In Superman #49 (September 1947), “Clark Kent’s Most Dangerous Assignment” has Superman encounter radiation from a missile built by a scientist that weakens him and saps his powers, leaving with him an inability to fly. Superman waits and the dizziness and weakness eventually pass, allowing Superman to once again easily overcome his foe. I guess […]
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In All-Star Comics #36 (June 1947), honorary members Superman and Batman join the JSA on a mission. This is not the first time that Batman and Superman have appeared together in DC continuity, that happened six years earlier. Nonetheless, it’s exciting to see the big three meet – and for more than a single panel. […]
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Powering-up Superman in service of the plot-of-the-month continues in World’s Finest Comics #29 (May 1947). In this issue, Superman is challenged by Lois Lane to bind different books of a collector with unique materials. In one instance he races to the lost continent of Atlantis, in another he needs to find a unicorn bone, in […]
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In Action Comics #106 (January 1947), Clark is told he is a long-lost heir to an English barony. But what’s interesting (as a reader 70 years later) is the blurb in which it is revealed that Clark doesn’t even know he is not human. At this point in his history, Clark does not know anything […]
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Right next to the lackluster comedic story of Lois-as-Superwoman, Superman #45 (January 1947) also featured a pretty cool story in which Superman is actually physically challenged for once! An inter-dimensional being appears on Earth and starts collecting Earthling specimens for his trophy collection. What ensues is a pretty intense battle between Superman and this unnamed […]
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We have seen Lois as Superwoman before, but that was just a fever dream. Superman #45 (January 1947) features the return of Lois-as-Superwoman when Hocus and Pocus, two magicians, grant her Superman’s powers. Hocus and Pocus are two clueless, recurring comic relief characters with no actual powers, but somehow Superman is always forced into performing […]
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As previously mentioned, 1946 is a year in which Superman’s appearance gradually evolved into its post-Shuster shape, thanks to Wayne Boring’s work on covers. In Action Comics #102 (September 1946), we see not only his pupils, but the proportion of his head to his body has now changed and his facial expression is varying and […]
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In Superman #43 (September 1946), Superman faces off against Luthor again. This time Luthor has invented a super-hard material he calls Luthorite. The story lets writers enumerate new powers and abilities, as well as a weakness. He may have photographic memory, but it is revealed that Superman cannot see through lead with his x-ray vision […]
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In Action Comics #101 (August 1946), it is mentioned for the first time that Superman has photographic memory. In this story, Superman is exposed to a chemical that makes normal people go crazy. The only thing that sets Superman right again is being exposed to a nuclear explosion.
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In Action Comics #100 (July 1946), Superman is beset by a Scotland Yard detective who is convinced that Clark Kent is Superman. In one attempt, Clark is completely doused in perfume so he seeks out an acid bath at Star Chemical Works. Is this a precursor to S.T.A.R Labs? 🙂
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