ReMarvel, Episode 1: Omega the Unknown #1 (1975)

ReMarvel, Episode One

Omega the Unknown #1 (March, 1975)
"Omega the Unknown!"
Writers/Creators - Steve Gerber & Mary Skrenes
Art - Jim Mooney
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Petra Goldberg
Edits - Marv Wolfman
Cover Price: $0.25

I know I've discussed a couple of episodes of ReMarvel here on the site... but, never the first one!  This was actually an attempt at "podcasting with a purpose", so to speak.  An attempt to rediscover everything I loved about Marvel Comics, and how I might break some of my own twisted "fandom rules".

Omega the Unknown #1 (1975)

Omega the Unknown #1 (March, 1975)
"Omega the Unknown!"
Writers/Creators - Steve Gerber & Mary Skrenes
Art - Jim Mooney
Letters - John Costanza
Colors - Petra Goldberg
Edits - Marv Wolfman
Cover Price: $0.25

Hey everybody... don't have much of a pre-ramble today.

We're going to be looking at the first issue of Omega the Unknown, which was the book I chose to begin my ReMarvel podcast series with last Fall.  ReMarvel was my attempt at rediscovering some of my favorite Marvel stories... after many years away... and I felt like Omega was a fun place to start that journey.

If you're familiar with my audio-exploits (which I highly doubt anybody is), you'll know that the story that goes along with Omega will be filled with personal anecdotes and tangents.  I "discovered" this book during a very tumultuous time in my life... and, as such, can't help but to equate it with that wibbly-wobbly time.

Here's a link to the show in case anyone's interested (which... yeah, I know... you ain't):



Let's get into it!

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We open with the scene of a man clad in dark blue with red trim and cape is engaged in battle with a small army of robots.  There is an odd, uncertain narration accompanying this scene… it’s unclear who’s voice this is.  The man wrecks havoc on these robots, before ultimately destroying them with a blast from his hands.  Before the blast erupts, we can see that they sort form the “omega” symbol on his palms.

After blasting, he drops to his knees… exhausted.  A previously unseen robot approaches to take advantage of the situation, and winds up shooting our man in the back with a ray-gun of sorts
He screams in agony!

… which segues into our next scene!  A young boy sits up in his bed, also crying out as though he’s in pain.  His parents enter the room to check on him, and address him as James Michael
When asked if he can remember what his dream was about, the boy says he cannot.  He can only remember the “feeling”... cold, desolation… We learn that this family, the Starlings, lives up in the mountains… and to this point, James Michael has never *really* interacted with other children.  He’s met a few, but wasn’t all that impressed.  Tell me about it!

That situation is all about to change, however, because the kid’s going to be shipped into the city to attend school there.  In fact, this scene is occurring at a motel near New York City... and, he’s not taking this change all that well.  I can relate.  The next morning, the Starlings pack up at the motel and head toward their destination.
James Michael still ain’t digging this.  His parents try and psyche him up.

As they’re coming around a bend in the road, James Michael calmly suggests that his mother brace herself… because there’s going to be a collision.  Just then, a truck veers right for them!

It nails them head on, pushing the car off the road… and off the side of a nearby cliff!

Hearing his mother’s voice, James Michael comes to… he follows her voice and discovers her… severed robotic head?!  She warns him not to listen to the voices… as they’re the only thing that can harm him.  Then… the head melts into slag!

As James Michael attempts to make sense out of the situation, whispers begin to arise in the back of his head… those whispers become roars, and he’s suddenly seeing some really psychedelic stuff!  This is interrupted by the arrival of onlookers and passersby to check on the wreck... James Michael begins to panic.

Back to the big guy… our “hero” is shackled to a wall via energy beam restraints.  He looks on as a battle rages between those robots… well, they look like robots… and humans… well, they look like humans.  He is able to break free of his bindings, and launched into action… wrecking the bots.  He steals a rocket and shoots off into orbit.  As he draws further and further away from the planet, he is enveloped in darkness.

Which segues beautifully into the darkened hospital room of James Michael Starling!  He calmly asks a nurse if he was in a coma… she confirms that he was.  He’s at the Barrow Clinic in New York… so, it looks like he made it to the city after all!  He asks why he’s been restrained… she tells him it’s to keep him safe in case he begins thrashing.  He reminds her… calmly, that he’s not currently thrashing, and asks that the restraints be removed.  He also… calmly informs her that if he can’t untense his muscles pretty soon, he might just begin to panic.

