Superman #1

Editorial notes:
Having dedicated two earlier entries in 2011 to Superman, in November 2015 Shai returns to writing about superheroes. In a month of flurried activity between mid-November and mid-December 2014, Shai writes 13 posts, dedicated to reviewing Superman, Hawkman, Aquaman and Flash.
The post below is one of a number of entries in Shai’s Evernote journals, where he attempts to summarise the famous “Superman: The Man of Steel” series.

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol. 1^[I]

• • Man of Steel #1
    • Origin story (Krypton birth, fusing elements inside the planet are producing poisonous krypton and leading to planet explosion, a child sent in matrix birthing chamber to Earth, Krypton is a logical-passionless society except Jor-El has learned of love from observing Earth).
  • Man of Steel #2
    • Origin story (Smallville, Pa Kent tells of Clark’s discovery in a pod, his accumulation of powers, and Clark decides he must leave for Metropolis)
  • Man of Steel #3 One Night in Gotham City
    • S and B get off to a tricky start as S tries to arrest B (who is at his outlaw stage apparently), but find common ground as they chase the Gotham villain Magpie. Note that S realizes that G is a far darker city than is Metropolis; B threatens to blow someone up if attacked by S, end reveal is that the bomb was on B himself. Also note, this is the first post-Crisis meeting between the two.
  • Man of Steel #4 Enemy of Mine
    • Lex allows terrorists onto his boat so that he may observe S, who (refuses a paycheck) and eventually arrests L (who is soon lawyered and free) and who threatens S.
  • Man of Steel #5 The Mirror, Crack’d
    • Lexcorp creates a clone from Superman’s DNA that wreaks havoc but ultimately disintegrates, but in the process at least cures Lois’ sister Lucy from her new blindness. The unnamed villain is apparently Bizarro.
  • Man of Steel #6 The Haunting
    • Revisits Smallville, discovers the hurt he caused Lana Lang, and that his spacecraft is missing.

Superman: The Man of Steel Vol.2

• • Superman #1 Heart of Stone
    • Metallo origin story (an alien-phobic scientist who has been tracking S finds a car crash victim and recreates him as a cyborg fuelled first by Ur and then by Kr and ordering him to kill S, although M kills his creator first); Luthor steals Metallo.
  • Action Comics #584 Squatter
    • Ft. Teen Titans; S has his mind swapped with/by a disabled bitter scientist
  • Superman #2 The Secret Revealed
    • Lana Lang, Ma Kent scrapbook stolen as Luthor investigates Kent and S, disbelieving computer result (since S would never stoop to acting as a mere man), and Luthor removes Metallo’s heart and makes himself a Kr ring.
  • Adventures of Superman #424 Man o’ War
    • First ft. Cat Grant as new reporter at Daily Planet; Ft. Prof. Hamilton as a neglected scientist who has invented a forcefield; Ft. League of Freedom from Quraci who are attacking Metropolis with robots ostensibly in response to American foreign policy and aggression; Lane’s mother is dying from a lab accident, and Luthor provides a monthly-dose cure but was secretly responsible, wanting power over Lois. 
    • This was the first ft. of Hamilton in New Earth.
  • Adventures of Superman #425 Going the Gauntlet
    • Prof Hamilton wants to save his technology from Lexcorp et al. (cont. AoS#424), and to prove it uses it to interfere with S as he battles the Qurac’s machines (we don’t yet learn their backstory beyond anti-American and anti-Luthor sentiment). Ignored once again, H takes a hostage and forces S to walk a weaponized path (gauntlet) within his shield, and then tries to kill himself but is defeated on both accounts. The whole thing was (secretly) for Luthor a useful test, since he has acquired the technology for himself.
  • Action Comics #585 And Graves Give Up Their Dead
    • Ft. Phantom Stranger who witnesses S deal with Arathaza, and then sends S to deal with a giant earth creature composed of dead evil souls wishing life again and empowered by a jewel left over by Arazatha.
    • Seems that Sherabite stone was what turned an ordinary woman into Arathaza, and which contained evil souls, who consequentially tried to release themselves into the world to take revenge upon a world which they blamed for their own suffering.
    • Insofar as there may be a logic to PS’s behaviour, it may have to do with testing S and the events in the next item in this volume.
  • Superman #3 Legends from the Darkside
    • Nb. this takes place within the Legends story arc, between #4/5.
    • S is kidnapped by Omega beam to Apokolips, but manages to pretend to be Kent until he escapes, but is forced to battle a security Pacifier in the protection of a rebel woman, and in the process falls down a fire pit.
    • Btw, Apokolips origin story (with New Genesis, via Ragnarok).
  • Adventures of Superman #426 From the Dregs
    • Amazing Grace (sister of Glorious Godfrey and sharing in his mind-coercing ability) gets S to first lead a rebellion by the downtrodden hunger-dogs, and then betray them; S believing that he is Darkseid’s son (nb. actually Orion is).
  • Action Comics #586 The Champion
    • New Genesis’s Highfather sends Orion and Lightray to deal with S, and they manage to restore his memory (except for his betrayal which is considered too dark for a champion) whereupon S fights Darkseid until D sends S back to Earth.
    • Nb. following this belong Legends #5/6

