Action Comics #396 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of January, 1971. It was published on November 25, 1970.
Synopsis for Superman: "The Super-Panhandler of Metropolis!"
In the 1990s a nearly powerless Superman in his faded Clark Kent outfit panhandles in Metropolis. As he goes through Metropolis he sees how the improvements in technology have eliminated the need for a Superman. Climate control has melted the ice caps revealing his Fortress of Solitude. He returns to the abandoned building he now calls home with food he has bought for the two people staying with him. His latest attempt at find a cure for his condition winds up destroying his Clark Kent outfit forcing him to panhandle in a blanket and shawl. In his attempt to get a coin that misses his cup he reveals his Superman suit and escapes the resulting hero-worshiping mob.
Appearing in Superman: "The Super-Panhandler of Metropolis!"
Featured Characters:
- Superman
Supporting Characters:
- Jimmy Olsen
- Lois Lane
- Clark (Lois's son)
- Perry White (Mentioned only)
Other Characters:
- Carl Reynolds (First appearance)
- Lisa Reynolds (First appearance)
- Rob Fletcher (Single appearance)
Locations:
Synopsis for Tales of the Fortress: "The Invaders from Nowhere!"
Superman rushes to the Fortress of Solitude where the intruder alarm is sounding off. He finds a pair of aliens from the planet Krann waiting for him. The aliens easily subdue Superman and transport them to their own planet. They abduct Superman for the purpose of siphoning off his dynamic power to renew the heat at the center of their dying world. Superman becomes very weak under the planets red sun but for some reason he still maintains most of his super powers. After the energy transfer is complete ,Superman pretends to faint and uses the opportunity to escape using a nearby spaceship. As the spaceship travels, Superman begins to grow in size. He is transported back to the Fortress where he surmises that the planet Krann is a microscopic world located in a model solar system. He had been on Earth all along and the aliens had merely shrinked Superman to transport him to their planet. He then witnesses an explosion and the spaceship vanishes. Superman then uses a powerful microscope to confirm that the microscopic planet Krann has exploded probably due to an overload of super energy from Superman.
Appearing in Tales of the Fortress: "The Invaders from Nowhere!"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- The Seekers
- Klurr (Single appearance)
- Tirrik (Single appearance)
Locations:
Notes
- "The Super Panhandler of Metropolis" is an Imaginary Story and does not take place within standard Earth-One continuity. It is followed up by "The Secret of the Wheel-Chair Superman!" in Action Comics #397.
- Unlike the majority of other Imaginary Stories, "The Super-panhandler of Metropolis"/"The Secret of the Wheel-Chair Superman!" was not assigned to an alternate Earth in Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Compendium.
- This issue includes biography profiles on Leo Dorfman, Ross Andru and Mike Esposito.