January
Super Skeleton #37
Villain: Ladybird
Jonathan tries to make Super Skeleton feel normal for a day - by taking her out on a date, and calling her Mabel. They go to La Batte’s restaurant, but things go awry when Ladybird threatens to set off a doomsday device.
February
Super Skeleton #38
Villain: Loudmouth
Someone starts a rumour that Mabel and Jonathan are together, and the press descend on the house. Meanwhile, Jonathan’s sister Bella is in danger from a new enemy.
March
Super Skeleton #39
Villain: Babel
Super Skeleton must defeat a tough new enemy. Fortunately, Skull Boy and La Batte offer their help. Unfortunately, Babel’s powers mean they cannot understand each other’s speech.
April
Super Skeleton #40
Villains: Alien Dave and Demon Child
Jonathan and Mabel grow closer - and the daughter of Satan-Man offers Mabel a choice. She can restore her ability to become human - but only if Bella Best had never been born. Part 1 of 4.
May
Super Skeleton #41
Villains: The Human Apple and Pip-Lad, Toxic, Ladybird, Demon Child
In the toughest day of Super Skeleton’s life, she must take down old enemies. Jonathan comforts her when she returns - and Demon Child returns to remind her of the offer. Part 2 of 4.
June
Super Skeleton #42
Villains: Ladybird and Demon Child
When Ladybird attacks the local children’s library, Super Skeleton makes it her mission to unmask her most mysterious enemy. In a raging battle, she discovers that Ladybird is in fact Bella Best. As Super Skeleton struggles to process this information, Demon Child materialises a third time. Part 3 of 4.
July
Super Skeleton #43
Villains: Ladybird and Demon Child
Before a choice can be made, Ladybird reveals that her doomsday device is set to go off again. In a race against time, Ladybird helps Super Skeleton save the city - and Super Skeleton learns that Bella’s actions have been guided by Demon Child all along. Super Skeleton and Ladybird turn on Demon Child. Mabel loses her chance at humanity - but gains a new superhero partner. Part 4 of 4.
August
Super Skeleton #44
Villain: Monica Death
As Super Skeleton and Ladybird fight a new enemy, they must prevent Jonathan from finding out that Ladybird is in fact his sister.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #1
Villain: n/a
Mabel and Bella challenge the Flaming Five to an assault course challenge.
September
Super Skeleton #45
Villain: Toxic
A race against time as the city skies fill with poison. Part 1 of 2.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #2
Villain: Clock Girl
A race against time as Mabel and Bella battle a time-themed villain.
October
Super Skeleton #46
Villain: Toxic
As Super Skeleton fights Toxic, Ladybird prevents the poison from spreading - but must be saved by her own brother. How will Jonathan react to learning Ladybird’s identity? Part 2 of 2.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #3
Villain: Captain Fast
Super Skeleton and Ladybird are challenged to a race - with four lives at steak.
November
Super Skeleton #47
Villain: Hippo Rachel
Jonathan accompanies Super Skeleton and Ladybird on patrol, and becomes a bargaining chip in a deadly situation.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #4
Villain: The Dissector
Mabel and Bella babysit for La Batte.
December
Super Skeleton #48
Villains: The Frozen Emperors and Gregory Thought
Facing incredible odds, Super Skeleton and Ladybird team up with the Flaming Five. Gregory Thought discovers Ladybird’s identity by reading her mind, and Jonathan is kidnapped. The Frozen Emperors move to destroy the city. Part 1 of 2. The second part of this story appeared in the title Super Skeleton and Ladybird #5, causing some controversy at the time, as readers famously hated the art style in the latter comic. However, this move boosted sales, temporarily saving the book from cancellation.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #5
Villains: The Frozen Emperors and Gregory Thought
The Flaming Five put their plan into action - and huge responsibility falls on Ladybird’s shoulders. She must put her worries for her brother aside to take down the Frozen Emperors. Meanwhile, Super Skeleton faces Gregory Thought alone, and rescuse Jonathan - who’s injured, dying. Through the pain, he confesses his love for Mabel. They kiss - and Jonathan dies.
Super Skeleton #37
Villain: Ladybird
Jonathan tries to make Super Skeleton feel normal for a day - by taking her out on a date, and calling her Mabel. They go to La Batte’s restaurant, but things go awry when Ladybird threatens to set off a doomsday device.
February
Super Skeleton #38
Villain: Loudmouth
Someone starts a rumour that Mabel and Jonathan are together, and the press descend on the house. Meanwhile, Jonathan’s sister Bella is in danger from a new enemy.
