Superman (Volume 3) #48 is an issue of the series Superman (Volume 3) with a cover date of March, 2016. It was published on January 27, 2016.
Synopsis for "Treatment"
A conference on superhuman affairs is being held on the Central City University. The topic at hand is Superman and one of the debaters decries him as a menace to society and wants him locked up. While the debate continues, the assassin Kingslayer prepares to fire a crossbow from the rooftop, until Steve Trevor surprises him from behind. Before Trevor can do anything, however, Kingslayer shoots an arrow at him but Superman arrives and saves him. Together, they defeat Kingslayer but not until Kingslayer throws himself into the auditorium. His intention all along was to create panic and cause the scared crowd to run towards the exits, which were rigged with explosives. Fortunately, Superman and Trevor act quickly and prevent the catastrophe. Superman then asks Trevor for a favor.
Meanwhile in a secluded facility, HORDR_ROOT helps an A.R.G.U.S. agent called Evans transfer his consciousness into a robotic body. The procedure ends with Evans still as an organic, but the robot is fully autonomous and programmed with Evans' memories and feelings. ROOT only created a back-up of his consciousness and installed it in the robot, who now calls himself the Puzzler. With the procedure complete, ROOT kills Evans.
Superman and Trevor travel to the A.R.G.U.S. facility, where Superman explains Vandal Savage infected his cells so they can no longer absorb solar energy. Therefore, Superman's plan is to use Kryptonite as chemotherapy to burn away the infected cells while his healthy cells regenerate and power up again. Trevor is reluctant, but Superman insists that getting his powers back is the only way to stop Savage. Unbeknownst to them, the Puzzler infiltrates the compound.
On their way to the Kryptonite vault, Superman admits to Trevor that he broke up with Wonder Woman. Trevor disapproves of that decision and says Clark and Diana deserve each other, but Superman merely says it was complicated. Once they reach the vault, agent Etta Candy grants them access to one of the containers, where exposure to Kryptonite immediately paralyzes Superman.
Suddenly, the Puzzler attacks the facility to kill Superman under Savage's orders. While Superman crawls towards the Kryptonite, A.R.G.U.S. agents attempt to hold the Puzzler off, but the Puzzler assimilates their weapons and holds off their attack. While Trevor and his forces continue the fight, Superman reaches the container and exposes himself to all the Kryptonite rocks inside.
Appearing in "Treatment"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
- HORDR_ROOT
- Kingslayer (First appearance)
- Puzzler
- Vandal Savage (Behind the scenes)
Other Characters:
- Evans (Single appearance; dies)
- J. Wilbur Wolfingham
Locations:
- Central City
- Central City University
- Lampert Auditorium
- Central City University
- Hawaii
- Kilauea
Items:
Vehicles:
See Also