Comic Title: Superman #172
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: October 1964
On Sale Date: August 6, 1964 Copyright Date August 6, 1964
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1964

Newsstand Date August 6, 1964
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V19 #7

Frequency: Monthly, with the exception of March, June, Sept. and Dec.
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Notes:
This issue contains a half-page text feature entitled, "How Perry White Has Helped Superman".

Title: "The New Superman"
Pages: 24

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

Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #144; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #52)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #79; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #52)
• Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #144; next appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #80)
• Perry White (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #144; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #52)
• Lana Lang (last appearance in Superman #171; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #52)

Villain(s)

• Lex Luthor (last appearance in Superman #170; next appearance in Action Comics #317)
• Brainiac (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #144; next appearance in Action Comics #318)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Legion of Super-Heroes (last appearance in Superboy #125; next appearance in Adventure Comics #325)
• Cosmic Boy (last appearance in Superboy #125; next appearance in Adventure Comics #325)
• Saturn Girl (last appearance in Superboy #125; next appearance in Adventure Comics #325)
• Invisible Kid (last appearance in Adventure Comics #324; next appearance in Adventure Comics #325)
• Jor-El (in flashback; last appearance in Adventure Comics #323; next appearance in Superman #173)
• Lara (in flashback; last appearance in Action Comics #314; next appearance in Superman #173)

Other Character(s)

• Ar-Val (the New Superman; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Bran-Een (a Kandorian; no further appearances)
• Nor-Kann (spelled Nor-Kan in this story; last appearance in World's Finest Comics #143; next appearance in Action Comics #317)
• Dr. Jay Black (an astronomer; no further appearances)

Comments:
Part 2: "Clark Kent -- Former Superman"
Part 3: "The Struggle of the Two Supermen"

Superman borrows Green Lantern's power ring in this story.

Synopsis:
Superman learns that a green comet will endanger the lives of people on several planets. However, he knows that the comet will have a catastrophic effect on him if he comes near it. He decides to stop the comet anyway, but first he chooses a replacement from Kandor to become Superman on Earth. After diverting the comet, Superman loses his powers, so his replacement, Ar-Val, takes over.

After learning that Superman has been replaced, Luthor escapes from jail with the help of Brainiac. Luthor is wounded by a guard during the escape, so the New Superman ignores the crisis, despite the warnings of Superman and Jimmy Olsen. Superman decides to stop the villains himself by gaining temporary powers with the help of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

Now possessing the powers of Saturn Girl, Cosmic Boy, Invisible Kid, and Elastic Lad, Superman assaults Brainiac's hide-out. He is defeated. Then the villains lure Lois and Lana into a trap. Jimmy finally convinces Ar-Val to help, but Superman is critically wounded. Ar-Val helps restore Superman to health, then sacrifices himself to restore Superman's powers. As a result of the sacrifice, Ar-Val turns to stone.