World's Finest #87 is an issue of the series World's Finest (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1957.
Synopsis for Superman and Batman: "The Reversed Heroes"
When reports about a villain with super-powers on a crime spree in the suburb of Centerville Clark Kent decides to go an investigate as Superman. Sure enough when he arrives on the scene of a bank robbery, Superman is shocked to find that there is indeed a crook that has powers that are exactly the same as his own.
After following the crook back to his hideout he learns that the criminal is named Elton Craig. He pulls out a chunk of Kryptonite that is stuck on some sort of metal box to weaken Superman. Craig explains that he posed as an astronomer to try and find some Kryptonite to use against Superman in his criminal endeavors and found something even better: A box containing capsules invented by Jor-El to give Superman super-human powers if his original powers were temporarily taken away. Superman uses his super-memory to recall back to his childhood and remembers his father making these pills before Krypton exploded, however in the ensuing chaos forgot to load them into the rocket that brought baby Kal-El to the planet Earth. Although the box is now radioactive Kryptonite, Craig is immune to it due to the fact that he is not a Kryptonian. Elton then leaves Superman to die from the rays of Kryptonite while he goes to commit more spectacular crimes.
Quick thinking, Superman uses his x-ray vision to break open a water pipe and let the water wash away the Kryptonite. Needing a strength boost, Superman takes one of the pills and realizes to his horror that is was coated with Kryptonite dust and has temporarily stripped him of his powers. Superman calls Batman and Robin for help by phone and they travel to Metropolis, where Superman explains everything. Deciding that they should deal with Craig using his own tactics, Superman gives two of the pills to Batman and Robin, giving them powers that match Superman's.
While Superman attempts to deal without having his powers, Batman and Robin find that using their new found abilities is not as easy as one would think. After stopping a number of disasters, and an unsuccessful clash with Elton Craig, Superman manages to track down Craig's hideout. When Craig returns and attempts to attack Superman, he finds that his powers have faded. However, with Superman still being powerless, Craig pulls out a gun and shoots Superman. When Lois, Batman and Robin arrive they are horrified to find Superman seemingly shot dead. However, before they can apprehend Craig, Superman gets up and reveals that while he was stripped of his powers, his costume remained invulnerable, so that when the bullet hit him it did nothing more but knock him out.
With his powers fully restored, Superman then helps Batman and Robin apprehend Craig. Later, Batman and Superman get a good laugh as Robin attempts to fly after the pill's effects have worn off. Superman trusts Batman to keep the pills safe in the Batcave where nobody can abuse them.
Appearing in Superman and Batman: "The Reversed Heroes"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Elton Craig (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- House of El (Flashback only)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Green Arrow: "The Green Sword"
Appearing in Green Arrow: "The Green Sword"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Unnamed thugs
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
- Green Sword
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Tomahawk: "The Retirement of Tomahawk"
Appearing in Tomahawk: "The Retirement of Tomahawk"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Notes
- The Reversed Heroes is reprinted in World's Finest #223 and World's Finest Comics Archives Vol 2.
- This is Elton Craig's first appearance. He appears next in World's Finest #90.
See Also
Links and References
