Editorial notes:
In November 2014, Shai opens his sixth blog dedicated to Superman. While only two posts ever got written in this blog, and only one published, Shai writes extensively about this and other superheroes, altogether dedicating 15 essays and articles to these comic book characters.
This post was found in ‘Draft’ mode in the original blog and may be incomplete. It is published here in its original state. It was last updated on 20/11/2014
It was 1986 when Superman made his debut in Metropolis, where he almost immediately became the enemy of Lex Luthor. The offence was mutual, prompted on one side by Superman’s refusal to be bought, and on the other by Luthor’s obvious apathetic willingness to step on human lives to get what he wants.
Luthor’s obvious hatred for Superman took various violent shapes, including a corrupt clone (Bizzaro), attacks on his Smallville friends and family, and acquisition of kryptonite. Qua exploiter of that country, Lexcorp might also be attributed some blame for Quraci attacks on Metropolis, (also: the intervention of Professor Hamilton), and Superman’s decision to directly intervene in that country’s military.
On top of this, was the Legends event: a planned destruction of superhero adoration (to be replaced with their humiliation) on Earth, master-minded by Darkseid of Apokolips:
- Darkseid and Phantom Stranger wager on the terms of victory.
- G. Gorden Godfrey is sent to Earth to manipulate the minds and hearts of the masses, and succeed in forcing the president to outlaw superheroes.
- Earth is attacked by Macro-man and Brimstone.
- Superhero’s attacked, including Firestorm, Blue Beetle, Batman and Robin, Guy Gardner.
- Cosmic Boy investigates changes to history, and identifies role of Time Trapper.
- JLA fails to take down Brimstone, and then is further harassed by the automatons of Professor Ivo (Steel is killed), so that the JLA disbands, although is later reformed with the original “greats”.
- Task Force X (variant of Suicide Squad) is concerted, initially to take down Brimstone.
- Superman is transported to Apokolips, where he is mind-controlled to lead a false rebellion, but eventually teams up with New Genesis characters to subdue Darkseid.
Not everything had to do with Luthor and Darkseid, including: Superman meeting Batman, tackling Magpie together, and agreeing on a practical truce and possible mutual respect; subduing Arathuza, and then the earth-monster created by the corrupt souls, with the assistance of the Phantom Stranger (nb. this mass will later be made home for sentient worms, with the help of the Green Lantern Corp).
