The Death and Return of Superman

MPD Tech-Ops to Metropolis City Hall. 2078W in progress.

Kidnapping with advanced weapons. Got to be Intergang.

They took out half the reserve with their tech weapons last week.

Makes you nostalgic for assault rifles.

It's a laugh to chose the plaza, Maggie.

These assholes are expecting something to wreck, Dan. Probably with a cape.

Lucky me, I know a back way.

Get Mr. Mayor and his better half out of here

before we get in trouble from the man upstairs.

Didn't know you was a believer, boss.

That ain't the man upstairs I'm talking about.

Step away from the Mayor, Mannheim.

Don't give me a reason.

Then you shouldn't have given me one.

You, make sure they're dead. Painfully sure.

And you, grab our esteemed Mayor while I call for a ride.

Okay. I'll get you out of here.

Come on, fella. You don't want to be a cop killer.

Yeah, why's that?

Huh?

Hey, ever wonder what it feels like to fall from a great distance?

Let's find out.

Oh, looks like it hurts.

Be right back.

Work, damn it! Stupid piece of crap!

You're supposed to transport me on my command.

Don't bother. Fried it with my heat vision.

Only place you're being transported to, Mannheim,

it's got three squares a day, and lights out at 8:00.

Son of a...

You know, if there's one thing I can't stand, it's a bully.

Guys like you give Metropolis a bad name.

But you should know by now, Mannheim,

no one tears my city apart and gets away with it.

I feel like I say this a couple of times a week but thanks, Superman.

I don't know what we'd do without you.

You sound like a guy who wants my vote, Mr. Mayor.

Hey, hey. That's my friend there.

Superman! Hey, it's me, your old buddy.

Bibbo Bibbowski. How is the unluckiest sailor in town?

Ah, come on. You ain't have to save my bacon that many times!

Anyway, ain't no sailor no more. I'm a restaurateur.

Ace O' Clubs Bar and Grill.

How about a picture for the joint?

Yeah.

Stupid thing. Never works when you need it to.

I got you covered.

Jimmy Olsen, you're a lifesaver.

Say Superman!

Superman!

Thanks, big guy.

I'll make sure to get this to you, Mr. Bibbowski.

See you down at the joint, kid. The ribs are on me.

Thanks, Jimmy. I really have to get going.

Leaguers, is anyone...

- Available? - 'Sup?

I have to be somewhere. Think you could help with the cleanup?

Oh, again?

I swear you guys think I'm some sort of one-man janitorial crew.

Well, while you're at it, my apartment could use a going over.

Whoa! What the hell have you been up against?

An Intergang crew that somehow got a hold of a Mother Box.

And that's not all. This armor's from Apokolips, too.

How you figure?

I'm wearing the same stuff, remember?

Oh, great. Leftovers from our war with Darkseid.

We need to get this analyzed. Maybe one of the others could help.

No, we need someone who's worked with this crap.

Someone who knows it inside and out.

We need my dad.

I could take it to him if you want. I know you two don't exactly...

Nah, it's cool. No problem ever got better by avoiding it.

Well, at least, I won't be slowing you down on cleanup.

- Later, partner. - I owe you one, Flash.

You owe me about 30.

I wonder if it's too late to join the Titans.

Is there an age limit?

He's gonna take pictures with anyone who asks.

The guy just can't help himself.

You said two minutes, tops.

Sorry, Miss Lane, tech-enhanced gangsters

kidnapping the Mayor and other assorted distractions.

I know. I saw it live.

Are you sure you're not just getting old?

You'll have to tell me what that's like.

Ha! Super touche.

Your stories about Superman helped me earn the people's trust.

Now it's time they learned about the Kryptonian tech

that brought the strange visitor from another planet to Earth.

And here's the compartment that contained me as an infant.

Throughout the trip, it was in charge of monitoring

my genetic makeup as well as my basic metabolism.

Not to mention midnight feedings.

How did it do all this?

