Description
Superman #9 brings the Joker out of Gotham City and drops him directly into Superman’s territory. Published with a September 1987 cover date, this issue comes from John Byrne’s influential Superman era. Byrne writes and pencils the story, with Karl Kesel providing inks. Tom Ziuko supplies the colors, while John Costanza handles the lettering.
The main story, “To Laugh and Die in Metropolis,” gives Superman an unusual challenge. The Joker arrives in Metropolis looking for a new opponent. He has spent years matching wits with Batman. Now he wants to discover how the Man of Steel handles his particular brand of chaos.
The Joker begins his campaign with a Superman robot. The machine attacks a Metropolis diamond exchange and releases deadly Joker gas. Superman soon arrives and discovers that the robot is carrying an explosive device. He takes the threat high above the city before the bomb can harm anyone below.
That is only the beginning of Joker’s plan.
Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White become part of his next scheme. Joker creates an elaborate challenge designed to frustrate Superman and exploit the limits of his powers. Lead plays an important role because Superman cannot simply use his vision to locate every hidden threat.
This battle feels very different from Superman’s usual physical confrontations. Joker cannot overpower him with strength. Instead, he relies on tricks, misdirection, and psychological pressure. That contrast makes their encounter especially entertaining.
The issue also includes “Metropolis 900 Mi,” another story written and penciled by John Byrne. Karl Kesel again provides the inks. This shorter feature turns the attention toward Lex Luthor.
Luthor visits a roadside diner far from Metropolis. There he approaches a married waitress with an astonishing offer. He offers her one million dollars to spend a month living with him. The scene demonstrates Luthor’s arrogance and his belief that money can control almost anyone.
Collectors also get one of the most recognizable Joker covers from Byrne’s Superman run. The Joker dominates the image while wearing Superman’s costume. His enormous grin sits against a background filled with repeated laughter. The design immediately tells readers that Superman’s world has been invaded by Batman’s most unpredictable enemy.
The copy shown here is the newsstand edition. The barcode box in the lower left identifies that distribution version. Newsstand copies are often of special interest to collectors who enjoy tracking alternate distribution formats from the 1980s.
Superman #9 is not generally treated as a major key issue. Its appeal comes from something different. It combines John Byrne’s Superman era with a memorable Joker appearance, a striking cover, and an entertaining clash between two iconic characters.
For Superman, Joker, and John Byrne collectors, this issue remains a distinctive piece of late 1980s comic history.
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