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The Superman Archives, #2

Published: [November] 1990

Cover

The Superman Archives #2

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Issue Contents:
1 page superhero
Characters
Story Notes

Illustration of Superman based on the cover of Superman (DC, 1939 Series) #6 (September-October 1940) by Joe Shuster and Paul Cassidy. The figure has been completely redrawn.

Story 1 1 page
Foreword
Story 2 3 pages
Credits
Superman #5 (1)
Story 3 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 4 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside front cover of Superman (DC, 1939 Series) #1. (It is supposed to be the inside front cover of Superman #5.)

Announcing the New Superman Krypto Raygun
Story 5 0 pages
Characters
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #7. (It is supposed to be the inside back cover of Superman #5.)

Be a Cowboy!
Story 6 0 pages
Credits
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #7. (It is supposed to be the back cover of Superman #5.)

Story 7 0 pages superhero
Characters
Story Notes

A small blue and white reproduction of the Superman figure from the front cover of Superman Archives (DC, 1989 series) #1.

Superman, World's Greatest Adventure Character (1)
Story 8 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
The Slot Machine Racket
Story 9 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Super Strength: Rules for Summer Living
Story 10 1 page non-fiction
Characters
Credits
Story 11 1 page

"Well, Members, here we are again with another issue of Superman, chock-full of the exploits and adventures of The Man of Tomorrow,"

Characters
Credits
Campaign Against the Planet (1)
Story 12 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Power of the Press
Story 13 2 pages
Characters
  • Bill Harkness
  • The Great Gordon
Credits
Story Notes

The text story is surrounded by a variety of ads for such things as Baby Ruth candy bars, roller skates and more.

Luthor's Incense Menace (1)
Story 14 13 pages superhero
Storyline

Luthor enslaves business leaders and uses them to create a depression.

Characters
Credits
Story Notes

1st telescopic x-ray vision, face changing power

The 'Big Six' Comic Magazines Still Lead the Field! (1)
Story 15 1 page superhero
Characters
Story Notes

House ad promoting the characters starring in DC's top six magazines: Action, Adventure, Detective, All-American, More Fun and Flash Comics, with inset pictures of each.

Murder in the Wind
Story 16 2 pages
Characters
  • Pert Blair
  • Clare Sanders
  • Doc Chalmers
  • Tom Larkin
  • Jared Greene
Credits
  • Script:
Story Notes

Both pages are surrounded by a series of promotional ads including for fireworks by the Baltimore Fireworks Company and making your own records at home by the Home Recording Company.

Story 17 1 page humor; anthropomorphic-funny animals

"Yip! Yip!"

Characters
Credits
Story 18 1 page humor

"There! Let that be a lesson to you!"

Credits
Superman Is on the Radio!
Story 19 1 page superhero
Characters
Story Notes

An ad for Superman on the radio, and has a listing of the stations broadcasting it.

Featuring All-Star Comics #1

Story 20 1 page science fiction; superhero

"For thrills and adventure don't miss this first issue of All-Star Comics"

Characters
Story Notes

Ad for All-Star Comics #1 with covers and illustrations.

Story 21 1 page superhero

"Here It Is!"

Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Ad for Batman #1 with cover.

The Wonder Drug Racket (1)
Story 22 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

three different S designs, page 5, page 8, page 9

Featuring Superman in Action Comics

Story 23 1 page superhero

"Superman and a raft of other headline adventure features..."

Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Promotional ad for Action Comics, starring Superman.

Superman #6 (1)
Story 24 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 25 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside front cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #2. (It is supposed to be the inside front cover of Superman #6.)

Announcing the Sensational New Daisy 1000-Shot Red Ryder Carbine
Story 26 0 pages
Credits
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #5. In fact it's labeled number 5-IBC along the lower edge. (It is supposed to be the inside back cover of Superman #6.)

Fireworks
Story 27 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #5. (It is supposed to be the back cover of Superman #6.)

Story 28 0 pages superhero
Characters
Story Notes

A small blue and white reproduction of the Superman figure from the front cover of Superman Archives (DC, 1989 series) #1.

Superman, America's Greatest Adventure Strip Character! (1)
Story 29 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Lois Lane, Murderer (1)
Story 30 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 31 1 page superhero

"Well, Members, now that we're all together again this month, let's talk about something that's on everyone's lips today: building up a reserve!"

