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"Hercules in the 20th Century": This story is reprinted from Action Comics #267.

Superman #239 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 1971.

Synopsis for "Hercules in the 20th Century"

This story is reprinted from Action Comics #267.

Although he is locked away in prison, Lex Luthor is able to build a time projector device using solar energy to power it. He uses the device to pluck Hercules out of the ancient past and make him appear in the present. Luthor tricks Hercules (by telling him he was imprisoned by an unjust king who took his gold) into breaking him out of prison. Taking Hercules to one of his secret labs, Luthor uses a device to teach him English and educate him on the 20th Century. Hercules is interested in news broadcasts about Superman, and Luthor intends to "tell" Hercules all about the Man of Steel after they get back "his" gold.

Later, when Hercules learns that he was tricked by Luthor into committing a crime, he saves the Man of Steel by throwing a chunk of Green Kryptonite that Luthor intended to use on Superman. Superman and Hercules then easily capture Luthor and turn him back over to the authorities. Afterwards, Hercules asks Superman to allow him to explore the 20th Century. Agreeing Superman sets him up in a civilian identity of Roger Tate, and takes him to the Daily Planet. There Clark gets him a job as a photographer, and Hercules is instantly smitten by Lois Lane.

When he's sent on assignment to photograph a lion tamer, "Tate" goes into action as Hercules when the animals break loose. Later he is ordered by Perry to bring Lois her lunch. Lois is at the Acme Studio posing for Moon Kiss Perfume, and he is even more enchanted by her when he sees her in costume. Eventually, Hercules proposes to Lois Lane and reveals his true identity to her. Lois declines his offer of marriage, telling him that she only loves Superman, but she will respect his secret identity.

Over the coming days, Hercules attempts to impress Lois with a series of super-feats, however they pale in comparison to what the Man of Steel is able to do. Jealous and seeking more power, Hercules takes an assignment in Greece. Arriving there he goes to the Cave of the Oracle and summons the Oracle. The Oracle then opens a portal to the temple of the gods. There he meets with Jove, Mercury, Venus, Vulcan, and Achilles and asks them to grant him with their powers so that he might be able to defeat Superman. Granting him with their powers, the Gods send Hercules off with their blessing, the demi-god returning to Metropolis and vowing to defeat Superman.

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Synopsis for "Superman's Battle with Hercules"

This story is reprinted from Action Comics #268.

Continued from last issue... Hercules has tricked the gods into granting him their powers so that he can defeat Superman and force Lois Lane to marry him, however he can only use each of these powers once. Arriving back Metropolis, he interrupts a special exhibit where Superman has built a flying saucer for a bunch of spectators and lights it on fire with the flames of Vulcan. He then ends up in a battle against Superman, using the various powers gifted to him both the other gods.


However, the Man of Steel proves to be the superior combatant, using his mind to easily overcome Hercules's attacks. After a number of failed attacks, Hercules tries to use Cupid's bow on Lois Lane, however, this plan backfires as she was looking at a picture of Superman when she was struck. Furious at being slapped in the face by a defiant Lois, he then summons Pan's flute and uses it to put Superman to sleep for the next 100 years.


Trying to force Lois into marrying him, Hercules is foiled when Venus appears and informs Hercules that the gods have found out that he intended to use their powers for malicious intent. Stripping Hercules of his additional powers and reviving Superman, Venus then departs. Fighting Superman with his advanced strength, Superman gets an idea of how to defeat Hercules. Taking them both through the time barrier, Superman's gamble pays off: Hercules like all others who travel through time unprotected with him, had lost all his memories of the future.


With Hercules having no memory of their confrontation, nor of Lois Lane, Superman bids farewell to the now friendly Hercules and returns to his own time. There, Lois asks Superman on a date, which he declines because he has to go out on patrol.

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Synopsis for "Titano the Super-Ape"

This story is reprinted from Superman #127.

