Love Bites II
The vampire saga of Babe comes to a close, although the 90's vampire/goth craze was only just getting started. But more importantly, this month the seeds are planted for the next big Superman event in a couple months.
The Lock's inter-dimensional powers to the Beyond are getting out of his control and he needs Babe's help. Babe appears at Jimmy Olsen's window asking for his help, she doesn't want to hurt him but she also can't seem to resist and he's forced to repel her with a cross. With the Lock's help, they're able to discover that she's not really a vampire, she's just being possessed by the vampire Superman and Robin had defeated before. Fortunately, that means she's also not responsible for the vampire murders.
The Lock is able to separate the vampire from Babe and send him to the Beyond, and Superman saves them both from being trapped there with the vampire. Safe again in Metropolis, Babe thanks Jimmy with a hug, but to his disappointment it seems Lock gets the girl in the end.
Nothing even close to this cover happens on the inside.
Cat Grant and Superman pay a visit to the Toyman in prison to try to find out what turned the previously whimsical villain into a child murderer. Toyman tells them a story about he has agreed to license his likeness for action figures, only to find out that his figures didn't sell. Before Toyman killed him, the toy marketer had shown him a sketch depicting the Toyman as a homicidal maniac, based on market research. This prompted Toyman to adapt his new look with the shaved head. Cat leaves the interview feeling no better about why her son died. After they're gone, the prison guards bring Toyman a cruel belated Christmas present, a box of unsold Toyman action figures.
It seems readers were still in shock at how dark the Superman books had become when Cat's son was murdered. This issue tried to retroactively explain off-panel the 90's angst that had suddenly seemed to have come from nowhere.
Rose Forrest sees the news of "the night of 100 thieves" from last issue, which triggers her split persona Thorn into action. Thorn believes the criminal gang called the 100 is making a comeback and she starts a violent crusade to attack its surviving members. Although she uncovers a former member's drug running operation, Superman is skeptical of her baseless belief that the 100 is re-forming. Thorn escapes the Man of Steel when Lucy Lane's band, the Riot Grrrls catch the man Thorn was after. The Grrrls start talking about becoming crime fighters but Superman tells them superheroing isn't a hobby.
Meanwhile, Shadowdragon breaks into a maximum security prison cell and leaves the prisoner a floppy disc labeled "S.T.A.R. Labs Superman File."
Lois and Clark were both picked to represent the Daily Planet at a convention in Hawaii, but they both turn it down. Lois is covering the story of the serial killer who most recently murdered a senator on New Year's Eve last month. Clark brings Lois flowers that he picked for her on Kauai and suggests they could still go to Hawaii together on their honeymoon. Although he was just there, Clark can't make it to the convention because Superman has to be in Metropolis for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. However, as he cuts the ribbon Superman notices that the ribbon is laced with electrical circuitry. The crowd watches as the ribbon entangles Superman and the doors of the new building open, he's sucked inside the metal doors slam behind him.
On New Genesis, Barda is trying to cheer up her husband when Mother Box suddenly changes him into Mr. Miracle and opens a Boom Tube to take him someplace. Mr. Miracle finds himself on Earth and tries to help Superman escape from a series of traps. They find themselves restrained together and hurling towards a volcano, exactly as depicted on the cover. Superman tells Mr. Miracle to free himself and after he survives crashing into the volcano, the villain Deathtrap reveals himself.
Meanwhile, a super-powered prisoner escapes from Stryker's Island with the disc on Superman. His face or identity aren't shown, but readers can figure out that it's Conduit, and he seems to know Clark Kent is Superman now!
Superman: The Man of Steel #42
The Lock is able to separate the vampire from Babe and send him to the Beyond, and Superman saves them both from being trapped there with the vampire. Safe again in Metropolis, Babe thanks Jimmy with a hug, but to his disappointment it seems Lock gets the girl in the end.
Nothing even close to this cover happens on the inside.
Superman #98
It seems readers were still in shock at how dark the Superman books had become when Cat's son was murdered. This issue tried to retroactively explain off-panel the 90's angst that had suddenly seemed to have come from nowhere.
Adventures of Superman #521
Meanwhile, Shadowdragon breaks into a maximum security prison cell and leaves the prisoner a floppy disc labeled "S.T.A.R. Labs Superman File."
Action Comics #708
On New Genesis, Barda is trying to cheer up her husband when Mother Box suddenly changes him into Mr. Miracle and opens a Boom Tube to take him someplace. Mr. Miracle finds himself on Earth and tries to help Superman escape from a series of traps. They find themselves restrained together and hurling towards a volcano, exactly as depicted on the cover. Superman tells Mr. Miracle to free himself and after he survives crashing into the volcano, the villain Deathtrap reveals himself.
Meanwhile, a super-powered prisoner escapes from Stryker's Island with the disc on Superman. His face or identity aren't shown, but readers can figure out that it's Conduit, and he seems to know Clark Kent is Superman now!
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