Superman vs. The Elite

The community is outraged that convicted criminal Dr. Light...

...has escaped incarceration again, embarking on a deadly spree.

Tensions between Bialya and Pokolistan reached new heights...

...when Bialya disregarded U. N. sanctions...

...and pushed into settlements across the border.

Three strikes? This is the law, not baseball.

If a man commits a felony, he should be expunged from civilized society.

Victims' families are asking how such a tragedy could have taken place.

Luckily, Superman arrived in time to avert the terror attack.

- Military deaths in Middle East... - Polls show...

...more often afraid than not.

- Where are our heroes? - Sources describe the woman as kind.

... when nations are not held accountable for their actions...

Time to take your medicine, love.

- Easy as pie, didn't I tell you? - I like pie.

You're about to go on a diet.

Superman! Blast him!

- Oh, oh! Oh, oh! - Why don't you two cool off?

- Caught a couple of big fish, Superman. - And without a net.

Back to the tank with you two. Up, up and away.

Maybe this time they'll learn that crime doesn't pay.

Wow, okay. Ha-ha. That's, uh... Wow.

It never occurred to me that the S stood for "silly."

It wasn't that bad.

When have you ever said "crime doesn't pay"?

Well, you can take the kid out of the cornfield...

Producer said it would be inspirational.

And who's profiting from all this so-called inspiration?

Proceeds from the cartoon go to charity, Lois.

Yes, I've got someone watching.

And yes, we have an iron-clad contract.

And do you get creative input?

Did I mention it all goes to charity?

Point is, you have to protect your S.

The world is always watching Superman.

Well, not always.

Oh. Smooth one, farm boy.

So close.

- Help me! - My God.

- The Atomic Skull. - Get somewhere safe.

You've gone too far this time, Skull.

They were just lawyers. Come closer and we'll talk about it.

You've gotten bigger.

That genebomb that created me...

...it's still going off.

Let go!

- Cute. - Why did you attack those people?

To draw out the main course, of course.

- You used them for bait? - Give me a break.

I do what I do, you do what you do.

You'll have your front page in 15 minutes, chief.

Yes, I'll spell-check.

Okay, beat it.

Whoa.

Here we are, lads and lassie.

Makes the old hometown look positively quaint.

Mm. Makes me thirsty.

They grow them big here, but not as big as Blue Boy.

Keep your pants on, Pammy.

We don't need you getting all beasty now.

- Where do you think he is? - I'll find him.

Just stay tight. First impressions, you know.

- He don't like you. - I don't like him.

So was this justice, Superman?

Millions in property damage...

...helpless bystanders killed by a repeat metahuman felon...

...who's now enjoying three square meals a day as a guest of the state.

You had the power to end Atomic Skull's criminal career right there permanently.

Why didn't you?

I'm not anyone's judge and jury, Professor Baxter.

Definitely not an executioner.

My powers don't put me above the law.

A noble sentiment. But are you the Superman that the 21st century needs?

Why not use your power to fix the world?

Let me reiterate that I'm playing devil's advocate.

I'm a huge fan.

- Not embarrassing at all. - Your dad?

Could do worse.

First, I don't believe that the world is broken.

Because when we say the world, we're really talking about people.

And it's always been my belief that people at their core are good.

- Ha. - The grace of mankind is everywhere.

You just have to open your eyes.

Humanity has a limitless potential for good.

My purpose is to help people reach that potential.

Tamarev. Tamarev is under attack.

What have you people done?

How dare you? Pokolistan holds to the treaty.

Liar. My people are dying in the streets.

No less than they deserve.

Limitless potential for good?

Good isn't perfect. I have to go.

To be continued, professor?

This is an act of war.

Not while you press our borders.

Reports are streaming in from Tamarev...

...capital of the Eastern Bloc nation of Bialya.

We're trying to get someone on the ground, but as we've been reporting for weeks...

...diplomatic efforts between Bialya and neighboring Pokolistan have collapsed

Both countries have access to considerable technology.

Weapons of mass destruction could come into play.

The U.N. has tried to intervene...

