Random Happenstance

I'm a bit behind today, since I was reading Stephen King's the Outsider over the weekend, so just a quick one where Clark Kent seems to fake his death, and not bother to undo it later! From 1973, Action Comics #426, "Master of the Moon Rocks!" Written by Cary Bates, pencils by Curt Swan, and inks by Murphy Anderson.

Steve Lombard is showing off his new convertible to Clark Kent, when mysterious rocks shear the wing off of a jet liner. In order to get away and change into Superman, Clark "falls" out of the car as it takes a corner, leaving Steve to try and find him. Or his corpse, since that probably wouldn't have done a person much good. Supes saves the plane, as the rocks reach their goal: a mysterious brand that at first glance I thought was a peace symbol.

There are a few clues so you could guess this issue's mystery villain; but I was distracted by the "Anti-Lunar League," a xenophobic cult who believed earth was being tainted by alien material, like the moon rocks brought back by the Apollo missions. It's a very specific fear, and I have to wonder if this was in any way based on real life. What am I saying, if they had Twitter in 1973 the Anti-Lunar League would've had three hundred thousand followers.

The lead Superman story is only ten pages, and doesn't feature the usual denouement where Clark shows back up and gives a sheepish excuse for disappearing. At least Steve makes some effort to rescue Clark...presumably before fleeing to Mexico. Also this issue: Green Arrow in "The Wrong Side of the Tracks!" (Written by Elliot S! Maggin, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Dick Giordano) and the Human Target in "The Short Walk to Disaster Contract!" (Written by Len Wein, pencils by Dick Giordano.)