The Day of the Krypton Man
It's officially the 90's: Superman meets Lobo for the first time. Though Lobo first appeared in 1983, his path never crossed with the Last Son of Krypton in the pre-Crisis era. The Last Czarnian hasn't grown into his fan-favorite, hulking 90's appearance yet, so their first encounter feels a little dated. I was never sure if Lobo was really that popular in the 90's or if DC was just trying to make him happen like Wolverine. While he had his own series and guest-starred all over the DC universe, Lobo is best remembered for two major battles with the Man of Steel: this one and a re-match after Superman's resurrection. Their fight kicks off the 6-part story, The Day of the Krypton Man. Unlike today's trade paperback market where every issue gets collected later, only notable stories were reprinted in the 90's so it was a big deal when this one was collected as Superman: Eradication!
The Day of the Krypton Man part 1
Superman takes the Kryptonite the doctor used on him last issue to the Fortress of Solitude for safe keeping. Clark Kent goes to Smallville but forgets to get a present for Lana's birthday. Some shark-like aliens in a space bar make a bet with Lobo if he can kill Superman before Draaga gets to him, so the Last Czarnain heads to Earth to find the Last Kryptonian first. Arriving there, Lobo finds Superman's new pal, Bibbo. Meanwhile, Superman's old pal Jimmy Olsen tries to go back through the Wild Area to break into Cadmus to find answers about his missing father.
The Day of the Krypton Man part 2
Lobo takes Bibbo to the Fortress of Solitude, even though Bibbo didn't it was there and Lobo was able to find it on his own anyway. Bumping into Clark at a press conference, Lois invites him to come to her place for dinner but Clark turns her down. Clark has to abandon his editorial duties to handle the break-in at the Fortress, frustrating his boss Collin Thornton. Changing into Superman, Clark momentarily thinks he imagines seeing Kryptonian clothing under his street clothes instead of his Superman suit. At the Fortress, Lobo proves himself a match for the Man of Steel, almost defeating him by accident when he nearly stumbles upon the hidden Kryptonite. Superman fights Lobo using a Kryptonian battle suit and a holographic projection to make Lobo believe he's killed Superman. A drunk Lobo goes back to the space bar empty handed and doesn't win his bet. Meanwhile in Smallville, Ma and Pa Kent try to give Lana a birthday present on behalf of Clark to make her think he hadn't forgotten her, but she sees through it. And Draaga is delayed en route as the space cabbie's ship is hit by Maxima's vessel on its way to Earth.
The Day of the Krypton Man part 3
The real Maxima comes to Metropolis to get revenge on Sazu, her alien servant who decided Superman wasn't a suitable mate. Naturally, Superman tries to intervene but Maxima is more interested in making proposing marriage to the Man of Steel. Maxima gives Superman a psionic illusion of what their live together on Almerac could be like. Resisting Maxima's advances and her alternate reality, the Eradicator restores Superman's Kryptonian costume, and he now rejects her love and all emotions. As he's becoming an unfeeling Kryptonian, Maxima decides that maybe he is unworthy after all. Kal El continues to shift between Superman and Kryptonian appearance as he subdues Maxima, eventually taking her in to the authorities. But since they determine she's a head of state, the federal government decides to release her to avoid another alien invasion. At Newstime, Clark's staff is starting to mistrust their boss, as he's frequently absent and increasingly more detached.
Superman #41
The Day of the Krypton Man part 1Superman takes the Kryptonite the doctor used on him last issue to the Fortress of Solitude for safe keeping. Clark Kent goes to Smallville but forgets to get a present for Lana's birthday. Some shark-like aliens in a space bar make a bet with Lobo if he can kill Superman before Draaga gets to him, so the Last Czarnain heads to Earth to find the Last Kryptonian first. Arriving there, Lobo finds Superman's new pal, Bibbo. Meanwhile, Superman's old pal Jimmy Olsen tries to go back through the Wild Area to break into Cadmus to find answers about his missing father.
Adventures of Superman #464
The Day of the Krypton Man part 2Lobo takes Bibbo to the Fortress of Solitude, even though Bibbo didn't it was there and Lobo was able to find it on his own anyway. Bumping into Clark at a press conference, Lois invites him to come to her place for dinner but Clark turns her down. Clark has to abandon his editorial duties to handle the break-in at the Fortress, frustrating his boss Collin Thornton. Changing into Superman, Clark momentarily thinks he imagines seeing Kryptonian clothing under his street clothes instead of his Superman suit. At the Fortress, Lobo proves himself a match for the Man of Steel, almost defeating him by accident when he nearly stumbles upon the hidden Kryptonite. Superman fights Lobo using a Kryptonian battle suit and a holographic projection to make Lobo believe he's killed Superman. A drunk Lobo goes back to the space bar empty handed and doesn't win his bet. Meanwhile in Smallville, Ma and Pa Kent try to give Lana a birthday present on behalf of Clark to make her think he hadn't forgotten her, but she sees through it. And Draaga is delayed en route as the space cabbie's ship is hit by Maxima's vessel on its way to Earth.
Action Comics #651
The real Maxima comes to Metropolis to get revenge on Sazu, her alien servant who decided Superman wasn't a suitable mate. Naturally, Superman tries to intervene but Maxima is more interested in making proposing marriage to the Man of Steel. Maxima gives Superman a psionic illusion of what their live together on Almerac could be like. Resisting Maxima's advances and her alternate reality, the Eradicator restores Superman's Kryptonian costume, and he now rejects her love and all emotions. As he's becoming an unfeeling Kryptonian, Maxima decides that maybe he is unworthy after all. Kal El continues to shift between Superman and Kryptonian appearance as he subdues Maxima, eventually taking her in to the authorities. But since they determine she's a head of state, the federal government decides to release her to avoid another alien invasion. At Newstime, Clark's staff is starting to mistrust their boss, as he's frequently absent and increasingly more detached.
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