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Superman in the 70s - DC Comics Message Boards
Author Topic:   Superman in the 70s
Aldous
Member
posted February 17, 2002 12:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Superman once killed a man, and the victim was happy to die.

"The Ghost That Haunted Clark Kent."
Action #406 (1971)

Leo Dorfman + Swanderson

Clark nearly flips out in an ancient London tower upon seeing a "ghost of Superman", an apparition which is carrying its own head in the crook of its arm. He stumbles away from the tower's guards (beefeaters) and activates his x-ray vision. He watches the ghostly double of Superman (echoes of the "Sandman"??) pass through stones walls into a sealed room within the tower and re-attach its own head. The ghost changes into a physical man of flesh and Clark finally decides to switch to Superman to investigate.

He bores through the ancient stones of the tower to confront the "ghost" and finds he has been "baited"... the man before him deliberately appeared to Clark as an apparition to draw the attention of Superman.

I have to go and have dinner... but I'll finish this later tonight.

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KEV-EL
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posted February 17, 2002 01:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KEV-EL   Click Here to Email KEV-EL
The cover of Action #406 alone is worth the price of admission...

But the lead story, "Master of Mircles" with the "buffed" Jesus is classic early seventies stuff...

In other words, Its great...

Thanks Aldous!

------------------
With his will, or against his will, a man will reveal himself with every word ---
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have (more than likely) been dispatched by Justin Peeler ®

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Aldous
Member
posted February 17, 2002 01:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
"Ghost" continued...

Dr Troy Magnus stands before Superman with his shriveled face and body. He tells Superman his story. He was the royal physician in 1665 when the Plague hit London. Magnus was a skilled alchemist and created an elixir using rare ingredients which he hoped would give him immunity to the Plague. For days after drinking it, he worked among the sick and dying yet remained perfectly healthy. He decided to find more of the rare ingredients to make more potion to help the rest of humanity.

But one day he developed a fever. His assistants deserted him in fright, and his body became translucent, ghost-like... just as suddenly he changed back to flesh and blood. Yet now he discovered that any patient coming in contact with him died - whether or not they had the dreaded Plague.

Realising he was spreading the Plague everywhere he went, he convinced the royal guard to kill him. The men of the royal guard found him to be invulnerable to their weapons, and so Magnus had them seal him inside the very walls of the tower.

Unable to die, over the centuries Magnus conducted experiments in alchemy. Although amusing himself, he wished only for death as his release. In his phantom-like state, he could roam beyond the walls of his prison, watching the world as it changed and evolved.

This day, however, he saw Clark Kent, and, sensing Clark's unearthly power, he lured Clark (as Superman) to the sealed room.

Superman wants to know why he has been lured to the doctor's room, and the doctor wishes for Superman to kill him, to end his misery.

Superman: "You don't know what you're asking! I gave a sacred oath to use my powers only to serve mankind!" Dr Magnus understands the significance of the oath, and asks only that Superman re-seal the room as before so no contamination from his alchemy lab can seep out. Superman agrees and activates his heat vision to seal the cracks in the wall.

The rays of heat vision inadvertently strike one of a series of parabolic mirrors in the laboratory and they are reflected onto the doctor, fatally injuring him. As the doctor lies dying, Superman says, "I'm a killer! A murderer!"

Magnus says, "Don't blame yourself, Superman! It was an accident!" The doctor dies, welcoming death at last. The story closes with Superman sealing up the room again, with Magnus laid to rest within the tomb.

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Aldous
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posted February 17, 2002 01:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
quote:
Thanks, Aldous!

- KEV-EL


You're very welcome, Kev...

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India Ink
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posted February 17, 2002 04:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for India Ink
Arrrgh! You guys are torturing me, you know. 'Cause everytime I read about one of these stories, I feel compelled to dig through my collection and look at the story myself. And right now that's a bit difficult as I shift boxes.

Maybe in the next few days, I'll have a chance. Meanwhile...

A couple weeks ago, when I was sifting through my Supeman Family books, remembering Kurt, I came across one Jimmy reprint by an artist who had been familiar but unknown.

