Steve Lombard

Last updated
Steve Lombard
Steve Lombard's first appearance.jpg
Steve Lombard's first appearance, art by Curt Swan.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Superman #264 (June 1973) [1]
Created by Cary Bates
Curt Swan
In-story information
Full nameSteven Lombard
Team affiliations Daily Planet
Galaxy Communications
Supporting character of Superman

Steve Lombard is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. [2]

Contents

The character made his cinematic debut in the DC Extended Universe in the 2013 film Man of Steel , played by Michael Kelly.

Publication history

Steve Lombard first appeared in Superman #264 (June 1973) in a story written by Cary Bates and penciled by Curt Swan. [3] When editor Julius Schwartz suggested adding a sportscaster to Clark Kent's news reporter, Bates decided to create a workplace adversary for Kent to contrast with Kent's friendly relationship with the other characters, drawing partial inspiration from the character Ted Baxter of The Mary Tyler Moore Show . [4] Lombard's physical model was real-life football star Joe Namath. [4]

For several years after Steve Lombard's debut, he appeared in nearly every published Superman story. Action Comics writer Martin Pasko later attempted to explain the character's popularity:

"... Lombard is one of the few examples of a character that all of us Superman scripters at that time wrote in more or less the same way - as opposed to, say, the way Lana Lang seemed to be a totally different character when she'd show up in Action on occasion. I think that's because Lombard was one of the most sharply drawn and purposefully designed (though not particularly complex) characters I've ever handled - the most clearly communicated idea I've ever heard from an editor and the writer who co-created it: the jock doofus unwittingly trying to bust Superman's cajónes. The audience waits for it, knowing that a hotfoot with a match won't trump a hotfoot from heat vision, or whatever. And I gather the other Superman writers thought so, too. That's why Lombard became, for me, at least, one of the best examples of what, in sitcoms, we call the 'run-through character'. That's certainly what Ted Baxter was on TV: the character you knew you could 'run through' a scene and get laughs just from his showing up. ... The audience starts laughing when they show up because they're laughing at what they're imagining is gonna happen. They're 'waiting for it'". [4]

Bates wrote Steve Lombard out of the comic in Superman #384, though his final pre- Crisis on Infinite Earths appearance was not until Superman #413. [4]

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis

In Pre-Crisis continuity, Steve "The Slinger" Lombard is a quarterback for the fictional NFL team the Metropolis Meteors. The day before his team is to play in the Super Bowl, Steve exacerbates existing injuries to his knees while saving a baby falling from a building. An experimental radiation treatment cures his knees, but also produces an energy being resembling Lombard in his football uniform. The energy being responds to Lombard's thoughts and begins scoring touchdowns in his place, as Lombard had missed most of the game due to his accident. Initially taking credit for the energy being's performance, Lombard publicly confesses the truth after the being goes on a rampage and has to be stopped by Superman. Steve resigns from the Meteors and retires from football over his actions, leading Morgan Edge to hire him as a sportscaster for Galaxy Broadcasting, working alongside anchor Clark Kent on the Six O'Clock News. [1] [5]

Steve is portrayed as brash and arrogant, and often plays childish pranks on Clark Kent (addressing him as "Clarkie"), which Kent usually counters with the subtle use of his super-powers. However, Steve also considers Clark one of his few real friends, since he takes Steve's behavior in stride and never bears him a grudge. Steve has a brother named Vernon, who is a doctor, and a nephew named Jaime. [6] Steve also has an aunt, Kaye Daye, who is a mystery novelist who works with the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City. [7] Morgan Edge ultimately fires Steve after many years due to his declining popularity with the viewing audience. Steve goes to Clark's apartment seeking solace, only to be attacked by a former college roommate who did not shrug off Steve's pranks as well as Clark did, and obtained superhuman powers to get revenge. In a rare display of genuine courage and humanity, Steve forces Clark to safety before confronting his opponent, although Clark returns as Superman and rescues Steve. [8]

Post-Crisis

Lombard was not part of the original reboot of the Superman storyline that began in John Byrne's 1986 The Man of Steel mini-series. His first Post-Crisis appearance is as a news anchor on WGBS-TV in The Adventures of Superman #467 (June 1990).

As of the June 2008 storyline, Steve works for the Daily Planet , as the editor of the Sports section. [9] Perry White states Steve has recently returned to the paper, so it can be assumed that Steve used to work there before leaving to work for WGBS. Action Comics Annual #11 (May 2008) gives the following information on Steve: "Sports Reporter. Steve Lombard played football in high school, college, and briefly for the pros. He sees himself as a man's man, everything Clark Kent is not in fact. He is a walking encyclopedia of sports trivia and put-downs. Lombard cannot figure out why Lois Lane does not throw herself at him". It is also stated that Steve often butts heads with coworker Ron Troupe.

