Giant World's Finest Origins With Superman And Batman

To be fair, Neal Adams only drew the Superman and Batman figures of this cover, and the entire issue is not devoted to the origins of the World's Finest team of Superman and Batman, but the 80 Page Giant of #G-52, otherwise known as World's Finest Comics #179 (October-November, 1968) was a key issue for fans of Superman and Batman, and their adventures in World's Finest Comics, giving readers who had missed these classic tales the first time around a chance to read them (in the days before the internet and collected comics editions!).


Let's look back at these tales!

World's Finest Comics 94

What better place to start than with "The Origin Of The Superman-Batman Team" from World's Finest Comics #94 (May-June, 1958) by Edmond Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye, all under the original cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.

This case has Superman hunting down Lex Luthor, but keeping Batman and Robin at a distance, instead working with a new hero, Powerman.  Batman and Robin recall the first time they worked with Superman, where they handled criminals for Superman because of the criminals having Kryptonite, and Superman's protestations of their actions, because of his worry the Dynamic Duo would get hurt.   This parallels this current case as well....when Batman and Robin help capture Luthor and Powerman's secret is revealed!

This tale was also reprinted in the Secret Origins collection of 1961 (and in its various recollections as well, and in the World's Finest Comics Archives, Tradepaperback and Omnibus, and even in Batman: A Celebration of 75 Years).

Superman 76

Next up, is the first meeting of Superman and Batman from Superman #76 (May-June, 1952)  by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and John Fischetti (under a cover by Win Mortimer), with "The Mightiest Team In The World".

To be fair, this wasn't really their first meeting, but, Superman and Batman did learn each other's alter egos (of Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne) as they worked to solve a crime on board a cruise ship, with Batman saving Lois this time, while Superman stopped a fire (though, at the end, Robin got the best prize of all!).

To be fair, this wasn't the first meeting of Superman and Batman (it gets complicated, as revealed here), but it is a key story, worthy of a Millennium Edition reprint (as well as a few more, including being in the Superman: A Celebration of 75 Years).

World's Finest Comics 71

"Batman -- Double For Superman" from World's Finest Comics #71 (July-August, 1954) by Alvin Schwartz, Curt Swan and Stan Kaye (under a Win Mortimer cover) was an important issue as well, starting the Superman-Batman team-ups in stories for World's Finest Comics!

This time around, after Superman rescues Batman and Robin from a Bat-Plane crash caused by criminals, he's a little careless, and Lois sees Superman change into Clark Kent!  Superman and Batman disguise themselves as each other as part of a plot to confuse Lois, but Clark as Batman gets felled by Kryptonite, with Bruce as Superman going to his rescue (after trying to convince Lois that Bruce Wayne is Superman).  Lois also shows up, and sees Clark as Batman, and all the confusion gets Lois to back off from identity snooping for bit.

This issue, along with leading up any collection of Superman-Batman team-ups has its own Millennium Edition reprint as well, including the Green Arrow and Tomahawk stories as well. 

World's Finest Comics 76

"When Gotham City Challenged Metropolis" is up next, from World's Finest Comics #76 (May-June, 1955) by Edmond Hamilton, Curt Swan and Stan Kaye (under yet another Win Mortimer cover).

Metropolis and Gotham are competing to host a science convention, so Superman and Batman switch cities to see who can perform the most good deeds in a night, with the winner getting the convention in their city.  Superman does 4 in Gotham, with Batman getting 5 in Metropolis, so the convention goes to Gotham.  Good thing, as Batman needed it because an invention at the convention radiates Kryptonite, weakening Superman (though, thankfully the machine self-destructs).  Superman then reveals he did a fifth feat in Gotham, so the cities will share the convention.

World's Finest Comics 100

Next up is a big issue for Robin, World's Finest Comics #100 (March, 1959) by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye (under a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye), when the Boy Wonder deals with "The Dictator Of Krypton City".

Luthor invents a device allowing him to shrink to tiny size, and gets Superman to bring him to the Fortress of Solitude, wherein Luthor gets into the bottle city of Kandor.  Superman pursues, but gets captured by Luthor and his gang of Kandorians, as Superman has no powers.  Batman and Robin arrive at the Fortress, and go into the bottle city, freeing Superman, but Luthor flees Kandor.  The heroes follow, with Superman's powers returning but neither Batman nor Superman can enlarge as their belts were broken....so they have to capture Luthor (eventually fixing their size problem).

This is just one of many times the World's Finest team faces Luthor!

