LOIS LANE #117 (1971)
by Robert Kanigher & Werner Roth
The world being upside down would be the least weird thing in a Kanigher story.
It’s a slow news day in Metropolis, and honestly I wouldn’t put it past Lois to rob a bank if it would somehow lead to marrying Superman.
Since Metropolis is a stand-in for New York City most of the time, I find it quite hard to believe that NOTHING is happening.
A reminder that Lois Lane is supposed to be a Pulitzer Prize level journalist. But apparently making a story about drug abuse is just too hard.
It’s also such a slow news day (in the entire world!?) that Superman has the time for a date!
Last time their date was interrupted by an alien plant that wanted to make sweet alien love to Superman. This time it’s a message in a bottle.
From the future!!!
Superman takes Lois to 2196, just in time to save some local from being shot.
So naturally Superman befriends the guys doing the shooting, because of course he does.
Also: this dude’s name is “Seln-Nnol”.
I have a retrospective on a guy named Victor Von Doom and another where one of the characters’ real name is Tinya Wazzo who comes from planet Bgztl, and yet SOMEHOW “Seln-Nnol” is the most ridiculous name I’ve come across in these reviews.
(Tinya is Phantom Girl, for those not up to speed on Legion lore)
So the future is a paradise because the entire planet is addicted to an alien drug. I sense a tiny little problem with that.
And yet SUPERMAN DOESN’T !!!!
At first I hoped it was just a trick to learn more about this society, but then both Lois and Superman go into withdrawal. (!!!!!)
I can’t stress it enough: we’re doing a story with Lois and Superman experiencing withdrawal from a super-drug and it’s gloriously melodramatic!!!
So watching people walk through the woods is going to show people they can stop doing drugs?
Sounds legit.
Also: Superman’s cape protects you from gas!? HOW!? If it does because gas can’t pass through it, how is Lois breathing!?
I have to admit, a gas that makes you think the world is upside down isn’t a bad weapon.
Kind of a stupid weapon to use against Superman, though. Why was THAT minor inconvenience on the cover!?
Superman kicks some ass and burns the alien drug, and somehow this is going to fix everything.
Remember kids, don’t do drugs because otherwise you might write Lois Lane #117.
Or if you do who cares since apparently you can just quit with a walk through the woods.
I swear Kanigher’s heart is in the right place with these kind of stories but the message is all over the place.
Historical significance: 0/10
Silver Age-ness: 2∞/10
Lois is a pro at this score, since it’s the third time she gets to twice infinity out of ten.
We never even learn HOW the message in a bottle got to the 20th century!!! 
Does it stand the test of time? -50/10
Lois is the absolute queen of the negative scores… not only she’s the only one to reach this low, it’s the third time she reaches these depths!!!
Superman going through withdrawal to show you can beat addictions might sound like a good idea… but having him go through THIS first certainly doesn’t help!!!
Stupid Lois Lane moment
Just look at the above panel. Seriously, both Superman and Lois seem to be disturbingly okay with people being enslaved with drugs!!!