Superman becomes hypnotized at a circus!
"The Deadliest Show on Earth!"
Under cover of darkness, Robin pays an after hours visit to the Sterling Circus. Despite his great stealth in skulking about the fairgrounds, Robin is discovered, and attacked, by the Half and Half, a sideshow freak with both genders. Without raising a commotion, Robin beats the Half and Half into unconsciousness. As he continues to prowl around, his mind turns to the events of the early afternoon. As Dick Grayson, he and his date, Angie, had come to the circus. Taking in the sights and sounds of the big top, Grayson became nostalgic for his early days. Suddenly, Grayson spotted a familiar face from that past, Waldo the Clown. Excitedly, Grayson approached Waldo, but received no sign of recognition from his old friend. The incident prompted Grayson to return to the Sterling Circus, late that night, in his guise as Robin, the Teen Wonder. A telepathic voice leads Robin to a tent where Waldo, as punishment, is being forced to walk through a fiery hoop. Robin pulls Waldo away from the fire. The Teen Wonder is just about to spirit Waldo away, when he is hammered down by a telepathic assault. Robin resists.
By way of showing how futile Robin's efforts are, the circus strongman is revealed to be Superman, completely entranced. With that revelation, Robin succumbs. The next day, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are paying a visit to the Sterling Circus. Olsen is surprised, though skeptical, when he sees Robin performing with the other aerialists. No less surprised is Lane, when the spotlight next falls on Superman, performing super-human feats of strength. The two reporters resolve to investigate the situation. That night, Superman approaches Robin's cage, and snaps the Teen Wonder out of his trance. Since "joining" the circus, Superman has been feigning being mind controlled, to learn the identity of their unseen foe. Suddenly, the two heroes are illuminated by spotlight, as the entire circus troupe, including the animals, closes on them. Robin fights his way to an old style camera. By igniting the flash powder, Robin creates a blinding burst of light, but only one circus performer reacts to the flash. The telepathic mastermind revealed, Superman carries him off to the authorities, while Robin, finally, gets to catch up with Waldo the Clown.
Whatever Happened to Robotman?
It is the 20 year anniversary of the death of Charles Grayson, a pioneer in robotic engineering. As per Grayson's will, his body has remained in cryogenic storage, waiting for the day that the brain of the Robotman can be placed in Grayson's skull. The Robotman, however, disappeared more than 20 years ago. The hero known as the Robotman was once a scientist named Robert Crane. Grayson had been Crane's assistant. One night, criminals invaded Crane's laboratory, looking to steal his latest invention. The thugs murdered Crane, when he put up resistance. Finding only an inert robot body, the criminals departed empty-handed. Grayson transplanted Crane's brain into the robot body, thus giving birth to the Robotman. Grayson was framed for Crane's murder by the real criminals. The Robotman was eventually able to clear Grayson, though both men allowed the world to continue to believe that Crane was dead. The Robotman adopted the identity of "Paul Dennis", whenever he needed to act and appear human. Lost for over two decades, the Robotman makes a dramatic return to the world, as he smashes his was out of a collapsed mine. Unconscious for 20 years, the Robotman revives after an automatic recharging circuit is, somehow, triggered, sparking his batteries and awakening him.
Believing that only a few hours have past, the Robotman, as "Paul Dennis" is amazed at how much the world has changed, seemingly, overnight. Intent on finishing his "current" case, the Robotman, still in his guise as "Dennis", confronts Alvin Lashky, the criminal underboss who triggered the mine collapse, that put the Robotman out of commission. "Dennis" is astonished to find that, "overnight", Lashky has aged 20 years. "Dennis" accuses Lashky of a litany of crimes, then reveals himself to be the Robotman. Lashky signals for his hired thugs, who charge into the office, guns blazing. The Robotman melts their firearms with his acetylene torch fingers, then punches them both into unconsciousness with his telescoping arms. Lashky makes it to his car, before the Robotman catches up with him. Lashky rams his car into the Robotman, to no effect. Lashky is apprehended and turned over to the local authorities. With the evidence against him, provided by the Robotman, Carver City's underworld is dealt a critical blow. Coming to terms with his 20 year loss, the Robotman retires, content to allow the current Robotman, Cliff Steele, to carry on his legacy. The Robotman fulfills Grayson's last wish, undergoing brain surgery to transplant his brain into Grayson's body. After decades, Robert Crane has a new lease on life.
Notes:
- "The Deadliest Show on Earth!" written by Gerry Conway, penciled by Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, inked by Dick Giordano, colored by Jerry Serpe and lettered by Ben Oda.
- "Whatever Happened to Robotman?" written by Bob Rozakis, penciled by Alex Saviuk, inked by Vince Colletta, colored by Phil Rachelson and lettered by Ben Oda.
- This issue contains the Hostess Superhero Ad, Wonder Woman and "The Baron!".
Log in to comment