A mysterious disease begins spreading through Metropolis, causing victims to fall into comas marked by eerie black energy. Superman investigates the strange plague and soon discovers that its source lies in an alien artifact linked to the enigmatic Black Lantern—not related to the later cosmic Lantern Corps, but an early one-shot villain whose power feeds on life-force energy. As Clark Kent balances his Daily Planet duties and his growing feelings for Lois Lane, Superman must prevent the infection from consuming the entire city. The issue combines mystery and science fiction with classic Bronze Age heroics.