Superman #225 (DC)
Leo Dorfman (w) Curt Swan (a)
The classic silver age Superman appears in one of those mysteries that used to puzzle and entertain us when we young. The silver age covers always gave a slightly different interpretation to the story inside but that's part of the joy of collecting DC.
Some aliens decide to make a duplicate of Superman and succeed in copying him in every single way but one. Their copy does not have super powers. Their machine, the Pulsitorian was unable transmit the real Superman's abilities.
Undeterred the Voltran's devise a plan. Hiding a device in their copy's belt to pinch Kal El's powers they persuade the duplicate that he is the real deal and Superman is the fake. off to earth he goes with a transistor disc which results in Superman feeling whatever his duplicate does.
Dust in the air and gas make Superman in his Clark Kent guise sneeze and cry making both Lois and Jimmy sure that Clark really isn't Superman. Unwittingly his secret identity is protected. Next up is Black Kryptonite being shoved at Superman on the devils pitchfork, a plan concocted by his double that fails.
Eventually of course their paths cross and Superman catches his double who he imprisons in the Fortress of Solitude. Realising that since he feels what his double feels he cannot allow his duplicate to be free. Hence the cover though Superman doesn't kill we all know that.
However as the duplicate watches Superman go about saving lives and being the hero he is the realisation that he is the fake dawns upon him and makes the ultimate sacrifice by using a device to destroy the transistor in his head, the Voltran's plans will fail. Sadly the duplicate dies.
A short life but a heroic end. perhaps they duplicated Superman too well.
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