Superman #30
Superman #30 holds a firm place in Golden Age history as the comic-book debut of Mister Mxyzptlk (spelled 'Mxyztplk' in this first appearance), the fifth-dimensional imp who became one of Superman's most enduring and creatively distinctive antagonists — a character defined not by brute force but by reality-warping mischief, requiring Superman to outwit rather than overpower him. His introduction expanded the Man of Steel's rogues gallery beyond gangsters and mad scientists into genuinely fantastical territory, foreshadowing the whimsical science-fantasy tone that would come to define the Silver Age Superman. The issue also contains 'Superman Alias Superman,' a tight secret-identity farce that showcases how cleverly writers were exploiting the Clark/Superman duality even in the wartime Golden Age. Together the stories make this a 52-page anthology that punches well above its era.
In "Superman Alias Superman!", a desperate Johnny Poly flees his doubts about his future to a distant land, only to be mistaken for a long-lost king. When Poltavia’s ministers seize on his striking resemblance to their ancient monarch, they offer him the crown—unaware that their true plan is far more dangerous than he could imagine. Written by Al Schwartz and illustrated by Ira Yarbrough with inks by George Roussos, this 1944 adventure features a cover by Jack Burnley that captures the intrigue with bold, classic flair.
In a tale of mistaken identity and royal deception, a young man named Johnny Poly—doubting his worth in the eyes of his fiancée Emily—finds himself thrust into an unexpected destiny when his striking resemblance to the ancient King Poltus VI catches the eye of Poltavia’s scheming ministers. With the help of a mysterious seer named Andronicus and a surprising twist of fate, Johnny is crowned King Poltus VII, unaware that his new crown comes with a dangerous secret.
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The Mxyzptlk story was written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by artist Ira Yarbrough, with Siegel himself later asserting in a letter to researcher Richard Morrissey that he created the character before the newspaper strip adaptation that preceded it in print. The comic-book version was delayed in reaching newsstands — Siegel had been drafted into military service, which contributed to a publishing lag — allowing the newspaper strip team of writer Whitney Ellsworth and artist Wayne Boring to run their own Mxyzptlk story from February to July 1944, beating the comic book's on-sale date of June 27, 1944, to the public. Whitney Ellsworth was credited as editor on the indicia, though Grand Comics Database records indicate Jack Schiff was the actual hands-on editor; the cover is attributed to Jack Burnley, and multiple contributing writers on the issue's anthology stories include Bill Finger and Don Cameron alongside Siegel.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First comic-book appearance and origin of Mister Mxyzptlk (spelled 'Mxyztplk' in this issue) in the story 'The Mysterious Mr. Mxyztplk,' written by Jerry Siegel and drawn by Ira Yarbrough.
- The character was created by Siegel for this comic book, but due to publishing delays caused in part by Siegel's military service, the character appeared first in the Superman daily newspaper strip (February–July 1944) by Whitney Ellsworth and Wayne Boring before the comic was on sale.
- Mxyzptlk is introduced as a court jester from the Fifth Dimension who travels to Earth using magic words; his original design — small, bald, in a purple suit and derby hat — was established here and remained the template until a visual redesign in the mid-1950s.
- The issue also features the first appearance of the villain Silver Foxx and his gang, in the lead story 'Superman Alias Superman,' which turns on a secret-identity farce involving Clark, Lois, and Jimmy Olsen.
- Cover artist was Jack Burnley; the issue's anthology stories include contributions from writers Bill Finger and Don Cameron in addition to Siegel, making it one of the era's multi-author Superman issues.
- The issue carries a cover date of September–October 1944 and an on-sale date of June 27, 1944; it was published bi-monthly by Superman Inc. under DC's editorial umbrella.
- The Mxyzptlk story has been reprinted extensively, including in The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told (1987), Superman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told Vol. 2 (2006), The Superman Archives Vol. 8 (2010), and Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 4 (2017).
- The name's spelling was later changed to 'Mxyzptlk' (transposing the P and T) beginning around Superman #131 (1959), and the character's visual look shifted to an orange futuristic outfit in the mid-1950s, but the core trickster premise and the 'say your name backwards' banishment mechanic introduced in this issue remained intact across all subsequent continuities.
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Reprints
Reprinted in Superman #183 (1966), Superman from the Thirties to the Seventies #[nn] (1971), Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #122 (1972), Superman from the Thirties to the Eighties #[nn] (1983), The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told #[nn] (1988), The Greatest Superman Stories Ever Told #[nn] (1989), DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes #[nn] (1995), Superman Mannen av stål [Alle Tiders Superhelter] #[nn] (2005), Superman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told #2 (2007), Siegel and Shuster's Funnyman #[nn] (2010), The Superman Archives #8 (2010), DC Comics Graphic Novel Collection #65 (2016), World's Funnest #[nn] (2016), Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus #4 (2017), Superman: The 85th Anniversary Collection #[nn] (2023)
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