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Most people know by now thatSupermandied and retrovert in the XC . Fewer people are deep conversant with the dangerous undertaking and stories that took place immediately after his return . Superman took no time off after his payoff in 1993 , as threats to truth and justice certainly took no clock time off in his absence . One of the sadder and less - remembered chapters of the Superman saga engage place not long after his triumphant return – when the Toyman , a nemesis of Superman ’s who had always been a pocket-sized annoyance more than a major threat , returned more dangerous than ever , and began taking the lives of innocents . One of those innocents was Adam Grant , the young Logos of Cat Grant , a long - time acquaintance to bothClark Kent and Superman .
Certainly one of the most tragic second in Superman comics , it take office inSuperman#84 , spell and penciled by Dan Jurgens , with ruined art by Joe Rubinstein . This consequence , which heralded the return of the Toyman in the most terrible way possible , was the startle of a saga that informed readers of a new and unique responsibility thatSuperman had gained since his return from decease . In the issue , the Toyman lures Adam into his grasp during a Halloween Party – and by the fourth dimension Superman catches up with the Toyman , it ’s already too recent . The Toyman had taken a round for the worse , his mental health deteriorating to the stop of no return , and regrettably , he had take to kidnapping youngster from who he saw as neglectful parent , forebode them a better life – as long as they follow his dominion .
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Superman pursues Adam ’s killer , leading him to Winslow Schott , the Toyman , who has taken to living in an oversized baby ’s pony , inSuperman#85 ( Jurgens / Rubinstein . ) Though Superman demonstrate mercifulness towards Schott and brings him to justice without much hurt , it is scarce the end of the storey . Adam ’s funeral takes place inAdventures of Superman#508 ( written by Karl Kesel , art by Barry Kitson and Ray McCarthy , ) and afterClark Kent departs , Superman shows up . Cat , far from being upturned at Superman for not being able to lay aside Adam , is forgiving , remind him that " not even Superman can save everyone . " Cat inquire Superman what it is like to be numb , and Superman respond that he thinks it is unlike for everyone , but that " Adam ’s all good . He ’s at ataraxis … and beyond the reach of malefic military personnel . "
A tragic and poignant import , but one which also relates important information about Superman ’s purpose after his return from the stagnant . Because Superman has the rare and unique experience of returning from end , he has hit an equally unique responsibility : avail his friends aggrieve . An intelligent , sensitive , articulate man , Superman has not just super - tycoon for scrap , but a superhuman gift for kindness and empathy . If Superman was a comfort before his death , he had become only a more angelic , perhaps even deific , presence , since the result . To Cat Grant , in this moment , Superman was capable to provide the most powerful reassurance possible – and only because of his unique experience with death .
If Superman had not had the unparalleled experience of conk and returning that he had , his presence at Adam Grant ’s funeral might not have been as take , or even as welcome . or else , because of his pity , and the weight of his experience , Superman has become even more of a guiding Christ Within to the innocent . In a room , Superman ’s use here is not too different from a priest , providing counseling and reassurance to those in need . It certainly shows thatSupermanis more than just a brawler – he ’s a consoling presence in the dark .
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