Superman 156 – The Last Days of Superman

Hamilton, Swan and Klein execute another classic story in Superman 156 (Oct. 62).

A Kryptonian artifact lands on Earth, and Superman and Jimmy Olsen come to investigate.  It contains samples of Virus X, an incurable plague from Krypton.  Although Superman shatters the container, he falls ill quickly, and realizes he must have caught the disease.

For fear of infecting any other Kryptonians, Superman has himself and Jimmy Olsen sealed up as he gets sicker and sicker.  Superman enlists Supergirl and Krypto to complete a number of projects for the benefit of mankind before he dies, and Supergirl in turn enlists the Superman Emergency Squad and the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Brainiac 5 tries to find a cure for Virus X, hoping to balance out his evil ancestor’s actions, but fails.

As death nears, Superman reflects on his romantic interests.  Lana Lang, Lois Lane and Lori Lemaris all appear, as does Lyla Lerrol – although she does not much look like how she appeared.  Superman bids farewell to Batman and Robin, and burns a message into the Moon, revealing his secret identity.

At the last minute Mon-El, still in the Phantom Zone, contacts Saturn Girl telepathically.  Superman was never infected with Virus X. A tiny piece of kryptonite got jammed in Jimmy Olsen’s camera, and had been slowly killing Superman.

With the help of Supergirl and Krypto, Superman removes the writing on the Moon that would have revealed his identity.

A really well done tale, giving lots for the huge supporting cast to do.  Virus X would appear and infect Superman, a number of years down the road, in a multi-issue story in Action Comics.

Tagged: Batman, Brainiac 5, Curt Swan, DC Comics, Edmond Hamilton, George Klein, Jimmy Olsen, Kandor, Krypto, Lana Lang, Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Lori Lemaris, Lyla Lerrol, Mon-El, Robin, Saturn Girl, Supergirl, Superman, Superman Emergency Squad