Look up in the sky!

Back issue browsing again. This is Superman issue 240 by Denny O'Neil with art by Curt Swan and Dick Giordano.

The problem with Superman is, of course, the fact that he is so ridiculously powerful. When he can do anything and not be harmed then the stories become dull. That is why writers have introduced his various romantic interests over the years, and have come up with so many shades of Kryptonite to weaken him. On top of this Superman gets a sort of reboot/makeover once every 10 to 15 years.

This story is from 1971 and takes place after Denny O'Neil had taken over the book and reduced Superman's powers. In fact in this issue his powers seem to be fading altogether and although he manages to save the people in a burning building he can't save the building itself. As Superman says himself in the comic this is a bit of a come down for a character who used to juggle planets. After his failure with the building the fickle public turn against Superman hence the angst ridden cover image above.

The artist Curt Swan was the definitive silver age Superman artist and he doesn't disappoint here. There's not much more to the story but it's all very nice to look at. I don't really have many Superman comics in my collection and once again I have no idea why I've got this single issue. Must be another one that caught me eye in a back issue box somewhere.

There is a back up story from "The Fabulous world of Krypton" featuring the Scarlet jungle, which is an interesting coincidence. The jungle on Superman's home planet was the source of an infection that nearly killed the character when Alan Moore got to write a cross over with Swamp Thing in a famous issue of DC Comics Presents.