The Other Silver Age “Super-Boys”
Analog Heroes to Superboy


Be they Super-, Hyper-, Power- or Mighty, there are a bevy of Silver Age boy heroes whose origins and powers mirrored those of Superboy. Most of these characters appeared only once, and the plots of their stories were recycled by Mort Weisinger (who was known for this) years later to make 'new' characters.
Beginning with Regor all the way back in 1949, a steady stream of heroes continued through the early 1960s. Of course, the use of Superman as an analog for other heroes is not restricted to the Silver Age, or to DC Comics. Many creators throughout comics history have had fun toying with the template of Superman for the storytelling potential.
Speaking just about Silver Age DC characters, we find common themes:
- The costume colors of these characters were usually complimentary (opposite) to Superman's, almost never red-and-blue. Most heroes wore costumes whose key colors were green, orange, yellow and purple.
- Many of these heroes gained their super-powers in a way similar to Superman: (1) they were born under a different colored sun, and (2) their adoptive world was smaller, thus had lighter gravity. (Some were also rocketed away by their fathers, and were the sole survivors of doomed civilizations.)
- Their alter egos frequently had the initials "C.K." (à la Clark Kent), with a number of obligatory "L.L."s as well. A few heroes had alter egos that were a variation of the name "Alan."
Superman (or Superboy) making a super-friend elicited two compelling plot points. First, it's always exciting to contrast Superman with a hero of comparable abilities (though most were proven to be inferior in some way). Second, we get to experience his emotional journey, from loneliness to camaraderie … and then to heartbreak.
After the invention of the Legion of Super-Heroes, some boy heroes became associated with that group as well. Mon-El, Star Boy and Ultra Boy all had powers similar to the Boy of Steel. (And two of them were even copies of other analogs!)
This page concerns versions of Superboy. Discover even more heroes that are analogs to Superman and Supergirl.
Superman supporting characters Jimmy Olsen, Lois Lane and Lana Lang also had many adventures with super-powers and alter egos. Lois was the original Superwoman, and appeared as such several times.
This type of story, about Superman pretenders, ceased somewhat in the early 1960s. That creative energy was diverted to stories for the new and popular "Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes." The Legion's tales in Adventure Comics could (and did) contain loads of fantastic beings.
Writer Grant Morrison loves to riff on the Silver Age Superman mythos, the first example being All-Star Superman (2005). In 2019, Morrison and Liam Sharp took over the Green Lantern title and used many of the heroes listed on this page. These forgotten heroes from across the galaxy were put together as a novel team called the United Planets Superwatch (The Green Lantern #9, Sept. 2019).
The profiles below present heroes chronologically by their first appearance.

NAME:
Sutri of Mars, alias Marsboy, Joe Mars
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #14 (May/June 1951)

NAME:
Zarl Vorne of Juno, alias Power Boy, Powerlord
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed parents (deceased), Ma and Pa Vorne (adoptive parents)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #52 (Oct. 1956)

NAME:
Zar-Al of Krypton, alias Krypton Kid
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Zol-Zu (father)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Adventure Comics #242 (Nov. 1957)

NAME:
Thar of Kormo, alias Sky-boy
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed father
FIRST APPEARANCE:
World's Finest Comics #92 (Jan./Feb. 1958)

NAME:
Dworn, alias Alan
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed parents (deceased)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #65 (June 1958)

NAME:
Vidal, alias Allen Greene
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed parents
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Adventure Comics #260 (May 1959)
NAME:
Zall-Dix
RELATIVES:
Unnamed father
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Adventure Comics #264 (Sept. 1959)

NAME:
Prince Valzor of Korvia alias "Johnny Blank"
KNOWN RELATIVES:
The King and Queen of Korvia (aunt and uncle)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Action Comics #263 (Apr. 1960)

NAME:
Zarl Kazzan of Zumoor, alias Tom Keith, Mighty Boy
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Keith (parents, deceased), Chad and Vela Kazzan (adoptive parents)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #85 (Dec. 1960)