In the 2008 "Brainiac" storyline, he makes a crude sexual advance to Lois right in front of Clark. He insults Ron Troupe's choice of subject matter, thinking articles critical of sports means Ron 'hates' them. He takes great joy in assaulting colleagues with a football, laughing at their torment. However, once actual danger arises he is quick to take charge and work with others in order to make sure everyone is safe. For example, he and Ron save Cat Grant's life. [10]

The 2009-2010 miniseries Superman: Secret Origin established that Lombard, in post- Infinite Crisis continuity, was already on the staff of the Daily Planet when Clark began working at the newspaper. [11]

Steve's first 'Rebirth' appearance is a crude confrontation with Lois in the Daily Planet newsroom. [12]

Steve is shot in the shoulder when he attempts to stop a crazed gunman from killing various Daily Planet employees. He is later seen being led away from the building. [13]

The cosmic-level threat, the H-Dial, manifests itself in a superpowered being called the Early Adopter appearing in the middle of the Daily Planet newsroom. Steve picks a fight with him, but the fight ends upon the arrival of teenage martial artist mutants. [14]

Alternate versions

Earth-Two

There was an Earth-Two version called Steve Bard who appeared in the 'Mr. & Mrs. Superman' stories in the Superman Family title. He appeared first in Superman #29, as a jokester, resembling the Prankster.

All-Star Superman

Steve Lombard appears as a minor supporting character in Grant Morrison's limited series All-Star Superman . This incarnation works as a sportswriter at the Daily Planet. His character and appearance are similar to that of the post-Crisis Lombard. In All-Star Superman #7, Steve proves immune to the Bizarro virus due to his use of performance-enhancing drugs. In the same issue, he risks his life to save fellow employees from danger. [15] He also wears a toupee, but he denies doing so.

In other media

Television

Film

Miscellaneous

Related Research Articles

The Daily Planet is a fictional newspaper appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. The newspaper was first mentioned in Action Comics #23. The Daily Planet building's distinguishing feature is the enormous globe that sits on top of the building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curt Swan</span> American comics artist

Douglas Curtis Swan was an American comics artist. The artist most associated with Superman during the period fans call the Bronze Age of Comic Books, Swan produced hundreds of covers and stories from the 1950s through the 1980s.

<i>Action Comics</i> American comic book

Action Comics is an American comic book/magazine series that introduced Superman, one of the first major superhero characters. The publisher was originally known as National Allied Publications, and later as National Comics Publications and as National Periodical Publications, before taking on its current name of DC Comics. Its original incarnation ran from 1938 to 2011 and stands as one of the longest-running comic books with consecutively numbered issues. The second volume of Action Comics beginning with issue #1 ran from 2011 to 2016. Action Comics returned to its original numbering beginning with issue #957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolis (comics)</span> Fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Superman

Metropolis is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, best known as the home of Superman and his closest allies and some of his foes. First appearing by name in Action Comics #16, Metropolis is depicted as a prosperous and massive city in the Northeastern United States, in close proximity to Gotham City. In recent years, it has been stated to be located in New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Lang</span> Fictional supporting character in DC Comics Superman series

Lana Lang is a fictional supporting character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Olsen</span> DC comic book universe character

Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Olsen is most often portrayed as a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane and Clark Kent, and has a good working relationship with his boss Perry White. Olsen looks up to his coworkers as role models and parent figures. From 1954 to 1982, Olsen appeared in 222 issues of the comic series Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and Superman Family, in addition to the main Superman titles.

Professor Phineas Potter is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics and appears in the comics that feature Superman and several related characters, most notably Jimmy Olsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lori Lemaris</span> Comics character

Lori Lemaris is a mermaid in DC Comics, and a romantic interest for Superman. She is from Tritonis, a city in the undersea lost continent of Atlantis, and first appeared in Superman #129. She was created by Bill Finger and Wayne Boring. Lori is one of several Superman characters with the alliterative initials "LL", including Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang, Lyla Lerrol, Luma Lynai and Lucy Lane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan Edge</span> Fictional DC comics character

Morgan Edge is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Originally a supporting character, he is a media mogul who acquires The Daily Planet and employs Clark Kent as a television journalist for his WGBS TV network. After the Crisis on Infinite Earth series which led to a revision of the DC Universe, the character was a leader of Intergang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry White</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Perry White is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the editor-in-chief of the Metropolis newspaper the Daily Planet. The character maintains very high ethical and journalistic standards and is an archetypal image of the tough, irascible, but fair-minded boss.

