ACTION COMICS 272 (1961)
by Otto Binder & Jim Mooney
A story called “the second Supergirl” sounds like something from a reboot, but it’s far, FAR more insane than that!
We begin with Supergirl attending a science class in her secret identity.
I have no idea what the teacher wants the students to learn from this, by the way.
This gives Supergirl the idea to use the “Super-Univac” to find if there’s a double of Earth.
And since she talks with Superman with thought bubbles I assume they are both telepaths this issue.
The Super-Univac is quite impressive, though. It’s able to find a planet identical to Earth just by looking at pictures of Superman and Supergirl. (WTF!?!?)
We spend some time finding out small differences between Earth and Terra.
Since it has more Florida, it’s no surprise that it’s weirder than Earth.
Instead of a Supergirl, this planet has a Marvel Maid.
Who hangs out at the Fortress of Marvels.
And her origin is the opposite of Superman: she’s not from outer space but from an underground city.
This is the most Marvel place in DC Comics: not only it has Marvel Maid, but her powers have the same origin of the Fantastic Four (if it was written on drugs).
Marvel Maid’s secret identity is Lea Lindy, who works for the Daily Planet in Macropolis, whose editor is Perry Waite.
Okay the parallels were cute at first, but come on!
Well at least Supergirl gets to enjoy the spotlight, because she substitutes Marvel Maid for a while.
Terra is supposed to be just a regular planet in space, not a separate dimensions.
Why are icebergs flammable there? WHY!?!?
Because it’s just “a false iceberg made of flammable salts” (!?!?!?!?), as explained by Marvel Maid’s cousin.
Why is Supergirl surprised that there’s a Superman’s equivalent, if the Super-Univac specifically told her that there are two super-powered individuals on Terra!?
This is Marvel Man, with the opposite origin of Supergirl.
As stupid as all of this is, I’m actually enjoying to see this role reversal. It make SO much more sense than Supergirl not using her powers in public… Marvel Man is literally a child in an adult’s body!
Which, come to think of it, also makes him a Captain Marvel analogue.
Marvel Man doesn’t live in an orphanage, though, because Terra has something dark going on.
There’s something profoundly dystopic behind this idea, but obviously we skip right past that.
You would think that putting the Fortress of Solitude analogue in orbit was a good idea, but no.
Marvel Man agrees to help Supergirl deal with this, but since his existence must remain a secret she decides to help him by creating a diamond.
Which turns out to be a bad idea because diamonds are Marvel Man’s Kryptonite. (!!!!)
Between this and the whole “papers, please” deal, I wonder if Marvel Maid is actually a tyrant that is ruling Terra without mercy.
And that’s the end, because surprisingly enough this story will continue!
Historical significance: 0/10
Despite the sequel, this is understandably forgotten.
Silver Age-ness: 10/10
Supergirl’s very first 10/10! I’m surprised it took this long. But really, could it be anything else?
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
If this was a parallel dimension or another timeline, all the various parallels would be kind of cute and I might give it a few more points. But as a random planet? Bizarro’s planet makes more sense than this!