Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #23
☆ Be the first to review + Add to your collection — Join freeThis issue introduced Lena Thorul — later known across multiple continuities as Lena Luthor — Lex Luthor's younger sister, a character whose mordant dramatic irony (she is kept ignorant of her own brother's identity, even as Superman and Supergirl conspire to protect her) gave the Silver Age Superman Family one of its most emotionally resonant supporting players. The concept proved durable enough to be reimagined across decades of DC continuity, animated series, and live-action television, making this issue's lead story one of the more consequential character introductions the Lois Lane title ever produced. The issue also marks the first time Lois Lane adopts the identity of Elastic Lass, one of the earliest entries in her long history of temporary superhero personas, and contains 'The Wife of Superman!', a Silver Age imaginary story that DC later retroactively anchored to the alternate Earth designated Earth-Nineteen. Together, those three distinct story threads make issue #23 a genuinely multifaceted artifact of the era.
In "The 10 Feats of Elastic Lass!", Lois Lane finds herself drawn into a mystery surrounding librarian Lena Thorul, whose eerie presence leads her to suspect a centuries-old reincarnation. Written by Jerry Siegel and illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger, this 1961 DC tale unfolds with suspense as Superman uncovers Lex Luthor’s hidden motive—fearing that Lois might expose Lena as his long-lost sister, a secret he’s desperate to keep. Cover by Curt Swan and Stan Kaye.
In a tale of mystery and hidden ties, Lois Lane becomes convinced that librarian Lena Thorul is the reincarnated witch from a 17th-century legend. But when Superman uncovers the truth, he realizes Lex Luthor’s fear of exposure is driving a series of strange events — all to keep the secret that Lena is his long-lost sister.
In "The Wife of Superman!", Lois Lane finds herself unexpectedly sidelined when her former rival, Carole Kent, takes over her old job at the Daily Planet—and flirts openly with Superman, unaware he’s married to Lois. With her confidence shaken and her secret marriage under quiet strain, Lois must navigate jealousy and workplace tension while keeping her true identity hidden.
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The issue was edited by Mort Weisinger, the architect of the expansive Silver Age Superman Family line, and carries a cover date of February 1961 with an on-sale date of December 22, 1960. The lead 'Elastic Lass' story was written by Otto Binder and drawn by Kurt Schaffenberger, the artist who handled the vast majority of the series' first 81 issues and whose rendition of Lois became widely regarded as the character's definitive Silver Age look. The central 'Curse of Lena Thorul' story — the issue's key debut — was written by Jerry Siegel and also drawn by Schaffenberger; the cover itself was penciled by Curt Swan and inked by Stan Kaye, with lettering by Ira Schnapp. The writer of the third story, 'The Wife of Superman!', remains disputed among researchers.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Lena Thorul (Lena Luthor), Lex Luthor's younger sister, introduced as a librarian unaware of her own family identity — created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Kurt Schaffenberger.
- First appearance of Lois Lane as Elastic Lass, one of the earliest of her many temporary superhero identities; she borrows an elasticity serum from Jimmy Olsen that allows exactly ten uses.
- The issue contains three stories: 'The 10 Feats of Elastic Lass!' (Binder/Schaffenberger), 'The Curse of Lena Thorul!' (Siegel/Schaffenberger), and 'The Wife of Superman!' (writer disputed/Schaffenberger).
- In Silver Age continuity, Lena's family changed the Luthor surname to the anagram 'Thorul' out of shame after Lex's criminal career began, and told Lena he had died — leaving her unaware she had a brother.
- 'The Wife of Superman!' was originally published as an imaginary story, later retroactively placed on Earth-Nineteen in Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths (2006).
- The cover was penciled by Curt Swan with inks by Stan Kaye and lettering by Ira Schnapp; Mort Weisinger served as editor.
- The 'Wife of Superman!' story has been reprinted at least six times, including in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #86 (1968), Showcase Presents: Superman Family #4 (2013), Lois Lane: A Celebration of 75 Years (2013), and DC Finest: Superman Family: The Giant Turtle Man (2025).
- Lena Luthor went on to appear in live-action television adaptations including Smallville (portrayed by Cassidy Freeman across three seasons) and Supergirl (portrayed by Katie McGrath across five seasons), demonstrating the Silver Age character's lasting cultural footprint.
Cast · 11 characters
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Reprints
↩ Reprints Leave It to Binky #45 (1955)
Reprinted in Super Adventure Comic #8 (1961), Lois Lane Annual #2 (1963), 80 Page Giant Magazine #11 (1965), Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #86 (1968), Superman #16/1969 (1969), Lois Lane Comic #120 (1977), Showcase Presents: Superman Family #4 (2013), Lois Lane: A Celebration of 75 Years #[nn] (2014), DC Finest: Superman Family: The Giant Turtle Man #[nn] (2025)
Key issues in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane
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