Lombard would flatten himself against my invulnerable body like an accordion if I didn't "give"! Lucky for "Slinger" I can control my temper! At times like this, a secret identity is a real pain! 
Superman #264 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1973.
Synopsis for "Secret of the Phantom Quarterback!"
Former Metropolis Meteors star quarterback Steve Lombard is walking down the street when he sees a baby falling from a building. He saves the infant, but awakens an old knee injury that he gained during his pro football years. A scientific "miracle worker" named Frederic Fowe witnesses the spectacle and offers to treat Steve's injuries. He uses a special solar healing ray which quickly restores Lombard to proper health. However, the ray also demonstrates an unusual side-effect, as it creates a solar-powered energy being based upon Steve's likeness. The energy being adorns itself in one of Steve's old football jerseys and becomes the Phantom Quarterback.
The Phantom Quarterback bounds across Metropolis committing random acts. Superman arrives on the scene, and determines that the entity is more a nuisance than an aid, and so he launches the creature into outer space where it impacts with a sunspot on Earth's sun.
Later, Morgan Edge of WGBS hires Steve Lombard to work for him as a sportscaster. Clark Kent and Lois Lane immediately take a disliking to Steve who irritates them with his aloof attitude and quirky behavior.
Appearing in "Secret of the Phantom Quarterback!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Lois Lane
- Morgan Edge
- Steve Lombard (First appearance)
Antagonists:
- Phantom Quarterback (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Metropolis Meteors
- The Flash (Mentioned only)
- Frederic Fowe (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Earth's Sun
- Earth
- Metropolis
- GBS Building
- Star Stadium
- Metropolis
- Earth
Items:
- Purple Healing Ray
- Solar Antenna
Vehicles:
- Traffic Jam (Destroyed)
Synopsis for "The Headband Warriors of Krypton!"
A Kryptonian mother tells her son Nim-Ed how the ancient hero Rik-Ar overthrew the tyrant Taka-Ne with slings made of headbands, which were worn in his honor thereafter.
Appearing in "The Headband Warriors of Krypton!"
Featured Characters:
- Rik-Ar (Flashback only)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Taka-Ne (Flashback only)
Other Characters:
- Nim-Ed's Mother
Locations:
- Krypton
- Taka-Ne's Fortress (Flashback only)
- Stone Quarry (Flashback only)
- Taka-Ne's Fortress (Flashback only)
Items:
- Gorlik Plague (Hoax) (Flashback only)
- Headbands (Flashback only)
Vehicles:
- Winged One (In dream sequence only)
Notes
- This issue was published two months after issue Superman #263.
- Steve Lombard becomes a regularly recurring supporting character with this issue.
Trivia
- The main storyline from this issue is re-imagined in DC Comics Presents: Superman #1.
- Frederic Fowe's violet healing ray is similar to the Purple Healing Ray used by the Amazons of Paradise Island.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Superman Family Recommended Reading
- Action Comics (Volume 1)
- Adventure Comics (Volume 1)
- DC Comics Presents (Volume 1)
- Superboy (Volume 1)
- Superboy (Volume 2)
- Supergirl (Volume 1)
- Supergirl (Volume 2)
- Superman (Volume 1)
- Superman Family (Volume 1)
- Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane (Volume 1)
- Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen (Volume 1)
- World's Finest (Volume 1)