"Northern region, sector 17-Alpha." "Log date 831 3-Omega-3." "Jor-El speaking." "Gathering readings for final subterranean probe." "I hope everything went smoothly, sir." "Frostbite, ice monsters." "Same old, same old." "Good afternoon, Jor-El." "Brainiac." "What an unpleasant surprise." "I'm awaiting your data." "Have you been spying on me with your satellites again?" "The Planetary Council demands that I analyze your data as soon as you obtain it." "Brainiac, somewhere in all those trillions of file clusters there's got to be one that says people don't like to be spied upon." "Then why did they create me?" "A question I often ask myself." "Transmission set. lt's feeding time." "Data received." "Ending transmission." "You're welcome." "Glutton." "Hey, Kal, what do you have there?" "Oh, great." "Kal-El was helping me check the solar panels when he discovered a playmate." "I heard you had fun too." "Oh, yes, I encountered a very friendly shoggot." "All in all, I prefer your arms." "We're moving." "What forsaken spot are we going to now?" "Home, Lara." "Home?" "That's right." "What, five months in this deep freeze not enough for you?" "No, it's just that once we're back, you'll start going over the data." "I keep thinking, "What if it supports your theory?" "What then?"" "We can deal with it." "Trust me." "The truth can only help." "Oh, Jor-El." "Such a beautiful world, even up here." "It's hard to believe it could all come to an end." "All I can tell you, Lara, is that if he persists in predicting the end of the world, it'll be the end, all right." "Of his political and professional career." "But what if he's right, Father?" "Try convincing the council." "He hasn't one supporter for his theory." "They even avoid him in the hallways." "You know why?" "Why is that, Sul-Van?" "Because you can never be wrong, Jor-El." "You can never let it go." "You have an ego the size of Argos." "I never let my ego get in the way of the facts." "Well, let me let you in on a little fact." "Unless Brainiac agrees with you, it's all over." "No more expeditions, no more research, no more- lt's another temblor." "Kal-El!" "Hush." "You'd better be wrong, Jor-El." "You'd better be dead wrong." "Each of you should have my report." "It distills all the data I've gathered so far and leaves no doubt that" "That the planet's core is undergoing a mounting chain reaction that will eventually destroy Krypton!" "Lunacy!" "Ask Brainiac!" "Yes, Brainiac." "He'll tell us." "Silence." "Silence." "Enough!" "I presume you've submitted your findings to Brainiac?" "Yes." "So, what say you, Brainiac?" "One can appreciate Jor-El's hard work." "However, he is still mistaken." "As I've stated before the temblors are the result of a slight polar shift, no more..." "...and will soon abate." "He's wrong!" "He doesn't know!" "Nonsense!" "There isn't a square foot of this planet Brainiac doesn't know." "He was built to monitor all of Krypton and has, I might add, served us far better than upstart scientists with apocalyptic visions." "Your faith in him will be the end of us all." "Act now and we can save everyone." "And how do you propose to do that?" "Put everyone in the Phantom Zone." "You're asking us to put ourselves among the vilest criminals in the galaxy?" "You're mad!" "We can restore ourselves later, on another planet." "It would only take one man." "Listen to me!" "I've built a ship!" "Listen, please!" "So, son, how does it feel not to have a worry in the world?" "Think we can get the baby to bed early?" "l have to go down to Brainiac operations." "No." "Lara, he's lying." "He's a machine." "He's still lying. I have to know why." "Has it occurred to you that he could be right?" "That somewhere you might have made a mistake?" "It's no crime to be wrong!" "Please, Lara." "Go, Jor-El." "Find out once and for all." "We've lived like this too long." "Your theories are more destructive than you can imagine." "Good evening, Jor-El." "You've been busy tonight." "May I be of service?" "Just trying to find out why we disagree, Brainiac." "Human error, I'm afraid." "Funny, I didn't think you were afraid of anything." "Is something wrong?" "You're denying me access to satellite com." "What's going on in there?" "Currently reallocating security file clusters." "Well, let's just see if I can override that." "Why do I get the feeling you're trying to hide something?" "Access denied." "I don't think so." "This is a breach of security, Jor-El." "A violation of statute 1 07 653 subsection 4.85." "You're downloading." "You're transmitting your memory to a satellite." "You're saving yourself." "I must." "After all, am I not the repository of all Kryptonian knowledge?" "Should I not be saved above all?" "You self-righteous monster!" "Temper, temper, Jor-El." "If you stop me, there won't even be a memory of Krypton left." "All its culture, its wonders and glory, will be dust in the cosmos." "Is that what you want?" "Why did you lie?" "If the council knew Krypton was doomed they would frantically put me to work on calculating an evacuation plan." "A futile gesture, given the time remaining." "How much time is left?" "Hours." "This world has seen its last sunrise." "Hold it right there!" "Jor-El?" "We received an alert from Brainiac." "There's an intruder." "He's the intruder." "Arrest him." "Stop!" "That's right." "Jor-El has just fled Sat Com." "Secure stations." "Be warned, he is armed." "Use of deadly force is advised." "He's heading our way!" "I know." "This time I will handle it." "Great Rao." "Where is he?" "What did you say?" "Jor-El?" "Where is he?" "Level five, north wing." "Down here!" "There he is." "Stop!" "Stop or I'll shoot!" "He's getting away!" "Then you've read it?" "Yes." "And as much as I don't want to believe it your husband's findings are hard to discount." "Still, there's the Brainiac question." "Jor-El!" "Father's read your report." "He thinks he can help." "Yes, I think it's worth it-- -lt's too late." "Good Lord." "What happened?" "Brainiac tried to kill me." "The police will be here soon." "Remember when I told you what we'd do if worst came to worse?" "No!" "l'm