NAME:
Unrevealed, alias Solar Boy
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed father (deceased)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Adventure Comics #269 (Feb. 1960)

NAME:
Dik-Rey of Kandor, alias Tom Baker, Power Lad
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #45 (June 1960)

NAME:
Mighto of Ulgar, aka Tim Tates
RELATIVES:
Yorth and Reena (parents)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #108 (Oct. 1963)

NAME:
Allan Vale
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Jason (uncle)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #132 (Sept. 1966)

Hyperboy
NAME:
Kirk Quentin of Trombus, alias Hyperboy
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Ma and Pa Quentin (the Hyper-Family, parents)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #144 (Jan. 1968)

Hyperman
NAME:
Craig Quentin of Trombus, alias Hyperman, Hyper-Man
KNOWN RELATIVES:
Unnamed wife, Kirk Quentin (Hyperboy, son)
FIRST APPEARANCE:
Superboy #144 (Jan. 1968)
List of Silver Age "Supers" of Space
This list includes:
- Super-heroes who were created as analogs to Superman, Superboy or Supergirl.
- Some other alien super-heroes from the Silver Age.
- Creators of the original stories are listed, though editor Mort Weisinger should be considered a co-creator in most cases.
- Other key DC heroes are included for chronological reference.
- Black indicates that the character was ultimately deceased.
- Does not include Supermen from parallel Earths
Name | First appearance | Story by … | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Superman (Kal-El, Clark Kent) of Krypton | Action Comics #1 (June 1938) | Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster | The original super-hero |
Captain Marvel (Billy Batson) | Whiz Comics #1 #2[1] (Feb. 1940) | Bill Parker & C. C. Beck | An analog of Superman created for Fawcett Comics |
Superboy (Kal-El, Clark Kent) of Krypton | More Fun Comics #101 (Jan./Feb. 1945) | Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster | Superman as a boy |
Regor (Winki Lamm) of Uuz |
Superman #58 (May/June 1949) | Wayne Boring | Super-hero; analog of Superman |
Supergirl I (Queen Lucy) of Borgonia | Superboy #5 (Nov./Dec. 1949) | John Sikela | Super-hero; analog of Superman |
1950s | |||
Superwoman I (Lois Lane) | Action Comics #156 (May 1951) | Super-hero; analog of Superman | |
Marsboy (Sutri) of Mars | Superboy #14 (May/June 1951) | Curt Swan | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Superwoman II (robot) | Superman #71 (July/Aug. 1951) | Super-hero; analog of Superman | |
Halk Kar of Thoron |
Superman #80 (Jan./Feb. 1953) | Edmond Hamilton & Al Plastino | Super-hero; analog of Superman |
Superwoman III (Thraka) of Zor | Superman #81 (Mar./Apr. 1953) | Al Plastino | Super-hero; analog of Superman |
Krypto the Super-Dog from Krypton | Adventure Comics #210 (Mar. 1955) | Otto Binder & Curt Swan | Superboy's pet dog |
Power-Boy (Zarl Vorne) of Juno |
Superboy #52 (Oct. 1956) | Otto Binder & John Sikela | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Krypton Kid (Zar-Al) of Krypton | Adventure Comics #242 (Nov. 1957) | Otto Binder & Curt Swan | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Skyboy (Tharn) of Kormo | World's Finest Comics #92 (Jan./Feb. 1958) | Edmond Hamilton & Dick Sprang | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
The Legion of Super-Heroes: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl | Adventure Comics #247 (Apr. 1958) | Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster | Original super-heroes |