World's Finest Comics 89

Last, but not least, is World's Finest Comics #89 (July-August, 1957) by Edmond Hamilton, Dick Sprang and Stan Kaye, under a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, with Superman and Batman being asked to join "The Club Of Heroes" (which predates the Justice League of America).

An international gathering of heroes is forming a club under the watchful eye of rich philanthropist, John Mayhew, and is to include Superman, Batman, and the Legionary (from Italy), the Musketeer (from France), the Gaucho (from South America) and the Knight and the Squire (from England; all of whom had previously appeared in Detective Comics #215).   Superman's membership to this group is held up as he keeps failing in his missions, which get accomplished by an unknown hero, Lightning Man.  Batman investigates, thinking Lightning Man is behind Superman's problems, but instead finds Superman is the problem (thanks to a rogue orbiting Kryptonite meteor, which causes Superman to assume the identity of Lightning Man).  Mystery solved, and the end of Lightning Man (and Superman's problems.

Of course, there are more problems for Superman, Batman and Robin to face, and they are collected in various 80 Page Giants. both in and out of issues of World's Finest Comics!

Flash Facts: Giant Rivals?

To be fair, this issue of the Flash is a bit of a lie. 

While the cover is beautifully illustrated by Carmine Infantino and Murphy Anderson, this, the first of Flash's 80 Page Giants within his own title (numbered Giant #G-21, or just Flash #160 of April, 1966, taking place after a Flash Annual and a couple of 80 Page Giants already devoted to the Flash), it really isn't a collection of his greatest super-speed rivals (at least not entirely)....

...but, take a look through the individual stories reprinted here and see of you agree.

Flash #107

Starting with "The Amazing Race Against Time" from Flash #107 (June-July, 1959) by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella (with Broome and Giella providing the cover), things seem to relate to racing.

Flash encounters a man faster than he is as Barry tries to stop a runaway truck.  Problem is, the man doesn't recall who he is...so, the Flash tries to help him with his amnesia, as Iris West plans a charity race between the two (with the memory challenged fellow running backwards as he sees he is clearly faster than the Flash).  Flash brings the man to a doctor, who after exposing him to electricity, does return his memory, but at the cost of his speed.  The man is really an artificial lifeform called a Hominoid from another world, with the name of Kyri.  Kyri was trying to return to his home dimension, but cannot without his speed.  Flash helps him out, repairing his ship and providing the needed speed.

All-Flash #32

Next up is a jump back to the Golden Age, with a "Duet Of Danger" from All-Flash #32 (December-January, 1947/1948) featuring Jay Garrick, the original Flash, fighting his foe, the Fiddler, for the first time in a story by Robert Kanigher, Lee Elias and Moe Worthman (with Elias and Worthman providing the original cover!).

Isaac Bowen was a thief who got sent to prison in India, and partnered up with an Indian fakir, transferring the musical magic he learned to a fiddle instead of flute (using the fiddle to kill the fakir).  Returning home, Bowen planned to use his new skills to become a crime boss, but instead ended up facing the Flash in Keystone City.  It appeared at the end of this story that the Fiddler perished, but he would return (to face Flash individually as well as a member of the Injustice Society of the World). 

But Fiddler really isn't a super-SPEED rival....

Flash #113

And now, for something completely different, the reprint of the main story of Flash #113 (June-July, 1960) by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella, with the Flash facing "Danger In The Air" in the form of....the Trickster!

James Jesse premiered in this issue of the Flash, being a criminal who used gimmicks, including shoes that allowed him to walk on air, to commit robberies (all to make up for the fact that he was a failed circus acrobat...or at least had no affinity for that job; his fear of heights led him to invent the shoes that allowed him to walk on air, and his name, being the reverse of famous outlaw, Jesse James, led him to a life of crime).  Trickster still had a bit to the showman in him, facing off against Flash, at least until his theatrics helped Flash figure out his identity, leading this act...to jail!

Don't worry, the Trickster does return, again and again, same Flash-time, same Flash-channel (but, also not really a speed threat....).

Flash #114

Time for a back up, the Kid Flash back up story from Flash #114 (August, 1960), wherein young Wally West faces off against the "King Of The Beatniks" in a story by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella.

Wally's friend, Jimmy King, gets caught with an answer sheet to a test, and, leaves school.  The teacher, Miss Grant, realizes her mistake and recruits Wally to find him.  Jimmy went to New York to live with his cousin, Paul, the leader of a Beatnik Gang.  Kid Flash busts the Beatniks during a robbery, then, Jimmy returns to Blue Valley and school, to clear his name.

Other than Kid Flash, little speed here.

