Action Comics #57 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of February, 1943.
Synopsis for Superman: "Crime's Comedy King"
Crime boss King Ruggles has a birthday celebration rudely interrupted by The Prankster, who casually walks past his tight security with a proposition---he'll make him a million dollars if Ruggles kneels down and ties his shoe laces. The laces turn out to be made of superglue. Ruggles is not amused.
But Prankster says if Ruggles gives him $100,00.00 in "seed money", he'll give him back one million dollars in 30 days. Ruggles' greed gets the better of him. Prankster collects the money in cash and donates half of it to "The Society For The Prevention of Cruelty To Ostriches". He then walks into Police Headquarters and gives himself up.
As soon as Prankster bails himself out, Ruggles has him kidnapped and threatens to kill hi m. Prankster talks his way out of it.
He calls a press conference to announce he's forming a group called "Appreciation Incorporated", devoted solely to writing letters of "Thank You" to people who do nice things. This makes Prankster a "Society Lion" with an ulterior motive---he makes duplicate keys to their mansions and robs them; acquiring the million dollars.
Superman interrupts the cash transfer, which ends with Prankster and Superman BOTH knocked out and Ruggles placing t hem in death traps. Superman easily escapes his once he regains consciousness.
Prankster has poorer luck---he's been placed on the target range of an active navy base. Superman rescues him, and he escapes during the brief time The Man of Steel is rounding up Ruggles and his men.
Prankster leaves him a "Thank You Letter", though.
Appearing in Superman: "Crime's Comedy King"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- The Prankster
- "King" Ruggles (Single appearance)
- Dutch (Single appearance)
- Red (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mary Farnsby (Single appearance)
- John Farnsby (Single appearance)
Locations:
Synopsis for Vigilante: "The Feud of Rimfire Ridge"
Appearing in Vigilante: "The Feud of Rimfire Ridge"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Earl Simmons (Single appearance)
- Louie (Single appearance)
- Digger (Single appearance)
- Pinky (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Betsy Hatton (Single appearance)
- Dave Standish (Single appearance)
- Jack Standish (Single appearance; dies)
- Tom Hatton (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Earth-Two
- New York City
- Rimfire Ridge, West Virginia
Items:
- Vigilante's Lasso
Synopsis for Three Aces: "Veiled Desert Bandits"
The Three Aces are helping the French Foreign Legion fight against a Tuareg rebellion. But Fog's plane is shot down, while Gunner and Will are forced to retreat. At the French camp, General Devoust readies his troops for an assault on the raiders' camp. Gunner convinces him to wait until they rescue Fog. Captain Dumaresq accompanies them, as he speaks the language fluently and can sneak them in without suspicion.
Tuareg chief Dutse welcomes the disguised "holy men" into his tent. He introduces them to Colonel Areilli, the man who gave them access to weapons and planes. They also find Fog, beaten and tortured, but otherwise still standing. While Dutse leads his men out to check on a noise, Gunner and Bill shed their robes and free Fog. The Aces and Captain Dumaresq fight their way out. Taking the colonel prisoner, they steal some Tuareg fighter planes.
When the French army begins its attack, the Aces lead the flight squadron back to the camp. Bombs are dropped on the Tuaregs planes and armories. On the ground, Chief Dutse and his rebels are soon killed in the battle against the superior skills of the French troops.
Appearing in Three Aces: "Veiled Desert Bandits"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Colonel Areilli (Single appearance)
- Chief Dutse (Single appearance; dies)
- his Tuareg Raiders (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- General Devoust (Single appearance)
- Captain Dumaresq (Single appearance)
Locations:
Vehicles:
- The Aces' Planes
- Macchi Fighter Planes
Synopsis for Americommando: "Mightier Than the Sword"
Appearing in Americommando: "Mightier Than the Sword"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Nazis
- Doctor Ito
- General Von Blastenhoff (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Reeves (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- Americommando's Bullwhip
Synopsis for Congo Bill: "The Galloping Ghosts"
Congo Bill goes to Argentina, and takes part in a cattle drive, looking for a missing government agent. He finds a secret Nazi base. In the base he finds the agent, Burton, and gets him almost rescued when there's some shooting. Burton is wounded and won't make it; he sacrifices himself to allow Bill to escape.
Appearing in Congo Bill: "The Galloping Ghosts"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Fernando (Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Pedro (Single appearance)
- Burton (Single appearance; dies)
Locations:
Synopsis for Zatara: "Treasure Trove"
Appearing in Zatara: "Treasure Trove"
Featured Characters:
Antagonists:
- Black Bart (Single appearance)
Other Characters:
- Mike (Single appearance)
- unnamed woman
Notes
- Published by Detective Comics, Inc.
- Superman: Crime's Comedy King! was reprinted in:
- Three Aces: The Aces are assisting the French Army, in North Africa, against Fascist Italian-sponsored Tuareg rebels. France would remain an independent nation until June, 1940.