Action Comics #865 is an issue of the series Action Comics (Volume 1) with a cover date of July, 2008. It was published on May 28, 2008.
Synopsis for "The Terrible Toyman"
Toyman holds Jimmy Olsen hostage after escaping from his newest prison, Arkham Asylum. He explains that he wants Jimmy to know that he's never hurt a child, that he'd never do what people thought he did to Adam Grant. He describes a life with a loving wife who was hit by a car, and due to that he sold his toy shop and designs to a wealthy businessman who used the toy schematics to create and sell weapons. It is implied that it was Toyman who killed the man with an explosive teddy bear. Toyman indicates his lack of culpability by indicating that the things that killed people were his designs gone awry, and that his talent, to create versions of himself that even fool Superman, was only intended to make children happy. Schott shows Jimmy a wall featuring older robot continuity versions of himself, like the one that killed Adam Grant, and the one from Superman/Batman.
Toyman says that he trusts Jimmy because he is sixteen. Jimmy indicates that he's twenty-two, and tries to make an escape, hitting the signal watch.
Batman arrives first, to claim Toyman for Arkham. Superman also arrives, and leaves Toyman to Batman, rescuing Jimmy from an army of Superman toys.
Toyman recalls that his wife, who he loved so very much, was actually one of his incredibly life-like robots, as Jimmy recalls that he never had a wife.
Cat Grant, in Los Angeles, calls Perry and indicates she's ready to come back to the Daily Planet.
Appearing in "The Terrible Toyman"
Featured Characters:
- Superman (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Toyman (Flashback and main story)
Other Characters:
- Adam Grant (Flashback only)
- Batman (Flashback and main story)
- Prankster (Flashback only)
- Scarecrow (Flashback only)
- Jack Nimball
- Toyboy
- Hiro Okamura
- Victor Zsasz (Behind the scenes)
- Perry White (Phone call only)
- Gotham City Police Department (Flashback only)
- Walter Dunhill (Dies in flashback)
- "Mary Schott" (Dies in flashback)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- The Toyman's origin is retconned in this issue.
- This issue is reprinted in World's Finest.