BASE OF OPERATIONS: STEELWORKS, METROPOLIS; FORMERLY WASHINGTON D.C.
AFFILIATION: SUPERMEN OF AMERICA, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA
CHARACTERISTICS
HEIGHT: 6’7″ MALE
WEIGHT: 290 LBS (132 KG)
ALIGNMENT: GOOD
ORIGIN STORY
John Henry Irons’ parents died when he was young. In order to achieve power and money, John attended Yale on a sports scholarship before being hired by Amertek Industries.1
As a ballistic expert, he designed hi-tech weapons for a contractor with government ties. When his weapons were used in a war in Qurac, Irons destroyed his prototypes and relocated to Metropolis under Henry Johnson.
During the battle of Metropolis, Irons was saved by Superman who was battling Doomsday. “Henry” told Superman he owed him his life and Superman told him to make it count for something.2
BECOMING STEEL, THE NEW SUPERMAN
During the “Reign of the Supermen” storyline, Irons found out his weapons called “Toastmasters,” were being sold on the street. Irons decided to take action and designed an armour suit, flight boots, a kinetic hammer, an S-emblem and a cape. He became Steel. People believed he was Superman coming back from death. At the time, there were three other Supermen in Metropolis.2
In ‘Starman’ (1990) #28, Starman attempts to restore Superman’s super powers with his solar energy. AP Photo/DC Comics.
IN MAD SCIENCE
S.T.A.R. Labs has been associated with Superman and Metropolis, as the future of the Man of Tomorrow. It has served as backup for Superman, Cyborg and the Teen Titans. Superman has had a scientific advisor named Dr. Emil Hamilton, who is a former S.T.A.R. Labs employee.
S.T.A.R. Labs is Superman’s project for advanced science since the Man of Steel has entrusted it with the knowledge of his super powers and weaknesses.
200,000 years ago, an alien scientist named Bertron had the dream of creating the Ultimate on Krypton. Early Krypton was very harsh and hostile and the life-forms living there were the deadliest creatures in the universe. The child that would become Doomsday was created by a process of forced evolution. He was exposed to the harsh environment, killed, its remains collected then cloned then the process was repeated a thousand times. Eventually, the creature evolved the ability to come back from the attack that killed it. Doomsday proceeded to eradicate all the harsh life-forms on Krypton.
Per it’s genetic programming, it returned to Bertron’s lab and killed Bertron and all the scientists there. Then it boarded the cargo ship that supplied Bertron’s lab and went to other planets destroying lives.
Doomsday ended up on Calaton, a very scientifically advanced world. For three years it laid waste to the planet until it reached the capital. The scientists worked to devise a solution and finally, the members of the Royal family who had meta human abilities were merged into the being called the Radiant. For a week, he battled Doomsday until in an all-out energy attack he was able to kill the creature. Doomsday was bound but its body was not destroyed to prevent it from entering the afterlife and sent into space. It crash-landed on Earth, buried deep within its mantle.1
DOOMSDAY AND SUPERMAN DIE IN BATTLE IN METROPOLIS
Doomsday emerged to the Earth’s surface. He was met by the Justice League and was named Doomsday by Booster Gold. Doomsday beat them with ease with one hand tied behind his back.2,3 Superman soon met him and a battle across the U.S. states followed. Superman realized the creature was headed for Metropolis.4,5 Eventually, Superman fought Doomsday to a standstill. Finally, both combatants dealt each other the final blow. Apparently spent, they both died.6,7
Entropy: This is the one thing that Doomsday cannot adapt to nor form an immunity to. When sent to the end of time, he was finally destroyed along with end of the universe.[34]
Single-Mindedness: Due to the fact that Doomsday was unintentionally programmed to hate everything that lives, Doomsday will focus only on killing, and could potentially be led into a trap.
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #612, Batman punches a mind-controlled Superman with a Kryptonite ring. AP Photo/DC Comics.
IN MIND CONTROL
CATWOMAN, UNDER MIND CONTROL, STEALS LAMONT’S RANSOM AND DELIVERS IT TO POISON IVY
In ‘Batman’ (2002) #608, Batman fights Poison Ivy’s mind control of Catwoman. It is almost midnight. On the scene of a kidnapping, Batman sneaks through an FBI security perimeter at the Gotham City Shipyard. He has one minute and 13 seconds left. Using acid, he burns through the lock and gets into the Shipyard. He quickly takes down the enemy crew who he knows by name: Nails Nathan, Tommy Harper, Carlos Valdez, and Spider Hancock.