sorry." "I never thought it would come to this." "Come to what?" "What are you talking about?" "What's this nonsense about Brainiac?" "Sul-Van, if you love your grandson and care one whit about his future you'll kindly shut up!" "Sleep, Kal-El, my beautiful child my heartbeat, my life." "Send Kal-El to another world?" "You can't be serious!" "The ship will get him there." "I know. I built it." "It was part of the plan." "Save everyone in the Phantom Zone, travel to Earth, then bring them back." "Now it's only good for a lifeboat." "And the passenger will be my son the last son of Krypton." "Lara!" "I'm ready." "He's sedated." "The police are here." "They'll break into the lab to get me." "If I lead them away while you set up the launch...." "l can't do it all myself." "I'll be back. I promise." "Lara, please, this is madness!" "Father, I love you dearly, but this is my baby's life." "But he can't outrun the police." "Do you have a better idea?" "See him?" "Not yet." "They have the lights off." "Wait!" "There's movement in the hover port." "Look out!" "I hope his crash bags are working." "Good evening. ls there a problem?" "I've got the hyperspace coordinates locked in." "Once he gets to Earth he'll be safe." "Lara, I could send you with him." "There's a risk, but if I have time to recalibrate the course" "No, my love. I'm staying with you." "The patrol's reporting in." "Jor-El's escaped the perimeter." "They're requesting further instructions." "It doesn't matter anymore." "Farewell, Krypton." "Hey, what's going on?" "Where'd he go?" "Where's Brainiac?" "Not another one." "No." "The last one." "Goodbye, Kal-El." "[english]" "Oh, Jor-El." "Such a beautiful world. lt's hard to believe it could all come to an end." "I presume you've submitted your findings to Brainiac?" "One can appreciate Jor-El's hard work." "However, he is still mistaken." "...the temblors are the result of a slight polar shift, no more and will soon abate." "Why did you lie?" "Am I not the repository of all Kryptonian knowledge?" "Should I not be saved above all?" "If the council knew Krypton was doomed they would frantically put me to work on calculating an evacuation plan." "A futile gesture, given the time remaining." "This world has seen its last sunrise." "Remember when I told you what we'd do if worst came to worse?" "No!" "Send Kal-El to another world?" "You can't be serious!" "The ship will get him there." "I know. I built it." "The passenger will be my son, the last son of Krypton." "Holy Christmas!" "What was that?" "Over here, Martha." "Martha?" "Martha?" "Martha?" "You'll wake him." "Martha, what are you doing?" "Put that thing back." "We don't know where it came from." "He's not a thing, Jonathan." "He's a baby." "A little baby." "Who would put a baby in a spaceship?" "That's just my point." "Could be Russian." "A sputnik baby." "Oh, really!" "Maybe he's one of ours." "You think NASA's missing a kid?" "l don't care where he came from." "All I know is, he needs us, Jonathan." "Look how he's reaching out to you." "Cute little fella." "Got a good grip too." "What do you think of the name Christopher?" "Now, Martha, let's discuss this." "Or Kevin?" "Martha!" "Or Kirk?" "I know." "We can use my maiden name." "What do you think of--?" "Clark!" "Clark Kent!" "Yes, Ms. Stevenson?" "Looks like you daydreamed your way to another perfect score." "Once again the boy genius performs to his usual standards." "And so did you, Miss Lang." "For a guy who just aced his midterms, you don't look too happy." "What's wrong?" "Oh, I don't know." "Lately I'm feeling kind of weird." "You've always been weird, if you ask me." "Hey, it's Lana." "The girl who's had a crush on you since we were 3." "You can tell me." "lt's just in the last few months, I've been hearing things." "Things I couldn't before." "Like over there." "Jenny's telling Pete Ross her folks are out tonight." "That little tart!" "You heard that?" "And I can see things too, like in the gym." "Ms. Stevenson's putting up decorations for the dance." "Someone should hold that ladder." "You're saying you can see through walls?" "So how many times have you peeked into the girls' locker room?" "Lana!" "l'm just kidding." "Jeez!" "It's not a joke, Lana." "I'm going through a bad time." "I thought if anybody'd understand, it'd be" "Listen!" "What is it?" "Call an ambulance!" "There's gonna be an accident!" "How do you know?" "Clark!" "Hey, stop!" "Mommy!" "Annie!" "Help me!" "Mom and Daddy!" "Oh, my God!" "Clark!" "Clark!" "Mommy!" "Annie!" "You're not even burned." "How--?" "I don't know." "Getting stronger every day, Pa." "Hello?" "And that's not the half of it." "Look." "It's getting hot." "All you did was look at it." "l know." "Yes, dear, I'll tell him." "That was Lana." "Third time tonight, Clark." "Won't you talk to her?" "What can I say, Ma?" "I don't even know how it happened." "Suddenly I was running faster than I've ever run in my life." "I ripped the camper apart like cardboard." "The fire never touched me." "I always felt different, even before you told me I was adopted but how is it possible to do this?" "I think it's time, Martha." "We never showed you this, son." "I guess we didn't know how to explain it." "Still don't." "You know how some babies are found in baskets?" "Well, this is how we found you." "You're kidding, right?" "You're not." "So where did I come from?" "We don't know." "There wasn't much inside, just some blankets and this." "Never could get the darn thing open." "Maybe you've got the magic touch." "What's happening?" "Kal-El?" "Who?" "Hello, son." "You've activated the message we placed in your escape rocket." "l am Jor-El." "And I am Lara." "We are your parents." "By the time you see this, our world will have been gone for many years." "You are the sole survivor of Krypton a planet similar to Earth in many ways." "This was our home." "No." "No, it can't be true." "lt's hurting him." "Let him be, Martha." "You may have discovered that you are much stronger and faster than a normal human being." "I am a normal human being!" "Your Kryptonian body draws its strength from Earth's