Comic Title: Action Comics #363
Publisher: DC (National Periodical Publications, Inc.)
Address: 575 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: May 1968
On Sale Date: March 28, 1968 Newsstand Date March 28, 1968
Source: Direct Currents, Beware the Creeper #1, Page 31

Copyright Date March 28, 1968
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1968

Newsstand Date March 28, 1968
Source: Newsdealer Magazine, V23 #1

Frequency: Monthly (semi-monthly, March)
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Mort Weisinger

Title: "The Leper from Krypton"
Pages: 13

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

Writer: Leo Dorfman
Penciller: Ross Andru
Inker: Michael Esposito

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Action Comics #362; next appearance in Action Comics #364)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #82; next appearance in Action Comics #364)
• Lana Lang (last appearance in Superman #204; next appearance in Action Comics #365)

Villain(s)

• Lex Luthor (last appearance in Justice League of America #61; next appearance in Action Comics #364)
• Ventor Caine and his gang (last appearance in Action Comics #362; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• A prison warden (no further appearances)
• Several Kryptonians and a plague victim from Uger (in flashback; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story is continued from the first story of Action Comics #362 and continues in the first story of Action Comics #364.

Synopsis:
Lex Luthor develops Virus X, a plague germ mixed with Kryptonite that is capable of killing Superman. He gives the virus to the criminal ventriloquist Ventor who has hypnotized Clark Kent. Ventor then orders Kent to infect Superman. Clark doesn't remember that he is Superman, but he does try to put the virus of his own pillow. His exposed skin touches the virus and infects him.

The infection causes Superman to snap out of the hypnosis, but he soon develops plague symptoms. Luthor then tells the world that Superman is infected with Virus X. People begin to fear the Man of Steel, and he is forced to leave town. Before leaving Clark intends to leave a letter at the Daily Planet. On the way out he sees Lois Lane, who wants to help Superman.