Having interrogated Spider Hancock, he locates the kidnapped, Edward Lamont IV, the sole heir to the Lamont Chemical fortune. Batman notes that he only has 37 seconds left and attempts to get the boy out. The boy is trembling and Batman notes Superman’s smile could have re-assured the boy. He had been kidnapped two days ago by Killer Croc. Within six hours, a $10 million demand for ransom was made. Everyone, the Lamont Family, the Mayor, G.C.P.D. and the F.B.I. but Batman wanted to pay the ransom.
In ‘Batman’ (2002) #608, Batman has to fight Killer Croc in order to save Edward Lamont IV and recover the ransom money.
During the fight, Batman recalls that Killer Croc send everyone on a “wild-goose chase” and went to retrieve the money.1 Batman thought he had two minutes before Croc would realize the child was missing. In reality, he was off by 11 seconds. Batman is intrigued at the fact that kidnapping was never Killer Croc’s Modus Operandi. In fact, the operation was well-planned and executed. Using Croc’s vulnerability to hypersonics, Batman takes him down with “ten thousand bumblebees at one thousand decibels.”1 Batman ties Killer Croc into chains.
The F.B.I. arrives on the scene. One of the officers states though they may not use Batman’s methods, he gets results. Asking about the money, Batman states someone may have gotten it during the fight. Using his heat sensors, he sees Catwoman leaving the scene on a rope. Batman catches up to her and notes that taking ransom money was never Catwoman’s style. In fact, as of late, she had been on the path to reform. As Batman is about to catch Catwoman, his Batrope breaks. Batman exclaims to himself that someone must have cut it. Batman tries to hold onto a gargoyle but his shoulder breaks, then he falls to the ground. At the end of the issue, Catwoman delivers the ransom money to… Poison Ivy who says that no man or woman can resist her mind control.
In ‘Batman’ (2002) #608, Catwoman under mind control, delivers Lamont’s money to Poison Ivy. AP Photo/DC Comics.
DR. ELLIOTT, BRUCE’S CHILDHOOD FRIEND, OPERATES ON AND SAVES BRUCE FROM A SKULL FRACTURE
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #609, Bruce Wayne is operated on and saved from a skull fracture by Dr. Elliott. On the streets of Gotham, thugs witness Batman’s fall. He is bleedy and barely conscious. Batman manages to activate the alarm signal on the utility belt in order to alert Oracle. The thugs attempt to take off his mask. When they are unable, they try to kill Batman. Oracle manages to alert the closest vigilante to Batman. Batman smells the smell of gun oil as one of the thugs is about to shoot him.
Suddenly, Huntress answers the alarm and arrives on the scene. She takes down the thugs. Batman is able to follow on the fight and thinks to himself, that Huntress wants to prove herself. Oracle remote controls the Batmobile to their location. Huntress is startled and Oracle tells Huntress to load Batman into the Batmobile. Huntress says Batman feels broken. As the Batmobile shuts and departs, Oracle tells Huntress that Batman is sure to thank her in person once he recovers. As the Batmobile departs, a mysterious man whose head is covered in bandages observes from a vantage point.
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #609, Batman has a skull fracture and is immobilized on the ground. Thugs who witnessed his fall are trying to kill him. AP Photo/DC Comics.
Elsewhere, Poison Ivy takes the attaché case with half of the ransom money retrieved by Catwoman who is under her mind control. She gives it to a mysterious man. At the Batcave, Alfred Pennyworth states Batman’s injuries are too severe for his skills. Bruce has a skull fracture. Oracle recommends contacting Shondra Kinsolving but Alfred advises against it, as she is having some issues as of late. Oracle says she will have Dick Grayson wreck Bruce’s Porsche.
At that moment, Bruce starts tapping a name. Alfred thinks it is an involuntary nerve movement. Then, he realizes it is Morse Code and that Bruce is tapping “Thomas”. Alfred thinks Bruce is delirious and is recalling childhood memories of his father. However, Bruce continues tapping and Alfred recognizes the name “Thomas Elliott”, Bruce’s chilhood friend who is now a neurosurgeon. The news report on the surgery at Gotham City Hospital and that Dr. Elliott is being flown in from Philadelphia. Eventually, the surgery is successful and Dr. Elliott saves Bruce Wayne’s life.
