Superman: The Animated Series
Episode 24
Solar Power
Edward Lytener bust out of prison and starts calling himself Luminus. He turns the sky red via hacked LexCorp satellites to make the atmosphere like in Krypton and Superman starts losing the power he gets from the yellow sun. That’s a brilliant plan; power Superman down. Superman losing his powers still decides to help which is really what makes him Superman. Anyone who’s invincible can fight bad guys. A real hero does it when he isn’t invincible. One of the rare occasions Superman is in actual danger and not just pulling his punches.
The plot is stretched thin a little when it’s revealed Lex Luthor is in on the plot to depower Superman. Lex had originally fired Lytener for being a whistle blower. It is likely Lex hates Superman more than Lytener and decided the enemy of my enemy is my friend. So he hooks Luminus up with a bunch of tech, helps him bust out of prison, gives him access to the LexCorp satellites to take out Superman.
Superman struggles through Luminus’ hideout, over comes the booby traps, eventually takes him out. The episode ends with Superman getting his powers again. This is the second time a villain in Superman starts out as a regular guy then ups the antagonist to get revenge on Superman. Metallo started out as a regular guy then got super powers, Lytener was attacking Lois then enhanced his powers via tech to take out Superman. It’s a logical concept that people who cross paths with Superman and lose learn from it and try to level up to take him out. Very smart of the creators to keep raising the stakes when utilizing foes for Superman.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
