“The Wizard of Winter”

ACTION COMICS Vol.1, No.116,  January 1948;  Cover Art:  Ira Yarbrough;  Writer:  Don Cameron;  Penciler:  Ira Yarbrough;  Inker:  Stan Kaye

J. Wilbur Wolfingham is a swindler that regularly crosses paths with the Man of Steel,  always trying to carry off another sleazy deal outside the con fines of the law.  This time around,  Wolfingham tries to trick Miracle Jack Muldoon,  a land developer,  into buying tropical property that’s actually in the Arctic,  proclaiming that Muldoon will be known as the “Wizard of Winter!”

What could have been a rude awakening for the hapless real estate investor turns into a…well,  a miracle of sorts,  although one that arrives by way of Krypton.  Superman transports a palm-covered island up north,  artificially alters the climate,  and makes a tropical oasis for a group of settlers that believe in Muldoon’s crazy vision.  All’s well that ends well,  although surely Superman has now seriously destabilized the world climate…  oh well!  Additional features with Congo Bill,  Zatara,  Hayfoot Henry,  and Vigilante round out the issue.

Appreciation for the expert commentary on Superman goes to Dr. Arnold Blumberg.  THANKS DOC!!  Doc is an educator, publisher, author, comic and pop culture historian, and former museum curator.  He was the editor of The Overstreet Comic Book Price guide and teaches courses in everything from comics to zombies to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Find him on Twitter @DoctoroftheDead.