His world exploded before his birth. Propelled by a futuristic craft powered by a science beyond mans comprehension he arrived on a our world as a baby. Raised as a human by loving, caring parents who instilled in him the difference between right and wrong, he derives his powers from our yellow sun that give him enormous and unheard of abilities ! His massive strength and incomprehensible powers are matched only by the great and true heart that beats within his chest ! He is one of the most powerful champions for truth, justice , and the American way that has ever lived ! A man from the stars ever seeking to make the Earth his home, and to protect that home from evils no one else would have a glimmer of hope against ! He is the man of steel, the man of tomorrow...he is..

Superman #3

"And the walls come tumblin' down!"

By Ralph L Angelo Jr

Splash Page : Apokolips seen from space.

Narrator: Welcome gentle reader to a dimension that exists between worlds, a place made of the stuff of Imagination and dreams. This is the home of Gods ! This evil rank place before your unwitting eyes that belches flame and spews evil is the home of the vilest of creatures. Evil permeates it to the very core of its existence. From the flaming magma pits that power this obscene engine of death and destruction, to the so called "schools" which teach torture and depravity. This place is a cancerous sore on the very soul of creation, and all its resources serve one thing, one being.......the dark God

Page 2 (Close up splash of the face of )

DARKSEID !

Darkseid: "So it has come to this Kryptonian....Your pathetic City is now a part of MY world, having been transported here inadvertently by some bumbling human scientist * who knew not what forces of nature he tampered with. But be that as it may, your city, Metropolis is now the newest suburb on my dark world. So Man of Steel, how do you like your new home?"

*See our last two issues for all the heart stopping details

Superman: "You can cut the nonsense Darkseid. Neither myself ,nor anyone else in Metropolis is staying here. Return us to Earth and you'll save everyone some rather large headaches."

Behind Superman stands Dan Turpin, SCU lieutenant , as well as the gigantic energy creature known as "Erg" . Who seemingly is fighting on the side of the angels after a disastrous battle against Superman himself*. As well as several members of the SCU. Above them fly hordes of para-demons, Darkseids shock troops in his constant war against decency and right.

*see Issue #1

Page 3

Darkseid: " There will be no "return" Superman. Apokolips welcomes its newest suburb . You will all, even yourself, become part of the great army that is Darkseids. And with your might added to my own, New Genesis will at last fall !"

Superman: "Madman ! That'll never happen Darkseid ! We'll fight you until there isn't a breath left in our bodies if need be, to the very last man, woman and child. Send Metropolis back where it belongs Darkseid, before I make you realize it's more trouble then it's worth to hold onto."

DS: "Bah! Empty threats from a breast beating fool. My troops will overrun your ridiculous defenses as if they did not exist. Do you truly wish to subject the citizenry of your city to this?"

Supes: "Better to fight you to the death, then to submit to your evil."

Watching the tableau on a video monitor is Lex Luthor, Metropolis's first citizen, at least he was before Superman arrived several years ago. But that is inconsequential now. Luthors city is under siege. He must act to protect it.

Page 4

Luthor touches a panel on his desk and instants later an armored form enters the room.

Man: "You called Mr Luthor?"

Lex: "Yes Stalski, I want you to take the Lex Corp security forces, in full armored combat suits and give whatever aid you can to Lieutenant Turpin , as well as Superman."

The man reacts with momentary shock, as Luthors hatred of the Man of Steel is well known to his top people.

Stalski: "Whatever you wish sir."

Lex: "Good. Also let Turpin know that whatever heavy armament he needs is at his disposal. Metropolis will not go down here without a fight."

Stalski nods and turns on his heel , leaving the office. As he does a female figure shimmers into view.

Page 5

female: "You know now is as good a time as any to kill him."

Lex: "No my dear, I think not. At this juncture we face a crisis, one of unknown proportions . Superman, loathe as I am to admit it, may be our only and best hope for survival."

The redhead nods here head and smiles, like a cobra waiting to strike. And waiting she is. She knows of this world they find themselves on. She knows its dangers and threats, as well as it's master.

Lois lane: "DARKSEID?!? We're stuck on the homeworld of Darkseid? "

Perry white looks at the same TV set that Lois is, as it hangs from a wall mount in the press room of the Planet. All eyes are glued nervously to the screen as Superman continues to try to peacefully work a solution with Darkseid.

Page 6

Perry: "Lois, you know about this guy?"

Lois : "Y-yes Perry, Superman told me all about this place a while back. It's called Apokolips. It's the home to these evil Demi-Gods."

Jimmy Olsen approaches the quietly talking reporters.

Jimmy: "Mr White, Lois, this don't look to good here . I'm a little afraid I have to admit."