The nurse calls in Dr. Thomas Barrow to evaluate the creepily calm boy.  After a brief introduction, the Doc is impressed with JM’s vocabulary.  James Michael tells him he’s been home-schooled.  The Doc asks where “home” is for the boy, to which he calmly replies that he doesn’t have one anymore… because, ya know, mom and dad are dead.  When asked “when?” they died, JM responds with “this morning”.

We learn that he was actually in a coma for a month!  The doc asks how he feels about losing his parents... and he calmly replies “They were good to me.”  He then lets it slip that the only thing he has to fear are the voices... whiiiiich makes the Doc’s ears perk up a bit.
This reaction kind of freaks the boy out… but the Doctor apologizes for overreacting, and everything gets smoothed over.

James Michael asks if he still has to go to school… to which, the nurse laughs… this is the first “normal boy” reaction she’s seen out of him yet.  The nurse gives him a sedative… and he asks her to explain the chemical composition of the pills… ay yai yai.  The Doc lights up his pipe, and tries wrapping his head around everything concerning this boy.  So fascinated is he, that he wants to keep him at the clinic to learn more about his situation.  Unfortunately, James Michael doesn’t have any money… and the Clinic’s board of directors isn’t keen on doing charity… so, the lad’ll likely be on the street before long.

In the meantime, however, he instructs the nurse, Ms. Hart to “pump” the kid for information... and so, over the next few weeks she does just that.  Well, she tries to anyway, this kid ain’t making a peep.

At the next Board of Directors meeting, Dr. Barrows makes his pitch to keep the boy at the clinic.  They tell him to cough up the $500 a week himself if he’s so interested.  Since the Doc ain’t willing to part with the funds, he and Nurse Hart move on to Plan B, which is: Ruth the Nurse and her roommate, Amber will take the boy home with them…

While still at the clinic, Amber discovers James Michael playing chess… and they briefly talk about playing games against yourself… some real weird dual-personality chatter here.  Amber says sometimes “the voices” get into her head… to which, the boy perks up not realizing that she isn't referring to anything "specific".
Ruth enters the scene and informs the “punk” that he’s coming home with them.  He’s surprised… but, is cool to go along for the ride… after all, it beats being shipped off to the “funny farm”.

Later, James Michael gets settled in bed… however, before he can fall asleep… one of those robot-looking dudes from the other world busts through his window!  The creature “scans” JM with a sort of eyebeam to confirm he’s the right target... and although he’s not the right size… the bot is fine killing him anyway.

Just then… the “hero” arrives, and engages in battle with the bot!
After a lengthy, and room destroying tussle, the hero lets off an omega blast to destroy the baddie.  He smiles at the boy, collects the bot-body, and leaves!

... Just as Dr. Barrows bursts into the room!  He checks on the boy… who now has smoke rising from his hands.  Upon further investigation, it looks like the boy has the Greek letter “omega” imprinted on his palms…

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What a weird and wonderful first issue!

Now, the first time I laid eyes on Omega the Unknown, it was the Jonathan Lethem/Farel Dalrymple version from 2008...

... which, doesn't really look anything like a Marvel comic, does it?  I was totally taken aback by the weirdness... and, upon picking up the first issue, was completely hooked by the premise... even though, I hadn't the foggiest idea quite what it was!

As I do, I started to research the character... and was pretty surprised to learn that this was a Bronze Age fella... created by Steve Gerber!  I was also kind of surprised (though, I probably shouldn't have been!) by the fact that Gerber was... ticked off that Marvel was "reimagining" one of "his" characters.  He didn't take too kindly to some "outsider" coming into comics and playing with "his" toys... and he made that abundantly clear on a web-site... Omega the Unknown-dot-com, which sadly no longer exists.  All the site said was "Omega the Unknown was created by Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes".  That was literally it.  Just a black background... and that line of text.  Weird... just like this comic.

I decided to learn all I could about the Gerber "take" on the character... which led me to this original 70's run.  Now, if we were to compare the two takes... which, at present, I'm ill-equipped to do (it's been awhile since I read through either series to completion), I wanna say there were plenty of similarities... but, also... enough differences to make the two feel like their "own thing", ya know?  This '08 Lethem series wasn't like a straight-retelling of Gerber's '75.

Whatever the case... I enjoyed them both.  I almost started a project comparing the two... but, realized that it would have, at best, very limited appeal.  Sometimes I can be self-aware... thank heavens.

