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| Superman 181, November 1965! |
Download Episode 389 Part II!
SUPERMAN 181, November 1965, was published on September 16, 1965 (eleven days before my fifth birthday). It contained 32 pages for the cover price of 12¢. Mort Weisinger was the editor, and the cover, featuring the issue's second and final story, was pencilled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein, the art team for both stories in this issue. The cover was lettered by Ira Schnapp.
- (5:18) THE SUPER-SCOOPS OF MORNA VINE (16 pages divided into two 8-page parts), written by Leo Dorfman.
- (22:58) Part II: THE SECRET OF THE NEW SUPERGIRL.
- (47:04) METROPOLIS MAILBAG letter column.
- (54:41) THE SUPERMAN OF 2965 (8 pgs.), subtitled The First Of A New Series, was written by Edmond Hamilton. This story was reprinted in SUPERMAN 244, November 1971, released on September 16, 1971, exactly six years to the day after this story was originally published. It was also reprinted in SUPERMAN: PAST AND FUTURE.
Also highlighted in this episode are the issue's ads and other features.
Next Episodes: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED NOVEMBER 1965: PART III: SUPERMAN'S GIRL FRIEND LOIS LANE 61 & PART IV: ACTION COMICS 330!
Then we will feature: SUPERMAN FAMILY COMIC BOOKS COVER DATED DECEMBER 1965: PART I: SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN 89, PART II: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD 63 (starring Supergirl and Wonder Woman), PART III: ACTION COMICS 331 & PART IV: WORLD'S FINEST COMICS 154!
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"The Super-Scoops of Morna Vine" and "The Secret of the New Supergirl" made for an interesting two-part mystery story, but, of course, we have to wonder a little bit about Clark Kent's attitude toward her possible use of super-powers to help her as a reporter. Certainly, he does the same thing in some cases, and even violates some ethical considerations by reporting on Superman without revealing that he is actually Superman. I guess he might say that the difference is that Morna was using her powers for her own personal advancement, but this seems a bit thin to me, considering how often he has planted false stories in the Daily Planet, even if those were usually to catch criminals. At least Morna's scoops are true stories.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, I find myself wondering about the amazing scientific advancements in this story --- the anti-gravity "Z Ray", the Weather Control Tower that creates a tropical paradise in the Arctic (Who cares about global warming or rising sea levels?), and Morna's father's adaptation of the Superman Robot's circuits and energy cells to give Morna super-vision and super-hearing powers. As is often the case in these Silver Age stories, these tremendous breakthroughs are shown once and then forgotten. It would have been interesting to see some or all of them mentioned again, even as an aside like, "Oh that Z-Ray technology is too expensive to develop, so it will probably take a thousand years until it becomes available (in, say, the Legion of Super-Heroes' flight belts or flight rings), or "The Weather Control Tower proved too unreliable for regular use." No doubt, Superman would have embargoed the use of super-robot technology as proprietary, if only to keep it out of the hands of criminals.
"The Superman of 2965" was really just an introduction to this Future Superman, setting up his world and its advanced technology, his different weakness, his (and his friends') resemblance to their 20th Century counterparts, his arch-enemy Muto, etc., but it doesn't really tell a story, to be honest. I often wonder about the idea behind stories of Superman's line of descendants, which always seems to suggest that there is one Superman in each generation. Surely, in a thousand years, there would be at least hundreds, if not thousands of people who could trace their ancestry back to the original Man of Steel. Perhaps there is some contest in each generation, to find the strongest or most worthy heir to wear the costume, or maybe a "Council of Els" to decide. It would have been interesting to explore.
You make some excellent points. In a thousand years who knows how many descendants Superman has. With Superboy as a member of the Legion I guess that would disqualify his descendants from applying for Legion membership because of duplication of powers. I’m curious if any of them would be born with weaker or no powers.
DeleteIf I remember correctly, a 30th Century descendant of Superman, named Laurel Kent, trained at the Legion Academy, but was turned down for admission to the Legion. Her only super-power was invulnerability, which was considered a duplication of other members' powers, so that addresses your two points. She only had one of his powers, and she didn't get into the Legion.
DeleteThanks for reminding me. I forgot about Laurel Kent. I think the 5 Year Later Legion series made Laurel Mon-El’s sister to replace Supergirl in the Legion, if I’m not mistaken.
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