March, 2003. It was published on January 8, 2003.
Synopsis for "Truth"
Superman, in the stratosphere, then the mesosphere, then space, then on the moon, reels from a blow. He turns around to return to Earth, furious. His contrail is seen over Smallville, Central City, Gotham, and finally Metropolis, where he descends into battle with Amok, newly returned with stronger than usual power.
Amok tells Superman that he's nothing but a primary color dictator, and puts some heat to the Man of Steel. It hits him like a shot and knocks him through a building, a picture of President Luthor, three skyscrapers, a column on a bridge, and into some water.
Superman returns, and Amok tells him that the Futuresmiths have provided him with a Zerarch cannon, something that will be invented in 18 years. Amok continues to berate Superman with ideas that he is a danger to humans, asking him how many people he crippled after he was hit. Superman looks to Lois, newly on the scene, and she tells him an anonymous "someone" called media outlets and said Superman would label himself a potential weapon of mass destruction and turn himself in to the police that day. Amok reminds Superman of their first encounter. Superman can hardly remember, as the fight was brief and embarrassing for Amok. Amok spurts off with his new powers, and Superman intercepts him in space. As he's taking him to Stryker's Island, he disappears mysteriously.
Later, Clark worries with Lois about Amok's true motives. He couldn't have been there just for the attempt to make Superman feel he's a terrorist.
Somewhere in Metropolis, the Futuresmiths confer with Amok and examine the hair from Superman's head they've taken. Amok asks for his reward, which is the ability to defeat Superman. They give him the power he wanted, but it hurts him terribly.
Meeting in public and thus risking Clark's status as an undercover reporter, Perry White confronts him with a passport and a change of clothes found in the Daily Planet building. He asks how Clark can travel without his passport. Clark bluffs his way out of the passport by saying he sees Jimmy Olsen and leaves to talk with him.
Amok later appears, and knocks a monorail off its tracks. Superman stops it, telling him that he will not harm the people of Metropolis. Amok is soon overcome by his newer powers and explodes.
In their hideout, the Futuresmiths unveil the "sleeper". They awaken Cir-El, otherwise known as Supergirl.
Appearing in "Truth"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Jimmy Olsen
- Jonathan Kent (Flashback only)
- Lois Lane
- Martha Kent (Flashback only)
- Perry White
Antagonists:
- Amok (Dies)
- Lex Luthor
- Talia Head (Cameo)
- Futuresmiths
Other Characters:
- Talia Head
- Supergirl (Cir-El) (First appearance)
- Billy (Single appearance)
Locations:
- Earth
- Algeria (Mentioned only)
- Pakistan (Mentioned only)
- Central City
- Gotham City
- Metropolis
- Plaza of the two Truths
- Daily Planet
- 1938 Sullivan Place
- Stryker's Island Penitentiary (in orbit)
- Smallville, Kansas
- Kent Farm (Flashback only)
- Earth's Moon
- Krypton (Flashback only)
Items:
- Zerarch Cannons
- Kryptonian Birthing Matrix (Flashback only)
Vehicles:
- None
Notes
- The events from this issue lead into the Futuresmiths storyline beginning in Superman (Volume 2) #190.