Adventures of Superman #442

Jul 1988 · DC · 0.75 USD; 1.00 CAD; 0.40 GBP

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“Power Play”

★ 1st appearance — Psi-Phon

About this Issue

Adventures of Superman #442 — titled 'Power Play' — is the concluding chapter of the first Psi-Phon and Dreadnaught story arc, completing a two-part crossover begun in Superman vol. 2 #19 and delivering one of the Copper Age's most inventive 'powerless hero' resolutions: Superman wins not by reclaiming his abilities but by fighting as Clark Kent, armed with Professor Emil Hamilton's force-field belt. The issue also showcases the post-Crisis DC Universe's new approach to the Justice League roster, enlisting Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Elongated Man, and Captain Marvel as a parade of power-drained volunteers — a strategy that both deepens the threat and reinforces the tight continuity web the Superman books were building in 1988. It falls at a precise editorial hinge point, representing the final issues of John Byrne's scripting tenure on the title before Jerry Ordway would assume full writer-artist duties with #445.

In "Power Play," Superman's powers are systematically stripped away by the villain Psi-Phon and transferred to his hulking ally Dreadnaught, leaving the Man of Steel vulnerable and desperate. With his strength gone and his foe poised to strike, Superman reaches out to an unexpected ally for help. Written by John Byrne and Jerry Ordway, with art by Jerry Ordway and inks by Andy Kubert, this 1988 issue delivers a tense, character-driven showdown anchored by a striking cover by John Byrne.

writer John Byrne · writer, artist Jerry Ordway · inker Andy Kubert · colorist Anthony Tollin · letterer Albert De Guzman · cover John Byrne

ComicBooks.com Value

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CGC 9.8 · 4 in census $95

CGC 9.6 · 2 in census $44*

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CGC 9.2 · 1 in census $28*

CGC 9.0 · 1 in census $25*

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DC Comics The Adventures Of Superman July 1988 NO#442 Comic Book Comicbook $4.55 The Adventures of Superman Issue #442 (July 1988, DC Comics) $4.99 Adventures of Superman comics select an issue $6.29

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History

The issue was written by John Byrne (plot and script) in collaboration with co-plotter Jerry Ordway, who also penciled; Andy Kubert inked, Anthony Tollin colored, and Albert DeGuzman lettered, with Mike Carlin and Renee Witterstaetter as editors under executive editor Dick Giordano. Despite its July 1988 cover date, Grand Comics Database records confirm an actual ship date of March 29, 1988, based on Direct Currents #2 and copyright registration. The issue arrived during the transition period documented by Jerry Ordway's Wikipedia entry: Byrne had taken over scripting from Marv Wolfman at #435 and co-plotted with Ordway through #442 before Ordway made his solo writing debut two issues later at #443.

Trivia · 8 facts

Story title: 'Power Play'; cover date July 1988, actual ship date March 29, 1988 per Grand Comics Database.
Creative team: John Byrne (co-plot, script), Jerry Ordway (co-plot, pencils), Andy Kubert (inks), Anthony Tollin (colors), Albert DeGuzman (letters); editors Mike Carlin and Renee Witterstaetter.
Direct continuation of Superman vol. 2 #19, completing the debut story arc for alien villains Psi-Phon (J'ankway) and Dreadnaught (Bree'mill).
Psi-Phon's power works by placing mental blocks that suppress Superman's abilities and transfers them to Dreadnaught — not a true 'theft,' a deception Superman ultimately figures out.
Superman defeats the pair as a powerless Clark Kent, using a force-field belt engineered by Professor Emil Hamilton — the same device Hamilton had previously used against Superman when he was antagonistic.
Guest stars called in to help — Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Elongated Man, and Captain Marvel — all have their powers stripped as well, but the sheer volume of heroes overwhelms Psi-Phon, turning the strategy into a victory condition.
Sub-plots advance the post-Crisis supporting cast: Jose Delgado (Gangbuster) is released from the hospital confined to a wheelchair, and Matrix-Supergirl has an unresolved encounter with Lana Lang in Smallville.
Reprinted in: Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 4 (2022 hardcover, DC), which collects Superman #16–22, Adventures of Superman #439–444, Action Comics #598–600, and Superman Annual #2; also reprinted in Nordic editions (Stålmannen #1/1990, Supermann #1/1990) and Superman: The Man of Steel (2003 series) #9.