Metropolis Mailbag

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Of all the Superman writers and artists ever to grace the pages of a comic, my absolute favorite has to have been Dan Jurgens. He came on the regular Superman book for issue 50, and stayed until issue 150. He was responsible for the world famous 'Death Of Superman' story, as well as the return from the grave. In his very first issue, he had Lois and Clark engaged. And, though the actual wedding issue was done by several different writers and artists, Jurgens was the one who depicted the ceremony.

He, with the help of Roger Stern, was responsible for the transformation of the Clark/Lois relationship. As a matter of fact, his characterization of the two of them was, in part, responsible for the creation of the hit ABC series 'Lois And Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman'.

What follows is, in my opinion, one of his best stories. A self-contained Christmas-themed story about Superman opening annual holiday 'fan mail'. It was so well received, that it became an annual tradition. So much so that, even almost a decade later, current writer Jeph Loeb continues to have a 'Metropolis Mailbag' story on the first week of December.

But that's enough praise from me. Decide for yourself what you think of it.

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Story originally featured in comic book format

Superman # 64
December 1991
Written by Dan Jurgans
Drawn by Jackson Guice

'Superman' created by Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster

December 23.

For some, a time of joy. A time of giving from the heart.

For others…

Cut to the sky above Metropolis. Snow is falling, leaving a white layer upon the busy streets. It's nighttime. Superman flies towards his destination, a grim look on his face.

CLARK: (thinking)Of all the things I've found myself doing during the holidays, this is the one I like the least. Why do I do this to myself?

He slowly begins to float downwards, towards the main branch of the Metropolis post office.

CLARK: (thinking)The Eradicator, Intergang, Mr. Mxyzptlk…none of them get to me the way this does.

His feet finally touch the ground as he lands. Waiting for them are two people. Lois Lane, and the post office owner, Willie Simpkins.

CLARK: (thinking)Guess it's pretty obvious why that is. I at least have a chance of coming out on top with those guys. This is a losing proposition from the word 'go'.

LOIS: Heads up, Mr. Simpkins, our illustrious guest has arrived!

Lois and Willie walk over to where Superman is standing.

WILLIE: Glory be! I didn't even hear him. Guess I expected there'd be a great 'woooshing' sound or something. Good to see you, Superman! Hard to believe a year has gone by already, isn't it?

They shake hands.

SUPERMAN: It is at that, Willie. Tell me, did I get a break this year?

WILLIE: Hardly. Truth to tell, there's about twice the amount you've ever had before. Times is tough, y'know. That's what does it.

Superman sighs.

SUPERMAN: Apparently so. I see we have company this time.

WILLIE: This here's Lois Lane from the Daily Planet. She wants to make a story out of this if it's okay with you.

SUPERMAN: Of course. Nice to see you again Ms. Lane.

Superman shares a secret smile with her, which Lois returns.

LOIS: Always a pleasure, Superman!

They enter the post office. Superman has a foreboding expression on his face. As if he's dreading what lies beyond the hallway.

Lois looks back at him and smiles.

LOIS: Coming, Superman? You're acting like a boy being sent to the principal's office!

CLARK: (whispering)I've already told you, Lois, this always ends up…

Oblivious to their conversation, Willie continues on. He opens a door to a back room that has a picture of Superman's 's-shield' on the window, with the word 'mail' underneath.

WILLIE: As you can see, Superman, we had to get a bigger room. The old one was full up by October! One of these years you're gonna hafta give us your address, heh heh! But here you go, a whole year's mail for a 'mister man o' steel'!

They enter the room, and are amazing by the surroundings. Boxes upon boxes, and bags upon bags of letters surround them.

LOIS: Incredible! I had no idea! Where does it come from?

SUPERMAN: Everywhere. From every nook and cranny in the world. Letters from men, women, kids… Letters in English, French, Swahili… Hundreds of thousands of them.

WILLIE: And they're all for you, Superman. I'll leave you to your fun.

Willie leaves and shuts the door behind them.

Once he's gone, Lois crosses her arms and surveys the room again.

LOIS: Oh wow. You should've started this weeks ago!

CLARK: And prolong the torture? Not a chance. Pull up and chair and grab some mail, Lois. It'll be a while.

They both sit down.

LOIS: I'm beginning to understand why you hate this so much.

They start to read the letters.

CLARK: See…here's a classic example of why. "Dear Superman, I'm writing to you from Alaska with a terrific business proposition. If you would assist me in my search for undiscovered oil, our success would make us both very wealthy men!"

