Comic Title: Action Comics #135
Publisher: DC (National Comics Publications, Inc.)
Address: 480 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: August 1949
Approx. On Sale Date: June 15, 1949 Copyright Date June 13, 1949
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1949
Until 1958 DC did not report actual on sale dates to the copyright office
The publication dates listed in LoC records are NOT release dates.


Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.10
Page Count: 48
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "The Case of the Human Statues"
Pages: 12

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-2)

Writer: Edmond Hamilton
Artist: Al Plastino

Reprinted In:
Superman:The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7 HC (2023)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #41; next appearance in Superman #60)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in World's Finest Comics #41; next appearance in Superman #60)
• Perry White (last appearance in Action Comics #134; next appearance in Superman #60)

Villain(s)

• John Morton (an obscure scientist; no further appearances)
• Morton's henchmen (Joe and Artie named; no further appearances)
• Victor (a sculptor; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• A train crew, two boxers, a drawbridger operator, and several unnamed police officers (no further appearances)
• The mayor and city council of Metropolis (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Scientist John Morton demonstrates his newly invented gas which can turn living people to stone for reporters including Lois Lane. Later he begins turning people in Metropolis to stone as part of an extortion racket. Lois is one of his victims. However, Superman analyzes the stone people and learns that it's a hoax. Morton has been kidnapping the real victims and replacing them with life-like statues.

Superman tracks Morton to Rocky Island, the only location where a rare mineral in the statues is found. However, Morton threatens to use explosives to kill his hostages unless Superman allows himself to become part of the hoax. A Superman statue is constructed which Morton intends to use as proof that he has eliminated the real Man of Steel. Superman is able to outwit Morton by replacing his henchmen with his own statues. Fearing for his own life, Morton surrenders and releases the hostages.