Superman sits in his cell on War World. His hands are chained together. The is just enough chain to keep his wrists touching. The more fights that a gladiator wins here, the more links are added to their chains, giving them more freedom. Not that anyone is truly free under Mongul's rule. Superman could break out of the chains at any time, but then what? He was on a distant planet with no way back to Earth. He also has a shock collar around his neck. He looks around at the other slaves caged up. This was despicable. Who was Mongul to treat people like this. He looks in the cell next to him. There was a woman inside, who looked to be around his age. She had a slender figure and long red hair. He chains were a bit longer meaning she had won her share of fights.
"What are you looking at?" She asks.
"Sorry." Superman says.
"How long have you been here?" He then asks.
"I don't know. Maybe six months, I was taken from my home world of Almerac by these vile creatures." She says.
"I was taken from my world too." Superman says.
"My name is Maxima, who are you?" She asks.
"You can call me Superman." He says.
"That's a weird name, you don't look so super to me." Maxima says.
A Warzoon comes by and opens Superman's cell.
"Come with me." The Warzoon says.
Maxima leans forward and watches as Superman is taken away.
"Hmph, probably be the last I see of him." Maxima says.
Back in Metropolis, Lois's phone rings, she answers it.
"Hello." She says.
"Lois, have you heard anything about my son?" Martha asks.
"No I haven't." Lois says.
"It isn't fair, we just got him back, and now he's…
"He'll be fine Martha, trust me." Lois says.
"Okay Lois, you call me the second anything happens." Martha says.
"Promise." Lois says.
Lois hangs up. She takes a great big sigh. The truth is she didn't know any better than Martha did where Superman was. It had been a week since he disappeared. Clark walks by her desk. Only it wasn't Clark. Martian Manhunter was once again filling in the role. It would be too hard to explain why Clark disappeared from work again. While he was here, he had a friend of his running his P.I. agency in Chicago, Victor Sage.
"I finished my story." He says as he puts it on Lois's desk.
"J'onn, I told you; you don't give me the stories, they go to Perry." Lois says.
"Sorry, I am still getting used to this." J'onn says.
"It's okay, and thanks again for helping, but I've got to get going." Lois says.
"Where are you going?" J'onn asks.
"Gotham, Luthor is holding a rally from there tonight. Word is he may be announcing his vice-presidential candidate." Lois says as she takes off.
A group of Warzoon's lead Superman into the arena. Mongul prepares for introductions.
"Welcome everyone to another epic battle. Allow me to introduce to you the newest chanllenger. He is known simply as Superman!" Mongul says.
The crowd doesn't respond warmly to him. They boo and throw stuff and he is brought into the arena.
"And now, your champion. I present, Draaga." The crowd cheers as their dominant champion is brought into the stadium.
Mongul makes his way to his throne. Sitting to his right is Lobo, who had been invited to stay as a guest for the fight. The Warzoon's approach Superman to unlock his chains. Superman rips his arms apart, destroying the chains. He then tears the collar off from around his neck. He stares straight at Mongul as he does it. The audience gasps at this sign of disrespect Superman shows. Mongul grits his teeth.
"Let the match begin!" Mongul says.
Superman looks around the stadium. It was littered with metallic scrap. Anything inside was fair to use.
Draaga charges at Superman. Superman tries to hold his ground but is tackled. Superman grabs Draaga's wrists as he goes in for a couple of punches.
"I don't want to fight you." Superman says.
"We have no choice." Draaga responds.
Superman kicks Draaga back and gets back to his feet. Draaga grabs a mangled-up steel pipe from a junk pile. He charges again at Superman. Superman grabs the pipe and rips it out of his hands. He snaps the pipe in two.
The audience gasps again. They're not sure what to make of Superman. Mongul watches on, he's unsure about Superman as well.
Draaga charges for Superman again. This time Superman stops his advances and punches him back. It takes three punches from Superman to take Draaga off his feet. Draaga grabs an old metal plate and throws it at Superman. Superman grabs the plate. Draaga punches through the plate and hits Superman in the face. The crowd cheers on as the fight picks up. Mongul smiles.
Superman tosses the remains of the plate away. Draaga continues his punches as Superman begins backing up in a defensive position. Eventually he trips on a pile of scrap behind him. Draaga jumps on him and begins whaling away. Superman hugs Draaga around the waist and flies upward. The crowd is in disbelief. It wasn't everyday they saw a man fly. Superman drops Draaga back into the stadium. He hits the ground with a thud. Superman stumbles back into the stadium as well. War World has a stronger gravitational pull than Earth, making it harder to maintain flight.
Draaga was groggy, but returns to his feet. Superman returns to his feet as well. Draaga lunges forward. Superman is ready with a barrage of punches. The final one sends Draaga to the ground. The crowd is unsure how to react. Their champion was defeated. Eventually they roar in applause. Mongul grits his teeth.
"We have a new champion!" He says.
Two Warzoon's drag Draaga to the middle of the stadium. A third one hands Superman an axe.
"Take your victory." Mongul says.
Superman throws the axe to the ground.
"I won't do it." Superman says.
The crowd gasps in shock.
"You must. Allow me to die with honor, please." Draaga says.
"No." Superman says.
A vehicle that looks like a dump truck is brought into the stadium. Draaga is thrown inside along with a pile of scrap.
"NOOOO!" Draaga yells as the truck is taken out.
"This insolence must be punished. Lobo, go down there and deal with this Superman." Mongul says.
"Why should I?" Lobo asks.
"I'll add twenty percent to your payment." Mongul says.
"Grr, fine." Lobo says as he heads down to the ground of the stadium.
The crowd cheers as Lobo makes his way to the stadium.
Lois arrives in Gotham City and heads downtown where Lex is holding his rally. There is plenty of support down there, more than Lois had anticipated. Lex takes the stage and the crowd erupts in applause.
"Thank you, thank you." Lex says as he begins his speech.
"I wanted to get to this city in particular early in my campaign. This city has been hit with crime and misfortune more than perhaps any other in the country. And what has been the response? A nut in a Halloween costume galavanting throughout the city. And what good has it brought? The clown has been in a body cast for the past year getting treatment paid for on your tax dollars."
The crowd applauses.
"Well I say no more. It's time to put these so-called heroes in their place. And unlike other billionaires who just fancy themselves as playboys, I am going to do something about it. But not alone. Now is the time I introduce my running mate for vice president of the United States, ladies and gentlemen senator Edward Lytener.
The crowd applause as Lytener takes the stage. Lytener was a young man, in his mid-thirties. He had short brown hair.
"Thank you, Mr. Luthor." Lytener begins.
"I'm sure some of you know my history but for those of you that don't let me tell you. I worked for Mr. Luthor for many years. I have a background in electrical engineering and also served in the navy in my younger days. Three years ago I made a bid for senator and have held a seat in office since then. Working under Mr. Luthor I learned the meaning of a hard days work. I have seen his brilliance and how he can achieve great accomplishments when he puts his mind to it. And that is all he wants for each and every one of you. To achieve your own great accomplishments and not rely on others to swoop in and save the day. Together Lex Luthor and I will fight for a better tomorrow." Lytener says.
The crowd cheers on. Lois watches in disbelief. Lex had a plan in place, and it was starting to work.
Back in Chicago, Victor Sage sits at a desk in J'onn's office. He is beginning his research into Luthor, and he intends to leave no stone unturned.