Steve Lombard

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Steve Lombard
Steve Lombard's first appearance, art by Curt Swan.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceSuperman #264 (June 1973)[1]
Created byCary Bates
Curt Swan
In-story information
Full nameSteven Lombard
Team affiliationsDaily Planet
Galaxy Communications
Supporting character ofSuperman

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

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

Publication history[edit]

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[edit]

Pre-Crisis[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Earth-Two[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Television[edit]

  • A young Steve Lombard, while in his quarterback career, makes a non-speaking appearance in the DC Super Hero Girls episode "#EmperorPenguin".
  • Steve Lombard appears in the Young Justice episode "Evolution", voiced by David Kaye. This version hosts the "Steve Lombard Sports Show" radio series.
  • Steve Lombard appears in My Adventures with Superman, voiced by Vincent Tong.[16] This version is a member of the Daily Planet's "Scoop Troop".

Film[edit]

Miscellaneous[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d 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

External links[edit]

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