Jun 1, 1942 CE
First Appearance in Action Comics #51
Oswald Loomis, a former children's TV show host, debuts as the Prankster, using trick gadgets to commit crimes. He becomes a recurring Superman villain. #comics #DCComics )
Chronological Storyline (44 Milestones)
Jul 1, 1942 CE
Second Appearance in Action Comics #52
The Prankster returns, attempting to sabotage a charity event. Superman foils his scheme, but Prankster escapes. #superman #prankster )
Feb 1, 1943 CE
Prankster's Third Caper in Action Comics #55
Loomis uses a giant whoopee cushion to cause chaos. Superman captures him, but he is later released on parole. #comics #silverage )
Apr 1, 1947 CE
Prankster in World's Finest Comics #28
The Prankster teams up with other villains for a multi-pronged attack on Metropolis. #superman #teamup )
Sep 1, 1950 CE
Golden Age Finale in Action Comics #128
The Prankster's last Golden Age appearance; he exploits a child's trust to steal a prototype toy. Superman stops him and ensures he faces justice. #goldenage #comics )
May 1, 1960 CE
Silver Age Revival in Action Comics #278
The Prankster is reintroduced with updated gadgets, including a joy buzzer that delivers electric shocks. He kidnaps a TV personality to host his own show. #silverage #revival )
Oct 1, 1962 CE
Prankster's Revenge in Action Comics #300
After a prison break, the Prankster uses a fake kryptonite to threaten Superman. The Man of Steel sees through the ruse and recaptures him. #superman #kryptonite )
Mar 1, 1965 CE
Prankster vs. Superman in Superman #172
The Prankster creates a series of dangerous pranks across Metropolis, including a collapsing building illusion. Superman must protect civilians while tracking him down. #superman #pranks )
Jul 1, 1968 CE
Team-Up with Toyman in Action Comics #362
The Prankster teams up with the Toyman for a crime spree using deadly toys. Superman defeats both with the help of the police. #villainteamup #superman )
Nov 1, 1971 CE
Prankster in Superman #238
The Prankster steals a device that duplicates laughter, forcing Superman to laugh uncontrollably. He is stopped by Lois Lane's quick thinking. #comics #bronzeage )
Aug 1, 1974 CE
Prankster's Last Bronze Age Appearance in Superman #268
The Prankster attempts to replace a statue with a giant whoopee cushion. Superman subdue him and he is sent to prison. #bronzeage #superman )
Dec 1, 1982 CE
Prankster Returns in DC Comics Presents #55
The Prankster resurfaces with a new gimmick: a joy buzzer that causes amnesia. He targets Superman but is outsmarted. #comics #postcrisis )
Mar 1, 1987 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 2) #1
In the post-Crisis continuity, the Prankster is reimagined as a failed comedian who uses gadgets. He briefly appears as a minor nuisance. #postcrisis #reboot )
Jun 1, 1988 CE
Prankster in Action Comics Annual #2
The Prankster attempts a bank heist with a giant pie gun. Superman easily captures him. #comics #annual )
Sep 1, 1991 CE
Prankster's Return in Superman #60
During a prison break, the Prankster escapes and resumes his career of prank crimes. He is soon recaptured by Superman. #superman #prisonbreak )
Jan 1, 1993 CE
Prankster in The Adventures of Superman #500
The Prankster is among many villains mourning the death of Superman (during the Death of Superman storyline). He later attacks a funeral. #deathofsuperman #crossover )
May 1, 1994 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #703
The Prankster uses a 'laughing gas' to rob a museum. Superman, now with new powers, subdues him. #superman #rebirth )
Aug 1, 1997 CE
Prankster in Superman: The Man of Steel #66
The Prankster is hired by Lex Luthor to distract Superman during a Luthor scheme. He fails. #lexluthor #villain )
Jul 1, 1999 CE
Prankster in Superman #157
After a decade, the Prankster reappears with a revamped costume and high-tech gadgets. He attempts to take over a TV station. #modernage #superman )
Mar 1, 2000 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #761
The Prankster joins a group of minor villains in a breakout. He is defeated by Superman and the police. #villainteamup #actioncomics )
Jan 1, 2002 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 2) #180
The Prankster attempts to use a mind-control joy buzzer. Superman resists and captures him. #superman #mindcontrol )
Sep 1, 2003 CE
Prankster in Adventures of Superman #626
