Action Comics Vol 1 554

"If Superman Didn't Exist...": Superman's destruction of the ancient temple, created by aliens in prehistoric times, creates an alternate timeline in which humans have no violent tendencies and are easily conquered by the aliens. In response, two children imagine Superman

"If Superman Didn't Exist..."
Cover
Action Comics Vol 1 #554
April, 1984
Executive Editor	Dick Giordano
Cover Artists	Gil Kane
If Superman Didn't Exist...
Writers	Marv Wolfman
Pencilers	Gil Kane
Inkers	Gil Kane
Colorists	Anthony Tollin
Letterers	Ben Oda
Editors	Julius Schwartz E. Nelson Bridwell
Previous Issue	Action Comics # 553
Next Issue	Action Comics # 555

We should put a symbol on him... Something that would make people know he's more than just a man. They should know he's a... super man!

— Jerry (Siegel)

Action Comics #554 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1984. It was published on January 26, 1984.

Synopsis for "If Superman Didn't Exist..."

Superman's destruction of the ancient temple, created by aliens in prehistoric times, creates an alternate timeline in which humans have no violent tendencies and are easily conquered by the aliens. In response, two children imagine Superman coming into existence to defend them--and he does.

Appearing in "If Superman Didn't Exist..."

Featured Characters:

• Superman

Supporting Characters:

• Jerry (Siegel) (Single appearance)
• Joe (Shuster) (Single appearance)
• Jack (Kirby) (Single appearance)
• Joseph (Simon) (Single appearance)

Antagonists:

• Zandrians (Flashback and main story) (Single appearance)
  • Captain Wzell Sernip
  • Science Officer Kray
  • Tahn
  • Seedore (Behind the scenes) (Flashback only)

Other Characters:

• Citizens of the Alternate Timeline (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
• Jerry or Joe's Parents (Unnamed) (Single appearance)
• Cavemen (Cameo) (Flashback only)
• Vandal Savage (Mentioned only) (from the events in Action Comics #553)
• Rip Hunter (Cameo) (Behind the scenes) (from the events in Action Comics #553)
• Justice League of America (Cameo) (In a vision)
  • Black Canary
  • Batman
  • Aquaman
  • Green Arrow
  • Green Lantern
  • Firestorm
  • The Flash
  • Red Tornado
  • Ten Unidentifiable Members (Unnamed)
• Captain Marvel (Cameo) (In a vision)
• Wonder Woman (Mentioned only)

Locations:

• Space
  • Earth
    • Europe
      • England
        • London
          • Farming Communities (Destroyed)
    • United States of America
      • New York
        • Fishing Villages (Destroyed)
      • Metropolis
        • Galaxy Communications Building
        • Suburb of Metropolis (Unnamed)
      • Ohio
        • Cleveland (Mentioned only)
      • Outlands
    • Power Pyramids (from the events in Action Comics #553) (Origin)

Items:

• Green Lantern Ring

Vehicles:

• Zandrian Armada of Spacecreafts
• Time Sphere (Cameo) (Flashback only) (from the events in Action Comics #553)

Concepts:

• Time Travel (Flashback only)
  

Notes

• This story is reprinted in Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman: The Deluxe Edition.

See Also

• Cover gallery for the Action Comics series
• Images from Action Comics Vol 1 554