Lois shakes her head.

LOIS: (slightly angry)Amazing! You said these were all letters from the needy!

CLARK: No, I said the letters all wanted my help. Over the past couple of years I've seen a lot of wild schemes to help people get rich.

He picks up another letter.

LOIS: Don't they realize that you'd never do something like that? Don't they understand what Superman is all about?

He starts to read the letter.

CLARK: Makes you wonder doesn't it? "Dear Superman. I'm a high school senior and I thought of something in geology class that you might want to attempt. Try squeezing a chunk of coal in your hands with all your strength, and when you're done you should have a diamond!! If you do this please be sure to send me some."

Lois grins and points at him.

LOIS: Now, hold on for a second! You can't possibly…

Clark smiles back at her.

CLARK: You're right, I can't.

Lois shows him her engagement ring.

LOIS: That's okay, I'm quite satisfied with the one I have.

Clark looks at the next letter, and his face falls.

CLARK: Oboy. This one is really tough. "Dear Superman. I do hate to trouble you with my worries, but I am a sixty-five-year old survivor of Auschwitz. For years I thought my entire family had perish there. Because of that I had no reason to look for anyone and wanted only to put the terrors of Germany behind me."

He turns to Lois with a look of sadness, and continues reading.

CLARK: "But I recently discovered that I had a sister who also survived and now lives in what used to be East Germany. For the first time in almost forty years I now know I'm not the last of my family. All I want is to see her again…but I haven't the means".

He puts down the letter, and thinks for a moment. Then he turns to Lois again, his face covered by shadows.

CLARK: I'll be back as soon as I can.

Cut to the air. Superman flies out of Metropolis.

You see, I am widowed, living on a fixed income in Chicago. Normally, I wouldn't ask for help, but my sister now resides in a nursing home, and I fear she is not long for this world.

Sincerely yours, Mrs. Agnes Schommer.

Cut to Chicago, at a house in the suburbs. The radio is playing.

ANNOUNCER # 1 Looks like that bad weather could clobber us over the holidays, Phil!

ANNOUNCER # 2: Indeed it could, Kaity! If any of you have travel plans I'd advise you to head out before the story moves in, or you might miss seeing your family tear into those gifts.

Inside the house, Agnes Schommer sits in a chair, petting her cat.

AGNES: Family. You are my only family now, Tiger. Probably the only family I'll ever…

Suddenly, there's a knock at the door. She gets up from her chair and walks towards it.

AGNES: Feh. More charities collecting? Don't they realize how little money I have?

She opens the door.

AGNES: Shouldn't even answer the door. If…if…

She sees Superman standing there.

SUPERMAN: Hello, Mrs. Schommer. I'm Superman.

AGNES: (shocked)You…you…my letter actually found you?

SUPERMAN: Pack your things and get your passport, Mrs. Schommer. We're going to Germany!

AGNES: Oh, my. Oh my!

Cut to the hallways of a nursing home, somewhere in Germany. Superman and Agnes walk down the hallway.

AGNES: I…I still can't believe a man as important as you has the time to help me! There must be so many more urgent matters that require your attention!

SUPERMAN: Right now, Mrs. Schommer, you are the most important thing on my mind. I've cleared everything with the American embassy. They'll be glad to put you up while you're in Germany.

AGNES: How will I ever repay such kindness?

SUPERMAN: Enjoy your reunion Mrs. Schommer. That's all I ask.

They enter a room, where they see an old woman with glasses sitting on a bed. She looks at the two of them.

WOMAN: Agnes? Is that really you?

She gets up from the bed and runs towards her sister.

WOMAN: It is! I'd recognize my little sister's pretty face anywhere…anytime!

AGNES: Oh, Ellie! Ellie!

They hug, and both start to cry.

ELLIE: Family. You still have family, little sister.

A few feet away, Superman watches…and gives a proud smile.

CLARK: (thinking)This is why I do this to myself. Every now and then, it is good to be a Superman. Might as well head back. Soon it will be morning back in Metropolis…and I have a room full of mail to finish reading.

Cut back to the Metropolis post office, morning. Clark walks in and sees Lois sorting through the mail.

CLARK: Get a good night's sleep, Lois?

LOIS: Tried to. But while you were gone I kept reading the mail, and all I could think about were their problems. There're so many of them.

