Action Comics 293, pg3

Oh Red Kryptonite, how I loved you. What an amazing story device for all-powerful characters that needed a believable way to get beat and struggle to come out on top. JUST GENIUS! I've read that the first appearance of Red K was in Adventure Comics #252, a Superboy adventure. Apparently it was written by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by John Kikela. I need to find a way to check out THAT story!

Anyway, about THIS page. Red Kryptonite works mischief in this story by splitting Superman into his two persona's of Clark Kent and Superman. This is a sweet page because it has the dual identities fighting it out. I'm also super-excited (not a super power by the way) to add this page to my collection because it was created by Al Plastino.

If someone were to create a Mount Rushmore for Superman artists, this guy would be up there. Don't believe me? Get this. Al Plastino co-created Supergirl, Braniac, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Kandor and Kryptonite. Plus, the dude re-drew the face of Superman over Jack Kirby in his Jimmy Olson run. "What's that Jack? Need a little artistic help? Sure, let me get those faces for ya Jack." (Okay, I know that isn't how it really went. DC just wanted the same look and feel to Superman's face and that wasn't what Jack did. So they got Al (and others) to "fix" them.)

If you are curious about Plastino, here's a suggestion. Go to Amazon and order "Al Plastino: Last Superman Standing" by Eddy Zeno. Eddy also published a book about Curt Swan. Full disclosure, I know Eddy and his brother Michael...but I really did enjoy reading both books and think they are great additions to anyone's library. Eddy became friends with both artists and really got to know about them first hand.

Sorry...I got off point. I hope you enjoy seeing this page.