RBerman's Loincloths-R-Us :: DC 1970s Superman story pages

Action Comics #408 (1972) page 13: Altered States astronaut

Artists: Curt Swan (Penciller) , Murphy Anderson (Inker)

1 Comment - 145 Views - 1 Like

Action Comics #408 (1972) page 13: Altered States astronaut Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Action Comics #408 (1972) page 13: Altered States astronaut
Artist:	Curt Swan (Penciller)
Artist:	Murphy Anderson (Inker)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	145
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	1
Added to Site:	11/15/2020
Comic Art Archive:	Action Comics Issue: 408 Page: 13 View

Description

A spatial anomaly transforms an astronaut into a future-man, then an ape. Superman has to hold him in the anomaly just long enough to return him to modern humanity.

A similar transformation occurs in the 1978 book (and 1980 film) 'Altered States,' both by Paddy Chayevsky, inspired by John Lilly's 1972 memoir "The Center of the Cyclone." It described Lilly's experiments with sensory deprivation tanks and hallucinogenics like LSD. I wonder whether Cary Bates was familiar with Lilly's just-published book when he wrote this story. And whether Chayevsky read this comic book.

You'll notice that Superman is riding in a space ship himself rather than flying, and wearing a helmet to breathe. There were a few Superman stories of the era in which technology assisted him, most notably a flying "Supermobile" with mechanical fists, promoting a toy from the Corgi toy company. I don't know whether this issue's spaceship had a toy connection though.

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About the Owner

	R Berman ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	January 2018
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 8/16/2023

Anderson's use of heavy blacks to create the star fields helps this page stand out amidst your other Swan Superman pages.

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