Comic Title: Superman #9
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: September 1987
On Sale Date: June 9, 1987 Newsstand Date June 9, 1987
Source: DC Releases, #40

Newsstand Date June 9, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #118

Newsstand Date June 9, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #702, #704

Shipping Date May 19, 1987
Source: Amazing Heroes, #118

Copyright Date May 19, 1987
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1987
DC publication dates beyond April 1981 listed by the LoC
represent shipping dates NOT newsstand sale dates

Shipping Date May 19, 1987
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #702, #704

Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Editor: Andrew Helfer

Title: "To Laugh and Die in Metropolis"
Pages: 17

Feature(s):
Superman (Post-Crisis)

Writer/Penciller: John L. Byrne
Inker: Karl Kesel
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Thomas J. Ziuko

Reprinted In:
Superman:The Man of Steel Vol. 5 TPB (2007)
Joker:A Celebration of 75 Years HC (2014)
Superman:The Man of Steel Vol. 2 HC (2021)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Justice League International #7; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #432)

Supporting Character(s)

• Lois Lane (last appearance in Booster Gold #19; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #432)
• Perry White (last appearance in Superman Annual #1; next appearance in Superman #10)
• Lana Lang (last appearance in Superman #8; next appearance in Action Comics #595)
• Maggie Sawyer (last appearance in Superman #7; next appearance in Superman #10)
• Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in Adventures of Superman #428; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #432)

Villain(s)

• Joker (last appearance in Doctor Fate #2; next appearance in Swamp Thing #66)

Other Character(s)

• Toby Raynes (a reporter from the Metropolis Star; next appearance in Superman #15)
• Greg (a police officer; no further appearances)
• The staff at a jewelry store (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
The Joker sends a Superman robot to steal the Star of Zaharain from the Diamond Exchange in Metropolis. The real Man of Steel confronts the robot which is armed with an atomic bomb. Superman carries the robot into the sky before it can explode.

After recovering from the blast, Superman returns to Metropolis. He finds a note from the Joker indicating that he has kidnapped Lois, Jimmy, and Perry. He claims to have sealed them in lead-lined coffins around the city. Superman quickly locates the coffins and finds them empty. He then tracks down the Joker and rescues the hostages.