Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Connor-El and Adam talk about the hidden gem that is Superman Annual 9.

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SHOW NOTES:

• Adam
• The issue
• Alex Toth

The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 134: Absolute Superman Part 3

Connor-El and Adam continue their coverage of Absolute Superman, discussing issues 8-15

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SHOW NOTES:

• Adam
• Krypton Report

The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 125: Superman and Lois Retrospective

Connor-El is joined by Rebecca to have a look back at the complete show of 'Superman & Lois'.

SHOW NOTES:

• Superman: The Definitive History
• Grant Morrison's Action Comics
• Comics that inspired Superman Legacy Boxset
• Adam
• Krypton Report
• Tasmin

The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 42: Superman Strength + Superman Adventures

The Last Sons read and discuss the Superman: Strength mini plus the popular Superman Adventures #41, requested by Super listener Patrick D. Ryall!

It's a surprise for the Last Sons and one which isn't a bad thing! Hidden gem worthy of more mention - tune in to hear all the discussion!

SYNOPSIS:

(courtesy of Connor-El & Wiki)

PART 1

A criminal named Fido and his gang are speculating on the origin of Superman and plotting how to deal with him. They send a dupe to rob a bank to test how fast Superman reacts, while Fido reveals his Super-criminal father claimed to have broken Supermans arm, and told him Superman was raised by the metropolis elite with a silver spoon in his mouth never having to struggle, hence his strict moral compass. Meanwhile Superman overhears them and warns them not to plot anything, and leaves. Lois picks up Clark and Pa Kent and over dinner Pa starts to tell a story from Clarks childhood about his first time to a city. In the past with Clark present Pa stole some candy from a crooked clerk overcharging people in need and gave some to clark, tellin him some rules can be broken. Later during a solar eclipse Clark sees a city in the distance and runs to it. Meanwhile Fidos gang creates a series of disasters from fires to blowing up a bridge, to hold Superman off while they break into lex corps to steal his old invention, a pair of gloves that can create dimensional portals. Superman eventually catches up with them and FIdo lures him through the portal, severing at the neck and coming into possession of the head of Superman!

PART 2

Jonathan Kent recalls an incident when Clark was ten-years-old and a solar eclipse caused his innate Kryptonian powers to briefly manifest before they should have. Clark ran from Smallville to Chicago in under an hour and found himself embroiled in a brewing conflict between two rival members which resulted in both of their detahs. In the present, Superman is suffering from a laboratory experiment malfunction in which his head has been displaced through a dimensional portal. A former scientist named John "Fido" Pollock has the head and plans on using it as leverage in order to gain favor with Lex Luthor. This is complicated by a series of disasters happening nearby, Superman pleads with Fido to release him to save them, promising he will come back. Fido complies and lets Superman go, superman rescues everyone he can but a child dies in the process. After Supermans return, Fido and his cronies bring Superman's head to Luthor's office and offers him a demonstration of his Trans-Locational Portal gloves. Luthor is unimpressed until Pollock also reveals that he has another invention that can alter the size ratio of volumes of matter and threatens to use this technology to destroy Metropolis. A fire fight breaks out between Fido's thugs and Luthors' security team. A pile of debris falls through the spatial portal and giant-sized coins, paperclips and batteries begin raining down on Metropolis. Luthor frees Superman so that he can save the city.

PART 3

Thanks to the efforts of criminal inventor John "Fido" Pollock, a wave of giant-sized pocket debris begins raining down on Metropolis. Superman flies out and deflects giant coins, fountain pens and paperclips from smashing through the city.

At Lexcorp Tower, Fido and his crew use their trans-locational gloves to escape before Luthor's security team can gun them down. They stop at another LexCorp facility to hijack a NASA hovercraft. Lois Lane is present and tries to sneak on board, but Fido captures her and uses her tech to shrink her down in size.

Superman arrives at the facility and his father, Jonathan Kent, tells him that the bandits have kidnapped Lois. Superman then takes off and flies after them.

