If I had the chance to write a one-off Superman story, here’s how it would go.
It’s his anniversary. He’s got plans to spend a night on the town with Lois, made the reservations weeks in advance. Everyone’s looking sharp. People in the know wonder if Clark can have a night off, but Lois assures them it’s handled. On their way out the door Parasite starts wreaking some havoc, but before Clark can suit up Steel already has a handle on it. Date night continues. News breaks of an earthquake somewhere and Clark goes to leave dinner. He stops when he sees live TV of Conner (maybe Jon now) taking care of the situation. They see a show, it’s fun, it’s romantic. The sky opens up as aliens invade, broadcasting ultimatums in a language nobody knows. Clark again almost joins when he hears Kara is coordinating the Justice League, calling the plays, and it’s all handled. All three crises end with the hero telling Superman to take the night off, enjoy himself, relax for once.
The anniversary date is over, they’re heading home. Suddenly, someone in a crosswalk is about to be hit by a truck. Clark grabs them and pulls them back, saving their life in a way anyone with good reflexes and a strong grip could, no obvious powers. One of the heroes helping make a night off for Superman says to Lois, “guess we missed one, sorry it wasn’t perfect”. She responds “He doesn’t save people because he has to. He wants to. It was perfect.”