Back in the late sixties I picked up a couple of issues of J.O., illustrated by this artist (and this reprint in Superman Family was from the same period in that run). The thing about the artist was I never could quite pin down who he was. And yet he looked like so many artists I was already familiar with--a bit like Swan with Klein, a bit like Gil Kane as inked by a slick delineator like Anderson, somewhat a la Kurt Schaffenberger.

This was during Jimmy's run when he had teamed up with Robin. They had a secret headquarters called the aerie or eyrie or something (again, not being able to get at my comics with ease, I can't be more accurate).

Anyway I was surprised to see this artist identified in the reprint as Pete Costanza! The same Pete Costanza that Kurt had worked with briefly in the 40s. The same Pete Costanza who worked with C.C. Beck on Captain Marvel, who had a studio with Beck.

From the Shazam! reprints in the 70s that I recall, Costanza had a style very similar if not identical to Beck. Unlike Schaffenberger's work at Fawcett which was rather distinctive.

It's interesting to see that he stepped out from the Beck shadow and had his own style. And yet not his own style, as I've said since his style reminds me of so many others. I'd even say it prefigures the style of George Perez on New Teen Titans, in a kind of slick generic look.

Maybe Costanza was the George Harrison of comic artists. For me, listening to the Beatles I can always pick out Paul's voice, and I can pick out John's. But I can't always pick out George's. Which is why George could harmonize so well with those two, because his voice blended with theirs and melded them together so it sounded like one person singing in three vocal parts. Listen to "This Boy," or even the much later "Because."

Which is not to put either these gentlemen down, at all. I kind of admire that quality. If I were a comic artist, Pete Costanza's style on those Jimmy stories would be something I'd want to aspire to.

Anyway, seeing Costanza's art reprinted in Superman Family made me want to see more, and to know more about him.

Anyone with info please let me know. Did Costanza do any more work after the sixties? Is he still alive? What other work did he do?

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Osgood Peabody
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posted February 17, 2002 08:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Osgood Peabody   Click Here to Email Osgood Peabody
Here's a nice bio I found on Pete.
http://shazam.imginc.com/fca/articles/costanza.asp

He passed away in 1984.

One other circumstance I remember, related I think by Mark Evanier, is that it was Pete's semi-retirement in 1970 that resulted directly in Jack Kirby picking up the Jimmy Olsen title.

Apparently, one of the conditions of Kirby's employment was, in addition to launching his 4th World titles, he take on an existing book. To his credit, he insisted on taking over a book that had no regular artist, and Pete's departure solved this dilemma.

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India Ink
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posted February 17, 2002 08:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for India Ink
Wow! I think I've discovered a new hero!

Thanks for the link Osgood.

I seem to recall on one thread, either Rich Morrissey or Mark Evanier said that Jack contacted Jerry Siegel before accepting the J.O. assignment, to make sure he wasn't taking any work from anyone. Those guys had some class.

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Aldous
Member
posted February 17, 2002 11:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
quote:
I seem to recall on one thread, either Rich Morrissey or Mark Evanier said that Jack contacted Jerry Siegel before accepting the J.O. assignment, to make sure he wasn't taking any work from anyone. Those guys had some class.

....India Ink


They sure did -- especially when you consider a man of Jack's huge talent and reputation... He was obviously a man of integrity and good manners. I admire those qualities.

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Aldous
Member
posted February 18, 2002 03:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
quote:
Arrrgh! You guys are torturing me, you know.

...India Ink


heh heh heh

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Aldous
Member
posted February 20, 2002 04:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
"The Loser--And New Champion!"
Action #452 (1975)
Jim Shooter
Curt Swan + Tex Blaisdell

A great story I really liked as a kid. I just re-read it tonight.

Steve Lombard offers Clark a cigar and seems in high spirits. Clark soon finds out why -- Edge has decided to remove Clark from the TV news lineup due to trouble with sponsors pulling out. Steve is to become the new sole anchorman. Clark is a bit down in the dumps over this and sits brooding in his office feeling bitter. Then a call comes over the police radio...