He traces the crew to Cairo, Egypt. Fido comes up with another idea. Using the Trans-Locational Portal, he locates the imprisoned Metallo and steals a small piece of Kryptonite from his chest cavity. He intends on using to subdue Superman. When they realize that Superman is in range, they scramble into the hovercraft leaving behind one of their own, Hopper.

They open a dimensional portal to Chicago, but Superman is fast enough to follow them into the portal. They zigzag through the city, but eventually the Jet-Car runs out of fuel. By this point, Fido's cronies realize that there is no escape and they abandon him. While Superman rounds up henchpeople Trudy and Sulley, Fido hijacks a pick-up truck. Superman bears down on him, but Fido temporarily blinds him with one of the hi-tech weapons they stole from LexCorp.

Superman shakes off the effects, but Fido has one more ace up his sleeve. He enlarges the Kryptonite pebble he stole from Metallo and uses it to pin Superman to the ground. While Fido is boasting about his supposed conquest, Lois escapes from the vial she was trapped in and uses Fido's Scaling Gloves to return to normal size. She then uses the same gloves to reduce the Kryptonite block back to pebble size.

Through the course of this, Superman learns that Fido has always lived in the shadow of his abusive father, Frank "Pit Bull" Pollock – a man who once claimed to have broken Superman's arm in combat. Superman slightly recalls the event, and tells Fido that his father never bested him, and certainly never broke his arm. Fido knows that Superman would never lie, and the sudden revelation drives him into a fury. He unloads on Superman with every weapon at his disposal, but they do no good. Once his arsenal is spent, Fido collapses to the ground and Superman takes him into custody.

SHOW NOTES:

• Superman: Strength
• Superman Adventures #41
• Man of Tomorrow series (2020)
• Man of Tomorrow, animated film
• Zot!

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The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 41: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow

The Last Sons are joined by Super-friend Robert Reineke to cover Knol's request, Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow. This story is considered by many to be one of the greatest Superman stories of all time and often rivals All-star for the number 1 spot, does it deserve this rep? Join us and find out!

SYNOPSIS:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman:_Whatever_Happened_to_the_Man_of_Tomorrow%3F#Part_1:_Superman_#423

SHOW NOTES:

• Superman #423 (Part 1)
• Action Comics #583 (Part 2)
• Superman: Man of Tomorrow #1
• Swamp Things Podcast
• Still Watching the Skies

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The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 40: Superboy and the Legion of Superheroes vs Mordru!

The Last Sons do Super Friend Robert Reineke's request of Adventure Comics 369 & 370! Its Connor-El & Rey-Zods first proper go of the Legion of Superheroes! A grand tale of facing down a terrifying foe! You don't want to miss it!

Plus we cover the new Superman releases, possibly for the last time in a while!

SYNOPSIS:

(courtesy of Rey-Zod)

#369 - Part 1, MORDRU THE MERCILESS

The Legionnaire's most powerful enemy, Mordru has escaped his confines and is in pursuit of the young heroes.

Super Boy, Mon El, Duo Damsel and Shadow Lass make a narrow escape into the 20th century and find themselves in Smallville.

Mon El recounts to Shadow Lass the origin of Mordru and the awesome power he wields. The Legion were able to trick him and eventually incapacitate him but a small mistake leads to Mordru's resuscitation and his eventual pursuit of his would-be captors.

In Smallville, the quartet bunker down at various residences , all under guise - Super Boy as Clark Kent and Mon El as Bob Cobb his cousin stay with the Kents ; Duo Damsel as Marie Elkins (passes herself off as a distant cousin to Chief Parker;  and last but not least a heavily make-upped Shadow Lass as Betsy Norcross sneaks in with the Langs as an exchange student.

Mordru's influence is soon felt in the town in the visage of a great shadow and the heroes do well to shield themselves, lest they be discovered by the evil sorcerer.

