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This is an in-universe article with out-of-universe material.

This article covers information about something that exists within the DC Universe, and should not contain out-of-universe material. Please remove all out-of-universe material, or include it in a separate section at the bottom of the article. And take off that silly costume.

"Superman: "Kneel to Your Conqueror, Superman!"": A mathematical genius named Rufus Caesar uses a giant computer to predict earthquakes and other events. He also happens to be a giant Superman fan and he invites the man of steel to take a tour of his complex. He then tricks Superman by asking h

Quote1 With my brain and your powers, the whole world will be idolizing me as they did you! The whole world will be shouting... Hail Caesar! Quote2
Rufus Caesar

Action Comics #404 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of September, 1971.

Synopsis for Superman: "Kneel to Your Conqueror, Superman!"

A mathematical genius named Rufus Caesar uses a giant computer to predict earthquakes and other events. He also happens to be a giant Superman fan and he invites the man of steel to take a tour of his complex. He then tricks Superman by asking him to use his x-ray vision on a set of optical lenses to see if they will recharge. Superman dons the helmet with the lenses but he shockingly paralyzes himself when he attempts to use his x-ray vision. Caesar then takes advantage of his paralysis by strapping him to a machine that will strip Superman of his powers. He then reveals his plan of having the super powers transferred to himself. Caesar gains super strength along with super vision but he is not used to having these powers and uses them in clumsy manners. He is determined to become a super being himself to imitate his hero but he absorbs the super powers too fast. His body is unable to handle the surge of power entering his body and his machine turns him into a vegetable.

Appearing in Superman: "Kneel to Your Conqueror, Superman!"

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  • Transvector
  • Giant computer

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Synopsis for Atom: "The Specter of 3000-Moons Lake!"

This story is reprinted from The Atom #5.

Jean Loring and Ray Palmer arrive at a cottage located in 3000 Moons Lake. They are there for the weekend as invited guests of millionaire Don Morgan. Loring inquires as to how the lake received its unusual name and Morgan reveals the tale of an Indian Medicine man. The medicine man was sentenced to death for his false prophecies but he swore to return in 3000 moons. By coincidence the 3000th moon anniversary of his death had arrived and the medicine man has reportedly been seen by locals haunting the lake. The group attends the party that night at the wealthy Van Dorn mansion but they are suddenly interrupted by a neighbor named Fred Harris who announces that his property has been vandalized by the ghost of the medicine man. Ray Palmer then decides to investigate the situation as the Atom. He follows a set of glowing footprints that lead into the lake. He finds a set of glowing tubes that are creating the illusion of a phantom and then he spots an underwater scuba diver swimming back to shore. He watches as the diver emerges from the lake to create more glowing footprints. The Atom follows the diver into the Van Dorn mansion where he enters and starts to open a wall safe in the home to steal valuable jewels. The Atom attempts to stop the mysterious figure but he covers the Atom with a coat of iron filings and immobilizes him with a magnet. The setting changes to the home of Ned Harris where it is revealed that he was the thief all along. He is confident that he has gotten away with the jewel theft using his fake medicine man ghost scheme. All of a sudden he hears a voice in his ear from the ghost who seems to be angry with Harris for stealing the jewelry. Harris then trips and knocks himself out. He revives after a few minutes and heads back to the lake where he has hidden the stolen jewels. The Atom emerges from hiding and subdues Harris with a kick to the jaw. The next day Jean Loring is holding a newspaper with the headline announcing that the Atom had captured the ghost who was really the jewel thief Fred Harris.

Appearing in Atom: "The Specter of 3000-Moons Lake!"

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  • Fred Harris

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  • Don Morgan
  • Mr. Van Dorn
  • Mrs. Van Dorn

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Synopsis for Aquaman: "The Coward and the Hero"

This story is reprinted from Adventure Comics #220.

Johnny Blake, former Navy pilot and expert swimmer, is afraid of the water now and is branded a coward. Since he is a double for Aquaman, the sea king decides to pose as him and do great diving and swimming feats to save Johnny's reputation. But Aquaman's costume is found and his hoax is exposed. Aquaman explains to Johnny's detractors that he was downed by enemy fire in an airtime battle during his Navy pilot's service, spent days in the water clinging to wreckage before being saved by Aquaman, and developed a phobia of water. Later, when Aquaman attempts a dive from a great height into a water tank, he appears to slip, and Johnny unthinkingly leaps into the water to rescue him. Aquaman reveals that he pretended to slip to get Johnny in the water, and now Johnny's phobia is cured.

Appearing in Aquaman: "The Coward and the Hero"

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  • Johnny Blake (Single appearance)

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Synopsis for Superman: "The Day They Killed Clark Kent"

This story takes place during Clark’s days at Metropolis University. Clark encounters a group of college students from Zeta Mu as they haze a classmate by the name of Dave Hammond. Clark rescues Dave by pretending to be clumsy and subduing all the hazers. Unfortunately Dave Hammond is less than grateful and gets angry at Clark for ruining his chances of joining the fraternity. The members of Zeta Mu then turn their sights on Clark and focus on revenge for interfering with their fun. They recruit Hammond and devise a scheme in which they pretend to offer Clark membership in their fraternity. Their underlying goal is to humiliate Clark but they do not suspect that he is secretly Superman and can see through their devious intentions. They haze Clark by placing him in a box while blindfolded and blow sand in his face with the use of a huge fan. Clark uses his super breath to blow the furnishings around their house causing a significant amount of damage. The fraternity members conclude that the fan was more powerful than they thought. They then have the blindfolded Clark jump from a ledge down into a giant bucket of water but he deliberately uses his super strength to crash down through the floor and land on the first floor causing further damage to the fraternity house. As a last attempt to haze him, the fraternity group uses an electric cattle prod to shock Clark. He pretends to fall to the ground and makes his heart stop. The fraternity members think that they have killed Clark since they cannot detect a heartbeat. Clark suddenly comes to much to the relief of his attackers. The fraternity then has a change of heart and use their money to rebuild the damage to their house. They turn one of their fraternity house rooms into a study center to assist students who are in need of tutoring.

Appearing in Superman: "The Day They Killed Clark Kent"

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  • Zeta Mu fraternity

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