Metropolis is threatened by goons with advanced technology, and for once it's not Lex Luthor's fault. This time, it's Bruno Mannheim's Intergang, who have been given hi-tech weaponry from a man named Kanto, who's working for a mysterious benefactor. Superman fights the gang, but their new gadgets give even him trouble. The whole thing is massively frustrating for a police officer named Dan Turpin, who was hunting Intergang and resents Superman taking his job. His attempt to investigate the gang gets him caught, but he's able to get free in time to save Superman from Mannheim and allow the whole operation to be taken down. Mannheim, unwilling to face Superman or be arrested, follows Kanto through his Boom Tube to meet the real mastermind behind the whole fiasco... Darkseid.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Answers to the Name of God: Shortly before the final reveal.Mannheim: Where in God's name are we?
Kanto: That depends. Which god are you talking about? - Big Damn Heroes: Just as Superman is finished, Dan fights off Mannheim, allowing Superman to get back up.
- Establishing Character Moment: Darkseid gets only a couple lines of dialogue, but judging by the look of Apokolips and the fact that he Answers to the Name of God, all while scaring the crap out of Mannheim by simply turning to look at him, we immediately get a sense that he's a terrifying Evil Overlord.
- Exact Words: When Lois asks of Mannheim's whereabouts, Turpin says he's outside of his jurisdiction. Mannheim's on Apokolips, about as "outside of jurisdiction" as you can get.
- Foreshadowing: For anyone familiar with the comics, upon seeing Kanto using a Boom Tube, it wouldn't take long for them to put together which of Superman's enemies is most well-known for using Boom Tubes for travel.
- Friendship Moment:Superman: If it wasn't for Dan Turpin, I wouldn't be standing here tonight. Thanks.
Turpin: Anytime, pal. - Green-Eyed Monster: Turpin towards Superman for effortlessly outdoing the cops. He gets over it in the end.
- Leitmotif: For Darkseid's debut episode, Shirley Walker personally composed an ominous, eight note theme for the Dread Lord of Apokolips (one which he will retain through the remainder of the entire DCAU).
- The Man Behind the Man: Kanto explains that a certain individual has authorized him to provide Mannheim with some advanced weaponry.
- Oh, Crap!: Mannheim gets this once he sees Darkseid.
- Properly Paranoid: When Kanto claims the first weapon will cost nothing, Mannheim says "nothing" gets very expensive in the end.
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: How the shot of Superman is framed after his heat vision fries Mannheim's last weapon.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Mannheim would rather take his chances on the other side of the Boom Tube than be caught by an angry Superman. He probably should have stuck with Supes...
- Shooting Superman: Mannheim bemoans how Superman has made Intergang's vast arsenal look like mere toys by comparison. What Kanto offers are substantially more effective.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Turpin earns Superman's respect when he vouches to the news reporters that the former saved his life.
- Unwitting Pawn: Mannheim and his mooks are just a means for Darkseid to test Superman's abilities.
- Villainous Breakdown:
- After Superman trashes the tank, Mannheim throws a tantrum in the supply area and throws around the equipment. After Mannheim throws a box of grenades aside, one of the mooks pleads for him to be careful.
- Mannheim twice over in the end when he flees from Superman and later when he sees his new master.
- Wham Episode: Darkseid and his forces debut, kicking off a story arc that will run through the next decade of the DCAU through its very end.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Kanto calmly abandons Mannheim to his fate after all the gadgets he produced are destroyed, even mocking Mannheim when the latter begs him for another.
