- "This is a catastrophic situation at our nation's Capitol. We don't have exact numbers yet, but I can tell you more than a dozen people have died in this explosion. First responders are at the scene. They are still bringing victims out."
- ―Carrie Birmingham[src]
The Bombing of the United States Capitol was a terrorist attack orchestrated by Lex Luthor in an attempt to turn the public against Superman and prevent June Finch from exposing his motives.
Background[]
Wallace Keefe's Hearing[]
- "He made me half a man. My wife walked out on me. I can't even piss standing. Let me face him."
- ―Wallace Keefe to June Finch[src]
During the Battle of Metropolis, Wallace Keefe lost both of his legs when he was trapped in the rubble, sparking an immense hatred towards Superman. Two years later, Keefe vandalized his statue at Heroes Park with graffiti, causing him to be arrested by the Metropolis Police Department. Using this opportunity to put his evil plan against Superman into action, Lex Luthor bailed Keefe out of jail and gave him a new wheelchair secretly containing a lead-lined bomb, offering to let him testify against Superman before the United States Senate.
Keefe agreed to Luthor's request and went to the United States Capitol to request an audience with Senator June Finch, who decided to send out a public announcement inviting Superman to the committee to defend his actions in the Battle of Metropolis and the Massacre in Nairomi. Seeking advice, Kent visited his mother in Smallville, where she explained that people feared what they did not understand, motivating him to continue being a hero if he wanted to, as he owed the world nothing.[1]
Murder of Kahina Ziri[]
- "Not only paid her, he treathened her. Gave her a script to learn. Her parents are alive back home, but the girl's got a conscience. He's been using the committee as his puppet theater."
- ―June Finch to Senator[src]
Ziri testifies against Superman before Finch.
Shortly before the incident at the Nairomi compound, Kahina Ziri was blackmailed and threatened with death by Lex Luthor, in order to get Ziri to memorize a fake script in which she accused Superman of the deaths of her parents. During an interview with June Finch, Ziri recited the script, claiming that Superman would never answer to the United States Government or God.
Weeks later, feeling guilty for falsely testifying against Superman, Ziri visited the United States Capitol and managed to reveal the truth of his blackmail to Senator Finch. However, before he could escape on a train, Ziri was pushed onto the tracks of the incoming train by Anatoli Knyazev under Luthor's orders, removing the last loose end of his plan.[1]
Bombing[]
- "I have sat here before to say that shadow interventions will not be tolerated by this committee, neither will lies; because today is a day for truth. Because only by speaking... only by working together can we... can we, can we..."
- ―June Finch[src]
Superman laments after the explosion.
On the day of the hearing, Superman appeared atop the United States Capitol, despite media speculation to the contrary. Superman was surrounded by anti-protesters before entering the hearing room. There, June Finch introduced Wallace Keefe and thanked the Kryptonian for coming, claiming that this was how democracy worked. While giving her speech, Finch noticed a jar of urine on her desk, rendering her unable to speak. Suddenly, Keefe's wheelchair created a huge explosion that killed everyone present except Superman, who showed a strong expression of pain at being unable to save them.[1]
Aftermath[]
- "Superman" was never real, just the dream of a farmer from Kansas."
"That farmer's dream is all some people have. It's all that gives them hope. This symbol means something."
"It did on my world. My world doesn't exist anymore." - ―Kal-El and Lois Lane[src]
Superman helps the wounded before leaving.
Shortly after the explosion, Superman took it upon himself to help the wounded by carrying them and the medical team to safety, bringing the bodies of the victims to be examined. As he looked at the corpses of the victims in horror, he was filled with guilt and doubt, looking at Lois Lane with a look of sadness and regret, before flying away from the scene.
Superman was partially blamed for the incident, with many beginning to believe he had something to do with the bombing. Guilt-ridden and believing he failed to stop the explosion by not being vigilant enough, Kal-El visited Lane on her balcony, claiming that Superman had never been real. Although Lane tried to remind him that his symbol meant something to their world, Kent decided to self-impose himself into distant snowy mountains, where he encountered a manifestation of his father Jonathan Kent.[1]
Trivia[]
- According to a news banner, 35 people were killed in the explosion while dozens more were injured.