Mordru affects the minds of the other citizens and turns them into his eyes and ears - any sign of the Legionnaires and the citizens will alert Mordru.

In another effort, Mordru conjures up illusions in the hope that the heroes will expose themselves. Mon-El however maintains a cool head and reassures the others. It's not long before the illusions disappear and Mordru's plan is foiled again.

#369 - Part 2, MORDRU AND THE MOB

With the heroes hiding, the presence of Super Boy is sorely missed and soon crime escalates. The mob moves in and 'King' Carter sets up his kingdom in Smallville, demanding tributes and anything else he wishes.

Although the Legionnaires dare not expose themselves, they convince the town to stand up to the mob, and with a little subtle help from the Legionnaires the mob's rule is soon defeated.

A small meeting by the Legionnaire is spied upon by Lana, and being the eyes and ears of Mordru, she exposes them to the evil villain. Mordru suddenly appears in front of the Legion of Super Heroes to wreak his revenge!

#370 - Part 1, THE DEVIL'S JURY

The Legionnaires escape Mordru by burrowing down and escaping his magical wrath. They manage to make it to Clark's basement and there, along with his parents, they wipe their minds to ensure Mordru can't locate them with their thoughts. If they do not know they are the Legion of Super Heroes, then neither does Mordru!

Mordru summons an army from his time and reality, and Mordru literally isolates Smallville by casting it up into orbit - trapping everyone in the town.

The army spread out intent on finding the heroes, but to no avail. Pete Ross clues in to the fact that Clark has forgotten about his own identity, and so he and Lana capture Clark to make him remember. Clark soon does, and he quickly finds the other Legionnaires and restores their memory too.

With Pete Ross (Honorary Legionnaire) and Lana Insect Queen (Reserve Legionnaire), the six are ready to do battle with Mordru and defeat him once and for all…!

#370 - Part 2, THE CONDEMNED CRUSADERS

Their cunning plan involves duping the army with a couple of foils in Pete Ross as SuperBoy and one of Duo Damsels as Shadow Lass. As they are all eventually captured and brought to Mordru's Lair, Super Boy and Shadow Lass effect their surprise attack.

It momentarily stuns Mordru, but he is too powerful and eventually he defeats them all. 

Mordru brings them all on trial in front of a Devil's Jury and with Wraithor at the helm of the prosecution and Pete Ross as the Defence, the heroes are found guilty and are sentenced to Eternal Oblivion in a deadly lead lined, Krypton coated vault.

It proves a fake as Wraithor reveals to be a sympathiser to the heroes and leads them to freedom. Mordru catches on and disposes of the Wraithor in a fatal blast. He incapacitates the heroes once again but makes the mistake of summoning too much power to kill them. The might of his power is too much for the cavern to bear and it collapses, burying Mordru and entombing him once more.

The heroes find themselves free (ironically shielded from the cavern collapse by the force field Mordru cast on them to trap them) and return to the 30th century.

It's revealed their colleagues, Invisible Kid, Dream Girl and Ultra Kidwere not killed by Mordru, but had constructed an illusion to make it seem that they were, with a little help from the White Witch and Princess Projectra.

SHOW NOTES:

• Adventure Comics 369
• Adventure Comics 370
• Batman/Superman 8
• Action Comics 1021
• DC virtual backgrounds for video calls
• Collection with these issues
• Another collection with these issues

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Proud Member of The Collective

The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 39: Green Lantern / Superman - Legend of the Green Flame

The Last Sons choose a story resurrected from the dead, so to speak and one that has an interesting birth..!

Neil Gaiman's tale didn't see the light until much after it was conceived, but the Last Sons review it with gusto!

All this, along with some discussion of the latest Superman related titles and news... offered to you on a silver platter!

