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Mild Mannered Reviews - Classic Pre-Crisis Superman Comics

Superman #241

Cover date: August 1971

"The Shape of Fear"

Writer: Denny O'Neil
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson

Cover: Neal Adams and Dick Giordano

Reviewed by: James Lantz

Click to enlarge

When we last left Superman, he had stopped a gang of thugs despite being completely powerless with a bruise on his head. I-Ching, the wise Asian mystic friend of Wonder Woman, had been saved by the Man of Steel. Superman doesn't wish for his abilities to return because he wants a normal life. However, Ching convinces him that the world needs him as he was. Superman must have his tremendous gifts back within his body.

Ching has begun the ritual that should restore Superman. The Man of Steel's soul travels through Metropolis until it confronts the mysterious sand double of our hero. The unearthly beings battle until the astral Kal-El emerges the victor. With body and spirit once again together, Superman has regained his superhuman powers.

Some days have passed since Superman's abilities were returned to him. We now go to New York, where Diana Prince, who is really Wonder Woman, and I-Ching are discussing the news. Superman has done many heroic feats lately, but he has also made some grave mistakes in the process. This concerns the Asian wise man greatly as he believes that the head injury that the Last Son of Krypton had received from the gang of criminals may be responsible. Fearing the worst, Ching tries to talk to the Metropolis Marvel. Unfortunately, our hero has become arrogant and refuses to listen. This causes Ching to take drastic measures. With the aid of black magic, Wonder Woman and Ching have found the unusual sand duplicate, who may be the only key to saving Superman from himself.

The mysterious sand being has agreed to help Ching and Wonder Woman. On the way to GBS owner Morgan Edge's apartment, the creature tells of its origins. It all began with the explosion that had rendered Kryptonite harmless to Superman back in issue number 233. The blast had opened a rift between this dimension and a place called the Realm of Quarrm. A mist-like life form had passed over the unconscious body of the Man of Tomorrow after the blast and later merged with the sand on which the Kryptonian had landed. Gradually, the organism took the shape of Superman, and a psychic link between the alien and Kal-El had been established. Once the Quarrmer was near him, Superman would gradually lose some of his abilities. This gives Ching an idea for a plan to stop Superman before he becomes too much of a problem.

Wonder Woman, I-Ching and the Pseudo-Superman are in the home of Morgan Edge. Edge is not there, but someone is secretly watching them from a hidden room. Also, another mist being from Quarrm has followed them. It has possessed the statue of an Oriental war demon in Chinatown as the trio puts their plan into motion. As Wonder Woman kisses the Man of Steel, his sand double approaches him. Superman flies away to find chaos in the streets. The other Quarrmer is wreaking havoc. The Last Son of Krypton has saved a boy from the creature's assault, but he is unable to defend himself. Superman has lost consciousness and is being carried away by gigantic beast. Can anyone save our hero?

Story - 5: This was a pretty solid story from start to finish. I honestly could find nothing wrong with it. The cliffhanger made me want more. I wish more stories were like this one.

Who was watching Ching and Wonder Woman? Don't answer that. I want to find out on my own even if I do have my theories. That said, I'm extremely impatient for the next issue.

Art - 5: I miss the team of Swan and Giordano a lot, but Murphy Anderson and Curt Swan do go together like peanut butter and jelly. They have given us another issue filled with stunning artwork.

Cover Art - 5: What the heck ever happened to covers like this? Most of the newer ones seem more iconic rather than something that makes someone want to pick up and read the comic book. Adams has a way of making the viewer want to take a look inside. This one was downright stupendous.

