DC Comics Presents #33
Published and © by DC, May 1981
Title: “Man and Supermarvel!”
Synopsis: Superman and Captain Marvel discover they’ve switched costumes and powers as part of a Mr. Mxyzptlk plot.
Writer (plot): Gerry Conway
Writer (script): Roy Thomas
Penciler: Rich Buckler
Inker: Dick Giordano
Review: Honestly, Little Me wanted to be a bigger DC fan. But, while Marvel was serving up “The Dark Phoenix Saga” and Frank Miller’s Daredevil, the Distinguished Competition kept offering tepid fare like this. The art here is above average, but this “Freaky Friday” with superpowers lacks dramatic gravitas. Meh.
•••
Title: “Whatever Will Happen to Star Hawkins?”
Synopsis: Detective Star Hawkins and his robot secretary, Ilda, crack the case, score a big payday and live happily ever after.
Writer: Mike Tiefenbacher
Penciler: Alex Saviuk
Inker: Vince Colletta
Review: This backup feature does nothing to update Star Hawkins for an increasingly sophisticated reader. Silver-Age silliness.
Grade (for the entire issue): C
Cool factor: Yeah, not so much.
Not-so-cool factor: Are stories with Mr. Mxyzptlk ever cool?
Collector’s note: According to the Grand Comics Database, there is a 15p British variant of this issue. … According to MyComicShop.com, there is also a Mark Jewelers variant.
Character quotable: “It’s an old issue about my favorite superhero – Captain Marvel.” – Jimmy Olsen, two-timer
Editor’s note: This review was written Feb. 11, 2023.
