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Issue: The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told #[nn]
Publication Date: May 1987
 
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Title:
Variant: First Printing
Rating:
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: DC [bullet]View Brand Images2
Indicia Publisher: DC Comics Inc.
On Sale Date: 04/06/1989
Volume: 1
Pages: 340
ISBN: 0930289390
UPC/EAN: none
Price: $19.95 CAD
$15.95 USD
Indicia Frequency: none
Content Items: 36 (28 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: Marked as "Greatest DC Stories Vol. 1" on spine.
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Trade Paperback
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: cardstock cover
Binding: softcover
Publishing Format: collected edition
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In0
There is currently no data for this Issue being reprinted anywhere.
Disclose Reprinted From29
reprinted 29 times from Content Items in other Issues.
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets1
 
 
Disclose Issue Images
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
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The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Title page.
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[untitled]

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
?
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Dedication page.
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
? (Superman illustration)
? (Superman illustration)
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Superman
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
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The Origins of Superman

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (Superman illustration)
? (Superman illustration)
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Superman
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
8
John Byrne describes the development of the Superman legend.
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Gathering the Greatest

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (Superman illustration)
? (Superman illustration)
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
3
Mike Gold discusses the process of choosing the stories and the participants.
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Superman versus Luthor

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Luthor; George Taylor; Professor Martinson
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #4 published January 1940
was Superman versus Luthor [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
13
Art credited to Joe Shuster on item. Title from Table of Contents.
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Superman versus the Archer

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; The Archer [Quigley]; Jimmy Olsen (last name not yet used); Lois Lane; Perry White; Sgt. Casey
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #13 published November 1941
was The Archer [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
13
Art credited to Joe Shuster on item. Story title from Table of Contents. Jimmy's hair inconsistently colored in this printing, though primarily red. Blonde in original.
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What If Superman Ended the War?

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero, war
Superman; Adolf Hitler; Josef Stalin
Reprinting
FlagThe Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told #[nn] published March 1987
was What if Superman Ended the War? [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
2
Title from Table of Contents.

The book incorrectly dates this reprint as 1943. This feature appeared in the 27 February 1940 issue of Look magazine. It was originally in 3-colors (black, white, and red).
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The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Mr. Mxyztplk; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen
An imp from another dimension plagues Superman with practical jokes until he can make him say his name backwards.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #30 published September 1944
was The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
12
Art credited to John Sikela on item.
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The Origin of Superman!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Jor-El (flashback); Lara (flashback); Lex Luthor (cameo); John Kent (1st named, flashback); Mary Kent (flashback)
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.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #53 published July 1948
was The Origin of Superman! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
10
Writing uncredited on item; art credited to Wayne Boring on item.
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The Girl of Steel; (The Three Magic Wishes part 1)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; Super-girl; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #123 published August 1958
was The Three Magic Wishes, Chapter I: The Girl of Steel [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
10
Chapter 1 (Part 1) of 3 part story. Only first part title is listed in Table of Contents.
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The Lost Super-Powers; (The Three Magic Wishes part 2)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Jimmy Olsen
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #123 published August 1958
was [The Three Magic Wishes] Part II: The Lost Super-Powers [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
6
Chapter 2 (Part 2) of 3 part story. Only first part title is listed in Table of Contents.
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Superman's Return to Krypton; (The Three Magic Wishes part 3)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Jimmy Olsen; Jor-El; Lara; Kil-Lor
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #123 published August 1958
was [The Three Magic Wishes] Part III: Superman's Return to Krypton [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
10
Chapter 3 (Part 3) of 3 part story. Only first part title is listed in Table of Contents.
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Clark Kent's College Days

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; Thaddeus V. Maxwell
Superman recalls his college days, particularly the professor who tried to scientifically prove that Clark Kent was Superboy.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #125 published November 1958
was Clark Kent's College Days [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
10
Writing uncredited on item. Untold Tales of Superman.
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The Super-Key to Fort Superman

