Daring White House Break-In

Washington, DC - Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane was on the scene last night to witness a daring breaking-and-entering operation on the White House. She claims that the trespasser was the Batman, although his existence is still believed to be a Gotham City urban legend. Out reporter tells the full story:

The entire nation owes a debt of thanks to Superman. Not merely the debt he is owed for having saved the world and country and millions of individuals several dozen times over, but for his strength of character and unwavering code of morals.

It is no secret that for years, throughout their mutual residence in Metropolis, Superman and now-President Lex Luthor had never been best of friends. However, what the world does not know is that President Luthor had in his possession and continues to possess an item that has the unique property of being able to cause Superman pain. So important is this matter to President Luthor that he continues to hold it close to him though it had once cost him his hand (which has since returned to him through cloning and means uncertain).

As a guest in the White House of my father, Sam Lane, I watched as Batman, to aid his good friend and fellow Justice League member, launched a crusade to obtain that item and wrest it from the President's control. None of the extraordinary White House security devices or personnel put in place by President Luthor were able to stop him.

Only one being could stop the Dark Knight. And, despite the danger that Batman's theft would have saved him from, he did not hesitate to put himself in both the position of fighting his graetest ally in order to hand over to his antagonist a weapon that exist only to cause him harm.

I was witness to the amazing spectacle of seeing Superman fight for his own right to have power lorded over him. But he did not see it that way. "My personal feelings aside," I heard him tell Batman, "Luthor is the elected leader of the United States of America. I will not go against the will of the people."

That is truth, justice and the American way.

President Luthor must be proud to have such a defender in Superman. However, just to prove a point, he made a show of using the ring to cause Superman pain while Batman watched. President Luthor then let the heroes go, without charging either with trespassing.

It is inspiring to hear of a patriot such as Superman, a true child of Nathan Hale, willing to lay down his life for his country (although it seems that Superman has more than just one to give). And it is inspiring to know that at the two most powerful person in America believes in the system of democratic checks and balances. President Luthor can well savor his victory over Batman's theft attempts, coming as it did in such a uniquely American way.

Keystone Killer Kaught

Keystone City - The Flash has finally apprehended a merciless serial killer who has targeted anyone whose life the Flash had recently saved.

The killer, currently known only as Cicada, has been charged with over two hundred counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, dating back to the death of his wife years ago. Prior to the Flash's defeat of him, he actually managed, according to eyewitness accounts, to re-aminate his wife's corpse, which made the murder accusation. It is uncertain whether or not that one will hold upo in court.

More damaging to Cicada will be the murder of police officer Julie Jackam, who had worked closely with the Flash in recent years. Her partner, Fred Chyre, was instrumental in Cicada's capture. She leaves behind a baby son, whose father has not yet been determined. Neither Chyre nor Flash had any comment on that issue.

According to the Flash, Cicada had targeted him and people he had saved because he had been struck by lightning, the event that triggered Flash's own power. This led Cicada to feel some form of affinity for the Flash, leading him to enter into his murderous crusade to undo Flash's previous good works.

Most of Cicada's cultish followers are expected to turn state's evidence in return for more lenient sentences. One, however, poses greater problems than the others: Francis Kane, a.k.a. Magenta, a former girlfriend of the Flash who has a history of schizophrenia. She was briefly believed to be stable, but her association with Cicada has clearly re-established her psychoses, and her magnetic powers amplify those issues.

Magenta had been working with the police, believing her condition to be cured. In fact, she had claimed this as Cicada's agent so theor organization would have someone watching the police for them. However, due to her psychosis, she managed to snap after seeing Flash a few too many times.

Shock from Titans

New York, NY - The Titans surprised New Yorkers by not apprehending Shockwave, a mercenary hitman who made an attempt on the life of Mayor Jim Hall yesterday. Instead, they and Shockwave teamed together on capturing the man who contracted Shockwave's services, real estate magnate James Sullivan. He had kidnaped Shockwave's children in order to force him to take the hit job, according to Titans sources.