ACTION COMICS 273 (1961)
“The World of Mr. Mxyzptlk” by Jerry Siegel & Al Plastino
“The Supergirl of Two Worlds!” by Otto Binder & Jim Mooney
You’ve probably seen this panel before: it’s often brought up as evidence of Superman being way too overpowered during the Silver Age. But what’s the story behind it?
It’s not like the cover was lying: anyone picking this up must’ve known it would lead to insanity.
The origin of the sneeze is quite direct: Mr. Mxyzptlk exposing Superman to sneezing powder.
It’s not enough to give Superman enough speed to reach another solar system in the time needed to hold a sneeze. He also has to be so unfathomably powerful to destroy the entire system.
But where do you go from there? How can you make the story more ridiculous? Well, turning the Moon into green cheese helps!
The deal with Mr. Mxyzptlk is that the only way to send him back to the 5th dimension is to make him say his name backwards.
So naturally Superman builds a giant bottle of perfume filled with blue liquid. (WTF!?)
Why? To spray Mr. Mxyzptlk with indelible ink…
…disguise himself as a doctor…
…and give Mr. Mxyzptlk a fake prescription with his name backwards!
I would say that this looks like a sketch from Looney Tunes, except Bugs Bunny makes infinitely more sense than this.
Not insane enough for you? This comic has got you covered, with Superman following Mr. Mxyzptlk into the 5th dimension to find out he’s actually running for mayor there.
It shouldn’t be surprising that Superman is an expert troll.
I’m not gonna lie, “Idiots vote for me, why not you?” is actually a great political ad.
The only way to force Superman to leave the 5th dimension is to make him say his name backwards, but it proves far more difficult than with Mr. Mxyzptlk.
With Mr. Mxyzptlk you always have to remember two things:
1) he’s basically omnipotent
2) he’s a complete and utter moron
Surprisingly enough, the cover scene takes up very little space, especially compared to the perfume bottle scheme.
And we end with Mr. Mxyzptlk finding out that forcing Superman to say his name backwards doesn’t really work the way he thought it would.
We also continue the story of Supergirl from last issue. Despite the title, it has nothing to do with the multiverse (naturally, since it won’t be invented for another five months).
We return to the world of Terra, which is exactly like Earth except:
1) it has more Florida (????)
2) it has different monuments
3) it has Marvel Maid instead of Supergirl and Marvel Man instead of Superman
4) she’s a public figure while nobody on the planet knows about him
I’m beginning to think that Terra was actually created by Mr. Mxyzptlk when he was drunk.
Interestingly, the comic has Supergirl taking the blame for last issue’s satellite crash so that Superman’s analogue can prove himself worthy of having his identity revealed to the public, in a role reversal from Supergirl’s status quo at the time.
I usually side with Supergirl since her cousin is The Worst in the Silver Age… but this time the satellite crash WAS her fault!
Terra is kind of weird in a lot of ways, but at least they’re way more progressive than the real 1961!
That’s enough to convince Marvel Maid to talk to Superman, so that he can agree to reveal the existence of Supergirl to the public.
Once Marvel Maid reaches Earth, she saves people from a lightning strike…
…and that’s enough to convince Superman to reveal the existence of Supergirl!
What the heck!? Now, don’t get me wrong, Superman’s decision to keep Supergirl’s existence a secret never made much sense, but… this was a very routine thing for her!
Out of all the things she’s done, THAT was all he needed!?!?
Okay, she won’t join the Legion of Super-Heroes for another three issues, but still!
The way Superman has his robot duplicates swear allegiance is… weird. This looks more like a Doctor Doom thing!
Only now Superman notices that this is Marvel Maid and not Supergirl.
I would make fun of him for not noticing it sooner… but then again, considering that she’s sixteen, I’m kind of glad he didn’t pay much attention to her chest.
Marvel Maid makes her case by telling Superman about Supergirl’s adventures on her planet, and they tune their Space Monitor ™ into her latest adventure.
Which is saving a bridge from sinking into a river.
Except… on Terra, bridges are submersed to let the boats navigate above them, on the account that it is a really bad idea.
Marvel Man saves a boat from crashing into the bridge, and apparently that’s such an amazing feat that Marvel Maid decides to reveal his existence to the people of Terra.
A happy ending for the people of Terra.
But not for Earth because remember: Superman is The Worst.
You’re just punishing her because Marvel Maid made you look like a fool, aren’t you?
Like I said: The Worst.
Bonus: a few readers have been complaining about Supergirl’s hair style being too childish (she turned 16 a couple of issues ago), so here are the options!
They will go with something closely resembling the “campus cuddle-bun”, but honestly I would’ve preferred the “contempo cut”.
Historical significance
Superman story: 1/10
In addition to having the quintessential demonstration of Superman’s overpowered status, it’s the first story to acknowledge that Earth and the 5th dimension occupy the same space (whatever THAT means, but it’ll be somewhat important with Crisis).
Supergirl story: 0/10
With the Multiverse being introduced you might expect Marvel Man and Marvel Maid to be used again, but no, this is their last appearance.
Silver Age-ness
Superman story: 109/10
Currently in third place, with a one billion out of ten score. Still far from the current record holders, Superboy 101 and Lois Lane 59 that scored ∞/10.
Supergirl story: 10/10
You really couldn’t tell this kind of story in any other era.
Does it stand the test of time?
Superman story: 0/10
At least if you’re sober.
Supergirl story: 0/10
Like all Supergirl stories of this era it does have some wholesome charm, but between the nonsensical Terra and the finale I can’t imagine anyone wanting to adapt this.