Flash #124

This time it's two heroes for the price of one, as Flash and Elongated Man have to avoid Captain Boomerang's "Space-Boomerang Trap" as originally presented in Flash #124 (November, 1961) by John Broome, Carmine Infantino and Joe Giella.

Captain Boomerang gets out of jail, and has a new scheme with a special boomerang that travels through time, allowing him to establish an alibi for his crimes.  Flash has problems solving this mystery, so calls in detective Elongated Man, and they sniff out the solution (but along the way, all three have to help stop an alien invasion, then have to contend with Captain Boomerang using a weapon gotten from those aliens against the Flash....with Elongated Man barely able to stretch to catch his friend in time!).

A great tale, but the rivals weren't all that speedy!

Adventure Comics #123

Time for an adventure....one from Johnny Quick, from Adventure Comics #123 (December, 1947), as Johnny deals with "The Adventure Of The Antelope Boy" by Don Cameron, Mort Meskin and George Roussos.

Johnny Chambers and Tubby Watts are headed to Africa to find the legendary Antelope Boy who can run so fast, but mobster Mobs Racket tries to get to the lad first.  Shame he didn't count on having to outrun Johnny Quick and his magic formula.  Johnny helps save the lad from the mobster, and is offered track scholarships to many schools in the United States!

A pretty speedy run-through of those stories, along with a Flash pin-up from Flash Annual #1 of 1963, it does lack one individual, the Reverse-Flash, who would most definitely need to be included in any collection of Flash super-speed rivals (but to be fair, at this point, Reverse-Flash only had 3 appearances!).

Giant Justice League of America The Fourth

This time, looking back the Justice League's 80 Page Giants takes us to a very special initiation themed issue for its fourth Giant (80 Page Giant #G-53)....with "the super struggles of Green Arrow, Atom and Hawkman to win membership in the JLA!".

With a cover by Neal Adams, Justice League of America #67 (November-December, 1968) was indeed a very special issue, as it showcased the cases that added members to the team.

Justice League of America 4

The first addition to the JLA was Green Arrow, which happened in Justice League of America #4 (April-May, 1961), with the case of the "Doom Of The Star Diamond" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, with a cover by Murphy Anderson.

Carthan, the hero of the planet Dryanna, finds himself exiled from his home planet by its leader, Xandor.  Ending up on Earth, Carthan finds the aura that gives him his invulnerability also prevents him from recruiting the JLA for help.  So, instead, he kidnaps Green Arrow and unleashes menaces across Earth, tied to golden boxes that keep Carthan on Earth, hoping the JLA will destroy them, freeing him from Earth.  While the other heroes stop the menaces, Superman and Batman try to free Green Arrow, but as the rest of the team arrives, all end up trapped in a giant diamond, and only Green Arrow's archery skills can free the team, which he does, allowing Carthan to return home to face his enemy, and Green Arrow to join the team.  Green Arrow was more active in his next adventure (reprinted in the first JLA Giant), and with Snapper Carr, later learned the origin of the JLA (reprinted in an 80 Page Giant devoted to Secret Origins).

Justice League of America 14

The JLA faced "The Menace Of The 'Atom' Bomb" in Justice League of America #14 (September, 1962) when they inducted the Atom, in a story by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, with a cover by Murphy Anderson.


The Atom wasn't the villain of the issue, in fact, though they voted him into the League unanimously, none of the Leaguers could remember who the Atom was.  Green Lantern uses his power ring to search for information on the Tiny Titan, while Martian Manhunter heads to Ivy Town to find the diminutive hero (where, the citizens of the town, including the Atom, don't remember him either....).  The villain behind this is "Mr. Memory", who used his De-Memorizer on them all, who also recruits Green Lantern foe Hector Hammond, Flash rogue Pied Piper, Aquaman menace Sea-Thief, Wonder Woman villain Angle Man and Green Arrow nemesis Dr. Davis to capture the team.  Mr. Memory captures Martian Manhunter as he was approaching the Atom, who escapes by shrinking into a sub-atomic world, which restores the Atom's memory.  The Atom follows Mr. Memory to his hide out, and is captured and nearly used as a weapon to kill the JLA members held captive, but they escape, capturing Mr. Memory....who is Batman!  Batman had been captured off-panel by the Joker, had his memory messed with and used against the team, by the real villain of the piece, the JLA's foe, Professor Amos Fortune, whose first appearance was reprinted in the third JLA Giant.

Justice League of America 31

Last, but not least, is the induction of the third new member, Hawkman, which happened in Justice League of America #31 (November, 1964) as they faced the "Riddle Of The Runaway Room" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, with a cover by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson.

