Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Superman and Batman uncover a presidential conspiracy, clear Superman's name, and prevent a Kryptonite meteor from destroying Earth.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A President's False Peace

Lex Luthor wins the presidency and forms a government superhero team. Superman and Batman remain suspicious while a Kryptonite meteor approaches Earth.

Key Events

• Luthor Wins Presidency — Lex Luthor is elected during a severe economic depression. Characters: Lex Luthor Location: United States
• Government Hero Team — Luthor assembles government-employed superheroes. Characters: Lex Luthor, Captain Atom, Power Girl, Black Lightning, Starfire / Killer Frost (voice) Location: United States
• Kryptonite Meteor Detected — The government discovers a massive Kryptonite meteor approaching Earth. Characters: Lex Luthor, Amanda Waller Location: Government command center
• Missile Plan Announced — Luthor chooses nuclear missiles instead of requesting superhero assistance. Characters: Lex Luthor Location: Government command center

The Frame-Up in Gotham

Luthor uses a false truce to arrange a fight with Metallo. After Metallo is killed, altered footage turns Superman into a national fugitive.

Key Events

• Gotham Truce Trap — Luthor's supposed truce becomes a battle with Metallo. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor, Metallo Location: Gotham City
• Metallo Is Killed — Metallo injures both heroes before an unknown radioactive blast kills him. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Metallo, Major Force Location: Gotham City
• Superman Framed — Luthor blames Superman and places a billion-dollar bounty on him. Characters: Superman, Lex Luthor, Metallo Location: National television broadcast

Allies Under Suspicion

Batman and Superman investigate the murder while bounty hunters and government heroes pursue them. Power Girl gradually rejects Luthor's accusations.

Key Events

• S.T.A.R. Labs Investigation — The heroes find evidence that radioactive energy killed Metallo. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Metallo Location: S.T.A.R. Labs
• Bounty Hunters Attack — An army of villains attacks the heroes for the bounty. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Captain Atom Location: S.T.A.R. Labs
• Government Team Pursues — Luthor's superheroes attempt to capture Superman and Batman. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Captain Atom, Power Girl, Black Lightning, Starfire / Killer Frost (voice) Location: Metropolis
• Power Girl Defects — Power Girl reveals her doubts and helps the two fugitives escape. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Power Girl Location: Metropolis
• Major Force Exposed — Batman forces Major Force to admit killing Metallo under Luthor's orders. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Power Girl, Major Force, Captain Atom Location: Metropolis
• Radiation Is Absorbed — Power Girl ruptures Major Force's suit; Captain Atom absorbs the radiation. Characters: Power Girl, Major Force, Captain Atom Location: Metropolis

The Meteor Dictator's Gambit

The missile response fails, and Waller discovers Luthor's Kryptonite serum and authoritarian plan. The heroes obtain the meteor data despite Luthor's attempt to erase it.

Key Events

• Missiles Fail — Meteor radiation destroys the missiles before impact. Characters: Lex Luthor, Amanda Waller Location: Military launch facility
• Luthor's Hidden Serum — Waller discovers Luthor has been taking a strength-enhancing Kryptonite serum. Characters: Lex Luthor, Amanda Waller Location: Luthor's facility
• Luthor Reveals His Plan — Luthor plans to let the meteor hit and rebuild society in his image. Characters: Lex Luthor, Amanda Waller Location: Luthor's facility
• Data Recovered — The heroes break in; Luthor erases the data, but Waller supplies a copy. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Captain Marvel / Solomon Grundy, Hawkman / Captain Cold (voice) (uncredited), Amanda Waller, Lex Luthor Location: Luthor's base of operations

The Last Flight

Luthor attacks the launch operation in a Kryptonite power suit. Batman pilots the rocket, Superman defeats Luthor, and the meteor is destroyed.

Key Events

• Tokyo Launch Preparation — The heroes bring the meteor data to a laboratory with a prepared spacecraft. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Power Girl Location: Tokyo laboratory
• Luthor's Power Suit — Luthor escapes arrest in a Kryptonite-equipped power suit and attacks the heroes. Characters: Lex Luthor, Amanda Waller, Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Power Girl Location: Tokyo laboratory
• Rocket Sacrifice Plan — After Luthor disables remote guidance, Batman decides to fly the rocket himself. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Power Girl, Lex Luthor Location: Tokyo laboratory
• Meteor Destroyed — Superman disables Luthor's suit while Batman destroys the meteor. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor, Captain Atom, Power Girl Location: Earth orbit
• Truth Restored — Superman is cleared, Luthor is arrested, and Batman returns to Gotham. Characters: Superman, Batman / Bruce Wayne, Lex Luthor, Captain Atom, Amanda Waller Location: United States

Story Breakdown

• Luthor's Political Rise — Luthor gains presidential power and presents himself as the architect of national recovery.
  • Economic Depression — Luthor is elected during a severe nationwide economic depression.
  • Government Heroes — He assembles a government-employed superhero team.
• Meteor Crisis — A massive Kryptonite meteor creates the external catastrophe around which Luthor builds his plan.
  • Kryptonite Threat — The government detects the meteor hurtling toward Earth.
  • Failed Missiles — Meteor radiation destroys the nuclear missiles before impact.
• Metallo Frame-Up — Luthor converts Metallo's murder into a public case against Superman.
  • Truce Ambush — The supposed Gotham truce becomes a battle with Metallo.
  • Altered Evidence — Luthor uses altered footage and a bounty to criminalize Superman.
• Heroes Under Siege — Superman and Batman investigate while villains and government heroes pursue them.
  • Laboratory Discovery — The heroes find radioactive evidence in Metallo's remains.
  • Power Girl Defects — Power Girl rejects Luthor's accusation and joins the fugitives.
• Conspiracy Exposed — The heroes reveal the killer and uncover Luthor's intention to exploit the meteor.
  • Major Force Confession — Batman provokes Major Force into admitting the murder.
  • Authoritarian Scheme — Luthor plans to rebuild society after the meteor strike under his rule.
• Final Meteor Mission — The heroes overcome Luthor's last assault and execute a desperate orbital solution.
  • Rocket Sacrifice — Batman chooses to pilot the rocket after remote guidance is disabled.
  • Justice Restored — The meteor is destroyed, Superman is cleared, and Luthor is arrested.

Directed by

Sam Liu

Key Cast

• Tim Daly — Superman (voice)
• Kevin Conroy — Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
• Clancy Brown — Lex Luthor (voice)
• Xander Berkeley — Captain Atom (voice)
• Corey Burton — Captain Marvel / Solomon Grundy (voice)