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#41
World's Finest Comics, #40

Published: May-June 1949

Cover

World's Finest Comics #40

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Issue Contents:
1 page superhero
Characters
  • Superman [Clark Kent]
  • Batman [Bruce Wayne]
  • Robin [Dick Grayson]
Credits
Story Notes

Pencils and inks credits verified by Win Mortimer to Craig Delich. Letters credit from Todd Klein via his Klein Letters blog (18 September 2016, http://kleinletters.com/Blog/ira-schnapp-in-worlds-finest-comics-part-1/).

Story 1 1 page
Story Notes

Inside front cover.

The Two Lois Lanes!
Story 2 12 pages superhero

"What could handicap Superman more than one Lois Lane?"

Storyline

Criminals use a double of Lois to distract Superman. Superman uses his strength to squeeze coal into a diamond.

Characters
  • Superman [Clark Kent]
  • Lois Lane [aka Brenda Manning]
  • Check (crook)
Credits
Story Notes

Writer credit by Bob Hughes. Previously credited to William Woolfolk but Martin O'Hearn has documented from Woolfolk's records that he was not working for DC at this time. Text uses a lot of periods which is generally an indicator of Schwartz during this era. Letters credit from Todd Klein via his Klein Letters blog (19 September 2016), http://kleinletters.com/Blog/ira-schnapp-in-worlds-finest-comics-part-2/).

Bamboozling the Bank Robbers
Story 3 1 page adventure

Featuring Western Comics; All-American Western; Dale Evans Comics

Story 4 1 page

"You'll find this sure-fire brand..."

A Day in the Life of Robin Hood!
Story 5 10 pages superhero

"Have you ever wondered which archer is better with the bow..."

Storyline

Green Arrow switches places in time with Robin Hood.

Characters
  • Green Arrow [Oliver Queen]
  • Speedy [Roy Harper]
  • Robin Hood
  • Monocle Mike
  • the Black Baron (villain)
Credits
Story Notes

Script credit from Otto Binder's 1963/1964 listing of DC credits. Letters credit from Todd Klein via his Klein Letters blog (19 September 2016, http://kleinletters.com/Blog/ira-schnapp-in-worlds-finest-comics-part-2/).

Story 6 1 page
Ben Hur Wins a Race!

Featuring Doc and Fatty

Story 7 8 pages adventure; humor

"If we could blame the fall of Rome on any two people..."

Storyline

Doc and Fatty have been to see the movie "Who put the table in Nero's stable?". A they leave the theater in a hail storm, a chunk hits the "Ancient Rome" key of their time travelling typewriter, and they find themselves in Rome during the Ben Hur chariot race. They have misplaced the typewriter, so cannot press themselves home, but following the race Ben Hur gives it to them, having found it earlier where they left it.

Characters
  • Doc
  • Fatty
  • Ben Hur
  • Nero
Credits
Story Notes

Letters credit from Todd Klein via his Klein Letters blog (19 September 2016, http://kleinletters.com/Blog/ira-schnapp-in-worlds-finest-comics-part-2/).

Editorial Advisory Board
Story 8 1 page
Story 9 1 page
The Handcuffs of Fate!
Story 10 12 pages adventure; children; war

"They were two pieces of steel..."

Storyline

The Boy Commandos and Rip are patrolling on the Home Front, where they pursue Big Oak Oketon relentlessly until his mind snaps and he is re-arrested

Characters
  • The Boy Commandos
  • Captain Rip Carter
  • Singsong Mulloy (crook)
  • Big Oak Oketon (crook)
  • Petie Flanagan (crook)
  • Charlie Cadell (crook)
Credits
Story Notes

Possible Brodie inks per Nick Caputo. Previous indexer credited Frank Giacoia.

Story 11 1 page
Story 12 1 page humor

"Let's take a walk out in the gardens, Elmer."

Credits
The Danger Sign!
Story 13 6 pages adventure; fantasy; superhero

"Do you believe in signs?"

Storyline

Ken Beeman takes every sign he sees literally, and tries to impose his will on others. When Zatara rescues him from an oncoming truck by magically giving the vehicle wings, Beeman chastises him for breaking the no fly zone law. Zatara shows him the error of taking every sign too seriously. He has a "Fresh Fish" talk rudely to Beeman, and shows him a fiery "Light Lunch" sign which causes him to set it on fire. Other absurd examples follow, and Beeman eventually agrees that some signs ought not to be observed.

Characters
  • Zatara [Giovanni "John" Zatara]
  • Ken Beeman
Credits
Story Notes

writer verified by Martin O'Hearn

Story 14 1 page
Story 15 1 page
Story 16 2 pages humor; children

"Now Bebe, play nicely with little Herby!"

Credits
Foreign Flags Over America
Story 17 2 pages non-fiction
Credits
4 Killers Against Fate!
Story 18 12 pages adventure; superhero

"The electric chair...the gas chamber...the gallows..."

Storyline

Batman and Robin pursue 4 death row killers who escape from prison before they are due to be executed.

Characters
  • Batman [Bruce Wayne]
  • Robin [Dick Grayson]
  • Commissioner James Gordon
  • Jumpy Peters
  • Sailor Roggs
  • Careful Kyle
  • Angles Manson
  • Boss Barry
Credits
Story Notes

Letters credit from Todd Klein via his Klein Letters blog (19 September 2016, http://kleinletters.com/Blog/ira-schnapp-in-worlds-finest-comics-part-2/).

Story 19 1 page
Story Notes

Inside back cover.

Story 20 1 page
Story Notes

Back cover.