 Publisher | ||||
Appearing in Superman: "The Strong-Man Robberies"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Adversaries:
- The Strongarm Bandit (Single appearance)[1]
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- None
Synopsis for Superman: "The Strong-Man Robberies"
A series of robberies occur around Metropolis. Each witness describes the suspect as a muscular strong-man wearing a leopard skin leotard. Daily Planet editor George Taylor sends Clark and Lois out to cover the story. While walking the city streets, Lois spots a billboard advertising a circus that just rolled into town. The main attraction: Herculo, the strong man, who wore a leopard print just like the strong-arm bandit...
The two reporters meet with Mr. Jenkins, the circus owner. He lets Clark and Lois sit in on a show as they talk about the thefts. Jenkins admits that he himself has suspected Herculo, since every town the circus has been to have had similar incidents. Nevertheless, he brings Clark and Lois to meet Herculo, with Clark faking pain as the strong-man squeezes his hand in greeting. Herculo attempts to woo Miss Lane by boasting that he is the strongest man around, which Lois shoots down by saying that Superman could best him any day. Herculo says that he'd challenge this Superman guy to a test of strength, and his friend the circus clown offers to play ref if that ever happens. Clark goes to buy some tickets from Jenkins to give away to some orphaned kids, letting Lois deal with her muscle headed admirer. Once he is out of sight of everyone, Clark secretly sprinkles a fine powder over some bills, a precaution that may help catch the thief later.
On their way out of the circus, Lois and Clark come face to masked face with the strong-arm bandit, who grabs the wad of cash out of Clark's hand and runs off. Lois is disgusted with Clark's lack of spine and storms off alone.
Later that same day, Clark and Lois return to the circus accompanied by children from the Metropolis Orphanage to see the show. While Lois and the kids watch the show, Clark slips away to change into Superman. Herculo and the clown are preparing for the show in their tent. Superman uses his X-Ray vision to eavesdrop on them, but he is noticed by Herculo by the shadow he was casting on the tent. The strong-man charges Superman, being flipped on his back for his trouble. The noise brings Jenkins over to see what was causing all the commotion. On seeing Superman and his strongman engaged in a scuffle, the circus' owner is thrilled. He decides to make him part of the act tonight, which Superman readily agrees to. The audience is given a surprise for the next act; Superman and Herculo in a contest of strength! Herculo puts forth his fiercest moves, but the Man of Steel takes it all in stride. It soon becomes obvious that Superman is the stronger of the two. Not content to leave yet, Superman decides to give the crowd a show in acrobatics and aerial feats.
Jenkins pays a visit to the Performers Tent while Superman wows the audience. He notices the clown trying to wipe something off his hands. Suspicious, Jenkins asks the clown to show his hands, seeing a red paint covering his palms. The clown pushes Jenkins out of the way, running out of the tent in a panic. So focused on getting away, the runaway clown fails to notice Herculo rushing towards him. A single uppercut lays the clown flat.
After Superman changes back into his Clark Kent duds, he wanders to the scene where Lois and Jenkins help make sure the clown doesn't try to escape again. Clark explains he covered the wad of bills that were stolen earlier in a powder that turns flesh red when touched. The clown was once the circus' original strongman, until Herculo arrived. Still jealous after all this time, the clown became the Strong-Arm Bandit to try and frame his replacement. Clark had told Jenkins about the powder, and that's how he was able to tell who the real thief was!
Appearing in Pep Morgan: "The Southpaw"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Coach Foxx (Single appearance)[1]
Adversaries:
Other Characters:
- Mrs. Morgan
- Gormon (Single appearance)[1]
Locations:
- Earth-Two
- Ardale
- Middletown
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- None
Synopsis for Pep Morgan: "The Southpaw"
Pep Morgan is practicing his Discus toss for the upcoming athlete's meet. He works on throwing with his left hand, too improve his south paw accuracy. A gang of gamblers are planning to put big money down on the game. If they can injure Morgan so that he can't compete, then Gormon, of Middletown, would be a shoe-in for victory. That evening, as Pep is walking home, a car being driven by the gang very nearly runs him over! The gamblers get out and rush at Pep, not realizing that he is an intercollegiate boxing champ! Pep evades their punches and delivers a few knockout hits of his own. When it looks like the gang has had enough, Pep goes on his way.
