Superman: The Man of Steel #105 is an issue of the series Superman: The Man of Steel (Volume 1) with a cover date of October, 2000.
Synopsis for "The Reign of Emperor Joker (Part IV of V) - All the World His Stage"
Superman is now a Krypto-like Super-Dog, Superboy a Beppo-esque Super-Monkey, Steel is a Super-Horse, and Supergirl a Super-Cat, all courtesy of Joker, given his powers by Mr. Mxyzptlk, who Joker is keeping in a big blue orb. Lois Lane is Joker's pasty-faced unwilling bride, sitting next to him in his Ha-Hacienda.
Joker suddenly sneezes, and complains of his allergies. Jimmy Olsen, Grave Digger Lad, offers to destroy Superman. A fire hydrant falls from the sky, apparently from Joker. Joker scoffs at Jimmy, saying he finds no fun in beating a dumb animal, and calls in clownish Kryptonian Battle Suits who promptly kill Jimmy.
Joker hands the orb with Mxy in it to Enigma, aka Riddler, and he gathers his wives, Lex Luthor, and Batman to watch the braincast of Superman's mental breaking, which Joker will accomplish by changing Superman's life to be utterly contradictory. Joker also sends the rest of the JLA back to their previous, Joker-esque silliness.
Superman walks along a deserted alley on a TV screen with his parents. They are promptly robbed and killed while Superman looks on. It's Batman's origin, in Superman form.
Flash to years later: Superman is the illustrator of Krypton Man (who looks like the Eradicator and Jor-El mixed), with Steel. Instead of being happy, he draws the JLA. Outside, a commotion startles them from work. It's Krypton Man, and he blasts Superman verbally for drawing such rabble. Superman is to be taken to Emperor Joker. Superman gets angry, and accidentally knocks Steel around the room by raising his hand, killing everyone but Krypton Man, who vows to capture Superman.
Superman comes home, not sure he's done anything. His kids, Supergirl and Superboy, greet him with concern. He hugs Supergirl, and she dies. Superman's heat vision suddenly rages out of control, and he blasts Superboy, killing him.
Krypton Man appears, and blames Superman, but Superman refuses. His breaking is failing. The TV screen fuzzes, and Superman is free. His mind is strong enough to fight Joker.
Superman floats through space. Spectre awakens him, and warns him that if Joker isn't stopped soon, all reality will disappear. Then Spectre is taken under Joker's control.
Back into the television Superman goes. Lois comes home, and sees what Superman has done to their children, yelling at him. Krypton Man breaks in, and Superman takes off with Lois... apparently too fast. Her back breaks, and she dies. Superman, though sad and reactionary, rejects this reality, and the program dies.
The JLA sees this, and rejects their reality as Superman's will manifests. They are back to normal, and ready to assault Joker City.
Appearing in "The Reign of Emperor Joker (Part IV of V) - All the World His Stage"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Emperor Joker
- Joker League of Anarchy
- Harley Quinn
- Gravedigger Lad (Jimmy Olsen) (Dies)
- Enigma
- Skizm
- Gilly
- Lex Luthor
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue takes place after Adventures of Superman Vol 1 583, the storyline concludes in Action Comics Vol 1 770.
- This issue is reprinted in the Superman: Emperor Joker trade paperback.
See Also
Recommended Reading
Links and References
Previous Adventures of Superman #583: 2000/40 |
Superman 2000 Navigation |
Next Action Comics #770: 2000/42 |