Lois: "You're not the only one Jimmy. I think the whole city must be bordering on sheer terror at the moment."

Perry: "Yeah. You two kids keep me updated. I-I have to lie down again, this fever is taking a lot out of me."

Lois: "Go ahead Perry. I'll keep you updated ."

Page 7

Perry nods and walks unsteadily back into his office.

Jimmy: "I'm worried about him. You think his Cancer came out of remission?"

Lois: "God Jimmy, I hope not. But right now we have some more immediate problems."

She nods at the screen, as Jimmy and Lois continue watching.

Lois: (Come back to me Superman, come back to me Clark. I can't bear to lose you again.)

Cut across town to a certain nondescript Bar, the front window shatters, as a Parademon is hurled out of the bar and into the street. Inside is a scene of mayhem , as the Proprietor "Bibbo" Bibowsky as well as the gargantuan "Skorn" along with a few dozen Bikers who frequent "The Ace O' Clubs" battle against a horde of Parademons.

Bibbo: "Mo's down ! Skorn ! Get ovah dere and help Ringo !"

Skorn: "Skorn is trying Bibbo, but there are many of these...things."

Page 8

Behind the bar , a young blind girl sobs as all hell has broken loose around her unseeing eyes. Her protector and somewhat boyfriend, Skorn, is battling for his and all their lives against these strange and powerful chittering demons. Suddenly the front of the building blows inwards, spraying them all with debris. All heads turn, expecting a new menace but instead...

Bibbo "Ham ! Youse made da party Doc !"

Emil Hamilton merely smiles as the harness-like device he wears hums , building up a charge once more.

Emil: "Uh yes Mr Bibowsky. I came as soon as I heard of the disaster facing us all."

Skorn: "What you wearing there Professor?"

Hamilton looks at his harness .

Emil: "Oh this? I saw something like this on a fellow named Orion. I don't know what his was powered by, but mine is powered by Solar and kinetic energy. It will be a help against these bug-like monstrosities."

Page 9

Emil Hamilton removes his harness and walks over to several of the Parademons he just blasted , examining them closely.

Emil: "Curious. They appear to be mutated human-like creatures. They are wrapped in a chitinous exo-skeleton that appears to be bonded to their very DNA. Intriguing, and well beyond mans current level of scientific expertise."

Bibbo looks on curiously.

Bibbo: "So whatchoo sayin' there Ham?"

Emil: "What I mean Mr .Bibowsky, is that they're not from earth, and I have a strong suspicion that we' are no longer on our beloved homeworld at the moment."

Several of the bikers look at each other , stunned as Bibbo scratches his chin in deep thought. Skorn holds the shivering Ashbury close when....

Ringo : "Here dhey come again!"

Emil : "Oh no, Battle stations everyone ! We must give Superman time to defeat the enemy and win our freedom! Fight on !"

Bibbo: "I couldn'ta said it better meself Hammy ! Don' worry none, my fav'rit 'll win the day!"

As the battle begins anew, with Hamilton donning his flying harness once more.

Emil: "I sincerely hope so Bibbo."

Page 10

Superman stands on the street, exactly where we left him as Darkseid and his lieutenants stare down at him from a buildings rooftop.

Darkseid: "The time for idle chat is past Superman. I claim Metropolis as a part of Apokolips, and you all as my new citizens. Bow before your new master."

Supes: "I think not Darkseid."

Streaking upwards Superman connects with a massive right to Darkseids chin, smashing him through the rooftop, to the street below.

Ba-KOOOM!

Supes: "If you want to be Metropolis's new ruler Darkseid, perhaps you should take some time to walk it's streets, or perhaps lie in them."

Page 11

Darkseid thunders from the building he was just smashed through, angered he looks as Superman tears through Kanto and backhands Desaad .

Supes : "You wanted a war Darkseid, welcome to it."

Darkseid: "Idiot. No one strikes Darkseid and lives to tell of it. Feel the power of the Omega effect!"

Darkseid fires energy beams from his eyes, as he does Superman rockets skyward. The energy rays suddenly turn and inexplicably follow him!

Supes: (Great Rao ! These things are on my tail and gaining! I have to push it if this is to work.)

Accelerating mightily Superman becomes a red and blue blur, as the energy beams continue to gain as he makes extreme angles to try and avoid them.

Supes :(This has got to work, if it doesn't, I'm done for and everyone here, including Lois is a finished as well.)

Page 12

Superman drops at a harsh angle to street level, increasing his speed yet again, this time continuing on a straight line until the deadly beams are about to overtake him, then Superman turns yet one more corner, furiously increasing his speed one last time, aiming himself at his intended target, and then at the very last instant, pulling up, as the beams contact their origination point ! Darkseid !

Ba-BOOOM!

