Comic Title: Action Comics #378
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: July 1969
On Sale Date: May 29, 1969 Copyright Date May 29, 1969
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1969


Newsstand Date May 29, 1969
Source: Comic Reader, #73

Frequency: Monthly (semi-monthly, March)
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "The Devil's Partner"
Pages: 15

Feature(s):
Superman (of Earth-1)

Writer: James Shooter
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Jack Abel

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #121; next appearance in Adventure Comics #382)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jor-El (in flashback; last appearance in World's Finest Comics #191; next appearance in Action Comics #223)
• Lara (in flashback; last appearance in World's Finest Comics #191; next appearance in Action Comics #223)

Villain(s)

• The Marauder (next appearance in Action Comics #417)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Kal-El (in flashback to Kal-El's birth; earliest chronological appearance; next appearance in Action Comics #223)

Other Character(s)

• Rol-Nac (Kal-El's godfather; no further appearances)

Comments:
Part II:"Satan Meets Superman"

This story contains a flashback to Superman's birth and is his earliest chronological appearance.

Synopsis:
A space traveler approaches Earth and is abducted by the space villain known as the Marauder. The Marauder wants revenge on Superman, so he brainwashes the traveler and outfits him with a Kryptonite powered trident. Disguised as the devil the traveler then attacks the Man of Steel, first in space, then in the Fortress of Solitude.

The faux devil orders Superman to become his servant and conquer the universe in the name of Satan. However, the Man of Steel tricks his attacker by substituting himself with a robot. The devil is angered and nearly kills Superman. At the last moment he is able to break through his brainwashing and halt his attack.

When hostilities cease, the traveler explains that his name is Rol-Nac. He was exiled from his home planet decades ago and once visited Krypton. He helped Jor-El and was named Kal-El's godfather. Rol-Nac then offers to tell Superman stories about his birth parents.