Superman #157
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeSuperman #157 (November 1962) earns its key-issue status on two fronts simultaneously: it delivers the first in-continuity appearance of Gold Kryptonite — a variant whose defining power to permanently strip a Kryptonian of all superpowers made it one of the most conceptually weighty weapons in the Silver Age Superman mythology — and it introduces Quex-Ul, the only Phantom Zone prisoner ever established as wholly innocent of his conviction. The Quex-Ul story also gave Mort Weisinger's editorial line one of its most sophisticated moral frameworks of the era: a wrongfully condemned man who, upon learning the truth of his innocence, chooses self-sacrifice over revenge, losing his powers and memory so that Superman may live. That redemptive arc distinguished the issue from the standard villain-of-the-month format and proved durable enough to seed later Phantom Zone mythology through the Bronze Age and beyond.
In "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!", Superman faces a moral dilemma when he releases Quex-Ul from the Phantom Zone, only to be targeted by a vengeful former prisoner whose grudge runs deep. Written by Edmond Hamilton and brought to life with Curt Swan’s iconic art and George Klein’s inks, this 1962 classic explores redemption and justice as Superman journeys back to Krypton to uncover the truth—revealing a past far more complex than he ever imagined. The cover, also by Curt Swan and George Klein, captures the tension of a hero confronting a foe who may not be as monstrous as he seemed.
In "The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!", Superman grants Quex-Ul a second chance after his release from the Phantom Zone, only to face a vengeful vow from the former prisoner. As Quex-Ul’s actions blur the line between villain and hero, Superman journeys back to Krypton to uncover the truth behind his conviction—uncovering a shocking manipulation that reshapes everything he thought he knew. With Supergirl by his side and the fate of a former enemy hanging in the balance, Superman must decide what justice truly means.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The lead story, 'The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!', was written by veteran science-fiction author Edmond Hamilton, penciled by Curt Swan, and inked by George Klein — the central creative team that defined the look and tone of Superman under editor Mort Weisinger throughout the early 1960s. The issue went on sale September 20, 1962, carrying a November 1962 cover date, published by National Periodical Publications. Gold Kryptonite had previously appeared once, in an 'imaginary story' in Adventure Comics #299, but this was its debut as an element of the book's mainline continuity, giving it genuine narrative stakes for the first time.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: November 1962; on-sale date: September 20, 1962. Published by National Periodical Publications (DC Comics).
- Lead story: 'The Super-Revenge of the Phantom Zone Prisoner!' Written by Edmond Hamilton; pencils by Curt Swan; inks by George Klein. Edited by Mort Weisinger.
- First in-continuity (non-imaginary-story) appearance of Gold Kryptonite, established here as a variety that permanently removes a Kryptonian's superpowers rather than killing them.
- First appearance of Quex-Ul, a Kryptonian Phantom Zone prisoner convicted of poaching the sacred Rondors (whose horns had healing properties) — later revealed to have been framed via hypnosis by the true culprit, Rog-Ar.
- First appearance of the Rondors, the endangered Kryptonian creatures whose healing horns became a recurring element of Phantom Zone lore.
- After learning he was innocent, Quex-Ul sacrifices himself by exposing himself to the Gold Kryptonite trap he had built for Superman, permanently losing his powers and his memory; Superman then arranges for him to live under the human alias 'Charlie Kweskill' as a Daily Planet employee.
- The issue contains three stories in total; the two backup stories are 'The Super-Genie of Metropolis' and 'Superman's Day of Doom,' with Supergirl and Legion of Super-Heroes members (Cosmic Boy, Lightning Lad) appearing in the latter.
- The lead story has been reprinted in Superman #227 (June–July 1970), Showcase Presents: Superman Vol. 4 (2008), and Superman: Tales from the Phantom Zone (2009); Quex-Ul's character subsequently returned in The Phantom Zone #1 (1982 miniseries) and was adapted for animation in Justice League Action and for live-action television in Krypton.
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Superman #76 (1952)
Reprinted in Supermán #397 (1963), Superman (3ª Série) #26 (1966), Supermann #8/1966 (1966), MV Comix #21/1969 (1969), MV Comix #25/1969 (1969), Superman et Batman et Robin #15 (1970), Superman et Batman et Robin #16 (1970), Superman #227 (1970), Superman et Batman et Robin #20 (1970), Supermann #21/1970 (1970), Stålmannen #4/1972 (1972), Supermann #3/1972 (1972), Limited Collectors' Edition #C-38 (1975), Giant Superman Album #40 (1980), The Best of DC #8 (1980), Showcase Presents: Superman #4 (2008), Superman: Tales from the Phantom Zone #[nn] (2009), Albi del Falco #354, Superman #52
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