By this time, the team was getting so large, that even though they all voted Hawkman in (and, sadly, denied Hawkgirl membership by a "no similar powers clause", which held for years), only some of the members worked on Hawkman's first case. To be fair, it shouldn't have taken the entire League to stop small time crook Joe Perry, but nearly did.  Still, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and Hawkman first fought crooks using odd hoops that transported them into the future, and, after stopping them, headed back to their Secret Sanctuary to analyze the case....only to find themselves and part of their HQ thrown into space.  All because of Joe Perry and an alien device that he found, which allowed him to manifest his thoughts, who then came up with the "Super-Duper", a being with Batman's torso, Wonder Woman's head and lasso, Flash's legs, Green Lantern's arms and power ring, and Hawkman's wings to battle the team.  Hawkman figured out a way to defeat the composite menace and its master, ending his induction to the League.

The League would add more members (soon, such as Black Canary and Elongated Man) as charter members like Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter went on leave, as well as have more Giant issues though the issues wouldn't be quite as giant either!

Giant Justice League Of America The Third

Continuing our look back at the early reprints of the Justice League of America, with this 80 Page Giant (G-41) which was the third featuring the team, which was also labeled as the regular issue of Justice League of America #58 (November-December, 1967).

This time, the group gathers under a cover by Carmine Infantino and Sid Greene, and two of the three stories feature not only the charter members of the Justice League (Martian Manhunter, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman), but also their recent addition, Green Arrow!

Let's see what adventures they got up to, which seem to have a gaming theme!

Justice League of America 1

First up is Justice League of America #1 (October-November, 1960) with the charter members of the Justice League going up against Despero for the first time, in "The World Of No Return" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, under this classic chess playing cover by Murphy Anderson.

This issue, along with being the first dedicated to the Justice League of America, was the first appearance of one of their most tenacious foes, Despero, a three-eyed mutant from the planet Kalanor.  Jasonar, a scientist from Kalanor, escapes to Earth, hoping to recruit the JLA to stop Despero, meets the Flash, but Despero puts the rest of the team in a hypnotic trance....forcing Flash to play chess with the lives of his teammates!

Even worse, the Flash loses, and the seven members of the JLA are exiled to other worlds....thankfully, the JLA had an honorary member, Snapper Carr, who is able to save the day!

Justice League of America 6

Taking a spin with "The Wheel Of Misfortune" from Justice League of America #6 (August-September, 1961) by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, with a cover by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson (inspired by All-Star Comics #42 with the Justice Society), in a story featuring only these six JLAers, with Superman and Batman sitting it out (and the reprint misses pages 2 through 6 of the original story).

One of many issues of the Justice League of America that centers around luck, as in the team having it and it being bad.  The JLA cross some superstitions and can't seem to be effective after that....but that was due to Professor Amos Fortune, a villain here in his first appearance, using the luck stolen from the JLA to successfully commit crimes.

But, Fortune didn't count on the Martian Manhunter, and his alien physique....which made him immune to Fortune's machine (and his earlier bad luck, had just been a coincidence....).

Justice League of America 8

Now, if you gamble and lose, you might have to sell your stuff, and this reprint finds "For Sale - The Justice League", from Justice League of America #8 (December-January, 1961/1962) by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, with a Mike Sekowsky/Murphy Anderson cover, with Superman and Batman sitting out this story in Dimension X.

This time, small-time crook, Pete Ricketts, gets his hands on a Cyberniray, which allows him to control minds.  Pete uses the device to hypnotize the JLAers, and sends them on crime sprees in pairs....at least until Snapper Carr gets wind of the problem, and, using anti-gravity devices that Dr. Destiny used (as you might remember from the first JLA Giant), helps free the team and bring Pete Ricketts to justice.

The 80 Page Giants have a rich history, with and beyond the Justice League of America, and more of it will be covered, so check back to see what's next.....

Giant Justice League Of America The Second

A look back at the second Justice League of America Giant, 80 Page Giant #G-29, otherwise known as Justice League of America #48 (November-December, 1966) with a cover by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson, highlighting Batman and three exciting reprints from the earliest days of the Justice League of America, with charter members Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Aquaman....as well as limited appearances by Superman and Batman.

Even though Batman was not such a big thing in the tales contained in this issue, he was on the cover, due to the giant success of the 1966 Batman TV series!

Brave and The Bold 29

Starting off with the last of the reprints of tales from before the Justice League had its own title with Brave and The Bold #29 (April-May, 1960) by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, Bernard Sachs and Joe Giella, with the "Challenge Of The Weapons Master", though this story did have about a page missing, losing parts of page 8 and 9.

