Gone! Rocket was a decoy! Joker must've dropped through here instead! I hate when that happens...! 
- — Superman
Action Comics #714 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 1995.
Synopsis for "Crossing the [Punch] Line!"
Superman helps to put out a chemical fire, then rushes off in response to a theft at the Corday Munitions Plant. After consulting with the on-scene officer, he discovers that the thieves made off with a supply of blasting gel. Superman inspects the bodies of one of the victims and recognizes the handiwork of the perpetrator - the Joker.
The following day, Clark Kent and Lois Lane attend the Metropolis Toy Fare. Entrepreneur Anson Turley markets his "Joker" toyline. Clark and Lois are both troubled by the fact that Turley is profiting off of the Joker's murderous career. But it is former Daily Planet staff photographer Jimmy Olsen who openly criticizes Turley's merchandise. Clark and Lois are glad to see Jimmy and they catch up on old times. Lois intends on investigating Turley's affairs more closely.
That evening, Anson Turley returns to his toy factory and finds the Joker waiting for him. The Joker is a bit miffed that Turley has been making money off of his "good name" and decides to cut himself in on some of the action. Lois Lane manages to sneak in and though she finds very little, she knows that the crew is involved in more than just the manufacture of toys.
The next day, the Joker and an unwilling Turley ride on a float through midtown Metropolis as part of the "Mile-o-Mirth" parade. The floats are escorted by a group of Phlufs carrying gift-wrapped packages. Clark scans the strangely garbed robots with his x-ray vision and discovers that the packages are actually bombs. He changes to Superman, gathers up all of the Phlufs and their bombs and hurl them into the sky where they explode harmlessly. The Joker then opens up a capsule on another float, releasing a gang of synthetic Mighty Martian Powee Rangers. While Superman deals with the Powee Rangers, Jimmy Olsen climbs aboard the float and punches the Joker in the stomach. He is taken into custody soon afterward.
Later that afternoon, Jimmy Olsen meets with Cat Grant who offers him a job working for WGBS. Later in the evening, Lois Lane receives a Joker action figure.
Appearing in "Crossing the [Punch] Line!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Anson Turley
- Chief Dexter
- The Mighty Martian Powee Rangers
Locations:
- Metropolis
- Corday Munitions Plant
- Lois Lane's apartment
- New Troy
- Metropolis Convention Center
- WGBS Building
- Queensland Park
- Turley Toys
Items:
- Phluf robots
Vehicles:
Notes
- Superman navigation number 1995/37.
- The Joker appeared last in Adventures of Superman #527. He appears next in Underworld Unleashed #1.
- A follow-up to the events from this issue takes place in Action Comics #719.
- Cover credits for this issue are provided in the letters column.
- Joker's Body Count = 4
Trivia
- A toy replica of the Jokermobile is one of the items featured at Anson Turley's toy expo, though it is actually referred to as the "Mirth-Mobile" in this issue. This name was also used to describe the car owned by rocker Garth Algar in the 1992 comedy film Wayne's World.
- The actors on the Joker's parade float are dressed up like members of the Justice League, including: Superman (portrayed by the Joker himself), Aquaman, Captain Marvel, the Green Arrow and Wonder Woman.
See Also
Recommended Reading
- Action Comics
- Adventures of Superman
- Superman (Volume 2)
- Superman: The Man of Steel
- Superman: The Man of Tomorrow
Links and References
| Previous Adventures of Superman #527: 1995/36 |
Superman 1995 Navigation |
Next Superman: The Man of Steel #49: 1995/38 |