SYNOPSIS:

(courtesy of Wiki)

In 1949 Berlin, Janos Prohaska and Weng Chan of the Blackhawks Squadron go down into a deserted bunker covered in rats and littered with long dead bodies. The two are looking for a German secret weapon Janos heard about from a mysterious 'she'. They come across a strange green railroad lantern buried in a pile of rubbish. Janos is intrigued over the object as he is faintly reminded of a legend surrounding a green lantern although he is unable to recall the specific significance of the lantern, and he decides to take it with him.

In the present day, Clark Kent finds Hal Jordan in Metropolis and invites him over to spend some time together. When Clark ask Hal about his romantic relationship with Arisia, Hal succinctly stated that "We split." Clark, aware of how difficult a dual life and a relationship are to manage, also knows that any words as this moment would be too thin to offer any real comfort. Hal explains he's having a personal crisis stating he used to be part of the Green Lantern Corps with a purpose and a plan. But with Oa drained and the Guardians fled, all he is a man with a ring.

After some reassurances from Clark, they accompany each other to a museum convention Clark is supposed to cover for the Daily Planet, and briefly running into Selina Kyle. They then find the green lantern discovered by Janos in an exhibition. Hal recognizes it as a power battery, and tries loading his power ring with it despite Clark's wariness. The effect is disastrous and a wave of magic energy kills both heroes. They wind up in the Region of the Just Dead and encounter Deadman, who explains that their deaths are not irrevocable until they have gone "into the light". Hal then tries using his ring to take them back to their bodies, the worst thing he could have done...

Meanwhile, the Phantom Stranger sits in the apartment given to him by the Lords of Order, his current masters. Sensing that something else needs his attention, he finally leaves the apartment forever and dismisses the Lords, who insists that he cannot leave his confinement. The Phantom admits to no membership or affiliation with any group and also denies belonging to this place or even having a home, because if he belonged then he would cease to be a stranger. He bids the voices farewell, even as their threats of wrath echo in a now empty room.

Superman and Hal have wound up in Hell, where Superman's super-senses can not experience anything but suffering, fear and pain. Horrified by realizing that he can't save these innumerable souls, he is slowly going mad. The catatonic Man of Steel can't do anything but float around and cry, while a terrified Green Lantern desperately tries waking him up. When the two of them are attacked by blood-thirsty demons, Hal once again uses his ring, and they disappear.

Superman and Green Lantern encounter the power that killed them - the sentient Green Flame, the remains of the magic energies of Maltus. The Green Flame explains that their deaths were a result of Jordan trying to load his scientific ring with supernatural energies. Then it tempts Hal to give in for the supernatural power of the Green Flame instead. At that point, the Stranger appears, and teaches Hal how to tame the corrupt Flame. Hal reads the oath of Alan Scott, loads his ring, and the threat of the Green Flame is neutralized. The Stranger then returns Hal's and Superman's souls to their bodies, disposing of the lantern.

Alive after this experience, Hal is feeling better. Superman tells Hal that, even given tonight, it was good to see him, and lets Hal know he's always just a call away. After a warm good-bye, the two heroes part.

SHOW NOTES:

• Green Lantern / Superman - Legend of the Green Flame
• Superman #21 (2020)
• Superman Villains #1 (2020)

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The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 38: Superman and the Flash in the Flash #53

The Last Sons discuss Action Comics 1020 and Batman/Superman #7 then move on to the main event being the Flash #53 in the 1987 series at the request of superfriend and fellow collective member Phil Perich!

SYNOPSIS:

The Flash #53

(Courtesy of Rey-Zod)

Fast Friends

Flash and the Piper ruminate about Gotham's finest villain when it's revealed that Piper is homosexual. Wally West is notably shaken by this and makes a hasty exit much to Piper's amusement.

He meets up with Superman who has a favour to ask. Jimmy Olsen having found himself embroiled in some trouble with a meta human called the Silver Squid, and Esquelito, forces Superman to Flash to  poke around San Felipe to investigate whether Esquelito (thought dead for two years) is actually alive or not.