At home, Pep eats dinner while his mother answers a knock at the door. Joe, the mastermind behind the gambling operation, kindly greets the woman, asking to see Pep. He puts on a nice-guy façade for Pep, apologizing for the trouble his boys have caused, offering his hand. But soon as Pep grabs hold, he feels a burning sensation on his hand, like acid. He rushes to the sink to rinse his hand with water, which serves to neutralize the acid, though the pain is still very noticeable.
The team's doctor examines Pep's hand. The damage wasn't severe, but it'll stop Pep from competing in any weight-tossing events. At least, with his right hand. Pep enters the event anyway, having practiced his tossing with his left hand. From the stands, the gamblers can't believe what they're seeing. Pep wins each event toss, the shot-put, and the discus throw all left-handed, winning the gold for his team.
Appearing in The Black Pirate: "The Chase"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Jon Valor's men
Adversaries:
- Captain Andago (Final appearance)
Other Characters:
- Jeanne (Final appearance)
- Black Pirate's crew (First appearance)
Locations:
- Earth-Two (16th Century)
- England
- Bristol
- Atlantic Ocean
- England
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- The Sea Queen Valor's ship
- Man o'War (Destroyed in this issue)
Synopsis for The Black Pirate: "The Chase"
A good night's sleep at the inn is rudely interrupted by a pounding on Jon Valor's door. It was Captain Andago and a host of guards! He had discovered the treasure used by the Black Pirate to buy the Sea Queen ship was the same that was stolen from Queen Maria weeks ago! Jon left a note under Jeanne's door to tell of his departure, then pulled out his sword to fight through the guards. The pirate runs back toward the docks, where his new crew was waiting aboard the Sea Queen. After sinking an English Man o' War, the Black Pirate orders the sails to be raised, outrunning any further pursuers, until they are alone on the sea. The battered but not yet beaten ship ailed into an uncharted cove, where the Black Pirate's next adventure awaits...
Appearing in The Three Aces: "The Easter Island Gods"
Featured Characters:
- The Three Aces
- Fog Fortune
- Gunner Bill
- Whistler Will
Supporting Characters:
Adversaries:
- Easter Island natives
Other Characters:
- Frank Bucker (Single appearance)[1]
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- The Aces' Planes
Synopsis for The Three Aces: "The Easter Island Gods"
The Aces adventures have made them famous as aviators, deluged with propositions from all types of people. One of which finds favor. Frank Bucker visits the Aces to ask their help in exploring Easter Island. His mission was to solve the mystery of how the Easter Island statues were made, and who placed them along the islands perimeter. Fog, Will, and Bill put it to a vote, and it's unanimous! The Aces are going to Easter Island!
The planes land at the missionary settlement on the outskirts. The man in charge grants them passage, but warns that the natives have grown resentful of white explorers. With that done, the Aces jump back into their planes and fly further in. Over the mountain range the go, until spotting an open valley they can land in. Just then, they are attacked by the natives. Without guns to protect them, Frank and the Aces make a run for it. Fog Fortune loses his footing on the edge of a cliff and slips off, lucky he was able to grab an overhanging tree branch. His weight causes a hole in the Cliffside to open up, the branch having served as a secret lever to a hidden entrance! The cavern inside is vast, stretching onward with large stone statues lining the halls. Frank examines the statues more closely. To the Aces surprise, he announces the statues are actually fossils! Giant men must have lived her thousands of years ago. Whistler Will finds a chest holding ancient tablets written in the Egyptian language. Frank translates some of them, learning the history of Easter Island and the origin of it's statues, actual giants, who perished after a meteor that hit the Earth brought a deadly sickness. The smaller human species was unaffected by the virus, but the giants fell one after the other. Frank grabs the rest of the tablets to take with them back to America. This discovery will bring fame and fortune his way, and he promised to see to it that the three aces would get credit as well.
