March, 1993. It was published on February 4, 1993.
Synopsis for "The Guardians of Metropolis!"
The scientists have finally translated the DNA of Superman into human terms. Westfield immediately demands the data, but the scientists are reluctant to give him the info right away. If Westfield is so eager to "protect" Metropolis, Guardian proposes the simple solution of cloning him. Westfield takes Guardian to see Carl Packard's latest creation, Auron.
Auron is the second clone of Jim Harper, who has super-strength, indestructible alloyed metallic skin, and is solar powered with a jet pack that is cybernetically linked with his mind. Westfield orders Auron to get the DNA data disk, but the Newsboy Legion, spying upon the whole scene, make off with the disk with Auron in hot pursuit. Dubbilex gives Auron a psychic blast that slows him down a little, but he catches up to the boys. The boys convince Auron that a part of him is Jim Harper.
Auron retrieves the disk and downloads its data within his memory. Westfield demands the disk back, but Auron destroys it, claiming that vital information like that should not be in careless hands. Auron flies off into space, angering Westfield and proving that clones of Jim Harper could get the job done.
Appearing in "The Guardians of Metropolis!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Auron (First appearance)
- Paul Westfield
- Newsboy Legion
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Superman (Deceased)
- Dubbilex
- Gabby
- Big Words
- Flip
- Scrapper
- Tommy Tompkins
- Carl Packard
Locations:
- Metropolis
- Project Cadmus
- Habitat
- Project Cadmus
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Sister Act"
After a brisk walk, Rose Forrest walks into her house being robbed. The police come and take her statement while a security door is installed. While watching the nightly news about the increase in crime since Superman's death, the Thorn takes over Rose's mind and takes her through a passage to her secret lair where she dons her costume to search for her thief.
She tracks a couple of thieves who send her to a fencer named Cherokee. Cherokee is clean but hears word on the street of a new guy who operates out of various warehouses. The thief who robbed Rose is there trying to sell her VCR. Thorn takes down the operation single-handedly, but not before calling the police to the site.
The next morning, the phone wakes up Rose. It's the police who say that they caught her thief, retrieved her VCR, and that they had help from Thorn. On her nightstand lamp is a note from Thorn telling her not to be afraid, leaving Rose all the more confused.
Appearing in "Sister Act"
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Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
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Synopsis for "Gangbuster of Suicide Slum"
Gangbuster violently attacks a group of thugs and mob enforcers. He then makes a call to Inspector Henderson to come and make an arrest. Henderson, while running a trace on the call, tells him that it's next to impossible to get an arrest to stick. Gangbuster hangs up the phone, but Henderson knows where he might find him, in Centennial Park, by the Superman Memorial statue. Henderson tells him he knows his identity and that the perps he attacked will probably press charges against him. He says that his actions are vengeance not justice. He hands Gangbuster a bus ticket and tells him to leave town or else the law, including himself, will come after him.
Appearing in "Gangbuster of Suicide Slum"
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Synopsis for "Funeral Pyres!"
Due to the absence of Superman, Lexcorp has been hijacked three times in the past month by a group called the terrormasters. Luthor, Jr. has been spying on the metahuman, Sinbad, having lunch with sister Soraya. He comes up with a plan to get rid of the terrormasters without drawing attention to himself. He has an employee infiltrate the group and has the hired hand stage a robbery of heavy-duty firearms at LexCorp, killing a secretary in the process. The false guilt coming from Luthor, Jr., spurs Soraya to have Sinbad go after the criminals.
Sinbad and Soraya locate the terrormasters, who are testing the gun. They fire upon Sinbad, but he is able to get up his force-field, and he is knocked out. Suddenly a hologram of Luthor appears, telling the thugs that they're dead, as he has rigged the gun with an explosive device. Sinbad believes that his shield, while blocking the blow of the device, backfired on the criminals and killed them in the process. Sinbad, feeling as if he accidentally killed them, and Soraya go home.
Appearing in "Funeral Pyres!"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Soraya Nassur
Antagonists:
- Lex Luthor II
- Terrormasters(Single appearance; dies)
Other Characters:
- Munea Nassur
- Jahir Nassur
- Hassan Nassur
- Hoda Nassur
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for "Vanishing Point"
After completing his training, Waverider is taken to the Library of Time by the Linear Men to observe and document the the last moments of Superman. Waverider cannot bring himself to let Superman be killed, so he sets off to change the event. Ryder follows him and explains to Waverider how there a lot of people, just as great as Superman in different fields of life, that could deserve the same treatment too. Waverider sees Ryder's point and restarts time to let things go on, while both men watch Superman's last moments in sadness.
Appearing in "Vanishing Point"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Superman (Dies in flashback)
- Doomsday (Dies in flashback)
- Lois Lane (Flashback only)
- Jimmy Olsen (Flashback only)
- Ice (Flashback only)
- Bloodwynd (Flashback only)
Locations:
- Vanishing Point
- Metropolis (Flashback only)
- Daily Planet (Flashback only)
Items:
- Blood Gem
- Linear Device
Vehicles:
Notes
- This one-shot issue is an unofficial Funeral for a Friend tie-in.
- "The Guardians of Metropolis!" and "Funeral Pyres!" were reprinted in the World Without a Superman trade paperback. The complete issue is reprinted in the Superman: Funeral for a Friend trade paperback.