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #609, Dr. Elliott operates on Bruce Wayne’s skull fracture. AP Photo/DC Comics.
EXPLOSIVE RUMBLE IN METROPOLIS: BATMAN VS SUPERMAN UNDER MIND CONTROL BY POISON IVY
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #612, Batman has to fight Superman under mind control by Poison Ivy. In order to recover Lamont’s ransom, Batman and Catwoman have traced Poison Ivy to Metropolis. Poison Ivy has Superman under mind control and orders Superman to kill Batman and Catwoman. Superman attacks them with heat vision but Batman and Catwoman escape to the Metropolis underground system. When Superman vociferates he can’t kill, Poison Ivy poisons him. Batman is conflicted because of his feelings for Catwoman who has a personal vendetta against Poison Ivy because she put her under mind control to steal Lamont’s ransom.
However, with prep time, Batman has a plan. They have escaped to the Lexcorp tunnel systems which are lead-lined. After Batman puts on his Kryptonite ring, Catwoman kisses him and departs. The fight between Batman and Superman is uneven. During the fight, Batman thinks Clark is a good person, while Bruce is not. Though Superman has the advantage, Batman uses Clark’s psychology with a lie so he can’t use his heat vision. Then, he times Superman’s punch and avoids it, to hit High Voltage. Superman is electroshocked by Metropolis’ power system. There is a power outage, then power returns.
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #612, Batman punches a mind-controlled Superman with a Kryptonite ring. AP Photo/DC Comics.
Superman storms out of the underground and exclaims to Batman: “You hurt me. This ends now.”2 He grabs a car in order to slam it into Batman. Batman asks Superman to look up and gives him a choice: He can either continue fighting or he can save Lois Lane who is being held by Catwoman atop the Daily Planet building. Catwoman pushes Lois off the Daily Planet. Superman frees himself from the mind control of Poison Ivy and saves Lois.
Coming to his senses, Superman says they are unable to track Poison Ivy though Batman knows someone who can. Meeting Ivy at Metropolis Plaza, Superman says he has arranged for Maggie Sawyer to deliver Poison Ivy to G.C.P.D. Poison Ivy attempts to leave but is met by Krypto the super-dog. Batman, Catwoman and Superman used Krypto’s super smell in order to track Poison Ivy. Then, Catwoman knocks out Poison Ivy to even the score for Poison Ivy putting her under mind control. At the end of the issue, Batman and Superman congratulate each other for their friendship.
In ‘Batman’ (2003) #612, Catwoman drops Lois Lane off the Daily Planet and Superman frees himself from Poison Ivy’s mind control in order to save her. AP Photo/DC Comics.
INTERESTED IN THE NEXT ISSUES OF BATMAN’S “HUSH” DETECTIVE WORK IN UNCOVERING LAMONT’S RANSOM? CLICK ON “BATMAN: HUSH” BELOW TO PURCHASE THE COMIC ON AMAZON.
For the full battle, click on the Amazon product image below to purchase the comic.
OUR REVIEW RATING SCORE:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Visit our product review for “Action Comics (1938-2011) #831.”
Writers and Artists
Gail Simone and John Byrne
SYNOPSIS FOR “BLACK AND BLUE”
The super-villains are joining together and Metropolis is caught in the crossfires. Bizarro is being recruited by Zoom into the Secret Society led by Lex Luthor. In Metropolis, Superman must battle Black Adam over his protection of the super-villain Doctor Psycho who has the citizens of Metropolis in his mind-control. Can Superman defeat Black Adam in time to save the citizens of Metropolis?
IN SUPERHERO BATTLES
THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY! SUPERMAN VS BLACK ADAM!
In ‘Action Comics’ (2005) #831, Superman confronts Black Adam over his protection of the villain Dr. Psycho. AP Photo/DC Comics.
Enter the two contestants in Metropolis. On the left side is Superman, the Man of Steel and on the right side is Black Adam, the Champion of the Egyptian gods.
Let’s look at the stats.