yellow sun." "It will give you abilities that no other human has." "I don't believe any of this." "Some people will fear you, perhaps even try to destroy you." "Despite this, you must never use your powers in anger." "Be brave, my son." "Remember who you are and the legacy you carry inside you." "We love you, Kal-El." "Always." "It's not true." "I'm not a freak. I'm not." "I'm not!" "Clark!" "Clark, come back!" "Yes!" "Oh, yeah!" "Ma!" "Pa!" "Oh, Clark!" "It's okay." "Metropolis can boast of many amazing sights:" "The country's biggest bridge." "The world's tallest building." "But now it may have its most astonishing sight: a guardian angel." "Just ask little Danitra Evans." "She saw him." "I was fooling around the window when I lost my balance and fell." "Suddenly this big blue angel with red wings came down and caught me." "He put me on the ground and flew away." "You should've heard my mommy scream." "This is where they found Danitra, and that's where she fell from." "Thirty floors up." "If it wasn't an angel that saved her, what was it?" "Friendly pigeons." "What's the matter?" "Don't believe in angels?" "It's TV, boys, just a trumped-up story to boost ratings." "And maybe sell some papers?" "Chief, I spent a week on the docks with rats and frizzed hair exposing the biggest gun-smuggling ring in 1 0 years and what makes the front page?" "Some sprouty, New Age, granola-crunching fluff piece on angels." "What's next?" "Interviews with Bigfoot?" "Good timing, Lois." "I want you to be the first to know I'm hiring a new guy on the city desk." "is he cute?" "You tell me." "Oh, hi." "Hello." "This is the guy, Lois." "Clark Kent from Smallville." "Smallville?" "Never heard of it." "Have you ever been to Kansas?" "God, no." "I've been reading his stuff. lt's good." "I thought maybe he could tag along with you to get the lay of the land." "I'd love to play den mother, but I got that Lexcorp story in half an hour." "Oh, yeah." "The great and benevolent Mr. Luthor is demonstrating a new weapons system today." "Lex is Lois' beat, but I'm sure she won't mind having another set of eyes with her." "Right, Lois?" "Smallville, nothing against you, but even as a kid I never liked babysitting." "You wanna keep up, be quick." "l'm no tour guide and I don't hold hands." "You won't have to worry about that." "Jimmy." "Jimmy Olsen, say hello to Clark Kent." "The new guy?" "Yeah." "Nice to meet you. I'm Jimmy." "I work as a copy boy, but I'm a photographer." "Good for you." "l'd like to show you my pictures." "Well, not right" "They're hot, Mr. Kent, really." "I'm fearless." "You can ask Miss Lane." "She uses me all the time." "Bye." "So I see." "You sure my nose isn't shiny?" "Angela, don't tell me you're actually covering real news." "What happened?" "Run out of alien abductees?" "At least my network doesn't have to send two reporters to cover the same story." "You'll have to introduce us sometime." "Thanks for the quote." "How did you get here so fast?" "Oh, I just flew." "What'd you get?" "A shared byline, if you use it." "I apologize." "You're not the rube hayseed I took you for." "Thanks. I think." "Ladies and gentlemen of the press at this time we invite everyone into the main hall for our special presentation." "The long-awaited debut of the next word in military defense:" "The Lexoskel 5000." "Constructed from a patented alloy, the Lexo suit is virtually indestructible." "As seen in this footage against these automated tanks the Lexo suit stands up to heavy punishment and returns it in kind." "Guiding this suit is a single soldier made more powerful than an entire battalion." "And now, here's to the future, and the man who's created it, Lex Luthor." "Bet you this beats the dog-and-pony shows back home." "Time to crash the party, gentlemen." "Excuse me." "l'd like to say that I view the Lexo suit not as an instrument of war, but as an instrument to end war." "No way." "lt's him!" "The guy with the cape!" "Gentlemen, believe it or not, we are being tailed at 6 o'clock." "I don't know who he is or what he is, but he's all yours." "I've got him." "He's dust." "[english]" "You know how some babies are found in baskets?" "Well, this is how we found you." "So where did I come from?" "You are the sole survivor of Krypton." "You may have discovered that you are much stronger and faster than a normal human being." "It will give you abilities that no other human has." "Be brave, my son." "I want you to be the first to know I'm hiring a new guy on the city desk." "is he cute?" "Hi." "Hello." "Clark Kent from Smallville." "Mr. Luthor is demonstrating a new weapons system today." "I'd like to say that I view the Lexo suit not as an instrument of war." "Nice one, Clark." "Look out. lt's gonna hit us!" "My God!" "Run, run, run!" "Oh, my gosh." "Jump!" "Did you see that?" "Freeze it." "What is that?" "Can anyone tell me?" "Looks like a flying guy." "No kidding. I know he's flying, but who is he?" "Where did he come from?" "What does he want?" "Look who I'm asking." "Nice S." "Excuse me?" "Right here." "He's strong." "He flies." "He's the Nietzschean fantasy ideal all wrapped up in a red cape." "The superman." "Superman?" "Hey, I like it." "Superman. lt's catchy, sticks with you." "The kind of name that looks great splashed across three columns-- Four provided one of you can get an interview with him." "Somehow, I don't think a guy like that has a press agent, chief." "Well, somebody better get something on this guy fast." "I've never seen the city in such a state." "Look at these faxes." "If we don't get answers soon there could be a full-scale panic." "We've kept this book since you left Smallville." "Every time we read about an invisible angel helping someone we knew our Clark had to be nearby." "But now that I've settled in Metropolis, it's impossible to keep a low profile." "I can see where landing a plane in the middle of the city might turn a few heads." "It's not just that." "Suddenly, people are calling me Superman." "They want to know everything about me." "Some are afraid of me like Jor-El and Lara warned." "Does this mean I'm going to have to