Superman #411

Sep 1985 · DC · 0.75 USD; 0.95 CAD; 0.35 GBP

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★ 1st appearance — Ultra-Man

About this Issue

Superman #411 is a double-barreled time capsule from the final years of the pre-Crisis DC universe. Its lead story, 'The Last Earth-Prime Story,' is one of the medium's most affectionate exercises in meta-fiction: Superman literally crosses from Earth-One into the real world of DC's editorial offices to honor longtime Superman editor Julius Schwartz on his 70th birthday, making it a warm document of DC's Silver Age creative community. Simultaneously, the issue contains what is effectively the first DC Comics appearance of the entire M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. cast — a 16-page preview insert that launched DC's publishing partnership with Kenner's then-new action-figure franchise, paving the way for a four-issue miniseries that followed. The combination makes this issue a unique artifact: part heartfelt industry tribute, part toy-franchise marketing debut, both of which carry genuine historical weight for very different corners of comics fandom.

Contains 2 stories

The Last Earth-Prime Story

23 pp · Superhero

Frank Jackson (Clark's doorman, cameo)April Marigold (cameo)Olaf (villain)Julius Schwartz (Earth-One, death, merges into Earth-Prime counterpart)Julius Schwartz (Earth-Prime)Cary Bates (Earth-Prime)E. Nelson Bridwell (Earth Prime)Dick Giordano (Earth-Prime)Jenette Kahn (Earth-Prime)Paul Levitz (Earth-Prime)Elliot S! Maggin (Earth-Prime)Curt Swan (Earth-Prime)Alfred Bester (photo)Ray Bradbury (photo)John W. Campbell (photo)Sprague DeCamp (photo)Fred Pohl (photo)Mort Weisinger (bust)Ultra-Man (comic character, flashback)Jet Jordan (comic character, mentioned)Madame Miracle (comic character, mentioned)Night Wizard (comic character, mentioned)Harley

In "The Last Earth-Prime Story," Superman encounters Julius Schwartz on a fading Earth-Prime, where the legacy of DC's editorial past converges with the present. As the last remnants of a dying universe flicker around him, he guides the spirit of the Earth-Prime Julius Schwartz—alongside echoes of other creators and icons—toward a final, poignant gathering that honors the heart of comics history.

Assault on Mount Mayhem

14 pp · Adventure

DaveStevie

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VG $2.99 VF $4.99 VERY FINE $6 FN $8.7 Newsstand $21.9 VF $24 Superman #411 DC Comics 1985 Curt Swan MASK PREVIEW Earth Prime $3 Superman #411 1985 DC Comics Comic Book $4.46

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History

The main story was written by Elliot S! Maggin and drawn by the celebrated swan-and-Anderson team of Curt Swan (pencils) and Murphy Anderson (inks) — a pairing long associated with the Silver Age Superman. The production was a deliberate secret: although Julius Schwartz was listed as editor, the Grand Comics Database confirms he did not actually edit the issue's contents, as the entire project was organized behind his back as a surprise birthday tribute; Bob Rozakis served as de facto editor, coordinating the script and art through production. The M.A.S.K. preview insert was separately produced by writer Michael Fleisher, penciler Mike Chen, inker Joe Del Beato, and editor Andrew Helfer, and was distributed across roughly ten different DC titles dated September and November 1985 as a coordinated promotional push tied to the launch of Kenner's M.A.S.K. toy line and animated series.

Trivia · 8 facts

Cover date: September 1985; on-sale date: June 13, 1985; published by DC Comics as Superman Vol. 1 #411.
Lead story 'The Last Earth-Prime Story' written by Elliot S! Maggin, penciled by Curt Swan, and inked by Murphy Anderson — a Pre-Crisis Earth-One/Earth-Prime crossover built around Julius Schwartz's real 70th birthday (June 19, 1985).
Though credited as editor, Julius Schwartz did not actually oversee the issue's contents, which were assembled in secret as a surprise birthday tribute; Bob Rozakis confirmed he coordinated the story through production as de facto editor, aided by Dick Giordano and Paul Levitz.
This issue marks the final appearance of Alice White (Perry White's wife) in the pre-Crisis DC continuity.
The issue contains a 16-page 'Special MASK Preview' insert — 'Assault on Mount Mayhem' — written by Michael Fleisher, penciled by Mike Chen, and inked by Joe Del Beato, representing the first DC Comics appearances of M.A.S.K. heroes Matt Trakker, Bruce Sato, Brad Turner, Dusty Hayes, Alex Sector, Buddy Hawks, Scott Trakker, and T-Bob, as well as V.E.N.O.M. villains Miles Mayhem, Cliff Dagger, and Sly Rax.
The M.A.S.K. preview insert was a promotional insert that appeared across approximately ten DC titles in September and November 1985, preceding the launch of DC's four-issue M.A.S.K. miniseries (December 1985 – March 1986).
Cover art for the main issue was penciled and inked by Dick Giordano.
The main story was reprinted in Superman Taschenbuch (Egmont Ehapa, 1976 series) #69 in 1985, giving it a contemporary international distribution.