Let's go ahead and talk about this issue.

It's... really "in your face", innit?  Very cerebral... and visceral... just really has a way of getting under your skin.  It's a haunting story... that, you'll likely be left thinking about for the rest of the day.  Least that's how I received it (even on subsequent rereads).  It's very dark... and, uncomfortable.

Like, the way James Michael's story begins... we don't get to see him in his "natural habitat".  We meet him at a point of upheaval in his life... in a motel, on the way to a school he doesn't want to go to.  Any semblance of a "real life" is missing.  It leaves the reader kind of nebulously "along for the ride", ya know?  We don't get any touchstone for J.M., which is difficult.  We don't know much of anything about him.  It's a very different way to start a story.

But, it's that discomfort that fuels this book.  We don't get any feelings of "home" or "family".  We're sort of passively receiving all of the information... but, only the information Gerber and Skrenes want us to have.  They're building a mystery... on several fronts.  I don't wanna say that this is "ahead of its time", as I wasn't a living nor breathing human back in 1975, and so I lack the proper context to do so... but, to me... this feels sort of head-and-shoulders above many mainstream comics of the day, insofar as its depth, and I dunno, "headiness".

The scene where James Michael's mother.....'s head tells him to protect himself from "the voices"?  Horrifying, wunnit?  Just from a visual... and visceral standpoint... that's a mind-screwy bit, innit?  J.M. going from watching his mother's head melt away... to full-blown psychedelia... what a visual!  Amazing storytelling from all involved.  Does it make sense?  No... not yet, anyway... but, damned if I don't wanna know what happens next!

Nurse Ruth and her Roomie taking James Michael in... is a bit convenient... and makes me wonder just what sort of paperwork went into (even temporarily) adopting a weird child back in the mid-70's... but, it keeps the story moving forward, so we'll allow it.

Then... there's Omega.  These were always the parts of the story that, comparably speaking, sort of bored me.  It was the sort of "grounding" of this book into the superhero realm... for better or worse.  I mean, for this story to "work", we can't have one without the other... so, we gotta allow it.  I will say, however, that these bits were the least strong... and, I have a sneaking suspicion that might've been by design.

Overall... should you check out Omega the Unknown?  And if so, which version?  I hate being "that guy"... but, my answer is "Yes."  Read it... read 'em both.  As has become the cliche of these Marvel posts... I know neither diddly nor squat about Marvel Unlimited... but, for all I know, this book/these books are up there.  I'll advocate for Omega the Unknown 'til the cows come home!  This one's worth the effort.

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(Not yet the) Letters Page (with a Marvel Value Stamp):

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Bullpen Bulletins & Interesting Ads:

ACW #642 - Chapter 3 (of 4)

Action Comics Weekly #642 (Chapter III)
"Where There's a Will, Chapter III: The Summoning"
Writer - Elliot S! Maggin
Pencils - Curt Swan, Jim Aparo, & Jim Mooney
Inks - Ty Templeton, John Nyberg, Ian Akin, & Brian Garvey
Colors - Glenn Whitmore
Letters - John Workman
Editors - Mark Waid & Brian Augustyn

Well, here we are... the penultimate chapter of Action Comics Weekly!

Funny thing about that word... it feels like one that would be used incorrectly more often than not.  "Penultimate" just doesn't sound like it ought to mean "second-to-last" or whatever... it sounds like a much more meaningful word... almost "powerful" in a way.

Reminds me of words like "prolific"... which, I've come to find in my time online, is misused nearly every time I see it!

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We open at an Eastern European seaport, where it looks as though there's about to be some sort of stand-off.  A mustachioed gentleman is brought in to try and diffuse the situation.  Ya see, this one fella's grandfather just got his pink slip, and he ain't handling it all that well.  As the negotiator enters the scene, he is struck by a green light.  Get used to that, it's going to happen a few more times!  We shift scenes over to, I wanna say New York City... where two rival gangs are about to square off.  One group is definitely being depicted as more "noble" than the other, they'd rather use their words (and perhaps a dance step or two) than weapons.

From outta nowhere, Nightwing bursts onto the scene!  He starts taking out members from the armed side of the fracas, before... getting struck with a green light.  Hmm...

Next stop, somewhere in California.  Guy Gardner is confronting an arms dealer... and in order to prove that this dude ain't nothin', Guy even removes his own Power Ring... and slips it on the dealer's finger!  Before he can kayo the creep, however, he is... dun-dun-dun, struck by a green light!