Before he can respond he is cornered by Lois and is forced into a lunch date. In the street he makes a clever getaway, leaving Lois really peeved. He overhears her disparaging remarks about him and this puts him in an even blacker mood. It's just not his day.

He arrives at the Metropolis oil refineries as Superman, where a man holds the detonator for an apparent explosives set-up. He carelessly slugs the criminal and, to the horror of the cops, the detonator just drops to the ground and is activated. Nothing blows up, and Superman thanks his lucky stars the detonator was a phony--he is appalled at his own carelessness. In his depressed state, his mind is not on the job at hand.

The punk he just decked is suddenly in his face and swinging. A punch knocks Superman into the air and into a junkyard. The punk throws a cast-iron engine at the Man of Steel as if it were a baseball, and Superman stops it with a punch. The razor-sharp fragments of shattered metal fly at the punk, but he uses a pair of hubcaps like Wonder Woman's bracelets and deflects all the shards. An unusually preoccupied, clumsy Superman has his hands full with the crim till finally the Man of Steel delivers the coup de grace. The punk seems overjoyed just before Superman clobbers him: "He's got me! His strength is terrific! I can't break loose! At least I know he won't kill me! Superman never kills!"

As the criminal is led away by a cop, another cop says to Superman, "I can't understand it ... A few minutes ago, that guy was strong enough to give you a tussle... But now he's back the way he was--slimmer!"

Before Superman leaves, the president of the oil company arrives to express his gratitude to Superman and offers a reward, with Superman suggesting the WGBS Newsroom Fund Drive for Children's Hospital. The president agrees: "Done! If WGBS is good enough for Superman..."

After Clark does the 6 o'clock TV news that evening, Edge is impressed with Clark's performance, despite the impending change to the anchor position. Steve offers Edge a cigar to take the attention off Clark and Clark makes it explode with heat vision (Steve is known for his trick cigars). Edge isn't pleased, and right after this he receives a call from the oil company president about the charity donation. The president also informs Edge he tuned into that evening's broadcast, and the oil company will become a new sponsor of the news as long as Clark Kent is the anchor (the president was very impressed with Clark's performance). Clark overhears this exchange with his super-hearing and is elated.

Meanwhile, the punk Superman had decked has turned up again, but now he is even stronger than before...???

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Aldous
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posted February 20, 2002 04:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
This really is a clever little story....

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Aldous
Member
posted February 22, 2002 10:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Meanwhile, in a well-concealed basement laboratory in the heart of the Metropolis slums...

The punk, Rick Lawrence, is confronting a scientist called Sunder.

Sunder: "You were a fool to come back here, Rick Lawrence! This time you won't escape!"

Rick Lawrence: "Escape? I'm here to kill you, Sunder... just as you tried to kill me when you thought your treatments had failed!"

Rick Lawrence had endured six months of painful and expensive experiments under the hand of Sunder. Sunder figured he was giving Rick Lawrence a special power -- whenever Rick Lawrence would fight a stronger opponent, his strength would automatically increase to match his enemy's. The test, however, when Rick Lawrence fought a powerful boxer, was disappointing, as "Bull Storski" flattened Rick Lawrence with ease.

Sunder the scientist decided to dispose of his failure, and Sunder's thugs took Rick Lawrence down to the docks to murder him. However, faced with this threat, Rick suddenly swelled with confidence and strength, and attacked the thugs in the style of Bull Storski the boxer. Unbeknown to Sunder, Rick Lawrence went out on his own to further test his new ability, the ability to gain the power of the last fighter he was defeated by!

"Did you watch today's TV news, Sunder? I fought Superman--and LOST!"

"B-but... it couldn't work like that! Not on super-beings!" Sunder shoots a gun at Rick, with the bullets having no more effect than they would have on the Man of Steel himself.

Closing in for the kill, Rick Lawrence explains to Sunder how he'd tested the new power against Wonder Woman. The Amazon had defeated Sunder easily, but, when Rick fought Superman at the oil refinery, he was now using Wonder Woman's power against the Man of Steel.

