Action 553 – the Forgotten Heroes vs Superman
Wolfman and Kane conclude the Forgotten Heroes story in Action 553 (March 1984).
Immortal Man relates his origin, finding a glowing meteor back in caveman times, which endowed him with the ability to reborn with the same consciousness each time he dies, as well as gaining new powers with each body. This is somewhat similar to the origin of Vandal Savage – who gained immortality back in caveman times after being exposed to a glowing meteor. This story weaves the two origins together, which would remain the case from now on.
Superman struggles to destroy the plants that he gives off, a pointless task. Immortal Man is not so determined to kill Superman as he sounded at the end of the previous issue. The plan is to send the Forgotten Heroes back to all the different golden temples and destroy them, which will undo Vandal Savage’s spore scheme.
Savage takes to the air to announce that Superman is behind the situation with the plants, and further blacken his name.
We follow Animal Man, Dane Dorrance, Rick Flag, Dolphin, Cave Carson and Congo Bill and Congorilla as they each fulfill their part of the plan, and demolish one of the temples. Immortal Man has psychic powers in this body, and monitors it all.
Superman joins Rip Hunter as they attack the temple far back in the past. They succeed, although Superman gets lost in the destruction.
Vandal Savage loses his great power source with the destruction of the pyramids, but Rip Hunter gets young again.
This was a very popular story, and the Forgotten Heroes return the following year in DC Comics Presents.