Superman #349

Originally published November 15th 2017

                                                                   

Superman, the world's greatest superhero. Without Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's creation all of us may have lived crummy lives. Other powered beings have appeared in literature throughout the ages but Superman was a f'ing rock star. Creating the model which all our costumed heroes we love were formed, I will always tip my hat to the Man of Steel.

Even with the respect I have for the inspiration he's provided, my last crack at a Supes review was less than kind. But hey, in my humble opinion he wasn't portrayed in the best light. If you've read any of my previous work, you would know I'm a sucker for EVERY back issue I can get my grubby fingers on, so the Last Son of Krypton and I were bound to cross paths again here in Two Staple Gold.

This issue caught my eye for more than just the fact some guy dressed up like Wonder Woman looks to be giving Supes a terrible case of constipation. I also have a lot of admiration for the writer Marty Pasko and renowned artist Curt Swan. Apologies to both creators as I poke a little fun at Superman #349 "The Turnabout Trap" cover dated July, 1980 published by DC Comics.


                                                        



Returning from an interstellar adventure that "took longer than expected" our hero is bent out of shape for potentially being late for work. No time for a shower or morning coffee when you fear Perry White will tear you a new one. After swooping through an open window at the Daily Planet and changing into his alter ego Clark Kent he prepares to face his angry boss. Instead of finding a perturbed Perry he discovers they decided to change the plumbing while he was away.

 

"Clark picked the wrong day to try Peyote."

Everyone's genders have been switched. On the plus side, Jimmy Olsen...err...I mean Jenny Olsen sure can rock a neckerchief like nobody's business. Utterly stunned, Clark needs some fresh air. On his way out of the building various theories enter his mind. A practical joke perhaps or maybe Red Kryptonite is to blame for what he's witnessing. As he exits, a window washer falls from her perch and is saved by...Superwoman?! Clark has a hunch and uses his super vision to look towards the Justice League Satellite. There his suspicions are confirmed, all of his friends have been affected by gender swapping.

 

"Black Condor? Nice try but on this world he goes by Captain Nair."

Now believing he is trapped in an alternate dimension, Superman attempts to fly into space and search for a gateway. Instead he's met by an impenetrable dome surrounding the Earth. He takes a crack at it to no avail and as history has proven, If Supes can't punch his way out of a problem, magic must be involved. With his smash tactics foiled he chooses to return to the bizarre world he's trapped in and investigate his doppelganger "Clara Kent" who must also be Superwoman.

 

"You better believe Human Resources is gonna hear about this one!"

But wait! Back at the Daily Planet, while stalking Clara from a windowsill, Superwoman flies by him. How can this be? He remarks how odd all of this is but what I find more disturbing are his Peeping Tom tactics. Whotta creep. Done with all this pondering rubbish, Supes wants the straight dope directly from the horse's mouth. Bad call Big Blue. Fearing he's a villain, Superwoman and Superboy ring his bell. Slapping a helmet filled with Kryptonite gas over his head, he's now their prisoner. Super sucky.

 

"Groovy! We finally found a use for our spare SUPER Bong!"

Fearing Superman would gain access to their secrets if kept in the Watchtower, The Turnabout Justice League stake him to the ground in the Mojave Desert. He is left under the watchful eye of Wonder Warrior. This leads to my favorite part of the book by far. In all of Supes old adventures, a myriad of  powers would emerge relevant to any predicament he found himself in. This is no exception but easily one I didn't expect. When talking about odd abilities of comic heroes with your friends, feel free to pull this one out of the arsenal...the dude can A Capella Lullaby your ass to sleep!

 

 "Wonder Warrior is a sucker for a set of smooth pipes."

Superman lures buzzards over and they break his helmet with their beaks. Now free, he has a quick scuffle with Wonder Warrior, pummels him and steals his Lasso of Truth. That time on the hot sand provided him just the clarity he needed. Certain of who has been the mastermind behind his misery but alas, the culprit isn't easily found. How to get the mystery miscreant's attention? Scrawl on a billboard with a giant crayon. Damn, and they say you learn nothing in Kindergarten.

 
"Ok, That's officially SUPER STUPID and I'm not entirely sure it's a crayon."

There's only one Imp in the DCU capable of creating that kind of itch in Superman's britches, Mr.Mxyzptlk! How did Supes put it all together? Super Intuition? Nah, Mr.Mxyzptlk doesn't know about his secret identity. With every other human experiencing the gender bending, Clara Kent and Superwoman were two different people. Fine deduction skills there Clarky boy. Those who consider Batman "The World's Greatest Detective" can bite my bippy. Only one question remains. Why is Mxyz out to crap on the Man of Steel's Wheaties?

   

"I'm pleased to know Catfishing didn't originate on our planet."

A year prior in Superman #335, Mxyz was exiled from his dimension and Supes helped him return in time to marry his fiancee Miss Bgbznz. But you see, Mr.Mxyzptlk is one shallow little hombre. When it's revealed his sweet gal is actually a gaaah, he takes it out on the Blue Boy Scout. Before he can make a mad dash with his crooked derby hat, Superman snares him with the Lasso of Truth he scooped up earlier. Forced to obey, Mr.Mxyzptlk says his name backwards and is returned to ZRFFF. Everything returns to normal...or does it?

 

"Silly Lois, Clark's only worried he was going to have to feign interest in Theatre."

The Verdict:
Silly, fun and whimsical. All these words can be used to describe what I've just read and quite frankly, I love that. It it the most memorable tale ever told? Hell no, but unlike my review it's  classic kid friendly entertainment.

Dark and gritty comics are cool. I enjoy them as much as the next fan but every once in a while a jovial romp is just what the Doctor ordered. Provides some chuckles and the nostalgia tank gets refilled. Punch your ticket to Happy Town and rescue a copy of Superman #349 from the bins. It's Two Staple Gold.

No molds broken nor minds blown, this is clean entertainment and deserves to be owned. That'll be $2 for the parting rhyme. I accept cash, credit or a pair of Black Condors shorts. Tell ya what, bring the skivvies and I'll throw in a Turnabout League fan casting for free.

                                                            



-David Schultz




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