Steve Lombard is a fictional DC Comics character appearing in Superman comics. He first appeared in Superman #264 (June 1973) in a story written by Cary Bates and penciled by Curt Swan.

Biography

Pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths

In Pre-Crisis continuity, Steve "The Slinger" Lombard is a former quarterback for the fictional NFL team the Metropolis Meteors. Steve injures his knee while saving a baby falling from a building. An experimental radiation treatment cures his knee injury, but also produces an energy being that resembles Lombard. The energy being responds to Lombard's thoughts, and begins scoring touchdowns in his place. At first taking credit for the energy being's performance, Lombard is forced to confess the truth after the energy being goes on a rampage and has to be stopped by Superman. He is subsequently hired by Morgan Edge to become a sportscaster for Galaxy Broadcasting, working alongside anchor Clark Kent on the Six O'Clock News.

Steve is portrayed as brash and overly self-confident, and often plays pranks on Clark Kent, which he is usually able to counter with the subtle usage of his powers (referring to him by the unflattering nickname "Clarkie"). However, Steve also considers Clark one of his few real friends, since he takes Steve's attitude in stride and never bears him a grudge. Steve has a brother who is a doctor named Vernon Lombard. Steve has a nephew named Jaime Lombard. Steve also has an aunt Kaye Daye who is a mystery novelist writer who works with the Mystery Analysts of Gotham City. When Steve is tracked to Clark's apartment by a super-powered enemy (a former college roommate who did not shrug off Steve's pranks nearly as well as Clark does), Steve forces Clark to safety before confronting his opponent, although Clark, naturally, returns as Superman to rescue Steve.


Post-Crisis
Lombard was not part of the original reboot of the Superman storyline that began in John Byrne's 1986 The Man of Steel mini-series. His first Post-Crisis appearance is as a news anchor on WGBS-TV in The Adventures of Superman #467 (June 1990).

As of the June 2008 storyline, Lombard works for the Daily Planet, as the editor of the Sports section. Perry White states Steve Lombard has recently returned to the paper, so it can be assumed that Steve used to work there before leaving to work for WGBS. Action Comics Annual #11 (May 2008) gives the following information on Steve: "Sports Reporter. Steve Lombard played football in high school, college, and briefly for the pros. He sees himself as a man's man, everything Clark Kent is not in fact. He is a walking encyclopedia of sports trivia and put-downs. Lombard cannot figure out why Lois Lane does not throw herself at him." It is also stated that Steve Lombard often butts heads with Ron Troupe on nearly everything.

His personality is featured in the 2008 'Brainiac' storyline. He makes a crude sexual advance to Lois Lane right in front of Clark Kent. He insults Ron Troupe's choice of subject matter, thinking articles critical of sports means Ron 'hates' them. He takes great joy in assaulting colleagues with a football, laughing at their torment. However, once actual danger arises he is quick to take charge and work with others in order to make sure everyone is safe. For example, he and Ron save Cat Grant's life.

The 2009-2010 miniseries Superman: Secret Origin established that Lombard, in post-Infinite Crisis continuity, was already on the staff of the Daily Planet when Clark Kent began working at the newspaper.

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