Another Man of Steel Rises in Metropolis
My Adventures With Superman S2 Ep 3 Review
Life for Superman is getting more and more complicated. In the first episode of Season Two, he learned that he still has family: his cousin, Kara Zor-El. However, what should be cause for joy is soured by two problems. Firstly, he can’t get a chance to talk about it with Lois. Secondly, Lois had the bright idea of letting her now on-the-run father with Clark and Jimmy. And if this week’s episode is any indication, things will only get worse before they get better, as now Lois has something she needs to tell Clark. The one consolation is that this week, Superman gets a new ally. Another man of steel appears, and Metropolis has a new hero!
Side note: I love the fact that the title for this episode is a clear reference to Fullmetal Alchemist. That’s one of the best anime of all time.
The DPT Faces Even More Issues
The episode starts off with the Man of Steel discovering a new power while saving a certain scientist from a fire. I forgot that Superman can generate a bio-electric aura to help make him and anything he touches invulnerable. It’s one of Superman’s more subtle abilities that many people forget about, and I liked how MAWS made it relevant throughout this episode. Without it, Superman might not have been able to save the day. Then again, he might not have been able to save the day, either way.
As we get into the episode proper, though, we see the issues that each of the DPT (Daily Planet Trio) has to deal with. Jimmy, for instance, is still getting used to his role as the leader of the Flamebird division, especially considering how several of his team-members are kids. These kids, who don’t have the same impulse control most adults do, pose a unique challenge for Jimmy. It makes for some good character development, though, as Jimmy learns that being a leader is about trusting your subordinates to do what they’re good at.
Lois vs. Vicki, ROUND 2!
Speaking of which, a good part of this episode focuses on Lois Lane as she does what she’s good at: being an awesome reporter. When a new tech company moves into Metropolis promising awesome security robots (Metallo) and a clean energy reactor Lois notices something’s afoot. However, she’s not the only one looking to get the story: so is Vicki Vale. AKA the woman who used Lois to write a piece badmouthing Superman and get a promotion at the Gotham Gazette.
There is a lot of tension between the two throughout this episode, and I am team Lois. The good news is that Lois has learned her lessons from before, and is more prepared to deal with Vicki this time around, much to my enjoyment. And, at the climax of the episode, she manages to reveal that she got the last laugh. She spent the entire episode writing her post on what happened, and already got it up.
And what does Vicki do? She offers Lois a job at the Gazette. As her number two, no less! And Lois is torn by this. On the one hand, that’s a huge career opportunity. On the other hand, that would mean leaving Metropolis, Jimmy, Clark, and her father.
Lois, Don’t Take that Job Offer!
Here’s my two cents: Lois shouldn’t take the offer. As tempting as it is, Lois needs to remember that Vicki isn’t someone people would call trustworthy. For all we know, she’s only trying to flatter Lois to get her under thumb and dispose of a potential rival.
The worst part, though, is the fact that Lois doesn’t even get the chance to tell Clark. And Clark still hasn’t told Lois about potentially bringing his cousin, Kara, to Earth. And the show makes it clear that the longer they put these two very important matters off for long, it will be bad news for them.
Real Steel, the Dr. Irons Story
As for the meat of the episode, the story to it leads to the introduction of a very important ally to the Man of Steel: John Henry Irons, AKA Steel.
Introduced in the 90s comic arc, Reign of the Supermen, Steel was one of four people who tried to take up Superman’s place when he was thought to be dead. He came back, but Steel became one of Superman’s closest friends and allies. And this episode shows the origins of this version of Steel. As John Irons, here a scientist working for AmerTek, discovered, the company’s new reactor will explode if it’s activated. But his boss recklessly turns it on, anyway, out of sheer greed. In addition, the Metallo’s also prove to be strong enough to hold Superman at bay.
That’s when Irons steps in with his own, personal mech suit. And like folktale namesake, Dr. Irons proves to be just as much a man of steel as the Man of Steel. Thanks to him, they shut down the reactor and save the city! And Superman, in his alter ego as Clark, makes sure everyone knows he was the hero of the day.
Just when it looks like Steel might become Metropolis newest hero, though, guess who shows up? Luthor. And he takes everything for his new company as part of Task Force X. Now Waller has some new toys to play with.
This episode had a lot of moving pieces and plots going on, but I think it did a good job of handling all of them. And as bad as it may be down the road, I’m glad to see Lex Luthor continue down the road to being Superman’s biggest enemy. That, and it was interesting to see how Clark’s handling having General Lane live with him.
I Give “Fullmetal Scientist” a 4/5
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Adult Cartoons, Animation, Blog Posts, My Adventures With Superman, TV Shows
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