Steve Lombard


Steve Lombard is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

Publication history

Steve Lombard first appeared in Superman #264 in a story written by Cary Bates and penciled by Curt Swan. When editor Julius Schwartz suggested adding a sportscaster to Clark Kent's news broadcast, Bates decided to create a workplace adversary for Kent to contrast with Kent's friendly relationship with the other cast members, drawing partial inspiration from the character Ted Baxter of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Lombard's physical model was real-life football star Joe Namath.
For several years after Steve Lombard's debut, he appeared in nearly every published Superman story. Action Comics writer Martin Pasko later attempted to explain the character's popularity:
Bates wrote Steve Lombard out of the regular Superman supporting cast in Superman #384, though his final pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths appearance was not until Superman #413.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths

In Pre-Crisis continuity, Steve "The Slinger" Lombard is a quarterback for the fictional NFL team the Metropolis Meteors. The day before his team is to play in the Super Bowl, Steve exacerbates existing injuries to his knees while saving a baby falling from a building. An experimental radiation treatment cures his knees, but also produces an energy being resembling Lombard in his football uniform. The energy being responds to Lombard's thoughts and begins scoring touchdowns in his place, as Lombard had missed most of the game due to his accident. Initially taking credit for the energy being's performance, Lombard publicly confesses the truth after the being goes on a rampage and has to be stopped by Superman. Steve resigns from the Meteors and retires from football over his actions, leading Morgan Edge to hire him as a sportscaster for Galaxy Broadcasting, working alongside anchor Clark Kent on the Six O'Clock News.
Steve is portrayed as brash and overly self-confident, and often plays childish pranks on Clark Kent, which Kent usually counters with the subtle use of his super-powers. However, Steve also considers Clark one of his few real friends, since he takes Steve's behavior in stride and never bears him a grudge. Steve has a brother named Vernon, who is a doctor, and a nephew named Jaime. Steve also has an aunt, Kaye Daye, who is a mystery novelist who works with the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City. Morgan Edge ultimately fires Steve after many years due to his declining popularity with the viewing audience. Steve goes to Clark's apartment seeking solace, only to be attacked by a former college roommate who did not shrug off Steve's pranks as well as Clark did, and obtained superhuman powers to get revenge. In a rare display of genuine courage and humanity, Steve forces Clark to safety before confronting his opponent, although Clark returns as Superman and rescues 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 in The Adventures of Superman #467.
As of the June 2008 storyline, Lombard works for the Daily Planet, as the editor of the Sports section. 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 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 is not in fact. He is a walking encyclopedia of sports trivia and put-downs. Lombard cannot figure out why Lois Lane does not throw herself at him". It is also stated that Steve Lombard often butts heads with Ron Troupe on nearly everything.
His personality is featured in the 2008 'Brainiac' storyline. He makes a crude sexual advance to Lois Lane right in front of Clark Kent. He insults Ron Troupe's choice of subject matter, thinking articles critical of sports means Ron 'hates' them. He takes great joy in assaulting colleagues with a football, laughing at their torment. However, once actual danger arises he is quick to take charge and work with others in order to make sure everyone is safe. For example, he and Ron save Cat Grant's life.
The 2009-2010 miniseries established that Lombard, in post-Infinite Crisis continuity, was already on the staff of the Daily Planet when Clark Kent began working at the newspaper.
Steve Lombard is shot in the shoulder when he attempts to stop a crazed gunman from killing various Daily Planet employees. He is later seen being led away from the building.

Alternate versions

Earth-Two

There was an Earth-Two version called Steve Bard who appeared in the 'Mr. & Mrs. Superman' stories in the Superman Family title. He appeared first in Superman #29, as a jokester, resembling The Prankster.

Smallville

Steve Lombard is featured in the Smallville Season 11 digital comic based on the TV series who is possessed by Eclipso. While a Steve Lombard is said to have recently gone to the Daily Star in the episode "Booster", leaving the Daily Planet, this Steve Lombard is a low-level Daily Planet reporter, who works in the basement of the building.

Earth-Three

In the New 52 an alternate version of Steve Lombard was mentioned by Ultraman during his attack on the Daily Planet. He tells Jimmy Olsen that the Earth-Three Jimmy Olsen had skinned Steve Lombard for looking at his private collection of pictures of Superwoman. This was the only reference so far to the character.

''All-Star Superman''

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, Steve proves immune to the Bizarro virus due to his use of performance-enhancing drugs. In the same issue, he risks his life to defend fellow employees from danger. He also wears a toupee he denies exists.

In other media

Television