Action Comics, #443
Published: January 1975
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Issue Contents:
Superman Unleashes the World's Greatest Action Heroes!
Storyline
Superman opens the cover of an Action Comics issue and the other heroes rush out.
Characters
- Superman
- Adam Strange
- Hawkman
- Green Lantern [Hal Jordan]
- Batman
- the Atom [Ray Palmer]
- the Black Pirate
Credits
- Pencils: Nick Cardy
- Inks: Nick Cardy
- Colors: Tatjana Wood
- Letters: Joe Letterese (uncertain)
Story Notes
Credits for pencils and inks confirmed from Julius Schwartz's editorial records, provided by DC Comics. Colors credit provided by Anthony Tollin.
How to Tell Your Dad You're Ready for a Daisy B*B Gun.
Story Notes
Ad for b*b guns from Daisy Division of Victor Comptometer Corporation. On inside front cover.
"Here are six thrillers with the accent on action!"
Characters
- Superman
Credits
- Script: E. Nelson Bridwell (uncertain)
- Pencils: Curt Swan
- Inks: Murphy Anderson
- Letters: Gaspar Saladino
At Last! Clark Kent-- Super-Hero!
Storyline
Queen Bee captures all of the Justice League except Superman, who uses Kryptonian technology to reverse Earth residents' perceptions of Clark Kent and Superman. This confuses Brainiac so that Superman can trace Queen Bee's Bee-Men back to her lair and free the Justice League, who then capture her and the other villains.
Characters
- Superman [Clark Kent]
- Lois Lane
- Jimmy Olsen
- Steve Lombard
- Josh Coyle
- Oscar Asherman
- Queen Bee [Zazzala](villain)
- Brainiac (villain)
- Clayface [Matt Hagen] (villain)
- The Harpy (villain)
- Merlyn [Arthur King](villain)
- Ocean Master (villain)
- Sinestro (villain)
- Chronos [David Clinton] (villain)
- Gorilla Grodd (villain)
- Justice League of America [Green Arrow [Oliver Queen]
- Black Canary [Dinah Lance]
- The Flash [Barry Allen]
- Green Lantern [Hal Jordan]
- Batman [Bruce Wayne]
- Aquaman [Arthur Curry]
- Red Tornado [John Smith]
- Elongated Man [Ralph Dibny]
- The Atom [Ray Palmer]]
- a Guardian of Oa
- Warden Marwell
Credits
- Script: Erik Nielsen
- Pencils: Curt Swan
- Inks: Tex Blaisdell
- Letters: Ben Oda
Story Notes
References Action Comics #424.
7 Threats in the 7 Seas!
Storyline
One-panel recaps of stories from Sea Devils #2-3, 6-9, and 12.
Characters
- The Sea Devils [Dane Dorrance
- Biff
- Judy
- Nicky]
- Mr. Neptune
- Undersea Nero
- Water Alien
- Sea-Sorcerer
- Coral Giant
- Magnetic Monster
Credits
- Pencils: Russ Heath
- Inks: Russ Heath
- Script: E. Nelson Bridwell (uncertain)
- Letters: Gaspar Saladino
Story Notes
References Sea Devils #2-3, 6-9, and 12. Art includes reprinted panels.
The Ghost of the Deep!
Storyline
After watching a singer named Circe Smith at a nightclub, the Sea Devils appear to meet the mythological Circe during their next dive. She puts the male members into a contest and Dane abandons his oxygen tank, and when Judy tries to save him by sacrificing herself it jolts the boys out of their spell to save her.
Characters
- The Sea Devils [Dane Dorrance
- Judy
- Biff
- Nicky]
- Circe Smith
- Circe (from mythology)
Credits
- Script: Ramón Armas
- Pencils: Russ Heath
- Inks: Russ Heath
- Editing: Robert Kanigher
- Letters: Gaspar Saladino
Story Notes
This story could be explained as a nitrogen narcosis-induced dream of Judy's instead of a real adventure, as the male members have no memory of the adventure at the end of the story. Story in two parts of 7.67 and 3.67 pages.
Coming Super-Attractions
Characters
- Superman
- Green Arrow
- Black Canary
Story Notes
House ad for Action Comics #444, on sale the last week of November. At bottom of page 8 of Sea Devils story.
"There Must Be a Better Way to Earn a Living..."
Story Notes
Ad for training courses. Between pages 9-10 of Sea Devils story.
100 Pages for Only 60c
Featuring DC Comics
Story Notes
House ad for DC Comics with black-and-white versions of various covers shown. Between pages 9-10 of Sea Devils story.
Storyline
A boy is fishing in what appears to be shallow water, so The Quiet Man wades in. He is immediately submerged in deep water because the boy was standing on stilts.
Characters
- The Quiet Man
- boy
Credits
- Script: Mort Drucker
- Pencils: Mort Drucker
- Inks: Mort Drucker
Story Notes
At bottom of final page of Sea Devils story.
Featuring Super-Puzzle
Credits
- Script: Bob Rozakis
Story Notes
A word puzzle. Answers on page 71, at bottom of final page of Adam Strange story.
Formula 1
Story Notes
Ad for Corgi die-cast miniature cars.
Featuring DC Comics
Characters
- Batman
- Cary Bates
Story Notes
House ad for Amazing World of DC Comics #2, ready for mailing September 15th.
Featuring DC Comics
"We Can Put DC Comics Right in Your Mail Box."
Characters
- Batman
- Robin
Story Notes
House ad for DC Comics subscriptions.