Characters
Credits
Too Big for Marbles
Story 32 2 pages
Characters
  • Wally Brennan
  • Bill Trent
  • Bruno
  • Luigi
Credits
The 'Big Six' Comic Magazines Still Lead the Field! (1)
Story 33 1 page superhero
Characters
Story Notes

House ad promoting DC's top six comic magazines: Action, Adventure, Detective, All-American, More Fun and Flash Comics, with head views of the stars of each of the magazines. The bottom one third of the page is a B/W ad for Baby Ruth candy bars.

Featuring Driftin' Dave

Story 34 1 page humor

"I'm hungry enuff t' eat a bull dog..."

Characters
  • Dave
Credits
Racketeer Terror in Gateston (1)
Story 35 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Super-Strength
Story 36 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
For swell vacation reading, don't miss these two! (1)
Story 37 1 page humor; science fiction; superhero
Characters
  • Mutt
  • Jeff
  • Sandman
  • Spectre
  • Flash
  • Ultra-Man
Story Notes

House ad promoting All-Star Comics #1 and Mutt and Jeff's new issue, with cover.

Up! Goes the popularity of this sensational adventure strip! (1)
Story 38 1 page humor; science fiction; superhero
Storyline

House ad promoting Batman #2 (on sale July 20th), with cover.

Characters
  • Batman
  • Robin
Terror Stalks San Caluma (1)
Story 39 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
The Strangest Case
Story 40 2 pages
Characters
  • Java Colt
  • Jason Dent
  • Ross
Credits
Superman Is on the Radio!
Story 41 1 page superhero
Story Notes

An ad for Superman on the radio, and has a listing of the stations broadcasting it.

Sore Arm Puzzle!
Story 42 1 page sports
Credits
The Construction Scam (1)
Story 43 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Clark gives Lois a blood transfusion

Superman in Action Comics (1)
Story 44 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

House ad promoting Superman appearing in Action Comics, on sale the 21st of every mnonth.

Superman #7 (1)
Story 45 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 46 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside front cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4. (It is supposed to be the inside front cover of Superman #7.)

Announcing the New Superman Krypto-Raygun
Story 47 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #7.

I'll Help You Get a Daisy for Christmas
Story 48 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 Series) #8. (It is supposed to be the back cover of Superman #7.)

Story 49 0 pages superhero
Characters
Story Notes

A small blue and white reproduction of the Superman figure from the front cover of Superman Archives (DC, 1989 series) #1.

Superman, World's Greatest Adventure Character
Story 50 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Metropolis's Most Savage Racketeers (1)
Story 51 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 52 1 page

"Greetings again, Members! This time I want to talk to you about Hitting the Line Hard--..."

Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Superman discusses the Supermen of America Club and its motto: Strength, Courage and Justice. A coupon is provided for readers to join if they wish.

Story 53 1 page non-fiction

"The Loudest Noise on Earth!"

Credits
Story Notes

Facts presented include the musk odor of deer; chewing gum use among stone-age people; the loudest sound on Earth when the volcano, Krakatoa, exploded; and the fact that Chalchas laughed himself to death.

Superman is on the Radio!
Story 54 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Fine Prizes, Choose Yours Now! (1)
Story 55 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

An illustrated ad from the American Specialty Company.

Rinaldo's Revenge
Story 56 2 pages horror-suspense
Characters
  • Rinaldo
  • Domenick
  • Pietro
Credits
  • Script:
Superman Plus (1)
Story 57 1 page adventure; superhero
Characters
Story Notes

Illustrated house ad promoting the features offered each month in the pages of Action Comics.

The Exploding Citizens (1)
Story 58 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 59 1 page superhero

"Listen to the Superman Radio Program..."

Characters
Story Notes

Ad promoting the Superman Radio Show and the new storyline, "The Return of the Yellow Mask." Also listed are the stations nationwide airing the broadcasts.

Story 60 1 page humor

"Take that, you mutt"

Characters
Credits
Superman's Cleanup Campaign (1)
Story 61 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Wilson Chem Co. (1)
Story 62 1 page
Story Notes

Ads for White Cloverine brand salve, and showing prizes like guitars, air rifles, watches, movie projectors, bicycles and more that are available in exchange for sales made.

Here it is--Better than ever! (1)
Story 63 1 page superhero
Characters
  • Spectre
  • Green Lantern
  • Flash
  • Batman
  • Robin
  • Sandman
  • Superman
Story Notes

Ads promoting the release of All-Star Quarterly #2, Superman #7, Detective #44, Action #29, and Batman #2, all with covers.

The Black Gang (1)
Story 64 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 65 1 page

"It's fun! It's a frolic! ... and Good eating, too!"