Appearing in Tex Thomson: "The Gorrah's Blackmail Racket"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Bob Daley
- D.A. Maloney
Adversaries:
- the Gorrah
- Nicky Blair (Single appearance)[1]
- the Dawson Gang (Single appearance)[1]
- Red Karns (Single appearance)[1]
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- None
Synopsis for Tex Thomson: "The Gorrah's Blackmail Racket"
Tex Thompson and his pal, Bob Daley, spend the day in their office looking through photos in an attempt to deduce the identity of Miss X, with no luck. District Attorney Maloney interrupts their research to hand them a case. Miss Van Stryke, an heiress running for city council, was being blackmailed with photos from her college days. She's refused to pay the blackmailers, and requested Tex and Bob's help.
The duo drive to the Van Stryke home. The man at the door dissuades Tex and Bob from entering, but the pairs stubbornness brings out the man's true colors as he pulls out a gun! Tex knocks him out and rushes in to see if the lady of the house was alright. Miss van Stryker was upstairs with another man, who grabs her as soon as Tex opens the door. Tex throws a couple of punches, sending the assailant tumbling down the stairs.
While Bob keeps an eye on the two downstairs, Tex and Miss van Stryke have a chat. The man who assaulted her was Nicky Blair, her husband. Back in college, Nicky and her went on a date to the Blue Cougar, a road house notorious for illegal gambling. Just her luck, that night police raided the place, as photographers snapped away! A few days later, she met Nicky again, when he asked her to marry him. Being young and impulsive, she went through with it. She hasn't seen him since until the blackmail started. Somehow, her husband had gotten hold of the negatives of the photos taken that night. When he heard she was going into politics, he began trying to extort money from her. Tex promises to take care of everything right now. He and the madam head back downstairs to find the two goons gone and Bob lying unconscious on the floor. Tex finds a jellybean dropped on the ground. It may have been dropped by one of the men, if so they could lift fingerprints from it. Once Bob revives, they take their leave and head back to the investigation office. Going through the files of Wanted men, Tex and Bob find a match with Red Karns, a member of the Dawson gang in the part of the city known as Satan's Playground.
As they stand in the rundown section of slums, Tex muses that if only the city would break for a few inexpensive homes and a place for the kids to play, it could make all the difference. Speaking of kids, Bob distressingly points out a child on the road about to be hit by a speeding car! Tex is quick, tackling the boy out of the way of the vehicle! The boy's father runs up to thank Tex for saving his son. Through a miraculous bit of fate, or truly uncanny coincidence, the father turns out to be Red Karns himself! This is the best shot Tex has at finding the blackmailers. He pretends him and Bob are criminals on the run from the police. In thanks, Red offers to let them stay at his hideout for awhile.
Nicky Blair is already at the hideout, fortunately he doesn't recognize Bob or Tex. Unfortunately, the leader o the blackmailing gang appears, and he does recognize them. It's their old enemy, the one-eyed Gorrah! Tex and Bob are grabbed and tied up. Nicky and Red are sent on their way to tie up loose ends, namely one Miss Van Stryke. In the meantime, the Gorrah explains how he set all this up just to catch his old pair of nemesis. He didn't care about Blair's grudge with his wife, but the Gorrah knew a case like that would draw Tex in! He tosses them both into an empty room, dropping a gas pellet inside before locking the door and leaving. The pair struggle against the ropes binding them, as the gas quickly envelops the room. To their surprise, the door opens back up, and Red Karns quickly steps in to untie them and get them free of the gas. Red explains he couldn't just let Tex die, not after he saved his kid. Tex asks Red for help in stopping Nicky from murdering Miss Van Stryke. They rush through traffic towards the auditorium where Van Stryke was delivering her campaign speech. Tex spots Nicky hiding in the back with a gun, grabbing him by the arm to throw off his aim. Tex then holds him until the police arrive.
