Lose your load, leave your mind behind, Baby Kal

Hola, amigos. How's it going? I know it's been a long time since I rapped at ya, but I've been digging up more painted Mexican Superman covers! Let's scope 'em out, huh?

Who can forget the time Superman and Brainiac had a super-duel in outer space, in the aptly-titled "Super-Duel in Outer Space!" Not me, that's for sure! That's why I was surprised to see that in Mexico, the Supes/Brains battle takes place in...well, it looks like a cave full of gold bullion and floating eyeballs. Quite possibly they're fighting in Pepperland!

Action Comics #242 and Superman Libro Comic #8
(Click all covers to Quetzalcoatl-size)



In the US we have Kool-Aid, who busts through a wall and yells "Oh Yeah!" He then is arrested and brought up on charges of property damage, reckless endangerment, and delicious, refreshing fruitiness. But in Metropolis...and apparently in Mexopolis...we have Smashy the Invulnerable Enemy, aka The Petrified Spaceman! (Man, I loved that Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band song!)

Action Comics #226 and Superman Libro Comic #3



I actually really like this Editorial Novaro a lot...a beautiful background that doesn't look like it drops away like the end of the Earth's ten feet away and a really dynamic Superman toss...ow, that hurts! Batter up, Super-Hombre!

Action Comics #134 and Superman Libro Comic #11



This Mexican version updates its 1950s inspiration in more than a few ways: instead of stealing pennies, the rolling patchwork robot ball o' crime is stealing "$". Looks like he just robbed Richard Rich Sr.'s money vault! (Good.) And now, Lois has a fashionable bob, a miniskirt, and a Wonder Bra. That's how you can tell it's from a country of romance!

Action Comics #167 and Superman Libro Comic #7



Looks like showing a little bit of leg caught Clark's eye and hey! They're getting married! Everybody sing!: "Here comes the bride/By Superman's side...Luthor will catch her and she'll soon be fried!" Please note that in neither universe was Jimmy Olsen invited.

Action Comics #206 and Superman Libro Comic #16



Even when the painted covers don't exactly match their American counterparts, you can still guess which story they're reprinting. Here's two American comics where Superman stupidly got his head stuck up a lion's neck...serves him right for putting it in there! But I really like the Mexican version...stripped of the melodramatic narration and captions, it's a real tear-jerker when you see Kal's sad fuzzy face. But Lois, girl...those chunky heels with that miniskirt? For shame, sister!

Action Comics #243, Superman #165 and Superman Libro Comic #14



And of course, in the grand tradition of DC team-up books like Green Lantern/Green Arrow, DC Comics Presents, The Brave and the Bold and Bob Hope vs. Jerry Lewis, Editorial Novaro gives Mexi-Supes his own team-ups in many issues. Here's the return of Guy Who Bought a Batman Costume Down at the Corner Store, who sits around while Superman fights robots and stuff...





Who can forget Superman's team-up with Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name in the classic tale entitled "A Fistful of Mxyzptlks!" (Spoiler alert: his name was Dave.)





Sure, we all remember those great Superman tales like "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?," "For the Man Who Has Everything," "Red Son" and "Hey Look, Jimmy's Wearing a Dress...Again"...but do you remember "Superman and Elderly Sean Connery: Cheese Bandits!"? Do you? Do you?!?





Also: Hippie Greatest American Hero.





I hope you've enjoyed our little fiesta of Mexican Superman comic books. (D'you see what I did there? "Fiesta"? Tee hee!) I'm just sorry that after these, it doesn't look like Superman flew down from Metropolis to Mexico very much. Well, there was that one time he re-visited Mexico...



...but we don't like to talk about that very much.