March
Super Skeleton #39
Villain: Babel
Super Skeleton must defeat a tough new enemy. Fortunately, Skull Boy and La Batte offer their help. Unfortunately, Babel’s powers mean they cannot understand each other’s speech.
April
Super Skeleton #40
Villains: Alien Dave and Demon Child
Jonathan and Mabel grow closer - and the daughter of Satan-Man offers Mabel a choice. She can restore her ability to become human - but only if Bella Best had never been born. Part 1 of 4.
May
Super Skeleton #41
Villains: The Human Apple and Pip-Lad, Toxic, Ladybird, Demon Child
In the toughest day of Super Skeleton’s life, she must take down old enemies. Jonathan comforts her when she returns - and Demon Child returns to remind her of the offer. Part 2 of 4.
June
Super Skeleton #42
Villains: Ladybird and Demon Child
When Ladybird attacks the local children’s library, Super Skeleton makes it her mission to unmask her most mysterious enemy. In a raging battle, she discovers that Ladybird is in fact Bella Best. As Super Skeleton struggles to process this information, Demon Child materialises a third time. Part 3 of 4.
July
Super Skeleton #43
Villains: Ladybird and Demon Child
Before a choice can be made, Ladybird reveals that her doomsday device is set to go off again. In a race against time, Ladybird helps Super Skeleton save the city - and Super Skeleton learns that Bella’s actions have been guided by Demon Child all along. Super Skeleton and Ladybird turn on Demon Child. Mabel loses her chance at humanity - but gains a new superhero partner. Part 4 of 4.
August
Super Skeleton #44
Villain: Monica Death
As Super Skeleton and Ladybird fight a new enemy, they must prevent Jonathan from finding out that Ladybird is in fact his sister.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #1
Villain: n/a
Mabel and Bella challenge the Flaming Five to an assault course challenge.
September
Super Skeleton #45
Villain: Toxic
A race against time as the city skies fill with poison. Part 1 of 2.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #2
Villain: Clock Girl
A race against time as Mabel and Bella battle a time-themed villain.
October
Super Skeleton #46
Villain: Toxic
As Super Skeleton fights Toxic, Ladybird prevents the poison from spreading - but must be saved by her own brother. How will Jonathan react to learning Ladybird’s identity? Part 2 of 2.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #3
Villain: Captain Fast
Super Skeleton and Ladybird are challenged to a race - with four lives at steak.
November
Super Skeleton #47
Villain: Hippo Rachel
Jonathan accompanies Super Skeleton and Ladybird on patrol, and becomes a bargaining chip in a deadly situation.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #4
Villain: The Dissector
Mabel and Bella babysit for La Batte.
December
Super Skeleton #48
Villains: The Frozen Emperors and Gregory Thought
Facing incredible odds, Super Skeleton and Ladybird team up with the Flaming Five. Gregory Thought discovers Ladybird’s identity by reading her mind, and Jonathan is kidnapped. The Frozen Emperors move to destroy the city. Part 1 of 2. The second part of this story appeared in the title Super Skeleton and Ladybird #5, causing some controversy at the time, as readers famously hated the art style in the latter comic. However, this move boosted sales, temporarily saving the book from cancellation.
Super Skeleton and Ladybird #5
Villains: The Frozen Emperors and Gregory Thought
The Flaming Five put their plan into action - and huge responsibility falls on Ladybird’s shoulders. She must put her worries for her brother aside to take down the Frozen Emperors. Meanwhile, Super Skeleton faces Gregory Thought alone, and rescuse Jonathan - who’s injured, dying. Through the pain, he confesses his love for Mabel. They kiss - and Jonathan dies.
3 comments:
Oh gods, you have no idea how much more PseudoChristmas work you've just made for me. Seriously. Urgh.
Ah, Super Skeleton. I see she was already transitioned prior to becoming Super Skeleton, then? Since she's already Mabel by this point? In which case, my question is - when came the reveal of her as trans? And did the Comics Code Authority approve of it? Probably around the 80s, though, I suppose. Or 90s. The 60s were far too early for social justice on that scale.
There are two theories about the transgender status of Super Skeleton:
1) She was created to be transgendered, but editorial wouldn't allow this to be known until Englehart wrote for her in the late 70s.
2) She was created to be female, but the artist drew a male skeleton - unaware that the image he'd taken as his source material wasn't of a female skeleton. In the 80s, Alan Moore addressed this in his little-known run of a team book including Super Skeleton, a year or two before he wrote Watchmen.
I favour the first explanation, but I'm no expert.
I can't believe you killed off Jonathan!! This is really oddly compelling! I really like it. Funny how much basic character comes through in a few lines.
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