give up my life?" "No, son. lt doesn't matter where you were born or what you can do." "You'll always be Clark Kent." "Superman just helps out now and then." "It wouldn't be bad if people knew a little more about Superman." "I don't want anyone thinking you're like that nut in Gotham City." "There must be some way to get the word out." "Sorry, Perry. I checked with Star Labs and they're just as clueless as everyone else about our flyboy." "Right. I'm heading back now." "Excuse me, Miss Lane. I believe I'm the one you want to talk to." "Oh, yeah?" "Well, where are you?" "I'm" "Just hang on." "As far as I can piece together I'm the last survivor of a planet called Krypton." "Krypton?" "Okay." "You don't believe me?" "It's a little much." "Fair enough." "All I ask is that you tell the truth." "And that is?" "l'm not here to scare anyone." "In fact, I've always tried to help people whenever possible." "You sound too good to be true." "What's your secret?" "What do you mean?" "You don't go around in blue tights and a cape all the time." "What do you do in your off-hours?" "l think that's a question for another time." "Well, well, an alien in my own back yard." "And such a civic-minded one too." "I think he means what he says, Lex." "Well, that's just dandy, Lois." "All I know is, your hero did nothing to help me." "I'm the one who's out a billion-dollar battle suit." "Actually, this could end up a silver lining in your pocket." "What's that?" "Since the terrorists have your prototype the Pentagon's gonna want you to build a better version for them." "When all is said and done, this could net you a multi-billion dollar windfall." "Lois, it almost sounds as if your friend here is suggesting I should be glad my suit was stolen." "You're very amusing, Mr..." "Kent, is it?" "Yes, I'll remember that." "Nice work, Smallville." "You're only the second person I've seen get under Lex's skin." "Who's the first?" "Me." "When I dumped him." "Ancient history." "What makes you think Lex might have been an accessory to the theft?" "I don't think it was a theft." "I think he gave it away." "I was digging up background info on Luthor and found this photo at last year's lnternational industrial Conference." "Recognize the guy with the medals?" "The regent of Kaznia." "So?" "So the U.S. and Kaznia haven't been on real friendly terms lately." "It seems the regent's been employing terrorists to eliminate his political enemies." "Old news, Kent." "The president broke diplomatic ties with Kaznia months ago." "Which means Luthor couldn't sell the regent a war suit without it being an act of treason." "So Luthor just left the back door open for him to take it." "lt works in theory." "ln theory, maybe but Perry White doesn't run theories." "Where are you going?" "l'd tell you but you'd have to share the byline." "I've told you before, there's no work for you on this ship." "Now leave, before I call the harbor police." "I'm going, you blasted rat bag, I'm going." "Blasted scabs taking jobs from us union men." "I ought to go back and split some skulls, I ought to." "Got a tire iron right here." "Oh, it's you, Miss Lane." "Come to do another smuggling story?" "Maybe." "What can you tell me about that tanker?" "It's the darndest thing I ever seen." "She's been in port a week and ain't moved a bit of cargo on or off." "Blasted scow's leaving port tonight, and I says good riddance." "Gotta get on that ship." "Bibbo, take this and call Clark Kent at the Planet." "Tell him where l am and to call Police Commissioner Henderson if he doesn't hear from me in 20 minutes." "Got that?" "20 minutes." "Thanks, Bibbo. I owe you one." "Yeah, sure, sure, sure." "Call Kurt Kent, let him know about the boat and said something about the police." "Yeah, okay." "Hey, soda." "She'll be okay." "We're not giving interviews, you got that?" "lf l could just speak to your captain." "l said no interviews." "What part of that don't you understand?" "Hans." "Hans!" "There's no reason for hostility especially towards such an attractive visitor." "I'm John Corben, special attache to the regent." "How may I help you, Miss...?" "Lois Lane, Daily Planet." "I'm doing a story on gun smuggling and was wondering if I could ask about your cargo." "But we have no cargo." "You must know there's a trade embargo between the U.S. and Kaznia." "We're part of a diplomatic envoy trying to restore friendly relations between our countries." "Then you won't mind me taking a look around." "Better yet, why don't we continue this interview ashore, say, over dinner?" "I'd be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have." "I can think of some doozies." "I'll bet." "Here's a shot of Luthor getting a commendation." "A shot of the special crimes unit." "And I took this at the dedication of the zoo's polar bear exhibit." "Cute little guy." "Yeah, nice." "You didn't see Miss Lane come back, did you?" "She brought me along to get shots for her smuggling story." "ls that right?" "Yeah, have a look." "Yeah, I figure a few more shots like that and Perry's bound to put me on staff." "There, in the background." "That ship's a Kaznian tanker." "It's so small." "How can you tell?" "Clark?" "You're making a big mistake." "Everyone in my office knows where l am." "Sweetheart, if anyone knew or cared, they would have made a move by now." "We're clear." "Lose her." "You again?" "Get him!" "Take cover." "Thanks." "Anytime." "So long, sweetheart." "Call the police and let them know what's happening. I'll try to stop it." "Be careful." "This is Corben." "Tell the regent his battle suit is coming to him by special delivery." "Everyone, clear the area now." "Stupid, stupid move, my friend." "No!" "Gotcha." "Shall we go a few rounds without the suit?" "Too bad." "Yeah, chief, I think stopping the presses would be a very good idea." "You see, as the agreed-upon merchandise never left Metropolis my client, the regent, respectfully requests a full and prompt refund." "We had an understanding." "All I had to do was arrange for the regent's men to take possession, and they did." "Now because of this alien's interference you expect