Steve Lombard

Superherobox|

caption=Steve Lombard from "Action Comics Annual #11 (May 2008)"
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Steve Lombard
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Superman" #264 (June 1973)
creators=Elliot S. Maggin
Curt Swan
full_name=Steven Lombard
affiliations= Daily Planet
Galaxy Broadcasting
powers=None
supports=Superman |

Steve Lombard is a fictional DC Comics character appearing in "Superman" comics. He first appeared in "Superman" #264 (June 1973) in a story written by Elliot S. Maggin and penciled by Curt Swan.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths

In Pre-Crisis continuity, Steve "The Slinger" Lombard is a former quarterback for the fictional NFL team the Metropolis Meteors. Steve injures his knee while saving a baby falling from a building. An experimental radiation treatment cures his knee injury, but also produces an energy being that resembles Lombard. The energy being responds to Lombard's thoughts, and begins scoring touchdowns in his place. At first taking credit for the energy being's performance, Lombard is forced to confess the truth after the energy being goes on a rampage and has to be stopped by Superman. He is subsequently hired by Morgan Edge to become a sportscaster for Galaxy Broadcasting, working alongside anchor Clark Kent on the Six O'Clock News. ["Superman" #264 (June 1973), "Secret of the Phantom Quarterback!"] .

Steve is portrayed as brash and overly self confident, and often plays pranks on Clark Kent (referring to him by the unflattering nickname "Clarkie"). However, Steve also considers Clark one of his few real friends, since he takes Steve's attitude in stride and never bears him a grudge. In "Superman" #384 (June 1983), when Steve is tracked to Clark's apartment by a super-powered enemy (a former college roommate who did not shrug off Steve's pranks nearly as well as Clark does), Steve forces Clark to safety before confronting his opponent, although Clark, naturally, returns as Superman to rescue Steve.

Post-Crisis

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 during the "Doomsday" storyline, in "The Adventures of Superman" #497 (December 1992).

As of the June 2008 storyline, Lombard works for the "Daily Planet", as the editor of the Sports section ["Action Comics" #866, June 2008)] . Perry White states Steve Lombard 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 isn't in fact. He's a walking encyclopedia of sports trivia and put-downs. Lombard can't figure out why Lois Lane doesn't throw herself at him." It is also stated that Steve Lombard often butts heads with Ron Troupe on nearly everything.

Alternate versions

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 (June 2007), Steve proves immune to the Bizarro virus due to his use of performance enhancing drugs.

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=STEVELOMBARD Steve Lombard at the Unofficial Guide to the DC Universe]
* [http://supermanica.info/wiki/index.php/Steve_Lombard Steve Lombard entry at Supermanica website]