I've only gotten so far studying Kryptonian technology.

That's why I handed the job over to Dr. Klyburn and her crew.

Which we were more than happy to take on.

Only recently have we discovered these super condensed ionized crystals.

We believe they acted as hyperwave acceleration units for transport.

Oh, the gas.

To put it simply. We pulled it from the main section of the pod,

the baby's car seat, so to speak.

It can only be activated one way.

You might want to look away for a moment, Miss Lane.

Kryptonian tech can be a bit overwhelming.

Holy...

Your identity genome is confirmed, Kal-El.

I am the data matrix, the physical embodiment of a personally attuned program

designed as a repository for all that is Kryptonian in nature.

My sole purpose on this journey is to inform you,

assist you and protect you and all Kryptonian life.

- During... - Wait a second. Is he...

Yes, Miss Lane.

You're looking at the last son of Krypton's nanny.

Keep watching.

As I have also been entrusted

with preserving the history of all Kryptonian bloodlines.

We will begin with yours.

- The House of El. - Wait, is that...

There's your headline, Miss Lane.

I'll like you and the rest of the world to meet my parents.

So, what do you think?

I don't know what to say. It's...

Hey, Superman, looking good.

It's gonna be a reminder of just how alien you are.

People forget that when you're saving them from falling airplanes.

True, but I have faith that...

Hey, you rock, Superman!

Thanks. You do... too.

There's a really smart woman I know

who always says daylight is the best disinfectant.

Lift back to the Planet?

And save me from expensing cab fare to Perry White? You are heroic.

You know me, always saving the day.

Thanks for the ride. I gotta go.

- There he is! - Hey Superman, can I get a selfie?

Me too.

- You're in a rush. - Got a big story.

I don't want to spoil your day

but you're looking at the guy with an exclusive on Intergang.

Well, that's nice. Come with me.

What's bigger than Intergang?

You'll find out.

No, right. You had that interview with your super friend.

I know what that means.

In here.

You're always on fire after seeing him.

Should I be jealous?

I think it's the tights.

I can pick up a pair if that's all it takes.

Perfect. Wear 'em on our trip to the Hamptons this weekend.

Uh, about that...

Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.

Do you know how hard it is for me to get away?

I gave up that interview with the Secretary of State!

- I can explain. - Really?

You mean it's not some secret meeting

with some secret spies in some secret location?

My parents are in town.

Serious? So, you buried the lede?

This weekend just got a whole lot more interesting.

Um... I don't...

You don't what?

Want me to meet them?

Don't you think it's time?

Lois, wait. It's just that...

Look, Clark, I'm not gonna waste time

worrying if a guy likes me or not. We're both adults.

I know it was my idea to keep things secret at work, but I'm really trying here.

No. No, you're right. You should meet them.

It's just that this is uncharted territory for me

and there's some things I need to get used to sharing.

Clark, it's your parents.

What am I gonna find out?

That you were a huge dork?

I already know that.

It'll be fine. Just fine.

Well, Dr. Stone, what's the verdict?

It matches what we've seen from other Apokoliptian tech, but not completely.

John, can you come here for a moment?

I can't remember the last time you asked for help.

Dr. Irons is one of S.T.A.R. Labs premier engineers.

If it's about this metal, Silas, I've been... Oh.

That's him.

- Have we met? - At a construction site, once.

I had just quit LexCorp and wanted to get my mind off it.

I remember. Nice shirt.

I wear it with pride.

Oh, can we just do this already?

What'd you find, John?

It's definitely from Apokolips.

But it's been bonded with Earth-based tri-formulite at an atomic level.

The combination makes this stronger.

Incredible!

That means it's even stronger than you, Victor.

Always got an encouraging word, huh, Dad?

You'd need some very sophisticated resources to produce an alloy like this.

The S.T.A.R. Labs could do it, but it sure didn't come from here.

Maybe Wayne Tech. Or even...

Of course. Cyborg, we'll catch up later.