When the President of the United States is also your greatest enemy
In short: In the 2009 animated film Public Enemies, Lex Luthor achieves the ultimate power: the Presidency. Amidst a severe economic depression, he uses his political influence to frame Superman for murder and hunt him with a government-sponsored team of superheroes.
Directed by Sam Liu, the film is the sixth installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series. It draws its narrative from the DC Comics story arc of the same name, written by Jephers Loeb and illustrated by Ed McGuinness. The plot centers on a high-stakes conspiracy where Lex Luthor, having been elected President during a nationwide economic depression, seeks to consolidate absolute power by allowing a massive Kryptonite meteorite to strike Earth. The production features voice work by Tim Daly and Kevin Conroy. This animated feature is based on the work of Jeph Loeb.
The conflict escalates when Luthor uses altered footage to frame Superman for the murder of the villain Metallo, subsequently placing a billion-dollar bounty on the Man of Steel's head. Luthor forms a state-sponsored superhero squad, comprising Major Force, Starfire, Power Girl, Black Lightning, Katana, and Captain Atom, to advance his goals. While some members like Captain Atom remain loyal to the government, others like Power Girl find their loyalties divided as the truth emerges. The hero duo eventually discovers that a radioactive energy blast caused Metallo's death. This deception was intended to make it appear as though Superman used his heat vision.
The resolution involves a desperate mission to Tokyo, where Toyman has constructed a specialized spacecraft to intercept the meteor. In a climactic sequence, Batman must pilot the rocket himself to destroy the threat. Following the crisis, Superman is cleared of all charges, and Luthor faces impeachment and trial. The mission relies on a vessel designed to look like a robotic version of the main heroes. After the meteor is destroyed, the villain is apprehended by Captain Atom's team.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
- Also: Wikidata — Public Enemies · CC0
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