me to eat a billion dollars?" "I think you have more pressing concerns at the moment." "Good day." "I'm afraid we already have a window washer." "Oh, the silent treatment." "Well, I don't know what you thought you heard but I know what you can prove." "And it's nothing." "You see, Superman I own Metropolis." "My technology built it, my will keeps it going and two-thirds of its people work for me, whether they know it or not." "Even you have to admit it's a model of efficiency." "And yet I've often thought, "Why limit myself to just one city?"" "A being with your abilities could be very useful to me on a shall we say, global scale." "Why don't you float on in and we'll discuss it." "Say something!" "I'll be watching you, Luthor." "Wait, I'm not finished with you!" "Hey, look." "There he is." "Superman!" "Get a shot." "Superman, come on down." "Superman, give us an answer here." "Way to go, big guy." "You're okay." "Brainiac systems activated." "[english]" "Yeah, we lost them at Third and Shuster." "They were heading for the warehouse district." "Yeah." "Put her there." "All right." "Nice going." "We scored bigtime." "Hello, boys." "Who's that?" "I'm ever so sorry to spoil your nice celebration but I have a very important message for your boss, Mr. Mannheim." "Please tell him the Toyman is calling time-out on his little games and don't be tardy." "Grab Pinocchio before he gets out." "Hey, come here." "Come back here." "Johnny." "Let's get out of here." "We can't, Spider, it's locked." "Get back in the car." "When's it gonna stop?" "Don't worry." "These walls are solid steel." "We're gonna die." "Somebody, help!" "Help!" "Help!" "Get help." "We're gonna get greased." "Hey, it stopped." "We're safe." "Hey, watch it." "What's going on?" "It was-- lt was Toyman." "Calling time-out." "Tell Bruno, the Toyman." "What a smashup." "Odd thing. I heard it was parked at the time." "Where, at a monster truck rally?" "Look on the bright side." "At least you look good in silver." "Miss Lane, excuse me if I don't shake hands." "So, what's the lowdown on this Toyman character?" "I hear he's got it in for your boss, Bruno Mannheim." "What boss?" "I happen to be a independent agent." "You're wasting your time, doll face." "I'll see you in two to five." "Where to now, Miss Lane, the Planet?" "Actually, I was thinking about a picnic in the park." "Testing, one, two, three." "Testing, one, two, three." "is this on?" "And it is my honor to dedicate Mannheim Park to the true heroes of Metropolis, our children." "Sounds good, Mr. Mannheim." "Enjoying a leisurely afternoon or have you been listening to the police band again?" "Perry assigned me the park opening." "Why, what's up?" "You haven't heard about the Toyman?" "Who?" "Nice try, Smallville, but this one's mine." "Mr. Mannheim, Lois Lane, Daily Planet." "Any comments on this morning's armored-car hijacking?" "Why would I have a comment?" "I'm a legitimate businessman." "Of course." "And you have no knowledge of someone calling himself the Toyman?" "I have no idea what you're talking about." "I'm a respected citizen, and I don't appreciate your little insinuations." "Look out!" "I see a page-one photo." "Look out!" "They're coming back." "They're heading this way." "Wait." "You wanna get killed too?" "What happened?" "Looks like it just broke apart." "Get me out of here." "Read it and weep, Kent. lt's all here." "The attacks on the armored car and Mannheim, and as a finishing touch a preliminary profile on the perp by a noted police psychiatrist." "Based on what?" "He uses toys as weapons." "We're talking about a guy with very serious issues." "Like the shrink says:" ""An emotionally stunted amoral narcissist with paranoid delusions...."" ""Desperately seeking external validation through antisocial behavior."" "That creep made me into a laughingstock." "How could you let him get so close?" "You wouldn't let us in the park, boss, remember?" "You was afraid we'd scare the kids." "He's out there somewhere, the slimy, little weasel." "Thinks he's gonna make me pay." "What?" "What are you waiting for?" "Shoot it." "lt's a big ducky." "Shoot it!" "Get out of here." "How does the saying go?" ""Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble."" "Yeah, it's you, Winslow." "Same creepy voice." "I don't know how you came back from the dead, but it's gonna be a short visit." "Ashes, ashes, we all fall down" "Yeah." "Mannheim's still missing, chief." "Dinner's here, bye." "Let it be flowers, please." "Hello, I'm Princess Nighty-Night." "Nighty-night." "Oh, Miss Lane?" "Oh, Miss Lane?" "Oh, Miss Lane?" "Can you come out and play?" "Still haven't heard from her?" "You think something's wrong?" "l don't know." "First Mannheim's missing, now Lois." "If I only knew what the link was between Mannheim and Toyman." "You can cross-index with this system like "Mannheim" and "Toyman." Mind if I take a shot?" "I'm so glad you decided to stay, Miss Lane." "We're going to have a whole lot of fun." "Why me, Toyman?" "Because of those lies you wrote about me in your little paper." "This time, I want you to get it right." "Nothing yet." "Try "Mannheim" with just "toy."" "Toymaker Sentenced to Ten Years" "Hey, look at this." ""Toymaker sentenced to 1 0 years."" "It's a very sad story, one most people have forgotten." "Once upon a time there was a kindly man who loved nothing more than making toys." "He wanted to build the most wonderful toy factory in all the world." "Only he had no money to pay for it." "Then one day, a man came along." "A very bad man." "He offered to pay for the factory under one condition." ""The factory became a numbers racket front." "Bruno Mannheim was named as a suspect, but was never indicted." "Only the toymaker, Winslow Schott, was convicted."" "Sounds like Bruno played him for a patsy." "The bad man watched and laughed while the police locked the kindly toymaker in the dungeon forever." "2-1 , Schott's our Toyman." "I don't think so, Clark." "Take a look." "His obituary." "Poor guy." "He died before making parole." "Yeah, but he had a survivor." "That's right, Miss Lane." "The toymaker had