Comic Title: Superman in the Fifties TPB
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: 2021
On Sale Date: February 2, 2021 Direct Market Date February 3, 2021
Source: ComicList, New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Direct Market Date January 12, 2021
Source: DC Connect, #5

Cover Price: $34.99
Page Count: 344
Editor: Scott Nybakken

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "The First Superman of Krypton"
Pages: 12

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-1)

Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Wayne Boring
Inker: Stan Kaye

Reprinted From:
Action Comics #223 (1956)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #17; next appearance in Superman #110)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jor-El (in flashback; last appearance in Action Comics #378; next appearance in Superman #113)
• Lara (in flashback; name misspelled Lora in this story; last appearance in Action Comics #378; next appearance in Superman #113)

Villain(s)

• Val Arn and Khai Zor (criminal Kryptonians; in flashback; next appearance in Superboy #158)
• Several Kryptonians (in flashback; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Kal-El (as a baby on Krypton; last appearance in Action Comics #378; next appearance in Superman #113)

Comments:
Kal-El is born in flashback in this story which is his first chronological appearance. This story also reveals that Kal-El was born during Krypton’s 10,000th year. However, the 10,000th year celebration is still going on when Krypton explodes. Since Kal-El spent two years on Krypton before it exploded, his birth year should be 9998 as given in World of Krypton #2.

The majority of this story is told in a series of flashbacks featuring Jor-El, Lara, and an infant Kal-El. Below is a listing of the events depicted and there appropriate chronology.

Flashback 1: (page 3, panel 3 - page 4, panel 4) Jor-El travels to Krypton’s core and learns the planet is unstable. This flashback recounts flashback 1 in the first story of Action Comics #216 (page 11, panel 2-6).

Flashback 2: (page 4, panels 5-6) Jor-El reveals findings to the Council of Science.

Flashback 3: (page 5, panels 1-3) Kal-El is born.

Flashback 4: (page 5, panel 4 - page 11, panel 5) Jor-El considers Earth as a location for relocation. This flashback occurs before the flashback in Superman #113 (page 3, panel 5 - page 18, panel 6).

Flashback 5: (page 12, panels 1-2) Jor-El sends Kal-El to Earth. This flashback recounts scene 2 in the third story of More Fun Comics #101 (page 3, panels 3-4).

Flashback 6: (page 12, panels 3-4) Jor-El finishes his journal. This flashback occurs between scene 2 (page 3, panels 3-4) and scene 3 (page 3, panel 5) of the third story of More Fun Comics #101.

Synopsis:
Superman finds pieces of Jor-El’s laboratory in drifting in space. Reviewing Jor-El’s notes and films, he learns of Jor-El’s prediction of doom for Krypton in the 10,000th year of their civilization. Jor-El discovers Earth and creates a valley that simulates Earth conditions. In this valley he gains super-human powers.

Two criminal Kryptonians plan to take advantage of Jor-El’s discovery by traveling to Earth and making themselves rulers. Jor-El tricks them into returning to the valley, where he defeats them with his powers.

Still, no one believes Jor-El’s prediction of doom. With little time remaining he sends his young son, Kal-El, to Earth. Krypton explodes leaving Kal-El the only survivor.