Superman 2021 | Superman 372 | Kidnappers in the Sky!


Superman 354, cover dated December 1980, offered readers a glimpse 40 years into the future with the back-up feature "Superman 2020."  Superman 2020 introduced 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...

While the Superman 2020 feature gave us a glimpse of the 2020 that might have been, the Superman 2021 feature lasted only one issue.  

The Jimmy Olsen of 2021 is James Bartholomew Olsen, head of the Universe News System.  He is in his office when he is confronted by a man with a stun gun.  The man wants a small news item published in the day's financial news.  At first James refuses, but then he is told the lives of his twin grandchildren--Lois and Clark--are at stake.  James sends a super-sonic signal (a la his trusty signal watch), hoping to alert Superman III.  Superman III is on a date with Melodee Sellers as his secret identity Jon Hudson.  Jon excuses himself from his ice cream date, follows a signal to the man's partner in crime who is holding the children hostage, rescues the red-headed twins, and makes a "deposit" at the New Metropolis Jail.  Meanwhile, James punches the other criminal as Superman III arrives with Lois and Clark, who proclaim that Superman is their "pal."     

And that was the one and only appearance of Superman 2021.  Back up features in subsequent issues featured the Private Life of Clark Kent, Superman: The In-Between Years, The Fabulous World of Krypton, and a lead in to "The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl."  After that, the back-up feature is dropped entirely.  

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