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Batman; Joker (trophy)
Someone has broken into Superman's Fortress of Solitude, so Superman searches the place for clues.
Reprinting
FlagAction Comics #241 published June 1958
was The Super-Key to Fort Superman [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
12
Jerry Coleman not credited on item; Wayne Boring credited for inks on item.
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The Amazing Bizarro; (The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel part 1)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superboy; Bizarro; Prof. Dalton; Martha Kent; Hiram; Hilda; Melissa
Reprinting
FlagSuperboy #68 published October 1958
was The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel, Chapter I: The Amazing Bizarro [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Chapter 1 of a 3 part story. Only Chapter 3 title listed in Table of Contents.
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The Runaway Super-Creature; (The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel part 2)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superboy; Bizarro; Prof. Dalton; Martha Kent; Melissa
Reprinting
FlagSuperboy #68 published October 1958
was [The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel] Chapter II: The Runaway Super-Creature [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Chapter 2 of a 3 part story. Only Chapter 3 title listed in Table of Contents.
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The Battle with Bizarro; (The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel part 3)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superboy; Bizarro; Melissa
Reprinting
FlagSuperboy #68 published October 1958
was [The Boy of Steel versus the Thing of Steel] Chapter III: The Battle with Bizarro [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Chapter 3 of a 3 part story. Only Chapter 3 title listed in Table of Contents.
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The Girl from Superman's Past!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; Lori Lemaris; Lois Lane
Superman recalls his college romance with Lori Lemaris, a mermaid from sunken Atlantis.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #129 published May 1959
was The Girl in Superman's Past! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
10
An Untold Tale of Superman.
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Krypton Lives On; (Superman's Other Life part 1)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Kal-El]; Jor-El; Lara; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Jonathan Kent; Martha Kent; Zal-El; Xan-Du; Krypto
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #132 published October 1959
was Superman's Other Life, Part 1: Krypton Lives On [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
10
Chapter 1 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "Superman's Other Life".
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Futuro, Super-Hero of Krypton; (Superman's Other Life part 2)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Kal-El]; Futuro [Xan-Du]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Krypto; Jor-El; Lara; Zal-El
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #132 published October 1959
was Superman's Other Life, Part 2: Futuro, Super-Hero of Krypton [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Chapter 2 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "Superman's Other Life".
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The Superman of Two Worlds; (Superman's Other Life part 3)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Kal-El]; Futuro [Xan-Du]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Jor-El; Lara; Zal-El; Krypto
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #132 published October 1959
was Superman's Other Life, Part 3: The Superman of Two Worlds [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
7
Chapter 3 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "Superman's Other Life".
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The Night of March 31st

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #145 published May 1961
was The Night of March 31st! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
7.67
Writing credited to Otto Binder on item.
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The Great Boo-Boo Contest

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
typeset
Reprinting
FlagAdventure Comics #339 published December 1965
was The Great Boo-Boo Contest [Text Article on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
Lists some of the many intentional "boners" in the preceding story.
Disclose
Lex Luthor, Hero! (The Death of Superman part 1)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lex Luthor; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Lois Lane; Bizarro (cameo; flashback)
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #149 published November 1961
was [The Death of Superman!] Part I: Lex Luthor, Hero! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Inking credited to George Klein on item. Chapter 1 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Death of Superman".
Disclose
Luthor's Super-Bodyguard! (The Death of Superman part 2)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lex Luthor; Supergirl; Lois Lane; Perry White; Jimmy Olsen
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #149 published November 1961
was [The Death of Superman!] Part II: Luthor's Super-Bodyguard! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
9
Inking credited to Gerge Klein on item. Chapter 2 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Death of Superman".
Disclose
The Death of Superman! (The Death of Superman part 3)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lois Lane; Lucy Lane; Lori Lemaris; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Linda Lee [Supergirl]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Aquaman; Green Arrow [Oliver Queen]; Wonder Woman; Flash [Barry Allen]; Lana Lang; Krypto; Legion of Super-Heroes [Lightning Lad; Cosmic Boy; Saturn Girl]; Superman robots; Van-Zee; Sylvia; Lex Luthor
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #149 published November 1961
was [The Death of Superman!] Part III: The Death of Superman! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Inking credited to George Klein on item. Chapter 3 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Death of Superman".
Disclose
The Titanic Twins! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! part 1]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lana Lang; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Supergirl; Brainiac
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #162 published July 1963
was The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! Part I: The Titanic Twins! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Chapter 1 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue".
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The Anti-Evil Ray! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue part 2]