The Prankster hosts a deadly game show where contestants must survive his traps. Superman ends the broadcast. #gameshow #deadly )
Jun 1, 2005 CE
Prankster in Superman #210
The Prankster uses a parody of a popular children's show to lure children. Superman saves them and disassembles his gadgets. #superman #children )
Mar 1, 2006 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #840
During the Infinite Crisis aftermath, the Prankster is one of many villains targeted by the new villainous group. #infinitecrisis #crossover )
Aug 1, 2007 CE
Prankster in Superman #670
The Prankster appears in a trap-laden hideout. Superman enlists the help of a young boy to outsmart him. #superman #teamwork )
Jan 1, 2008 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #860
The Prankster steals a device that can project illusions. Superman sees through them and captures him. #illusions #superman )
Dec 1, 2009 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 2) #693
The Prankster is part of a new supervillain gang in Metropolis. He is defeated by Superman and the Guardian. #gang #superman )
Jun 1, 2010 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #890
The Prankster tries to rig a reality TV show with deadly pranks. Superman stops the broadcast and saves the contestants. #realityTV #superman )
Sep 1, 2011 CE
Prankster in The New 52: Action Comics #1
In the New 52 relaunch, the Prankster is reimagined as a younger, more dangerous criminal. He appears briefly in a line-up of villains. #new52 #reboot )
May 1, 2012 CE
Prankster in Action Comics (vol. 2) #10
The Prankster uses a series of exploding props to rob a bank. Superman intercepts him and sends him to prison. #new52 #actioncomics )
Aug 1, 2013 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 3) #21
The Prankster joins the 'Superdoom' storyline as a minor villain. He is quickly dispatched. #superdoom #crossover )
Feb 1, 2014 CE
Prankster in Action Comics (vol. 2) #28
The Prankster attempts to use a toxin that makes people laugh uncontrollably. Superman develops a temporary immunity. #toxin #laughter )
Nov 1, 2015 CE
Prankster in Superman: Lois and Clark #2
The Prankster targets Lois Lane as revenge. Clark Kent, now Superman in secret, stops him. #loislane #superman )
Jul 1, 2016 CE
Prankster in DC Rebirth: Action Comics #961
With DC Rebirth, the Prankster returns to a pre-New 52 inspired design. He uses a giant spring to escape and causes chaos. #rebirth #superman )
Apr 1, 2017 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 4) #22
The Prankster joins the 'Imperius Lex' storyline, serving as a distraction for Lex Luthor. #imperiuslex #villainteamup )
Jan 1, 2018 CE
Prankster in Action Comics (vol. 1) #1001
The Prankster attempts to take over a children's TV station. Superman stops him with the help of the new Superman, Jon Kent. #jonkent #superman )
Nov 1, 2019 CE
Prankster in Superman: Year One #4
In an alternate origin, the Prankster is one of Superman's early foes. He uses a trick kryptonite ring. #alternateuniverse #yearone )
2020 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #1026
The Prankster uses a social media platform to incite pranks competition. Superman tracks him down and shuts it down. #socialmedia #superman )
2021 CE
Prankster in Superman: Red & Blue #4
In an anthology story, the Prankster's prank backfires, trapping him. Superman saves him after he redeems himself momentarily. #redandblue #redemption )
Jun 1, 2022 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #1046
The Prankster is recruited by the new 'Joker' to create chaos in Metropolis. Superman defeats both. #joker #teamup )
Jan 1, 2023 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 4) #6
After a prison escape, the Prankster plans the ultimate prank: replacing Superman's cape with a joy buzzer. He fails. #prisonbreak #superman )
Jul 1, 2024 CE
Prankster in Action Comics #1070
The Prankster's latest scheme involves a fake Supergirl, but the real Supergirl exposes him. #supergirl #imposter )
Mar 1, 2025 CE
Prankster in Superman (vol. 4) #12
The Prankster attempts to use a device that makes people believe his pranks are real. Superman's willpower overcomes it. #illusion #willpower )
Sep 1, 2025 CE
Prankster's 83rd Anniversary Special
DC Comics releases a one-shot special highlighting the Prankster's greatest pranks and defeats. #anniversary #comics )