I’ve already covered the various times Lois Lane became Superwoman; but before Supergirl debuts in 1959, there are other predecessors.
The most well-known is from 1958 and will get her own review, but there are a couple more in 1951.
Superman #71 (1951)
by Ed Hamilton & Al Plastino
cover by Win Mortimer
She’s not from the cover story, luckily!
In fact, the cover scene doesn’t happen in any of the stories in the book.
Although there are still hints of that in the story we’re looking at, because it begins with Superman ruining every date on the planet.
Including his own.
Things are SO bad that Clark is recruited into the Anti-Superman Club.
Nobody finds it strange that Clark Kent doesn’t move when he speaks.
Sounds legit.
Superman’s plan starts by showing off and then giving a little speech.
SHOCKINGLY, this doesn’t work.
If this is a very roundabout way to get women’s phone numbers, it’s kind of genius.
Scummy, but genius.
How are you so bad at being a bad date!? You’re Just. The. Worst in this kind of stories, just be yourself.
The solution is to build himself a robot girlfriend. Obviously.
Ah yes, the foundation of a healthy relationship: jealousy.
How did we as a species survived the 1950s remains a mystery.
But that’s okay because Superwoman was a Frankenstein’s Robot mixing parts of the girls Superman dated.
She has the eyes of the first one he dated, the hands of the woman who was praised for her intelligence, and “some features” of the others. What did the blonde sporty one contribute?
Let’s not think too hard at how Superman paid enough attention to these women’s bodies to apparently build a perfect replica.
Adventure Comics #167 (1951)
by Ed Hamilton & Curt Swan
cover by Win Mortimer
We’re done with Superwoman. But a couple of months after her, Hamilton gives us the first Super-Girl.
A very typical storytelling engine for Superboy stories is having Lana Lang’s archeologist father bring home something with magic powers.
This “ancient Egyptian helmet” is either going to give her superpowers or kill her.
Or do absolutely nothing.
Why even pretend that he didn’t save her as Superboy!? It’s not endangering his secret identity; if anything, this helps his case of them being different people!!!
Well maybe if Lana’s father stopped publicly advertising that he keeps valuable artifacts in his house, there would be fewer attempts to rob him.
Lana saves Clark’s life by making him invulnerable.
The criminals escape, and Clark can’t catch them without revealing his identity.
This is entirely on you, Superboy. Like I said you had absolutely no reason to lie to her!!!
I’m not super familiar with the early Superboy stories so I don’t know how many supernatural artifacts Dr. Lang has already uncovered, but… you do know this is a universe where at least ONE invulnerable person exists, so maybe trust your daughter?
In-universe, Lana Lang was throwing herself off building years before Lois even met Superman.
STOP ENCOURAGING HER!!!
The super-duo looks for the criminals at the museum, where Superboy figures out why they’re after supposedly worthless artifacts.
The reader will find out at the end.
Superboy could attempt any number of ways to convince Lana she’s not super… personally I would’ve made her believe the powers were temporary… and of course he chooses the worst possible way.
It’s not just bad because he gaslighted her… it’s also bad because she gets the helmet back THREE PANELS LATER.
At this point I’m starting to believe that fooling the women of his life into believing they have powers is a fetish for him.
How light is that helmet if a gust of wind can blow it that far away!?
This works even less, because she has the helmet back LITERALLY NEXT PANEL.
The criminals get Superboy’s attention by starting a fire (!!!), and I’m beginning to think that helmet is making Lana way dumber than usual considering she falls for THIS:
Will the third time be the charm? 
It looks like Lana is constantly being stopped by children who give her plot relevant information.
This isn’t even the same kid!
I’m no international jewel thiefcitation needed but I’m pretty sure this is a terrible idea.
Soooo… story over, right?
Except TEN PANELS after she lost it, Lana gets the helmet back AGAIN.
At this point it would be a better look if Superboy just took the helmet from her head and crushed it.
This works because Lana doesn’t question that there’s an entire landfill with safety helmets that look indistinguishable from an Ancient Egyptian artifact.
Sounds legit.
Historical significance: 0/10
Both stories are not even brough up when discussing Supergirl predecessors.
Silver Age-ness: 8/10
We’re firmly in the “Superman and Superboy cannot exist with other superheroes” era.
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
As most old stories they have their weird charm, but these have aged terribly.
Both as Superman’s treatment of potential superpowered rivals and of women in general.
What else was in Superman #71 ?
The first story has a rare instance of Superman using his powers while dressed as Clark Kent.
Nobody notices this and no, this doesn’t make sense in context either.
This is particularly weird because that happens BEFORE he loses his memory.
The third story is about Lex Luthor stealing the ocean AND preventing rain from happening.
But Superman stops him, so we won’t have to worry about ocean levels ever again.citation needed
What else was in Adventure Comics #167 ?
As typical of this period, we have Aquaman and Johnny Quick.
The latter includes a rather unique villain plot.
Which initially looked like they were trying to overwork the hero, but it turns out that they were just luring into a series of traps.
Also it has a superspeed trick that breaks the laws of physics even more than usual.
Then there’s a Green Arrow story that continues the theme of trying out new female heroes.
Who is initially dismissed because she’s a famous actress, but she does have archery skills.
Oh so NOW we’re dealing archery like it resembles the actual sport?
Turns out that the actress has a twin sister who is the real archer.
Also it has Speedy wearing a fursuit.
I wonder if you’ll eventually tackle Pre-Crisis Superwoman Kristin Wells.
Probably not… she gets very few appearances, and I personally found her immensely boring.
Okay then.
One thing about the character’s concept that I find weird is how she comes from the 29th century and that it has technology that allows anyone to pull off the feats of Superman and more! If everyone can be Superman if they want to, then it makes the existence of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th century make no sense. Even the might of Superboy and Mon-El wouldn’t be that special anymore.