<i>Superman</i> (comic book) Comic book series featuring Superman

Superman is an ongoing American comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero Superman as its protagonist. Superman began as one of several anthology features in the National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938. The strip proved so popular that National launched Superman into his own self-titled comic book, the first for any superhero, premiering with the cover date summer 1939. Between 1986 and 2006 it was retitled, The Adventures of Superman, while a new series used the title Superman. In May 2006, it was returned to its original title and numbering. The title was canceled with issue #714 in 2011, and was relaunched with issue #1 the following month which ended its run in 2016. A fourth series was released in June 2016 and ended in April 2018, while the fifth series was launched in July 2018 and ended in June 2021. The series was replaced by Superman: Son of Kal-El in July 2021, featuring adventures of Superman's son, Jon Kent. A sixth Superman series was released in February 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Publication history of Superman</span> Aspect of history

Superman is an American fictional character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and featured pervasively in DC Comic books. The character debuted in Action Comics issue #1 in June 1938 and has since become a paradigm for superhero characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Troupe</span> Fictional character in the DC comics universe; associate of Superman

Ron Troupe is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat Grant</span> Fictional character from Superman franchise

Catherine Jane Grant is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faora</span> Comics character

Faora is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. The character was created by Cary Bates and Curt Swan, and first appeared in Action Comics #471. Most commonly, Faora is an ally and sometimes the wife and/or lover of Superman's Kryptonian nemesis General Zod.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Origin of Superman</span> Fiction depicting the early life of Superman

The origin of Superman and his superhuman powers have been a central narrative for Superman since his inception, with the story of the destruction of his home planet, his arrival on Earth and emergence as a superhero evolving from Jerry Siegel's original story into a broad narrative architype over the course of Superman's literary history and as the character's scope continues to expand across comics, radio, television and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman (Earth-One)</span> Comics character

The Superman of Earth-One is the incarnation of Superman that existed during the Silver Age and Bronze Age publications of DC Comics. He is also known by the following names: Silver Age Superman, Bronze Age Superman, and Pre-Crisis Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sandman Saga (Superman)</span>

"The Sandman Saga" is a Superman story arc published in 1971 in Superman #233 - 235, #237 - 238 and #240 - 242. This is the first Superman storyline under editor Julius Schwartz and the first Bronze Age-era Superman story.

Galaxy Communications is a fictional American multinational media corporation in the DC Comics universe. It is owned and run by businessman and crime lord Morgan Edge.

References

  1. 1 2 Cary Bates ( w ),Curt Swan ( p ),Murphy Anderson ( i )."Secret of the Phantom Quarterback!"Superman,no. 264(June 1973).DC Comics.
  2. ↑ Greenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010). The Essential Superman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 214–215. ISBN   978-0-345-50108-0.
  3. ↑ Eury, Michael (2006). The Krypton Companion. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 97. ISBN   9781893905610.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Wells, John (September 2016). "Bullies and Blowhards of the DC Bronze Age". Back Issue! (#91): 16–18.
  5. ↑ Action Comics #466 (December 1976)
  6. ↑ Elliot S! Maggin ( w ),Curt Swan ( p ),Murphy Anderson ( i )."World Beneath the North Pole!"Superman,no. 267(September 1973).DC Comics.
  7. ↑ Martin Pasko ( w ),Curt Swan ( p ),Frank Giacoia ( i )."The Pizzeria Peril!"Superman,no. 277(July 1974).DC Comics.
  8. ↑ Cary Bates ( w ),Curt Swan ( p ),Dave Hunt ( i )."Steve Lombard -- Down, Out, and Dead?"Superman,no. 384(June 1983).DC Comics.
  9. ↑ Geoff Johns ( w ),Gary Frank ( p ),Jonathan Sibal ( i )."Brainiac, Part 1: First Contact" Action Comics ,no. 866(August 2008).DC Comics.
  10. ↑ Action Comics #866-870 (2008)
  11. ↑ Superman: Secret Origin #3 (2009)
  12. ↑ Action Comics #965 (October 2016)
  13. ↑ Action Comics #989 (December 2017)
  14. ↑ Dial H For Hero #9 (2020)
  15. ↑ Grant Morrison  ( w ),Frank Quitely ( p ),Jamie Grant ( i )."Episode 7: Being Bizarro" All-Star Superman ,no. 7(June 2007).DC Comics.
  16. ↑ Good, Owen S. (June 5, 2023). "My Adventures With Superman looks like the best summer of your life". Polygon . Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  17. ↑ Smallville Season 11: Chaos #2
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.