Suicide Slum

Suicide Slum (official name Southside) is a notorious fictional slum in publications from DC Comics. The area was first introduced in the "The Newsboy Legion" feature as a slum in New York City.^[1] It was later placed in Superman's city, Metropolis, when the Newsboy Legion was reintroduced.^[2] The Southside is also known as The Simon Project in the Post-Crisis continuity.

Fictional history

Southside,^[3] also known as The Simon Project (in the Post-Crisis) continuity, and most notably, Suicide Slum, has been at various times the stomping ground of several superheroes, including the Guardian (who protected the Newsboy Legion) and Black Lightning. It was based on the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City in which Jack Kirby grew up. In the comics the district's real name is Hobb's Bay. It was occasionally referred to by this name in the alternate continuity of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

Suicide Slum is also the site of The Ace o' Clubs, a bar owned by Superman supporting character Bibbo Bibbowski.^[4] The human personification of the New God Black Racer lives, paralyzed, in a hospital in Suicide Slum. This was also where he was murdered.^[5] The Slum is also where the villain called Sleez operates from for some time, until he is slain. It is also the childhood home of Jose Delgado (schoolteacher-turned-vigilante Gangbuster) and Jefferson Pierce (the superhero known as Black Lightning).

A shaken Clark Kent, unconcerned about his secret,assists Lateesha Johnson; she was attacked by gang members. Art by Dan Jurgens. From Superman v.2 #121.

In a notable single issue story, "They Call It Suicide Slum," on Superman v.2 #121, written and art by Dan Jurgens, its central theme is against urban crimes and gun violence instead the usual superhero actions. Superman made less appearances on this story, instead it was more about Clark Kent and the column he's writing about 'The Simon Project' for The Daily Planet. Known as 'Southside' and 'Suicide Slum', the area is believed by many to be beyond help, even Superman's. When a child, Lateesha Johnson, witnessed a local gang murders a group of local kids who was playing basketball for no apparent reasons, she became a target. The criminals feared she would tell the police of what she saw.

Clark Kent learns the residents believe Superman doesn't care. As Superman, he targets every known criminal and destroys every gun, hoping to also protect Lateesha.

However, an unnamed arms dealer, who works for a "Mr. L.," supplies more unregistered guns to the neighborhood's criminals. Lateesha is injured and Clark, not caring that he is risking his secret (however it is safe as no one notice him using his powers during the chaos resulted from the attack), gets her to help. He feels the overwhelming fear, helplessness and outrage of the citizenry... As Clark Kent his column garners enough attention that Lateesha's family is able to move and more officers are assigned to patrol the Project. Superman himself also steps up his patrolling of the area.^[6]

Later, the superhero Steel, AKA John Henry Irons, establishes his base of operations in the area, in an old warehouse.^[7]

City of tomorrow

When Brainiac-13 turns Metropolis into a "city of tomorrow", Southside becomes the site of vast engines and uncontrolled conduits. Its harbor area is lost to a huge hydroelectric dam, creating a sheer drop that became a popular suicide point. John Henry Irons helps CAELOSS (Citizen's Army for the Economic Liberation of Suicide Slum) in trying to ensure the residents are not totally disenfranchised by the "new" Metropolis. Like the rest of the city, the Slum has since reverted to its old form.^[8]

The area is featured visually during a destructive battle between Superman and the villain Ruin.^[9] It is also a purchaseable property in the in-universe board game based on the city, 'Metrolopoly'.^[10]

Luthor's roots

According to then-current Post-Crisis continuity (1986–2004), Lex Luthor grew up in Southside (Suicide Slum) alongside Perry White; he was able to escape the slum and set up his first company with the insurance payout following his parents' apparently accidental deaths, which he had orchestrated. In Pre-Crisis continuity, Lex grew up in Smallville alongside Clark Kent, and subsequent continuity retcons (in Birthright and further changes post-Action Comics #850) have reintroduced new variations of the Smallville origin to the modern Luthor, largely to create greater similarity with the TV show Smallville.

Other versions

A 1940's version of Suicide Slum was spotlighted in volume one of 'Elseworld's Finest'. ^[11]

In other media

Television

• In the television series Smallville, Lionel Luthor grew up in Suicide Slum and befriended future crime lord Morgan Edge there. Clark Kent has visited the district several times, first during the episode "Run" where he had to track down a fence who threatened to kill Bart Allen and during "Vengeance" where he and a masked vigilante were tracking the same criminal there. During the episode "Persona", a severely weakened Brainiac hides in the district posing as a homeless man until he is visited by Bizarro (who asks for assistance against the returning Clark Kent).

Video games

• Suicide Slum is featured in DC Universe Online. The Ace O'Clubs, Metropolis Shipyards, and Steelworks are located here and can be visited by the players. It is around here where Circe mind-controls Aquaman into leading the Atlantean armies into attacking Metropolis.
• Suicide Slum is also featured in Superman Returns: the Video Game.

References