The Superman Chronicles, Vol. 9 by Jerry Siegel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This volume collections Superman stories from Action Comics #48-#52, Superman #16 and #17 and World's Finest #6. in many ways this volume has Jerry Siegel stepping it up in terms of challenges to Superman. There are more costumed supervillains or powerful scientists menaces. The Prankster is introduced in Action Comics #51 and of course, Lex Luthor returns.

Some highlights:

---Superman #16 features the Runaway Skyscraper with a mad villain who is stealing buildings and transporting them to an alien plane. Nice, probably needed to be longer by a great concept.

---World's Finest #6 has Superman v. Metallo-No, not the silver age version that everyone knows about but a devastating foe that takes the man of steel to his limit. It's a great fight.

---Action Comics #50-Play Ball-A Superman story featuring baseball. The only way it could be more American is if Superman were eating apple pie. Also, a nice return of the plots with Superman helping others with their personal problems.

--Superman #17-Man or Superman-A story where Lois begins to have suspicions about Clark Kent and Superman. Also, probably the first Superman story to real taking a retrospective lookback at some of his cases. Includes a beautiful full page splash.

--Also Superman #17: When Titans Clash: The state attempts to execute Luthor and instead re-energizes him to battle the Man of Steel. It's a sequel to another story, but it's well-done. I think in 1942, there probably wasn't a better supervillain around than Luthor.

---Action Comics #51: The Prankster, a clever plot to introduce another recurring Superman villain, and really enjoyable.

---Action Comics #52: After a lighter but clever tale we're treated to this Dystopian Nightmare that is set as something that might happen after the War. A man has declared himself Emperor and taken over America and only Superman has the will to resist. It's a scary story that has issues of mind control and dictatorship.

It also has to be said that Superman's relationship with the police really does appear to have mellowed and become friendly in this issue. Unlike Batman where the change in relationship was addressed, in Superman it just seems to happen.

Reading through these Chronicles, I continue to be surprised at how genuinely good these early Superman stories are particularly when we get to 1942. These were very enjoyable and the height of golden age comics.



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