Flash runs over to San Felipe Chile, whilst Superman investigates the CIA in Langley, Virginia. Wally West discovers that although San Felipe looks like paradise, the society still appears in squalor. Suspicious of staff within the US Embassy, Wally spots a shady looking man headed out to sea and discovers beyond lies the island where the el presidente keeps prisoners.

Flash navigates past a series of electric nets, mines and barbed wire before arriving at the island with a crew of armed gunmen waiting.

It's not long before Wally discovers Esquelito alive and well on the island and still functioning as the president.

Superman discovers that the Silver Squid, aka Morgan Rule was ex CIA and in allegiance with Esquelito. Things turned sour when Morgan Rule wanted out, resulting in Esquelito torturing and killing his family. Superman, now with the truth about Morgan Rule, flies off hoping that Jimmy isn't an innocent victim of the Silver Squid's vengeance.

Meanwhile, Esquelito reveals to the Flash how he has the protection of the CIA, but in an instant, the Flash abducts Esquelito...leaving the G-Men behind on the island.

Superman reconvenes with the Silver Squid and Jimmy Olsen just as the Flash arrives with Esquelito. Silver Squid attempts to kill Esquelito but is too slow for the Flash, who grabs Jimmy out of the way, as Superman deals with the vengeful ex-CIA agent. Having tried to boost his powers of electricity with amphetamines and steroids, it's not long before the Silver Squid snuffs out right before Superman.

In a final flourish, it's revealed that it's the Pied Piper in Flash's suit and Wally had snuck around to grab Jimmy whilst the Silver Squid was distracted.

Superman asks where Esquelito is, and the Flash remarks that he dropped him off downtown, screaming and acting the fool!

SHOW NOTES:

• Batman & Superman #7
• Action Comics #1020
• The Flash #53
• Capes and Lunatics

SEND IN YOUR FEEDBACK OR THOUGHTS ON -

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Proud Member of The Collective

The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 37: SUPERMAN : RED SON (2003)

The Last Sons briefly discuss the latest in Superman comics to hit the stand before they are joined by special guests - Superman Blue and Superman Red (Tyler and James) from The Krypton Report!

What's on offer for this episode?

It's something you get with a Stroganoff and a nice glass of vodka!

The quartet discuss Superman: Red Son, arguably a classic...

Many differing opinions on this one - who do you agree with?

Check it out for all the chat!

SYNOPSIS:

Superman : Red Son (2003)

(Courtesy of Wiki)

The first part starts in the 1950s, and sets up the board and the pieces. The world is nearly identical to our own to begin with, but starts diverging rapidly as the Soviet Union unveils its newest asset, Superman, upsetting the Cold War and turning the nuclear arms race into a super-being arms race.

At this point Superman is a newcomer in Stalin's inner circle. He's kind-hearted and just, and also dedicated to the cause of communism. When possible, he spends his time detecting and preventing accidents around the USSR. His opposing number is the American Lex Luthor, a legitimate scientist at the employ of S.T.A.R. Labs and a super-genius who is very well aware of his intellect and has very little regard for lesser minds. He is married to Lois Lane. At the behest of his CIA contact, Agent Olsen, he begins attempts to destroy Superman.

In order to collect genetic material for his first attempt, Luthor causes Sputnik 2 to plummet towards Metropolis. As Luthor predicted, Superman arrives in time to divert its course. In the process, he meets Lois Luthor, and though there is immediate romantic tension between them, they do not pursue their mutual attraction as Lois is married. In a nod to the mainstream continuity, the story makes mention of a best-selling fictional work which depicts Superman and Lois involved in a romance. The satellite is retrieved by the United States government and Luthor uses the traces found on it to create a Bizarro clone of Superman.

