Story: "The World's Finest Part Six: Final Countdown" (22 Pages)

Credits:

Jeph Loeb (plot, script)
Ed McGuinness (pencils)
Dexter Vines (inks)
Dave Stewart (colors)
Richard Starkings (letters)
Tom Palmer, Jr. (associate edits) Eddie Berganza (edits)
Matt Idelson ("political stooge" - consulting edits?)

Feature Character:

Superman
Batman

Guest Stars:

Captain Atom (possibly dies)
Toyman III (last in Superman Vol. 2 #177)

Supporting Characters:

Lois Lane
Perry White
Jimmy Olsen

Villain:

President Lex Luthor

Comment: Continued from the previous issue

Comment: In Daily Planet headlines we learn that Luthor is indicted in absentia, Pete Ross becoming president in his place, and that General Wynn and Amanda Waller have been arrested

Synopsis:

With a huge asteroid, some of Krypton's remains, heading for Earth, Batman and Superman receive help from an unexpected source - Hiro Okamura, the young Toyman, who constructs a 'Composite Superman/Batman Rocket Ship' for someone to pilot and destroy the asteroid. Superman is about to enter it when Captain Atom arrives (back from the future) and says that he does, Earth will die. Captain Atom takes his place, knowing that as well as using the ship to destroy the asteroid, he can absorb most of the kryptonite radiation.

As Captain Atom carries out this mission, the extent of Luthor's madness is revealed to the world as he fights Batman and Superman, having injected himself with a serum containing both Venom and kryptonite and wearing a battle suit bought from Apokolips. As Captain Atom gives his life (or at least his present) to destroy the asteroid, Lex's presidency is brought to an end, his work in the White House and in Lexcorp in ruins (Talia Head has sold all his assets to Bruce Wayne). As the Lexcorp Towers are damaged in a boom tube explosion, Luthor disappears. Hidden from view, he swears that there will be a reckoning. He will bring about a crisis.