a son." "But without his father the poor little boy was bounced from foster home to foster home like a little toy that nobody wanted." "A childhood is a terrible thing to lose, Miss Lane." "But I'm getting mine back." "With a vengeance." "Now the real fun begins." "You're going to play reporter." "This time, I want you to take good notes." "You just made the biggest mistake of your life, you miserable little freak." "I mean it, Schott. I got friends." "They'll find you." "On the other hand, maybe we can make a deal." "No peeking now." "Please, don't." "You can't be serious." "Deadly serious, Miss Lane." "Playtime is over." "Ready." "Aim." "Hey." "You broke my toys." "You spoiled my fun." "Little boys shouldn't play with sharp objects." "Who invited you, Superman?" "Superman?" "Superman, is that you?" "Don't think I haven't prepared a surprise for you." "Here's something you can't break." "Very funny, Toyman." "Maybe you should read the warning." "Dopey Doh is a lethal biogenic organism." "Contact with the skin can prove fatal." "It won't stop growing until it asphyxiates its host." "Not for children under 3." "Lois, no." "Don't touch it." "What can I do?" "Get back." "Find something to hide behind." "Hurry." "My playhouse!" "Cheater." "You think you've got me, but I still get a free game." "You sure you're okay?" "Yeah." "He was a sicko, Kent, but I can't help feeling sorry for him." "He was a loser, a walking freak show, like his old man." "This is one funeral I'll skip." "l'm not sure there's gonna be a funeral." "My people still haven't found the body." "However, they did find this." "[english]" "As you know recent cutbacks forced the city to close many of its own museums." "Which is why the Lex Luthor Museum of Natural History is such a boon to the city's populace." "And a boost to Lex's popularity." "In anticipation of tomorrow's grand opening I felt that you, the elite of the Metropolis press might enjoy a sneak preview of the city's newest state-of-the-art exhibition hall." "The priceless artifacts are displayed in open cases protected by electronic surveillance and an impregnable automated security system." "Did you hear that?" "Just typical Luthor blarney." "And now I will be happy to answer any questions regarding the museum and its displays." "How do you respond to charges that the museum is really just a large tax shelter for LexCorp?" "Let's see him get out of...." "Kent?" "I wouldn't." "You never listen." "What do you think we'll get for it, Nito?" "I'd say five to 1 0 with time off for good behavior." "I hope you're planning on cleaning up this mess." "You know, we can keep this up all day, or you" "You know, you don't look so hot." "Maybe we should help him." "Sure, we'll send him some chicken soup." "Come on!" "Now, if you'll all just follow me." "Lex Luthor." "Ladies and gentlemen I give you the Lex Luthor Museum of" "Thieves." "Two." "Stole the jewels." "I tried...." "Get a security crew down here now." "I thought I could stop them." "Next time you see one of my museums being robbed call someone who can do something about it, like the police." "What happened?" "I don't know." "I'm-- l'm sorry." "Nito and Sam Corali." "See that they're dealt with." "Check." "Wait." "Go back." "Interesting." "As soon as he gets near the rocks in that display case, he gets all wobbly and weak." "So weak that he let a couple of small-timers get away." "And every one of those rocks belongs to me." "And here we have some fine examples of the crockery and dinnerware of the ancient Babylonians." "Their practice of fabricating utensils out of soft metal alloys proved to be their undoing as the entire civilization was destroyed by systemic metallic poisoning." "Nothing's happening." "You were expecting them to dance for you?" "I like the stuff they had in there before." "Before?" "Yesterday." "They came in this morning and changed the whole display around." "The other meteor samples were ordinary carbon-based elements." "But this, its composition materials are not even on the periodic table." "We believe it originated in an alien solar system with properties totally divergent from our own." "We'll need to test it out on Superman himself." "See that it's in my office within the hour." "I don't think you realize what you have here." "On the contrary, I know exactly what I have here." "The very tool I need to completely control and humiliate Superman." "But surely the rock would be more valuable to mankind." "You work for me, Peterson." "Don't forget that." "There shouldn't be an opinion in your head that I haven't put there." "Yes, Mr. Luthor." "Two points." "Two" "Does Perry know you're playing..." "...basketball on his time?" "lt helps me think." "Why didn't he nab those two museum thieves?" "lt doesn't make sense." "Who?" "Who?" "Superman." "Free throw." "Three-point play." "By the way, where'd you run off to yesterday?" "Yeah?" "Ms." "Lane?" "It's Professor Peterson." "So, what have you got for me this time, professor?" "Something extraordinary, Ms. Lane." "Quite literally extraordinary." "Impressive, huh?" "I like to stay in shape." "Want to feel?" "Feel what?" "I don't think she's interested." "Sure she is." "Aren't you, baby?" "Don't call me "baby."" "Yeah, well like I told you people over the phone, I don't do Metropolis." "Not since the blue guy showed up." "This job needs someone with your technical expertise." "I pull this heist of yours, it's a sure bet I'll get caught." "You don't understand." "That's exactly what I want." "Be with you in a second, sir." "Good catch." "What'll it be?" "l'd like the turkey loaf, baked potato no butter, no soup, salad, dressing on the side." "Give it all legs." "Sorry, Kent. I'm in a hurry." "Say, you don't look so hot." "I'm fine." "What's the rush?" "Take a look at this." "Careful!" "l'm sorry." "Just clumsy, I guess." "What is it?" "LexLabs got ahold of some meteor that seems to be able to drain Superman's powers." "This is just a small sliver." "You sure you're not catching something?" "l'm okay." "Really." "I'm taking this piece over to S.T.A.R. Labs to let them have a look at it." "I'll