Smallville Season 11 Issue 2

SMALLVILLE: SEASON 11 COMIC
Guardian, Part 2
Series	Season 11
Continuity No.	2
Writer	Bryan Q. Miller
Pencils	Pere Perez
Cover	Cat Staggs
Inks	Pere Perez
Colors	Chris Beckett
Lettering	Saida Temofonte
Assistant Editors	Sarah Litt
Editors	Kwanza Johnson
Publication Date	June 6, 2012
Navigation
Previous Story	Guardian, Part 1
End of Series	Guardian, Part 3

Smallville: Season 11 #2 is the second issue of the print edition of the DC Comics comic book series. The issue collects chapters 4-6 of the Guardian story arc, originally released digitally.

Contents

• Story
  • Guardian, Part 2
• Television Series Episode Guide

Summary

Clark investigates the true cause of the mysterious energy storm in space while Chloe and Emil pursue an intriguing artifact. Lex launches a dangerous mission into orbit, with former astronaut Hank Henshaw at the wheel.

Recap

Lex's MRI results.

At Metropolis General Hospital, Lex Luthor undergoes an MRI to determine why he is seeing hallucinations of the deceased Tess Mercer. The doctor informs him that not only is his mind healthy but that it has been operating at a higher percentage since the neuro-toxin erased his memories. Without a physical reason, the doctor offers that learning that Tess committed suicide might have caused a psychological toll and suggests Lex consult with a therapist.

Tess appears before Lex at the hospital.

While finishing with the doctor, Tess appears behind Lex and mocks his unwillingness to reveal the truth behind her death. Lex asks if she's a figment of his imagination or if he's being haunted. Tess recounts her death at her half-brother's hand, says that next she knew she was standing next to him on the street, and that she doesn't appear to be a ghost. Though no one else can see her, Lex is able to touch Tess and pushes her against the wall, demanding to know what she is. Tess offers that if he didn't spend so much time worrying about Superman they could take the time find out. Otis interrupts as Lex argues that Superman is a threat and asks if they should delay a scheduled press conference. Lex refuses and orders Otis to find all research on the neuro-toxin Tess used on him.

Clark searching through space.

In space, Superman uses a handheld scanner to search for evidence of the storm while communicating with Chloe at the Swann Technology and Research facility back on Earth using a holographic interface emanating from his belt. He's not able to find a cause nor any sign of debris or the spaceship Chloe and Lois saw emerge from the rift on the video from the Korolyov. He notes that he's already scanned the spectrum with his super-vision and found nothing. Chloe asks how long he's had this ability and Dr. Emil Hamilton jumps in to say it has been months.

Superman back from orbit.

On Earth, Emil explains to Chloe that Dr. Virgil Swann's will dictated that the facility, also known as S.T.A.R. Labs, was created to help "the Traveler" learn more about himself and the world around him. Emil explains that, during testing of Superman's abilities, their research into his X-Ray vision revealed these multi-spectrum capabilities. Superman messages to check if the readings from the scanner are coming through. Emil confirms and laments that they had to send Superman into orbit instead of one of their new Hazardous Environment Drones, which haven't yet been fully tested. Superman zips in and says he's happy to help. The communication device on his belt beeps and he opens it to read a text message from Lois chastising him for being late to the LexCorp press conference.

Lex begins criticizing the Justice League

At the press conference, Lex begins his speech but is almost immediately interrupted by Lois. She asks him to where he disappeared that led to his sister declaring him dead and before resurfacing in Tess' office at the former LuthorCorp Tower on the night of her suicide, intimating that Lex might have had something to do with her death. Lex angrily assures the public that he has not forgotten about Tess and that he exiled himself from the outside world as a way of escaping the Luthor legacy. He then claims that he only returned because Tess called him that night before committing suicide.

Lex reveals Hank Henshaw as the Pilot.

Having changed, Clark shows up and whispers to Lois that they both know Lex killed Tess but don't have any proof yet to confront him about it. Having addressed Lois' questions, Lex continues with the conference. He criticises Superman and the Justice League for fighting the simple crimes of humanity while an alien threat loomed. Believing humanity needs to take its protection into its own hands, Lex announces that in two days LexCorp will launch into orbit the first of the Guardian defense platforms. The press and public are impressed, save for Lois. She asks Lex where he will able to find a pilot for the shuttle to deliver the platform on such short notice. Lex happily introduces the man he refers to as "our very own super man," former NASA pilot Commander Hank Henshaw.

Oliver confronts Lex over the Guardian platforms.

50 Miles outside of Metropolis, 10 hours before flight, Lex watches the LuthorCorp shuttle in the distance, Oliver angrily confronts him, and warns him that the military will shut down his project, and that they knows just what he's capable of. Lex counters, asking if Oliver ever considered the military won't stop because of it. Oliver then counters, saying he knows what Lex is capable of, to which Lex claims he doesn't know, because of the loss of his memories. Oliver questions Lex on Tess's suicide, and Lex justifies it, claiming LuthorCorp's decline and the world almost ending caused her to do it.