Xotar came back from 11960 A.D., using his robot, Ilaric, planning to defeat the JLA using one of four different super-weapons, as part of a historical record he found said one of these weapons would defeat the super team.  Stopping the individual members at the Secret Sanctuary, Xotar has them face weapons individually, with the Flash facing the Microscopitor, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter defeating the De-Evolutionizer Ray, and Wonder Woman and Green Lantern beating the Magneto-Bubble machine.  All five face off against the last weapon, the Illusion-Maker, which does look like it will defeat the five members, at least until Superman shows up, being summoned by Batman and Snapper Carr.  Xotar returns to his own time, not knowing why he was defeated, but gets the full story of the full page of the historical record...

Justice League of America 2

Next up is the tale originally from the Justice League Of America #2 (December-January, 1960/1961) by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, under this magical cover by Murphy Anderson, with the Justice League facing the "Secret Of The Sinister Sorcerers".

All science fails around the world, while, in Magic-Land - a parallel dimension ruled by magic - magic fails as well.  Merlin the Magician realizes that this has been caused by 3 evil sorcerers, Saturna, the Troll King and Simon Magus.  The JLA members resort to mystic measures to contact Merlin, who gets his magic back when he comes to Earth, and he sends the team to Magic-Land to face the magicians.  Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter face Saturna, Flash and Wonder Woman go against the Troll King and Superman, Batman and Aquaman fight Simon Magus.  Defeating the three they return to Earth, with Merlin restoring the properties of each world to its own dimension.

Simon Magus would later return to face Superman, Batman and Robin in an issue of World's Finest Comics during its Dollar Comics era.

Justice League of America 3

Last, but not least, the reprint Justice League Of America #3 (February-March, 1961) with this Murphy Anderson cover, and story by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs (though missing 4 pages), this, "The Slave Ship Of Space".

Kanjar Ro of Dhor enlists the JLA to help him by paralyzing the inhabitants of Earth with his Gamma Gong, taking the five main JLAers to face his foes in space, using his Slave Ship.  Martin Manhunter fights Kromm of Mosteel, Aquaman and Wonder Woman face Hyathis of Alstair, and Flash and Green Lantern capture Sayyar of Llar.   The team defeat Kanjar Ro, even though he tried additional trickery, and would face Kanjar Ro again, usually with the help of Earthman Adam Strange on the planet Rann, even though the 4 alien despots were imprisoned on a planetoid created by Superman.

This issue, even with its missing pages, still continues the Giant Justice League of America tradition begun in Justice League of America #39 (November, 1965), and continued in Justice League of America #58 (November-December, 1967), though this was the last to have stories only featuring the charter members of the Justice League of America.

Giant Superboy Menace

Back to the happier days of Smallville, at a time when Superboy (Superman as a boy) patrolled the city, keeping it safe from those who might wish it harm.

Here, in 80 Page Giant #10 (May, 1965), is a collection of some of Superboy's greatest foes....the worst of the worst menaces the young Boy of Steel had to face as he grew into Superman-hood, all under a cover by Curt Swan and George Klein.

Adventure Comics #205

The adventure starts off with "The Journey Of The Second Superboy" from Adventure Comics #205 (October, 1954) by Bill Finger, Curt Swan and Sy Barry, with Curt and Sy also providing the cover.

This story has Superboy meeting up with Kral, a young lad from Titan, Saturn's moon, who lands at the Kent homestead.  The lad, like Superboy, is an orphan, but Kral is also an advance scout for an invasion fleet from Titan.  Kral works with Superboy, learning of Earth's defenses and Superboy's weaknesses, and takes the Boy of Steel to Titan, planning to expose him to Kryptonite.  While on Titan, Superboy shows the moon's leaders his powers, claiming all Earthmen have them.  Kral, who was touched by his time on Earth, doesn't expose Superboy's lie to prevent a war neither want, and the two super-powered lads part as friends.

Adventure Comics #250

Next up is another invasion of Smallville, but on a smaller scale.  It is "The Imposter From The Year 2958" from Adventure Comics #250 (July, 1958) by Bill Finger and John Sikela, with a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.

This time around, the invader is from the future, a criminal called Lorac-7, who has come to the past to steal cobalt.  Superboy is ready, protecting the cobalt of Smallville, but can't help but suspect those around him, including his principal, Professor Lang, and even the mayor....until he realizes Lorac-7 is disguised as Lana Lang, whom he catches, and sends back to the future, but without her getting any cobalt for her evil plans.

