The Superman/Madman Hullabaloo! # 1 1997 VF/NM

The Superman/Madman Hullabaloo! #1 (June 1997) is the premiere issue of a whimsical, three-issue intercompany crossover miniseries co-published by DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics. The entire series was written, illustrated, and cover-styled by independent pop-art icon Mike Allred, with colors handled by Laura Allred and Matt Hollingsworth.

The Core Plot: A Multi-Dimensional Amalgam

• The Incident: In Metropolis, Superman tests an atmospheric disturbance using a high-tech robotic arm under the guidance of Professor Hamilton. Simultaneously in Snap City, the bizarre indie hero Madman (Frank Einstein) tests an experimental time rocket with Dr. Gillespie Flem.
• The Mix-Up: The two experiments cross paths in the dimensional plane at the exact same millisecond. Instead of simply switching places, they switch body parts, costumes, and minds, scattering Superman’s godlike power base across eight different individuals across both universes.
• Superman's Fate: Superman’s brain ends up inside a physical hybrid body trapped in Madman's reality. He crashes Dr. Flem's rocket, bleeds for the first time in years, and is horrified to find his traditional invulnerability and flight capabilities severely diminished.
• Madman's Fate: Madman’s eccentric brain wakes up in a hybrid body in Metropolis. He crashes directly into the pavement but walks away completely unharmed, quickly becoming ecstatic as he discovers he accidentally inherited Superman's immense physical powers.
• Visual Logo Easter Egg: In a subtle design choice by Mike Allred, the character logos merge. The hybrid character in Madman's world wears the classic "S" shield but it is shaped like Madman's lightning-bolt exclamation point; conversely, the hybrid in Metropolis wears the standard geometric shield containing Madman's lightning bolt.

The Main Antagonist

The entire chaotic scenario is eventually revealed to be a reality-warping prank orchestrated by Superman’s long-standing extra-dimensional pest, Mister Mxyzptlk.

Production Style

The issue is highly celebrated for blending the gritty, cosmic, Jack Kirby-inspired pop art style of Mike Allred with mainstream DC iconography. It contrasts the traditional, stoic tone of Metropolis with the colorful, surreal, beatnik-influenced tone of Madman’s hometown, Snap City.