Revolt in Painted Canyon!
Storyline
Matt concocts a ruse with his men to capture Jed Crogan and his men, who have been menacing a town and its ranchers.
Characters
- Matt Savage
- Red
- Clay
- Mary Beth Hale
- Luther Jones
- Arizona Bill Pinto
- Jed Crogan
- Hank Blaine
- Grant
- Dixon
- Biscuits Baker
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Gil Kane
- Inks: Joe Giella
- Letters: Morris Waldinger
- Editing: Whitney Ellsworth
- Editing: Julius Schwartz
See the Mystery of the Strange Change
Story Notes
Ad for Strange Change models series from MPC Fundimensions division of General Mills. Between pages 3-4 of Matt Savage story.
Mesa and Butte (1)
Featuring What's The Difference Between...
Storyline
Definition of a mesa and a butte. At bottom of final page of Matt Savage story.
The Super-Brain of Adam Strange!
Storyline
Sardath attempts to control Adam's Zeta-Beam visits to Rann but a side-effect gives Adam a super-evolved brain which also creates a brain-wave menace for the planet. When Alanna shuts down Sardath's machine all returns to normal but some of the brain-wave energy becomes frozen into a rock which Adam takes back to Earth.
Characters
- Adam Strange
- Alanna
- Sardath
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Carmine Infantino
- Inks: Sid Greene
- Letters: Joe Letterese (uncertain)
Story Notes
References Strange Adventures 235 and Action Comics 437. The brain-wave energy rock next appears in the next story in this issue: "Amazing Thefts of The I.Q. Gang!"
Never Finished High School?
Story Notes
Ad for home study towards a high school diploma. Between pages 3-4 of Adam Strange story.
Now You Can Get the Copies You've Missed
Featuring DC Comics
Story Notes
House ad for back issues of DC Comics, with some covers shown. Between pages 3-4 of Adam Strange story.
Story Notes
Ad for toys and novelties. Between pages 7-8 of Adam Strange story.
What Does This Campion Have in Common...with You?
Characters
- Joe Weider
- Dave Draper
Story Notes
Ad for body building course with testimonial by a successful student. Between pages 7-8 of Adam Strange story.
Write Right Now!
Story Notes
Ads in classified format for stamps, books, comics, toys, body-building courses, and more. S. Schwarz agent. Page is before "Amazing Thefts of the I.Q. Gang!"
Amazing Thefts of the I.Q. Gang!
Storyline
Ira Quimby's thinking is enhanced whenever he is near the rock that Adam Strange brought back to earth containing his super brain-waves. Ira constructs several super-science devices and executes crimes until defeated by Hawkman and Hawkgirl, and the rock eventually stops emitting the brain-waves.
Characters
- Hawkman [Katar Hol]
- Hawkgirl [Shayera Hol]
- Ira Quimby [I.Q.]
- I.Q. Gang (villains, intro)
Credits
- Script: Gardner Fox
- Pencils: Murphy Anderson
- Inks: Murphy Anderson
- Letters: Joe Letterese
Story Notes
The brain-wave rock was brought to Earth in the previous story in this issue: "The Super-Brain of Adam Strange!" Story in two parts of 6.67 pages each.
Big News Coming... (1)
Featuring DC Comics
Story Notes
House teaser ad for DC Comics. At bottom of page 7 of "Amazing Thefts of the I.Q. Gang!"
Bird-Wings
Storyline
examples of the varying structure of bird wings
Story Notes
At bottom of final page of "Amazing Thefts of the I.Q. Gang!"
Write Right Now!
Story Notes
Ads in classified format for toys, comics, body-building courses, and job training courses. S. Schwarz agent. Includes a 1/4-page ad for t-shirts from the Natural Trading Company.
Throne of Spain! (1)
Storyline
Count Valdez and Don Carlos (the king's son) plot to place Don Carlos on the throne by imprisoning the king. But the jester tips off The Black Pirate, who rescues the king, imprisons Count Valdez and helps to kill Don Carlos.
Characters
- The Black Pirate [Jon Valor]
- King Philip of Spain
- Don Carlos (dies)
- Count Valdez
- jester
Credits
- Script: Sheldon Moldoff
- Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff
- Inks: Sheldon Moldoff
- Editing: M. C. Gaines
- Editing: Sheldon Mayer
Story Notes
Writer credit verified by Moldoff in interview with Roy Thomas. We previously credited Ted Udall and/or Gardner Fox. Story title from table of contents.
Characters
- Superman (in logo)
Credits
- Script: E. Nelson Bridwell
Story Notes
Includes the reprint credits for the stories in this issue. Letters from Keith Partain, Bob Rodi, Michael N. Tierstein, Doug Albacete, Boliver, Bryan Taylor II, Charles Eilert, and Tweedy H. Watts.
We Build High-Performance Heads.
Story Notes
Ad for electronics training courses.
The Pharaoh's Secret Spirograph
Featuring Spirograph
Storyline
An archaeologist discovers the mummy of King Khee-Pahn-Truk-Ken, who is still drawing with a Spirograph after 4,000 years. The archaeologist gives him a rest by taking over with the Spirograph.
Characters
- King Khee-Pahn-Truk-Ken
- archaeologist
Story Notes
Ad for Kenner's Spirograph toy in sequential art form. On inside back cover.
The Continuing Adventures of Evel Knievel
Characters
- Evel Knievel
Story Notes
Ad for stunt toys. On back cover.