Legends arc:

1. Batman #401 – Following S#3, catches up with Magpie. Nb. G. Gordon Godfrey is spouting his anti-superhero tirade.
2. Detective Comics #568 – Penguin steals some genetically modified falcons, and GGG continues.
3. Legends #1 – Darkseid on Apokolips sends Godfrey and Doctor Bedlam to subdue the heroes of Earth, who send techno seeds that hit the STAR labs and turn into Brimstone, and Firestorm responds. Meanwhile, Wally is dealing with Deadshot, returns to the Titan Tower, and talks to Changeling about his guilt over the death of the former Flash and mentor Barry Allen, and GGG is on TV being interviewed by Billy Batson. Macro-man is attacking that building, so Billy turns into Captain Marvel to respond and destroys him. Elsehwere, there are plans to form up Task Force X. Meanwhile Cosmic Boy from the 30th century is time-visiting, and tries to take on Brimstone, and is soon joined by a JLA made up of Elongated Man, Gypsy, Martian Manhunter, Steel, Vibe, and Vixen.
4. Green Lantern Corps v1 #207 – The GLC are on Earth, where they are met by an out of control Guy Gardener who they try to support, although eventually Hal pleas for Guy’s freedom (after urging by an ex of both GL’s – psychic Kari Limbo).
5. Legends #2 – Darkseid is happy at Marvel‘s discontent while Phantom Stranger observes, and Bedlam was controlling Macro-man and is in shock needing Granny Goodness’s help (nb. Apokolips); JLA fights Brimstone, esp. Martian Manhunter and Vibe; Rick Flag gets Deadshot out of prison for Task Force X; Batman and Robin subdue thieves and are attacked by inflamed crowd; similarly Blue Beetle (taking down drug dealer) and Guy Gardener (saving plane on fire); Cosmic Boy awakens in Titan Tower; President Regan tells Superman that superheroes must stop activities; Robin discovered unconscious (from mob).
6. Cosmic Boy #1 – Something’s wrong with history. After being knocked out by Brimstone, Cosmic Boy is met by Superman who doesn’t recognize him despite their shared history (via Superboy). He is joined by his girl friend Lydda (aka Night Girl), and discover many other changes to history, which is less advanced than it should be. Nb. NG origin story (from planet Kathoon, asked father to engineer her super powers so she could join her crush and the Legion).
7. JLA v1 #258. After being knocked back by Brimstone, and per the president’s order decide to disband. [Martian Manhunter, Elongated Man, Gypsy, Vixen, Vibe, Steel]. Ivo sends his creations after them, to revenge the JLA elders (who’d apparently disbanded, preferring the younger members to take over), and it kills Vibe.
8. Secret Origins v2 #10. Four origin stories told for Phantom Stranger: The Wandering Jew; a righteous man that killed himself rather than leave a city being destroyed by God; a future being that prevents the destruction of the beginning of time and thus relives it all; an echo of a half-fallen angel which thus sympathizes with those like him.
9. The Fury of Firestorm #55. He/they fail against Brimstone, and then when return to campus are attacked by a GGG mob.
10. Legends  #3 – Mostly a recap of #1-2; Task Force X are sent on a suicide mission to/and defeat Brimstone (Blockbuster dies); also Robin recuperating (nb. Jason Todd), Teen Titan Tower under watch, Superman accepting Regan’s decision, and Darkseid and Phantom Stranger recapping.
11. Cosmic Boy #2. Investigate space agency to work out why man isn’t going into space (history is being changed), where he and Night Girl face an anti-space/hero riot.
12. JLA v1 #259. Another Ivo robot goes after Gypsy, but it decides finally to trick its master and not kill her. Meanwhile, Manhunter begins his investigation.
13. The Fury of Firestorm #56. Firestorm is safe, but the professor doesn’t want to become it again, but does in the face of a GGG incited riot. They decide to get to know each other better. The Hawk is in this too, saving Firestorm at first, but not a fan.
14. Blue Beetle v1 #9. He goes into retreat following current events, but is provoked back into uniform when Chronos attacks.
15. Legends  #3 – Mostly a recap of #1-2; Task Force X are sent on a suicide mission to/and defeat Brimstone (Blockbuster dies); also Robin recuperating (nb. Jason Todd), Teen Titan Tower under watch, Superman accepting Regan’s decision, and Darkseid and Phantom Stranger recapping.
16. The Warlord #114. [Didn’t read]
17. Cosmic Boy #3. Struggle to get their time machine working, and end up at the end of time, to discover the Time Trapper is involved.
18. JLA v1 #260. Steel is killed.
19. Legends #4 – Task Force X are relieved and freed, various superheroes (incl. Batman, Blue Beetle, GL Guy, Changling and Flash from Titans) continue to deal with criminals who now feel free to go wild, Doctor Fate is awakened (via helmet), GGG continues to become even more extreme, and Darkseid sends metallic war hounds to Earth.
20. Not read Blue Beetle #10
21. Not read Warlord #115.
22. Superman #3 
23. Adventures of Superman #426
24. Action Comics #586
25. Legends #5 – Doctor Fate collects the heroes.
26. Cosmic Boy #4. They escape the Trapper, and return to their own time. The final scene shows that the Time Trapper has Superboy (and Krypto) (i.e. who don’t exist in time anymore).
27. JLA v1 #261. Vixen and Manhunter defeat Ivo and his drones; Vixen retires.
28. Legends #6 – Basically heroes fight Darkseid’s sent minions, overcome GG, and agree to (re) form the JLA.
29. Secret Origins v2 #14. For the Suicide Squad. Tells their history beginning with WWII, until the present re-creation in response to Brimstone.

