Publication history
Following a tryout in Showcase,[5] DC decided to give Lois Lane her own ongoing series.[6] The comic series focus on Lois' solo adventures, and sometimes with stories centered on Lois' romantic interest in Superman and her attempts to maneuver him into marriage, only to fail due to a comic plot twist. In the early 1960s, Lana Lang made regular guest appearances, generally as Lois' romantic rival. Artist Kurt Schaffenberger drew most of the stories for the first 81 issues of the series, missing only issue #29.[7][8] Schaffenberger's rendition of Lois Lane became cited by many[9][10] as the "definitive" version of the character. Singer Pat Boone appeared in issue #9 (May 1959) before starring in his own comic book series.[11] "The Monkey's Paw", a story from issue #42 (July 1963), featured a one-panel appearance, with his costume miscolored, by the defunct Fawcett Comics' Captain Marvel, who was not yet a DC character. The letters page of #113 (October 1971) described it as "strictly a private joke" on the part of former Captain Marvel artist Schaffenberger. The story was reprinted in #104 (October 1970) with the costume coloring corrected.[12] The Catwoman made her first Silver Age appearance in #70 (November 1966).[13] In issue #80 (January 1968), Lois' fashions were updated to a more contemporary look.[14][15]
By the 1970s, the stories began to reflect growing social awareness: Lois became less fixated on romance and more on current issues. In the controversial story "I Am Curious (Black)!" in #106 (November 1970),[16] Lois uses a machine that allows her to experience racism firsthand as an African American woman.[17] The series saw the debut of the Silver Age heroine "Rose & The Thorn" in a backup feature that ran from #105 (October 1970)[18][19] through #130 (April 1973). Editor E. Nelson Bridwell had several characters and plot concepts from Jack Kirby's "Fourth World" appear in issues #111–119 (July 1971 – February 1972).[20] Lois' sister, Lucy Lane, was believed to have died in issue #120 (March 1972) but the character was later revived.[21]
In 1974, the title ended, as Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen had earlier that year. Both would be merged into The Superman Family, which chronologically continued from the elder title, premiering with issue #164 (April–May 1974).[22] The release of the last issue of Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane was delayed for several months due to a nationwide paper shortage.[23]