SUPERMAN – NEW EARTH
SUPER-STRENGTH: STELLAR
SUPER-SPEED: STELLAR
DURABILITY: SOLAR SYSTEM
ENERGY PROJECTION: SOLAR SYSTEM
FIGHTING SKILLS: METAHUMAN
INTELLIGENCE: GENIUS
PARAPHERNALIA
Items in the Fortress of Solitude.
Legion Flight Ring.
Archer rifle.
WEAKNESSES
Vulnerability to Kryptonite.
Vulnerability to Red Sun Radiation.
Vulnerability to Magic.
High-Pitched Noises.
Psionics.
BLACK ADAM – NEW EARTH
SUPER-STRENGTH: STELLAR
SUPER-SPEED: STELLAR
DURABILITY: SOLAR SYSTEM
eNERGY PROJECTION: PLANETARY
FIGHTING SKILLS: WARRIOR
INTELLIGENCE: LEADER
WEAKNESSES
Vulnerability to Electricity.
SUPERMAN IS IN POLE POSITION OF THE BATTLE RANKER COMPETITION
To find out Superman’s battle rank, visit the Battle Ranker page.
Superman confronts Black Adam in Metropolis over his protection of the villain Dr. Psycho. Dr. Psycho has Metropolis in a psychic hold.
The battle to decide who is the strongest warrior!
In ‘Action Comics’ (2005) #831, Superman confronts Black Adam over his protection of the villain Dr. Psycho. AP Photo/DC Comics.
OUTCOME: DRAW
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BLACK ADAM IN COMICS
‘The Power Of Shazam’ (1994) #1, marks the first appearance of Black Adam in DC continuity. The graphic novel tells the origin story of Captain Marvel (Shazam) and his confrontation with his archnemesis Black Adam.
The graphic novel was created by Jerry Ordway and John Costanza.
CYBORG SUPERMAN DESTROYS COAST CITY WITH WARWORLD’S HELP!
In ‘Superman’ (1993) #80, Cyborg Superman recruits Mongul in order to create Engine City with War World. Photo/DC Comics
IN DC COMICS
‘REIGN OF THE SUPERMEN’
STEEL
During the ‘Reign of the Supermen storyline, Cyborg Superman destroys Coast City with Mongul’s help. Steel, Superboy, Eradicator and Cyborg Superman emerge as Superman replacements during Superman’s absence. Steel appears first. John Henry Irons witnessed a murder of one of the children he was trying to protect on the streets of Metropolis.
John recognizes the Toastmaster weapon used to commit the murder, which he created. Attempting a chase, the murderers evade and John ends up at the hospital. Discharged from the hospital, John recounts how Superman saved him and the promise he made to make his life count. He forges a suit of armor and promises to get the Toastmaster weapons off the streets. He is known as the Man of Steel.
A group of thugs in a taxicab drive by the Superman memorial statue in Centennial Park and begin shooting at it with their guns. Soon after, they attempt to run down an attractive jogger, but a young boy claiming to be the man of steel intercepts them. Crushing the car, he steals a pair of trendy sunglasses from one of the goons and kisses the would-be victim before flying off.
Meanwhile, the young Superman arrives at the Daily Planet announcing his triumphant return. Lois Lane meets him and is hardly convinced that this is in fact the one, true Superman. This Super-boy begins to flirt with her until he sees a younger reporter, Tana Moon, leaving the Daily Planet building. He introduces himself to Tana and learns that she works for Vincent Edge at WGBS. Tana convinces Superboy to give her a talk-show exclusive interview and he finally broadcasts to the world that he is not the true Superman, but rather his clone. Lex Luthor discovers the news broadcast and summons Project Cadmus administrator, Carl Packard, to his office.
In ‘Action Comics (1993) 687’, the Eradicator is the third Superman to emerge. He emerges in the Fortress of Solitude, confused and shocked. One of the robots who created him, explains he was created by a mobile field effect. The Eradicator watches news footage of Superman’s battle with Doomsday and flies to Metropolis. He enters Superman’s tomb and picks up his cape. As he emerges from the tomb, he is blinded by the light. He flies back to the Fortress of Solitude.
