LOIS LANE #62 (1966)
by Leo Dorfman & Kurt Schaffenberger
Lois Lane elected as Senator. What could possibly go wrong?
We begin with Perry White collapsing at his desk for “an attack of nerves” and then handing off his duties to Clark Kent, since he’s a better journalist than both Lois and Jimmy.
I’ve always suspected that only these four people work at the Daily Planet during the Silver Age.
By the way, I’m not kidding about the fact that Clark is a better journalist than Lois: she’s not interested in covered politics because it’s “strictly Dullsville”.
Then the “independent party” announces its nominee: Superman!
Lois argues that Superman really shouldn’t run. Wait, LOIS is the voice of reason!? What’s happening!?
Also, Superman seems really tired of having Lois around.
Superman may be acting like a dick (shocking, I know), but there’s something about the attitude Lois has towards journalism that really rubs me the wrong way.
Superman’s campaign includes setting himself on fire. (WTF!?!?)
It’s frightening that “Superman acting like a sleazy politician” is indistinguishable from “Superman acting like in every other Silver Age story”.
(the old lady is a disguised Lois Lane, by the way)
The Independent Party is about to declare Superman its official candidate since there are not any other volunteers. Until…
That’s right: Lois Lane is going to run for office against Superman. Will she make it?
No.
A popular figure with immense power is going to run unopposed.
But don’t worry, democracy can be saved by Mr. Mxyzptlk!
Well… democracy had a good run.
Lois begins a write-in campaign, with Mr. Mxyzptlk providing the ads with his magic (!!!).
And again Clark proves to be a good journalist!
Lois also has Mr. Mxyzptlk conjure up a river while coming up with a bogus explanation.
This obviously gets her a lot of votes, ever worrying her… wait, JIMMY OLSEN is Superman’s campaign manager!?
What happened to the Daily Planet being neutral!? You’re full of sh#t, Clark!
Lois even gets the absentee ballot from the military thanks to a movie magically created by Mr. Mxyzptlk, something that Jimmy discovers in the most ridiculous way.
It turns out that all of this was part of Superman’s plan. That’s honestly not surprising, but what did catch me off guard was the use of continuity from last issue!
Remember that Superman is still an alien, so it’s understandable that his logic is incomprehensible for the human brain.
You see, THIS ENTIRE THING was planned EXCLUSIVELY because Superman wanted Lois to handle Mr. Mxyzptlk a piece of paper!!!
AND ONLY NOW the people realize that both Superman and Lois are not eligible!!!
I should be shocked by the fact that Lois is supposed to be younger than 30 (????), but seriously, NOBODY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS!??!?!
But wait, the big surprise is yet to come! The election is cancelled (???) and the governor appoints an interim Senator… PERRY WHITE.
That’s right, Perry White is leaving the Daily Planet to a random guy we’ve never met!
Continuity in a Lois Lane story!? What in the name of Professor Potter is going on!?!?
Historical significance: 3/10
This doesn’t have huge implications (Benson will be the editor only for a couple of issues), but having this kind of serialization on this series is unprecedented!
Silver Age-ness: 8/10
Mr. Mxyzptlk is typically an automatic 10/10, but the touch of continuity brings it down a couple of points.
Does it stand the test of time? 0/10
There are SOME minor good parts, mostly Lois being disgusted by Superman’s behavior… and then it’s all ruined by the rest of the story.
Stupid Lois Lane moment
Not figuring out that she was too young to run for Senator. That’s just inexcusable!!!
Interesting letters: oh thank Potter, not ALL Lois Lane readers were psychopaths!
