Superman #276
Published and © by DC, June 1974
Title: “Make Way for Captain Thunder!”
Synopsis: Superman finds himself going toe to toe with Captain Thunder, a Captain Marvel analogue turned inexplicably evil.
Writer: Elliot S. Maggin
Penciler: Curt Swan
Inker: Bob Oksner
Review: Wow, this is an odd one. Hitting the stands after DC was already publishing Shazam!, Superman’s first throw down with the Big Red Cheese was actually with a thinly veiled analogue named Captain Thunder. Though a hero in his own dimension (thanks to a native medicine man!), the good Captain has gone evil here due to a conniving trick by a team of classic movie monsters. Elliot S. Maggin’s script builds a little momentum during the super showdown, but the story can’t escape its overall oddness and overly quick conclusion. Think decent Silver Age silliness wrapped in a Bronze veneer.
Grade: C
Cool factor: The Nick Cardy cover brings the cool.
Not-so-cool factor: The whole “rub your belt and say a magic word” thing is more creepy than cool.
Notable: First appearance of Captain Thunder.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue.
Character quotable: “CREEPIES!” – Willie “I’m not Billy Batson” Fawcett, because, apparently, “Jeepers!” just wasn’t creepy enough
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on May 10, 2013.