"Nothin' can stop me now... from killin' you!"

Suddenly Superman, who has tracked Rick, bursts through the floor between the super-powered criminal and Sunder. They fight, and Rick Lawrence appears to be a match for Superman, but Superman K.O.s him without much of a fuss.

"Lawrence's body copied my power this afternoon, while I was under par... strength down... coordination off... But now I'm in peak form! I feel great!"

Rick's unconscious body returns to normal. Superman deduces he is only super-powered while fighting when the rush of adrenaline in his blood causes his mutated cells to react.

Superman exiles Rick Lawrence to the Bottle-City where he will have no super-powers.

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Village Idiot
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posted February 23, 2002 10:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Village Idiot   Click Here to Email Village Idiot
Village Idiot’s FAQ review of ACTION COMICS #502 (The book is dated December 1979: Just under the wire to qualify for this thread)

Index:
1. Say, what’s the idea?
2. What is so special about ACTION #502?
3. Who is the Galactic Golem?
4. Who is Terra Man?
5. Is Terra Man is ACTION COMIS #502?
6. Didn’t you used to date a girl named Terra?
7. Could your dating history have any influence on your attitude towards Terra Man?
8. Where does the Galactic Golem come from?
9. What does the cover of ACTION COMICS #502 look like?
10. What happens in ACTION COMIC #502?
11. Does the baby turn out to be...The Galactic Golem!?
12. Who is Supergirl?
13. Who is TV’s Ted McGinley?
14. How was the art on ACTION COMICS #502?
15. Overall, did you like ACTION COMICS #502? Explain.
16. What is “kitsch”?

1. Say, what’s the idea?

Although this post was originally part of it's own thread, it wasn't really a big hit. And come to think of it, it probably should have been posted here in the first place.

2. What is so special about ACTION #502?

ACTION COMICS #502 features everybody’s favorite unintentionally kitsch rampaging monster, the Galactic Golem! (Although let’s face it, he’s nowhere near as goofy as Terra Man).

3. Who is the Galactic Golem?

The Galactic Golem is a big, strong bluish-purple guy with stars and other celestial bodies printed all over his entire body. His hobbies seem to be rampaging and beating up Superman. His marital status is unknown. In many ways, he is a precursor to Doomsday, only sillier

4. Who is Terra Man?

Don’t get me started.

5. Is Terra Man in ACTION COMICS #502?

Sadly no. But can you imagine how cool that would have been?

6. Didn’t you used to date a girl named Terra?

Actually I dated one girl named “Terra” and later, another girl named “Tara.” And there was even another girl I had a huge crush on named Tara when I worked as a waiter at Marie Callendars.

7. Could your dating history have any influence on your attitude towards Terra Man?

No, Terra man is ridiculous enough on his own. And besides, I don’t see myself as a victim.

8. Where does the Galactic Golem come from?

The Galactic Golem was created by Lex Luthor (with “hyper-stellar” energy) in a cunning plot to, you guessed it, destroy Superman. In that story, Superman is able to beat Luthor by tricking him into believing that he’s the last man on Earth. Cheesy beyond belief.

9. What does the cover of ACTION COMICS #502 look like?

The image of Superman getting slugged by the Galactic Golem is on a giant view-screen while surprised an dismayed Supergirl looks on.

10. What happens in ACTION COMIC #502?

The story begins with Supergirl and Superman psychically drawn to the crash site of a small alien ship. When they get there, they receive a long, elaborate psychic message from the crash ship’s planet of origin. A baby has been sent in the ship in order so that it may someday save their race (for vague or undisclosed reasons). Superman and Supergirl are charged with teaching it. Meanwhile, the baby alien ends up growing up at super-science-fiction-baby-growing-speed.

11. Does the baby turn out to be...The Galactic Golem!?

No, that would have been too cool. The baby is just an alien that looks like Lando Calrissian’s co-pilot in the Millennium Falcon in Return of the Jedi. Anyway, the alien has the ability to absorb knowledge as soon as he’s exposed to it, so Superman downloads the entire Fortress of Solitude computer into him. But as the alien becomes a young adult, he’s still something of a cold fish personality-wise.

