Action Comics 252 Superman Day Special Edition #[nn]
In *Action Comics 252: "The Menace of Metallo!"*, a near-fatal accident transforms criminal John Corben into a robotic threat powered by uranium—only to have his scheme unravel when he impersonates Superman after being shot, mistaking Lois Lane’s belief in his heroism for a golden opportunity. With Al Plastino’s dynamic art and Curt Swan’s iconic cover, this 2026 special edition delivers a gripping tale of deception and flawed power, where a stolen kryptonite sample proves far more dangerous than Corben ever imagined.
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Criminal John Corben, who is nearly killed in an auto accident, is given a robot body powered by uranium. When he is hit by bullets meant for Lois, she assumes he is really Superman. Recognizing a good idea, Corben impersonates Superman to collect more uranium. Running out of sources of uranium, Corben learns that he can also be powered by kryptonite. But he doesn't realize that the kryptonite he steals is fake, prop kryptonite and collapses.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).