Superman Through the Ages! Forum

Hi, when I was younger, I remember checking out a Superman book from the library that was loaded with info and pictures. I think it came out around 1978, though I may be very wrong about that. Unfortunately, I've looked everywhere, including Ebay, and cannot find it. It was a hardback book, about 300 pages, with a white cover featuring the covers of roughly 20-25 different issues of Superman. If anyone knows what book I'm talking about, or where to find it, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I have two questions about two Superman issues that I cannot seem to locate. One of them had Superman on some ship talking to some aliens. They told him that he was actually the third Superman, and they showed him the remains of the previous two Supermen. One looked like he was covered in tumors. I don't remember the plot though. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Also, does anyone remember the issue where Superman flew through a black hole?

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

The story with three dead Supermen was in Action Comics #399, April 1971, "Superman, You're Dead ... Dead ... Dead!".  It didn't involve aliens exactly but the 24th century Historical Foundation of Earth which used a chrono-selector to snatch various heroes from the past just before they died so history students could study them first-hand.  It turned out that they were from an alternate universe which unintentionally tore a hole into Superman's mainstream Earth and time.  It was reprinted in the hardcover Superman From the 30's to the 70's.  The hardcover you're seeking may be this book.

I'd need some more details on the tumours story.  It sounds like one of the classic Virux X tales when Superman was really dying.  If it's the Virus X story you meant and I'm thinking of, it turned out Virus X is plant-like enough to be destroyed by white kryptonite which the Bizarros had strewn over Superman's funeral coffin as a 'gift' to help him die faster.

Since you are linking this to your second question, I think the "tumors" refer to Action #399, the one Superman corpse in a glass case surrounded by liquid and swirling gas...

A weird issue, in a classic strange (and unrealistic) take on alternate universes, Lincoln and Wahington actually performed each other's feats in the history of that timeline...

There are two versions of the book:

(http://nightwing.supermanfan.net/books/30sto70s.gif)

Superman From the 30's to the 70's
Superman From the 30's to the 80's

Just use E-Bay and search for Superman From the 30's to the
do the same at Amazon, they have copies of both. There are a few Superman From the 30's to the 70's on e-bay right now.

amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0517551004/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/102-0710795-9351335?v=glance

Thanks for the info. That does sound like the issue I was talking about. Also, I believe the book I saw was Superman From The 30's To The 80's. I can't find a picture of the cover anywhere, but I'm almost certain that's it. It had some parts from the comic I had mentioned in it.

It also featured the cover of an issue of Superman that I've been unable to locate. On the front, someone is shooting Superman with some age-accelerating ray. Superman is old looking, reaching up to the guy while the guy says "By the time you reach me Superman, you'll be dead!" Does anyone know what issue this is?

It was Superman #250.  Great Neal Adams cover.

(http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/116/400/116_4_250.jpg)

And here's the cover to the collection, which is pretty much the way you remember it...

(http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/2772/400/2772_4_1.jpg)


Grand Comics Database does it again!  :D

The cover of Superman #250 (April 1972) is the only one that comes to my mind, and is surely the one you are thinking of.

Nightwing, by an amazing coincidence you posted the cover while I was tracking it down and typing up my reply!

Needless to say, I had no knowledge of your posting, but I feel rather embarrassed now.

Nightwing, you nailed both of them! Thanks for posting those. I haven't seen that cover in almost 20 years, but that is most certainly it. I'd love to get ahold of that book. It had loads of great stuff in it. Thanks again!

ABE Books lists a few vendors with copies of the book.  Prices start at $21 and go up from there:

http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?y=0&tn=superman+30s+80s&x=0

Amazon lists 19 copies through its Z-shops:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/0517551004/ref=dp_olp_2//002-1305577-3552064?condition=all

Looks like there's a few out there if you look around.  You might also try your local library if you just want to read the stories.  The content is very close to the 70s version, except for the 80s stuff obviously, and a late 40s story featuring the A-Bomb.

(http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/97/400/97_4_0000399.jpg)

Here's Action #399...

If I remember right, the second Superman was in a state of decomposition because of a run in with a "space vampire"...

Not quite but close, MatterEaterLad.

The first alternate-universe Superman died from having his powers drained by a Space Vampire.

The second alternate-universe Superman died from a super-virus that was dissolving his artificial cells into protoplasm.  He picked it up from a visit to a disease-quarantine planet.

The third alternate-universe Superman was supposed to die from encountering an unstable new energy source.  The artificial protoplasm they used to recreate this Superman could not withstand this trauma.

Of course, in the mainstream universe, none of these events occurred and our Superman easily withstood the solar energy furnace that killed his alternate self.

Doh!  8)

Thanks for filling in my dim memories...

I just picked up a copy of 'From the 30s to the 80s Superman'.

It's quite a fun read.  Although at times I was having a problem identifying Lois from Lana.  I guess that's why they gave Lois that really short haricut and style for black and white reprints.

Well, Superman doesn't have hyper steroid water balloons for quadraceps,and the women seem to be drawn as idealized "pretty"...product of the times again...