The Eradicator returns to Metropolis and responds to various crimes. Unlike Superman, he is more lethal in dealing with violence. People speculate whether Superman has returned. Later, Lex Luthor discovers that Superman’s body is missing and is furious. Supergirl bursts into his office, furious that he hid news of Superman’s return from her. Meanwhile, the Eradicator saves a plane from crashing earning the people’s admiration. He picks Lois Lane up and they have a private conversation. She notes he has Superman’s memories but his personality is different. She attempts to kiss him, but the Eradicator evades stating only Superman remains, Clark Kent is dead. He is the Last Son Of Krypton.
In ‘Superman’ (1993) #78, Lois Lane investigates Superman sightings. She interviews a scientist who claims to have seen Superman. The man states, Superman removed a train with a cracked container containing nuclear waste in order to prevent contamination. He was able to get a photo of him and shows it to Lois. Lois heads back and turns on her police scanner in the car. She intercepts a police report for Maggie Sawyer’s Unit to report to Star Labs immediately. Superman has been sighted there! Then, Project Cadmus intercepts a bogey headed their way for Zoomway Alpha. They send the Sky Sentinels but the bogey is too fast for them.
The figure breaches the perimeter, and Guardian and security men fire at him at Infra-Vision to kill. The blasts have no effect on him. They turn the lights back on and see Cyborg Superman. He has come for the dead body of Doomsday. Guardian seems to recognize him and Director Westfield vociferously denies his request citing legal bindings. Wasting no time, Cyborg Superman breaks through the underground concrete and uses his robotic right arm to hack the vault where Doomsday is kept. Filled with the memories of Superman, he is terrorized by Doomsday. He manages to bind Doomsday and takes off into space as Lois Lane watches. He is the Man of Tomorrow.
In ‘Superman’ (1993) #78, Cyborg Superman meets Doomsday’s dead body in a vault at Project Cadmus. Photo/DC Comics
In ‘Superman’ (1993) #80, Eradicator is in Coast City helping put out a fire at Ferris Aircraft Warehouse. When he hears reports of an alien aircraft in Coast City, he decides to stay and investigate. In Metropolis, Cyborg Superman receives a message from the White House of the sighting in Coast City. When he learns that one of the Supermen is in the area, he suggests the impostor may be leading the aliens and departs for Coast City. Aboard the craft, Mongul orders to release the 77,000 carnage globes on the city. With ninety seconds to detonation!
As Eradicator flies through the carnage globes, he is intercepted by Cyborg Superman. Cyborg Superman blames him to be an impostor and to be the leader of the alien craft. Eradicator slightly denies the accusations, and as he turns his back flying away, Cyborg Superman attacks. Cyborg Superman fashions his right robotic arm into a gun and shoots Eradicator in the back. At that moment, Mongul orders all the carnage globes to be detonated. Fashioning his robotic arm into a cannon, Cyborg Superman blasts the Eradicator stating that he cares that Coast City be obliterated and that Eradicator be blamed for the deaths of seven million men and women. Cyborg Superman falls to a huge crater, in his energy form.
In ‘Superman’ (1993) #80, Cyborg Superman blasts the Eradicator and destroys Coast City. Photo/DC Comics
Mongul moves to the next phase and releases seeds in the ground that are to connect to build Engine City. The White House contacts Cyborg Superman and states it is not able to see past “the smoke and ash”.1 Cyborg Superman claims he “did everything possible to save Coast City.”1 Asked what he sees, Cyborg Superman says nothing is left and that he only sees a huge crater. Concerning the craft, Cyborg Superman claims he only saw a glimpse of it before it vanished.
On the other hand, the Eradicator has arrived at the Fortress of Solitude. He is protected by a suit and says he will survive in it. Cyborg Superman is on Warworld. Mongul arrives and asks for forgiveness for being behind schedule. Mongul kneels on his right knee and kisses Cyborg Superman’s right robotic hand. Cyborg Superman states: “And Metropolis is next!”1 Welcome to Warworld!
In ‘Superman’ (1993) #80, Cyborg Superman recruits Mongul in order to create Engine City with War World. Photo/DC Comics
In ‘L.E.G.I.O.N.’ (1989) #1, Vril Dox II speaks of the origin story of his father, Vril Dox I, on Colu. AP Photo/DC Comics
In ‘L.E.G.I.O.N.’ (1989) #1, Vril Dox II speaks of the origin story of his father, Vril Dox I who would become Brainiac, on Colu.