Oddly, this villain had no connection to the Legion of Super-Heroes, but, to be fair, they had only appeared once before this, three issues prior.

Superboy #83

"The Dreams Of Doom" is the next reprint, from Superboy #83 (September, 1960) by Jerry Siegel and George Papp, under a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, introducing Superboy to his greatest menace of the time!

Superboy and Krypto are both having dreams of a menace, that of the Kryptonite Kid and his dog, but this nightmare proves to be real, as the Kryptonite Kid and his dog show up to chase the Boy and Dog of Steel out of Smallville.  Clark and his pet won't go, but a villain with the power to turn things into Kryptonite almost proves too much of Kal-El, at least until Mxyzptlk shows up, banishing the villain and his mutt, as Mxyzptlk wants the honor of finishing off Superboy one day (which he can't do if this new villain does).

Along with Kryptonite Kid's dog, Krypto faced other canine menaces, which they detail in a one page feature here, including Luthor's dog, Destructo.

Adventure Comics #271

From Adventure Comics #271 (April, 1960) with a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, and story by Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino, is a story of an event that would change all of Smallville..."How Luthor Met Superboy".

It's an origin as old as time.  Boy saves superhero from Kryptonite meteor, superhero creates boy (who is a fan) a super scientific lab, boy makes big breakthrough, but is careless and starts a fire, superhero breaks into lab to stop the blaze, causing the boy's hair to fall out, creating his greatest foe!

Luthor, of course, is the biggest threat to Superboy, and later, to Superman, and even rated his own Giant (though, it was battles with Superman), and this tale was also reprinted larger than life in a Limited Collectors' Edition (as well as other places).

Adventure Comics #264

Next up is the reprint from Adventure Comics #264 (September, 1959) by Otto Binder and George Papp, all under a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, with Superboy encountering an alien menace that would make him into "The Hapless Hero".

Superboy faces off against Space-Boy, the alien Zall-Dix, who has come to Earth, looking to exchange minds, with this new alien taking the place of Superboy.  Superboy obviously objects to this, so Space-Boy causes Superboy's powers to malfunction, making the Boy of Steel a menace to his town.  Superboy finally does agree to the mind-swap, but, Clark's dad, Jonathan Kent, interferes, which impresses Space-Boy, who heads out into space towards home.

Adventure Comics #255

Last but not least, readers get to see "The Splitting Of Superboy" from Adventure Comics #255 (December, 1958) by Otto Binder and George Papp, with a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.

Kozz, an alien from Mars, uses Red Kryptonite to split the Boy of Steel into two...Superboy and Clark Kent!  Superboy has powers (and morals) while Clark Kent has neither.   This causes problems, with Clark leaving the Kent household (with Kryptonite).  Superboy takes on a new identity, as Flying Spirit, a native American.  Clark uses the Kryptonite and even Lana Lang to search for Superboy, and eventually the two battle, using Superboy robots.  Clark wins by cheating, but damages his robot control device, which explodes, killing him, allowing Superboy to go back to being Clark Kent.

This wasn't the first time Clark Kent would face off against his heroic alter ego, and wouldn't be the last, as Superman and Clark Kent had many fights over the years!

This isn't the only collection of Superboy tales, the Boy of Steel had an Annual, a few 100 Page DC Super Spectaculars, and many oversized issues of his own title as well, committed to his adventures, as well as those of other young heroes.

Giant Batman And His Fantastic Foes

Another look back at an 80 Page Giant, this time around, it is G-17, the issue that was the first of Batman's 80 Page Giant's in his own title, Batman #176 (December, 1965).

This time around, the focus was on Batman's villains, and at the time, one could almost hear the biffs and the pows coming off the page, as, while this issue, reprinting tales from the 1950s, was in the early days of the "New Look" Batman of the time, as well as coming out soon before the Batman TV series of the 1960s hit the airwaves!

Take a look at the villains involved in the issue, and you can see how these stories influenced those who made the TV show...

Batman 70

First up is "The Parasols Of Plunder", that originally appeared in Batman #70 (April-May, 1952) by Bill Woolfolk, Bob Kane, Lew Schwartz and Charles Paris, featuring the Penguin, even if the fowl menace wasn't important enough to make the Win Mortimer cover!

Penguin is released from the penitentiary by the parole board, provided he gives up his pursuit of birds.  Penguin does, instead focusing his energy on the manufacture of umbrellas, and trying to get Batman to endorse his business.  Batman, rightfully, thinks the Penguin is up to no good, proven by how he used the manufactured umbrellas in crimes, first on a rainy street in Gotham, then on the sandy beaches....but, the felonious fowl was brought down by the Dynamic Duo, and returned to work on the umbrella line back at Gotham Penitentiary.