Meanwhile, Superman meets Wonder Woman at a diplomatic party. She becomes rather smitten by Superman, but he is forced to leave when he spots Pyotr Roslov, Chief of the NKVD and Stalin's illegitimate son, who is drunk and extremely disgruntled. Pyotr is angry at everything, especially at Superman, whose arrival has rewritten the Soviet Union's power structure, turned his father's attention away from him and putting a stop to his chances of advancement. Having had to shoot a dissident couple before their own son's eyes for printing anti-Superman propaganda, Pyotr snapped and arranged Stalin's poisoning, which in turn has caused him horrible guilt, though not enough to confess. Stalin dies from cyanide poisoning, but Superman initially declines the leadership of the Party.

Meanwhile, Luthor's clone is finished and engages Superman. The duel is inconclusive on its own, but causes an accidental nuclear missile launch at Great Britain. The clone, which has been made too much like Superman, sacrifices himself to save millions, although Superman's visible heroism and the accidental nuclear missile launch coupled with damage in London resulting in high civilian casualties apparently lead to an irrevocable breach in Anglo-American relations. Horrified at the implication that Superman is more intelligent than himself after losing a chess game to the clone, Luthor murders his research staff before leaving S.T.A.R Labs and founding Luthorcorp, dedicating his life to destroying Superman. Lois is nigh-abandoned and longs for Superman. Superman himself tries to put this all out of his mind, but a chance meeting with Lana Lazarenko, his childhood flame, changes things entirely. Seeing the suffering of her and her children, Superman realizes that his powers could be used for a greater good, and assumes leadership of the country in order to transform it into a utopia.

It is an alternate 1978, and the fictional world of Red Son has diverged greatly from our own. There are no references to Soviet interventions in East Germany (1953), Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968) or Afghanistan, which implies that Soviet prosperity has spread to its satellites, and mitigated the existence of dissident movements in those societies.

John F. Kennedy is president of the United States, having replaced the tragically slain Richard Nixon, who won the 1960 election but was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, in 1963. Luthor has devised and executed several plans to thwart Superman, none of which have worked. Only the United States and Chile remain independent from the Soviets, and both are on the brink of collapse, while President Kennedy is forced to grant independence to Georgia, and he acknowledges that there have been similar secessionist pressures in Detroit and Texas, riots in California, and even a "communist sympathiser" terrorist attack on the White House. He has also married Marilyn Monroe, and divorced Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy in this world. By contrast, the Superman-led (Global) Soviet Union has grown without resorting to war, and has virtually eliminated poverty, disease and the like, but this has started to infringe on individual liberties, and Superman is fast becoming a Big Brother-like figure. A brain surgery technique that turns dissidents into obedient drones, or "Superman Robots," is in use.

Wonder Woman and Superman have now become a duo, using their superpowers to save lives in addition to their ambassadorial and governing duties. Wonder Woman has fallen for Superman, but he sees her simply as a comrade, and is cheerfully oblivious to her love for him. Lois Luthor succeeds Perry White as the editor-in-chief of a failing Daily Planet, while her estranged husband feverishly works on his obsession.

Luthor plans to shrink Moscow, but this fails when Brainiac, his collaborator, shrinks Stalingrad instead. Superman intervenes and retrieves both Brainiac's central processing unit and the tiny city, putting an end to the Brainiac-Luthor cooperation, although he is unable to restore Stalingrad and its inhabitants to their proper size. This becomes his one failure and a source of great guilt.

Luthor's second plan involves Batman, who is revealed as the boy orphaned by Pyotr early in the story, now a grown man and the head of an anarchist terrorist network that sees the abundance forced upon the people by Superman's system as little more than oppression. Their persistent success in avoiding capture is a thorn in Superman's side. Batman joins forces with Lexcorp and with his parents' killer, Pyotr, now head of the KGB and consumed by jealousy of Superman, to attempt a coup. They capture Wonder Woman and use her as bait for Superman, hoping to sap his powers with rays that imitate the light of Superman's native sun. The plan works, but Wonder Woman breaks free and rescues Superman, although the process (which requires severing her golden lasso) seriously injures her, snapping something inside her and causing her hair to turn instantly white. Batman commits suicide to avoid capture, but not before revealing to Superman that Pyotr had a role in the plot. Pyotr is then turned into a Superman Robot.

