Comic Title: Superman #90
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: July 1954
On Sale Date: May 5, 1954 Copyright Date May 3, 1954
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1954
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.

Newsstand Date May 5, 1954
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V9 #3

Frequency: Monthly, with the exception of April, June, Oct., and Dec.
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 40
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "Superman's Secret Past"
Pages: 10

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

Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman #90; next appearance in Superman #90)

Supporting Character(s)

• Perry White (last appearance in Superman #90; next appearance in Superman #90)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Superbaby (in flashback to Superbaby's time; last appearance in Superboy #26; next appearance in Adventure Comics #221)
• Jonathan Kent (in flashback to Superbaby's time; last appearance in Superboy #26; next appearance in Adventure Comics #221)
• Martha Kent (in flashback to Superbaby's time; last appearance in Superboy #26; next appearance in Adventure Comics #221)

Other Character(s)

• Professor Snelling (no further appearances)
• The Mayor of Smallville and several residents (John Dahl and Will Burris named; no further appearances)

Flashback Appearance(s)

• Superboy (during Superboy's time period; last appearance in Adventure Comics #201; next appearance in Superboy #34)
• Martha Kent (during Superboy's time period; last appearance in Superboy #31; next appearance in Superboy #34)

Comments:
Professor Snelling buys the Smallville home of the Kents in this story. Later stories explain that Clark still owns the house, which would contradict this story. Either this is a different house, or Clark repurchased the home from Snelling.

This story contains three flashbacks to earlier periods in Superman's life.

Flashback 1: (page 3, panel 6 - page 4, panel 4) Jonathan Kent constructs a lead-lined cupboard for Superbaby's souvenirs. This flashback occurs between the second flashback in the first story of Superboy #26 and the flashback in the first story of Adventure Comics #221.

Flashback 2: (page 7, panels 2-3) Superboy rescues Will Burris from an avalanche.

Flashback 3: (page 7, panels 5-6) Superboy gives Martha Kent a birthday gift.

Flashbacks 2 and 3 occur on the same day chronologically between the first story of Adventure Comics #201 and the first story of Superboy #34.

Synopsis:
Superman returns to Smallville for a town celebration. He discovers that a new resident, Professor Snelling, has moved into the old Kent house. Superman tries to cover up evidence left behind that would expose his secret identity. The professor locates a lead-lined cabinet containing Martha Kent's souvenirs. He plans to analyze the contents for clues to Superman's secret identity. When Superman saves the professor from a traffic collision, the professor reconsiders. He turns over the souvenirs to Superman and abandons his search for Superman's secret. At the town celebration, Clark's parents are honored for their contributions to Smallville's heritage.