The Adventures of Superman

ARTISTS

Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Art Thibert
Colorist: Glenn Whitmore
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Editor: Michael Carlin
Cover Artists: Brett Breeding, Dan Jurgens

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CHARACTERS & SETTINGS

heroes: Blue Beetle II, Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle

Setting: 20th-century New York, NY, USA

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ISSUE SUMMARY

Cover Description: Superman and Flash III race as Mr. Mxyzptlk and Justice Leaguers (from left to right) Batman, Blue Beetle II, Power Girl, Martian Manhunter, Metamorpho, and Booster Gold cheer them on.

Brief Synopsis: Mr. Mxyzptlk forces Flash and Superman to race for the fate of the world.

Costume Worn: MARK I power-suit

Issue Notes: The cover to this issue is nearly identical to that of Carmine Infantino's 1967 cover of Superman #199, the first race between Superman and a Flash (Barry Allen). Booster Gold stands in the area originally occupied by Hawkman and Wonder Woman.

Reprints: This issue has been collected in Superman vs. Flash.

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ISSUE ANNOTATIONS

Page 16, panel 4
The race between Superman and Flash III is being tracked by citizens from around the globe. Blue Beetle II, Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter, and Mister Miracle track the runners' progress through the Soviet Union via the computer in the Justice League International's New York Embassy. Booster is cheering for Flash...

Page 16, panel 5
...only because he's wagered $1,000 at 4:1 odds on Flash's victory. (A Flash victory over Superman would pay Booster $4,000 against his $1,000 wager.) Whether Booster is gambling because he knows the outcome, received favorable odds from a sports book, or simply doesn't like Superman is anyone's guess. (In any event, it's generally bad form to wager against the eponymous star of the issue.)

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ISSUE REVIEW

Boosterrific Review: This is a highly enjoyable story of the first race between Superman and Flash III. The contest is organized by Mr. Mxyzptlk, engineering some good-natured conflict between the story's heroes while still allowing for a straightforward and fun race against a common foe. This comic is a sports event worth attending.

Boosterrific Rating:

• Currently 4.0/5 Stars.

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