As the part ends, Luthor's third plan begins, when Luthor is given a mysterious green lantern found in an alien ship that crashed at Roswell, New Mexico. Batman has become a martyr for his cause, Brainiac is reprogrammed into Superman's aide, and the construction of a version of the Fortress of Solitude, here located in Siberia and referred to as "the Winter Palace", begins. The stage is set for the finale.

It is the year 2001, and the Global Soviet Union encompasses all countries except for Chile and the divided remnants of the United States of America, which underwent a disastrous civil war in 1986, after which an unnamed sixteen states seceded from the union. Within the Soviet sphere of influence there is no crime, no poverty, no unemployment, and no choice. The "Superman Robot" operation is a common punishment for dissent. Superman is committed to "winning the argument" with the US, and repeatedly refuses Brainiac's suggestions of an invasion. His sole failure remains Stalingrad, which is ravaged by a green microscopic organism bearing resemblance to a Sheep louse.

Luthor runs for, and wins, the American presidency, with Jimmy Olsen as his running-mate. He has succeeded a President "Friedman", whose misrule resulted in food riots and tanks on New York's First Avenue. Whether or not this is the late economist Milton Friedman is unclear. Using his scientific expertise, massive economic capital and dictatorial powers, he returns prosperity to his country, overcoming the secession that had sundered the United States fifteen years beforehand. He remains as asocial as ever, though, and this is only a part of a larger plan to provoke Superman into invading America so that he can be destroyed, as Lois Luthor and Lucy Lane Olsen concur in the deserted offices of the long-closed Daily Planet in Metropolis. Luthor confronts Superman in the Siberian Winter Palace. In a seemingly anticlimactic moment, Brainiac yanks Luthor deep into the recesses of the Fortress to be surgically turned into yet another Superman Robot. Superman agrees that his hand has been forced, and prepares to attack.

Superman takes on the East Coast, confronting and defeating the Green Lantern Marine Corps, which is led by Colonel Hal Jordan, and featuring Privates Scott, Stewart, Rayner, and Gardner. He defeats the Amazon forces commanded by a highly disillusioned Wonder Woman, and a collection of "super-menaces" that Luthor has put together over the years. Brainiac's spaceship cuts the U.S. Pacific fleet to pieces, and the two superbeings meet at the White House, where Lois Luthor waits with the last weapon, a small note written by Lex that manages to break the Comrade of Steel's resolve. It reads, "Why don't you just put the whole WORLD in a BOTTLE, Superman?"

Superman orders Brainiac to end the invasion, but the robot reveals that he is not as reprogrammed as everyone thought, attacking Superman with green radiation that may be analogous to green kryptonite, given its effects on this Superman, while boasting that "eventually the entire universe" will "hum to his battery". He is shut down by Luthor, who evaded surgery (by undisclosed means) during the invasion, and is destroyed by Superman. This triggers a fail-safe self-destruct (though it is lightly implied that Luthor had planned for this to happen) and as the gravitational singularities powering Brainiac's ship threaten to explode, Superman rockets it into outer space, where it blows up. The Earth is saved, but Superman is thought to have been caught in an explosion which is said to have a kill radius of 15,000,000 miles (24,000,000 km).

The epilogue follows. The Soviet Union falls into chaos, and is transformed by the Batmen. Lex Luthor goes on to integrate many of Superman's ideas into the new philosophy of "Luthorism" and form a "Global United States". This becomes the defining moment for mankind's future as it enters an unprecedented age of peace and stability. A benevolent world government is formed and maintained, and Luthor presides over a string of scientific achievements, including the cure of all known disease, and colonisation of the solar system. Lex Luthor lives for over two thousand years. At his funeral it is revealed that Superman survived and is apparently immortal, although this is unknown to Lois, who has outlived her husband.