She looks at him, dark circles under her eyes.

LOIS: For the most part it's just one tragedy after another.

CLARK: I know. That's why this tears me up so much! That and the fact that I can't do anything for most of them.

Lois picks up a bundle of letters and walks them over to him.

LOIS: Well, I separated them into piles that we can deliver to various government and charitable organizations.

CLARK: Good idea. They're far better equipped than I am.

He starts to read the letters again.

CLARK: Look at this. Here's a letter from a woman who needs a heart transplant and can't find a donor. And here's another one from a man who can't even keep his family fed!

LOIS: Maybe you should stop doing this…you can't feel obligated to everyo…

Clark cuts her off.

CLARK: No…I've made a difference to the Schommers already today. Maybe there's…ah, here we go, look at this one.

He holds up a child's drawing of him, and smiles to himself.

CLARK: This is a nice change of pace. Kids like drawing these colorful costumes, I guess.

He turns it over to read the letter on the back.

CLARK: "Dear Superman, I don't think this letter will ever reach you. But my mom told me to try anyway".

His happy expression starts to slowly fade. His face falls as he looks at the rest of the letter.

CLARK: (whispering)Oh…no…

Lois turns to look at him, concerned.

LOIS: What?

His face gets a solemn expression, as he continues to read…

CLARK: "My dad has a brain tumor. The doctors say they can't do anything to save him. But you can, right?"

He slowly lets the letter fall to the ground, as a shadow falls over his face. Then he looks at Lois again, who stares at him with compassion.

CLARK: (whispering)"I heard that you can do anything. Even do a brain operation…to get out a tumor. And since you're so awesome I know you will come and save my dad's life. Love, Terry Baldwin Jr. age 10. P.S. I hope you like my drawing."

LOIS: (quietly)Where's he from?

CLARK: Salt Lake City.

LOIS: You're going on this one, aren't you? But what will you do when you get there? What will you say?

He thinks for a moment, then finally answers her.

CLARK: All I can say. I'll tell the boy that I can't save his father's life.

Cut to above the city again, where Superman is flying out of it.

Cut to the sky above Salt Lake City. Superman begins to fly towards a nearby hospital.

CLARK: (thinking) Strange. I've gone toe to toe with guys like Darkseid and the Parasite, yet I'm nervous about meeting this young boy.

He lands, and walks through the front door.

CLARK: (thinking)The ability to fly, heat vision…none of that makes it any easier to tell the boy I can't save his father. I hope he understands. I hope he won't hate me. Okay…this is the hospital all right. Now let's see if I can find…

Cut to inside the hospital. Superman is talking to the receptionist at the information desk.

SUPERMAN: …Mr. Terry Baldwin's room please?

RECEPTIONIST: Oh. Oh, gracious. I…I don't quite know what to say. I…

WOMAN: (behind him)I do, nurse.

Superman turns to see a woman standing behind him.

MRS. BALDWIN: I'm Mrs. Baldwin, Superman. My…husband…passed away about ten minutes ago.

A look of sadness comes over him.

SUPERMAN: Oh, I'm…sorry. Please accept my condolences. (thinking)What do I say now? What do I do?

The two of them walk over to a bench in the waiting room, and sit down.

SUPERMAN: I…don't meant to intrude. It's just that I got this…ahh…letter from a boy… I assume he's your son, and…he, ah…

Mrs. Baldwin starts to cry. Superman puts his hand on her shoulder.

MRS. BALDWIN: Please. It's all right. I realize you're trying to help. I'm actually very touched that you've come to us, but…

SUPERMAN: I'm a stranger, I understand. Maybe it would be best if I left.

Without warning, a kid walks up to him and starts to yell.

KID: Yeah! Why don't you go back where you came from and leave us alone!

MRS. BALDWIN: Terry! Mind your manners around…

Terry doesn't listen to his mother. He continues to yell.

TERRY: Thanks for nothing, Superman! You're too late! You let my dad die! Shoulda known you wouldn't help! Shoulda known you're a big fake!

Terry storms off. Superman turns to Mrs. Baldwin.

SUPERMAN: I'm sorry. I'll go now.

MRS. BALDWIN: No. Would you talk to him, please? Make him understand?

SUPERMAN: I…okay.

He slowly walks over to a corner where Terry is sitting, crying.

TERRY: Beat it.

SUPERMAN: If you really want me to leave I will. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the drawing you sent.

TERRY: Big deal.