Futureman (XL-49) | Superman #121 (May 1958) | By Jerry Coleman, Curt Swan & Kurt Schaffenberger | Super-hero from the future; analog of Superman |
Dworn | Superboy #65 (June 1958) | Jerry Coleman & George Papp | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
The City of Kandor | Action Comics #242 (July 1958) | Otto Binder & Al Plastino | Survivors of Krypton shrunken by Brainiac |
Super-Girl | Superman #123 (Aug. 1958) | Otto Binder & Dick Sprang | A magical construct; predated Supergirl |
Supergirl (Kara Zor-El) of Krypton | Action Comics #252 (May 1959) | Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster | Superman's cousin from Krypton |
Vidal of the Intergalactic Patrol | Adventure Comics #260 (May 1959) | Jerry Coleman & John Sikela | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Space-Boy (Zall-Dix of | Adventure Comics #264 (Sept. 1959) | Otto Binder & George Papp | Villain, reformed in the end |
Beppo the Super-Monkey from Krypton | Superboy #76 (Oct. 1959) | Otto Binder & George Papp | Superboy's pet monkey |
1960s | |||
Streaky the Super-Cat from Krypton | Action Comics #261 (Feb. 1960) | Jerry Siegel & Jim Mooney | Supergirl's pet cat |
Solar Boy | Adventure Comics #269 (Feb. 1960) | Jerry Siegel & George Papp | Super-villain; analog of Superboy |
Nightwing II (Van-Zee) | Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #15 (Feb. 1960) |
Otto Binder & Kurt Schaffenberger | Superman's cousin and lookalike who became Nightwing II in Superman #158 (Jan. 1963) |
Prince Valzorr of Korvia | Action Comics #263 (Apr. 1960) | Otto Binder & Jim Mooney | An alien boy who crashed on Earth and met Supergirl |
Hyper-Man (Chester King) of Oceania | Action Comics #265 (June 1960) | Otto Binder & Curt Swan | Super-hero; analog of Superman; it's been suggested this is the same man person as Hyperman of Trombus |
Power Lad (Dik-Rey, Tom Baker) of Kandor | Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #45 (June 1960) | Otto Binder and Curt Swan | A Kandorian |
Astounding Man (Oogamooga) of Roxnon | Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #18 (July 1960) | Jerry Siegel & Al Plastino | An android; analog of Superman |
Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, Invisible Kid | Action Comics #267 (Aug. 1960) | Jerry Siegel & Jim Mooney | Original super-heroes; Legionnaires |
Mighty Boy (Zarl Kazzan) of Zumoor | Superboy #85 (Dec. 1960) | Otto Binder & George Papp | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Marvel Maid (Lea Lindy) and Marvel Man of Terra | Action Comics #272 (Jan. 1961) | Otto Binder & Jim Mooney | Super-hero; analog of Supergirl |
Star Boy of Xanthu | Adventure Comics #282 (Mar. 1961) | Otto Binder & George Papp | Legion super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Bouncing Boy, Brainiac 5, Phantom Girl, Shrinking Violet, Sun Boy, Triplicate Girl | Action Comics #276 (May 1961) | Jerry Siegel & Jim Mooney | Original super-heroes; Legionnaires |
The Phantom Zone | Adventure Comics #283 (Apr. 1961) | Robert Bernstein & George Papp | Criminals from Krypton |
Dev-Em of Krypton | Adventure Comics #287 (June 1961) | Jerry Siegel & George Papp | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Mon-El (Lar Gand) of Daxam | Superboy #89 (June 1961) | Robert Bernstein & George Papp | Super-hero; analog of Superboy and Halk Kar |
Comet the Super-Horse | Adventure Comics #293 (Feb. 1962) | Jerry Siegel & Curt Swan | Supergirl's companion |
Logi of Durim | World's Finest #124 (Mar. 1962) | Jerry Coleman & Curt Swan | Alien super-hero |
