Penciler: Curt Swan
Inker: Dave Hunt
From the classic Cary Bates story “Trapped in IMP-TV!”, this is the final story page of Superman #421, bringing to a close one of the last memorable Silver Age-style adventures before John Byrne’s historic Man of Steel reboot permanently reshaped Superman later in 1986.
This page resolves Superman’s battle with Nzykmulk, the deranged Fifth Dimensional cousin of Mister Mxyzptlk. Throughout the issue, Nzykmulk traps Superman inside his twisted “IMP-TV” reality, forcing him through bizarre scenarios while broadcasting the chaos across Metropolis. By the final page, Nzykmulk’s insanity has been cured, his warped reality collapses back into the Fifth Dimension, and Superman witnesses something almost unheard of in a Mxyzptlk story—a genuine moment of growth and reconciliation. Rather than ending with another prank or trick, Mxyzptlk’s cousin sincerely thanks Superman for helping him learn compassion, concluding the story with a handshake that symbolizes forgiveness instead of mischief.
That makes this page particularly significant. It is not simply the ending of the issue—it is the emotional payoff to the entire story. The final wide panel restores order after the chaos of the Fifth Dimension, while the closing handshake between Superman and Mxyzptlk represents one of the rare occasions where Superman resolves a Fifth Dimensional conflict through empathy rather than outsmarting his magical adversary.
Historically, this page also comes from an important moment in DC publishing. Superman #421 was published only months before Crisis on Infinite Earths gave way to John Byrne’s complete reinvention of Superman in The Man of Steel. It represents the closing chapter of the legendary Earth-One Superman, with Curt Swan still serving as the definitive visual voice of the character after more than three decades. For many collectors, this era embodies the final expression of the pre-Crisis Superman mythology before the DC Universe changed forever.
Artistically, the page is everything collectors hope for from Curt Swan. It features multiple strong images of Superman, the resolution of the Fifth Dimensional storyline, a beautiful horizon panel restoring normal reality, and the story’s concluding handshake. Dave Hunt’s polished inks preserve Swan’s classic storytelling, making this an excellent representative page from one of the most beloved Superman artists of all time.
Curt Swan original art has become increasingly desirable as collectors continue to recognize him as the definitive Superman artist. Final story pages are especially sought after because they deliver the emotional and narrative conclusion of an issue, and this page offers exactly that while prominently featuring both Superman and Mister Mxyzptlk.
