Consume All Media! Superman: "Chapter Three: The Reducer Ray"

Joe Heath is a big fan of comic books and watching things in order. So they made this spreadsheet containing every serial, short, film, television episode, commercial, motion comic, and web series based on a comic book. Now they're watching them all. Previously, Joe watched the second chapter of Superman. This time, they continue with the third.

Superman: “Chapter Three: The Reducer Ray” - 17:36 (Available on Amazon)

Superman turns into a cartoon and punches a cartoon hole in the cave wall.

He saves the miners and Lois. Clark gets the scoop and a job at the Daily Planet. He also names himself Superman in the article, presumably so people will stop calling him a bird man.

Lois wants to meet the rat who scooped her story and Clark introduces himself as the rat. It’s super adorable and I love everyone in this serial.

There’s a fun montage of Superman doing heroic deeds with newspaper headlines declaring him the Man of Steel and the Man of Tomorrow. Not a bird man reference in sight. You did it, Clark!

Also, he deflects some animated bullets at one point. Delightful.

Now that we’ve been fully introduced to our hero, it’s time to meet our villain, the Spider Lady (Carol Forman).

Actor Highlights

Carol Forman (1919-1997)

Other comic book media credits: Laska in Blackhawk (1952)

The Spider Lady was created specifically for this serial and had no comic book counterpart until very recently. And when I say recently, I mean March 2021. (This was a lot more recent when I originally wrote this.)

The Spider Lady steals a weapon called the reducer ray. The government asks Superman to get it back.

He agrees, shouts “Up, up, and away!” and flies out of the window in this incredibly realistic effect.

Superman stops some henchmen from blowing up a train and destroys the reducer ray.

Later, we learn a meteor is headed towards Earth! Perry White gets antsy when 8pm rolls around and the meteor hasn’t landed yet. Clark says his watch says it’s only 7:59 and a half.

I love this goofball.

The meteorite lands shortly thereafter. Lois and Clark go after it. On their way, Lois unscrews a bulb from her camera and tosses it out of the car window. When it pops, Lois says a tire must have blown, so Clark gets out to check it out. Lois obviously steals the car.

I love this rascal.

Clark waves down a passing car that happens to be driven by Professor Arnold Leeds (Forrest Taylor) who conveniently gives Clark a ride to the museum where the meteorite has been taken.

Leeds opens up a lead box and gives Clark a sneak peek at the glowing meteorite.

Leeds mentions that the meteorite came from the location of an exploded planet, Krypton.

That’s right. This is the first on-screen appearance of Kryptonite! This rock that drains Superman of his power was first introduced in the Superman radio series and wouldn’t make its way to the comic pages until a year after this serial was released!

Clark looks sickly and passes out.

Leeds checks Clark out and declares him dead.

Should you watch it, though? This one gets a little wobbly during Superman’s dealings with the government, but the Spider Lady is a fantastic addition with a great costume design, the introduction of Kryptonite is interesting, and there are some really good jokes. So far so super!

Tune in next time for Superman: "Chapter Four: Man of Steel" (Available on Amazon)

A version of this article was previously published on The Dipp.

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