Adventures of Superman (Volume 2) #12 is an issue of the series Adventures of Superman (Volume 2) with a cover date of June, 2014. It was published on April 30, 2014.
Synopsis for "The Demolisher"
Superman attempts to stop Toyman from kidnapping children, until he realizes it was just a decoy and Toyman is somewhere else. Many people are wondering why is Superman not doing something about Toyman. Back at the Daily Planet, Clark and Lois talk about Superman's effectiveness as a superhero. Lois says people have become too dependent on "an unelected vigilante" while Clark points out that she trusts Superman enough when she, herself is in trouble.
Meanwhile, Toyman is planning his next move until an intruder breaks into his hideout. It is an unknown masked vigilante who defeats Toyman's henchmen and breaks Toyman's fingers. Afterwards, the vigilante attacks Bruno Manheim's gang and injures them severely. As soon as the vigilante leaves, Superman arrives to take Manheim and his cohorts to the hospital.
Clark and Lois talk about the new vigilante, called "the Demolisher" by the masses. Lois believes the Demolisher is doing all the things Superman would like to do but cannot because of his moral code. During that conversation, Lois hints she might now about Clark's secret identity. Later at the Daily Planet, Perry asks Clark to ask Superman's opinion about the Demoisher. Clark is left wondering if Superman's days are numbered and if the Demolisher should become Metropolis' new protector.
Later, the Demolisher visits Toyman at the hospital, warning him to leave town or he will break more than his fingers. The Demolisher returns to his apartment and takes off his mask, revealing himself to be Clark. Frustrated at his inability to stop Toyman and criminals like him, Superman had created a third identity, the Demolisher, to stop criminals before they even commit crimes.
Minutes later, the Demolisher saves Lois from a group of criminals, brutally beating them before her. Lois is horrified and the Demolisher leaves, but not before planting a kiss on her mouth. The next day, Lois publishes an article that says the Demolisher is hardly any better than the criminals he fights. Clark realizes she is right and it is time for him to retire the Demolisher. But the Demolisher personality takes control and flies to the power station, intending to destroy so that Metropolis falls in complete darkness and Superman can never return.
Fortunately, as soon as the explosion starts, Superman is able to regain control of himself and inhales the explosion before it destroys the station. Using his super-speed, Superman repairs the station and restores power to the city. The next morning, however, Clark finds out people still trust the Demolisher.
Superman knows the Demolisher is not a hero, so he puts on his Demolisher outfit and robs a bank, turning public opinion against the Demolisher. Superman returns the stolen money and tells everyone the Demolisher committed suicide. Then, at his Secret Citadel, Superman destroys the Demolisher outfit, marking the end of the Demolisher.
After what he went through with the Demolisher, Superman realizes that if there is darkness within a hero such as himself, then perhaps there is a little goodness within the most evil supervillain. Seeing Toyman is causing trouble again, Superman attempts to make him stand down without a fight.
Appearing in "The Demolisher"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Metropolis
- New Troy
- Suicide Slum
- The Toyshop
- Farrell Power Station
- Fortress of Solitude (Flashback only)
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also