Superman #185
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeSuperman #185 is a compact showcase of the Silver Age Weisinger formula at full stretch: it pairs a Red Kryptonite vulnerability thriller—giving Superman a literal 'Achilles' Heel' that gangland assassins exploit—with a two-part romantic comedy that deploys the Kandorian Look-Alike Squad, one of the era's most inventive recurring devices, to resolve a love-triangle tangle involving the newly introduced Dolores Rivera. The issue introduces several named members of that Look-Alike Squad (Ti-Arra, Ar-Rone, Zol-Lar) alongside Vol-Don, cementing the Squad as a fully-populated supporting ensemble rather than a one-off gimmick. As a product of writer Leo Dorfman—who historians credit as arguably the most prolific Superman scripter of the 1960s—and editor Mort Weisinger at the height of their collaboration, it exemplifies the tightly interlocked mythological world they built across the entire Superman family of titles.
In "Superman's Achilles' Heel!", the Look-Alike Squad of Kandor sends Vol-Don to Earth to impersonate Clark Kent, but when he unexpectedly develops feelings for Dolores Rivera, the mission takes an unforeseen turn. Written by Leo Dorfman and illustrated by Jim Mooney, this 1966 adventure blends alien intrigue with a surprising personal twist, all rendered in the classic style of Curt Swan and George Klein on the cover.
In "Part I: Target Superman!", Dolores Rivera finds herself caught in a bizarre scheme when her father, José Rivera, a wealthy man with grand ambitions, tries to arrange a wedding between his daughter and Superman. When Dolores learns of the plan, she takes control of the situation—pretending to be smitten with Clark Kent, all while turning the tables on her father’s matchmaking efforts. With a mix of wit and charm, she sets off a chain of events that throws the usually unflappable Man of Steel into an unexpected social whirlwind.
In a twist of fate, the Superman robot [XM21], impersonating Clark Kent for a mission, finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Dolores Rivera—while also trying to keep his true identity hidden. As the robot navigates the complexities of human emotion, the line between performance and feeling begins to blur.
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We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue carries a cover date of April 1966 and was published on February 3, 1966, under the sole editorship of Mort Weisinger, who oversaw all Superman titles from 1958 through 1970. The script is credited to Leo Dorfman, a key architect of the Weisinger-era Superman universe whose output during the decade was so prodigious that comics historian Mark Evanier estimated he may have been 'the most prolific scripter' for the character. Interior art for the lead story ('Superman's Achilles' Heel!') is by Pete Costanza, while the two-part second story ('Target Superman!' / 'The Irresistible Clark Kent!') is drawn by Jim Mooney; the cover is penciled by Curt Swan and inked by George Klein. A GCD note flags that a prior art credit to Al Plastino for the lead story was corrected after further research.
Trivia · 7 facts
- Contains three stories: 'Superman's Achilles' Heel!' (lead, art by Pete Costanza), 'Target Superman!' Part 1 and 'The Irresistible Clark Kent!' Part 2 (art by Jim Mooney); cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Klein; written by Leo Dorfman; edited by Mort Weisinger.
- First appearances of South American millionaire José Rivera and his daughter Dolores Rivera, who falls for Clark Kent rather than Superman.
- Vol-Don—Clark Kent's Kandorian double and leader of the Look-Alike Squad—takes on an active romantic role, impersonating Clark to court Dolores Rivera; the GCD notes he is not yet married in this issue, setting up future continuity.
- Named Look-Alike Squad members Ti-Arra (Lana Lang's double), Ar-Rone (Perry White's double), and Zol-Lar (Jimmy Olsen's double) all appear, fleshing out the Kandorian squad first introduced in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #70 (July 1963).
- The lead story uses Red Kryptonite—one of Weisinger's signature storytelling devices—to make a single spot on Superman's body as vulnerable as Achilles' heel, forcing him to wear a steel box on his right hand while gangster 'Gat' Gronn (his first appearance) targets him.
- First appearance of villain 'Gat' Gronn, a gangland assassin who exploits Superman's temporary Red-K vulnerability.
- The second story received at least four foreign-language reprints: in Australian Superman Supacomic #90 (K.G. Murray, circa February 1967), German Superman #26/1967 (Egmont Ehapa), Dutch Superman en Batman #1/1968 (Vanderhout), and French Superman et Batman #5 (Interpresse/Sagédition, January 1968).
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Reprints
Reprinted in Stålmannen #13/1966 (1966), Supermann #1/1967 (1967), Superman Supacomic #90 (1967), Superman #19/1967 (1967), Superman et Batman #2 (1967), Superman en Batman #10/1967 (1967), Superman #26/1967 (1967), Superman #1/1968 (1968), Superman en Batman #1/1968 (1968), Superman et Batman #5 (1968), Superman et Batman #6 (1968), Supermann #[nn] (1981), Stålmannen presentalbum [The Album] #[nn], Superman #21, Superman en Batman #2/1968, Teräsmies #2/1966
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