Detective Comics 253

Next up is "The Fox, The Shark And The Vulture", otherwise known as the Terrible Trio, from Detective Comics #253 (March, 1958) by Dave Wood, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris, all originally under a cover by Sheldon Moldoff.

The Terrible Trio used a Burrow Machine, an Underseas Eel submarine and a Pilot Fish jumper to rob banks and museums in Gotham for their booty, controlling land, sea and air, all from the relative safety of their lighthouse base, at least until Batman and Robin got their act together, and found a way to foil the masked criminals with thinking, instead of just trying to follow the false trails they would lead the heroes on.

These three would return again, in Detective Comics #321 (November, 1963), but seemed to be villains based on a gimmick, which would serve the producers of the Batman TV show well (even if these three never appeared there).

Batman 121

"The Ice Crimes Of Mr. Zero" came from Batman #121 (February, 1959) by Dave Wood, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris, covered by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye, but, the cold criminal who premiered here would only go by this name once, he would later return as Mr. Freeze.

Mr. Zero used a cold-producing gun to commit crimes in Gotham with his henchmen, wearing a special suit and living in a climate controlled headquarters in the mountains, due to having been exposed to a freezing solution which enables him to survive only in sub-arctic temperatures.  After a few attempts at catching the ice gun welding villain, Batman and Robin did catch him after he took them to his headquarters, exposing him to a steam bath, which, for the moment, had appeared to cure Mr. Zero (but, his return as Mr. Freeze froze any hopes of his recovery....).

Batman Sunday Newspaper

Now, for something completely different, a run from the Batman Sunday Newspaper (April 4, 1946 to June 16, 1946) by Alvin Schwartz, Jack Burnley, Fred Ray and Win Mortimer, featuring the Catwoman as a villain.

Catwoman recruited a new gang, to challenge Batman to a cross-country race, going by planes, trains and automobiles....and even by boat!  This was a game of showmanship, with Batman and Catwoman competing in games of disguise as well, matching wits and occasional confrontations, at least until Batman netted the Catwoman and her crew, ending this particular round of their ongoing game of cat...and bat! 

Batman 102

Regressing a bit, Batman and Robin had to deal with "The Caveman At Large" from Batman #102 (September, 1956) by Bill Finger, Sheldon Moldoff and Charles Paris.

Goth was really an actor, Carlin, who really threw himself into his roles....at least until a konk on the head had him thinking he really was a caveman!  Goth was a menace as much to himself as he was to Gotham, so Batman and Robin had to find him for his own good.  Goth found a secret entrance to the Bat-Cave, and, while able to capture Batman and Robin, was stunned by the trophies Batman had their (specifically the T. Rex), at least long enough for Batman and Robin to capture him, where he received another blow to the head, rendering him unconscious, so that the Dynamic Duo could take him up to Wayne Manor, where he revived, with no memory that he had even been in the Bat-Cave (or any other of his time as a caveman).

Detective Comics 259

Next up is "The Challenge Of The Calendar Man" from Detective Comics #259 (September, 1958) by David Vern, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris, under a cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.

The Calendar Man challenged him to catch him as the villain would commit crimes based on the five seasons...Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter...and, wait...five?  While the Calendar Man was successful using his gimmicks in the four crimes set to the known seasons, it was his conceit in advertising that brought him down, as Batman figured out what the fifth season was, and was able to capture the crook before he was able to act, as the Calendar Man was using a cover identity as the Maharajah the Magician (who was only in town for five days), thus putting prison time into the seasons for Calendar Man.

Calendar Man would return, on his own, and working with other time related villains, such as the Time Foes, including Chronos and Clock King. 

Batman 73

Last, but certainly not least, is the reprint of Batman #73 (October-November, 1952) by David Vern, Dick Sprang and Charles Paris, entitled "The Joker's Utility Belt" (a concept they also used on the 1966 Batman TV Show!).

The Joker, tired of being shown up by Batman with his utility belt, came up with one of his own.  True, his choices of weapons were odd (hand buzzers, snake pellets, sneezing and itching powder capsules, Mexican jumping beans, playing cards, and a cork), the sheer oddity of items allowed Joker to capture Batman and Robin, and, then, using Joker's belt's items, Batman was able to save Robin from rolling into the flames of death on a conveyor belt, capturing the Joker and his gang.

This being the first of many 80 Page Giants within Batman's own book, but it had been preceded by 7 Batman Annuals (starting with the first) and 2 80 Page Giants (#5 and #12) as well, all usually built around some theme!

