CATALOG RECORD

Adventure Comics #257

DC · Series began 1938 · February 1959

first appearance of Hercules and Samson

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WHY COLLECTORS WANT IT

Hercules (Tarkus / Roger Tate, from Silver Age Superman) — first appearance
Samson (Merrio, from Silver Age Superman) — first appearance

Dates

Cover date: February 1959
On sale: December 30, 1958
Pages: 36

Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Creators

pencils: Curt Swan, Henry Boltinoff, Bernard Baily, Lee Elias, Ramona Fradoninks: Stan Kaye, Ray Burnley, Henry Boltinoff, Bernard Baily, Lee Elias, Ramona Fradonletters: Ira Schnapp, Henry Boltinoffscript: Otto Binder, Henry Boltinoff, Jack Liebowitz, Jack Schiff, Robert Bernstein

Stories

The First Two Super-Men! · 12.67 pages
Samson and Hercules travel to Superboy's time in order to discover the secret of his invulnerability. When Superboy explains to them that his powers cannot be replicated, the pair take him back to the past to confront the avaricious King Zarl.
The Arrows That Failed · 5.67 pages
A gang boss finds a fluid that causes Green Arrow's arrows to miss their target.
The Imitation Aquaman · 5.67 pages
A criminal has a doctor alter his body to duplicate Aquaman's powers. This fake Aquaman goes on a crime spree until Aquaman lures him into fresh water. The criminal was surgically altered to only breathe salt water and he begins to suffocate allowing Aquaman to take him into custody.

Characters

Clark KentOliver QueenGreen ArrowArthur CurryAquamanSuperboyRoy HarperJonathan KentMartha KentKryptoSpeedyPegLittle PeteVarsity VicHerculesTopoSamsonMerrioTarkus

Reprinted in

The Hundred Comic Monthly (1956), Superman Annual (1960), Showcase Presents: Green Arrow (2006), DC Finest: Aquaman: King of Atlantis (2025)