Comic Title: Action Comics #383
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: December 1969
On Sale Date: October 30, 1969 Copyright Date October 30, 1969
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1969


Newsstand Date October 30, 1969
Source: Comic Reader, #75

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

Title: "The Killer Costume"
Pages: 13

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

Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Roussos

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Justice League of America #77; next appearance in Action Comics #384)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Action Comics #382; next appearance in Superman #223)
• Perry White (last appearance in Action Comics #382; next appearance in Action Comics #384)

Villain(s)

• Aabur (an interplanetary criminal; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Aabur's gang (no further appearances)
• Willie Morgan (aka the Dip; a pickpocket; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Jackson Randell (a mafia boss; aka the Destroyer; no further appearances)
• Randell's hitmen (no further appearances)
• Benny Foran (a racketeer; dies in this story; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Enforcer NS-II (an interplanetary lawman; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Chick Dennison (an informant; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story continues in the first story of Action Comics #384.

Synopsis:
While transporting a dangerous interplanetary criminal across space, the ship of Enforcer NS-II is struck by radiation from a passing comet. The radiation kills the lawman and the prisoner, but transfers their life forces into their clothes. When part of the ship crashes on Earth, the criminal's costume is given life and seeks out a host of evil.

The costume is invisible to honest people. It is worn by two small-time crooks, but both men die because they do not possess the evil necessary to control the suit. Finally the suit is found by Jackson Randell, a mob boss. The costume makes his touch disintegrate objects.

Superman learns that Randell has hired hitmen to kill a police informant. He saves the man, then goes after Randell. The suit is unable to help the mob leader to beat the Man of Steel, but he uses it to demolish a building and make his escape. The costume then leaves Randell seeking a power that can kill Superman. It then sees another animated costume worn by the interplanetary lawman. Both costumes race to reach Superman, but for different purposes.