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#54
Superman, #53

Published: July-August 1948

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Issue Contents:
The Origin of Superman

Story Featuring Superman

Characters
Other
Credits
An Open Letter to Superman Fans

Story Featuring Superman

"Dear friends: When I told Superman he ought to write to you all himself on his Tenth Anniversary of his first appearance in Action Comics Magazine, he backed away like a scared kitten."

Storyline

List of Superman's accomplishments in the "real world."

Story Notes

Inside front cover.

The Origin of Superman!

Story Featuring Superman

"Who is Superman? Where did he come from? How did he obtain his miraculous powers?"

Storyline

After a prologue which demonstrates Superman's amazing abilities, his origin is recounted. On the scientifically advanced planet of Krypton, Jor-El fails to convince the Council of Five that Krypton is doomed. As Krypton explodes, Jor-El and Lara send their son to Earth, where he is found and adopted by the elderly Kents. As Clark grows to maturity he manifests abilities far beyond that of mortal men. On his deathbed, his father urges Clark to become a powerful force for good as Superman.

Characters
Other
Credits
Story Notes

The name John Kent appears on Superman's father's tombstone. This is the only time this name is used. Kryptonians are shown to have x-ray vision.

The Oracle from Metropolis!

Story Featuring Superman

"How many fish are in the sea? How high is up? How deep is the ocean?"

Storyline

Professor Grog accidentally sends Superman and mechanic Mike Mooney back to ancient Egypt. The cynical Mooney tries to come up with ways to make money off of the Delphic Oracle, but Superman teaches him not to scoff at things he doesn't understand.

Characters
Other
Credits
Story Notes

time-travel story

Story Featuring Shorty

"Tryouts for the Baseball Team today at the Stadium"

Storyline

Shorty is excited that he made the baseball team until he discovers that he was made the bat boy.

Characters
Other
Credits
The Tiniest Things in the World

"In a newly built laboratory, a scientist is performing an experiment."

Storyline

Information about atoms and atomic radiation.

Credits
A Job for Superhombre!

Story Featuring Superman

"When gaucho costumes set the style for Metropolis mobsters, there's more than a rumba rhythm behind it..."

Storyline

The Eye takes all the criminals in Metropolis to South America to set up a giant piracy operation, using the home of an old friend of Lois' as a front.

Characters
Other
Credits
Story Notes

Don Camerro is named after writer Don Cameron.

Captain Tootsie Traps the Circus Culprit

Ad Featuring Captain Tootsie

"Captain Tootsie, someone's been monkeying around with our equipment!"

Storyline

Captain Tootsie uses fluorescent powder and ultraviolet light to find the saboteur of trapeze ropes.

Characters
Other
Credits
Story Notes

Advertisement for Tootsie Pops and Tootsie Rolls.

"Puff! Puff!"

Storyline

Daffy catches up with a streetcar as it reaches its final stop.

Characters
Other
Credits

"Grrr - I'm hungry as a bear this morning."

Storyline

Mrs. Grumble ensure she can have a breakfast conversation with Mr. Grumble.

Credits
Taste Treat to Share...

"What a treat to taste!"

Story Notes

Back cover. Advertisement for Milky Way candy bars.

New Handbook and New Air Rifle Catalog Ready

"It's sensational! It's colossal!"

Story Notes

Inside back cover. Advertisement for catalog from Daisy Manufacturing Company.

How Much Do You Really Know About Baseball?

"This will surprise you!"

Characters
Other
Story Notes

Advertisement for Thom McAn shoe stores with a certificate for a "big photo of ace hurler Bobby Feller".

"Hi-Kids! Get This Cracker Jack Magic Pencil"

Story Notes

Advertisement from The Cracker Jack Co. featuring the Cracker Jack Magic Pencil as a premium and promoting the new Cracker Jack Skirt (now in stores).

Story Featuring Homer

"Housewares? Two aisles over?"

Storyline

Homer ensures he is buying the correct rolling pin.

Characters
Other
Credits
Rounding Up the Rustlers

"While vacationing out west, deputy U.S. Royal and the boys of the Elm City Bike Club are enjoying the sights, when suddenly..."

Storyline

U.S. Royal puts a stop to a rustling racket.

Characters
Other
Story Notes

Advertisement for bike tires from United States Rubber Company.

Show Time

"Hiya Pete -- let's go down to the corner and hang around!"

Storyline

Pete and his friend are recruited to act in a show.

Characters
Other
Story Notes

Advertisement from Popsicle, Fudgsicle & Creamsicle.

Superman's Secret Message
Story Notes

House ad for Supermen of America club. Secret message translates to: "Work a victory garden this summer and help the world food shortage".

"Look Kids! Get Your Own Scale Model of the History Making Freedom Train!"

Story Notes

Advertisement for Kellogg's Variety, featuring a model Freedom Train premium.

Won - By a Whisper!

"With the big track meet coming up, no wonder the Blues had the "blues"."

Storyline

Jim wins the track meet thanks to his "P-F" Canvas Shoes.

Characters
Other
Story Notes

Advertisement for "P-F" Canvas Shoes from B.F. Goodrich and Hood Rubber Co.

Get Your Free Movie Star Pictures

"Nothing like it!"

Story Notes

Advertisement for Schwinn-Built Bicycles, offering photographs of movie stars as premiums.

You Run Faster in Keds!

"Frank Leahy, famous coach says -- "You run faster in Keds!""

Characters
Other
Story Notes

Advertisement for U. S. Keds.

Editorial Advisory Board
Story Notes

Inside front cover.