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One ofSuperman ’s weirder fights was against DC Comics ' answer toPopeye the Sailor Man . Though Superman has had no dearth of bizarre battles with unusual foes , some by all odds bear out . Recurring antagonist such as Mr. Mxyzptlk , Bizarro , and even pre - Crisis Lex Luthor , with his penchant for unrestrained scientific discipline , might immediately do to heed , but some of Superman ’s weirder competitiveness have been with less far-famed adversaries . Some fights have even been against fellow do - gooders , including one whose only offense was getting bewitch up in something bigger than he could handle .
The1970s were already a deeply uncanny time for Supermanunder the direction of DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz . Schwartz , as well as the writers and artists under his direction , set about to radically alter the approach to the character take at the time , with varying results . In 1971 , writer Dennis O’Neil and creative person Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson phased out Superman ’s weakness to Kryptonite inSuperman # 233 — leading to a moment of him joyfully crunch a chunk of Kryptonite strike from an adversary . In subsequent issues of what came to be known as the " Sandman Saga , " they inclose a big businessman - steal sand creature that would follow him for the well part of a year , eventually even hold Superman ’s shape . Other changes , such as making Clark Kent a television tidings anchor , would last longer , with Clark working double obligation in print and idiot box all the room until his 1986 reboot .
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In the thick of all of these change , creators Cary Bates , Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson decided to playfully skirt copyright laws in one issue , introducing their own version of a beloved lineament from outside the DC roll — none other than Popeye the Sailor Man , created by E.C. Segar in 1929 and often involve as an important forerunner to modern superheroes , Superman included . In February 1973’sAction Comics # 421 , Bates , Swan and Andersonwould introduce their Popeye pedestal - in Captain Strong , a noble though irascible sailor who idolizes Superman . Through the uncovering and white plague of " sauncha , " a occult green veggie , Captain Strong gains first-rate metier , which he use to perform heroical deeds , such as salve a nipper from a warehouse collapse at the start of the issue .
Captain Strong falls target to Mr. Glute , an unscrupulous business owner who signify to package and mart sauncha as a food product , despite Captain Strong ’s remonstrance . Glute transport a undercover agent dress as Superman after Captain Strong , hoping to slip the secret of his miracle intellectual nourishment . Although Captain Strong uncovers Glute ’s secret plan , it leads to a showdown with the actual Superman , who rush in to stop Captain Strong from hurting Mr. Glute in a craze . dose engages Captain Strong in battle , but Strong flies off when he runs out of sauncha , chair Superman in a pursual . Superman make that the sauncha " give Captain Strong unbelievable mightiness , but at the cost of his sanity , " acting much like an addictive drug . finally , Superman stops Captain Strong from eating more sauncha , taking his supply from him just as inviolable experiences life-threatening pulling out pains and overtake out mid - flight . Superman brings him to the hospital to regain , and call in him there days later on to reveal a shocking discovery — that sauncha is in reality an extraterrestrial life story shape .
Though matter terminate up well for Captain Strong and future appearances would show him as a friend to Superman , the initial encounter between the two Hero is especially fierce and violent . It ’s also no surprisal that Superman ’s confrontation with DC ’s Popeye was write as an anti - drug story , considering the proliferation of cautionary messaging about drugs in comics at the time — such as in the now - infamousGreen Lantern / Green Arrow story " Snowbirds Do n’t Fly"fromGreen Lantern / Green Arrow # 85 - 86 , written by Dennis O’Neil , with art by Neil Adams and Dick Giordano , and also edited by Schwartz . Though theAction Comicsstory is somewhat lighter in tone , it still presents audience with a cautionary story about the dangers of drug abuse — but also sneaks in a more surprising content about the danger of corporal using . Bates , Swan and Anderson clearly had more on their mind than just " Supermanvs . Popeye " when they create this level .