Lex ask Oliver about their childhood.

Oliver denies his claims, and threatens to reveal that Lex killed Tess. Lex counters asking what would happen if he revealed Oliver was building a secret moon base for his team. Lex then ask Oliver about their friendship as teenagers, which Lex claims he's glad to have forgotten.

Clark interviews Hank

Clark interviews Hank Henshaw one last time before flight, as Hank eats a large meal, claiming it's apart of a superstition pilots like him share. Hank then makes a passionate quote about piloting, and how it helps him appreciate what he has on Earth, and says the Lex has given him a greater purpose, allowing him to pilot The Guardian Platforms into space. Clark claims that the world isn't as dark as Lex claims, and Hank mockingly ask if Clark is a Superman fan. Hank then claims that Superman is doing a good job, but should do more. Clark says that it's best Superman not impose his ideas on all. Hank says it's a good idea, but sometimes people need to be forced. Clark thanks him for the interview as Hank goes off to get ready.

Emil finds a trail.

In S.T.A.R. Labs, 10 minutes before flight, Emil tells Chloe that the scanner Clark used has picked up a trail, and that the rocket that came to Earth has landed somewhere in Kansas. {C

An masked entity watches the explosion.

{C

During takeoff, Lois tells Clark she has a bad feeling about the Guardian platforms, but Clark claims it might be a good thing, as Superman can't be everywhere at once, but Lois isn't convinced. Clark claims that Hank is trustworthy, but Lois claims Lex is still dangerous. Aboard the Shuttle, Hank begins leaving Orbit, when the ship begins experiencing problems. In mid-air, it explodes.

In Smallville, a masked figure watches, and comments that "this is a job for Superman."

Clark flying toward the Shuttle.

At the launch site, Angela Chen begins reporting as the shuttle explodes, surprising the masses. Clark runs off and changes into his Superman suit, with Chloe guiding him from Watchtower. Superman catches up to the shuttle and sets out the fire caused by the explosion, and removes the last fuel tank before it explodes. Using his gamma vision, he's able to see that there is a radiation leak.

Clark and Hank reach an agreement.

Superman has Chloe contact Commander Henshaw through LexCorp mission control, where he informs them that he can save them, but needs to pry open the shuttle as it will depressurize, but Henshaw insist that Superman save his crew members first, inorder to pilot the shuttle into orbit as the shuttle is leaking radiation. But before Superman leavees to save the crew, Henshaw reveals a secret. Superman saves the crew and returns to the shuttle as the oxygen levels reach zero and Henshaw passes out.

Commander Henshaw awakens.

Henshaw wakes up on a stretcher, with burns from the radiation exposure. As the paramedics begin to transport him, Superman instructs them to send him to Emil at S.T.A.R. Labs. Lois comes up to Superman, hoping for a quote, but he instead tells her that Clark will not be home for breakfast, because the explosion was not a misfire.

Lex awaits Superman's arrival.

On the roof of LexCorp Plaza, Otis nervously confronts Lex with the results from his research, but Lex interrupts him, saying he wishes to savor the moment. Otis, confused, explains that the situation is terrible for LexCorp and questions his apparent cheerfulness. But Lex explains he has a good reason to be cheerful, stating he and Superman are about to have a very interesting conversation.

Continuity

• Chloe refers to Clark as Boy Scout. He received this codename in Justice.
• Lex disappeared after the events of Arctic and was declared dead by Tess in Bulletproof. He was killed by Oliver Queen in a truck explosion in Requiem but had set into motion a plan to resurrect himself using cloned body parts that led to his return in Finale, Part 2.
• Tess describes the scene of her death from Finale, Part 2.
• S.T.A.R. Labs is created and named in honor of Dr. Virgil Swann, a member of the Veritas group, who was first introduced in Rosetta.
• Clark is referred to as the Traveler by Emil.
• Lex questions Oliver on their friendship as teenagers, which was first seen in Reunion.
• Chloe sarcastically questions why the missing spaceship would land anywhere other than Smallville, as most others have. Other spaceships to crash land in Smallville include Clark's ship and Kara's ship and the Black Ship.

Trivia

• Chloe reveals that Oliver insist that Clark be called Boy Scout rather than Superman.
• Clark receives a text transmission from Lois via a digital communicator in the triangular prism part of his belt on his Superman costume is very reminiscent of Batman's mini bat-computer he carries in his utility belt.
• Lex mentions Oliver is building a base on the far-side of the moon for the Justice League. This is a reference to Watchtower of the comic books, which is typically on the moon or in Earth's orbit.
• This issue features the introduction of Angela Chen into Smallville continuity. Angela Chen debuted in Superman: The Animated Series episode "Last Son of Krypton."

Variant Covers

Digital copy

Print copy.

Cover art