Action Comics #22 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of March, 1940.
Synopsis for Superman: "Europe At War (Part 1)"
In Europe, Toran invades Galonia. Clark Kent and Lois Lane are sent from the Daily Star to cover the war. They cross the Atlantic in the passenger liner S.S. Baronta. Also aboard is foreign actress Lita Laverne, secretly a Toranian agent. Her mission is part of a scheme to attack a neutral ship, blame Galonia for the war crime, and bring the democracies in on the side of Toran. Also aboard is a Galonian assassin, who tries to murder Lita, but is foiled by Clark Kent, who soon forms some suspicions about Lita's espionage activities.
In Europe, at a reception, Clark interviews Lita Laverne, and confirms his suspicions, but the party is disrupted by an air raid. Clark leaves, Superman arrives, the bomber is dealt with, and Kent gets back on Lita's trail. Soon her plot is exposed and Lita is arrested, but the war is still just getting started.
Appearing in Superman: "Europe At War (Part 1)"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Lita Laverne (Single appearance)
- Galonian assassin
- Luthor (Behind the scenes)
Other Characters:
- soldiers
- policemen
Locations:
Vehicles:
- S.S. Baronta
- Toranian Submarine
- Toranian Bomber
Synopsis for Pep Morgan: "Volunteer Fireman"
Pep Morgan helps the local fire department put out a fire at Joe Mack's house. Later, the investigator going over the burned-out home discovers evidence of arson! It's the latest in a string of arson cases that have been plaguing Ardale. Mr. Mack plans on selling the property to Rufus Toone, the bank director, since it's no longer any use to him. Pep asks around, and finds out that Rufus Toone and his nephew, Ezra Wright, have made offers to buy each of the homes that were mysteriously burned down, but at the time none of the owners would sell. The latest to be visited by Ezra was Jack Greene, who, like all the others, refused to sell his land. His could be the next targeted house.
A few nights later, Pep's stakeout pays off. A shadowy figure stalks nearby and begins making a fire near the Greene home. He stops when he sees Pep, and takes off running. His days as quarterback for the Ardale team haven't failed him, as Pep easily catches up to, and tackles the fleeing figure. The police rush to the scene, finding the man to be Rufus Toone himself! He is arrested and given time for Arson.
Appearing in Pep Morgan: "Volunteer Fireman"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Mr. Morgan (Pep's dad)
- Ted
Antagonists:
- Rufus Toone
- Ezra Wright (Mentioned only)
Other Characters:
- Charlie
- Joe Mack
- Mrs. Mack
- Jack Green
Locations:
- Earth-Two
- Ardale
Vehicles:
- fire truck
Synopsis for Chuck Dawson: "Murder at the Slash-D Ranch"
Chuck Dawson arrives in town just in time to see a heated exchange escalate into deadly action. A big man pulls a gun on a gentle fellow who was just trying to apologize. Chuck interrupts the fight, the gunman turns on him, and his pistol is shot out of his hand by Chuck's unerring aim. The big guy runs off, swearing Chuck hasn't seen the last of him.
A few hours later, Chuck hears a gunshot while riding down a rough mountain trail. Ahead, the form of a rider keels over. When Chuck gets closer to see if he can help, he finds the victim was the same man he defended earlier. He is alive, but hurt bad. Chuck leaves the man in the care of some local ranchers, then chases after the shooter. It's not long before he catches up to the gunman, and finds that it was none other than the brute from back in town. The two of them duke it out, but Chuck is the better fighter. He points his gun at the downed varmint and forces him to walk with him back to the sheriff's office.
Appearing in Chuck Dawson: "Murder at the Slash-D Ranch"
Featured Characters:
- Chuck Dawson (Final appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Blacky (Chuck's horse) (Final appearance)
Antagonists:
- Jackson
Other Characters:
- Andy Parsons
- Mrs. Parsons
Locations:
Synopsis for Clip Carson, Soldier of Fortune: "Beauty was the Beast"
Traveling as passenger aboard a cruise ship, Clip Carson foils a murder attempt, and becomes involved in a plot to steal a seemingly worthless African idol, which turns out to be a plot by a wealthy man's daughter to murder him and inherit his wealth.
Appearing in Clip Carson, Soldier of Fortune: "Beauty was the Beast"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Gloria Anders (Dies)
- Mr. Ballard (Dies)
Other Characters:
- Harry Anders (Dies)
- Reginald Hood
Locations:
Items:
- African idol
Vehicles:
- Cruise Liner
Synopsis for Tex Thomson: "The Island Demon"
Look at how sad this is making Batman. You did this.
Appearing in Tex Thomson: "The Island Demon"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- a Demon disguised as an Old Man (Dies)
Other Characters:
- Cary James (Dies)
- Doctor Reid
- Courtney
Locations:
- Earth-Two
- a remote island
- New York City
Items:
- locket
Vehicles:
- small skiff
Synopsis for Three Aces: "The Wedding"
"Whistler" Will goes home to his foster father's ranch, where his foster sister, Sally, is getting married. A jealous ex, and a band of raiders try to interrupt the happy occasion, but Will is able to take them down, in a quick exchange of gunshots.
Appearing in Three Aces: "The Wedding"
Featured Characters:
- Three Aces
- Whistler Will (Flashback and main story) (Origin)
- Gunner Bill
- Fog Fortune
Supporting Characters:
- Sally Saunders (Flashback and main story)
- Perry Laverne
Antagonists:
- Martino Fenton (Dies)
- Nedra
- Concho (Dies)
- Concho's Raiders
- Carlos (Dies)
- Juan
- Pepito
- Concho's Raiders
Other Characters:
- Matt Saunders (Flashback and main story)
- Tony M'Crea
Locations:
Vehicles:
- Aces' Planes
Synopsis for Zatara: "The Mask"
The Tigress partners up with a man known only as the Mask, whose other partner is a plastic surgeon. The Mask has the ability to mimic anyone. He takes on the appearance of Ed Burton, the president of the Might Bank, to rob it. Luckily, Zatara catches on to their game, and uses his powers to turn the Mask into a gargoyle-headed freak, and forces the Tigress to leave the country.
Appearing in Zatara: "The Mask"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Ed Burton
- Bill
Locations:
Notes
- Published by Detective Comics, Inc.
- Last issue for Chuck Dawson by Homer Fleming.
- Superman:
- Europe at War is reprinted in Superman: The Action Comics Archives Vol. 2, Limited Collectors' Edition C-31, and Superman Chronicles Vol. 3. The title is taken from Limited Collectors' Edition C-31.
- In Earth-Two's version of the months leading up to WWII,
- the Axis Powers included: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Dukalia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Napkan, Nural, Oxnalia, Romania, Toran, Syronia,Twerpany, and others.
- the unaligned or overrun nations included: Bahdnisia, Boralia, Boravia, Denmark, Galonia, Greece, Kurtavia, Luthoria, Luxen, Nestralia, Norway, Numark, San Monte.
- After 1941-Dec, many of these countries drop from the scene.
- Lita Laverne looks exactly like Lois Lane.
- Three Aces:
- Whistler Will's origin story is told.
- Also appearing in this issue of Action Comics were:
- "Malay Head" (text story) by Frank Cooper
- Rex
See Also