All-Star Superman #3

It's that time again! It's time to join the Man of Steel in his greatest, and last adventure! Last time, the Metropolis Marvel brought his lady love Lois Lane to the Fortress of Solitude and he made her a very special birthday gift: a costume and a serum that would give her the powers of Superman for a day. So, how does Lois's day as Superwoman go? Let's find out in All-Star Superman #3! 

The cover is a Frank Quitely and Jamie Grant piece. Concept-wise, I like it. You have Clark Kent about to go into action as Superman, but Lois Lane as Superwoman is stepping up, the idea being that she's saying "Button that shirt, Clark. I got this." I also like the Superwoman suit, the colors and 

"Sweet Dreams, Superwoman..."

The story begins with Lois Lane opening a box.

(what's in the box)

Be patient! We'll find out!

Page 55, Panels 3-5

The box contains a special liquid that Superman made, the "Exo-Genes" that he mentioned in the last issue. They grant Superman's powers for one day. Lois drinks the liquid down. Considering the liquid is yellow, I can imagine it's lemonade-flavored. It's a good thing that she did though, because Metropolis has a problem right now.

(Houston, we have a problem)

A red anthropomorphic wannabe Devil Dinosaur calling himself Krull (presumably shouting out the movie), has arrived. The big red maniacal monster is also backed up by an army of dinosaur men with ray guns. I love comics. Krull is here to eat Metropolis, presumably because he thinks it looks tasty. I have heard it has a spectacular Quraci food scene. Jimmy calls for the Man of Steel on his hypersonic signal watch. Clark and Lois fly out to kick some dinoman butt. Lois is all to eager to do so.

Page 58, Panel 1

However, someone else has beaten the Super Twosome to the punch, tossing Krull into space, even smashing through the International Space Station in the process.

Page 60, Panel 1

Meet Samson. Yes, the Samson of Bibical lore. Lois is confused by all this, but Superman just noted that Krull's lungs had burst. Yeah, he's out in space, where there is no air. That's bound to happen. Our man goes to grab Krull and bring him back to Earth. While he does so, Samson flirts with Lois. And then another mythical strongman shows up. He's the one who helped take care of Krull's army.

Page 61, Panel 1

Meet Atlas. Yes, as in "holds up the world" Atlas. He also pulls a Joey on Lois.

(how you doin')

Superman arrives and points out she's with him. However, both of these mythical strongmen are rather horny for Lois (she has a knack for that, I guess), so they propose a Challenge of the Ages. Each man performs a super-feat. Best one gets her hand. Naturally, Lois is like, "WHUT?!" Thing is, Samson and Atlas both are fond of her not just she can fill out a costume rather well. She's also got brains, spirit...and she's super-strong right now. Single women with that combination are rather...hard to find.

Superman takes Krull and his beaten dinoman army back to the subterranean kingdom he came from. Yeah, here, Krull and the dinomen are from a kingdom of Subterranosaurs, evolved decendants of the dinosaurs that survived their extinction. They're kind of like the Saurians from Doctor Who.

Anyway, Krull isn't just some random warlord. He's the prince, the son of Dino-Czar Tyrannko. Tyrannko assures Supes that Krull will be punished for his invasion, but he tells Superman that he claims Samson goaded him into attacking Metropolis. Samson shows Lois a necklace made of Uranium-238 that he...borrowed from a being called the Ultra-Sphinx back during the first Dynasty of Atom-Hotep back in the 80th Century, BC. You all remember that, right? 

How did Samson...obtain this necklace? Well, he's a time-traveler. He uses his custom chronomobile to have many an adventure throughout the timestream. He tells Lois that he'll take her throughout time, dining on Triceratops, drinks at the Crucifixion, that kind of thing. Atlas claims he'll crush diamonds in his hands into a wine for immortals, make Titans kneel before her, tame wild Hippogriffs to pull their love chariot. Lois seems to be a bit...perspective to the two beings' flirting, which kind of annoys Superman a bit. However, Lois is just getting a bit of payback for all the whole "secret identity" stuff that he pulled on her over the years. Also, she knows Superman will win any contest that Atlas and Samson can come up with it. Presumably, he always has. 

Superman confronts Samson, as the time-traveling adventurer tends to bring trouble wherever he goes. Remember this.

(remember this)

Samson taunts Superman by pointing out that Lois is not going to be Clark's girl for very long, showing him a newspaper headline from the future announcing his death. Remember, this miniseries is essentially the last days of the Man of Steel's life. He's dying from a solar overload. Samson also hints that Superman will perform twelve super-challenges...Twelve Labors, if you will.

(Batman hmmm)

Well, I can't imagine they'll be worse than Wonder Woman's twelve labors. Anyway, an angry Ultra-Sphinx arrives.

Page 67, Panel 1

He had been looking for his uranium necklace, and thinks Lois stole it because...she's wearing it. 

(facepalm)

Superman tries to help, but the Ultra-Sphinx is in a quantum state, neither living nor dead. naturally, so is Lois. But there is a way out. Answer his question correctly, and live. Superman realizes Samson and Atlas stole the necklace, and they tricked the Ultra-Sphinx to come here so Superman can help stop him. They genuinely meant no harm to Lois. 

(facepalm)

However, they will fight alongside Superman if it comes down to it. However, the Metropolis Marvel thinks it won't have to come to that. After all, one of his labors is answering the unanswerable question, which the Ultra-Sphinx provides. 

What happens when the unstoppable force meets the immovable object?

As such, Superman has the answer: They surrender. And the Ultra-Sphinx finds that answer...acceptable. 

(phew)

Looks like that little crisis has been averted. Ultra-Sphinx takes back his radioactive necklace and leaves. Samson and Atlas then challenge Superman to an arm-wrestling match. Evidently, the two had been watching Over the Top recently. Superman has had enough of the two's antics, and agrees to do so.

Page 71, Panel 1

Superman takes them both on at the same time. You know, Samson, if you're aware that Superman is dying, then you likely also are aware that Superman's physical power has greatly increased due to his solar overload in issue #1. But then again, Samson is shown that he tends to not make the most intelligent decisions.

(I'm just saying)

Their arm wrestling causes a nearby mountain to crumble...and ends up breaking their arms.

(ouch)

Lois and Superman then visit an undersea civilization. Afterwards, Lois asks what Superman sees in her. After all, he's Superman. It can easily be assumed that he's very popular with women. However, there's just something about Lois that Clark can't help but really dig. My guess is that she is often shown to be a smart, tough-as-nails, and very capable reporter with integrity. Either way, the two conclude their day with a kiss on the Moon.

That night, Lois and Superman sit down on a building, looking at the moon. Lois's super-serum is wearing off. She's tired, but she got to see what it was like to be Superman for a day. And it was incredible. He wants to ask her another question, but she falls asleep. The story ends with Superman taking Lois home and tucking her into bed. Super-Date was a complete success!  

I enjoyed this issue. It's basically a modernized take on a Silver Age Superman story.