In 1940 Jerry Siegel produced a script for a Superman story that would have totally changed the character's status-quo not only would it introduce is first real weakness (K-metal), but it would have changed his relationship with Lois Lane forever. The story was drawn up but canned, possibly due to pressure from the producer of the Radio Drama (but no one is sure for certain). Only bits and pieces survived until Mark Waid found the original script in the DC Archives, he re-typed the script and eventually a version was produced online using the script and as much of the 1940's art that has survived.
Through their investigation into a gangster Lois and the depowered Clark are trapped in a mine, just as they are almost out of of oxygen the meteor passes and Clark's powers return... He is able to save Lois but unable to maintain the secret of his dual identity.
So the story ends with the K-metal sample stolen, and Lois with full knowledge of Superman's identity. There'd be no going back, but then the story never saw print. I find the idea that K-Metal causes humans to have Kryptonian powers, or at least Golden Age Kryptonian powers, which if K-Metal itself was ever actually used could have been a pretty interesting way to have OTHER Superman characters show up. Like during DC's whole "NO OTHER KRYPTONIANS PERIOD!" phase they could have just had a it empower people like Power Girl or Linda Danvers and boom. Power Girl and Supergirl exist with no problems. It could have even lead to a VERY interesting take on Metallo, still a cyborg but still human enough to be sufficiently amplified by the K-Metal thus making him an even MORE dangerous opponent since he's not just weakening Superman, his strength is also growing from exposure as well.
I actually like the fact that it really established how long it took Golden Age Superman to uncover his roots. The fact that it seems to have developed the idea of Kryptonite even before the radio show did. But maybe most importantly, I like how even though the Clark-Lois-Superman triangle was one of the most personal, and successful, parts of the Superman myth, that Joe and Jerry did seem to come to realize, at least over time, how easily it could be perceived as sexist. Working toward character development and story progression was also a rather rare goal at the time, and it's kind of a shame that Siegel and Shuster weren't encouraged in breaking that trend.
I find the idea that K-Metal causes humans to have Kryptonian powers, or at least Golden Age Kryptonian powers, which if K-Metal itself was ever actually used could have been a pretty interesting way to have OTHER Superman characters show up. Like during DC's whole "NO OTHER KRYPTONIANS PERIOD!" phase they could have just had a it empower people like Power Girl or Linda Danvers and boom. Power Girl and Supergirl exist with no problems. It could have even lead to a VERY interesting take on Metallo, still a cyborg but still human enough to be sufficiently amplified by the K-Metal thus making him an even MORE dangerous opponent since he's not just weakening Superman, his strength is also growing from exposure as well.
Still, a look into what might have been I suppose.
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