Suddenly, Superman gets called out to a disturbance at a satellite dish. When he arrives he finds nothing...nothing but the Galactic Golem and 12 pack of whoop ass! Yesiree, the Galactic Golem is ready to do some Galactic Fightin’.

Meanhwhile, the Fortress of Solitude must have the best cable in the world, because Supergirl and the alien are able to watch the fight on a giant view screen. In the middle of the fight, Superman is suddenly blind-sided by very special guest star...TV’s Ted McGinley! Just kidding, he’s blind-sided by very special guest star...The Parasite! The Parasite attacks Superman, Superman’s energy is totally sucked up, and all that remains is his uniform. The Parasite then sucks up the Galactic Golem’s energy, then gets on the satellite dish and rides a radio signal to the Fortress of Solitude.

Meanwhile, Supergirl, who has gone through a range of emotions watching the ordeal, is understandably freaked. The Parasite finally arrives, but before the rumble can begin between he and Supergirl, he removes his mask and reveals himself to be...The Galactic Golem?...TV’s Ted McGinley?....no, it turns out it was Superman all along. The whole thing was a put-on so the alien could absorb emotions from Supergirl as she watched on the view-screen. The alien, now capable of emotion, lashes out at Superman for being so sadistic, but then reconsiders. Supes explains that the aliens sent him a special message (that Supergirl didn't get) to explain that they sent the baby so it could learn emotions since they’re planet had stopped feeling things for years (like a bad marriage). They all laugh. End scene.

12. Who is Supergirl?

Supergirl is Superman’s cousin Kara, sent to Earth from the chunk of Krypton blasted into space known as Argo City. Her purpose on Earth is to catch bad guys and drive Earth men crazy while wearing hot pants, low-cut shirt, and scarf around her neck. We’re not talking Phantom Lady here, but she definitely looks va-va-va-voom.

13. Who is TV’s Ted McGinley?

Ted McGinley is a ubiquitous TV actor recently made famous by the website jumptheshark.com as the harbinger of TV doom: whenever he appears on a show, it marks the point where the show goes downhill. Examples include Happy Days, The Love Boat, and Married With Children. McGinley is a very WASPish looking guy, probably most recognizable for his role as the head jock in the movie Revenge of the Nerds. It should be noted that the McGinley curse has apparently been broken: he appeared on The West Wing a few seasons ago, and that show has only gotten better.

14. How was the art on ACTION COMICS #502?

Swan-arific. Swan-tastic. Swan-tacular.

15. Overall, did you like ACTION COMICS #502? Explain.

I liked it. On one hand, I can appreciate it from the post modern “Look at me, I can be amused by kitsch” angle. That’s the attitude that’s mostly reflected in this post. On the other hand, I can also appreciate it on the simple angle of what they were trying to do with the story. That’s a little tougher though.

16. What is “kitsch”?

I believe it’s a yiddish word. It’s used to refer to something so bad (tacky), it’s good. Like a picture of Dogs Playing Poker, or a velvet painting of Elvis.

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Aldous
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posted February 27, 2002 12:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Who was Leo Dorfman, and how did he come to write some of the quirkiest and coolest Superman tales?

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India Ink
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posted February 27, 2002 07:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for India Ink
From this thread's fourth page...
quote:
Originally posted by India Ink:
Oh yeah, the date on that Sandman was September, 1995.

Around about Oct. 17, 1974, I got Amazing World of DC Comics no. 2 (Sept. '74) in the mail.