Later, Miss Van Stryke's campaign was a success and she was elected to council. She promises Tex she'll use the money to rebuild Satan's Playground into a place that's safe for families to live. She will even help Red find a decent job to help provide for his son. As for the Gorrah, Tex has a feeling they're paths will cross again soon...
Appearing in Clip Carson: "The Hollywood Jewel Theft Ring"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Buzz Bailey
Adversaries:
Other Characters:
- Detective Sweeney (Single appearance)[1]
- Betty Bailey (Single appearance)[1]
- Billy (Single appearance)[1]
- Eddie Cantor Actor (Cameo)
Locations:
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- None
Synopsis for Clip Carson: "The Hollywood Jewel Theft Ring"
A series of jewel thefts occur around Hollywood. With each witness giving a different description of the thief, the police are baffled. Clip Carson is being shown around Hollywood by his friend, newspaper columnist Buzz Bailey, when Detective Sweeney heads their way. He recognizes Clip as the famous adventurer, asking him for help on the jewel theft case. Clip, however, isn't interested in any adventuring on his vacation, kindly declining Sweeney's offer.
After Clip and Buzz leave for the night, they spot a man trying to steal a paper from the newsboy across the street. Clip rushes over and wallops the guy. The man falls to the ground, swearing to get even before running off. Buzz recognized the guy as former actor Harold Weston, who was so unpopular he was forced to retire by public demand.
As Clip continues on his way, he is followed by the boy he saved. The kid, Billy, figured Clip was a "sort of detective", offering him some information on the jewel robberies. Billy would always sell papers at the world premieres and for the last two months, he noticed something odd. A guy would sit out of sight in his car and take pictures with his camera. It was the same guy every time, and he only focused on people who were wearing jewelry. Clip suddenly becomes interested, and he already begins to come up with a plan.
Buzz Bailey and his wife Betty joined Clip the next night for the premiere of "Old Bill". All of Hollywood's finest turned out for the event. Sure enough, Billy's tip turned out accurate, when Clip notices out of the corner of his eye were two men in a car, one of whom was taking pictures. Beforehand, Clip had let the Baileys in on his plan, making sure Betty wore her finest diamonds to the event. It paid off when the men took notice of her and looked like they were about to act. Clip gives the signal for Betty to fake a fainting spell, allowing Clip to "catch" her, casually removing her jewels as he does so. The strangers in the car see this, mistaking Clip for another thief working solo.
After the movie, Clip sits at home with his terrace window left purposely open. Earlier he had been followed, so now all that was left to do was wait. A man sneaks into the room through the window, Clip lets him get close before turning around and landing a sucker punch to the intruders jaw. The guy was at Clip's mercy, so he came clean. His boss just wanted to know why Clip "muscled in" on their territory tonight. Clip plays his role of a ne'er-do-well thief, and gets invited to the man's gang hideout, where he can unload the jewels he stole tonight.
Clip is introduced to the rest of the gang at the hideout. Thinking he's just like them, they explain how their operation works; They shoot pictures of any people wearing fancy jewelry, then they show the pictures to the boss, who gets himself invited to the owners home, and secretly shoots his own pictures of where they keep the "rocks". That way the gang can come up with a plan to steal them without hassle. Clip asks where the boss is right now. He is answered when a man wearing a kerchief over his face comes out of the backroom holding a gun on him! He somehow recognized Clip was working for the police and has his guys tie him up! They decide to dispose of Clip by throwing him in the kiln, which should eat away at him until nothing remained.
On the course of his adventures around the world, Clip's picked up many tricks from people he's met. Such as the ability to slip out of any kind of bindings, learned from a Hindu tribe. This comes in handy now, just as he's about to be dunked in the lime, Clip catches the gang off guard, knocking them down with a few swift punches and kicks. The boss makes a break for it, but Clip tackles him. Behind the mask is Harold Weston, the washed-up actor who had threatened him last night! The police arrive to take the gang to their new home behind bars.
