Credits | Characters | Plot Summary | Comments | Reprinted In Superman Chronology | Legion-Relevant Stories Editor: Mort Weisinger Writer: Edmond Hamilton Penciller: Curt Swan Inker: George Klein Feature Characters: The Superman of 2966 (Klar Ken T5477) Supporting Characters: In the future: Lyra 3916, computer PW-5598, Jay L-3388 (previously known as Jay Senohl; see comments below) Villains: Lex Luthor (in flashback as a tri-D picture); in the future: Muto, Vyldan (in flashback as a tri-D picture); Yann (from the planet Waru), Thargo, and Von-Don (from Blax; all three are Muto's lieutenants) Other Characters: Superman, Lois Lane (both in flashback in a tri-D picture); in the future: Superman the 5th (in flashback as a tri-D picture), citizens of Earth and Superman the 4th (Dave Kent; all in flashback); Superman the 7th (Kanton K-73), his wife, his son (who will be Superman the 8th), and two visiting couples (only the men speak; all in flashback); the father of the Superman of 2966 (in flashback), a nurse and a doctor (in flashback); one girl and two boy androids "Muto--Monarch of Menace" (13 pages)
This 30th descendant of Superman appeared before in Superman No. 181/2 (Nov. 1965), where he was refered to as "the Superman of 2965." When he appears later, in World's Finest Comics No. 166 (May 1967), he will be called "the Superman of 2967." This story must take place in an alternate 30th century from that of the Legion of Super-Heroes; for details, see our essay "The Superman of 2965: A Legion-Less Future". The 30th century descendant is Superman the 20th, according to World's Finest No. 166. This story continues from Superman No. 181/2 (Nov. 1965), although there must be some unseen events between the two tales. In the last story, Klar was simply told by PW-5598 that Muto had returned, and went off to look for him after a short conversation with Lyra. This story begins with Superman returning from space (likely after a fruitless search for Muto), and then both he (as Klar) and Lyra (in a different outfit, indicating some time has passed) are told that Muto has been seen in sector Z-44 and to handle the story. The scene depicted on the splash page, of a giant Muto running amok, is not seen or mentioned within the story as being a real event. The Daily Interplanetary News's editor computer is said to have been designed by a descendant of the original Perry White named Per Wye T7357. Vyldan was said to be the arch-foe of Superman the 5th. In his appearance in Superman No. 181/2, Jimmy's counterpart, Jay L-3388, was known as Jay Senohl (with "Senohl" being a scrambling of the two phonetic syllables of "Olsen"). Superman the 4th's secret identity of Dave Kent was revealed when he had to go into action to save a falling monorail train. The identity of Superman the 7th was revealed to be Kanton K-73 when his super-son (the future Superman the 8th) tore open his shirt to reveal his Superman costume during a dinner party. Yann is part of a race of underground people, Thargo's people have their own "living radar" sense, and Von-Don is from Blax, which is a world without color. Superman says that the Planetary Federation has outlawed war, and all the planets of the universe brought their weapons to the Weapons World. This story continues in the next issue. This issue contains the "Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation" filed October 1st, 1965. Superman No. 247 (Jan. 1972) Superman: Past and Future |
In 2966, the
Superman of that time returns to Metropolis from space.
He returns to his guise as Ultra-News reporter Klar Ken
T5477 just in time to be told by the computer-editor that
the villain Muto has been spotted. Klar and fellow
reporter Lyra 3916 review micro-reels on Muto and his
criminal career that has led him to become the arch-enemy
of the current Superman, just like Lex Luthor was the
first Superman's nemesis. Klar goes to "find
Superman" so he can tag along when he goes to tangle
with Muto but Lyra, who despises Superman, remains at the
newsroom to prepare the background story. By being
careless, Klar is almost caught changing into his super
identity by another reporter, Jay L-3388, but manages to
send him off to talk with the editor allowing him to
finish changing and fly off to sector Z-44 in search of
Muto. Meanwhile, in his hidden base, Muto speaks with his
three lieutenants: Yann, Thargo, and Blax. They all
despise Superman, but ask Muto why he hates him even more
than they do. Muto explains that it was the father of the
current Superman that made him a freak with a
super-brain. Years ago, during a space mission, that
Superman had smashed a comet about to hit an inhabited
world. The terrific electrical power of the comet, which
was released in the explosion, ripped nearby space and a
spaceship was caught in the warp. Muto's mother gave
birth to him on that ship while it was trapped in the
other dimension, which resulted in him gaining a giant
brain and terrific mental abilities. The ship was
eventually returned to normal space but Muto remained as
he was and vowed vengeance on the whole Superman line.
Meanwhile, Superman reaches the sector and checks the
Weapons World to make sure that Muto cannot gain access
to the weapons of the universe which are kept there. As
he lands he spots Muto and his gang with his x-ray
vision; they are stealing the mighty weapons. Muto and
Superman meet, and Muto traps Superman by using his power
to shift atoms by changing rocks into a glass prison.
Superman breaks free only to discover that Muto has
surrounded him in a giant glass maze. He smashes through
the roof to spot a ship taking off, but when he looks
inside, no-one is there. Returning to the planet's
surface, he finally spots Muto outside a citadel. Muto
changes rocks to green kryptonite, but this Superman is
not vulnerable to kryptonite but rather to the chemical
fallout in the seas of all planets. Muto is aware of his
real weakness and admits that he has one vulnerability,
too. Superman wonders if Muto is telling the truth, and
if so, what that one weakness could be. Muto smashes a
globe containing a fungus which is deadly to all life,
and Superman must leave the villain alone to stop the
spores before they reach space. He inhales it all and
then trails Muto to another planet. There, Muto uses his
matter-changing power to evaporate part of a cliff,
flooding a valley. Superman rushes to save three children
from the raging water, only to find out that they are
androids programmed by Muto. He is engulfed in the water
and becomes paralyzed. Muto gloats with his henchman,
saying the line of Superman will die here, as there are
no descendants to carry on. He is now free to conquer the
universe with his mental powers and war machines.