Superman: TAS episode
"Tools of the Trade"
Airdate:	February 1, 1997 (USA)
Production Number:	012
Airdate Order:	12
Animation Services by:	Koko/Dong Yang
Written by:	Mark Evanier
Directed by:	Curt Geda
Episode images (6)

"Tools of the Trade" is the twelfth episode of Superman: The Animated Series. Mysterious technology is given to Intergang so that they might destroy Superman. Superman fights back but finds that the terrifying weaponry can hurt even him.

Plot Edit

Things are peaceful in Metropolis until a tank rolls up to the Metropolis Gold Exchange and attempts to break in. The SCU shows up and attempts to stop the robbery but is unsuccessful, partially due to the recklessness of Dan Turpin. Fortunately, Clark and Lois are nearby. Clark changes into Superman and foils the robbery. After the end of the chaos, Angela Chen makes the statement that Superman is the real power behind the SCU, upsetting Turpin.

Elsewhere, Bruno Mannheim angrily curses his weapons, as they are worthless against Superman. Just then, Mannheim and his henchmen hear a loud explosion and see a strange man walking into their warehouse. They pull out their guns on this man, but he assures them it's unnecessary. Mannheim insists that the man explain himself. The man introduces himself as "Kanto" and destroys Mannheim's guns with a strange staff he's holding, then offers the staff as a "gift". Kanto continues to demonstrate more weapons, including a ray gun capable of easily melting tempered steel and a pair of gloves making energy hands of greatly amplified strength. When Mannheim asks what they'll cost, Kanto tells him that they're free right now. Mannheim is wary, but decides to use the weapons, Dan Turpin sneaks over the fence and observes the weapons. He tries to follow Kanto, who uses a small device that causes an explosive flash of light, forcing Turpin to look away. When he looks back, Turpin finds that Kanto has disappeared.

Later, Intergang makes a shot at a train transporting money. With their new weapons, the gang manages to easily capture the train and get rid of the guards. News of the train robbery quickly travels to both the SCU and the Daily Planet. Both Superman and the SCU go to stop the robbery, but both fail. Turpin insists that Mannheim is behind the robbery and they should go after him, but Maggie Sawyer refuses. When she tells Turpin that she wants to bring Superman in on the investigation, Turpin turns in his badge.

In spite of his resigning from the force, Turpin goes to Mannheim's house and attempts to make his own investigations but is captured by Kanto. Kanto tells Mannheim that his employer is pleased enough to give him a new weapon powerful enough to destroy Superman. After hearing about Turpin's resigning and his disappearance, Superman heads out confront Mannheim. However, Mannheim is ready for him.

Superman is confronted with thugs using the new weapons, which do give him a lot of trouble, but in the end he is able to overcome them. However, Superman finds that it's a trap. Mannheim attacks him with his new gun and severely injures his enemy. He then points out that the gun isn't even at full power and adjusts it. Thinking that he can finally rid himself of Superman, Mannheim prepares to fire the gun at him, but Turpin tackles him. Superman uses his heat vision on the gun and forces Mannheim to drop it. Mannheim runs out after Kanto, only to learn that he is no longer considered "worthy" of new weapons. However, rather than be captured, he follows Kanto into a strange portal.

Later the police have arrived to secure the mansion, and reporters. Superman explains how Dan Turpin saved his life, and Turpin seems a little more comfortable around the Man of Steel. When asked where Mannheim is, Turpin notes that he's out of the Metropolis SCU's jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Mannheim is in a hellish land, where Kanto, now dressed in a bizarre Renaissance costume, takes him to meet his "new lord and master:" a tall figure with a deep voice, gray rock-like skin, and red eys who calls himself Darkseid.

Background information Edit

Home video releases Edit

• Superman: The Animated Series, Volume One (DVD)
• Superman: The Complete Animated Series (DVD)

Production inconsistencies Edit

• The tank rolls over a bystander.

Trivia Edit

• Debut of Dan Turpin and Maggie Sawyer.
• This episode boasts the second largest introduction of major characters from the series (second to "The Last Son of Krypton") to the DC Animated Universe. It introduces primarily the modern DC Comics contributions by the renowned comic book artist, Jack Kirby, such as Intergang, Darkseid and the other New Gods of Apokolips, as well as Dan Turpin. Turpin's superior Maggie Sawyer and the Metropolis Special Crimes Unit are also introduced.
• Dan Turpin mentions "Mannheim's ugly mitts", a reference to Mannheim's nickname in the comics, "Ugly".

Continuity Edit

• This episode starts us down the path to the war between Superman and Darkseid, which evolved into a major saga within the DCAU. This episode leads to "Father's Day", which leads to the two-part "Apokolips... Now!," which leads to Superman: The Animated Series two-part series finale "Legacy", which leads to both the Justice League two-part "Twilight"" and the Cadmus story arc that plays out during Justice League Unlimited. Everything ultimately came to a head in Justice League Unlimited's own two-part series finale "Alive!" and "Destroyer".

Cast Edit

Quotes Edit