The World's Greatest Superheroes Part 4: The Gravity Magnifier

Superman makes a point.

After three extravagant story arcs starring a broad selection of DC’s top heroes, The World’s Greatest Superheroes – appropriately enough for Recession-prone 1979 – economizes. 

The mysterious benefactor who provided Dr. Giles Manning with his amazing inventions in the previous arc is revealed to be criminal super-genius Lex Luthor, and he does not tolerate failure. Dumping the disgraced Dr. Manning into a pit of hungry alligators in his secret sewer headquarters, Luthor chooses to make his next play against the forces of good a solo effort.

While the strip still says World’s Greatest Superheroes on the masthead, WGSH from this point on is effectively a Superman comic in everything but name. Despite cameo appearances by Wonder Woman and Batman, the action takes place exclusively in Metropolis, with Superman’s supporting cast and chief villain taking center stage.

Speaking to my own tastes, it’s great when Luthor has henchmen, and even better when he has a mouthy moll. It strikes me that Luthor is a guy who likes to delegate the grunt work, and who likes to have people around him to celebrate his brilliance. At the same time, you probably don’t last long around Luthor unless you’re pretty special yourself, so it’s just a formula for creating very special supporting characters.

And Angela Dufflemeyer sure is special. She stands in for both of Gene Hackman’s co-stars in Superman: The Movie (1978), the success of which was certainly boosting WGSH’s circulation numbers. A little bit Otis, a little bit Miss Teschmacher, it’s Angela who off-handedly reasons her way to Superman’s secret identity!

Not that it does Luthor much good in the end. Facing a series of explosions, a city held hostage by increased gravity, and Lois Lane’s life in danger are just a few of the threats managed by the Man of Steel in “The Gravity Magnifier.“ The secret of his dual identity falling into Luthor’s hands seems to be the least of Superman’s worries!

04. The Gravity Magnifier
(1979-01-22 to 1979-05-20)
Starring: Superman, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane, Wonder Woman, Batman
Villains: Lex Luthor, Angela Duffelmeyer
Creative Team: Pasko, Tuska/Colletta