Comic Title: Showcase #62
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: May/Jun 1966
On Sale Date: March 24, 1966 Newsstand Date March 24, 1966
Source: House Ad, Batman #180, Page 15

Newsstand Date March 24, 1966
Source: Direct Currents, Batman #180, Page 7

Copyright Date March 24, 1966
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1966

Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jack Miller

Title: "The Coming of the Costumed Incompetents"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Inferior Five

Writer: E. Nelson Bridwell
Penciller: Joe Orlando
Inker: Michael Esposito

Reprinted In:
Inferior 5 #11 (1972)
DC Special Blue Ribbon Digest #22 (1982)

Feature Character(s)

• Inferior Five (next appearance in Showcase #63)
• Merryman (Myron Victor; next appearance in Showcase #63)
• Dumb Bunny (next appearance in Showcase #63)
• Blimp (next appearance in Showcase #63)
• Awkwardman (next appearance in Showcase #63)
• White Feather (next appearance in Showcase #63)

Supporting Character(s)

• The Patriot (Merryman's father; next appearance in Showcase #65)
• Lady Liberty (Merryman's mother; next appearance in Showcase #65)

Villain(s)

• Dr. Gregory Gruesome (a mad scientist; next appearance in Showcase #63)
• Hermes (Gruesome's assistant; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Louis the Lip (a police informer; no further appearances)
• An unnamed costumer (no further appearances)
• Toho (a sumo; appears in flashback; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• The Freedom Brigade (in a portrait)
• Captain Swift (in a portrait)
• The Bowman (in a portrait)
• Princess Power (in a portrait)
• Mr. Might (in a portrait)
• The Mermaid (in a portrait)

Comments:
Part 2: "Roll Out the Robot"
Part 3: "A Gruesome Revenge"

It has been speculated that the adventures of the Inferior Five take place on Earth-12 as they were shown to be looking for that Earth in Oz-Wonderland Wars #3. However, this scene does not make it clear that Earth-12 is really their Earth of origin. Evidence within their own series suggests that their adventures actually took place on Earth-1. This is backed up by the fact that the JLA, Legion, and other hero teams of Earth-1 were all shown to exist on the same Earth as the Inferior Five. While it is possible that Earth-12 is nearly identical to Earth-1, there is no reason make that assumption. Therefore, the Inferior Five are considered to inhabit Earth-1.

Synopsis:
When a mad scientist threatens Megalopolis, the police call the retired super-hero team, the Freedom Brigade. The heroes are far past their prime, so they outfit their children to become a new team of heroes in their place. The son of the Patriot and Lady Liberty becomes the 97-pound weakling Merryman. The daughter of Princess Power is airhead Dumb Bunny. The son of Mr. Might and the Mermaid is the clumsy Awkwardman. Captain Swift's son the Blimp can fly, but only at incredibly slow speed. Rounding out the group is the Bowman's son White Feather who is a coward.

The new team takes the name the Inferior Five. They soon encounter a robot created by Dr. Gregory Gruesome, designed to steal a ruby for a death-ray. By accident, the team succeeds in beating the robot. Gruesome doesn't give up, attacking the five with his crime car. While they do battle, Gruesome's assistant Hermes steals the ruby.

Gruesome escapes from the heroes and is able to complete his death-ray. When the Inferior Five regroups and locates the scientist, he uses the death-ray against them. The beam reflects off a mirror, Dumb Bunny was using to touch-up her make-up. The deflected beam strikes Gruesome, who then surreneders.