Superman - Blasts From-the Past • An Part 0II

## *Superman: The Animated Series*

*Not to be confused with the* Static Shock *episode "Blast From the Past".*
"**Blasts From the Past**" is a two-parter consisting of the first and second episodes of the second season of *Superman: The Animated Series*, and the 14th and 15th of the overall series.

## Plot

Desperate to find a way to defeat Jax-Ur and Mala, Superman takes Professor Hamilton to the Fortress of Solitude. Hamilton is greatly interested by the animals in the Fortress but has to hurry to the Brainiac's orb. The computer explains how to make a Phantom Zone projector and says that every dimension vibrates at its own unique frequency.

Jax-Ur and Mala take a walk through Metropolis. He finds the natives rather primitive, but sees potential for Earth under his rule. He also revels in the fact that he has the chance to exact vengeance on Jor-El, by killing his son. Since his own powers are not yet up to either Mala's or Superman's, she gives him a demonstration of hers, and havoc ensues.

At the *Daily Planet* Lois informs Clark of Mala's rampage and he leaves as Superman to confront the duo. As Jax-Ur watches, Mala manages to defeat Superman and forces him to listen to Jax-Ur's monologue. After Superman refuses to bow down to Jax-Ur, he orders Mala to kill him. Fortunately, Superman manages to ward her off and attacks Jax-Ur. He easily captures the general but Mala attacks again. The two fight each other to a standstill, but Mala spots Lois and throws her in harm's way to distract Superman. She extracts Jax-Ur, and they escape once again.

Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Superman checks up on the progress made on the new Phantom Zone projector. Unfortunately, the projector doesn't work as it's missing a crystal that vibrates at the Phantom Zone's frequency.

Meanwhile, ***Perry White*** is on the backs of his staff about their inability to find Jax-Ur and Mala. However, the duo appear shortly and kidnap Lois.

   Jax-Ur leaves a message for Superman to come and get Lois at the cabin in the woods.
Superman does come but in his Anti-Kryptonite suit, and bringing a chunk of Kryptonite. Mala falls before the rock's radiation and Lois keeps her covered. But Jax-Ur appears from hiding with the projector and sends Superman and the Kryptonite to the Phantom Zone. Mala is eager to kill Lois, but Jax-Ur wants her alive, to spread the word that Superman is gone.

   To make sure he's gone for good, Jax-Ur destroys the projector with his new heat vision. He and Mala leave to take over the world.

At S.T.A.R. Labs, Lois watches a report on disasters caused by the Kryptonian renegades. Professor Hamilton asks her if the Superman's suit was intact when she last saw it, and explains that it was treated with a traceable energy signature. Using the trace, Hamilton manages to bring Superman back. With Lois, they inspect the remains of the destroyed projector, and Superman retrieves the dimension-specific crystal they need.

At the U.N. Security Council, the decision has been made to surrender the planet to Jax-Ur and Mala. Superman intervenes before the treaty can be signed. Again Superman does battle, this time with both Jax-Ur and Mala. The team proves to be more than a match for Superman and nearly kill him. However, Superman prolongs their battle and then feigns an escape attempt. The pair gives chase but are lured into a trap: Lois and Hamilton use the completed projector to send them back to the Phantom Zone.

Superman takes the projector to his Fortress of Solitude and decides that it's best that he remains the only Kryptonian on Earth.

## Continuity

* This is the first time that Superman has been shown to use both the Brainiac's orb ("Stolen Memories") and the Kryptonian message projector ("The Last Son of Krypton, Part I") together to use a Kryptonian computer.
* In "The Last Son of Krypton, Part I," Jor-El suggests sending everyone to the Phantom Zone and later releasing them on another planet. This may be why there is a Phantom Zone projector in Superman's ship, hoping that Kal-El would be the one to release them eventually.
* Superman still has the menagerie of creatures that he salvaged from the ***Preserver***'s ship in "The Main Man".
* Jax-Ur and Mala return in "Absolute Power".

## Background information

### Home video releases

* Superman: The Animated Series, Volume One (DVD)
* ***Superman: The Complete Animated Series (DVD)***
* All-Star Superman (2DVD, Blu-ray only)
* ***DC Comics Super-Villains: Superman - Worlds at War! (DVD)***

### Production notes

* In part I, in a fit of rage, Mala uses her heat vision to blow up a TV set. The ensuing explosion is reused footage from the gas canisters that Superman ignites in "***The Way of All Flesh***". This footage is used again on part II when Superman electrocutes Mala, and again when he throws a car at her.

### Production inconsistencies

* During Brainiac's exposition about Jax-Ur's coup, several of his charging soldiers pop off the screen at the bottom rather than move out of frame gradually.
* Superman is wearing the "anti-Kryptonite" suit while in the Phantom Zone, but when Hamilton asks Lois about that very fact, the suit is in its alcove behind him, next to Superman's space suit.

### Trivia

* Although his portrayal in the series is closer to that of General Zod, Jax-Ur is in fact an original character from the comics, who is a mad Kryptonian scientist. In one of his appearances, he co-engineers (with Zod) one of Superman's races with ***The Flash***.
* Mala seems to be an amalgamation of two female villainesses from Superman's universe, Ursa and Faora.
* Perry's insistence that the *Daily Planet* staff find Jax-Ur and Mala just before they come into the building is a tribute to the movie *Superman II* which has Perry talking about Zod, Ursa, and Non just before they attack the Planet building.
* According to this episode, although Superman has used the cavern in the North Pole since "Stolen Memories", it is Professor Hamilton who first coins the term "Fortress of Solitude".
* The battle suits of Jax-Ur's soldiers are similar in appearance to those later used by ***Derek Powers***' security guards in **Batman-Beyond**.
* The music played during Superman's brief battle with the mysterious creature in Part I would later be remixed and used for the battle against ***Felix Faust*** in "***Paradise Lost***".
* When aired on Toon Disney, Jax-Ur's order for Mala to "crush his skull!" while holding Superman down was edited out.

## Cast

 ***Keri Tombazian*** | Female Correspondent

### Uncredited appearances

* Jor-El
* Mercy Graves

## Quotes

**Jax-Ur:** I must say it seems a shame to kill the one other survivor of Krypton. I'd offer you a place in our new order, but something tells me you'd turn it down.
**Superman:** Guess you're not as dumb as you look.

**Jax-Ur:** Your father was a clever man, though I see you share his poor judgment in choosing sides.
**Superman:** Glad to disappoint you.

**Lois:** It must hurt your fingers, clamping down on my throat like that...
**Mala:** I'll live.

**Lois:** I'm gonna personally lead the army that vaporizes you two.
**Mala:** Or vice-versa. Either way, see you soon.

**Jax-Ur:** Look at it this way, Kal-El: death is better than the Phantom Zone.
**Superman:** I'll take your word for it.