Story Notes

Advertisement by the Curtiss Candy Company for its Treasure Hunt Contest #2, offering $100 in cash prizes to the winners after the contest closes on October 8, 1940. Full details and rules for the contest are provided along with an entry coupon.

Superman #8 (1)
Story 66 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story 67 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside front cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #4 with the indicia removed. (It is supposed to be the inside front cover of Superman #8.)

Story 68 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the inside front cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #3 with the indicia removed. (It is supposed to be the inside back cover of Superman #8.)

I'll Help You Get a Daisy for Christmas
Story 69 0 pages
Story Notes

Reproduced at quarter-size, the ad page from the back cover of Superman (DC, 1939 series) #8.

Story 70 0 pages superhero
Characters
Story Notes

A small blue and white reproduction of the Superman figure from the front cover of Superman Archives (DC, 1989 series) #1.

Superman, World's Greatest Adventure Character
Story 71 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
The Invading Giants (1)
Story 72 13 pages superhero
Characters
  • Clark Kent (mainstream Universe)
  • Lois Lane (mainstream Universe)
  • Superman (mainstream Universe)
  • Perry White (mainstream Universe)
  • Governor Carlson
  • Lillian Carlson
  • Professor Zee (introduction, death)
  • Doctor Cardos (introduction, death)
Credits
Story Notes

yellow S on Cape

Story 73 1 page superhero

"Greetings again, Members! This time I want to talk to you on a subject that's go great importance these days--Loyalty."

Characters
Credits
Story Notes

The Editors [thru Superman] discuss the subject of Loyalty. There is a code message given in Code Mercury No. 1, a coupon for readers to join the Supermen of America Club, and a listing of the radio stations nationwide that air the Superman radio show.

Story 74 0 pages
Story Notes

Various advertisements for stamps, telescopes, and toy trains.

Featuring Laffs

Story 75 1 page humor

"We're running a special this week"

Credits
The Pueblo Indians

Featuring Nature News

Story 76 1 page non-fiction
Story Notes

Information on the Pueblo Indians, rubber trees, Bison, and Hummingbirds.

Fine Prizes, Choose Yours Now! (1)
Story 77 1 page
Characters
Credits
The Fifth Column (1)
Story 78 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

uses x-ray vision and super hearing

Superman Licensed Products
Story 79 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

A page illustrating the different Superman-related products being made and sold nationwide by several companies. These products include: the Superman Krypto-Ray Gun, Superman moccasins, Superman sweat shirts, Superman shorts and shirts, Superman bubble gum and picture story cards, and Superman action toys.

The Carnival Crooks (1)
Story 80 13 pages superhero
Characters
Credits
Here they come again! (1)
Story 81 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

Add promoting Batman #3, which went on sale October 20th.

Flames of death leaped upward! (1)
Story 82 1 page
Knotty Problem
Story 83 2 pages
Characters
  • Bob Varney
  • Druce
  • Rafael Vargos
Credits
  • Script:
Story Notes

Page contains ads on both sides and bottom of pages.

Story 84 1 page superhero

"Here it is --All-Star no. 3---"

Characters
  • Atom
  • Spectre
  • Hawkman
  • Green Lantern
  • Hourman
  • Doctor Fate
  • Sandman
  • Flash
Credits
Story Notes

Ad promoting the release of All-Star Comics #3 and the new Justice Society of America. Besides the cover to this issue, the covers to Flash #12, All-American #21, More Fun #62 and Adventure #57 are shown.

Featuring SnapShots

Story 85 1 page humor

"You can't speak to Sis, now. She's tied up!"

Credits
It's Free. This fascinating new book. (1)
Story 86 0 pages
Perrone and the Drug Gang (1)
Story 87 13 pages superhero
Characters
  • Clark Kent (mainstream Universe)
  • Lois Lane (mainstream Universe)
  • Superman (mainstream Universe)
  • Sergeant Casey
  • Nate Grant
  • John Parrone (introduction)
  • Brokenshire (introduction)
Credits
Training Counts in Building Scores
Story 88 1 page sports
Characters
  • Red Dawson (Tulane University Coach)
Story Notes

Baby Ruth is rich in pure Dextrose energy and is important to an athlete's dietary regimen.

Superman Plus (1)
Story 89 1 page superhero
Characters
  • Superman
  • Black Pirate
  • Three Aces
  • Clip Carson
  • Zatara
  • Tex Thompson
Story Notes

Promotional house ad for the star features found in pages of Action Comics, published each month, in addition to Superman.

Back Cover (1)
Story 90 1 page superhero
Characters
Credits
Story Notes

4 small covers of the issues included in this volume.