Darkseid lies unconscious on the street, as his lieutenants look on, stunned!

Granny Goodness : "Never did I think I would see the day ! Great Darkseid laid low ! Impossible!"

Mantis: "Not so Granny, he has used Darkseids own power against him."

Granny : "Then this garish buffoon has sealed the fate of his own people. Denizens of Apokolips, attack!"

Page 13

En masse the hordes of Darkseid plunge themselves after the people of Metropolis.

Turpin: "Okay SCU, get ready, here they come, give 'em everything you got. It's what Maggie woulda wanted."

He turns his head and stares at the form that's being loaded onto the Ambulance that then races towards Metropolis general.

Just then, several blue and Gold forms streak down from above, to pull up short in front of Turpin . Dan suddenly realizes that they're wearing the uniforms of Luthors security forces.

Stalski: "Names Stalski, Luthor Internal Security. I've been ordered to put my forces at the SCU's disposal Inspector Turpin. Tell us where we can help out."

As he speaks , a car explodes half a block away, as Parademons renew their vicious attack.

Page 14

Turpin: "There. Start there. Find these bums and squash 'em. Help out Superman, he's got his hands full."

Stalski nods and in a flash of flame and heat, races to the man of Steels side , smashing into a lunging Parademon.

Supes: "Nice work Mister, watch your back."

Zrrack!

Superman fires heat ray vision at yet another in an endless wave of Parademons, this one about to avenge its brother on Stalski.

Below , Erg slaps its massive hands together, releasing a wave of pure energy outwards at the group of Demons attacking the SCU and himself.

Page 15

Supes: "Okay Stalski, get your troops together and join with the SCU's big guns. It's time we showed these Apokoliptian devils what Earthmen are made of."

Stalski: (Funny, the alien thinks himself one of us. Maybe there's more here then meets first glance.)

Superman races off, as his acute hearing picks up a certain beings moans as he re-awakens. He rockets downwards and scoops up his target by the back of the neck.

Supes: "Okay Kalibak, I've already beaten your father, compared to him you're small potatoes. Call off your troops and return us home, or this war will go on a long , long time."

Kalibak: "You? You defeated great and powerful Darkseid? Impossible !"

Superman points Kalibak in the direction of the street where Darkseid lay so ignominiously.

Kalibak: "Never did I think to see the day...."

Page 16

Supes: "That's right, you didn't think. Now call this off. As his son you have the right."

Kalibak stares at the Man of Steel , and then laughs heartily.

Kalibak: "Fool! I would never surrender our forces for fear of Darkseids wrath. Your threats are nothing compared to his power."

Supes: "Have it your way then Kalibak."

Without another word Superman drops Kalibak from 50 stories up, to the street below.

Supes: (He'll have no problem surviving that fall. But he'll be hurting, And that I need right now. One less loose cannon running around here.)

Page 17

Heading south, towards Hobbs Bay Superman listens intently at the sounds of battle all around him. The destruction and carnage is beyond reason. Twice he has to stop his search and save women with children who are being dragged from their homes by Parademons, but finally

Supes: (There!) "Emil !"

Hamilton looks up as he finishes blasting another Parademon with his impromptu harness.

Emil: "Superman! Good to see you my boy!"

Superman drops down silently to Hams side.

Supes : "No time for idle chatter now Emil, we have to get Metropolis back where it rightfully belongs."

Emil: "So it is as I surmised then. We are on another world."

Page 18

Supes: "Yes, from what I can see , a scientist working on an unknown energy source somehow tapped into a dimensional gate, and brought Metropolis to Apokolips."

Emil: "Hhhmm, well the answer is elementary then Superman we simply reverse the flow of energy through the device and return things to where they belong."

Supes: "Not that easy Emil. The device was destroyed by Darkseid.*

*See last issue.

Emil: "Well then, that is a bother. I suppose I'll have to come with you to the scene of the crime as it were and try to put things right."

Superman reaches over to lift Hamilton into the air, but...

Emil: "No need my friend. My battle harness has flight capabilities as well."

Hamilton rises upwards and away as Superman grins momentarily, before assuming his game face once more and flying skywards, taking the lead back towards Millennia Technologies former site.

Page 19

At the edge of Apokolips the battle rages! Dan Turpin fires a massive blaster cannon supplied by Luthor as more of his SCU troops slowly are backed up by the powerful minions of Darkseid.

Turpin: "Ramirez ! Get that flank shored up ! Ryan help those Luthor boys over there. "(This ain't good. No matter what we hit 'em with, they keep backin' us up. They're just to powerful. If Superman doesn't come up with a solution to this mess real soon, we'll be talkin' Apokolips-ese real soon.)

Suddenly Superman appears, dropping from the sky like a guided missile, sweeping Parademons aside like toothpicks before a storm !