Superman kneels down to talk to him.

SUPERMAN: Look, Terry, I know you're mad at me. But I just found your letter today! And even if I had gotten here sooner I couldn't have done anything! I'm not a doctor!

Terry looks at him, confused.

TERRY: But you're Superman!

Superman sighs.

SUPERMAN: No. I'm SuperMAN. And there are many, many things I just cannot do. I wish I could have helped your father, though. I wish it with all my heart.

Mrs. Baldwin walks over to them. Terry stands up and hugs her.

MRS. BALDWIN: We understand, don't we, Terry? Everybody did all they could but god wanted your father. Thank you, Superman. Thank you for caring enough to come.

Superman stands back up.

SUPERMAN: If there's anything I can do…

Before he can finish, a nurse walks up to Mrs. Baldwin.

NURSE: Excuse me, Mrs. Baldwin? The certificate of death has just been signed and we were wondering…what were your husband's wishes? Was he a donor?

MRS. BALDWIN: Not that I know of. Besides, all that business seems kind of, well…unnatural, I guess.

NURSE: I'm sorry to hear that. As next of kin you could have donated his organs to those who were truly in need.

Before another word can be uttered, Superman speaks up…

SUPERMAN: Mrs. Baldwin, I know it's none of my business, but I'd like to offer something for you to consider. I received a letter today from a woman who is in desperate need of a heart transplant. Chances are your husband's heart is incompatible with hers, but I'm sure there are others in the same predicament. You could give those people hope, Mrs. Baldwin. You could give them a shot at life.

Mrs. Baldwin looks out the window, and thinks about that for a moment.

Cut to Kansas City, at a local hospital…

NURSE: We have O.R. 7 all prepped and ready, doctor. The anesthesiologist is on his way in right now.

Inside, a patient is being moved to an emergency room.

DOCTOR: Thank you, nurse. Put on the coffee, folks, it's going to be a long Christmas eve. How you feeling, Gloria?

GLORIA: Tired. Weak. Can't believe you finally…found me a heart. I'd…almost given up hope.

DOCTOR: Me too I guess you can just consider this a Christmas gift.

GLORIA: Where…did it come from? How did you find it?

The door to the emergency room slowly opens.

DOCTOR: Let's just say we had extraordinary help, from a most extraordinary man.

Superman walks through the door, holding an organ transplant container in his hands.

SUPERMAN: Hi. It was your letter that brought me here. I hope this helps.

He hands the doctor the heart, and gently holds Gloria's hand.

GLORIA: I…I don't know what to say. Thank you. Thank you so very much.

SUPERMAN: Don't thank me. Thank a woman and young boy in Utah. They're the ones who found it in themselves to give.

Cut to outside the hospital. Superman flies out and heads back to Metropolis again.

CLARK: (thinking)Can't believe the luck. Baldwin's heart is a perfect match for this woman's. Mrs. Baldwin really came through. Guess it proves that an ordinary person can make a bigger contribution than a superman any day.

Cut back to the post office in Metropolis. Clark and Lois are sitting on the floor, eating a meal from 'Big Belly Burger'. They are almost done the letters.

CLARK: What a day. I feel like I've really been on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

LOIS: Yeah, I can see why. There's one more letter you might want to read. You remember that the Daily Planet throws a party every Christmas eve for disadvantaged kids, right?

He nods his head.

LOIS: Well, they've always gotten a Santa Claus to hand out presents. But with the strike this year, they just don't have the budget to buy any presents. To make up for the lack of presents…

A huge grin appears on Clark's face.

CLARK: …they want Superman to show up and divert the kiddies attention from the lack of toys.

LOIS: More or less.

He takes Lois' hands in his.

CLARK: You know, Lois, it might be fun to see some bright, shining, young faces.

LOIS: You're going to go?

He picks her up in his arms.

CLARK: Not only am I going to go, but I think I know a way to make it a very special evening for them!

Cut to the apartment/lab of Professor Emil Hamilton…

EMIL: By golly, Superman, your idea might just work. Fact is, it could actually be a good rollicking bit of fun!

SUPERMAN: Let's get started then! We haven't much time!

EMIL: Ahh…one question, though. Not that I want to rain of your parade, but where are we going to get the presents from?

Superman picks up a nearby phone.

SUPERMAN: Let me see what I can to.

He dials a number.

Cut to somewhere else, inside a mansion darkened by deep shadows.

