Action Comics #501

In "The Mystery of the Mild-Mannered Superman," a 1979 issue of Action Comics, Superman's confidence is stripped away when the Superman Revenge Squad uses a ray to turn him into the timid Clark Kent—only to discover that his courage lies not in his powers, but in the very persona he hides. Written by Cary Bates and illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger, with inks by Joe Giella and colors by Gene D'Angelo, the story finds Clark facing his greatest challenge not as a hero, but as a man who must reclaim his spirit in front of a live audience. The cover by Ross Andru and Dick Giordano captures the moment of transformation with striking intensity.