In Adventure Comics #289 (Aug 1961), Superboy is amazed when Pa Kent seemingly acquires super-powers. After several mis-adventures where Super-Pa becomes increasingly evil, he unmasks “Pa Kent” as a Kryptonian criminal, Jax-Ur (making his first appearance). Superboy spares little time in sending Jax-Ur back into the Phantom Zone. The epilogue of the story explains that […]
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We first met the super-brat Dev-Em last month and Adventure #288 (July 1961) is the conclusion to this tale. Having arrived on Earth, Dev-Em lures Superboy into his suspended animation vehicle where he imprisons Superboy in the Phantom Zone. Dev-Em then crafts a mask to resemble Superboy and goes about committing horrific deeds, like destroying […]
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Adventure Comics #287 (June 1961) introduces the story of Dev-Em, a super-bratty teenager who lived on Krypton and used to babysit Kal-El. Dev-Em has a habit of getting into trouble by stealing technology and inventions from the Jor-El’s laboratory. When he discovers Jor-El’s prediction of the end of Krypton, he steals technology to build himself […]
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The second outing of Pete Ross happens in “Pete Ross’ Super-Secret!”, a story in Superboy #90 (May 1961). In it, Pete Ross continues to be a stand-up guy against bullies picking on “that drip” Clark Kent and then happens to discover that Clark is actually Superboy. This is a bit of clever planning on the […]
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Superboy #89 (April 1961), expands the Superboy/Superman/Legion mythos yet again by introducing another important character: Mon-El, also known as Lar Gand. After crash-landing on Earth, Superboy rescues the amnesiac young man who seems to have all the powers of a Kryptonian, carries a letter written in Kryptonese from Jor-El, and a locket expressing their love […]
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Mythos be busting out all over the place, with the introduction of another major element of Superman stories being introduced in Adventure Comics #283 (February 1961): The Phantom Zone! Superboy discovers some Kryptonian machines sent into space (by Jor-El of course) and learns about how the Phantom Zone was where Krypton placed its dangerous criminals […]
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After all that deeper thinking about character motivation, it’s time for something light-hearted and fun: a new Legionnaire is introduced in Adventure Comics #282 (Jan 1961): Star Boy! Lana wants to make Superboy jealous, so she eavesdrops as a new teen superhero arrives from the future to meet Superboy. She learns the teen’s identity is […]
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Superboy #68 (Nov 1960) features the next appearance of a young Lex Luthor in a Superboy story. Superboy eventually defeats the “Army of Living Kryptonite Men” by getting help another L.L: Lightning Lad from the Legion of Super-Heroes. Lex learns of the existence of the Legion and theorizes that a Legion of Super-Villains must also […]
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In Superboy #68 (Nov 1960), “The Boy Who Betrayed Clark Kent!” introduces the character of Pete Ross, expanding Superboy’s supporting cast. Newly moved to Smallville, Pete Ross stands up to bullies for Clark Kent and Clark decides to befriend him, learning that Pete’s hobbies include acting and detective work. Later, Clark becomes suspicious of his […]
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A new form of kryptonite is introduced in Adventure Comics #279 (Oct 1960): Superboy is yet again thrust into the distant future and must prove he wasn’t just a myth, that he actually existed in the past. He finally convinces folks when he uses a piece of white kryptonite from a museum to kill all […]
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