During a televised talent show, Lois Lane has Superman show off his ability to turn coal into diamonds, and then introduces a new act: Toto the monkey. After Toto shows off his proficiency with numbers, Lois easily befriends the ape when she cleans him up after he's struck by a pie thrown by a comedy routine. Toto's owner then tells Lois to join them at the Cape Rocket Range where Toto is going to be launched into space in a satellite as part of a publicity stunt.

Lois and Superman both show up, and when the rocket doesn't launch, the Man of Steel lends a helping hand. while in space, Toto's satellite passes two meteors, one made of Uranium and the other Green Kryptonite colliding, their energies bombarding Toto. Upon arriving on Earth, Toto appears alive and well, but suddenly grows to a gigantic size. Renamed Titano by Lois Lane, the creature captures her. When Superman tries to save her, he finds that the creature can fire beams of Kryptonite energy from its eyes, weakening the hero.

Stuck as Titano's prisoner, Lois can only witness as Titano causes mischief and unintentional destruction of property. Using a lead shield, Superman manages to save Lois Lane, but the hero is still hard pressed over what to do about Titano. Trapping the creature in a cage, it still poses a threat to the Man of Steel due to its Kryptonite vision. Superman soon learns that the creature will try to imitate anything that Lois does, and so the two trick the gigantic ape into putting on a pair of specially made glasses that block its Kryptonite vision. Superman then sends Titano through the time barrier to prehistoric Earth, where the gigantic ape can live a happy life.

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Synopsis for "Showdown Between Luthor and Superman"

This story is reprinted from Superman #164.

Lex Luthor secretly built an escape vehicle and breaks out of prison. He issues a challenge to Superman -- a fair fight on equal terms under a red sun. Superman forges a spacecraft and they fly to the barren, yet-unnamed, planet Lexor; where the two challengers set up a boxing ring. Though he took some punishment due to his tendency to pull a punch, Superman eventually knocked-out Luthor.

After a chase through cactii and a brutal sandstorm, Superman and Luthor find the dregs of Lexorian civilization. They both learn the language, but it is Luthor that restores their water and power, drives off the Dorulgs, and sets about digging a new well. Because they were helped by Luthor, the Lexorians regard him as a hero -- and Superman as a villain.

Luthor's digging machine finds no water, and Lex seems to be feeling his first pangs of shame. He and Superman have a gadget duel in the public arena with various old Lexor weapons before Luthor throws the fight, and pleads with Superman to take him away so that he doesn't have to let down the grateful Lexorians.

Once Superman's spacecraft returns to the light of a yellow sun, Lex asks Superman to stop and launch mountains of ice back at Lexor to create reservoirs of water. Superman was happy to do so and lets Luthor take the credit, while Lex is desperate to hide his compassion and return to jail. Back in his cell, Superman brings Lex a photograph from Lexor -- of a statue erected to honor Lex Luthor.

Appearing in "Showdown Between Luthor and Superman"

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  • Anti-Gravity Tornado
  • Boxing Ring
  • Broadcast-Interruptor
  • Dark Force Ring Projector
  • Gravity Shoes
  • Lesson Machine
  • Radium Battery
  • Shooting Suns
  • Statue of Lex Luthor
  • Thermal Detector

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  • All-Terrain Escape Vehicle
  • Superman's Spacecraft

Synopsis for "The Super-Duel"

Part II of Showdown Between Luthor and Superman from Superman #164.

Appearing in "The Super-Duel"

See the appearance list for Showdown Between Luthor and Superman.

Synopsis for "Map of Krypton's Hemispheres"

A detailed global map of pre-cataclysm Krypton highlighting areas of interest such as the Fire Falls, the Gold Volcano, the Scarlet Jungle and Vathlo Island.

Appearing in "Map of Krypton's Hemispheres"

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Notes

  • An all reprint issue; plus a new "Map of Krypton's 'New World' and 'Old World' Hemispheres".

Trivia

  • A number of locations in the "Map of Krypton's Hemispheres" — such as the Glass Forest — would not be seen again until Superman Annual #11.


See Also


Links and References

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