Toyman uses toys to commit two robberies. But after Superman foils his third robbery, The Toyman snatches Lois Lane and is about to kill her with poisonous dolls, when Superman discovers his hidden lair, frees Lois, and turns The Toyman over to the police.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #64 (September 1943)

Indexer Notes

Credits changed to match credits from Siegel's records: Siegel and Shuster v. National Comics Publications, Inc. et al., case no. 1099 (Westchester Cty. Sup. Ct. 1947).

Journey into Ruin (Table of Contents: 16)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron

Pencils

Ira Yarbrough

Inks

Ira Yarbrough

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; Wilbur Wolfingham; Gloria Partridge; Taylor Baldwin; John Armitage; ex-Senator Trent

Synopsis

Wilbur Wolfingham plots to swindle several wealthy people by convincing them that he can put them in suspended animation for 25 years, then revive them in a fantastic future world with their youth intact. When Wolfingham knocks out his clients for what should only be a few hours, Superman intervenes and puts Wolfingham out too, then creates a fake Metropolis of the future, racked by poverty and despair. Superman explains to Wolfingham and his marks that because people did not strive to create a better world, it fell into ruin. When they see the error of their ways, Superman reveals his ruse.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #107 (April 1947)

Indexer Notes

Inks credit from GCD index of original printing; inks credited to Stan Kaye on item.

The Mxyztplk-Susie Alliance! (Table of Contents: 17)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron

Pencils

Ira Yarbrough

Inks

Stan Kaye

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Mr. Mxyztplk; Superman [Clark Kent]; Susie

Synopsis

Lois thinks Superman is making Susie's fibs come true again, but Susie is actually telling the truth about things Mr. Mxyztplk is doing. Superman prevents any real damage from Mr. Mxyztplk's tricks until he can get him to say his name backwards and return to his own dimension.

Reprints

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #40 (May-June 1946)

The American Way (Table of Contents: 18)

text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

?

Pencils

Wayne Boring (Action #93 & 105); Fred Ray (Superman #18); Jack Burnley (Superman #24)

Inks

Stan Kaye (Action #93 & 105); Fred Ray (Superman #18); Jack Burnley (Superman #24)

Colors

?

Letters

?

Characters

Santa Claus; Superman [Clark Kent]

Reprints

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #24 (September-October 1943)
• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #93 (February 1946), #105 (February 1947)

Indexer Notes

Introduction to this segment of the book which features Superman stories that reflect the American spirit.

America's Secret Weapon! (Table of Contents: 19)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron

Pencils

Sam Citron

Inks

John Sikela

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; Colonel McNab; Lieutenant-General Bullitt; General Armor; General Starrett

Synopsis

Superman participates in war games, but proves that America's secret weapon is the courage of the common soldier.

Reprints

• from Superman (DC, 1939 series) #23 (July-August 1943)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 20)

Superman / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Jack Burnley

Letters

Joe Shuster ?; Jack Burnley ?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Clark Kent; Lois Lane

Synopsis

Superman fails his army physical when he reads the eye chart in the adjoining room.

Reprints

• from the Superman newpaper strip (February 16-19, 1942)

[How Superman Would End the War] (Table of Contents: 21)

Superman / comic story / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Joe Shuster

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Adolf Hitler; Superman [Clark Kent]; Josef Stalin

Synopsis

If Superman actually existed, he would snatch Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin and bring them to trial at the League of Nations.

Reprints

• from Look (Cowles, 1937 series) #v4#5 (February 27, 1940)

Indexer Notes

Title from table of contents.

The Superman Story! (Table of Contents: 22)

Superman / comic story / 12 pages (report information)

Script

Bill Finger

Pencils

Wayne Boring

Inks

Stan Kaye

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; Perry White; Joey Crane; Jack Donovan; Mart Lane; Horace Mills

Synopsis

Perry White assigns several reporters to follow a day in the life of Superman and compete for the best story. Young photographer Joey Crane asks to go along, but always remains a step behind Superman and the other reporters. But Joey wins the competition as he is able to capture the effect Superman's good deeds have on the people he helps.

Reprints

• from World's Finest Comics (DC, 1941 series) #37 (November-December 1948)

Christmas 'Round the World (Table of Contents: 23)

Superman / comic story / 16 pages (report information)

Script

Don C. Cameron

Pencils

Ira Yarbrough

Inks

Stan Kaye

Colors

?

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Lois Lane; Superman [Clark Kent]; Pablo; Mai-Ling; Jon Bjornsen; Eric Bjornsen; Ed; George; Chief Kukulak; Li-Tan; Tashya Vatkoff; Sonya Vatkoff; Ivan Vatkoff; Boris Vatkoff; Hans Vroom; Juan

Synopsis

As Superman reunites refugees with their families all over the world, he witnesses many different ways of celebrating Christmas.

Reprints

• from Action Comics (DC, 1938 series) #93 (February 1946)

[no title indexed] (Table of Contents: 24)

Superman / text article / 1 page (report information)

Script

Jerry Siegel

Pencils

Joe Shuster

Inks

Joe Shuster

Letters

?

Genre

superhero

Characters

Superman [Clark Kent]

Synopsis

Superman's attempt to help out a private with his mess duty backfires.

Reprints

• from Fort Meade Post (August 13, 1943)

Biographies (Table of Contents: 25)

text article / 2 pages (report information)

Script

Joe Desris; Jerry Bails; Martin O'Hearn

Letters

typeset