Back at his house, in thanks for the helpful tip, Clip Carson treats Billy the paper boy to a treat of ice cream and pie.
Appearing in Zatara: "The Gringo Gang"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Adversaries:
Other Characters:
- Eldon Carmer (Single appearance)[1]
- Eldon's niece Jane (Single appearance)[1]
- Kanaka City's chief of police (Single appearance)[1]
Locations:
- Earth-Two
- Kanaka City
Items:
- None
Vehicles:
- Train
Synopsis for Zatara: "The Gringo Gang"
The great magician, Zatara, takes a train out to the west coast. Suddenly, the train comes to a stop, yet the next station was still several miles away... When he tried to head forward to talk to the engineer, Zatara gets knocked out by a masked man. Other masked thugs enter the car, robbing the passengers of all their valuables. The unconscious magician is helpless to stop them, and the bandits only leave after taking one of the passengers, Mr. Eldon Carmer, with them as a ransom piece. Zatara is roused by a splash of water to the face. A young woman, the niece of Eldon Carmer, name of Jane, helps Zatara up after the train robbers leave. He tells her and the other passengers he'll get the hostage and the valuables back. As soon as he's away from the train, Zatara turns himself into a bird and flies over the land, searching, until he spies two men on a horse. One of the men was Eldon Carmer, the other his kidnapper. A spell is cast over Mr. Carmer to turn him invisible. This confuses his captor, when he calls out, he hears Carmer reply but doesn't see him. Perhaps he just fell off? Actually, Zatara caused Eldon Carmer and the stolen valuables to float up to him, where they then flew back to the train on a giant summoned bird! Jane and her uncle are reunited, and the rest of the passengers are happy to have their money and jewels returned to them. Zatara wants to go after the bandits, but Eldon suggests he wait until they get to Kanaka city, where he can get the help of the police chief.
The Kanaka chief of police is well aware of the bandits, or the "Gringo Gang", as they call themselves. Zatara learns how the gang has the police running scared by making threats against the station if they get involved. A report comes in then, the Gringo's are raiding near the creek. Zatara tells the chief to take his men out, while he followed a little ways behind in case of a trap. It turned out to be the right move, as a bridge the police cruiser was traveling over explodes! Zatara gives the car the wings of a bird so it can fly safely back to the city. The bandits witness this from their hidden location nearby. It was official; the only way they can continue operating in Kanaka was if the magician was rubbed out.
Inquiring around town, they find out where Zatara was staying, a hotel called the Wesford Arms, and plan to blow it up tonight, ridding them of the magician once and for all.
That night in his hotel room, Zatara feels a strange sensation that he was in danger. Always trusting his instinct, Zatara heads outside to do a quick check around the building. He comes upon the Gringo Gang about to plant sticks of dynamite on the hotel. Zatara whispers a spell that turns the sticks into candy, then follows it up by changing the bandits into bawling toddlers. They run off into the night screaming for their parents until the spell wears off. They agree this whole thing was too much for them, opting to leave the city after one last big heist on the city bank.
Next morning starts off on a tight schedule. The bandits are in a rush to steal enough money to start over somewhere else, and Zatara needs to hurry over and stop them. Soon, the whole bank levitates right off the ground with the gang still inside! Zatara lets it hover for awhile, giving the bandits inside a good stirring, before returning the bank to it's foundation in the city. The crooks are whisked out the window on a cloud, their guns made too hot to touch to keep them from being used. A few trips through the air on a gust of wind, and the tight-lipped thugs are more than ready to confess to their crimes. As the saying goes: Crime doesn't pay.
Notes
- The Strong Man Robberies is reprinted in Action Comics Archives, Volume 2.
- Lois Lane is kidnapped for the seventh time in this issue's Superman story.
- Aside from the stories above, this issue contains:
- "The Whole Story" by John Hilton (text story)
See Also
- Write your own review of this comic!
- Discuss Action Comics Vol 1 28 on the forums
- Images from Action Comics Vol 1 28
Links and References
Footnotes
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