Among its many beautiful features was a never before published Fat & Slat one page comic, a never before published HG Peter Wonder Woman story from the 40s, a never before published cover illustration (in the centrefold of this book) for House of Secrets by Berni Wrightson, an article on the Superboy TV show that never was (from the early 60s), an article by Paul Levitz on how comics are made (this piece, in a series, was on writing), an article on the comics-mobile, a piece about Kurt Schaffenberger,

an in memoriam for Leo Dorfman--died July 9, 1974--writer of detective novels, various works of fiction and non-fiction, and many many comics, including movie adaptations for Fawcett, Supergirl in Action, as well as Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Superboy, and of course Superman. Writer, too, of Believe it or Not for Gold Key, and later Ghosts (based on true ghost stories) for DC. "But what his friends will remember best will be his infectious smile and the sparkle in his eyes; the little acts of kindness he was apt to do at any time; and the good feeling he seemed to carry with him. His passing has left a void in all our lives."

a word puzzle by Bob Rozakis, and a splendid cover by Kurt Schaffenberger showing Cary Bates and Elliot S! Maggin at their typewriters, surrounded by The Flash, Green Lantern, Kurt Schaffenberger, Mon-El, Superman, Lois Lane, Tawky Tawny, Capt. Marvel Jr., Invisible Kid, Capt. Marvel, and Green Arrow

oh, and an interview with Bates and Maggin, conducted by our favourite guy, Guy H. Lillian III.


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Aldous
Member
posted February 28, 2002 03:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
quote:
Posted by India Ink:

Leo Dorfman--died July 9, 1974


Thank you, India Ink. You know, it sounds like he was a really good bloke. This may not be the first time I've brought this up, but I wonder if many of those old timers knew how much we appreciated and loved their stories and artworks, how much they touched our (young) lives. I hope they knew.

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India Ink
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posted March 01, 2002 05:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for India Ink
For good or ill, I sincerely doubt that many of the old guys really understood the high place they held in our estimations.

For most they just did their job and it was a sincere surprise to them that any of this stuff could be so important in the lives in their readers.

At least that's the sense I get from reading insider reports in fanzines and on this message board.

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Aldous
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posted March 06, 2002 03:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Seven words:

The Skyscraper That Screamed For Its Life!

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Aldous
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posted March 07, 2002 03:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Skyscraper...

Overlooking a ledge high up on a skyscraper known as the Demeos Building, fabulously wealthy Peter Demeos watches Clark Kent (who is at street level) through a telescope. Clark is on his way to interview Demeos.

Story: Elliot S! Maggin
Art: Curt Swan + Murphy Anderson

A chair suddenly scoots across the floor all by itself towards where Demeos is watching Clark. Demeos sees the chair too late and yells, "No! Stop it!" before the animated chair scoops him up and shoves him over the ledge. Demeos cries for help as he begins a long, long plunge to the street below.

Clark glances up to see the man falling, and he disappears into a revolving door, emerging as a super-speeding Superman. The Man of Steel rockets up the side of the building towards Demeos.

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Aldous
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posted March 13, 2002 01:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Yes, India (and anyone else who checks in on the 70s thread), I'll have to get my A into G and continue this review of Skyscraper.

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Ducklord
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posted March 14, 2002 02:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ducklord

Just to bump this wonderful thread, I think it's safe to say that no Superman in the 70's recommendation list is complete without mentioning Superman vs. Muhammad Ali.

"He'll hit the floor in four!"
Mike.

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Aldous
Member
posted March 14, 2002 02:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Skyscraper...
from Superman #262 (1973)

He catches Demeos in his arms and sets him back down on the top-floor terrace of the skyscraper. Superman cracks a Len Wein-type joke: "That's a long way down, Demeos! Next time use your private elevator!"

Superman is intrigued as to how Demeos came to "fall" from the terrace. He speeds back through the revolving door of the Demeos building and emerges in the lobby as Clark, complete with TV-type gear. As Clark is showing a doorman his pass to the Demeos private elevator, the building starts to shake violently. "And for no apparent reason, windows rattle, floors shake, and the pipes in the walls emit a terrible squeal!" The violent disturbance subsides and Clark picks up his fallen TV gear. The doorman says, "That's the... screaming! Spooky, all right -- but I can't talk about it!"

Clark enters the huge, plush office of Demeos.

Clark: "Hello, I'm--"

"Kent!" says Demeos. "...I'll get right to the point! I'm granting you this interview because I've got some things to say!"