Wait, I'm sorry, we 're getting something.

Oh, God. We've heard rumors about Pokolistan's bio-weapons program.

But this

- One of yours? - No.

Oi. You in the cape.

The bastard doesn't have a brain or I'd have had him rip his own guts out already.

He's still alive, so if you don't mind setting aside the kid gloves...

- Come back from that. - Nice one, brother.

But you could use a smidge more flair.

Okay.

Flair, mon frère.

Who's a good sorcerer?

Double pork fried rice for you tonight.

You sure know how to make an entrance.

Thanks for the assist. Next time, double-check for collateral damage.

Came a little close there.

- Hello. - You're really tall.

Don't mind them, Mr. Superman, sir.

Big fans. Paralytic with giddiness.

So before anyone does anything embarrassing: Ta.

Wait. Who are y...?

Where did they come from? Where did they go?

What do they want? What's all over that woman's body?

These four are the biggest news since Brainiac ate Boston.

Someone's gonna break this story and it better be us.

It's a given that I am getting the scoop on these newbies, right?

Not unless you can type 5000 words a minute.

Do not make me unleash my feminine wiles on you, Clark Kent.

Too late.

For someone who plays fair, you can really suck sometimes.

"Telekinetic.

Conjured a dragon out of thin air."

Outstanding, Kent.

- Been on the phone with your source? - Tweeting, actually, sir.

Take point on this. Book a flight wherever you need to go.

Take Lane if she's still talking to you.

Hope you like cold showers, Smallville.

You spoke to Superman?

What did he say? Are these guys the real deal or what?

The jury's still out, Jimmy. He said they're strong.

Really strong. But there's something about them.

Looks like they did a pretty good job to me.

If you boys are done gossiping, some lady in England...

...just went online claiming to know all about Superman's new best friends.

- Sorry there's no movie. - Don't try to be cute.

You're lucky I'm letting you fly me there.

Once we hit the ground, it's every reporter for herself.

Unless I get something really juicy.

Ah. Learning.

I practically raised the lad.

He played football in me garden and teased me cats, the rascal. Ha-ha.

But a big heart, oh, a big heart.

Always helped come harvest.

What's his name, Mrs. Munsch?

It's not for me to say, is it?

Unless you're willing to pay for the exclusive.

If she knows anything, I'm the Martian Manhunter.

There go all of my fantasies.

I'm gonna go knock down some doors. Call me if you get anything.

- You too. - We'll see.

I'll tell it all. How he saved Churchill from that nasty Doberman.

With just his brain.

Quite the looker.

Your reporter friend. I'm not into the golden oldies.

Subspace teleport pods. All the cool HQs have them.

So are you stalking me or are you here for the scenery?

You never gave me your cell. Had to start somewhere.

Quite the detective. Following the guy...

...with the Union Jack tatted to his chest to England? Heh.

Come on, I'm just breaking your boots, Superman.

Truth is I ramble when I get nervous...

...and I'm in a bit of a twist having a jaw with Superman. Ha.

- Let's start with your name. - Manchester Black.

Aspiring do-gooder and all-around pain in the ass at your service.

You wanna talk? Let's talk.

Just not here. Never could stand the smell of the place.

Feeding time.

Hey, some parsnips and carrots.

Good for the skin.

- This is inhuman. - Just think what a service you're providing...

...having all your energy sucked into the city's electronic grid.

It's almost like you cooked your own supper.

Incoming. It's the big guy.

Hello, again.

Come on, you lot. He doesn't bite.

That's a pity.

Big fella goes by Coldcast.

The Hat's our resident master of hocus-pocus...

...and fortune cookie wordsmith.

Your lucky numbers are four, eight, 15...

-...and... - I'm Menagerie, but you can call me Pam.

At this number. Anytime.

Down, girl.

Good to meet you all. Thank you again for what you did in Bialya, but we need to talk.

Of course. Someone comes sniffing around your tomato...

...so to speak, you need to get a look-see. Due diligence.

We're an open book. So if you'll just relax...

Sorry. I heard your telepathic shout before.