In Action Comics #218 (May 1956), Superman encounters a talking, super-strong, intelligent ape who turns out to be from the planet Krypton. The apes were shot into space by a scientist, Shir Khan, who was too cautious and died in the explosion of Krypton. Superman unites Super-Ape with his kindred who were sent to other […]
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In Superman #106 (May 1956), Luthor invents a metallic allow that absorbs the energy Superman generates within a 100-mile radius and tricks Superman into performing several impressive super-feats to charge up the suit. Luckily Superman gets wise and fishes out some kryptonite to drain himself, which somehow drains the battle-suit, foiling Luthor’s plans.
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In Detective Comics #233 (May 1956), Batwoman makes her exciting debut, challenging Batman and Robin to keep up with her. Batwoman is Kathy Kane, an heiress who was once a “circus daredevil performer”. In typical misogynist fashion, Batman tries to convince Kathy that her antics are too dangerous – and Kathy agrees to give up […]
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Speaking of Kryptonian robots, Superboy #49 (April 1956) features another one that Superboy discovers while trapped on an asteroid that is surrounded by kryptonite dust, trapping him there. The robot has the name “Metallo”, which is later used for a series of Superman villains.
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In Action Comics #216 (March 1956), Superman encounters a series of menaces on Earth that lead him to believe an evil Superman is operating on Earth. As he employs his detective skills, he discovers that “person” operating the menaces is actually a robot from Krypton created by his father, Jor-El to prevent war on his […]
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In the Batman feature of Detective Comics #231 (March 1956), Robin learns that early in his crime-fighting career, Batman took on a partner called “Batman Junior”. Batman Junior was John Vance, a rando kid who got caught up in a case of Batman’s. Robin exhibits jealousy and sadness at not being special, but Batman assures […]
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In Detective Comics #231 (March 1956), the Martian Manhunter meets another Martian operating as a criminal on Earth, establishing a few more powers of Martians of shrinking, passing through walls as well as enforcing fire as a weakness of Martians. After apprehending him, the criminal explains he was equipped with a “guard belt” which was […]
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In World’s Finest #82 (March 1956), Green Arrow’s relates his origin to a reporter, explaining that he was raised in the west and that Little Otter, a childhood friend of Sioux origin, was the first one who taught him to shoot arrows. This origin tale is counter to any others presented so I would call […]
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In Action Comics #215 (Feb 1956), Superman is summoned 1000 years into the future by a “scientific mind-to-mind transmitter”. There, Kal-El meets the Superman of 2956 (alias Craig King, a telenews reporter for the Daily Solar System). The scientists of 2956 realize they need a hero and outfit King with gadgets that give him some […]
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January 1956 brings a new DC mag called “Showcase” to the stands. Showcase’s ostensible concept was to feature requested stories from readers in a “try-out” period. This first issue features stories about a regular fireman called “Fireman Farrell”. Later, of course, Showcase very soon would be used to feature new superheroes like the Challengers of […]
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