Comic Title: Action Comics #284
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: January 1962
On Sale Date: November 30, 1961 Newsstand Date November 30, 1961
Source: House Ad, Superboy #94, Page 30

Copyright Date November 30, 1961
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1961

Newsstand Date November 30, 1961
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V16 #9

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "The Babe of Steel"
Pages: 14

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

Writer: Robert Bernstein
Penciller: Curt Swan
Inker: George Klein

Reprinted In:
Superman #212 (1968)
Showcase Presents Superman Vol. 3 TPB (2007)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #58; next appearance in World's Finest Comics #123)

Supporting Character(s)

• Perry White (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #58; next appearance in Superman #151)

Villain(s)

• Jax-Ur (last appearance in New Adventures of Superboy #9; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #33)
• Professor Vakox (a Phantom Zone criminal; first appearance; last appearance in Superboy #162; next appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #62)
• Three unnamed Phantom Zone criminals (no further appearances)
• Some carnival crooks and two bank robbers (no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Mon-El (last appearance in Adventure Comics #300; next appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #33)
• Supergirl (last appearance in Superman #150; next appearance in Action Comics #285)
• Krypto (last appearance in Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #58; next appearance in Action Comics #286)

Other Character(s)

• Madame Olga (a phony medium; no further appearances)
• Several reporters, some carnival patrons, some navy officers, two police officers, a scientist and his son (no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Dr. Xadu (in reference to his banishment to the Phantom Zone)

Synopsis:
After receiving a strange message from a disembodied figure, Superman uses Red Kryptonite to change himself to baby size. As a baby he continues his regular patrols, but he must convince people of his real identity. His altered form is to facilitate entry into the Phantom Zone. A hole has opened in it due to the Aurora Borealis that is only large enough for a child to enter. The warning came from Mon-El, Superman’s friend who is stuck there due to lead poisoning. Superman learns the hole is growing, so he summons Krypto and Supergirl to assist him in closing the rift and preventing the villains from escaping.