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Issue: The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told #[nn]
Publication Date: January 1987
 
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Title:
Is Variant Variant: Fourth Printing
Rating:
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: DC [bullet]View Brand Images2
Indicia Publisher: DC Comics Inc.
On Sale Date: (not set)
Volume: 1
Pages: 340
ISBN: 0930289390
UPC/EAN: 76194120202000114
Price: $19.95 CAD
$15.95 USD
Indicia Frequency: none
Content Items: 0 (0 stories, 0 covers)
36 (28 stories, 1 cover) from base issue
Editor(s): Mike Gold (co-editor); Robert Greenberger (co-editor)
Disclose Notes: Direct sales. Only printed date is a 1987 copyright year.

Marked as "Greatest DC Stories Vol. 1" on spine.
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Publication Type: Trade Paperback
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: cardstock cover
Binding: softcover
Publishing Format: collected edition
Format Notes:  
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Assets1
 
 
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front from base issue
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) from base issue
Credits
?
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
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Miscellaneous
1
Title page.
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[untitled]

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

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

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
Credits
? (Superman illustration)
? (Superman illustration)
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Superman
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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) from base issue
Credits
? (Superman illustration)
? (Superman illustration)
?
typeset
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Luthor; George Taylor; Professor Martinson
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; The Archer [Quigley]; Jimmy Olsen (last name not yet used); Lois Lane; Perry White; Sgt. Casey
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero, war
Superman; Adolf Hitler; Josef Stalin
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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) from base issue
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.
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Miscellaneous
12
Art credited to John Sikela on item.
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The Origin of Superman!

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
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.
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; Super-girl; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Jimmy Olsen
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Jimmy Olsen; Jor-El; Lara; Kil-Lor
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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) from base issue
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.
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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) from base issue
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.
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superboy; Bizarro; Prof. Dalton; Martha Kent; Hiram; Hilda; Melissa
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superboy; Bizarro; Prof. Dalton; Martha Kent; Melissa
Reprinting
 
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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superboy; Bizarro; Melissa
Reprinting
 
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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Clark Kent]; Lori Lemaris; Lois Lane
Superman recalls his college romance with Lori Lemaris, a mermaid from sunken Atlantis.
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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) from base issue
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
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Kal-El]; Futuro [Xan-Du]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Krypto; Jor-El; Lara; Zal-El
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman [Kal-El]; Futuro [Xan-Du]; Batman [Bruce Wayne]; Robin [Dick Grayson]; Jor-El; Lara; Zal-El; Krypto
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman
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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) from base issue
Credits
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
0.33
Lists some of the many intentional "boners" in the preceding story.
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Lex Luthor, Hero! (The Death of Superman part 1)

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lex Luthor; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Lois Lane; Bizarro (cameo; flashback)
Reprinting
 
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".
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Luthor's Super-Bodyguard! (The Death of Superman part 2)

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lex Luthor; Supergirl; Lois Lane; Perry White; Jimmy Olsen
Reprinting
 
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".
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The Death of Superman! (The Death of Superman part 3)

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
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
 
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".
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The Titanic Twins! (The Amazing Story of Superman-Red and Superman-Blue! part 1]

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Lana Lang; Lois Lane; Jimmy Olsen; Perry White; Supergirl; Brainiac
Reprinting
 
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) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Brainiac; Supergirl; Lori Lemaris; Krypto; Fidel Castro; Lex Luthor
Reprinting
 
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) from base issue
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
 
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) from base issue
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
 
Miscellaneous
24
Originally titled "In Search of a Dream!"
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Must There Be a Superman?

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
Credits
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Superman; Guardians of the Universe; Green Lantern [Katma Tui]
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
17
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For the Man Who Has Everything...

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
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
 
Miscellaneous
40
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The Secret Revealed

Story  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
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
 
Miscellaneous
22
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End Notes

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s) from base issue
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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