The Supergirl and Lex Luthor Love Affair
This month our story alternates between the aftermath of Panic in the Sky and the new story that started at the end of that one. This period of comics really rewarded long-time readers as multiple plot threads have literally been going on for years now. It's the sort of thing that doesn't happen much in today's market because writers don't stay on projects nearly as long, editors tend to view the accumulation of continuity more as unnecessary baggage, and readers with shorter attention spans are turned off having to catch up on previous issues.
The alien Husque tries to return Professor Hamilton (now trapped in the exile world) back to Earth, but instead of switching places with the Professor he accidentally sends another creature named Flashpoint to Earth in his place. Flashpoint has an insatiable appetite and can seemingly eat anything, but the more he eats the more he burns everything around him. Some arsonists try to manipulate the gullible Flashpoint into helping them, but Superman stops the creature and Husque then succeeds in sending it back to the exile world. Husque remains on Earth and Superman agrees to help him find his long-lost sister Tehra.
A black cloud comes to Earth destroying everything in its path like a swarm of locusts. We learn from some Warworld refugees who are hiding in the sewers of Metropolis that this swarm follows Warworld and cleanses conquered worlds of all life. Superman makes several attempts to stop the swarm, but struggles just to try saving people from it. Supergirl is unable to help because Lex Luthor II is keeping her unconscious while he runs a bioscan on her. Ultimately, Lex Luthor II discovers a device left behind by Warworld that was emitting a signal which attracted the swarm, and he uses it to lure the swarm away from Earth. Luthor II is celebrated as a hero and Sueprman feels as though he lost.
In Washington, D.C., the Liberty Rifle Association tries to lobby the new Kansas senator Peter Ross into voting against a gun control bill. Pete mentions that his fiance is looking for a job and later Lana Lang gets called for an interview where she's offered a job as a personal assistant for a Judge Kramer.
Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, Professor Hamilton, and Husque head to Jordan to search for Husque's sister Tehra. While there Superman discovers that the Sons of Liberty are also still active, operating within the U.S. Military. Exploring the ancient ruins of Petra, they find Tehra being forced to work for another alien from the exile world. Superman frees her from the implant that was being used to force her to do their bidding. There's more to the story, but it's best summed up by the Professor on the last page who complains that it all went by so fast he didn't understand a thing that happened. Superman promises to check in on Husque and Tehra from time to time, but they won't be seen ever again. And so Jerry Ordway concludes a story line he started from before the Supergirl Saga in 1988.
In Metropolis, Ron Troupe's sister Roberta is upset that Newstime has only started hiring minorities in the last six months. She wants to do something about it, but the rest of Ron's family doesn't want her to do anything that would jeopardize Ron's employment. Meanwhile Collin Thornton desperately needs money to rebuild Newstime after the damage during Panic in the Sky.
In Washington, D.C., Senator Pete Ross votes in favor of the gun control law, which angers the rifle association after they assumed they had bought his vote with his wife's job. It's fascinating that over 25 years ago the NRA could be so transparently depicted as the corrupt lobby we know it to be.
Supergirl tells Lex Luthor II the story of how she was created by another Lex Luthor in the pocket universe. She's still in love with that Lex and Luthor II takes advantage of her feelings to make the impressionable Supergirl think he's in love with her too. Luthor II gives Cat Grant an exclusive television interview where he officially introduces Supergirl to the world. Finally he has a superhero on his payroll just like his father originally wanted when he and Superman first met back in Man of Steel. After the interview, Superman comes and asks to speak alone with Supergirl. While Supergirl insists that Lex would never eavesdrop, they fly out of range of the listening devices as Luthor II is attempting to do just that. Supergirl assures Superman that his secret identity is safe with her, but he's still bothered that she's romantically involved with a Luthor. Their discussion quickly deteriorates into an argument and Supergirl lashes out with a psi-blast. Falling to Earth, Superman strikes back, but the fight is broken up when Luthor II arrives by helicopter and admonishes them both for their behavior. A cameraman accompanying the helicopter tells Luthor II that he captured the whole fight on tape, but Luthor threateningly promises the Man of Steel that he won't face any public humiliation so long as he possesses the tape.
At the Daily Planet, Sam Foswell is fired due to the bad feelings that the staff still have over the firings during the recession. Ron Troupe's sister organizes a protest outside the Daily Planet, which leads to a chance meeting with Ron and Perry White.
Supergirl's misguided relationship with Lex Luthor II has only just begun. The Matrix Supergirl was an attempted compromise to let readers have a Supergirl even if the Powers that Be wouldn't allow there to be another Kryptonian in the universe. But so far some of the choices like this and the Crisis-inspired cover last month seem to be pouring salt on the wound of losing the real Maid of Steel, Kara Zor El.
Superman: The Man of Steel #11
Superman #67
A black cloud comes to Earth destroying everything in its path like a swarm of locusts. We learn from some Warworld refugees who are hiding in the sewers of Metropolis that this swarm follows Warworld and cleanses conquered worlds of all life. Superman makes several attempts to stop the swarm, but struggles just to try saving people from it. Supergirl is unable to help because Lex Luthor II is keeping her unconscious while he runs a bioscan on her. Ultimately, Lex Luthor II discovers a device left behind by Warworld that was emitting a signal which attracted the swarm, and he uses it to lure the swarm away from Earth. Luthor II is celebrated as a hero and Sueprman feels as though he lost.In Washington, D.C., the Liberty Rifle Association tries to lobby the new Kansas senator Peter Ross into voting against a gun control bill. Pete mentions that his fiance is looking for a job and later Lana Lang gets called for an interview where she's offered a job as a personal assistant for a Judge Kramer.
Adventures of Superman #490
In Metropolis, Ron Troupe's sister Roberta is upset that Newstime has only started hiring minorities in the last six months. She wants to do something about it, but the rest of Ron's family doesn't want her to do anything that would jeopardize Ron's employment. Meanwhile Collin Thornton desperately needs money to rebuild Newstime after the damage during Panic in the Sky.
In Washington, D.C., Senator Pete Ross votes in favor of the gun control law, which angers the rifle association after they assumed they had bought his vote with his wife's job. It's fascinating that over 25 years ago the NRA could be so transparently depicted as the corrupt lobby we know it to be.
Action Comics #677
At the Daily Planet, Sam Foswell is fired due to the bad feelings that the staff still have over the firings during the recession. Ron Troupe's sister organizes a protest outside the Daily Planet, which leads to a chance meeting with Ron and Perry White.
Supergirl's misguided relationship with Lex Luthor II has only just begun. The Matrix Supergirl was an attempted compromise to let readers have a Supergirl even if the Powers that Be wouldn't allow there to be another Kryptonian in the universe. But so far some of the choices like this and the Crisis-inspired cover last month seem to be pouring salt on the wound of losing the real Maid of Steel, Kara Zor El.
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