Now permanently retired from public view, he goes on to describe Luthor's descendants, culminating in Jor-L, "whose intellect exceeded that of even his beloved ancestor." Billions of years in the future, it is revealed that Earth is being torn apart by tidal stresses from its sun (which has become a red giant). Jor-L and Lara send their infant son rocketing back into the past. The final panels of the comic book depict the landing of Kal-L's timeship in a Ukrainian collective in 1938, effectively causing a predestination paradox.

SHOW NOTES:

• Superman #20
• Superman Heroes #1 
• Red Son
• Krypton Report Podcast
• Must there be a Superman?
• Red Son trailer
• Injustice before Injustice
• One More Day

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The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;

EPISODE 36: SUPERMAN #244, 'THE ELECTRONIC GHOST OF METROPOLIS' (1971)

The Last Sons Discuss the latest offerings of Superman-centric comics from the last couple of weeks, then dive into one of Rey's Randoms...a 1971 classic, 'The Electronic Ghost of Metropolis'!

What are the Last Sons' views on the current state of Superman? How did they find the oddity that was Superman #244?

You'll have to tune in to find out!

SYNOPSIS:

Superman #244 - 'The Electronic Ghost of Metropolis' (1971)

(Written by Rey-Zod)

Whilst on his regular patrol, Superman notices a strange aura surrounding the Galaxy Broadcasting building. Upon arrival, Superman is assaulted with the sight of a monster made from pure electricity. Both Jimmy and Lois try to confront the beast, but Superman intervenes and is no more successful in defeating the seemingly indestructible behemoth.

A momentary blackout ensues before the mysterious disappearance of the electrical monster.

Superman decides to investigate further as Clark and discovers from the cutting edge technology of Mr. Edge's Super Computer from the transmission building that the aura was radiation from quark energy.

It's not long before the Electronic Ghost is sighted at the TRansmission Tower and so Superman flies off to confront it once more.

After saving Lois from a close shave, Superman seemingly obliterates the ghost by hurling a steel beam at it.

Elsewhere a group of thugs conspire to earn money through a device called a Wraith Raiser. They send a note to the WGBS Broadcasting office claiming that they are responsible for the Electronic Ghost. Signed Teach Gilbert, Clark (who works at WGBS alongside Lois and Jimmy), drops everything to follow the lead, as Superman. Teach Gilbert intends to blackmail the city mayor with the device but Superman intervenes and proves the Wraith Raiser to be nothing but a hoax.

After Teach Gilbert and his cronies are arrested, Superman spots the purple aura again and follows it's trail to the nuclear power plant. A chain reaction begins in the plant but with a bit of quick thinking, Superman hurls the reaction room up out of the atmosphere and into space.

Superman surmises that the Electronic Ghost is connected to Mr. Edge's main computer as the Transmittor Tower and nuclear plant are fed by the main line of the super computer.

Superman tracks down the location of the Super Computer and it's revealed the Electronic Ghost is the child of the Super Computer, who has attained artifical intelligence.

One final battle ensues as Superman goes head to head with the Electronic Ghost, but after destroying some of the computers cables, Superman is able to defeat both the Super Computer and the Electronic Ghost…

Superman is left feeling empty at having destroyed two beings who had only just come to life - the Super Computer the parent, and the Electronic Ghost, it's child.

SHOW NOTES:

• Hell Arisen #2
• Batman / Superman #6
• Superman #19
• Action Comics #1019
• Superman #244 (1970)
• Johns Tribute page and obituary
• Superman Burger ad
• Johns review of said sandwich
• Iron Fist Patreon

SEND IN YOUR FEEDBACK OR THOUGHTS ON -

• email : lskpodcast@gmail.com
• Twitter: @LSKPodcast
• FB Page: facebook.com/lskpodcast

Proud Member of The Collective

The music for this episode contains excerpts from various songs and is copyrighted by Styzmask. The music used on Last Sons of Krypton - A Superman Podcast is licensed under an Attribution License;