Action 524 – Superman vs Superman, and Air Wave and the Atom vs the Calculator
Marty Pasko, Curt Swan and Frank Chiaramonte tie up a loose end from Action 500 in issue 524 (Oct. 81).
Superman wakes up in his Fortress of Solitude, but discovers that he has no powers. But then we cut to Metropolis, and see Clark there, as himself and Superman, and all is well.
The powerless Superman shows up, and we find out that he is the clone made by Lex Luthor in Action 500. he lost his powers due to exposure to gold kryptonite during the fight. Now he wants Superman’s powers, and his life.
Not going to happen, but you do feel a bit bad for the clone, who is simply trying to live the only life he knows. Superman feels this way as well, and after defeating him, has him undergo plastic surgery and brianwashing, giving him a new, human identity to live out.
Rozakis, Savuik and Colletta bring Atom and Air Wave back together, as the Calculator goes on trial.
He escapes from the courtroom, using some space invaders imagery, which would have looked so much cooler at the time.
Atom calls on Air Wave to help him. The Calculator has his immunity to the Atom’s attacks, and as this shows, Air Wave is the only other hero who can travel through phone lines with him.
So Air Wave takes down the Calculator, who does not get another appearance, other than occasional cameos, until the shortly after the millenium.