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DC: 'The Amazing Superman' 1974 - $130 (East Aurora NY)
condition:
good
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Value by condition: The comic's value can vary widely:
Low grade (VG/4.0): Sells for around $5–$7.
Mid-grade (FN/6.0): Sells for approximately $18.
High grade (NM/9.8): A certified (CGC) 9.8 copy sold for $504 in a May 2022 auction and a separate certified 9.8 sold for $924 on a buy-it-now platform.
Key details of Superman #281
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication date: November 1974
Story: "Mystery Mission to Metropolis!"
Key feature: First appearance of Vartox, a hero from a parallel universe whose backstory is a homage to the Flash Gordon character Flash.
"Mystery Mission to Metropolis!" is the title of a comic book story from Superman Vol. 1, #281, published in 1974. The plot introduces the alien hero Vartox, whose wife is doomed when her "psychic twin" is murdered in Metropolis. Vartox then comes to Earth seeking justice, believing Superman is a hindrance to his own unique brand of investigation.
The premise:
On the distant planet of Valeron, the powerful champion Vartox is left heartbroken when his wife, Syreena, falls into a coma. Vartox, who has telepathic abilities, learns from her dying thoughts that her life-force is linked to her "psychic twin"—a human woman living in Metropolis. As the psychic twin's health fails, so does Syreena's. The connection is severed completely when the twin is murdered in Metropolis, sending Syreena's life energy into a fatal decline.
Vartox, consumed with grief, travels to Earth to find the killer and restore his wife's health. He is a cosmic powerhouse with abilities similar to Superman's and holds a profound grudge against the person responsible for his wife's fate.
Vartox's arrival:
Landing in Metropolis, Vartox begins his investigation. His powerful alien methods, however, create a stir and bring him into conflict with Superman. Vartox's unfamiliarity with Earth's justice system and his single-minded pursuit of revenge cause him to clash with the Man of Steel, who is attempting to protect the city. To Superman, Vartox is an unknown threat, a loose cannon whose actions endanger innocent people, even if his motives are sympathetic.
The twist:
The plot reaches a climax as Vartox finally identifies the target of his mission. The murderer of the psychic twin is not a common crook, but a criminal named Frank Sykes. Vartox corners Sykes and prepares to use his alien powers to force a confession and bring him to justice on Valeron.
This is where the story's dramatic twist is revealed: The murder was an accident. Sykes had not intended to kill the woman, and he had no knowledge of her cosmic connection to Vartox's wife. This crucial information completely changes the dynamic of the "mystery mission."
Conclusion:
With the truth revealed, Superman and Vartox must find a way to deal with the situation. Vartox, realizing that his wife's suffering was the result of a random act of violence rather than an intentional evil, is forced to confront his own grief and reckless actions. Superman, in turn, helps Vartox come to terms with the reality of the tragedy. The resolution is not a simple victory but an emotional turning point for Vartox, who must now find a new path for himself and accept the loss of his wife.