Vril Dox I, who would become Brainiac, was born on the planet Colu. Colu was out on the Magellanic clouds, located as the fourth planet from the sun’s star system. Colu was a very advanced planet and it is estimated only about 1 percent of the population lived outside connurban areas. As a whole, the planet Colu was an eighth level intellect.
Coluans lived under the tyrannical control of the Computer Tyrants. The Computer Tyrants controlled and manipulated the daily lives of Coluans, even “brainwashing the chidren from birth– Raising them in sterile, computer-run edu-bloks–“1
Vril Dox I was a genius on Colu even by the Computer Tyrants’ standards. In order to not risk tampering with his mind, the Tyrants offered Vril Dox I a choice. Dox chose to stand with the machines against his own people. Dox worked magnificently for the Tyrants improving their compu-designs and their hold on Coluans. He was rewarded with the permission to inseminate a female. A son was born and was named Vril Dox II.
Vril Dox II was born virtually an adult and became his father’s assistant. Vril Dox II hated his father.
Eventually, the machines grew nervous of Vril Dox I’s genius and decided to eliminate him. The Coluan Council convened and when Vril Dox I failed with an experiment, Dox was sentenced to death.
BRAINIAC IS BORN!
Eventually, Vril’s father was discorporated by the angry and fearful Computer Tyrants of Colu. His psyche came to inhabit a robot form and wandered the galaxy as Brainiac. He was destroyed by the Omega Men, and his consciousness traveled to Earth, where another android form was created. (History of the DCU #2) There he soon possessed the body of the telepath, Milton Fine, and began a long history of terrorizing Superman. (Adventures of Superman #438)
In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, Superman makes first contact with Brainiac’s main A.I. for the first time. Brainiac’s 12th Level Intellect is a vast computer mind that allows multiple running calculations with his Coluan brain and interfacing with machines and technology, as seen with the use of his bio-shell within his skull ship.
When Brainiac makes first contact with Superman for the first time, he mentions the superhuman computing power of his coluan brain which can process the knowledge of “over seventy times seven octodecillion beings.”2
Read on!
Brainiac is generally believed to be the most intelligent being in the DC Universe, possessing a twelfth-level intellect that surpasses even Lex Luthor. He is capable of storing and processing trillions of minds worth of information in his data banks and Coluan brain and possesses superhuman calculation abilities, enhanced memory, and advanced understanding of mechanical engineering, bio-engineering, physics and other theoretical and applied sciences. He has been shown as being capable of feats such as shrinking entire planets, creating impenetrable force fields, absorbing information from other beings, transferring his consciousness, time travel, and even creating an army of ten thousand similarly powered probes who are each able to rival and even kill Kryptonians. His vast intellect also makes him immune to mind control.
Let’s look at some applications of Brainiac’s 12th Level Intellect in battles.
IN ‘ACTION COMICS’ #868, BRAINIAC STATES HIS COLUAN BRAIN CAN PROCESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SEVENTY TIMES OCTODECILLION BEINGS
In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, Brainiac states the computing power of his 12th Level Intellect. AP Photo/DC Comics
In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, Superman has been kidnapped by Brainiac. He awakens aboard Brainiac’s Skull Ship and quickly takes down the Brainiac probes and Koko.
Superman heads for the control room and sees the bottled cities Brainiac has integrated into his A.I. At that moment, Brainiac awakens.
Brainiac and Superman soon engage in battle. Brainiac reveals to Superman it has been the first time in five centuries since he emerged from his bio-shell. He claims he will evolve to perfection.