Superman The Man of Steel volume #3

• Superman #4 – (Origin story for) Bloodsport (who can transport to himself any weapon) created by Luthor although he regrets and helps S subdue him after B goes on a killing rampage. Has some great scenes and is quite dark.
• Adventures of Superman #427 – S confronts Qurac for its terrorist activities (incl. sending robots to Metropolis), there some strange creatures/people try to control his mind to see if he is “with them” (members of some “Circle”).
• Adventures of Superman #428 Personal Best – S destroys some of Qurac army, then returns home, where Perry White has his child kidnapped so that he will withdraw a story about some mobster, he ultimately doesn’t do so and even though S saves the child who is returned alive but angry at dad.
• Action Comics #587 Cityscape – S is sent back in time by Etrigan (to meet up with his old self) to deal with an artefact (found in an antique store) of Morgaine Le Fey that is recreating her city in the present.
• Superman #5 The Mummy Strikes – Great opening scene with S dreaming of dealing with Darkseid’s hellhounds (cf. Legends arc) with Wonder Woman and then slowly moving to kiss her…
• Superman #6 The Last Five Hundred – Lois at an archeological site that has uncovered an incredibly ancient and advanced civilization, and awakens a robotic creature that contains 500 minds ready to move into human hosts and take over the world.
• Adventures of Superman #429 Old Ties – S follows up Cat Grant’s grievances (incl. wish to see her son) with her ex of whom it has been claimed criminal associations, at which time he is attacked by the Circle (cf. Aos#427).
• Nb. Hawkman goes here.
• Action Comics #588 – S and the H&H travel into space (in D’s ship) to intercept the invasion fleet. They use “Overlord” to send the entire fleet millions of years of travel away. (Cont in H#11) But S is unconscious and the H ship is hurtling into the sun.
• Action Comics #589 – The GL pick up S, and return with him to Earth to fend off a giant bacterial/earth creature left over from AC#585 the evil souls he had to fight with Phantom Stranger and which he’d sent off to space. They sterilize it, and make it a planet for sentient worms whose own planet was destroyed.