Superwoman IV (Luma Lynai) of Staryl | Action Comics #289 (June 1962) | Jerry Siegel & Jim Mooney | Super-hero; analog of Supergirl |
Ultra Boy of Rimbor | Superboy vol. 1 #98 (July 1962) | Jerry Siegel & Curt Swan | Legion super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Matter-Eater Lad of Bismoll | Adventure Comics #303 (Dec. 1962) | Jerry Siegel & John Forte | Legion member |
Element Lad of Trom | Adventure Comics #307 (Apr. 1963) | Edmond Hamilton & John Forte | Legion member |
Lightning Lass of Winath | Adventure Comics #308 (May 1963) | Edmond Hamilton & John Forte | Legion member |
Super-Male (Irn Brimba) of Soomar | Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #41 (May 1963) | Kurt Schaffenberger | Super-hero; analog of Superman |
Mighto of Ulgar | Superboy #108 (Oct. 1963) | Jerry Siegel and Al Plastino | Super-villain; analog of Superboy |
Ultraman, Superwoman V and the Crime Syndicate of America | Justice League of America #29 (Aug. 1964) | Gardner Fox & Mike Sekowsky | The evil Justice League from Earth-Three |
Energiman, Golden Blade, Magicko and Strong Girl of Thronn | Green Lantern #32 (Oct. 1964) | Gardner Fox & Gil Kane | Alien super-heroes; Strong-Girl reinvented The Green Lantern #9 (Sept. 2019) |
The Space Canine Patrol Agents | Superboy #131 (July 1966) | George Papp | A 20th century 'Legion of Super-Dogs' formed around Krypto |
Supremo (Allan Vale) of Earth | Superboy #132 (Sept. 1966) | Leo Dorfman & Curt Swan | Earth hero; analog of Superboy |
Aeorman & Windlass of Marr, Mr. Chill of Klon Kado, Zardin of Nandor | World's Finest #163 (Dec. 1966) | Jim Shooter & Curt Swan | Alien super-heroes gathered together by the villain, Jemphis |
Zha-Vam | Action Comics #351 (June 1967) | Otto Binder and Wayne Boring | A Captain Marvel analog |
The Hyper-Family: Hyperboy (Kirk Quentin), Hyperman II (Craig Quentin), Hyperwoman and Klypso of Trombus |
Superboy #144 (Jan. 1968) |
Otto Binder & George Papp | Super-hero; analog of Superboy |
Dyno-Man of Sorrta | Superman #206 (May 1968) | Jim Shooter & Al Plastino | Alien super-hero; not a "Super-Man," but revived in The Green Lantern #9 (Sept. 2019) |
1970s: Post-Weisinger | |||
Vartox of Valeron | Superman #281 (Nov. 1974) | Cary Bates & Curt Swan | Super-hero; analog of Superman |
Solarman (Xviar) of "Homeworld" | Superman #298 (Apr. 1976) | Cary Bates, Elliot S! Maggin & Curt Swan | Alien spy and super-challenger |
Superboy & the Legion of Super-Heroes #217 (June 1976) | Jim Shooter & Mike Grell | Superman descendant; member of the Legion Academy | |
Super Squirrel | Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! #14 (April 1983) | E. Nelson Bridwell & Scott Shaw | Super-hero; parallel Earth Superman from Earth-C-minus |
Superwoman VI (Kristin Wells from the 29th Century) | DC Comics Presents Annual #2 (1983) | Elliot S. Maggin & Keith Pollard | Super-hero; analog of Supergirl |
Post-Crisis | |||
Impulse (Richard Kent Shakespeare) of Earth | Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 #12 (Oct. 1990) | Keith Giffen, Mary Bierbaum & Tom Bierbaum | Analog of Superboy; Legionnaire |
Laurel Gand (Andromeda) of Daxam | Legion of Super-Heroes vol. 4 #6 (Apr. 1990) | Keith Giffen, Mary Bierbaum & Tom Bierbaum | Analog of Supergirl; Legionnaire |
» SEE ALSO:
- Adventure Comics #247: The Legion's Early Appearances
- Lois Lane, alias "Superwoman"
- Mon-El
- Nightwing and Flamebird: The Heroes of Kandor and Superman's Extended Family
- Other Silver Age "Supermen"
- Power-Boy
- Star Boy
- Superboy (original)
- Supergirl (original)
- The Super-Women of the Silver Age
- Ultra Boy
- The United Planets Superwatch