A solitary man stands in the darkness, staring at a roaring fire. The only illumination in the entire building.

Suddenly, the phone rings. A butler walks over and picks it up.

ALFRED: Wayne manor. Alfred speaking. Yes, Mr. Wayne is in, but I'm afraid he is not taking calls this evening.

He pauses.

ALFRED: Yes, I shall tell him.

The man by the fire slowly turns.

ALFRED: The gentleman on the line claims to be Superman, sir.

BRUCE: Calling to wish me a pleasant holiday, no doubt.

Bruce takes the phone.

BRUCE: Bruce Wayne here. What can I do for you?

He pauses.

BRUCE: I see. It will be my sincere pleasure to assist you. I'll make the necessary arrangements with a Metropolis department store and instruct them to send me the bill.

Cut back to Professor Hamilton's lab. Superman hangs up the phone.

SUPERMAN: We're all set, Emil!

EMIL: We have our toys! Good night nurse, but you do move fast! With that out of the way we should be able to build what we need in no time!

Hamilton begins going through some materials.

SUPERMAN: Make sure it's big enough! It will have quite a lot to carry!

EMIL: Not to worry! Our only problem now will be one of propulsion!

SUPERMAN: How so?

EMIL: The legend stipulates flying creatures that don't exist in this world! We don't need one with a glowing nose, but…

Superman smiles.

SUPERMAN: I see what you mean. Let me make a quick trip to the zoo to see what I can work out.

Cut to the Daily Planet building. There is a big Christmas tree set up in the lobby, where a large group of Children are playing around.

KIDS: (singing)Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the wayyy…

GUS: Hey, there's Lois Lane!

Lois enters through the front door and greets them.

LOIS: Hi, Gus! Merry Christmas everybody!

NANNY: Somebody bring some eggnog to the lady!

LOIS: No time for that! I want everybody on the roof…pronto!

KID: Aww, what for?

Lois smiles.

LOIS: You'll see.

Cut to the roof. Lois leads the group of children to right under the Daily Planet globe.

LOIS: Now everybody be extra special careful! Stay away from the edges.

BOY: Wow, this is cool up here! Hey…I think I hear something.

A girl sees something in the sky, and points up.

GIRL: Me too! Look

BOY # 2: I do! I hear bells! And somebody laughing!

VOICE: (above)HO HO HOOO!…MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Flying down to the roof is a sleigh, led by two deer. In it, was Emil Hamilton, dressed as Santa Claus.

They couldn't notice in the dark, but the deer were being held up by Clark, dressed head-to-toe in black.

GIRL: IT'S SANTA CLAUS!

CLARK: (thinking)Great! Just as I hoped…no one can see me covered in black like this! As far as these kids are concerned, these reindeer are flying Santa in!

They land on the roof, and Emil steps out of the sleigh, and starts to hand out presents.

EMIL: Ho hoh ho! Gather 'round, children! I've got presents for everybody!

BOY: Wowww! Thanks, Santa.

Lois walks away from the group, and turns to Clark, who is standing in the shadows.

CLARK: (whispering)Did they see me?

LOIS: (whispering)No. But get going before they do!

CLARK: (whispering)Okay…I'll be back in a bit.

LOIS: (thinking)With all his power, he's still so kind…so gentle. God, I love him.

Clark flies up into the air, and heads back towards his apartment.

CLARK: (thinking)Great! Looks like my idea worked better than I could have hoped! Tonight, it's better for these kids to believe in the magic of Santa than the abilities of Superman.

Clark rips off the mask and spins in mid-air.

CLARK: (thinking)I'll pick Emil up later! He's having the time of his life. I wonder how the heart transplant went? I'll have to check in the morning. In the meantime, I might as well head home and take a break.

Cut to Clark's apartment. Clark unlocks his door, now dressed in normal clothes and his glasses.

CLARK: (thinking)I spent all day attending to Superman's business, now I might as well attend to some of my own.

He picks up a small stack to letters that were put through his mail slot.

CLARK: (thinking)Last thing I need to do is read more mail, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.

He opens one and looks it over.

CLARK: (thinking)Hmm…wonder what this is? Looks like an…invitation???

Clark examines the invitation. He can't believe his eyes.

Clark looks completely dumbfounded.

CLARK: (thinking)Pete and Lana? Married? But…but…

Slowly, Clark's shocked expression turns into a giant smile.

CLARK: Well, merry Christmas, Mr. Kent.

The End