Action Comics #281
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeIn "The Man Who Saved Kal-El's Life!", Superman and the powerless Supergirl journey into the past to uncover the truth behind her origins, discovering that her powers mysteriously return in earlier eras. Written by Jerry Siegel and brought to life with dynamic art by Jim Mooney, this 1961 classic features a pivotal moment in Supergirl’s history, with Curt Swan and Shelly Moldoff’s iconic cover capturing the adventure’s timeless appeal.
In "The Man Who Saved Kal-El's Life!", Superman teams up with Professor Dunn, a scientist who once visited Krypton and knew Jor-El before the planet's destruction. When two criminals use the Professor's stolen "Matter-Radio" plans to pull off a daring crime spree, Superman must race to stop them before their technology causes irreversible damage.
When Supergirl remains powerless after Lesla-Lar’s ray, Superman takes her back through time—only to discover her abilities return in past eras, unlocking a mystery tied to the very fabric of history. This time-traveling twist sets off a race against the clock, testing the limits of their powers and the strength of their bond.
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↩ Reprints Adventure Comics #162 (1951)
Reprinted in Supermán #368 (1962), Action Comics #360 (1968), Superman #212 (1968), Supermann #3/1970 (1970), Superman in Action Comics #1 (1993), The Silver Age of Superman The Greatest Covers of Action Comics from the '50s to the '70s #[nn] (1995), Supergirl Archives #2 (2004), Showcase Presents: Superman #3 (2007), Showcase Presents: Supergirl #1 (2008), Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus #1 (2016), Supergirl: The Silver Age #1 (2017), DC Finest: Supergirl: The Girl of Steel #[nn] (2025)
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