We now shift over to segregated South Africa, where an Arch Bishop is preparing to meet with a journalist about spreading the word.  Upon arrival, he is met with a vandalized church.  As he gives his statement, he is... struck by a green light.

Over in the U.K. (I'm guessing), there is a police stand-off going on.  The baddies are clad in balaclavas and are carrying some pretty heavy-duty firepower.  Before things can bubble over, our old friend Deadman arrives... and takes up residence in the body of one of the baddies!  Just then... you guessed it, he's struck by that green light.

Meanwhile, in North Dakota, a Native American gentleman named Rufus is out camping with his grandson.  Their camp is suddenly attacked by some sort of big cat (I can never tell 'em apart!).  Grampa Rufus leaps into action... and is struck by that green light!  This is starting to feel like Millennium!

In Metropolis, Clark Kent is doing some research into something going on concerning the New York Mets, when... duh, he's struck by the green light.  I thought we already established that he couldn't be a Green Lantern for this Sector?  Like, in this very issue!

Next stop, Beirut... where a hostage negotiator is freeing himself from captivity.  Rather than just quit while he's ahead and head for sweet freedom, he knows that his job won't be complete until he frees the rest of the captives.  He rushes toward his captors... and just as they open fire, he's struck by the green light.

Hail, hail, the gang's all here.  Time stands still for a moment, and the specter of Hal Jordan rises from his corpse to take a look at all of his potential replacements.  Before he gets too good'a look, he's met by another spirit vacating its body... Deadman.

Ol' Boston's all "Dude... you're about to die... how lucky are you?".  Hal still isn't sure exactly what's going on.  As Deadman tries to convince him to just "let it go", one of the line-up of Lantern candidates in stasis begins to stir.  Naturally, it's Clark Kent.  Now here's where some of our backstage shenanigans begin to rear their heads.  Clark introduces himself to Hal as someone who "interviewed him once".  Hmm.  So, with that line, it's been established that Hal Jordan no longer knows that Clark Kent and Superman are one in the same.  If you remember that bit from ACW #606... it was pretty clear they did know each other's secret!  Whatever the case, Clark is here to play the "angel" on Hal's shoulder in opposition to Deadman's "devil".

Hal's spirit flies around a bit, getting a better look at who's hand might soon be wearing his (er, Malvolio's) ring.  He can hardly believe that he beat these people out in the first place, considering their courage and resolve.  He asserts that his successor is his call to make... however, before he can commit to a pick... a "genie" emerges from his physical ring.

It's... Abin Sur!  Err, shouldn't it be Malvolio?  Or, at the very least Malvolio's Daddy?  Abin (a programmed response operation of the ring) talks... a lot.  Like, a lot - a lot.  What it all comes down to is... Hal's got a choice to make.  He can either live... or choose someone with a lesser will than he (remember, Hal's the top banana on Earth) to follow in his footsteps as this Sector's Green Lantern.

Taking advantage of the situation, Deadman takes this as his opportunity to convince Hal to "choose death".  Clark's all "Hey, hey, HEY... what is going on here?!" and tries to sway him the other way.  It's to the point where Boston and Clark are basically just arguing among themselves... and are barely paying any attention at all to Hal...

... who, at this very moment, rises to his (physical) feet.  As his would-be replacements blink back to their prior locations, it's make abundantly clear that Hal Jordan has chosen life.

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Well, there we have it... Hal Jordan ain't dead after all!  Whole lotta weird build to get here though, wasn't it?  I mean, introducing all of these potential replacements?  It really did feel like those opening chapters of Millennium!  Which is to say, pretty dull... and ultimately unsatisfying!

We could talk about some of Hal's would-be successors... but, really... why?  Outside of the superheroes, these aren't folks we're going to run into again (though, we'll see 'em in the next chapter).  I do appreciate the "every day hero-ness" of the cast, which puts into perspective that Hal Jordan himself was chosen for the role while a civilian.

Something that stood out to me, and this is probably very "current year" of me, but... there were no women here!  Weird, right?  Nowadays, with the over-corrective nature of the comics industry, it'd probably be all women.

I dug Deadman and Superman playing the "angel/devil" on Hal's shoulders, trying to convince him of his next move.  They felt like the right characters to fill those roles.  Deadman, as a dude who's been stuck between life and death for so long, it would stand to reason that he'd be on the side of "letting go".  Superman, despite anything that J. Michael Straczynski wrote, is a character who values life.