The Brainiac A.I. states his spinal station is able process the knowledge of octodecillion beings. His Coluan brain is able to process seventy times the information. In addition, his programming is to evolve to integrate the knowledge of the galaxy within “a matter of hours”.2
IN ‘ACTION COMICS’ #869, BRAINIAC SENDS HIS SOLAR AGGRESSOR TO DETONATE THE SUN SUPERNOVA
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #869, Brainiac sends his solar aggressor to detonate the sun supernova. AP Photo/DC Comics
During his battle with Superman, Brainiac sends his solar aggressor to detonate the sun supernova. After Brainiac has captured Superman and Supergirl, he bottles Metropolis. He plans to incinerate Earth with the solar aggressor as it detonates the sun supernova. Brainiac states “in less than fifty-seven minutes, my solar aggressor will reach your sun.”4
In Smallville, Pa and Ma Kent watch as the solar aggressor heads for the sun. Pa Kent notes it is headed for the sun.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #866, Krypton comes in “first contact” with Brainiac an artificial intelligence from the planet Colu.1 35 years ago, Brainiac invaded the planet Krypton and stole the city of Kandor. General Zod notes Brainiac is “unnatural.”1
Brainiac sends robotic drones that kill people. General Zod and Ursa do not succumb to the hysteria of alien invasion. They attempt to fire back at Brainiac’s robotic drones. Their firepower has no effect. As they try to protect the people, a force field is erected around Kandor which disappears in a flash of light. Thus ends the “first contact” with Brainiac.1
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #866, General Zod and Ursa watch as Brainiac steals Kandor on Krypton 35 years ago. Photo/DC Comics
BRAINIAC SENDS A PROBE TO EARTH
In ‘Action Comics (2008) #866, Superman comes in contact with one of Brainiac’s robotic probes near Metropolis. The robotic probe attacks Superman who bleeds. Superman fires a blast of heat vision but the probe is protected by a force field. As Superman prepares his attack, the Brainiac probe scans his blood for DNA, confirms that he has found a Kryptonian then deactivates. He sends the message to the Brainiac Skull Ship.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #867, at the Fortress of Solitude, Supergirl is horrified at the probe. Superman notes that Brainiac is a telepath and telekinetic with a mind a 1000 times more powerful. Brainiac has always taken a different appearance in their encounters some organic, some robotic. Supergirl replies that all of Superman’s encounters were with Brainiac’s programming, not the real Brainiac. Supergirl reveals every Kryptonian feared Brainiac and burns off the robotic probe with her heat vision.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #867, Superman flies into deep space with a Kryptonian spaceship to locate Brainiac. He comes in “first contact” with the Brainiac Skull-Ship and finds Brainiac invading a planet with his probes but is unable to prevent the city from being bottled. Brainiac sends a nuclear missile to the sun that sets off a chain reaction that blows the sun and the planet. Superman floats unconscious in space. In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, wakes up as he is being experimented upon. He quickly frees himself and battles Koko, a monster the result of mutation upon Brainiac’s Skull Ship.
Superman heads to the control room where the bottled worlds are held and finds Kandor. At this time, Brainiac awakens outside his bio-shell for the first time “in three centuries.”2 Brainiac reveals that he has been seeking Superman to complete his knowledge of Kryptonian culture and plans on assimilating him. Brainiac’s final programming reveals the dangers of mad science: it is to assimilate the knowledge of the galaxy within “a matter of hours.”2 Brainiac engages Superman in combat and reveals his decision to invade Earth in order to assimilate Supergirl.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #869, Brainiac invades Earth which comes in “first contact” with the Brainiac Skull-Ship. The Brainiac probes invade Metropolis in search of Supergirl. They find her with Lois Lane. Amidst the alien invasion, Supergirl engages the Brainiac probes in battle. Meanwhile, Superman is battling Brainiac on the Brainiac Skull Ship. During the battle, Brainiac is able to read Superman’s thoughts and to predict Superman’s emotional state. Superman is able to disconnect Brainiac from his bio-shell and meets Zor-El and Alura from the miniature bottled city of Kandor.
They reveal to him that they had devised a dome using Brainiac’s technology around Argo as Krypton was nearing destruction by Brainiac. Recognizing his technology, Brainiac integrated Argo with Kandor. Brainiac is able to recover from Superman’s attack and capture Superman and Supergirl from Metropolis. He plans to integrate Superman by uploading the data of five worlds into Superman’s mind. As the Brainiac Skull-Ship bottles Metropolis, Brainiac sends his solar aggressor to detonate the sun.
SUPERMAN AND SUPERGIRL SAVE EARTH, METROPOLIS AND KANDOR
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #870, Brainiac remarks that concerning Metropolis: “this culture is useless.”3 Superman frees himself from his prison and attacks Brainiac. He manages to attack his A.I. Superman frees Kandor and Metropolis. He finds Supergirl being experimented upon and frees her. He asks her to intercept the missile sent to the sun or else it will go supernova. Supergirl tells Superman she is scared and Superman tells her that “it’s okay to be scared.”3
Superman tells Brainiac that life can’t be controlled nor bottled. He takes Brainiac outside his Skull Ship and engages him in combat. Brainiac is startled at the biotic environment and collapses. He tells Superman the cities are tethered to his bio-shell and their containment fields cannot hold. As Superman frees Metropolis and Kandor, Brainiac attacks the Kent farm in Smallville. Meanwhile, Supergirl manages to intercept and to destroy the solar aggressor. Though Superman manages to restore Metropolis from its “first contact” with Brainiac, and Kandor – a once-dead alien species – to their proper sizes, Jonathan Kent has a heart attack.