Pre-Crisis Superman Comic Book Reviews

1938-1949

Action Comics #1 (June 1938)
Action Comics #2 (July 1938)
Action Comics #3 (August 1938)
Action Comics #4 (September 1938)
Action Comics #5 (October 1938)
Action Comics #6 (November 1938)
Action Comics #7 (December 1938)
Superman Archives: Volume 1 (1939)
Superman #1 (Summer 1939)
Action Comics #8 (January 1939)
Action Comics #9 (February 1939)
Action Comics #10 (March 1939)
Superman #13 (November/December 1941) - “The Archer”
Superman #19 (November/December 1942) - “Case of the Funny Paper Crimes”
Action Comics #60 (May 1943) - “Lois Lane - Superwoman”
Superman #30 (September/October 1944) - “The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk”
Action Comics #80 (January 1945) - “Mr. Mxyztplk Returns”
Superman #38 (January/February 1946) - “The Battle of the Atoms”
Superman #42 (September/October 1946) - “The Death of Clark Kent”
Superman #45 (March/April 1947) - “Lois Lane, Superwoman”
Superman #53 (July 1948) - “The Origin of Superman”
Action Comics #124 (September 1948) - “A Superman of Doom”
Superman #60 (December 1949/January 1950) - “The Two Identities of Superman” & “Superman Fights the Super-Brain”

1950-1959

Superman #76 (May/June 1952) - “The Mightiest Team in the World”
Superman #80 (January/February 1953) - “Superman's Lost Brother”
Superman 3D (1953) - “The Man Who Stole the Sun”, “Origin of Superman” and “The Man Who Bossed Superman”
Superman #87 (February 1954) - “The Prankster's Greatest Role”
Superman #88 (March 1954) - “The Terrible Trio”
Superman #89 (May 1954) - “Captain Kent the Terrible”, “Superman of Skid Row”, and “One Hour to Doom!”
Superman #91 (August 1954) - “The Superman Stamp” and “Great Caesar's Ghost”
World's Finest #88 (May/June 1957) - “Superman and Batman's Greatest Foes”
Superman #115 (August 1957) - “The Midget Superman!”
Superboy #65 (May/June 1958) - “The Amazing Adventures of Krypto Mouse”
Action Comics #242 (July 1958) - “The Super-Duel in Space”
Superman #123 (August 1958) - “The Girl of Steel”
Superman #127 (February 1959) - “Titano the Super Ape”
Action Comics #252 (May 1959) - “The Menace of Metallo” and “The Supergirl From Krypton”
Superman #129 (May 1959) - “The Girl in Superman's Past”
Superman #130 (July 1959) - “The Curse of Kryptonite!”, “The Super-Servant of Crime!”, and “The Town that Hated Superman!”
Jimmy Olsen #40 (October 1959) - “Jimmy Olsen, Supergirl's Pal”