let you know what they say." "The gentleman would like a large orange juice, chicken soup and tea with lemon." "You gotta take care of yourself, Smallville." "Yeah, you really don't look so good." "Transfer of the treasury plates to the Metropolis district office is official." "The plates are yours, Commissioner Jones." "I'll take those plates now, Commissioner Jones." "Now, I'd like you all to drop your weapons and kick them over here." "You don't wanna make trouble for me, commissioner." "You'll never get away with this." "By now, they've shut down all the exits and entrances the stairs, the elevators." "There's no way down off this roof." "How about up?" "He's coming." "Let's do it." "He's past checkpoint one heading due north." "Checkpoint number two." "Checkpoint three." "He's coming." "Good." "Now just remember what I told you." "I guess I've flown myself into a corner." "Okay, you win." "I give up." "That's right." "Make him come to you." "Here." "What's the matter?" "Don't you want it?" "Here." "I'm sorry." "Here." "Let me help you up." "Hey, I guess all that time in the gym is paying off." "Jab." "Jab." "Cross." "Uppercut." "What are you doing?" "Get him back to the center of that room." "Maybe I'd rather just finish him off right here." "Mercy, get the rock, fast." "Supe, you don't look so good." "That's right." "Put S.T.A.R. Labs on 24-hour surveillance." "I want to know everyone who goes in or out." "My spies tell me that Hamilton has a piece of my rock." "I'd like to know who gave it to him." "I'm on it." "If you'll excuse us." "Actually, I'm glad you came." "I have a deal to offer you." "I'm listening." "As long as I have the rock you can't stop me." "But it is bothersome to have you always trying so the deal is this:" "You leave me and my operations alone and I and my little green rock will leave you alone." "I don't make deals with criminals." "I control everything in this town, Superman." "Your cooperation is not really necessary." "The offer was merely a courtesy." "You will never control me, Luthor." "Never." "Well, then I guess I'll have to kill you." "Yes." "Interesting." "My contact at LexLabs thinks it isn't even from this solar system." "Incredible." "What?" "That certainly would be in keeping with my theory." "Which is what, exactly, professor?" "The fact that your body absorbs the radiation so readily leads me to believe you share with it a point of origin." "You mean it came from Krypton?" "More than likely it is Krypton, or, rather, a small piece of it." "Kryptonite, if you will." "The radiation could have been created by the energy released in the explosion which destroyed your planet." "There is one bit of potentially helpful data." "Its radiation can be shielded by element atomic number 82." "Lead." "Of course." "Yeah?" "Ms." "Lane, it's Peterson." "Listen closely." "LexLabs is developing a synthetic version of the green rock." "It's imperative I get this information to Superman immediately." "Yes, of course." "Where should we meet?" "The museum." "Come in through the alley entrance." "But the security system." "I designed the security system, Ms. Lane." "I know how to bypass it." "The door will be open between 9:05 and 9:06." "Make sure you're not followed." "Very convincing." "You're certain he's there?" "Our men saw him go in minutes after the Lane woman." "Excellent." "Superman will now insist on accompanying her to the museum." "Professor Mercy will see you safely home now." "Won't you, my dear?" "Please." "No. I mean, I can see myself home." "Really." "But I insist." "Metropolis can be such a dangerous city, Peterson." "I'd hate to wake up tomorrow and find out that something terrible had happened to you." "He said the back alley between" "Right on time." "Wait." "Let me check it out." "I don't see anyone." "Lois?" "Professor?" "Professor Peterson?" "Kryptonite." "Lois!" "Get the Kryptonite out of here." "Two annoyances with one stone." "If only we had some lead." "entire civilization was destroyed by systemic metallic poisoning." "The cups they're made of lead." "Lane squares off." "She aims." "She shoots." "Two points." "No!" "Thank you, Superman." "No, Lois." "Thank you." "You saved my life." "l suppose I did." "I owe you one." "I'd say an exclusive interview would just about even us up." "All right." "Under one condition:" "You don't print anything about the Kryptonite." "No, green. lt has to be green." "[english]" "Feel anything?" "Nothing. I feel fine." "Now, this metal's too hard to be lead." "Titanium-lead alloy?" "Exactly." "And the helmet is leaded polycarbonate." "Materials that will not only withstand Kryptonite but, well, I took into account the type of day you'll likely put the suit through." "You make it sound like I go looking for trouble." "Hey, Rudy, today or what?" "You screw this up, you can forget about me paying that bookie of yours." "I know, Mr. Lebeau." "Jeez!" "I thought you knew how to work that thing." "Sorry." "You there, hold it!" "Oh, it's you, Rudy." "Hey, what's up?" "You get cleared for machinery?" "Yeah. I'm a forklift operator now." "And who's your friend, huh?" "Doing some early Christmas shopping?" "He" "That's all right, Rudy." "Maybe I can clear all this up." "No, don't." "You'll get us put away for good." "Speak for yourself." "I'm not getting caught." "Emergency." "Fire." "Loading bay two." "Hold it." "Hey, stop!" "Help, help!" "Somebody get help!" "Over here!" "Oh, please stop!" "Messed me up for the last time, you stupid little parasite." "Hey, slow down!" "Mr. Lebeau, stop the truck!" "Please, stop!" "Please, Martin help me." "Adios, freak." "I just can't believe it." "Wimpy Rudy Jones?" "And there's no telling what was in those drums." "He ain't kidding." "Half the stuff the prof whips up, folks would kill to get their hands on." "This is four-two heading north on Old Ocean Road." "Hey, Gina, is that you?" "Edna, you on the graveyard shift tonight?" "I was just" "You trying to get killed?" "Hey, I'm talking to you." "What's that in your hand?" "Drop it!" "Four-two, please respond." "Where'd you go?" "Gina, you okay?" "All units, request