Superman Adventures #38

The gag is right there on the cover: Superman holds up a giant magnifying glass to reveal his promised "sensational new sidekick" — and it's a very tiny, very sheepish Mr. Mxyzptlk, followed by the deadpan caption "Um… Mr. Mxyzptlk. Sorry." It's a perfectly timed visual joke that captures the playful spirit of the animated-style series, rendered with clean energy by cover penciler Mike Manley and inker Terry Austin. With Mark Millar writing and Aluir Amâncio on interior art, this December 1999 issue looks like a genuinely fun ride for fans of the Man of Steel and his most mischievous nemesis.