Superman #252
Published and © by DC, June 1972
Title: “Powerstone”
Synopsis: Augmented by electricity, Lex Luthor schemes to acquire a powerstone that would make him even mightier than Superman.
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Sikela
Review: Come for the Neal Adams cover, stay for the Golden Age goodies. With today’s omnibuses and digital archives, it’s hard to imagine days when access to comics’ history was limited. The stories, like this one from 1942’s Action Comics #47, are often anachronistic, but what a joy to experience.
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Title: “When Titans Clash!”
Synopsis: When an electric chair rekindles Lex Luthor’s new powers, the evil scientist is back on the hunt for the powerstone.
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: John Sikela
Review: This follow-up story, reprinted from 1942’s Superman #17, is undermined by the silly trickery of its conclusion.
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Title: Untitled
Synopsis: Doctor Fate investigates a series of supernatural deaths by fire, bringing him into battle with Mango the Mighty.
Writer: Gardner Fox
Artist: Howard Sherman
Review: Despite many pulpy elements, this story from 1940’s More Fun Comics #57 doesn’t suffer from overwriting. Also, solid art.
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Title: Untitled
Synopsis: When Hawkman loans girlfriend Shiera a winged costume, Hawkgirl takes to the sky for a caper of her own.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Sheldon Moldoff
Review: This story from 1941’s Flash Comics #24 features inconsistent-but-sometimes-lovely art from Sheldon Moldoff and a very early appearance of Hawkgirl.
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Title: Untitled
Synopsis: Sen. Tom Wright/Black Condor infiltrates an illegal arms program that looks to undermine the Allied war effort.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Lou Fine
Review: This early Lou Fine effort (from 1941’s Crack Comics #18) is inconsistent, veering between stylish cartooning and anatomical struggles.
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Title: Untitled
Synopsis: Zor, another powerful spirit, escapes confinement to battle the Spectre across space and “dimensional darkness.”
Writer: Jerry Siegel
Artist: Bernard Baily
Review: This issue’s most primitive story, in terms of both story and art. Originally from 1940’s More Fun Comics #57.
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Title: “The Menace of the Invisible Raiders!”
Synopsis: When the Mist uses his inviso-solution to undermine American war preparations, it’s Starman to the rescue.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Jack Burnley
Review: This first appearance of the Mist, reprinted from 1941’s Adventure Comics #67, features surprisingly polished art by Jack Burnley.
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Title: Untitled
Synopsis: The Ray investigates a series of shipping accidents caused by Stradivous, a modern-day Pied Piper.
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Lou Fine
Review: This story, from 1940’s Smash Comics #17, is tricky to follow. Still, Lou Fine delivers some gorgeous panels.
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Title: “Superman’s Greatest Feats!”
Synopsis: At the request of Lori Lemaris, Superman attempts to change history – with potentially disastrous results!
Writer: Uncredited
Artist: Al Plastino
Review: A silly Silver Age time-travel story from 1961’s Superman #146. Superman picks some pretty random events and actions.
Grade (for the entire issue): B+
Second opinion: “Anybody who doesn’t like Superman #252 shouldn’t be reading comics.” – Tony Seybert, Comic Effect #26, Spring 2001 … Cover is included in Nick Jones’s “DC Comics Cover Art: 350 of the Greatest Covers in DC’s History,” 2020. … – “A 1940 Bernard Baily masterpiece.” – Paul Kupperberg, Etcetera #10 & The Comic Reader #77, December 1971 … “(Lou Fine’s) dynamic graphic design and flowing figures were startling in the 1940s, and continue to influence to this day.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: Such an eclectic mix of story and art as the creators of the Golden Age developed the story logic and visual language of the fledgling comic-book medium on the fly. (Bonus: That Neal Adams wraparound cover is iconic!)
Notable: Sometimes listed as DC 100 Page Super Spectacular #DC-13. … Includes a key identifying all of the cover characters.
Character quotable: “When you next see me, I shall be well on the road to being the master of the world!” – Lex Luthor, big-picture thinker
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb. 18, 2026.