Today, we talk about heat vision! This is a super power that puts fear into the hearts of friends and foes alike.
As we all know, Superman is an alien from the planet Krypton. As Krypton was exploding, his parents, Jor-El and Lara put him on a ship, and set course for Earth, in order to save their child from impending doom! He was adopted and raised by Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent and raised to become Superman, the champion of Earth and working by day as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent in the city of Metropolis.
Under yellow solar radiation absorption, Superman’s dense cells become super-charged with yellow solar energy radiation, granting him fantastic super powers, among them, heat vision.
Read on!
Heat Vision: Superman can fire beams of intense heat from his eyes. These beams can be made invisible, allowing him to work undetected, and can be adjusted to affect matter on a microscopic level. Feats include powering up the giant ion planet moving engines, annihilating an army of Doomsday clones in one blast,[320] potentially rivaling the heat of a Star and bypassing a target’s outer shell, avoiding damage to a person’s skull for surgical purposes.
– Kal-El (New Earth), DC Database
Superman’s heat vision has been used by our beloved superhero for both offensive and defensive capabilities. Superman’s use of heat vision allows him to operate undetected as he can use low-level radiation of heat vision to cut his beard or heat a cup of tea. Also, he can fire a blast of heat vision at an enemy, generate rapid-fire, or even operate at the microscopic or sub-atomic level, combining heat vision and microscopic vision to reach microscopic agents, whether these are advanced technology, sub-atomic particles or even nullify other foes’ powers such as invisibility and intangibility.
How cool is that?
In Superman #218 (2005) it has been stated during Disaster Week that Superman’s heat vision is “off the charts by any standard scientific measures”.
In ‘Superman #218’ (2005), Superman fires his heat vision. (Photo/DC Comics)
The intensity of heat vision can reach the surface of the yellow sun or greater. Its range is practically outside known measurements as it can cover interplanetary distance and affords Superman great precision. Its precision is such that Superman’s heat vision can melt metal to its melting point.
In Superman #185 (2002), Superman melts Major Force’s alien metal skin called the Dilustel Armor. The Dilustel Armor was created after 1969 (when Major Force had been court-martialed and sentenced to life imprisonment) during the Project Atom experiments when the metal was subjected to a nuclear blast encapsulated to the subject.
Dilustel Armor: Major Force’s metallic shell, or “skin”, is composed of a portion of the alien being known as Silver Shield, and is called Dilustel. Pieces of the aliens metal body were used in the Major Force Project, Project Captain Atom and similar projects thereafter. Unlike Captain Atom However, Force is able to coat himself with the metal yet unable to either partially or totally coat himself and therefore cannot revert to a human appearance. Force’s symbiosis with the metal is such that even partially armored he is able to access the Quantum Field.
In ‘Superman #185’ (2002), Superman battles Major Force. (Photo/DC Comics).
In ‘Superman #185’ (2002), Superman melts Major Force’s Dilustel Armor. (Photo/DC Comics)
SUPER FEAT: IN SUPERMAN/BATMAN #80 (2011), SUPERMAN USES HIS HEAT VISION TO ESCAPE EPOCH’S OMEGA BARRIER BY CAUSING PARTICLES AND ANTI-PARTICLES VIRTUAL PAIRS TO APPEAR OUTSIDE, COLLIDE AND DESTROY EACH OTHER OUTSIDE THE OMEGA BARRIER SHATTERING IT.
In ‘Superman/Batman #80’ (2011), Superman fires his heat vision on particles and anti-particles to shatter Epoch’s Omega Barrier. (Photo/DC Comics)
Superman’s heat vision allows him to release the stored yellow solar radiation in his cells in a controlled manner. It is a focused beam of heat that Superman releases. In a sense, it is an extension of his yellow solar radiation absorption.
