- "I believe you are responsible for the attacks on my country. All the evidence points to Qurac... and thus to you, Mr. President! Needless to say, I'm not very happy. Care to say something?"
- ―Superman
| "Mind Games" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adventures of Superman | |
| Title: | "Mind Games" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 427 |
| Cover price: | .75 |
| Cover date: | April, 1987 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Jenette Kahn |
| Writers: | Marv Wolfman |
| Pencilers: | Jerry Ordway |
| Inkers: | Jerry Ordway |
| Cover artists: | Jerry Ordway |
| Cover inker: | Jerry Ordway |
| Colorists: | Tom Ziuko |
| Letterers: | John Costanza |
| Editors: | Andy Helfer; Mike Carlin |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Adventures of Superman #426 |
| Next: | Adventures of Superman #428 |
"Mind Games" is the title to the story from issue #427 of the ongoing American comic book series Adventures of Superman. It was written by Marv Wolfman and illustrated by Jerry Ordway, who also composed the cover art illustration for this issue. It was colored by Tom Ziuko with lettering by John Costanza. It was edited by Andy Helfer and Mike Carlin. This issue shipped with an April, 1987 cover date and carried a cover price of 75 cents per copy (US).
Synopsis[]
Superman flies to Qurac to interrogate President Marlo as to the recent armored attacks that have taken place in Metropolis in past weeks. He bursts directly into the presidential palace and pins Marlo to the wall. Soldiers try to stop him, but he melts their weapons with his heat-vision.
Miles underground, two strange mutants named Prana and Zahara (of the Circle) pay close attention to events transpiring above them. Prana believes that Superman may be part of their chosen Circle and he establishes a mental connection with him. Superman begins suffering seizures as dozens of disturbing images from his past flicker through his mind. Prana perceives everything that is happening – in truth, he is causing it.
Superman revives and realizes that he must fly away to recuperate. He goes to his hotel room where he finds himself assailed by the same nightmarish visions. Prana meanwhile, continues to witness Superman's memories. The process is extremely painful, and he begins to doubt whether Superman may be a lost member of the Circle. The mental link becomes too much for Prana and he falls over dead. Zahara, his wife, is grief-stricken and swears vengeance against Superman.
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Supporting characters
- Prana
- Zahara
Villains
- President Hurrambi Marlo
- Quraci soldiers
Minor characters
- Jor-El (As an hallucination only)
- Lara Lor-Van (As an hallucination only)
- Lex Luthor (As an hallucination only)
- Metallo, John Corben (As an hallucination only)
- Godzilla (As an hallucination only)
- Cat Grant (As an hallucination only)
- Lana Lang (As an hallucination only)
- Lois Lane (As an hallucination only)
- Synapse (As an hallucination only)
Organizations
- The Circle (Behind the scenes only)
Races
Locations
Items
- Kryptonite (As an hallucination only)
- Military weaponry
Vehicles
- Kryptonian birthing matrix (As an hallucination only)
- Quraci tanks
Powers
Notes & Trivia[]
- This issue is reprinted in the Superman: The Man of Steel, Volume 3 trade paperback.
- Editor Andrew Helfer is credited as Andy Helfer in this issue.
- This is the fourth issue of Adventures of Superman written by Marv Wolfman.
- This is the fourth issue of Adventures of Superman drawn by Jerry Ordway and his third issue as inker. It is his fourth issue as cover artist.
- This is the fourth issue of Adventures of Superman colored by Tom Ziuko.
- This is the third issue of Adventures of Superman lettered by John Costanza.
- The events of this issue take place after Superman, Volume 2 #4. They continue in Adventures of Superman #428.
- Superman chronologically appeared last in Superman, Volume 2 #4. He appears next in a television broadcast in Adventures of Superman #428.
- First and only appearance of The Circle.
- First appearance of Zahara. She appears next in Adventures of Superman #428.
- First and only appearance of Prana; dies in this issue.
- The giant green monster in the Japan hallucination is not identified by name, but it is pretty clear that it is intended as Toho's famous city-stomper, Godzilla.
- As indicated above, Bizarro, Cat Grant, Godzilla, Jor-El, Lana Lang, Lara Lor-Van, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Metallo and Synapse all appear as figments of Superman's imagination only in this issue.