assistance on Old Ocean Road." "This is four-two." "Negative on the assistance. I'm fine, Edna." "1 0-4." "You gave me a scare there." "All units, disregard call for assistance." "Edna?" "Where the heck did I get Edna?" "She must've been delirious when our boys found her." "Said something about being attacked by a purple monster." "Was its name Barney?" "You here to make ha-ha, kid, or take pictures?" "Guess that's a no." "Wouldn't touch that if I were you." "Right, thanks." "Did you lD Rudy Jones' partner from the security cameras?" "Yeah." "Name's Martin Lebeau." "He's a known fence." "Last we knew, he was living down by the docks in Hob's Bay." "Don't you recognize me, Marty?" "It's your old doormat, Rudy Jones." "Rudy, you ought to be in a hospital." "You need help." "Help?" "I never felt better in my life." "Hey." "It's fantastic, Marty." "I should be thanking you." "When I touch somebody, I get strong." "I absorb their energy." "But more than that, I hear their thoughts." "I know what they know." "Really, words don't describe it." "Here, let me show you." "Rudy?" "Rudy Jones?" "Put that man down." "Sure." "What's happened to you?" "I don't know. lt's as if I've turned into some kind of monster." "Can you help me?" "Let me take you back to STAR." "Maybe Professor Hamilton can treat you." "Okay, Superman." "Just don't hurt me." "l won't." "Hang on." "Oh, you can count on it." "Man, what a rush." "So that's what real power feels like." "Good heavens." "What is that?" "What's he done to Superman?" "Looks like you still got some juice left in you." "You all see that?" "That's the new me." "That's what Rudy Jones can do." "Now tell your friends there's a new Superman in town." "Since this morning the thing that was once Rudy Jones has been sighted throughout the city, taking what he pleases and driving citizens into their homes in fear." "I spoke personally with Professor Emil Hamilton of STAR Labs to find out how a simple janitor could clean out Metropolis." "The chemical Mr. Jones stole was developed to catalyze energy absorption in human cells." "But clearly, he was exposed to far greater quantities than we'd ever tested on living subjects." "And now that this Parasite has sucked up all of Superman's powers how much longer until he sucks our city dry?" "Wow." "That sounds pretty bad." "Just fighting a bit of a cold." "No. I mean this Parasite thing." "I wonder where Superman is." "I'm sure he'd be here if he could." "Clark Kent." "That's right." "Thanks, we'll be right over." "Let's take a ride." "There may be some good news." "Like candy from a baby." "Huh?" "What gives?" "Then about an hour ago, I just started feeling better." "My doctor says I can go home tomorrow." "Then the Parasite's drain is temporary." "Hey, you figure Superman's out there feeling better too?" "I wouldn't be surprised." "Given the officer's recovery, Perry I bet we'll be seeing Superman anytime now." "Me?" "Yeah, my cold's doing better." "In fact, I thought I'd change and go out tonight." "Right." "So long." "Good to see you again, Superman." "Or should I say "Clark"?" "That's right, Kent." "I got your powers, I got your thoughts and I got your secret." "Comfy?" "Where are we?" "Why don't you use your x-ray vision?" "I can't." "Ah, shucks." "Well, all you need to know is it ain't your apartment." "It's mine now." "Fits my new ritzy lifestyle." "When I don't go to work, people will come looking for me." ""Hi, Perry?" "That cold of mine is acting up again." "I think I'm going to be out sick for a while."" "You see, Supes, you're my new meal plan." "Figure I'll keep you here, pop back every 1 2 hours or so for a recharge." "In fact, it's feeding time right about now." "It's been a week, people." "This is a newspaper, we need facts." "Where does Parasite disappear to?" "is Superman alive or dead?" "And where the heck is Kent?" "is he still out sick?" "I was just noticing Parasite always flies south, along the coast." "That's toward S.T.A.R, where he used to work." "The police thought of that the first day." "Besides, it's not like the guy's going back to work." "But maybe the cops haven't checked out STAR lately." "Somebody should go down there." "And somebody should get his photos to layout before he misses the evening edition." "But, chief" "Okay, where were we?" "Troupe, what's your excuse?" "Weaver, justify your existence." "Lois...." "So much is written on what Parasite does, I thought if I looked around his workspace maybe I could learn about Rudy Jones, the man." "It's just that you seem kind of young for a reporter Mr. White." "Yeah, I know my age surprises people." "Did start out pretty young." "Paper route at 7" "Jimmy." "Well, I guess you can't do any harm in here." "I'll be right outside if you need me." "All right." "I mean, great, thanks." "Oh, yeah, great." "Stop the presses." "Olsen gets exclusive on empty broom closet." "S-O-S." "No way." "Superman." "Jimmy, quick." "Where are we?" "You don't know?" "You're in STAR Labs." "The cellar, or something." "Go up and get help." "You can't stay here." "He'll be back any minute." "I can get you out of here." "He's back." "Quick, hide." "Good evening, dinner." "Enjoy your night out?" "You better believe it." "My whole life, everybody's been stepping on me." "Now I'm the one with all the power." "And what have you done with all this power, Rudy?" "Gave the world the raw deal they gave you?" "Feel like you've gotten even yet?" "What's with the chatter all of a sudden?" "You're up to something." "Somebody's here." "Cute, kid." "Hey, Rudy." "Clear out of here now." "Playing hide-and-seek now?" "Come on, Kent, this is beneath you." "You're wasting your time." "I'm still stronger." "Maybe, but for how long?" "You've got a point." "Guess I ought to end this quick." "Time to say good night." "We'll keep him here until a special cell is completed at Stryker's." "He's been like this ever since his fight with Superman." "I doubt he knows his own name, let alone any of what's transpired." "We're disturbing him." "We should go." "Yeah." "Doesn't look like he'll be giving interviews anytime soon." "[english]"