Comic Title: Superman #56
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: Jan/Feb 1949
Approx. On Sale Date: November 3, 1948 Copyright Date November 1, 1949
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1948
Until 1958 DC did not report actual on sale dates to the copyright office
The publication dates listed in LoC records are NOT release dates.

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 48
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "The Man Who Couldn't Laugh"
Pages: 12

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-2)

Writer: William Woolfolk
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye

Reprinted In:
Superman:The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7 HC (2023)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman #56; next appearance in Superman #56)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Superman #56; next appearance in Action Comics #128)

Villain(s)

• A gang of crooks (no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• F.P. Crotchett (a millionaire; no further appearances)
• Joe Blaney (Crotchett's former partner; no further appearances)
• J.J. Jayne (a showman; no further appearances)
• An unnamed doctor and a nurse (no further appearances)
• A group of amateur comedians (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
F.P. Crotchett is in failing health. His doctor believes that the millionaire needs to laugh. The joy could lift his spirits and change his life. Crotchett offers a cash reward to the person who can make him laugh. Many try and fail. Superman even tries to make Crotchett laugh to earn money for charity. He too fails.

Unwillingly to concede defeat, Superman researches Crotchett's past, then locates his former partner Joe Blaney. They had worked together as Vaudeville performers years earlier. Superman brings Blaney to Crochett. Reuniting with his old partner and seeing their old routine finally brings a laugh to the millionaire.