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Superman vol.1 No.17 - Cover date...
Superman vol.1 No.17 - Cover date July-August 1942
It’s a significant issue in the development of the Superman mythos, this particular comic. The story in the second slot (criminal hypnotists, again, turning innocent bystanders into bank-robbing human bombs) pales by comparison.
Accompanying that story in the middle of the issue, Superman uncovers an unlikely crime spree committed by the suddenly super-confident students of a crooked fitness trainer (Joe Shuster, a health enthusiast and amateur muscleman, must have provided some inspiration for this story). Superman enrolls in the course himself, but not before undertaking a rigorous, spontaneous, oversized training at his brand-spanking new mountain fortress! Yes, predating his arctic Fortress of Solitude is an isolated retreat out in the mountains outside of Metropolis, outfitted with a trophy room of the Man of Steel’s many adventures (The Archer’s arrows! Righab Bey’s turban!) and a Superman-sized gymnasium.
In the final story slot, Luthor returns in a continuation of the Powerstone story from the pages of Action Comics. Surviving his execution in the electric chair – thriving on the newfound power, in fact – Luthor battles Superman again in a bid to gain the Powerstone which will make him the Man of Steel’s equal in physical strength.
However, the most important story in this issue debuts in the first slot under the title “Man or Superman?” and documents, for the first time, Lois Lane’s full-blown suspicions that meek, mild-mannered Clark Kent might actually be the civilian disguise of Superman! Up to this point, Lois’ curiosity had occasionally been piqued by coincidence or happenstance, but now, for the first time, she forms a link between Clark and Superman that she actively pursues.
Superman uses his super-powers to pull the wool back over Lois’ eyes, and even though it will be a while before this theme is trotted out again – all bets are off. Lois has been freed up to pursue the association between her cowardly co-worker and invincible inamorato, creating a new dynamic in the relationship and in the books.
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