Comic Title: Action Comics #401
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: June 1971
On Sale Date: April 29, 1971 Copyright Date April 29, 1971
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1971

Newsstand Date April 29, 1971
Source: Etcetera, V1 #2

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.15
Page Count: 32
Editor: Murray Boltinoff

Title: "The Boy Who Begged to Die"
Pages: 7

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

Writer: Cary Bates
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: Murphy Anderson

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Action Comics #402; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend Lois Lane #111)

Other Character(s)

• A teenaged boy (no further appearances)
• The residents of Masonville (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Superman investigates a meteor which crashes in the town of Masonville. When he picks up the meteorite, he discovers it will soon explode. He has to kept it perfectly still while the town evacuates. Just as Superman is about to detonate the meteorite bomb, a teenager appears. He missed the evacuation order. Superman fears that delaying the blast will only make it stronger, but if he triggers the explosion, the boy will die. To save the boy, the Man of Steel uses his cape as a shield. He then triggers the explosion. Protected by the indestructible cape, the boy survives. Superman then plans to rebuild the town which was completely destroyed.