Comic Title: Action Comics #381
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: October 1969
On Sale Date: August 28, 1969 Copyright Date August 28, 1969
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1969


Frequency: Monthly (semi-monthly, March)
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "The Hapless Hero"
Pages: 12

Feature(s):
Legion of Super-Heroes (of Earth-1)

Writer: James Shooter
Penciller: J. Winslow Mortimer
Inker: Jack Abel

Reprinted In:
Legion of Super-Heroes Archives Vol. 9 HC (2000)
Showcase Presents:Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 4 TPB (2010)
Legion of Super-Heroes:The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 3 HC (2020)

Feature Character(s)

• Legion of Super-Heroes (last appearance in Action Comics #380; next appearance in Action Comics #382)
• Saturn Girl (last appearance in Adventure Comics #376; next appearance in Action Comics #385)
• Lightning Lad (last appearance in Action Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #386)
• Phantom Girl (last appearance in Adventure Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #386)
• Brainiac 5 (last appearance in Adventure Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #385)
• Shrinking Violet (last appearance in Adventure Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #382)
• Ultra Boy (last appearance in Adventure Comics #380; next appearance in Action Comics #382)
• Matter-Eater Lad (last appearance in Adventure Comics #375; next appearance in Action Comics #392)
• Karate Kid (last appearance in Adventure Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #382)
• Princess Projectra (last appearance in Adventure Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #383)
• Chemical King (last appearance in Adventure Comics #379; next appearance in Action Comics #387)

Supporting Character(s)

• Duplicate Boy (last appearance in Adventure Comics #339; next appearance in Superboy #200)

Other Character(s)

• Rall and Mitz Kem (Matter-Eater Lad's parents; first names revealed; last appearance in Adventure Comics #338; next appearance in Superboy #184)
• C-31 (a robot chauffeur; no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Matter-Eater Lad returns home after a Legion meeting. His parents demand that he turn over his Legion paycheck because his father has lost money gambling. After a fight, Tenzil storms out.

He returns to Legion Headquarters where he finds Shrinking Violet on monitor duty. She is lonely because her boyfriend Duplicate Boy is stuck on Lallor. Matter-Eater Lad offers to take her on a date. He then spares no expense to make her happy.

When the date is over, the two Legionnaires kiss. Duplicate Boy who has been watching from afar, then races to the scene. He is angry and wants to fight. Tenzil defeats him with words, then Violet and Duplicate Boy make up. The following day, Matter-Eater Lad receives a letter from his parents apologizing and asking him to come home.