“Is it a bird? Is it a plane?”
Clark fell through bright, open air, plummeting toward the ground. He only just had a chance to brace for impact as the even grid of city streets, scattered with gawking bystanders, rushed to meet him. In the final instant, his descent slowed just enough for him to land on one knee on the pavement.
The aftershock rippled through his body and a web of cracks spread out across the asphalt from the impact, but there was no crater, and only a little dust settled around his feet.
“Excuse me, but you look a little lost.” The voice sounded as though it came from some distance, beyond the ringing in his ears.
People, all well dressed, were beginning to crowd around him, watching with uncertain eyes. At the front was a woman, nervously clutching her purse.
He raised his head, his gaze fixed just above the heads of the assembled crowd.
“Can we help?” the woman asked.
The initial blast had blown away his clothes, leaving him with only his costume. Who would think to offer to help Superman?
“I…” he faltered, his forehead creased in confusion.
“That’s quite the get-up.” A man approached, his hands casually in his pockets, but his shoulders set; he was afraid. “What do you call yourself?”
A child chimed in with a taunting lilt, “Where’d you come from, mister?”
Their suspicions were all too familiar, but it was almost like they didn’t recognize him.
He hovered to his feet to stand before them. “I’m Superman. I come from the planet Krypton.”
There was no dawning recognition. If anything, the reminder seemed to spark more confusion as the crowd erupted into chatter.
Amid the restrained commotion, a police officer pushed his way to the front. “Now see here, Mr. Super-Man, you’d better explain yourself!”
The rest of the crowd nodded along with the officer’s stern admonition and stared expectantly, muttering among themselves as they waited for an answer that he didn’t have.
Superman shouldn’t have been there at all.
What will become of the Man of Steel? What will this strange visitor from outer space mean for Gotham’s own Caped Crusader?
Tune in to find out, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel! Holy Grimdark, Batman!