Action Comics #303

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Graded population

CGC records 56 graded copies for Action Comics #303 (1963). Population is the number recorded by this grading source, not the total print run or all surviving copies.

Superman: "The Monster from Krypton"

Several decades ago, Jor-El and other Kryptonian scientists rocketed the eggs of drangs, fearsome dragon-like monsters, away from Krypton to an uninhabited world. However, a drang egg passed through the Red Kryptonite cloud in space and landed on Earth. Even though the egg cracked and cannot hatch, Superman, investigating, becomes a drang when affected by the Red K.

Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen, and others believe that Superman has been killed by the drang and attempt to destroy it. All of Superman's attempts to reveal the truth go awry, until he finally rescues Supergirl from a Green Kryptonite weapon-burst, pulls up a Superman statue, and scratches "I AM SUPERMAN" out on the base inscription. Superman is left unmolested until he can change back to his human form when the Red Kryptonite wears off.

Linda Danvers/Kara Zor-El is doing a bit of housekeeping when a stranger man appears on her house's doorstep, claiming to be Fred and Edna Danvers' son Jan who was declared Killed In Action during the Korean War. Linda is wary, but his identification card and her parents' arrival, as well as a birthmark on his wrist and a locket with their portrays, check out his history. Jan claims there was a mix-up in the records and he was merely wounded and amnesic until one month ago. Edna explains they never told their adopted daughter about Jan because it was too painful. Jan is warmly welcomed, but after being left alone he congratulates himself for fooling them all.

Linda is hesitant regarding revealing her identity, but she finally has to reveal she is Supergirl. Kara doesn't like the way Jan gushes about how much he would love to have powers, and she feels even more wary when she discovers Jan knows about his deceased grandfather leaving him $50,000. Jan passes up the opportunity to get his hands on the money, though, so Kara decides to give him a chance and cooks an experimental super-power pill, warning Jan it only lasts one hour.

Not long after, Supergirl finds out her brother used his powers to steal some diamonds. As she is angrily leaving to turn the diamonds over to the police, Supergirl notices his birthmark has faded, and she decides to investigate. Kara verifies the real Jan Danvers is dead, and confronts the fake. The man admits his real name is Biff Rigger, another ex-soldier who met Jan in Korea. They were just alike so they became friends, and Jan told him about his inheritance. So when Jan died, Biff decided to steal Jan's parents' locket and pose as him. Supergirl wants to denounce him, but Biff reminds Supergirl her parents will be heartbroken, and he knows her secret identity.

Supergirl goes on a mission as she thinks of ways to get rid of him now his artificial powers have faded. However Biff was watching her while she made his super-pill, and he makes another as she is away. Biff gets to loot a sunken ship at the bottom of the sea. Supergirl tries to stop him, but there are Green Kryptonite rocks nearby and she passes out. At the beginning, Biff is willing to leave her die, but his conscience will not leave him alone, and he takes her away. As he surfaces, though, he realizes he messes up while making the pill because his invulnerability wore off too soon, and the sudden change in water pressure has damaged his heart.

Supergirl comes to and wants to save him, but it's too late. Before dying Biff apologizes, confesses he deep-down wanted to have a family for the first time, and asks her to not reveal the truth to the Danvers.

Lori Lemaris and other Atlanteans arrive and give Biff a burial beneath the sea. Kara later tells her parents Jan died in order to save her life, but she inwardly swears to never reveal the truth.

Creative credits

Writers: Edmond Hamilton, Leo Dorfman

Interior art: Curt Swan, Jim Mooney

Cover art: Curt Swan, George Klein

Source records & attribution

Panel Profits keeps each source identity attached to its edition record.

COMICBASE: comicbase:12014

GCD: 17801