Giant Justice League Of America The First

Today a double treat for fans, covering the 80 Page Giant #16, which was the first of DC's new version of 80 page giants, as it was also numbered as Justice League of America #39 (November, 1965), this under a cover by Mike Sekowsky, Murphy Anderson and Bernard Sachs.

The G16 referenced above reflected that there had been 15 previous volumes in the 80 Page Giant series, covering heroes from Superman, Batman, Flash, Sgt. Rock and even Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen!

But, let's look at this issue, and the Justice League stories contained within....

Brave and the Bold 28

The first issue reprinted here is Brave and the Bold #28 (February-March, 1960) where readers first met the Justice League of America as they faced "Starro The Conqueror" as presented by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs.

This is the first time readers met the JLA and its charter members, including Green Lantern, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Martian Manhunter, with Superman and Batman (but not as active), as they faced the menace of Starro, a giant attacking telepathic starfish. 

No origin for the team was given (that would come later), but the team had gotten help from a young lad, Snapper Carr of Happy Harbor, to defeat the alien menace as it was slowly taking over the minds of all it encountered....which was enough to get the hipster an honorary membership in the team, and Snapper continued with the team, recording their missions.

Starro ended up as a trophy in the JLA cave headquarters in Happy Harbor, and the issue also had cameos by Wonder Woman's Steve Trevor and Martian Manhunter's Captain Harding, as well as introducing Snapper's dad, John, his mom, and his sister Janet (though readers would have to wait years to find out Snapper's first name is Lucas).

Brave and the Bold 30

The next reprinted story is "The Case Of The Stolen Super-Powers" from Brave and the Bold #30 (June-July, 1960) by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs (the 29th issue of B&B also had a JLA story, which would be reprinted later), this one important for the introduction of Professor Ivo and Amazo (though, sadly, 5 of the original pages of this issue -3 to 5, 13 and 22 - were not included in this reprint).

The team was faced with double trouble, losing their powers and facing an android that possesses their powers, that of Amazo!  Professor Ivo had created Amazo, to have a place to put the powers he would syphon from these five JLAers (leaving Superman and Batman for later), as well as using the JLA to collect old animals and people for him to use in his own experiment, to create an immortality elixir for himself!  While Green Lantern stops Amazo from getting his power (using Amazo's Power Ring), and his own power to defeat the scientist, then restore the rest of the JLA's power (and return home the animals and people kidnapped), Ivo had already taken his elixir, which will allow the scientist to serve all 500 years of prison he is sentenced to!

An important note, Flash villain, the Mirror Master, made a cameo in this issue, making him the first of the JLAers individual villains to appear in a Justice League story.

Justice League of America 5

Last but not least of the reprints of this issue was the time "When Gravity Went Wild" from Justice League of America #5 (June-July, 1961) by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky and Bernard Sachs, where the team faced the dreaded Doctor Destiny in his introduction, which is the first mission of Green Arrow with the team after his induction to the team in the previous issue (with page 10, 14 and 15 not making the cut).

Green Arrow finds himself on trial by Superman, Batman and Snapper, as he was stopping the rest of the JLA from capturing their escaped individual enemies - Monty Moran the Getaway Mastermind, foe of Martian Manhunter; Captain Cold, Flash Rogue; Professor Menace, enemy of Wonder Woman; Roy Pinto the Electric Man, who had previous faced Aquaman; the Puppet Master, Green Lantern's villain and Clock King, Green Arrow's nemesis (mistakenly referred to as King Clock).  Turns out, Green Arrow's errors were planned, as he thought one of the other JLAers was an imposter, and he was right....Green Lantern had been impersonated by Doctor Destiny (whom the evil scientist was holding captive), who did this as part of a plan to eliminate the JLA by negating gravity on them...and sending them into space, though they did get saved, and Destiny was halted, as Green Lantern took advantage of the Doctor's shift in focus with the new captives, and GL escaped, saving the day.

Extras

A few other things in this issue: Covers of two issues of All-Star Comics featuring the Justice Society (one including Solomon Grundy), as well as an index of all of the Justice League's tales up to this point (including an error, with the contents of issue #40 being listed as those for #39)....priceless for kids of this era, who didn't have the internet to get history of these comics they read!

Better still, after seeing their origin in the More Secret Origins issue of the original 80 Page Giant series (#8), the giant series was now in good hands, working under the individual titles of the heroes, continuing in Justice League of America, as well as elsewhere, like World's Finest Comics, Superman, Batman and Flash, and more!