Vrooosh!

Supes: "Ham! Get in there and see what you can discover! We need something done here , and fast!"

Emil : "I'm on it my friend!"

Page 20

Hamilton touches a spot on his prosthetic arm, and instantly a scanner beam flashes outwards, playing over the wreckage.

Supes: "Wha? Emil...what are you doing? "

Emil: "Oh this? Some improvements I've made on my prosthesis Superman . An energy scanner, exactly what we need in this case."

Superman is tackled by half a dozen armored Parademons and bowled over as they attack him mercilessly.

Turpin fires his blaster at the horde trying to hold Superman down, but...

Ba-BOOOM!

Superman suddenly hurls them clear.

Supes: "Thanks Dan, the help is appreciated."

Turpin: "Ahh who are you kiddin' big blue, you never needed the help at all."

Page 21

Supes: "Don't sell yourself short my friend, we're all doing our part here."

Suddenly the cry rings out from the rubble.

Emil : "Superman, I've found it!"

In a burst of Superspeed the Man of Steel is there.

Supes: "What Emil, a way home?"

Emil: "Better then that my friend. The energy used here is still present and it's being housed....."

Hamilton slowly passes his scanners beam over the rubble, following a glowing trail it illuminates, a trail ending at...

Supes: "Erg?!?"

Page 22

Emil : "Yes, he seems to embody the necessary power to send us all home."

Supes: "You've done your part my friend, now get under cover until I can return us home."

Without another word Superman races after Erg, pulling up short before the marauding giant.

Supes: "Erg! I don't know if you can understand me big fella, but you're the key here. You can make things right. Your power is what we need." (But how do we use it? )

Emil Hamilton flies up to Superman.

Emil: " Superman, he has to place himself at that juncture where the original device seemed to be. I can still see its energy signature there. He has to throw his power back at that spot. The breach WILL re-open."

Supes: "Okay Erg. You heard the man. The question is, are you willing to help us?"

The electrically charged giant slowly nods its head before bellowing ...

Erg: "ERG !"

Page 23

The giant turns and walks back towards Millenias former home . Once there it begins to release its pent up energies, filling the air with raw, coruscating power, and suddenly, inexplicably everything shifts and changes, as the very air around them begins to howl in pain as everything begins to blur. Nearby Darkseid stands stoicly. Watching as Metropolis fades from view.

VvvvvvvvvvvuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMM!

And just when the hum becomes deafening, it ends.

Supes: "We're back!"

Emil: "Yes, but are we whole? " Dan Turpin, as well as Stalski approach.

Turpin : "We made it big blue !"

Stalski: "Looks that way amigo. I think Luthor Securities work is done here gentlemen. It's been a pleasure."

Page 24

Then he's gone, as the rest of his forces join him in rocketing back to Lex Corp. Turpin is handed a phone by one of his ragged officers and walks away where he can hear.

Superman scans the area with his various forms of vision (X-Ray, Microscopic etc.)

Supes: "I don't see any trace of Erg anywhere. He seems to have sacrificed himself for our survival."

Emil runs his scanner over the area as well.

Emil: "What a shame. He was a noble creature in the end."

Supes: "Yes, he was. I have a feeling there's more to him then met the eye."

Turpin returns, looking solemn.

Turpin: "Good news is on the whole, casualties were relatively low. We held our own pretty well. Bad news is we lost more then a few Metropolis's finest, and one of 'em was Maggie Sawyer."

Next : Downtime.

Kryptonian Komments C/O CptMarvell@aol.com

Hey Ralph! Well, I certainly wasn't diappointed by the battle between Kalibak and Superman! That was a great fight! I find myself hoping that Maggie Sawyer survives, which is odd, since I really dislike her. Turpin would have been a better head of the Metropolis police, IMHO. The subplot of Perry's health interests me. I like the guy, and hope he's ok. And I'm certain that whatever you have in mind for Lex is going to be cool! As far as suggestions go, let's see a revival of some of those lethally powerful creatures and creations that Luthor used to use to bedevil Supes before Crisis. My choice would be the Galactic Golem. Keep up the good work! TJB

Thanks TJ. I hope you liked this one too. This was the most fun to me to write so far. Let me know what you think!

Nice issue, Ralph. You certainly can't get more epic than Darkseid for your first story arc. Superman seems to be portrayed right here -- a man of action, but of integrity also. The Luthor subplot has my interest as well. I expected to see the script format this issue, but the prose was nice -- it looks much more comfortable than the first issue and read well. Keep up the great work, Barry

As always Barry I value your opinions. Thanks buddy. I hope you liked this issue. Let me know what I'm doing right or wrong. Cool, Ralph______________________________________________________