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"The American Way": Superman speeds along the desert floor, pushing faster and faster, but still not faster than the Flash. The two heroes stop, and Flash tells him that if Superman was the fastest man alive then he would be out of a job. Flash does comment that Superman has gotten faster since

Superman (Volume 2) #191 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 2) with a cover date of May, 2003. It was published on March 26, 2003.

Synopsis for "The American Way"

Superman speeds along the desert floor, pushing faster and faster, but still not faster than the Flash. The two heroes stop, and Flash tells him that if Superman was the fastest man alive then he would be out of a job. Flash does comment that Superman has gotten faster since the last time they did this. Flash asks why he suddenly has the need for speed, and Superman tells him that he feels like Metropolis has changed so much, and he's been left behind. Superman thinks it's important for the heroes to train each other and improve their abilities. Flash just laughs and asks what they could learn from him, considering he's godlike. Superman stops him, and asks if that's really what they think of him. Flash says yes, but in a good way.

Flash then stops to show Superman a trick. If he concentrates enough, he can speed between two positions and create two duplicates of him. If he developed it enough, he could almost lead two lives. The two heroes speed off, which Flash waves goodbye and departs. Superman then suddenly hears the SCU directing people to shelters.

Superman speeds to Metropolis and finds the SCU guiding people away from S.T.A.R. Labs, where a giant energy beam is erupting from the building. Superman stares up at the phenomenon with infrared vision, and sees hands reaching out of a void. Superman tells Dan Turpin to keep his men back as he takes to the skies. A yell from below suddenly brings his attention about. The U.S. Army arrives on the scene, in which the command officer, General Foss, tells Superman that they will handle everything from here. Superman tells them that he should handle it. A blast of energy suddenly knocks Superman to the ground, and sends tanks flying. Superman tells the army to wait here, and heads into the rift. Behind him, General Foss tells his troops to load up.

As soon as he enters the breach, Superman finds his speed amplified beyond belief. He screams along until he is traveling at just under the speed of light. As he speeds up, Superman finds himself developing extra head and arms as he moves at super-speed. A voice from behind him draws his attention around. He finds a creature flying along behind him. The beast tells him that it is no use, or he will die there.

Outside, Turpin argues with General Foss about firing on the rift. The General orders Turpin away, but Turpin just says that it's a good thing that he doesn't have to listen to him.

In the rift, Superman tells the creature that he doesn't have to threaten him, but the creature says that he isn't threatening him, it is just impossible to escape. Superman doesn't believe him, but the creature demonstrates by heading towards the rift. As he tries to pull himself out the General orders all weapons trained on the hole.

Falling back into the rift, Superman tells the creature that if the rift is really a tear in space, then they could escape it if they reached the speed of light. However, as he hit the rift he would lose energy and be sucked back in. Superman tells the creature that if he held the rift open, then Superman might be able to escape, but the creature would be stuck behind. He tells Superman that he wouldn't want to live away from his world, and by closing the rift Superman would save his own world. Superman thanks the creature and then begins to fly. Darting around the creature, moving faster and faster until he almost reaches light speed.

The creature reaches forward and tears the rift open. General Foss orders his troops to fire right as Superman soars out of the rift. He turns around, rushing to stop the missiles streaking toward the creature, but he is too late. The detonation closes the rift and Superman demands to know what the General has done, but the man just smiles and says he saved the day.

Somewhere else, Cir-El watches Superman on a screen. The Futuresmiths tell her that she can meet her father soon.

Elsewhere, the creature, Baxt, soars among his people. They thank him for saving their world, but Baxt tells them that he had help, and that there are other worlds with other heroes on them. On his back, he proudly wears Superman's cape.

Appearing in "The American Way"

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