I didn't like poor Malvolio getting jobbed out again.  There's no reason why Abin Sur would have been inside this particular Power Ring to confront Hal.  I guess that's just another indication that Hal's Action Comics exploits (outside of the death of Katma-Tui and the breakup with Arisia) are completely null and void!

Speaking of which... it looks like he no longer knows Superman's secret identity!  Ya see, that's kind of the entire reason why this story even exists!  The original ACW #642 was scripted by Neil Gaiman... who, did his due diligence... and ya know, read Action Comics Weekly!

That scene from Action Comics Weekly #606 ... again!

When he read (the oft-referred to) ACW #606, he took the conversation between Hal and Clark (as seen above... again) as the confirmation of Hal knowing Superman's secret ID in the post-Crisis DCU.  Editorial decided, some time in the interim, to reel back on the amount of folks who knew the Secret of Steel... buuuut, didn't fill in their freelancers.  When Neil turned in his script... which is very much a Hal/Clark "buddy" story, it got rejected!  Couldja imagine DC ever rejecting a Neil Gaiman story?  Well, it happened!  Pre-Sandman... but still... it happened!  Don't worry though, as mentioned... that story will eventually be told... but, that's for another day.

Overall... a bit of a long chapter here, with a whole lot of extra "stuff" that didn't feel necessary.  I understand and appreciate the need to "fill pages", especially when it's a fill-in script... and, even more especially when it's a Weekly title.  Nothing offensive, and the art was great!

Tomorrow: Let's wrap this bugger up!

Action Comics #345 (1967)

Action Comics #345 (January, 1967)
"The Day Candid Camera Unmasked Superman's Identity!"
"The Exile of Steel"
Writers - Leo Dorfman & Jim Shooter
Artists - Al Plastino & Jim Mooney
Letters - Joe Letterese
Cover Price: $0.12

Now there's one wacky cover!

Lucked into this one just yesterday in a 50-cent bin... which should tell ya, it wasn't in the best of condition.  It's all in one piece... or at least it was before I read it, so I can't complain all that much.

I tell ya, there are certain books that I will buy in the worst of condition... and this iconic-covered oddity is definitely one of them.

Full disclosure, the cover-image above is one I found online... I found it a difficult-to-impossible task finding the "good side" of my copy.

Either way... happy to have it, and really happy to be including it in our #Action100 endeavor!

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We open and immediately learn that Perry White from the Daily Planet is quite the "comedy" fan.  He's really into Allen Funt and his Candid Camera antics.  Take this gag for instance, Funt watches while a man pretends to be a gorilla at the zoo... and everybody but the "mark" plays along as though it's really a gorilla.  Oh the fun!  Suddenly White's viewing is interrupted by a phone call reporting that there's currently a "hold up" at the Daily Planet.  Instead of, ya know... calling the cops, he just heads on down.  Upon arrival he sees that the entire Daily Planet Building has been flown off by Superman!

He shouts at the Man of Steel to lower the building, and so... he does.  As Perry reads him the riot act, we learn it's... just a prank, bro!  In other words, you've been Funted!  Impish Allen pokes his head out to inform the Chief that he's on Candid Camera... and the whole world will see him looking annoyed that somebody ripped his building out of the ground.  I think "annoyed" is the appropriate response, don't you?

Turns out this (this?) prank was one of the highest rated pranks in the history of the program... and so, Funt decides his next prank will also be aimed at a Daily Planet employee... this time it's going to be aired live, and the target... Clark Kent!

Meanwhile, back at the Planet, the staffers razz the Chief for his earlier Funting.  He returns to his office just as the phone starts ringing... and it's Allen Funt (I swear I've typed the word "Funt" more in the past five minutes than I have in my entire life), and he tips Perry off to his plan.

We later join Impish Allen as he has his hooptie fueled up.  The pump-jockey is shocked to watch as the vehicle begins to float away... but, how?!

Oh-ho, you've been Funted poor laborer!  Ya see, he filled his trunk up with all sorts of floaty gases... which, I suppose is as good an explanation as any... which is to say, it's ridiculous.

A little later, and Allen's jolly journey continues... this time, he chooses to terrorize some teen-agers who are attempting to vandalize a statue in Metropolis Park.  They toss snowballs at it (when did it snow?)... only to learn that it's alive... alive... ALIVE!

Relax lads, it's just a prank... Fiendish Funt let's them in on the gag... and even takes them out for burgers!

