This is "Just Like the Time Before," a feature where I examine instances from comic book history where comic book creators did early versions of later, notable comic book characters and plot ideas. Essentially, the "test runs" for later, more famous characters and stories.

This week's suggestion was submitted by reader Ola H.

Mon-El, as many people now know from his time on the Supergirl TV series, is from the planet Daxam. However, his first appearance in 1961's Superboy #89 (by Robert Bernstein and George Papp) revealed that information in a circuitous route. He arrived on Earth in a rocket ship similar to the one that Superboy traveled in when he arrived on Earth as a baby. When Superboy takes him out of the wreckage, he is shocked to note that the stranger that he just saved has a costume that has the same basic color scheme of Superboy's costume. He is shocked further, however, when he finds a note on the stranger's person that is from Superboy's own parents, Jor-El and Lara!

Once Superboy established that this stranger from another world has the same powers as him, he understandably assumes that he is Superboy's long-lost older brother, stuck in suspended animation for years.

So Superboy brings the stranger to Ma and Pa Kent and they effectively adopt him. I like the idea that they would automatically adopt him. I mean, they're good people, but it's still a SLIGHT leap there for Clark, no? Anyhow, they come up with new names for him, as he has amnesia and cannot remember his own name. In one of the most adorable things ever, they decide to name him Mon-El because he arrived on a Monday. Come on, that's too damn adorable!

My buddy Keith Alan Morgan, by the way, wrote to note that the name is almost certainly referencing the durable nickel/copper alloy, Monel...

It used to be advertised as "stronger than steel," so it would tie in well to a character meant to be Superboy's big brother. Thanks, Keith!

Anyhow, this comic book took place in the Silver Age. The Silver Age, especially Superman titles in the Silver Age, are based on the notion that no one trusts anyone and if you give someone the slightest reason to doubt you, they will assume the absolute worst of you. Mon-El's belt is made out of a metal that is not native to Krypton and he doesn't react to Kryptonite, so Superboy automatically assumes that he is a villain. What's weird is that the CAPTION BOX calls him "cunning."

What the heck, caption box? You're not supposed to get things wrong like that! You're supposed to play fair.

Anyhow, Clark keeps getting madder and madder, especially when his big bro seems to hit on Lana Lang...

So Superboy did what all Silver Age heroes when they even slightly suspect someone of wrongdoing, they set a deadly trap for them! So Superboy seemingly expose himself and Mon-El to Kryptonite but when Mon-El reacts to it, Superboy tries to call him out, only to learn that the meteors ARE deadly!

Superbody doesn't actually get Mon-El out of there for a thousand years. Which is kind of nuts, right? "Oops, sorry I poisoned you. Don't worry, I'll put you into the prison we keep the worst prisoners. You should only be there for a thousand years or so."

Mon-El was freed by the Legion of the Super-Heroes in the future and he became a famous member of the Legion, although his continuity got weird there for a while when Superboy was erased from continuity.

Okay, so that's Mon-El. However, eight years earlier...there was Halk Kar!

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In 1953's Superman #80 (by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, the same team who invented Supergirl), Superman discovers a rocket with a stranger in it..

Convinced that this Halk Kar is his older brother, Superman uses his abilities to boost Halk's lesser powers (why it didn't cross Superman's mind that it didn't make sense for Halk Kar to have lesser abilities is beyond me)...

This, though, just makes Halk Kar an insufferable jerk and he tries to hit on Lois Lane, to boot!

Halk's showboating gets him captured and Superman is about to give up being a superhero to save his brother when Halk atones for his earlier poor behavior by not allowing his younger brother to give up his career for him...

So yep, they're not brothers...

Isn't that amazing to see the story just re-used like that? Halk Kar should show up in the comics again!

Thanks to Ola H. for the suggestion! Okay, folks, you MUST have some suggestions for other characters and/or plots that fit into this theme! So drop me a line at brianc@cbr.com for future installments!