1960-1969

Superman #134 (January 1960) - “The Super-Menace of Metropolis”
Jimmy Olsen #42 (January 1960) - “The Big Superman Movie!”, “Perry White, Cub Reporter!”, and “Jimmy the Genie!”
Jimmy Olsen #44 (April 1960) - “The Wolf-Man of Metropolis”
Adventure Comics #271 (April 1960) - “How Luthor Met Superboy”
Jimmy Olsen #46 (July 1960) - “Jimmy Olsen, Orphan”
Superman #141 (November 1960) - “Superman's Return To Krypton”
Superboy #85 (December 1960) - “The Impossible Mission”
Jimmy Olsen #51 (March 1961) - “The Girl with Green Hair”
Jimmy Olsen #52 (April 1961) - “Jimmy Olsen, Wolf-Man”
Superboy #89 (June 1961) - “Superboy's Big Brother!”
Action Comics #279 (August 1961) - “The Super-Rivals”
Superman #147 (August 1961) - “The Legion of Super Villains”
Superman #149 (November 1961) - “The Death of Superman!”
Jimmy Olsen #57 (December 1961) - “Jimmy Olsen Marries Supergirl”
Superman #155 (August 1962) - “Superman Under the Green Sun” and “The�Downfall of�Superman”
Justice League of America #13 (August 1962) - “Riddle of the Robot Justice League”
World's Finest #129 (November 1962) - “Joker-Luthor, Incorporated”
Superman #158 (January 1963) - “Superman in Kandor”
Superman #160 (April 1963) - “The Mortal Superman”
Superman #161 (May 1963) - “The Last Days of Ma and Pa Kent”
Superman #162 (July 1963) - “The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue”
Superman #163 (August 1963) - “Wonder-Man, the New Hero of Metropolis” and “The Goofy Superman”
Justice League of America #21 & #22 (August/September 1963) - “Crisis on Earth-One!” and “Crisis on Earth-Two!”
Superman #164 (October 1963) - “The Showdown Between Luthor and Superman”
Superman #165 (November 1963) - “The Sweetheart Superman Forgot”
Superman #166 (January 1964) - “The Fantastic Story of Superman's Sons”
Superman #167 (February 1964) - “The Team of Luthor and Brainiac”
Superman #168 (April 1964) - “Luthor - Super Hero” and “Lex Luthor, Daily Planet Editor”
Superman #169 (May 1964) - “The Man Who Stole Superman's Secret Life”
Action Comics #314 (July 1964) - “The Day Superman Became The Flash”
Justice League of America #29 & #30 (August/September 1964) - “Crisis on Earth-Three!” and “The Most Dangerous Earth of All!”
Superman #173 (November 1964) - “The Triumph of Luthor and Brainiac”
Action Comics #318 (November 1964) - “The Death of Luthor”
Action Comics #319 (December 1964) - “The Condemned Superman”
Superman #175 (February 1965) - “Clark Kent's Brother”
Superman #181 (November 1965) - “The Superman of 2965”
The Legion of Super-Heroes - Archives Volume 4 (1965)
Superman #184 (February 1966) - “The Demon Under the Red Sun”
Action Comics #338 (June 1966) - “Muto - Monarch of Menace”
Action Comics #339 (July 1966) - “Muto versus The Man of Tomorrow”
Superman #189 (August 1966) - “Krypton Lives Again”
Action Comics #346 (February 1967) - “The Man Who Sold Insurance to Superman” and “The Case of the Superman Imposter”
Superman #194 (February 1967) - “The Death of Lois Lane”
Superman #196 (May 1967) - “The Star of Steel”
Superman #199 (January 1967) - “Superman's Race With The Flash”
Superman #200 (October 1967) - “Super-Brother Against Super-Brother”
The Flash #175 (December 1967) - “Race to the End of the Universe”
Justice League of America #63 (June 1968) - “Time Signs a Death Warrant for the Justice League”
Superman #211 (November 1968) - “The Name of the Game is Superman!”
Superman #215 (April 1969) - “Lois Lane� Dead� Yet Alive”

