Worlds Finest Comics #189

Synopsis for Superman and Batman: "The Man With Superman's Heart!"

Witnesses at a playground see a figure fall from the sky. The figure turns out to be Superman himself. He is declared dead and President Richard Nixon announces his demise on national TV. It is Superman’s last wish that his hands, heart, lungs, eyes, and ears be harvested and preserved for worthy recipients. Supergirl arrives on the scene with specially designed surgical instruments that have the capability of cutting through Superman’s skin. The organs are removed and a closed casket ceremony is held for Superman. The organs are offered to Batman but he refuses the gifts in favor of someone more worthy. In the meantime Lex Luthor is beside himself with regret. He feels cheated that he will never have his revenge on the man of steel. As he is driving home, Luthor encounters an alien named Motan the Ruthless who claims responsibility for Superman’s death. Motan recounts how he exposed Superman to harmful electro plasmic charges that eventually killed Superman. Motan informs Luthor about Superman’s dissected organs and Luthor immediately realizes that he must obtain the organs himself to auction them off to the highest bidder. Using his genius capabilities, Luthor easily steals the organs and sells them off. The organs are all purchased by a gangster named Phil Paris who claims to be acting on behalf of four men who will be the recipients of the organs. Luthor is introduced to a group of men known as the big four. Big Dan Clay will receive the hands. King West will get Superman’s eyes. Brain Lewis will receive the ears and Ace Shane would be the recipient of Superman’s lungs. The four men undergo transplant operations and their super parts immediately give the four men Super powers. Batman and Robin try to stop Luthor and his gang, one of the men were arrested. Batman and Robin try to stop Luthor, but he gets away. After escaping from Batman and Robin, Luthor reveals at the end that he has kept Superman’s heart for himself. He will have the heart transplanted inside his body as soon as he can find a trustworthy assistant.

BACKUP STORY

Synopsis for Roy Raymond: "The City That Time Forgot"

This story is reprinted from Detective Comics #270.

Reporter Dick Edmunds leads detective Roy Raymond and his Secretary Karen to an island in a remote part of the Scottish coastline. According to Edmunds, the island has recently experienced an earthquake revealing an entrance to an ancient city from the past. The three travel to the island where they find an armed city 1,000 years in the past. They examine weaponry that seems authentic but they are then discovered and accused of being spies for William the Conquerer. As the ancient soldiers draw their spears, Raymond strikes a match to the amazement of the soldiers. Raymond is assumed to be a sorcerer and is brought before their king. The king asks for Raymond’s cooperation in their upcoming battle against a William the Conqueror and Raymond readily agrees. The king cheerfully calls for more potatoes and beef to celebrate their partnership. In the midst of their revelry, a conquering army appears and marches towards the hapless Britons. The king implores Raymond to use his powers of sorcery against the army as they charge forward. Raymond stands in front of the charging army as he is about to be trampled, the army stops and cheers for Raymond. It is then revealed that the entire setting is composed of actors in period costumes for an upcoming film. The producers thought it would be great publicity if they could fool a great detective like Raymond with their act. Raymond admits that he knew the entire production was a hoax. When the king asked for more potatoes Raymond remembered that they weren’t brought to England until the 16th century thus revealing the inaccuracy of their act.