Superman The Man of Steel (TBP) volume 4:

• Superman #7 – A bio-energy plant blows up producing Rampage whom S must subdue (thence returning her to normal, viz. Kitty Faulkner researcher).
• Adventures of Superman #430 – S realizes that he is losing his CK identity since S is in so much demand, including having to deal with the Fearsome Five and missing his parents anniversary, but a father talk helps him reassert his humanity. Nice, darkish issue.
• Action Comics #590 Better dying through chemistry. CK falls into a chemical vat, creating Chemo with similar powers, which is subdued by S and the Metal Men, although Tin is left in pieces.
• Legion of Superheroes #37 A Twist in Time. The LoS attempt to reach the Time Trapper again, but instead arrive in Smallville Superboy era (despite Sb not appearing in history any more), and for reasons relating to saving the world, Sb attempts to put the entire LoS into stasis.
  • Nb. post-Crisis Sb (from Earth-prime) was removed from the timeline, ostensibly into some sort of bubble. This and the next 3x listed have been called “Future Shock”, and a means of tidying up some loose Crisis threads.
• Superman #8 Future Shock. The remaining LoS explain to S what the situation is, until Sb finds them and uses a stasis-ray.
• Action Comics #591 Past Imperfect. Explained how TT created a pocket universe within which Sb exists. Sb and S fight, until Sb explains why he did it, and the recovered LoS make plans to find the TT whilst S returns to 1986 (nb. a universe in which Sb never existed).
• Legion of Superheroes #38 The Greatest Hero of them All. Explained that Sb once arrived at his own time to find that everything was being eaten by anti-matter, and the TT made a deal to save him if later on, he will capture the LoS for him. The LoS attack TT, and free the remaining LoS, but TT unleashes a wave of destruction on Earth/S’ville. Sb sacrifices his life to get the LoS back into their own 30th C. time. 
• Adventures of Superman #431 They Call Him Doctor Stratos. The delusional Dr S (believing himself a god) uses a machine to control global weather, is defeated by S, but is hit by his own particle beam and turned into some sort of powerful creature.

Superman The Man of Steel (TBP) volume 5:

• Superman #9 To Laugh and Die in Metropolis. The Joker starts with a S-robot robbery, and then kidnaps S’s friends, but S finds them all and sends J to prison.
• Adventures of Superman #432 Gang War Pt.1: From the Streets to the Streets. Lexcorp is taking gang members and training them into a military force, Jerry White is one of these. A Mr Delgado is hospitalized by them.
• Action Comics #592 A Walk on the Darkside. S’s investigation takes him to Suicide Slum, in the sewers he comes across (an Apokolips exile) Sleez, and Big Barda, Sleez has taken her Mega-rod, and her and S are captured.
• Action Comics #593 The Suicide Snare. (Himon, Scott [2nd Miracle Man], Big Barda, Darkseid, Oberon, 1st Miracle Man). Ends with S free, and Sleez seemingly dead.
• Superman #10 The Super-Menace of Metropolis. (Klaash, Lex, Maggie Sawyer) S’s powers are going out of control due to a Lexcorp satellite, and he takes down the robotic Klaash; Maggie is investigating it all too.
• Adventures of Superman #433 A Tragedy in Five Acts. Jerry White is in a gang, Lexcorp is using gang members for its “Synapse project” to heighten abilities, and Delgado continues to try and expose it.
• Superman #11 The Name Game. First ft of Mxyzptlk.
• Adventures of Superman #434 Shambles. Delgado becomes Gangbuster.
• Adventures of Superman #435. The Circle (first met in Qurac), interfere with S’s mind, and eventually admit that S is not their prophesied saviour yet S mentally helps them get off the planet.