Action Comics , #42

Published: November 1941

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Issue Contents:

Story Featuring Superman

Credits
Story Notes

Superman has a yellow "S" on blue triangle on his cape. Art credits verified by Fred Ray.

City in the Stratosphere

Story Featuring Superman

"Always on the alert to help someone in need is..."

Storyline

A series of strange disappearances of prominent men in the city of Metropolis makes Clark Kent believe the kidnappings weren't under ordinary circumstances. When, as Superman, he tries to get information from local mobsters, they are suddenly destroyed by a ray out of the blue. He later discovers that Luthor built a giant city in the sky, and the arch for then hypnotizes Superman into doing his bidding.

Credits
Story Notes

Art credits by Craig Delich and Bob Hughes. We formerly credited John Sikela (pencils) and Ed Dobrtoka (inks). The Archives credit the art to John Sikela.

The Origin of the Vigilante

Story Featuring Vigilante

Storyline

At his execution, Killer Kelly tells Vigilante that he will come back from the grave, but he has really just bribed the prison doctor to lower the voltage. Greg Sanders, rodeo man, is met by Betty Stuart, a blues singer, after a rodeo, and he learns that Killer Kelly is loose. At his home, Greg dons the costume of the Vigilante and heads to the costume ball of Van Ardsley. When Killer Kelly bashes the party, the Vigilante has to rope them in.

Credits
The Ship Spies

Story Featuring The Black Pirate

"Somewhere in the Mediterranean, two swarthy pirates plot..."

Storyline

A cutthroat pretends to be an escaped fugitive to get close to Jon Valor. Bonnie is suspicious, however.

Story Notes

Strip is continued in Sensation Comics #1.

Revolution in Central America!
Storyline

On their way back from South America, the Aces find themselves in the middle of a Central American revolution. A man named Miguel Miranda takes their planes for the war, and the Aces have to figure out a way to get them back.

Story Notes

Writer credit added by Craig Delich.

The Origin of Fatman

"No fury like a woman scorned?"

Storyline

Mr. America goes out to investigate a strange lack of crime, but Bob is ordered to stay in. Feeling deserted, Bob creates the identity of Fatman. At Tex's headquarters, he develops a way to transform his cape into a magic flying carpet. Fatman stumbles upon the plans of the Queen Bee to steal radium.

Credits
Story Notes

1st uses cape as a flying carpet. Writer credit by Jerry Bails.

Missing Masterpiece

"That night the guns of the invader..."

Credits
Dead or Alive

"Killer Manon's body was lying, face down, near the big oak tree."

Credits

"He won't drop them..."

Story Notes

3 gags. Writer credit added by Craig Delich.

Story Featuring Congo Bill

"Blazing a path through miles of treacherous jungle-land on his way to the coast, Congo Bill signals his safari to halt."

Storyline

In the jungle, Congo Bill's safari comes across a white man being buried alive by a native and attempts to stop him, only to be informed that he's just ruined a shot in an adventure film. Talking with the director, Hugo Von Eller, Bill finds out that the production has been plagued with problems. Sheila agrees to stand in for a sick actress, but the problems continue.

Credits
The Man Who Could Control Minds

Story Featuring Zatara

"The master magician wages a war of wills against..."

Storyline

Zatara spots the Tigress and Frosty Parke and decides to follow them. He catches them trying to rob a bank and quickly stops them, putting Frosty into the hospital. There, Frosty uses an experiment that allows him to control men's minds, and somehow the power is transferred into him. He escapes and meets with Tigress to continue their crime spree. Zatara discovers Frosty's new power and investigates.

Credits
Plenty of Energy
Story Notes

Back cover.

Story Notes

Inside back cover.

Choose Your Prize
Action! Thrills!
Different!
New Films for Your Superman Krypto-Raygun
Black Fire by Corvelle Newcomb

"From slave boy to king!"

Credits
Newcomer!
What a Cast!
Story Notes

Several small ads.

Superman Is in the Movies!
Still at the Top!
Superman Krypto-Raygun
Supermen of America
Story Notes

"Third Prize Winner" in Superman's Super Contest is George Kashdan (b. May 17, 1928 – d.June 3, 2006). He worked at DC Comics from the mid-1940s until 1968 as a writer and editor. GCD has credits for him from 1947 until 1988.

Another Message to Our Readers
Story Notes

Inside front cover.