Action Comics Annual #1

The Daily Planet has over one million readers and a staff dedicated to bringing Metropolis only the finest, most accurate news stories possible. Clark Kent is one of the top reporters in the industry but sometimes even he gets stumped for the next big story idea.

“What are you working on Smallville?” asked Lois Lane, the beautiful dark haired reporter who was looking over Kent’s shoulder.

Clark had been sitting at his desk for over an hour trying to come up with just the right angle. At Lois’s ribbing, he sighed deeply and turned around to see her smiling face.

“Nothing, nothing at all Lois. How are things going?” Kent meekly said. He wouldn’t dare let her know that he was having trouble with a story.

Lois walked around to the front of Kent’s desk and hopped up on it to sit with her legs crossed mockingly. The huge newsroom was filled to capacity with reporters and various other staff members but none seem to notice the two rivals playful antics.

“Now Clark you know how I like to keep ahead of the game. My stories all done and in Perry’s hands. He wanted me to come over to see if I could help you finish before today’s deadline.” She smirked. Lois flirtingly tilted her head back a little, causing her button up blouse to fall partially open exposing just a little amount of cleavage.

“Um..No thanks Lois, I’ll be fine.” Clark stuttered trying not to look at her exposed skin.

“Fine!” She said straightening up. ”Be that way, don’t tell me what your working on! This may just be the first time Clark Kent doesn’t have the ‘big’ story!”

As Lois walked away in a huff disappointed that she wasn’t able to use her charm and feminine wiles to lull Clark into revealing his article. Clark bowed his head and smiled to himself.

Three blocks away gunfire suddenly erupted. With a jerk Clark sat up in his chair and quickly stood up. Without drawing attention to himself he made his way to the nearby supply closet. After making sure no was looking in his direction he went into the tiny room. The supply closet was filled with all the materials needed in today’s modern workplace but none of that interested Clark Kent. He simply walked over to the window and slid it open. With a practiced ease he pulled his shirt open to reveal the colorful red and blue costume beneath. With the joy that he always felt every time he changed, Clark jumped out the window. In a blur of motion Kent peeled his clothes off and then tucked them into the specially designed pocket inside his red cape. Within the blink of an eye he had made the fantastic change into Superman!

Back in Metropolis, Elastic Lad was desperately trying to contain the damage as the very Earth violently shook. Even as Superman reentered the city limits Elastic Lad had stretched his pliable body between two collapsing buildings and was trying in vain to keep both weakened structures erect.

“Can’t hold them together.” The stretching youth weakly said. “Not…strong enough!”

Superman shot down to the nearest one and used his super cold breath to create a giant ice barrier around the base of the teetering building, effectively bracing it momentarily. Next, he sped around the second skyscraper creating a strong updraft, which righted the remaining disabled building. Instantly the city stopped it’s ground moving convulsions and all the damage disappeared.

“Super jerk! Let the kid have his fun!” Mxyzptlk said while transforming into a cartoon donkey with a stripped tie around his neck.” Hey! I think it’s about time for some Dinosaurs!”

Clicking his front hooves together the impossible imp vanished in a puff of smoke as a loud roar reverberated through the steel canyon of downtown Metropolis.

The twenty foot tall Tyrannosaurus Rex stomped through the busy intersection smashing several stalled cars and scattering the large crowd that had gather during the Earthquake. Its enormous tail trailed behind and shattered the corner deli that had been in business for over thirty-five years. Clark and Lois had eaten lunch there on several occasions.

“Great!” The Man of Steel said. ”Stay here Jimmy. I know you want to help, but this is something I am better suited for.”

“Fine by me!” Jimmy said while backing away from the dinosaur as a rushing crowd of panicked people swept past the two costumed figures. “I’m in no hurry to be something’s dinner.”

Flying above the screaming mob Superman shot straight for the deadly beast. As the T-Rex bent it’s giant head to feast on the fleeing citizens, the Metropolis Marvel blasted it with a powerful right-handed uppercut that sent the seven-ton creature flying backwards through the air and into a newly constructed parking garage. Even as the enraged animal tried to right itself the Last Son of Krypton grabbed some steel girders, and using his heat vision fashioned large handcuff-looking bracelets together.

