Cover: Keith Giffen & Dick Giordano

Action Comics #539

Jan 1983 · DC · 0.60 USD; 0.25 GBP; 0.75 CAD

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“Past Imperfect!”

In "Past Imperfect!", the Atom and the Flash attempt to alter history using the Time Pool and the Cosmic Treadmill to stop Lord Satanis and Syrene—but their efforts falter. Back in the past, the other Superman remains trapped in the conflict, while Clark Kent collapses at the Daily Planet, dead before the autopsy begins. The body of the past Superman is claimed by Satanis, and the mystery deepens. Written by Marv Wolfman and illustrated by Gil Kane, with colors by Gene D'Angelo and letters by Ben Oda, this pivotal issue features a cover by Keith Giffen and Dick Giordano.

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writer Marv Wolfman · artist, inker Gil Kane · colorist Gene D'Angelo · letterer Ben Oda · cover Keith Giffen, Dick Giordano

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VG $2.79 FN $2.9 VG $2.9 FN $3.2 FN+ $3.4 VG · Variant $3.5 FN/VF $3.72 VF $4.2

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Cast · 13 characters

Arthur Curry Barry Allen Clark Kent / Kal-El Jimmy Olsen Lana Lang Lois Lane Lord Satanis Mera Perry White Ray Palmer Superman Syrene V'lana

Full credits

writer Marv Wolfman

artist, inker Gil Kane

colorist Gene D'Angelo

letterer Ben Oda

cover pencils Keith Giffen

cover inks Dick Giordano

Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers

▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers

The Atom uses the Time Pool to try to help Superman get to the past to stop Lord Satanis and Syrene. Flash does the same with the Cosmic Treadmill, but both efforts fail. Back in the past, the other Superman is still a pawn in the war between Satanis and Syrene. Clark Kent shows up at the Daily Planet, and promptly keels over. Clark Kent is dead! Meanwhile, Satanis manages to take over the body of the Superman in the past. And Clark Kent's autopsy begins.

Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).