We next turn our attention to Clark Kent, who is on assignment for the Daily Planet taking in the "Gay Nineties" Exhibit at the Metropolis Fair.  Looks like the 1890's were... pretty boring.  Clark watches a reenactment of a 75-Round boxing match... and then watches a fat guy eat a big meal.  Also worth noting, there's a superhero gift-shop... probably to keep the little ones quiet.

Suddenly, some of the Gay Nineties cosplayers reveal that they are holding the place up (with, er, guns that is... they're not actually lifting the fair out of the ground).  Clark rushes off to the nearest phone booth... a Phony-Funty-Phone Booth.  At this point, Allen decides to reveal the "gag" (Was there a gag?  Did I miss it?)... opening the phone booth door, revealing... Clark Kent changing into Superman!

The people of Metropolis are shocked by the reveal!

Then... the story starts to go a bit "ca ca".  Clark continues to strip out of his business attire, revealing that he's not only wearing Superman's shirt and cape... but Batman's leggings, boots and utility belt.  Well, that explains everything!  Allen Funt just "outed" the Composite Superman!  Or not.

Ya see, Clark reveals that the pranker... has just become the prankee.  Since he's such a big fan of Candid Camera, Clark was watching on a tiny television... so he knew that he was the "mark".  In order to give Feisty Funt a jolt, he grabbed some superhero paraphernalia from the gift shop.  Oh-ho.  Funt's been Funted... and we're outta here.

But... we're not done.  It's time for some Action-Plus... before they even called it that!  It's a Supergirl story... in which she wound up on the planet Gaea... and somehow became President of their United States.  She is currently jailed for treasonous acts... and is awaiting her impeachment trial.

She is suspected of aiding nogoodniks of A.R.M. (The Adult Revolt Movement, if you're nasty) in their attempt to overthrow the government.  Linda's veep, Richard Malvin takes the stand... and proceeds to throw Supergirl right under the bus.  Linda loses her cool and calls Tricky Dick a liar.

The next day the verdict is read... and Linda is guilty-as-charged.  Her punishment... exile!  She, again, loses her cool... and proceeds to lash out at everyone around her before going off-planet.

Richard Malvin is later sworn in as President... and wouldn'tcha know it, all of his new appointments have ties to A.R.M.!  It's almost as though he... nooo...

Turns out Malvin was in cahoots with the baddies all along!  The government begins to fall apart... the Constitution is burned... and rabble-rousers are set to be executed!  A.R.M. doesn't mess around!

The attempt to hang the subversives... fails.  The ropes snap.  No worries, we'll just line 'em up for a firing squad... only thing, that doesn't seem to work either.

Turns out Supergirl has returned to Gaea to take down A.R.M. (I keep typing A.I.M.). We learn that this was all a dupe by she and her lawyer... and she explains that her absence was so prolonged due to some crisis in space.

The Gaeans are overjoyed, and we wrap up with them holding a ticker-tape parade in her honor.

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Okay... this was a lot of fun(t).

I don't know why, but I'm tickled at the idea of Allen Funt just terrorizing (and annoying) anybody who happens to fall into his path.  Dude seems like he could be a great Silver-Age super villain, don't you think?  People just trying to mind their own business... get pranked, humiliated... Funted.  I think we need an Allen Funt/Mr. Mxyzptlk crossover.  I think I'll put that in my "good idea" fan-fiction folder.

I only wish a few of these pranks occurred without cameras present... just to show Funt as an impish jerk who messes with folks for his own amusement.

The big "Superman is Clark Kent" reveal... ehh... suitably silly I suppose.  The explanation kinda neglects the fact that, ya know... Superman and Clark Kent look exactly alike, and this could only draw more attention to that fact, right?  I mean, Lois is already suspicious... and seeing him in half-dress, regardless of the flimsy excuse, is going to be a difficult image to forget.  Kinda like a lawyer telling a jury to dismiss something horrible they'd just heard about a defendent.  It just ain't that easy.  Then again, maybe I'm just thinking too hard.

Speaking of lawyers... we also have that Supergirl back-up.  It was, um... pretty good as far as backups go.  Being a fella who complains about decompressed storytelling, it would be silly for me to rattle the cage on a very compressed story, right?  Well... I'll just say that it felt like this one could've used a few more pages to "breathe".

Overall... had a great time with this.  Doesn't look like it's been collected... nor has it been made available digitally.  If you happen to come across it... definitely consider giving it a grab.

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