Implementing his newly created shackles, Superman hogtied the forty foot long Dinosaur much like a rodeo cowboy would his defeated prize bull.

“Just what don’t you get about “Let the kid have some fun’ ”? Mxyzptlk said appearing beside the Man of Steel. This time in the shape of a purple monkey. “The kid is tired of being your Pal! He wants to be his own hero!”

“This has gone on long enough!” Superman said frustratingly. “ So far no one has been hurt but if you keep this up some one will.”

“Hurt, smurt! You know you’re really a big wienie sometimes!” The Imp said as he transformed into a three-foot long hot dog with Superman’s face. “ You know, it looks like rain….no I mean an alien invasion!”

Shadows started covering the streets and buildings of the large city. Gazing up Superman saw hundreds of sinister looking flying saucers hovering above the Metropolis skyline.

“You think that Jimmy can handle all this?” Superman said while pointing to the deadly looking floating machines. “Your not good enough to make him that powerful.”

“Says you Super Bum!” Mxyzptlk said obviously insulted by the caped hero’s remark. “Given the chance the kid would make a great hero!”

“Your ‘Plastic Kid’ couldn’t fight his way out of a plastic bag!” Superman continued gesturing wildly with his hands. “ What kind of power is stretching anyway? Talk about stupid! Stretch Boy is a total loser created by a washed up has been!”

“It’s Elastic Lad and you know it!” The little imp said as his face turned a bright crimson. “If he had the proper training in time he could be a very powerful hero!”

“Pliable Lad is a joke just like you.” Superman continued.” He’s a useless kid created by a useless midget!”

“Elastic Lad.” Mxyzptlk mumbled. “ His name is Elastic Lad! Elastic Lad just like it says on his uniform!”

The fifth dimension imp snapped his fingers and Jimmy instantly transported to stand beside the two arguing combatants.

“It says so right here.” The frustrated Zrfffian said while pointing at the freckled faced photographer’s chest. “ See, K-L-T-P-Z-X-M-L-A-D ! Right there it says so!”

Superman smiled. It took the imp a couple of seconds to realize what he had done during his mindless fit of anger.

“Ah, crap!” The imp bowed his head in defeat. Instantly the invasion, the tied-up dinosaur and Jimmy’s costume and powers all disappeared.

“I believe, according to the rules, that since you spelled your name backwards you now have to return to the Fifth Dimension for another ninety days.” Smirked Superman.

“You miserable do-gooder! Mister Mxyzptlk said through gritted teeth. “ You tricked me! But how?”

“Using my super speed I changed the letters on Jimmy’s costume while you were calling me names.” The Man of Steel folded his powerful arms. “ I beat you fair and square.”

“Alright, alright already.” The Imp said.” I’m going, but don’t be surprised when you see me in three short months! Boy have I got a Christmas present planned for you!”

Mxyzptlk pinched his nose with his finger and thumb and began holding his breath. His head started to inflate like a child’s balloon. As the shape shifter inhaled air his head kept getting bigger and bigger until it was as big as a medicine ball. Suddenly, when it looked like his head couldn’t expand any more, it exploded in a splash of confetti which showered the Man of Steel with little paper cutouts in the shape of his ‘S”!


“Superman?” Jimmy Olsen said in bewilderment.

“Yes Jimmy?” Replied Superman as he turned to look at his pal.

“This has been too weird!” Olsen said still stunned from the day’s events.

“Yes Jimmy, it has.” The Man of Tomorrow said with a smile.

Meanwhile…….

The South American jungle was muggy and hot even though it had been raining for two weeks straight. Diego Irigoyen had been searching this area for miles around for the past six months. All his maps and in-depth research had led him to this uninhabited region. The young scientist/ adventurer from Mexico had found the large crater quite by accident and it had taken all the money that he was given for expenses to convince locals from the closest town to help him excavate the thick foliage and dirt. After digging for over a month he was rewarded for all his hard work. Pillaging through his belongings he found his long-range satellite telephone. He could barely push the required buttons due to the extreme excitement over his prized discovery. The phone rang eight times before a cracking voice answered.

“Professor Vale? I found it!” Diego said with a smile.

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