Superman 2020 | Superman 361 | The Ace of New Metropolis

Superman 354, cover dated December 1980, offered readers a glimpse 40 years into the future with the back-up feature "Superman 2020."  Superman 2020 introduces us to "Superman III," the grandson of the familiar Kal-El/Clark Kent Superman.  The story of Superman III would continue as a back-up in subsequent issues of the Superman comic.  In this blog, we'll take a look at the Superman that might have been...

Superman 361: "The Ace of New Metropolis!"  Superman III rescues a young man who attempts to throw himself from the dome of New Metropolis to the earth far below.  Superman III flies the man to a hospital, then changes out of his costume and into the clothes of Jon Hudson, computer-traffic controller.  He is visited by his scantily-clad supervisor Melodee Sellers who invites him to see the big tennis match later that evening (apparently wearing next to nothing is considered suitable for work in 2020).  "Jon" turns her down because of a prior commitment--playing in the tennis match under another of his secret identities--Lewis Parker.  Superman III puts his super powers "on hold" in order to fairly compete against Ollie Alexander, Oceania's top-seeded tennis player.  Unable to turn off his "super mind," during the match Superman III notices a subliminal message broadcast over a giant television monitor.  "Lewis"

powers up again in order to force a time out by causing his opponent to slip and fall.  During the ten-minute time out, Superman III tracks down the source of the subliminal message, criminals who have overtaken Television Broadcast Central.  To make up for causing his opponent to fall, Superman III throws the remainder of the match.  "Parker Lewis" loses, but wins compliments from the beautiful Melodee Sellers.  

Look for more Superman 2020 stories in forthcoming blogs! 

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