1970-1979

Superman #224 (February 1970) - “Beware the Super-Genius Baby”
Action Comics #393 (October 1970) - “Superman Meets Super-Houdini!” and “The Day Superboy Became Superman!”
Jimmy Olsen #133 (October 1970) - “The Newsboy Legion”
Action Comics #394 (November 1970) - “Midas of Metropolis” and “Requiem for a Hot Rod!”
World's Finest #198 (November 1970) - “Race to Save the Universe!”
Action Comics #395 (December 1970) - “The Secrets of Superman's Fortress” and “The Credit Card of Catastrophe”
Jimmy Olsen #134 (December 1970) - “The Mountain of Judgement!”
World's Finest #199 (December 1970) - “A Race to Save Time!”
Superman #233 (January 1971) - “Superman Breaks Loose!”
Jimmy Olsen #135 (January 1971) - “The Evil Factory!”
Superman #234 (February 1971) - “How to Tame a Wild Volcano”
Jimmy Olsen #136 (February 1971) - “The Saga of the D.N.Aliens”
Superman #235 (March 1971) - “The Sinister Scream of the Devil's Harp”
Superman #236 (April 1971) - “Planet of the Angels” and “The Doomsayer”
Jimmy Olsen #137 (April 1971) - “The Four-Armed Terror!”
Superman #237 (May 1971) - “The Enemy of Earth”
Superman #238 (June 1971) - “Menace at 1000 Degrees”
Jimmy Olsen #138 (June 1971) - “The Big Boom!!”
Superman #240 (July 1971) - “To Save a Superman”
Jimmy Olsen #139 (July 1971) - “The Guardian Fights Again!!!”
Superman #241 (August 1971) - “The Shape of Fear”
Superman #242 (September 1971) - “The Ultimate Battle”
Jimmy Olsen #141 (September 1971) - “Will the Real Don Rickles Panic?!?”
Jimmy Olsen #142 (October 1971) - “The Man from Transilvane!”
Jimmy Olsen #143 (November 1971) - “Genocide Spray”
Jimmy Olsen #144 (December 1971) - “A Big Thing in a Deep Scottish Lake!”
Superman #247 (January 1972) - “Must There Be A Superman”
Jimmy Olsen #145 (January 1972) - “Brigadoom!”
Jimmy Olsen #146 (February 1972) - “Homo-Disastrous!”
Jimmy Olsen #147 (March 1972) - “A Superman in Super-Town!”
Jimmy Olsen #148 (April 1972) - “Monarch of All He Subdues!”
Superman #292 (October 1975) - “The Luthor Nobody Knows!”
Action Comics #458 (April 1976) - “Make Me a Super-Hero!” and “Masquerade of the Nutty Kid!”
Superman vs. Muhammad Ali (Spring 1978)
Action Comics #484 (June 1978) - “Superman Takes a Wife!”
Superman #328 (October 1978) - “Attack of the Kryptonoid”
Action Comics #489 (November 1978) - “Krypton Dies Again” and “Where There's a Will... There's a Fray”
Superman #329 (November 1978) - “I Have Met The Enemy... And He Is Me!” and “The Secret of the Talking Car”
Superman #330 (December 1978) - “The Master Mesmerizer of Metropolis!”
Action Comics #490 (December 1978) - “No Tomorrow For Superman”
Action Comics #491 (January 1979) - “A Matter of Light and Death”
Superman #331 (January 1979) - “Lockup at 20,000 Feet”
Action Comics #492 (February 1979) - “Superman's Secret Afterlife”
Superman #332 (February 1979) - “The Eternity Cage”
Action Comics #493 (March 1979) - “The Metropolis UFO Connection”
Action Comics #494 (April 1979) - “The Secret of the Super S”
Action Comics #495 (May 1979) - “Attack of the Ultimate Warrior”
DC Comics Presents #14 (October 1979) - “Judge, Jury... and No Justice!”
The Superman Story (1979) - “The Life Story of Superman”

1980-1986

DC Comics Presents #57 (May 1983) - “Days of Future Past”
DC Comics Presents #67 (March 1984) - “'Twas the Fright Before Christmas”
DC Comics Presents Annual #3 (1984) - “With One Magic Word”
Superman: The Secret Years #1 (February 1985) - “Dreams and Schemes and Feeling Proud!”
Superman: The Secret Years #2 (March 1985) - “Reach Out and Touch”
Superman: The Secret Years #3 (April 1985) - “Terminus”
DC Comics Presents #80 (April 1985) - “A World Full of Supermen!”
Superman: The Secret Years #4 (May 1985) - “Beyond Terminus”
DC Comics Presents #85 (September 1985) - “The Jungle Line”
Superman Annual #11 (1985) - “For The Man Who Has Everything”
World's Finest #323 (January 1986) - “Afraid of the Dark”
DC Comics Presents #97 (September 1986) - “Phantom Zone: The Final Chapter”
Superman #423 & Action Comics #583 (September 1986) - “Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow?”

Compilation Volumes

Showcase Presents: Superman Family - Volume 1 (October 2005)
Superman/Batman: Saga of the Super Sons (December 2007)

Miscellaneous

Not Brand ECHH #7 (April 1967) - “The Origin of Stuporman”

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