Action Comics vol.1 #9 - cover date February 1939
Superman - hero or anithero? In his earliest incarnation, Superman was far from the reassuringly paternal authoritarian figure he has embodied for the majority of the past seventy-four years. Recall Superman’s first words to Lois Lane - “You needn’t be afraid of me, I won’t harm you” he reassures her through a lean, tough grin as his broad figure looms over her wilting form - and realize that Superman was terrifying.
Making targets of businessmen, civil leaders and politicians clearly wouldn’t have seen Superman clasped to the collective bosom of the representatives of law and order. In fact, in these early stories, Superman is a grim and mysterious figure - a loner who passes easily among the ranks of drifters and hard men - pursued by the police, army and whatever other authorities can take to the streets after him.
Hot on the heels of his slum-smashing scheme from the previous issues, Superman finds himself under the scrutiny of “100% Reilly”, a Chicago lawman offering a hefty reward for details leading to Superman’s identity and capture (officially marking the first time someone has connected the dots between Kent and Superman). Despite the appearance of a suicidal maniac and the ire of the entire Metropolis police force, the adventure ends in farce with Reilly’s perfect record slightly spoiled and Superman getting away scot-free…
