Lex Luthor. Brainiac. General Zod. The rogues’ gallery of Superman features some of the greatest comic book villains of all time. However, it also has some lamest villains to ever build a convoluted deathtrap. One such villain just returned to DC Comics with a young metahuman partner and an uncharacteristically lethal attitude.
Superman Unlimited #9 by Dan Slott and Mike Norton opens with Clark Kent talking shop with several other reporters. The hot topic of the day is a seemingly unconnected series of strange deaths. The only apparent link is how ludicrous the deaths were, such as a songwriter being hit by a falling piano or a billionaire dying from an allergic reaction to a pie in the face.
However, Clark Kent notes that all of the victims were also noted philanthropists, who gave of their time and fortunes to help people. Unfortunately, their good works were forgotten as people only remembered the stupid ways in which they died. This is ultimately revealed to be the work of a minor Superman villain known as The Prankster.
First appearing in 1942’s Action Comics #51, Prankster was a crime-boss named Oswald Loomis who specialized in confusing crimes intended to make Superman look silly. These included a scheme to copyright the English language and pretending to rob banks while making sizeable deposits. He was revamped for the modern age as a failed kids’ show host who blamed Superman for making children more interested in action heroes than his clowning. However, rather than trying to hurt Superman directly, he hired himself out as a distraction for other criminals in Metropolis.
Superman’s New Prankster Explained
Superman Unlimited #9 reveals that Loomis has now taken on a new sideline as a broker for a specialized assassin. Anyone can kill, Prankster reasons, but it takes a special something to kill a reputation. To that end, Loomis and his junior partner — a nephew with undefined metahuman powers — have begun killing people in ways that leave people laughing at them.
The rest of Superman Unlimited #9 details Superman having to protect former editor of The Daily Planet and mayor of Metropolis Perry White from various silly assassinations. These include a collapsing statue and deluge of deadly baseballs. Despite this, the two Pranksters remain unnoticed and unaccused. Indeed, the younger Prankster swears revenge on Clark Kent after he reports that The Flash villain The Trickster is the prime suspect in the killings.
Superman Unlimited #9 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
