Action Comics #365 (1968)
by Leo Dorfman & Ross Andru
We have reached the end of the Virus X storyline. Last time Superman was infected with the deadly virus in a surprisingly grim story; will the ending be another unknown gem, or will the story fizzle out in the end?
For that we’ll have to wait for the fourth part. Because in the third part of the storyline, Action Comics #365, almost nothing happens.
One of the “almosts” is the fact that Superman’s rocket is bound for “the hottest sun in the universe”… Flammbron. More famous as the worst named celestial body in the universe, and I remind you that planet Femnaz exists in DC continuity.
On the way to Flammbron, Superman’s rocket passes by several planets mourning his soon-to-be death.
I particularly enjoyed the panel showing the planet where everyone wears a blindfold in his honor… it’s delightfully alien, cheesy and profound at the same time!
We also have the reaction from Lexor, the planet where Lex Luthor is considered a hero by most of the population.
I may eventually cover Lexor’s history, since it’s the background of some of the best AND some of the worst Superman stories. But it’s quite telling that Superman takes pleasure in how they are now denouncing Luthor.
The rest of the story is almost exclusively Superman using his super-memory to remember his past. It’s handled rather well; I said almost nothing happens, but it’s a good introduction for several minutiae of Superman’s past.
Although maybe I would’ve skipped Superboy’s first kiss…
…because THAT scene is from the infamous Lois Lane #50, where Lois was enthusiastic about being the one being kissed on the cheek by a teenager.
Also apparently Pa Kent was super-strong, because that is one thick sheet of lead to hold with one hand!!!
Superman also fantasizes on what would have been his fate if he grew up on Krypton…
…and in true Superman fashion, believes that Lex Luthor could’ve been a force for good.
I’m not covering ALL the references to previous Superman stories. But come on, you just know I have to connect this to the Legion SOMEHOW.
Apart from all these fantasies, the only REAL things happening in this issue are Superman being saluted by Bizarro…
…and Supergirl making sure that all of Superman’s love interests watch him die.
Supergirl, I get what you were trying to do, but maybe that’s not the healthiest approach.
And that’s already the end, spelling out that this issue contained the clue to how to cure Superman.
Spoiler alert: the cure is going to be THE DUMBEST THING EVER.
Action Comics #366 (1968)
by Leo Dorfman & Ross Andru
cover by Neal Adams
And here we are. It’s taken four issue to get to this moment, an unprecedented length for a Silver Age story.
Superman has reached the awfully named Flammbron, which being the hottest sun in the universe (“a million times hotter than the Sun” even) is naturally inhabited.
The locals are able to save Superman from being roasted alive thanks to their highly advanced technobabble…
…and it turns out that Superman has been cured!
I know what you’re thinking: they can’t possibly have spent three parts on Superman dying only to have him cured by a random alien species at PAGE THREE of the fourth part, right?
No, of course they didn’t do that.
Turns out that Superman has been cured by THE DUMBEST THING EVER.
(I told you it was a spoiler)
Yes. Virus X, which is LITERALLY CALLED A VIRUS, is actually a plant-like bacterium.
Sound legit.
Also, it’s probably a good moment to reflect on our journey so far.
Yep, that is seriously how Virus-X is treated: WHITE KRYPTONITE.
And turns out these aliens know Superman because when he was Superboy he did mouth-to-mouth to their cousins. I’M NOT KIDDING.
Sooo… why is the story NOT over? Earth apparently has already moved on!
Apparently SOMEONE took Superman’s job while he was away, telling the people of Earth that he’s the original one.
How disappointing is it that the fake story is FAR less lame than the truth!? If Superman really HAD been cured by Flammbron’s heat it would still be a last-minute deus ex machina, but it wouldn’t be THE DUMBEST THING EVER that we instead received.
Superman then follows his replacement, discovering something odd: there’s more than one Superman replacement.
Normally I would do the “guess the stupid ending gag”, but THIS ENTIRE ISSUE IS STUPID.
So it turns out that the new Superman replacements… are the entire Justice League.
Why is Martian Manhunter using a mask to pretend being Superman? HE’S A SHAPESHIFTER!!!
Not stupid enough for you? It gets worse!!!
Because Kandor was ALSO carrying out a selection of who should replace Superman… and despite the fact that Van-Zee in particular has taken Supes’ place multiple times, the Kandorians decide they have to have an election about this. (WTF!?)
As for how Superman deduced he was dealing with the Justice League… it was because of how they used their powers, but how is ANY of this any different from what Superman typically does!?!?
Maaaaaybe I can give him the Green Lantern example, but what about the rest!?
And so we end by highlight that the entire Justice League and Supergirl are really no match for Superman.
Seriously, that’s it! We don’t even get a final confrontation with Lex Luthor… he doesn’t appear AT ALL in this story!!!
After such a spectacular beginning of a saga, HOW DO YOU SCREW UP THE FINALE SO BADLY!?!?
Historical significance: 0/10
Nothing happens in the third part and YOU WISH nothing happened in the fourth.
Silver Age-ness
Third part: 7/10
It’s mostly a recap of Silver Age stories, but overall it keeps the somber tone of the first two parts.
Fourth part: 10999/10
WTF IS THIS!?!?
Does it stand the test of time?
Third part: 8/10
Pretty solid. Definitely a step down from the previous parts, but it’s a nice occasion to see how Superman remembers his own life. There are basically no references to which issues actually showed the scenes in question, though.
Fourth part: 0/10
