The Superman Fan Podcast: May 2013

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Episode #271: Metropolis, Here We Come!

The 35th Annual Superman Celebration will occur Thursday, June - Sunday, June 9, 2013. This episode previews the schedule for the four day event. Also available in .pdf format is the Superman Celebration Program Book. While I don't mention every event for the Celebration, I do highlight the ones which catch my interest.

Previously, I covered Metropolis, Illinois way back in Episode 26, for the week of July 2, 2008. I covered both the history of the Superman Celebration and of the town itself.

In Episode 120, for the week of April 24, 2010, I covered the special edition of the METROPOLIS PLANET which was published Thursday, June 28, 1973, and commemorated the opening of the Amazing World Of Superman museum which only lasted a few years. This was the earliest Superman Celebration for Metropolis. It only lasted a few years, if my information is correct. In 1978, what is now known as the Superman Celebration first began, and has occurred every year since.

After my Superman Celebration coverage for this podcast, we will return to our journey through the time barrier to explore the silver age adventures of Superman: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED APRIL 1959: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 8 & SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 36!

On the following week: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED APRIL 1962: SUPERMAN 152 & ACTION COMICS 287!

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of thefollowing:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Episode #270: Superman Comic Book Cover Dated March 1962: Action Comics #296!

Action Comics 286!

Download Episode #270!

ACTION COMICS 286, March 1962, was published around January 30, 1962. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. Mort Weisinger was the editor, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Sheldon Moldoff. According to Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics, this issue had a circulation of 485,000 copies.

- The fourteen page Superman story was titled, THE JURY OF SUPER-ENEMIES, written by Robert Bernstein, pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein. This story has been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III.

- Supergirl starred in the 12 page story, THE DEATH OF LUTHOR, written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Jim Mooney. This was Siegel's 64th silver age Superman Family story, and his 103rd overall for the era. Previously, he wrote two stories for ADVENTURE COMICS 293, February 1962, published around December 28, 1961: THE LEGION OF SUPER TRAITORS, pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein, and THE GOOD DEEDS OF BIZARRO LEX LUTHOR, drawn by John Forte. Siegel also wrote one story for SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 59, March 1962. published around January 2, 1962: STRANDED IN EVOLUTION VALLEY, also drawn by John Forte.

Also highlighted in this episode are the ads and other features in this issue, including the METROPOLIS MAILBAG letter page.

Elsewhere in DC Comics, 28 titles carried the March or March/April 1962 cover date, according to Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics.

Next Episode: METROPOLIS HERE WE COME! where I preview the 35th SUPERMAN CELEBRATION which will occur from June 6 - 9, 2013, and my family and I will attend for the first time.

After the SUPERMAN CELEBRATION EPISODES, we will return to our coverage of the silver age adventures of Superman with: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED APRIL 1959: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 8 & SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 36!

The following week: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED APRIL 1962: SUPERMAN 152 & ACTION COMICS 287!

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of thefollowing:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Episode #269: Superman Family Comic Books Cover Dated March 1959: Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #35 & World's Finest Comics #100!

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen 35 & World's Finest Comics 100!

Download Episode 269!

SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 35, March 1959, was published around January 1, 1959. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 10¢. Mort Weisinger was the editor, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye, featuring the third and final story. All three stories were written by Otto Binder, and have been reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN FAMILY vol. III.

- THE MENACE OF SUPERMAN'S FAN MAIL (9 pgs.), pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye.

- THE ROBOT JIMMY OLSEN (8 pgs.), pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Ray Burnley.

- SUPERMAN'S ENEMY (9 pgs.), pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Ray Burnley.

WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 100, March 1959, was published around January 15, 1959. Jack Schiff was the editor, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye.

- THE DICTATOR OF KRYPTON CITY (12 pgs.), written by Bill Finger, pencilled by Dick Sprang and inked by Stan Kaye. This story has been reprinted in WORLD'S FINEST COMICS ARCHIVE vol. II and SHOWCASE PRESENTS: WORLD'S FINEST vol. I.

- Tomahawk starred in the 6 page story, MYSTERY OF THE VANISHING BOYS, drawn by Bob Brown.

- Green Arrow and Speedy starred in the 6 page story, THE CASE OF THE GREEN ERROR CLOWN, written by Ed Herron and drawn by Lee Elias.

Elsewhere in DC Comics, 33 titles carried the March or March/April 1959 cover date. These titles were covered at the end of Episode184.

Next Episode: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED MARCH 1962: ACTION COMICS 286!

In 2 Weeks: METROPOLIS, HERE WE COME, a preview of the upcoming Superman Celebration.

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of thefollowing:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Episode #268: Free Comic Book Day & Superman Comic Books Cover Dated February 1962: Superman #151 & Action Comics #285!

Superman 151 & Action Comics 285!

Download Episode #268!

SUPERMAN 151, February 1962, was published around December 19, 1961. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. According to Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics, its circulation was 820,000. Mort Weisinger was the editor, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein. All three stories were reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN vol. III.

- THE THREE TOUGH TEEN-AGERS (9 pgs.), written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Al Plastino. This story was Siegel's 37th silver age Superman story, and his 96th overall for the era. Previously, he wrote BIZARRO CREATES A MONSTER, in ADVENTURE COMICS 292, January 1962, pencilled by John Forte and inked by George Klein.

