The One Where Lois and Clark Take a Break
Before Rachel and Ross had their break up on Friends, Lois and Clark had a break up that shook the comics world in 1996. At the time, Lois and Clark shared an eponymous TV series so a separation seemed unthinkable. I remember how much I hated this at the time it first came out, and I vowed to stop reading Superman comics over it. Of course, this was also when I really started paying attention to the Superman books, despite not buying them at the time. I was waiting for any glimmer of hope that their relationship could be saved, although things were going to keep getting worse for the next few months.
Lois angrily kicks her new roommate Lori Lemaris out of her bath tub so she can get ready for a date with Clark. Lori advises Lois not to keep her anger inside and let Clark know how she really feels. Lois is understandably upset about some things like Lori's recent return and Superman almost letting the Joker kill her. Their date deteriorates into an argument which they decide to resume at Clark's apartment. Unfortunately, Clark has to leave abruptly to stop an Admiral who just stole a dangerous experimental vessel from the Navy ship yard. Lois tells Superman she doesn't expect him to stand there and let people die, not even for her. When Clark returns, Lois is gone and her engagement ring is left on the table.
Elsewhere, Lucy Lane wins tickets to a Pearl Jam concert and invites Ron Troupe to go with her. Jonathan and Martha Kent return from traveling in an RV to re-build the Kent farm.
Making the news of her engagement public, Lois takes her mind off of it by investigating mob's connections with the sea food worker's union at the fish market. She contacts her annoying former love interest, Jeb Friedman, who organized the union. He mistakes this as an opportunity to re-kindle their relationship, but Lois finds out he's been cooperating with the mob to try to save the union's pension fund. Jeb decides to leak the whole story to Lois to try to draw the mob's attention off of her and to himself, but they abduct Lois anyway and plan to take her out in a boat to kill her and dispose of the body. Jeb goes after them to save her, but he is shot in a gunfight and his body disappears in the water where Superman can't even find it.
Later on the roof of the Daily Planet, Lois finds out Superman knew to find her at sea from a message on her answering machine after she disappeared. She was wearing a wire and was waiting on the cops to sweep in, but that plan had been foiled. Superman tries to explain that Jeb was the one who got there first, but Lois retorts that Jeb was not only willing to die for her, but also to kill for her. She says they can (maybe) stay friends, but she won't marry him.
Finishing their break up on top of the Planet, Lois goes inside where Superman changes to Clark and pleads with her. She resents being treated like a child having a temper tantrum, and explains that she will never be the princess in a tower waiting for her "gallant knight" to return. Lois takes an elevator down and asks Clark not to follow her.
Lori Lemaris helps Superman find Jeb's body so he can have a proper burial. Lori feels responsible for messing up Lois and Clark's relationship, but Superman asks her not to leave. Angry at Lois, he hurls her engagement ring into the sky. When Lori reminds him that the ring was his mother's, he flies after it and catches it. Later at the funeral, Clark and Lois admit they're both angry and love each other at the same time. Lois had hoped they could still be friends and professionals, but wonders if that's even possible.
At GBS, Vinnie Edge kills Jimmy's story about prison drug smuggling because it could hurt Morgan's chances of parole. Jimmy and Cat go the board and finally have Vinnie removed.
Despite the solicitations, there are only three books this month. The letters page this issue is cut short to make space to memorialize Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, who had just died.
Action Comics #720
Elsewhere, Lucy Lane wins tickets to a Pearl Jam concert and invites Ron Troupe to go with her. Jonathan and Martha Kent return from traveling in an RV to re-build the Kent farm.
Superman: The Man of Steel #55
Later on the roof of the Daily Planet, Lois finds out Superman knew to find her at sea from a message on her answering machine after she disappeared. She was wearing a wire and was waiting on the cops to sweep in, but that plan had been foiled. Superman tries to explain that Jeb was the one who got there first, but Lois retorts that Jeb was not only willing to die for her, but also to kill for her. She says they can (maybe) stay friends, but she won't marry him.
Superman #111
Lori Lemaris helps Superman find Jeb's body so he can have a proper burial. Lori feels responsible for messing up Lois and Clark's relationship, but Superman asks her not to leave. Angry at Lois, he hurls her engagement ring into the sky. When Lori reminds him that the ring was his mother's, he flies after it and catches it. Later at the funeral, Clark and Lois admit they're both angry and love each other at the same time. Lois had hoped they could still be friends and professionals, but wonders if that's even possible.
At GBS, Vinnie Edge kills Jimmy's story about prison drug smuggling because it could hurt Morgan's chances of parole. Jimmy and Cat go the board and finally have Vinnie removed.
Despite the solicitations, there are only three books this month. The letters page this issue is cut short to make space to memorialize Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, who had just died.
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