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Brainiac; Supergirl; Lori Lemaris; Krypto; Fidel Castro; Lex Luthor
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #162 published July 1963
was [The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue!] Part II: The Anti-Evil Ray! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Chapter 2 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue".
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The End of Superman's Career! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue part 3)

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lois Lane; Lana Lang; Supergirl; Legion of Super-Heroes [Saturn Girl; Cosmic Boy; Sun Boy; Bouncing Boy]; Lex Luthor; Mr. Mxyzptlk; Comet; Lucy Lane; Perry White
In an imaginary novel, the Supermen marry Lois Lane and Lana Lang. Jimmy Olsen marries Lucy Lane. Mr. Mxyzptlk reforms.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #162 published July 1963
was [The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! Part III] The End of Superman's Career! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
8
Kurt Schaffenberger inks uncredited on item. Chapter 3 of 3 part story. Title listed in Table of Contents is "The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue".
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The Forever People

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
Forever People
Forever People [Vykin; Big Bear; Serifan; Mark Moonrider; Beautiful Dreamer]; Infinity Man; Superman; Jimmy Olsen; Bobby; Laurie; Rocky; Darkseid
Reprinting
FlagThe Forever People #1 published February 1971
was In Search of a Dream! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
Originally titled "In Search of a Dream!"
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Must There Be a Superman?

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Guardians of the Universe; Green Lantern [Katma Tui]
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #247 published January 1972
was Must There Be a Superman? [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
17
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For the Man Who Has Everything...

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Kal-El]; Lyla Lerrol Kal-El (in Superman's mind); Allura Zor-El (in Superman's mind); Van-El (in Superman's mind); Orna-El (in Superman's mind); Kara Zor-El (in Superman's mind); Wonder Woman [Diana Prince]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Jason Todd]; Jor-El (in Superman's mind); Lor-Em (in Superman's mind); Dax-Ar (in Superman's mind); Mongul; Thomas Wayne (cameo, in Batman's mind); Martha Wayne (cameo, in Batman's mind); Joe Chill (cameo, in Batman's mind); Jax-Ur (as a picture on a handout, in Superman's mind); Brainiac (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Bolphunga The Unrelenting (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Adam Strange (cameo, in Mongul's mind); A Guardian of the Universe (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Hyanthis (cameo, in Mongul's mind); A Branx warrior (cameo, in Mongul's mind); Martian Manhunter (cameo, in Mongul's mind)
Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin arrive at the Fortress of Solitude to celebrate Superman's birthday, but find him under the thrall of a flower called the Black Mercy, a gift from Mongul. Under its control, Superman experiences his greatest desire, life on an unexploded Krypton. While Wonder Woman fights with Mongul, Batman and Robin remove the flower from Superman, and after it briefly attaches to Batman, Robin puts it on Mongul, trapping him in dreams of his own greatest desire.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman Annual #11 [Direct] published September 1985
was For the Man Who Has Everything... [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
40
Disclose
The Secret Revealed

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; Jonathan Kent; Martha Kent; Lana Lang; Amanda McCoy; Ms. Dunlop; Ms. Poole; Mr. Happersen; Dr. Kelley; Lex Luthor; Metallo; Mr. Jenner; Mr. Breen
Lex Luthor uses every method available to him to learn the connection between Clark Kent and Superman, including drugging Ma and Pa Kent and torturing Lana Lang. The computer calculates that Clark Kent is Superman, which Lex feels is illogical, and so he has the computer data deleted and Amanda McCoy is fired.
Reprinting
FlagSuperman #2 [Direct] published February 1987
was The Secret Revealed! [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
22
Disclose
End Notes

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
? (Superman illustration)
? (Superman illustration)
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
3
Robert Greenberger discusses some of the stories that didn't quite make the cut.

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