- THE MAN WHO TRAINED SUPERMAN (9 pgs.),written by Robert Bernstein, pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein.

- SUPERMAN'S GREATEST SECRET (8 pgs.), written by Jerry Siegel, pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein. This story was Siegel's 38th silver age Superman story, and his 97th overall for the era.

ACTION COMICS 285, February 1962, was published December 28, 1961. It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. Mort Weisinger was the editor, and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein. This was Supergirl's 9th cover appearance for this title. At this point she has also made one appearance on the cover of SUPERMAN.

- THE WORLD'S GREATEST HEROINE (the title of the entire story, as well as the 12 page part I.) It was written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Jim Mooney. This story was Siegel's 61st silver age Superman Family story, and his 98th overall for the era.

- THE INFINITE MONSTER (12 pgs. Part II)

Elsewhere in DC Comics 29 titles carried the February or February/March 1962 cover date, according to Mike's Amazing World Of DC Comics.

I also share what I picked up from Free Comic Book Day, as well as a letter that was printed by DC Comics on the inside front cover of all of its titles which carried the February cover date. That almost apologetic letter was an explanation of the reasons DC Comics raised its cover price from a dime to 12¢.

Next Episode: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED MARCH 1959: SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 35 & WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 100!

In 2 Weeks: SUPERMAN COMIC BOOK COVER DATED MARCH 1962: ACTION COMICS 286!

In 3 Weeks: METROPOLIS, HERE WE COME!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Episode #267: Giant Superman Annual #4!

Giant Superman Annual 4!

Download Episode #267!

GIANT SUPERMAN ANNUAL 4, 1962, was published on November 9, 1961, during the same month as SUPERMAN 150 & ACTION COMICS 284, which were covered on Episode 264, during the week of April 3, 2013. This annual contained 80 pages for the cover price of a quarter. The editor was Mort Weisinger and the cover was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein.

- A DOGHOUSE FOR SUPERMAN (10 pgs.), originally published in SUPERMAN 84, September/October 1953, released around July 3, 1953, written by William Woolfolk and drawn by Al Plastino.

- SUPERBOY MEETS SUPERMAN (8 pgs.), originally published in SUPERBOY 47, March 1956, released around January 5, 1956, written by Otto Binder, pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by John Fischetti.

- THE ALIEN WHO CONQUERED SUPERMAN (12 pgs.), originally published in ACTION COMICS 165, February 1952, released around December 19, 1951, written by Bill Finger, pencilled by Wayne Boring and inked by Stan Kaye.

- THE BRIDE OF FUTUREMAN (8 pgs.), originally published in SUPERMAN 121, May 1958, released around March 18, 1958, written by Jerry Coleman and drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger.

- THE OUTLAWS FROM KRYPTON (12 pgs.), originally published in ACTION COMICS 194, July 1954, released on may 27, 1954, written by Bill Finger, pencilled by Wayne Boring and inked by Stan Kaye.

- THE BOY WHO KILLED SUPERMAN (8 pgs.), originally published in SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 28, April 1958, released around February 25, 1958, written by Otto Binder, pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye. This story was also reprinted in SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SUPERMAN FAMILY vol. II, and was first covered in Episode 239.

- RIP VAN SUPERMAN (8 pgs.), originally published in SUPERMAN 107, August 1956, released around June 14, 1956, written by Bill Finger, pencilled by Wayne Boring and inked by Stan Kaye. This story was also reprinted in SUPERMAN: PAST AND FUTURE.

- THE ORIGIN AND POWERS OF THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES (2 pgs.), pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye. For an added bonus, google Fortress Lad.

- THE MENACE OF PLANET Z (12 pgs.), originally published in ACTION COMICS 168, May 1952, released around March 19, 1952, written by Bill Finger, pencilled by Wayne Boring and inked by Stan Kaye.

In this episode I also highlight the titles that caught my interest for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, this Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Next Episode: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY & THE SUPERMAN COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED FEBRUARY 1962: SUPERMAN 151 & ACTION COMICS 285!

In 2 Weeks: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED MARCH 1959: SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 35 & WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 100!

The new home for THE SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is http://thesupermanfanpodcast.blogspot.com. Send e-mail to supermanfanpodcast@gmail.com.

You can join the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST group or page on facebook, and follow the podcast on twitter @supermanpodcast.

SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST is a proud member of thefollowing:
- The LEAGUE OF COMIC BOOK PODCASTERS at http://www.comicbooknoise.com/league ,
- The COMICS PODCAST NETWORK! - http://www.comicspodcasts.com/,
- The SUPERMAN WEBRING of websites, and
- The SUPERMAN PODCAST NETWORK at http://supermanpodcastnetwork !

The theme of this podcast is PLANS IN MOTION, composed by Kevin MacLeod, and part of the royalty free music library at http://incompetech.com/.

Superman and all related characters are trademark and copyright DC Comics. Any art shown on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit. I make no claims of ownership of these images, nor do I earn any money from this podcast.

Thanks for listening to the SUPERMAN FAN PODCAST and, as always, thanks to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, creators of Superman!