MORE FUN COMICS #101 (1945)
by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
This five page story is of tremendous historical significance: being the first appearance of Superboy, it’s retroactively considered the first Earth-1 story ever.
The story about Superboy is a complicated one. Jerry Siegel actually wanted to do Superboy stories as early as 1938 or 1940 depending on sources.
In 1944 (this has a cover date of January 1945), with Siegel serving in the US Army, DC Comics published the story I’m reviewing today.
Writer Don Cameron, who will write the other six Superboy stories published in More Fun Comics, was brought up to work Siegel’s earlier script into this one.
Siegel himself wasn’t informed about this until after the story was published.
But back to the story itself, we begin with a retelling of the last days of Krypton. Which, coincidentally, Superman doesn’t know because it won’t be until 1949’s Superman #61 that he learns about his alien heritage.
Kryptonian fashion hasn’t been established yet, so no headbands. Instead apparently they’re all big on head safety!
I find it fascinating that all those early retellings of Superman’s origin include the detail that her mother had the opportunity to reach Earth but decided to die instead.
Another details that is consistent in these early retellings but will vanish is the fact that Superman’s rocket was found by “a passing motorist”.
It was even in the “Adventures of Superman” radio serial!
Compare the same scene with the very first page of Action Comics #1:
Given this is a Superboy story, instead of jumping to the adult Clark Kent we find he’s using his powers. He’s visibly much younger than in 50s and 60s Superboy stories.
Despite thinking he has to keep his powers secret from other kids, he immediately displays them in public when it’s time to save someone’s life.
And that’s ALREADY the end.
As if Superboy wasn’t significant enough, this is also the last Golden Age appearance of the Spectre. Who has gone from being an immeasurably powerful force of nature to the invisible aide to “Super-Cop Percival Popp”.
The Spectre won’t return after this until 1966.
Good thing he’s been dead since his first story or I’d say it was time to put him out of his misery.
Historical significance: 10/10
It rarely gets as significant as this.
Silver Age-ness: 0/10
All things considered, still more firmly Golden than Silver Age.
Does it stand the test of time? N/A
This… is not really a story, so I don’t think it would be fair to give it a proper score. It’s more of a teaser than anything else, and for what it’s worth it does its job.
It doesn’t 100% match the Silver Age Superboy… this Clark Kent doesn’t really seem completely aligned with this teenage self, plus of course there’s not mention of Superbaby.