Action Comics #21
In "The Atomic Disintegrator," Ultra learns of Terry Curtis's groundbreaking invention and sets his sights on claiming it—fueling his ambition to expand his grip on global power. Written by Jerry Siegel and brought to life by Joe Shuster’s bold art with inks by Paul Cassidy, this 1940 issue captures the early days of Superman’s world with a pulse of Cold War-era sci-fi dread. The cover by Joe Shuster and Paul Cassidy perfectly frames the tension, hinting at the dangerous device at the heart of the story.
In "The Atomic Disintegrator," Ultra learns of Terry Curtis’s groundbreaking invention and sets his sights on claiming it—determined to use the device to further his global ambitions. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, the race is on to control a power that could reshape reality.
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Reprinted in Superman in Action Comics #1 (1993), Superman: The Action Comics Archives #2 (1998), The Superman Chronicles #3 (2007), Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus #1 (2013), Superman: The Golden Age #2 (2017), DC Finest: Superman: The First Superhero #[nn] (2025)
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