This man Demeos is forceful, dominant and assertive; but he has a peculiarly vulnerable side, as Clark will soon discover.

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Aldous
Member
posted March 14, 2002 02:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Nice timing for that bump, Mike. You must be psychic...

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Aldous
Member
posted March 15, 2002 02:04 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Skyscraper

Demeos tells Clark his life story, beginning when he was a small boy living on an island off the coast of Greece. Demeos's father was strict with his son, making the young Demeos study when the boy would rather play. "How do you expect to better yourself if you do not study?" the father would say to the son. "Or do you want to be a fisherman all your life?"

Demeos was so smart that, after the death of his father, he won a Unicef grant to study in the United States. He did very well, but... "I could only work in the same scanty surroundings I was accustomed to -- in a cheap boarding house..." He did his work in a clapped-out room, sitting on the floor, using a wooden crate for a desk.

Ten years later, and in the present day, Demeos has become a billionaire with a well-deserved reputation for infallibility. (This is a 'billionaire' in the early 70s, we must remind ourselves.)

Clark has the TV equipment running, the interview is underway, but so far he hasn't heard anything that could be called news...

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Aldous
Member
posted March 15, 2002 10:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Aldous
Skyscraper...

Clark asks, "But what is your important announcement?"

Demeos opens a door. "First... come in here and see how I really live."

An "astonishing transformation" comes over Demeos as he walks into the other room -- from the "supremely confident businessman" to someone "smaller"... more timid and cautious... and "perhaps more thoughtful"... It's a clapped-out, threadbare room, with wallpaper peeling from the walls, loose floorboards, a lumpy mattress on the floor, and a plain wooden table for a desk. "I live here... do my best work... make all my important decisions here! It's... familiar! -- It reminds me of... home... as a boy!"

Demeos tells Clark he doesn't really need a fancy office -- that it's for show -- for people who come to do business with him. He tells Clark he doesn't need people around. "So starting today, the Demeos Building will begin to be converted into a self-running machine!"

Almost as if on cue, the building starts to shake incredibly violently. Demeos has his face in his hands as the shaking starts to demolish the office, and Clark changes to Superman and speeds out the window to where workmen, suspended high up on the outside of the building to begin the skyscraper's conversion to total automation, are being shaken from their perches and tossed towards the ground far below. Superman saves the lives of the terrified workmen, and once they're all set safely down at ground level, Superman gives his attention to the mysterious shaking. "No earth tremors... no weather disturbances... Why would just one building -- ?"

Suddenly a terrifying scream is heard, as if coming from the entire building itself. A super-vision scan turns up zilch, and the Man of Steel flies toward where he left Demeos. "I want an explanation..."

Everything in the office not nailed down -- water coolers, filing cabinets, chairs, typewriters and rubbish bins -- become highly animated, smashing through the windows to attack the approaching Superman, engulfing him in a veritable swarm of junk.

Now angry, Superman confronts an oddly calm Demeos. Demeos tells Superman of the strange goings-on in the building, incidents that worsened after he began planning to empty the offices of people so the skyscraper could be converted into a giant machine. Superman is still not convinced of anything, but tells Demeos to have the building evacuated immediately. Demeos protests, but Superman, a little hot under the super-collar, tells him in no uncertain terms to begin the evacuation.

Even as the building is emptied, the incredible scream is heard again, and people run in terror from the skyscraper. Superman watches from a high vantage point as Demeos stands in front of the building's entrance and lets out his own scream of pain. Superman flies down to Demeos but the billionaire insists he is all right. He tells Superman, "Now just let me and my building alone --"

Demeos walks off, right into the path of a speeding truck. Superman snatches him from the jaws of death and flies him high above, as the truck goes on its way.

Now Demeos undergoes a "transformation" that makes his earlier "astonishing transformation" pale into insignificance.

Demeos roars, "Kryptonian! You're more trouble than you're worth!" He breaks himself free of Superman's grasp and literally throws Superman away, further into the sky. "KEEP AWAY FROM ME!"

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